Hercules DJControl Inpulse 300 Mk2 Review
The Hercules DJ Control Inpulse 300 Mk2 is a DJ controller of entry-level for Serato DJ Lite, which combines some special features.
It also works with DJUCED, a free and excellent alternative DJ platform. The controller has built-in mixing aids to help beginners learn manual beatmixing; and it's very affordable compared to some of the competitors. It's not perfect, but it might be worth considering for learning the basics.
First Impressions and Setup
The Hercules DJ Control Inpulse 300 Mk2 is, like its predecessor, a simple DJ controller for beginners, from a company known for such devices. So it's a lightweight, relatively small plastic box with a range of basic controls for both the included DJUCED software and - new for the Mk2 version - for the Serato platform, one of the world's most popular DJ software.
You pretty much get what you'd expect at this low price: reasonable jogwheels, a two-channel software mixer with EQ and channel filters, basic transport, loop, and effect controls, headphone cue buttons, monochrome backlit performance pads, controls for navigating and loading libraries, and the usual outputs (RCA master and 3.5mm headphone).
We tested the controller with Serato DJ Lite (the free version of Serato), and like all Serato devices, it was easy to set up and recognized the software as soon as it was plugged in. New DJs should note that for playing with such devices, you need your own wired active speakers, so that's something to factor in.
Using the Controller
Hercules is a beginner's brand and therefore has added some features to help beginners with learning DJ techniques, especially beatmixing.
Under the jogwheels are two small lights that indicate whether the track on this deck is slightly behind or ahead of the track on the other deck. The tempo faders also have similar lights that indicate whether the track on the respective deck is playing faster or slower than the one on the other deck, allowing you to speed it up or slow it down accordingly.
Although modern DJ software has a "Sync" function to prevent new DJs from worrying about aligning their tracks, ultimately it's important to know at the beginning how to do these things manually, even if you don't use them constantly during your set. So it's good to see that a manufacturer of beginner controllers incorporates such learning aids into their devices, and they work well.
As for the rest of the features, we found it good that we could control Serato's effects slightly better than usual from Hercules. Also, we liked that there's a button for Slip mode, a fun performance feature that's often overlooked by many manufacturers, even with much larger devices. And a big thumbs up for the correct VU display, which is unmatched in this price range and is also important for learning.
However, we missed a Cue/Master control, which is helpful for DJs who want to play only with headphones, and we found the tempo controls to be quite short. There's no microphone input at all. In this market segment, there are always compromises regarding features, but it's something to keep in mind.
The audio quality is acceptable for this price range, although there was some noise on one channel, which we attributed to a one-time thing with this test unit. However, you shouldn't expect a professional-level sound card - it's suitable for home use, small parties, and so on, but not for larger events. Also, it's not meant to be taken to a professional club.
Our Verdict
To learn the basics of DJing, the Hercules DJControl Inpulse 300 Mk2 is a good choice. It covers most basics, is inexpensive but reliably built, and has some unique advantages. Especially if you need help with manual beatmixing, it's particularly attractive.
The Mk2 version adds Serato compatibility and improved jogwheels, with the former being a big leap forward, although the DJUCED software (unique to Hercules controllers) is free and very good.
Serato DJ, on the other hand, is included for free but only in the Lite version. Here, a paid upgrade to the Pro version or a monthly subscription is needed to access all Serato features.
All in all, the strengths of the Hercules DJ Control Inpulse 300 Mk2 are: the alternative software platform, the mixing aids, the decent VU metering, and the price.
There are many controllers in this market segment, but if one of these features is particularly important to you, this controller could be the right choice.