Is.This.The.start.of.A.

Digital.Revolution.

M-Audio are now competing directly with Serato and Stanton, the two biggest Time Coded Vinyl solutions out there, Just like the other solutions, Torq Conectiv is really two products designed together: Torq is the DJ software package like Traktor, and Conectiv is the USB hardware interface pretty much like a FinalScratch ScratchAmp, or more simply a USB soundcard. They must be used together as a complete package.

Find out More about Torq or buy it here:  

Hardware

The Conectiv interface is a USB powered audio device that has two RCA  inputs and outputs (thats one for each vinyl or CD deck), a headphone input and a mic input. The most prominent feature on the face are a pair or big knobs, these are used to either switch from time coded vinyls or acutal vinyls, or according to M-Audio can be used as some kind of effects wet/dry knobs. Conectiv can be used as between turntables or CD players and Torq with special control vinyl or CDs that are included. You can also use Conectiv as a soundcard, It is even compatible with the M-Powered Pro Tools but I doubt you will find it useful as it's latency for audio application makes it pretty much useless for anything but DJing. It is clearly designed to be cheap but well built. It's not going to win any beauty contests, but it does the job. It is simple, minimal and very strong.

Software

Torq is similar to programs like Traktor, as it has two DJ decks and all the regular trimmings, as well as a track database and playlist. But Torq also has some great new unique features like, VST plug-in support, an iTunes integration, Can be run as a ReWire slave and also has a 16 cell sampler and the. Torq also easliy runs with any MIDI controller (and also has auto-detect with M-Audio's controllers).

Interface

The interface is very basic in design. It looks like a lot of thought has clearly gone into its features,  but I still felt that Torq feels like it should be in beta. It lacks the finished feel of Traktor or Deckadance. I do like the skinning options and the colours used are good for use in the dark.

I also like the MIDI learn functions which means I can plug in a Midi controller, hold down the SHIFT key and quickie teach Torq which control I want to use for a specific command.

Having set everything up, and put a track into one of the decks and a vinyl on a real deck it does however play very nicely. The Vinyl is responsive to the MP3 and the wav images move smoothly and correctly to the vinyl I am playing. It certainly doesn't feel cheap and runs very well.

Find out More about Torq or buy it here:  

M-AUDIO Torq Connective with CD's and vinyl

Song Database

Torq has its own database of  MP3 files (also support wav's) which is accessible through the browser interface on the lower portion of the screen, which unfortunatly can't be moved or controlled by MIDI yet. When you load a track into one of Torq's decks for the first time, it will be analysed by Torq to generate the waveform display and calculate the BPM. This process can be a little slow and sometimes can result in stuttering playback while the analysis runs. You can analyse them all at once, but i found that following the guid on my website to increase your laptop proformance can make a huge difference. You can find that here. Once your tracks are in the Torq database, you can search or sort them by the usual colums, Name, Artist etc. You can create playlists as well.

Torq's also tightly integrates with iTunes and lets you browse your iTunes library natively in Torq.

DJ Effects

The effects features in Torq are impressive. Each deck has a dedicated effects rack located just beneath the waveform display. You can add up to three Torq effects and one VST effect. The Torq effects include basic delay, flanger, phaser, filter, distortion, strobe, reverb, reverse and brakes. They are quite basic, but they are all you need and they sound impressive too. You can also add in your expensive VST's. After telling Torq where your VST plug-in folder is located you can select a VST plug-in from a drop-down list.. You can then tweak the settings as you would in any other VST host.

However be warned, if you have a bunch of killer VST's that are based on syncing with the tempo of the host, or are time/delay based effect they might crash the software!

Overall

Some might find the interface a little cluttered, or amateur looking. Some might like that aspect. I personally think the interface needs a lot of work, as does the VST compatibility issues.

There were several times when I have been using Torq and it has crashed on me for no reason. I spent time in the support forums seeking to fix it, but mostly the only responses I got where that it worked fine for most people. Great! But it doesn't work for me! It seems like a lot of the folk over at the Torq forums love the software because even the slightest negative comment of how it might be Torqs fault that it crashes on my system is a quick way to get flamed.

I think the software has a lot of potential but even if it only crashes on the rare occasion that is too much to be used seriously.

Score

6/10

Find out More about Torq or buy it here:  

M-AUDIO Torq Connective with CD's and vinyl

Comments (1)

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timn!! said:

thank you very much for your review! i've been pondering this unit and you have a unique perspective on it! hopefully as other people give REAL feedback and not just fanboy praise they will iron out the bugs and the connectiv will be a serious (and affordable) competitor before something better comes along.. cheers

August 16, 2007

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