Gemini MIDI CTRL-One

Two touch-sensitive jog wheels give you direct access to scratch and cue functions while DJing. The Gemini CTRL-One is a USB/MIDI DJ controller for DJ software and recreates the control surface of a classic mixer/player setup in one device. Its clearly structured layout makes it easy to access the deck and mixer functions.

The controls comprise 46 illuminated buttons, five faders and 18 rotary controls. The MIDI controllers can be freely assigned; you can also adjust the channel faders individually. Two independent mix channels with line faders and a crossfader with an adjustable X-Y curve make up the mixer section. The curve adjustment determines how quickly the channels fade in and out as you move the crossfader.

Each side features a 3-band EQ and SYNC button. There are also hot cue buttons for setting and recalling cue points during playback, as well as loop buttons with automatic tempo adjustment. A rotary selector is used to search for tracks. This lets you control key deck functions and adjust the speed directly from the controller.

For samples, there is a section with 12 LEDs, a sample selector and a volume control. Effects can also be controlled on the device: a selector chooses the effect, and two rotary controls adjust its parameters. In addition to the basic mixing and deck tasks, the controls therefore also cover sample and effect functions.

The controller works with Gemini Groove and comes with a specially adapted version of the software. Virtual DJ LE is also included as an installation CD. The computer connection is via USB Type B; USB 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0 are supported. Wireless USB connections are not supported. Power can be supplied via USB; alternatively, a 5 V DC power supply rated at 1,000 mA can be used, but must be purchased separately.

The software versions listed in the manual require a computer with a clock speed of at least 1.2 GHz, 512 MB RAM and 400 MB of free hard drive space. The operating systems listed are Mac OS X and Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 in 32-bit or 64-bit versions. This makes the CTRL-One suitable for computer-based DJ setups where you want to control mixer, deck, sample and effect functions using a MIDI controller.