Finally, a collaboration that doesn't involve Ableton as Numark displays the NS7 at Winter NAMM 2009. We saw the prototype at Summer NAMM 2008, but now the controller is ready to rip. It's a commanding DJ controller designed with help from Serato, meaning that the NS7 works with Serato ITCH as soon as you connect the controller to your computer. The controller starts with a tank-like build with adjustable torque, motorized, aluminum turntable platters, vinyl and a pro quality audio interface to round out the package.

The NS7 also features a battalion of faders, knobs, buttons and the patent pending Strip Search, a virtual-needle-drop control that integrates the provided copy of Serato ITCH. NS7 digs its claws deep into Serato ITCH to control every aspect of the software. The NS7 even sends data to ITCH ten times faster than standard MIDI resolution, which is ridiculously fast -- Usain Bolt fast.

The NS7 features a pair of seven-inch, motorized, high-torque aluminum turntable platters that can be controlled via modern or classic setting, each with their own feel to accommodate your preference. You get real vinyl that sits on real slipmats for the about the realest control experience you can get. The buttons and knobs on this unit are high-grade and rubberized and complement a replaceable CP-PRO crossfader and D-TYPE line faders. The crossfaders were selected thanks to properties which make them very durable with high life expectancies.

One of the main goals of any controller is to simplify the operation of the software it controls. NS7 does that with ITCH with a click knob and large, backlit buttons to help you navigate your music library, cutting time spent looking at your screen thanks to visual cues you can take from over 100 LEDs and over 100 hands-on controls. In addition to its USB for computer connection, the NS7's built-in audio outs let you easily connect to a PA system or powered speakers to send out 24-bit / 44.1 kHz quality audio via XLR or RCAs. The front panel lets you input any mic or RCA line device while monitoring from 1/4" or 1/8" headphone outputs.

Though Strip Search might have you clenching in fear, there's nothing to worry about and no latex gloves involved. Strip Search is a virtual-needle-drop touch strip that lets you instantly locate points along with your on-screen waveform. Each deck swabs up five hot-cue-assign buttons to mark recallable points in both ITCH and Serato Scratch LIVE.

Furthermore a Serato-style loop section per deck lets you switch between manual and automatic loop functions, and automatic BPM analysis is featured to make it easy to make loops. Doubling, havling, shift and manual controls also assist loopers. Beat matching ain't no thing either thanks to smooth, stiff, 100 mm pitch sliders and plus and minus buttons for bending. A zero point LED notifies you when the crossfader is in the middle.

Numark ensures high audio quality thanks to a single audiophile-grade bipolar capacitor. Watch out! One minute it seems fine, and the next, it's all moody. It should sound pretty great though.