Users of the Denon DJ DN-S3700 will be adding a major new function to their digital media turntable next month when the company releases its free firmware update with MIDI Hybrid mode.

The DN-S3700 Direct Drive Turntable Media Player and Controller is a single-deck portable DJ instrument that sports a large 9-inch spinning platter design, advanced digital features like USB and MIDI control, a built-in authentic vinyl record for surface control (driven by Denon DJ’s High Torque Direct Drive Motor), and much more. Other features include three Auto loops with real-time loop length adjust and loop trim capabilities, and an easy-to-read display with visual waveform data. On its exterior, the DN-S3700 features a sleek design with brushed aluminum corners and solid aluminum feet. Check out the rest of its features:

• High Torque Direct Drive Motor and spinning platter design
• Fast loading slot-in drive
• USB device hosting and MIDI interface control
• Internal 24-bit processing and USB audio (sound card)
• 5 built-in effects
• Waveform display with multi-line text and icon support
• 3 Hot Starts, Auto Loop, and Manual Loop functionality
• 3 Platter effects
• Deep Pitch Resolution and Key Adjust

Set to be released in late September, 2010, the firmware update enhances the DN-S3700 with MIDI Hybrid mode, a new function that allows you to use various supported DVS applications, such as Serato Scratch Live, for direct spinning platter control along with the built-in Relative mode timecode signal generator and your DVS-supported sound card or Denon DVS-supported mixer (such as the DN-X1600 and DN-X600). What a mouthful.

In short, what the firmware update with MIDI Hybrid mode really does is eliminate the need for traditional CD timecode (and flash drive) media for Relative mode operation. With the update, the required tone is generated inside the unit’s DSP and outputs through the analog RCA connectors of the DN-S3700 during Hybrid mode. According to the manufacturer, various other surrounding keys and knobs are freely available to MIDI-map as you see fit.

Other firmware improvements with this release include the new Auto BPM detection engine, doubled Platter Resolution, and position accuracy via a new preset. Denon DJ also intends to make MIDI Hybrid mode available to the DN-S1200 media player and controller.

The Denon DJ DN-S3700 with the new MIDI Hybrid mode is now shipping for $1,099.99 (MSRP). Current owners may get the firmware update for free from denondj.com.