I am writing a brief note here a day into ownership. I may write a more detailed review after more time with the unit. In short, if you are not looking for a full-on Numark, Pioneer, or other manufacturer's full-size controller shrunken into this tiny package... then read on. But if you are looking for a very small tool that lets you do pretty much everything essential that is found in the full-size unit, and in some cases, even more, then you may be glad you bought this amazing piece of gear, I am... read on.
First thoughts included, "gee how can i do something with so few dedicated controls?" and the answer was, "you don't want or need to do that, you are buying this to do something else!" And the "something else" was, I wanted to be able to sit on a plane, train, or the sofa, and mix music, explore tracks, from the most convenient places in my life, where a full size rig was just not possible.
I tried the iDJ, and the Dj2Go, and a Pioneer Wego3, every iPad DJ app made (literally) and a stand alone CDJ, but all of them were NOT the solution for travel and lazy-couch sitting.
Enter the Monster GODJ. This unit has an unbelievable list of features, multi-looping, multi-cue-point, 6 effects, mixing, on board sequencer, on-board pads, on board sample-to-pad-assignment, and much much more. At $500 U.S., it ain't cheap, and if the money is a stretch for you, you should try one before you invest, to make sure it meets your needs. But if you have the cash, and want one of the coolest, and possible the best, portable all-in-one dj mixer, MP3 player, production-tool, and much more, and are NOT planning to do everything on it you can do with a full size mixer in real-time.... buy it!
It does pretty much everything you can do on any other device, the only draw back is that it is not as performance friendly as say a Pioneer DDJ-xx, but it is only 10x3x1/2 inche(s) (actually smaller) , and requires NO computer, NO CD collection, not even a table, really.
The unit is completely capable for dj'ing in the context of 'spinning records' at events or parties where you are mostly transitioning from one song to another, everything you need to do that "live" is perfectly acceptable, if you plan to re-mix on the fly, you can do that, too, but be prepared to do it with the tools provided which might require flexibility on your part.
It is advertised as accepting up to 32GB SDHC, but I have used it with larger cards including SDXC format.
Battery life is crazy-good, in 'auto-dj' mode it has been playing music from 9 AM till now, 1:30 PM, and the battery indicator has not budged!
Audio fidelity is excellent. And, common live performance features like loops and cue points actually are very usable "live", you just have to be willing to learn the interface.
And, this unit also supports recording your mix internally! Two hours worth, and the ability to transfer your recordings to the SD card! Many of the features are found on few if any other mixers, like external audio sources can be run through the full effects section, including the mic input, yes that is correct you can effect, even scratch the line in and the mic inputs. Cool!
Many tout the merits of this unit as a hot backup for their full size rig. Yes. Perfect solution, it even can auto mix to keep the gig going while you trouble shoot the main equipment failure in that scenario. But the unit is also very capable on its own, in the hands of someone willing to take some time to explore, understand, and learn a few new ways to make music :)
Bottom line after my 1st day is this:
-if you can shed your preconceived notion about how things in the user interface SHOULD be, and can also learn a few new tricks
-if you are looking for a completely self-contained unit (sans headphones)
-if you are the type of person willing to invest some time learning " how do I....?" on the unit
-If you have an eye for really well designed and manufactured hi-tech toys/tools
-if you have the money without sacraficing and going without food, fuel, or lights.... :)
-if "spinning records" is more important to you than "remixing", (although you can do both)...
---then....
Buy it!!