Hercules Inpulse 300 Review

If you’re skeptical about the Hercules Inpulse 300 being just another entry-level DJ controller, you’re not alone. However, before you dismiss it as such, consider this: its impressive range of features and ease of use might just surprise you.

From touch-sensitive jog wheels to dedicated controls for inbuilt effects, this controller offers a lot for its price point.

But there’s more to it than meets the eye – something that could make a significant difference in your DJing experience. Check out more DJ controllers if you’re interested.

Key Takeaways

  • The Hercules Inpulse 300 is a compact and durable DJ controller, perfect for beginner DJs.
  • It features touch-sensitive jog wheels with vinyl mode buttons and LED arrows for visual feedback.
  • The controller has rubberized pads with eight modes for enhanced creativity and dedicated buttons for loading tracks into decks.
  • With its full plastic construction and various connectivity options, including USB and RCA connections, the Hercules Inpulse 300 is versatile and compatible with popular DJ software.

The Build

The Hercules Inpulse 300 boasts a full plastic construction, offering a compact size and a layout reminiscent of the Pioneer DDJ-400 and SB3 units.

The build of the DJControl Inpulse 300 is designed to provide durability and portability, making it an ideal choice for beginner DJs or those looking for a reliable and lightweight controller.

The touch-sensitive 14cm jog wheels with a vinyl mode button offer a tactile and responsive experience, allowing for precise control over your tracks. Additionally, the LED arrows on the jog wheels and tempo fader provide clear visual feedback, helping you to easily adjust the tempo of your tracks on the fly.

The rubberized pads per deck with eight modes offer a wide range of creative performance options, allowing you to experiment with hot cues, rolls, slices, and samples.

The dedicated loop controls with manual loop setting and IN and OUT buttons further enhance the DJ’s ability to create seamless and precise beat loops.

With its innovative design and intuitive layout, the Hercules Inpulse 300 is a powerful tool for DJs looking to elevate their performances.

The Decks

Positioned at the center of the Hercules Inpulse 300 controller, the decks feature touch-sensitive jog wheels and an array of performance-focused controls. The touch-sensitive 14cm jog wheels, equipped with a vinyl mode button, provide a responsive and tactile feel for precise track manipulation. LED arrows on the jog wheels and tempo fader offer visual indicators for track speed, enhancing your ability to seamlessly beatmatch. The inclusion of Slip Mode allows for on-the-fly manipulation of playback, while dedicated loop controls positioned above the cue and play buttons enable effortless looping. Each deck boasts eight rubberized pads with eight modes, including Hot Cue, Roll, Slicer, and Sampler, expanding your creative possibilities. Additionally, the dedicated buttons for loading tracks into the decks streamline your workflow. Powered by the computer with no external power source needed, the decks offer a convenient and portable solution for aspiring DJs looking to delve into the basics of DJing with advanced features that cater to innovation and creativity.

Hercules Inpulse 300 ReviewDecks Features
Touch-Sensitive Jog WheelsResponsive and accurate track playing
LED Arrows and Tempo FaderVisual indicators for precise beatmatching
Slip Mode and Loop ControlsSeamless playback manipulation
Rubberized Pads with Eight ModesEnhanced creative possibilities
Dedicated Track Loading ButtonsStreamlined workflow for beginner DJs

The Mixer

Featuring a full plastic construction with dimensions of 48cm wide and 29cm tall, the mixer on the Hercules DJ Control Inpulse 300 offers a range of integrated controls for seamless mixing and effects manipulation. The mixer is designed to cater to the needs of both beginners and experienced DJs, providing intuitive and responsive features that enhance your performance.

Here’s what you can expect from the mixer:

  1. Performance Pads Per Deck: With eight rubberized pads per deck, the Hercules DJ Control Inpulse 300 enables you to trigger hot cues, loop tracks, add effects, and more, adding a layer of creativity to your mixes.
  2. Beat Matching and Tempo Control: The tempo fader and touch-sensitive 14cm jog wheels, along with the LED arrows, provide precise control over beat matching and track speed adjustments, empowering you to deliver seamless transitions and maintain the energy on the dancefloor.
  3. Visual Feedback with VU Meter: The VU meter on the mixer offers clear visual feedback, ensuring that you can monitor your levels effectively and make adjustments as needed, enhancing the overall quality of your mixes.

The Hercules DJ Control Inpulse 300’s mixer, combined with the DJUCED software, delivers a comprehensive yet accessible DJ unit that facilitates cue and play functionality while providing the necessary tools for dynamic and engaging performances.

The Outputs

Equipped with unbalanced RCA connections for the master output and a headphone connection with a smaller 3.5mm jack, the Hercules DJ Control Inpulse 300 provides essential connectivity options for external devices and monitoring. This versatile controller caters to the needs of modern DJs, offering seamless integration with various DJ software such as Virtual DJ, Serato DJ, Pioneer DJ DDJ, and Traktor Pro. The flexible output options allow you to easily connect the DJ Control Inpulse 300 to different sound systems and monitoring setups, enhancing its usability in diverse performance environments.

Here’s a breakdown of the outputs available on the Hercules DJ Control Inpulse 300:


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Last update on 2024-11-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


Output TypeDescriptionCompatibility
Unbalanced RCAProvides connectivity for the master outputVarious sound systems
3.5mm Headphone JackEnables convenient monitoring with headphonesDJ gear
USB PortAllows seamless connection to a computerVirtual DJ, Serato DJ, Traktor Pro

The DJ Control Inpulse 300’s outputs are designed to offer flexibility and convenience, ensuring that you can easily integrate it into your preferred setup while delivering high-quality audio performance. Whether you’re performing at a club, a private event, or in a studio, the controller’s outputs cater to the demands of modern DJing, making it a valuable tool for both beginners and experienced DJs.

DJUCED Software

The DJUCED Software, compatible with the Hercules DJ Control Inpulse 300, offers a user-friendly interface reminiscent of older versions of Virtual DJ. It provides features such as beat align guide, virtual assistant, smart playlists, and the option to download mappings for other software from Hercules’ website. The software caters to the needs of new DJs and seasoned professionals alike, offering performance features that enhance the overall DJ experience.

Here’s what you can expect from the DJUCED Software:

  1. Beat Align Guide: This feature assists new DJs in seamlessly syncing tracks, ensuring a smooth transition between songs during performances.
  2. Virtual Assistant: The virtual assistant feature provides real-time suggestions and tips, aiding DJs in creating captivating mixes and engaging performances.
  3. Smart Playlists: DJs can efficiently organize their music library using smart playlists, allowing for easy access to tracks based on predefined criteria like BPM, genre, and more.

The DJUCED Software not only simplifies the track management process but also provides valuable tools to elevate your performance, making it an indispensable companion for Hercules controllers like the Inpulse 300.

Frequently Asked Questions

What DJ Software Works With Hercules Inpulse 300?

Serato DJ Lite is compatible with Hercules Inpulse 300, offering basic but suitable platform for learning. Traktor integration and MIDI mapping allow cross platform support. The controller layout, performance features, mixing capabilities, effects options, and looping functionality enhance the DJing experience.

How Big Is the Hercules DJ Control Inpulse 300?

The Hercules DJ Control Inpulse 300 is compact and portable, making it ideal for DJs on the go. It has similar dimensions to other popular controllers, providing a familiar feel and requiring minimal space for setup and storage.

Does Hercules Inpulse 300 Work With Virtual Dj?

Yes, the Hercules Inpulse 300 is compatible with Virtual DJ, offering user-friendly MIDI mapping and solid sound quality. It provides suitable performance capabilities, intuitive controller features, and seamless software integration, all at an affordable price point.

Is the Hercules Inpulse 500 Worth It?

The Hercules Inpulse 500 offers excellent value for its price, with innovative features, versatile performance, and positive user experience. Durability is satisfactory, and future upgrades can enhance compatibility. Overall, it’s a worthwhile investment for beginner and intermediate DJs.

Conclusion

In this Hercules Inpulse 300 review we found it to be a solid choice for beginner DJs. With its user-friendly design, touch-sensitive jog wheels, and inbuilt effects, it offers a good balance of features at an affordable price.

The LED arrows on the jog wheels and tempo fader are helpful for learning to beatmatch, and the included DJUCED software provides a platform for honing your skills.

If you’re just starting out in the world of DJing, the Inpulse 300 is definitely worth considering.