M-Audio Torq
M-Audio Torq is a fairly recent addition to the DJ software battlefield. Released in 2006, this digital DJ solution boasts a more friendly price tag than many of it’s competitors. At an MSRP $349.95 (the street price is actually more like $299) Torq might just be the solution for digital DJ’s that want to save a few bucks.
Torq’s Top Features
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The ability to be used as a self-contained digital system, multi-effects processor, or slave from control CD’s/vinyl records
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Designed by M-Audio’s SynchroScience group – a division that concentrates on providing DJ’s with the tools they need for successful performances
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4 x 4 USB 1.1 audio interface with 16-bit/48 kHz fidelity
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4 RCA inputs configurable for line-level or phono signals
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4 RCA outputs with high +2 dBV peak output level
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2 mix knos for blending audio inputs and USB output
M-Audio Torq relies on it’s hardware, Conectiv, to bridge the vinyl/digital gap. Conectiv is basically a harware interface, much like Stantons Scratch Amp, or Serato’s SL1. Conectiv, however, boasts that it is the worlds first bus-powered 4 x 4 USB audio interface designed for DJ’s. Also, like Stantons new Final Scratch OPEN concept, Conectiv is designed to work with any other third party DJ software. You can even use it to control Pro-Tools if you would like.
Another feature that sets M-Audio Torq apart from it’s competition is it’s ability to add effects. By routing your turntable or CD player into a program like Torq or Ableton Live, you are able to add a multitude of plug-in effects to your tracks. You can then use the knobs on the Conectiv hardware to blend the dry and processed signals.
You can also use Conectiv as a recording solution. The hardware boasts switchable RCA phono/line level inputs and a 1/4″ mic input, and it’s ability to interface with practically any DJ software makes recording a snap.
With it’s low price tag and impressive array of features, M-Audio’s Torq is a definate contender in the DJ software competition. Although, it has only been on the market for less than a year, so time will have to tell on this one. Will it be rock-solid during gigs? How about the latency for serious scratchers? I guess we will see as the reviews start rolling in.
I love it Had FS 1.5, worked on Serato and the 57 mixer, and got torq in Feb. 2007, I absolutely can front this is a bad piece of hardware, and did I menstion VST Plugins>>>>>>>
Torq is a cool program, especially if you just mix or if you scratch a little. I’ve used it a couple of times and the effects, plug-ins, and stuff are love. On their forums alot cats seem to be having problems with it’s stability. You can read horror stories about it crashing in the middle of a set but I’ve not had it crashed when I used it. HOWEVER, I will say this, if you try a juggle more than twice it loses the position on the records(it skips). On the forums they call it “sticker drift” and to us scratch djs that’s a no no. Plain scratching is pretty much on the money, and for the price you get a lot of bang for your buck. The only other problem is that Torq doesn’t do video and don’t know if or when they plan on incorporating that and Virtual Vinyl or DJ(same thing) and Mixvibes Pro DVS have a leg up on everybody(Serato too) with that.
I’ve just got Torq etc this week. It seems pretty good and I can’t say I recognise what Serious Biz is saying about sticker drift.
I was doubling with it for over an hour just out of the sheer joy of not having to premeditate and splash out on two copies of something to do tricks with it – I don’t think the two copies went out of phase at all.
Probably essential however that you use it on “absolute” rather than “relative” mode so that the needle is at exactly the same point on each vinyl when you hit a particular point in the tune?
Scratching is also cool, albeit with I think a very slight latency.
I am a Loca DJ and I depend on TORQ everytime i spin! Now with that being said….Torq has a mind of it’s own! If it doesn’t want to work it wont. I recently was DJ’n My high school SADIE HAWKENS dance, and the system crashed! My computer is a 2 year old MACBOOK! The hardware sucks! I’m switching over to LIVE!
Torq is a better price and better quality if your laptop or desktop crash it means you need a 7200 RPM speed for your harddrive torq is perfect but it requires a very fast harddrive
hi guyz
i used torq for abit,dint really like the interface as being a Mixvibes DVS user but its good for the money,it is unstabel,i dj’d ata big venue and i didnt feel comfortable using it,id try serato if u want something Reliable
Software such as Serato that still allow you to mix with your turntables are cool, but with all the new technology and software out now days, the art of beatmixing has lost some of its value. Much respect to all the DJ’s still doing it old school.
M-Audio has just released the 1.07 update. The really bad thing about Torq is the support and development of the software, it takes ages till new (bug fixed) versions are out.
Torq sucks. It’s buggy and unstable. Their support just offers band aid solutions for everything; “dowload this, adjust that, etc”. Buy something else if you want something to work straight outta the box, cuz Torq doesn’t.
I use Torq, Connectiv, and Xponent (To control Torq with a hardware interface). Don’t get me wrong, I like it, but when it decides it doesnt want to work it doesnt. I havent had it crash, but there have been sometimes when it just doesnt respond right. Hence the reason I keep a third CDJ ready that isnt interfaced to Torq (allows me to spin a third tune on the CDJ and gives me enough time to restart Torq and fix any problems) Not the best solution but until they come out with a better version, I am sticking with this. But I still like the program.
I use Torq all the time and it’s never failed on me… well, with the exception of 1.0.6…. which was pulled. I have a conectiv and Xponent and while sticker drift is a problem in relative mode, I haven’t seen it in absolute mode. I’ve run it on multiple computers, including an HP laptop with Media Center Edition of windows without any issues. BTW, I use this pretty much every weekend and even during the week and it’s been rock solid for me. It doesn’t matter what I’ve done with this software it seems to just work. And the feature set is just not matched anywhere else… I know, because I’ve looked.
1.5 upgrade has Torq back up there with Serato.
I’m a long time Serato user. Bought torq in November been using ever since.
I love torq, use it all the time. I switched from Final Scratch 2.0 and haven’t looked back.
Was googleing a little bit today because I’m thinking of doing my Friday night set this week in relative mode because the space I have to setup on is seriously the smallest space ever and found this post.
Could have been more in-depth but anyway…
Now are there some contenders out there in 2009, sure but I’ll stick with Torq a bit longer as I know it works for me, and dam I continue to find new ways to use it in my sets.
I’m not a heavy scratch DJ so I never noticed latency, plus my computer just sucks to begin with for latency so I keep mine at the highest setting.
I use Technics 1200’s / torq / and for MIDI which is a huge piece of why torq was so cool when it came out… An Akai mpd32 along with a Behringer DDM4000 for midi controls in torq.
There is very little left to external control with a setup like this. Vinyl / pitch control is about it… The only thing actually controling sound is the main gains on the DDM for channels 2 and 3 as the high, mid, low frequencies are all controled internally in torq via midi before the sound hits the mixer.
I also do not frequent the normal issues people have around torq message board and other areas. Freezing ground loop issues etc. I even use this laptop day in and day out for normal work so got me there.
I’m currently using Torq Version 1.5. I do an online tv show every Sunday from 1-2p.m. est if you want to see how I put all of this stuff together in the real world.
Watch it here:
http://www.dvsdjtv.com/torqdjtv/
Be safe massif!
K-Sea
I tried Torq with the control vinyl on 1200’s and the CDs on a Pioneer CMX-3000 worked ok ish – Tried loading my library and it tanked and crashed. Years later I’m still using the Connective USB audio interface for dual stereo outputs with Megaseq. Sounds great, has great gain never fails. so $250 for a really great USB sound card…
I have been a Torq user from the beginning,I also have been a DJ since 1983 so I love to scratch.
Torq has alway performed rock solid performer for me.
I have no problems taking it on the road in my Black Macbook or my Aluminum Macbook they both run super stable.
Most of the Dj’s who have a problem with Torq are usually the ones who do not know their system. There probably running other applications in the back-round while spinning at a gig.
I have tried Serato and trust me Torq has less latency then any other DVS out there.
Torq is for me and it’s not just the low price.
PS: Torq 1.5 is even better!
I’ve use Torq since the beginning. I have been DJing ing since 1991 and after having Torq since its inception in 2006, i have been having stability problems with this software since.(especially when using the vinyl the audio flie starts skipping or artifacting when playing and i’m using new records and new neddles). I’ve also updated to the latest version, 1.5, but still suffer the same problems. The one thing I can say about Torq is that the graphic interface and the layout of the program is the standard by which all DJ soteware should use, but it’s the most stableless piece of shit especially when it comes to using Torq’s vinyl records.
To algorithmdetroit
First of all just by the way you spell you can tell your not a DJ or you’re a Serato loser…
So don’t knock a product you never used.
Torq is stable just like most popular DVS.
If you didn’t like it from the start why would you upgrade to 1.5?
PS Torq wasn’t meant to be used on Windows 95…lol
That just shows your a lier and a bitter bozo.
I see people using it all over the clubs, web and weddings at it runs more stable than Serato.
Torq has issues! Sticker drift is the most annoying thing and it’s not mentioned anywhere on the box, in the manual!!! M-audio, when will you fix it?
If you guys want to buy Torq for scratching (or beat joggling), you should save up and buy something else! Torq in relative mode is crap as the sticker drifts away after few needle skips! Google the subject, there’s a lot of complaints on the torq website.
Very Stable…You must with all DVS systems tweak your laptop/desktop PC to optimize your settings…Check out the Final Scratch non-official forum and see nem0nics post…
I use TORQ/Conectiv and recommend it…
Have both Serato and Torq
They both do the same thing depending on what you genre you play.
I personally prefer Torq over Serator as I play Trance, House, RnB and Hiphop.
Torq gives you more control over your vinyls with the new 1.5 upgrade to prevent the run out plus the skip protection feature when your in a rough place. I do not need to adjust my needles on me techies for scratch either. What I love about this is I can hook up both the Xponent and conectiv for full control for my loops and cue points. This give me the freedom so that I do not need to even touch my Laptop at all which is also a big plus.
Another big plus is when I want to use real vinyl for scratching all I have to do is switch over from USB to Line and instantly takes affect and switch back to torq vinyl.
For me its Torq for life now and got rid of my serato
Hi people,
I’m really confused, there’s a lot of people complaining about Torq DVS System (Crashes, need to do a modifiction (add a electric component soldered to the conectiv) to solve issues, etc). Other’s say Torq has never crashed on them, there’s even people switching from Serato Live / Traktor Scratch, to Torq, this can, or not, be truth, obviously.
Since, I want to get a DVS for me, I’ve been thinking about Traktor, it’s less more then Torq. Of course Torq is cheaper (and cheaper, sounds great for people like me – Who got less money to spend).
From my searches in google, etc, I found that, there’s also crashes on Serato, Traktor, etc. So, Torq, and any other DVS, issues maybe because of computer issues (programs running on the background, multiple USB hardware connected together, hight demand on cpu, minimum resources, bad memory ).
So, my question is, how reliable is M-Audio Torq for PC Win Vista Home C2D 1.6ghz with 2 Gbs Kingston Ram ? How would it compare with Traktor Scratch Duo ?
I can’t have crashes, live! I dont care about VST, effects or whatever.
Thanks for your time!