I’ve noticed some of the other products on this forum have feature request threads, but I think we should have just one MCX8000 thread where everyone can add what they’d like to see added or fixed in a future firmware update. This is for people genuinely interested in getting the functionality of Engine mode on par with the build quality of the unit, and not going to be a rabbelrousing “Just use Serato!” “Pioneer does that” etc. thread, so please keep it civil and provide useful info if you’re contributing. I’ll start:
Recording to USB (Standalone): I’d like to believe the internal hardware of this controller can handle this, but maybe it was never added because it can’t? Have never found specs. Either way, this is at the top of my list because it is a major downer to have to lug a computer, digital recorder, or other equipment around when one of the major selling points of your controller is it doesn’t require a computer.
Better FX selection (Standalone): There are 3x2 FX buttons… surely we can’t be stuck with just Echo, Phaser and Noise (seriously?). Even if the FX don’t offer greater adjustments of parameters (like Serato), it’d be nice to choose which FX the 8000 stores for use. Personally, I’d like to see Flanger, Reverb, and Delay added at the very least… Bitcrusher, Shredder, and a Reverse Reverb would be cool too, but that’s just me hoping.
FIle format support (Standalone): There’s nothing more annoying than being in the middle of a set than queueing up a track to find that when it loads, there’s no data and it won’t play at all. I’m hoping this is fixed whenever the"MCX8000-Compatible Engine Prime Side Project" is released, as having gigabytes of music in FLAC and having to convert all of it is an arduous chore. lStill, adding it here for posterity.
Sample pad functionality (Standalone): Not sure how to implement this since presumably there is a lack of internal storage in the 8000 or this would have been included already, but my thoughts are having the desired samples stored on your USB stick in the Denon folder somewhere, which would be assigned somewhere in this forthcoming update. Just a thought.
Slicer (Standalone): I’ve already mentioned about this in another thread, but it’s still something that should be fixed. The current onboard Slicer is just Slicer Loop (Slicer Roll, really); make it work like Serato’s, which has the Slicer function nailed.
Files display mode (Serato): Not sure if this is a Denon DJ or Serato thing, but for some reason, when using the “Files” display mode in Serato, browsing actions don’t display on the 8000. Even then, if you manage to get to the song you want, when you press the Load knob on the 8000, rather than loading the track, it jumps the selector down to the bottom library panel instead of loading the song. Please fix, if this has not already been addressed.
Onboard network connector (Standalone): Is this usable for anything? Seems like a waste of hardware without StageLinq – can this be repurposed into plugging into a LAN for networked drive access? It would be great to just leave the music library on the NAS and load tracks from it. I think there are multitudes more people out there who can use this functionality over controlling lighting (will that ever even come to fruition?).
3rd Party Support / Cue management (Standalone): There is Rekordbox compatibility for the 5000 that just came out, why not on ours? Support for other libraries/cues/beatgrids is essential to getting non-adopters to actually want to play gigs on the 8000.
That’s all I have for now, although I’m sure I forgot some things. I’m also curious to hear what’s on others wish lists – the caveat being keeping in mind the hardware limitations of the 8000 itself. In conclusion, basically, we were sold a competent Serato controller and a backup solution, which is frustrating as a consumer (I would rather just Engine Standalone mode was as good as Serato) and haven’t heard a timeframe for any sort of release (or even release candidate) other than “Soon,” which is not comforting when your gear has been out for two years and E.Prime compatibility was announced almost a year ago. Please make this controller live up to its potential.
Thanks and Happy Holidays