Forward from Alyxxx
As a beginner DJ looking for an affordable standalone unit, I struggled to find anything that worked how I wanted in an ultra-portable form factor. I wondered whether it was possible to convert my existing USB MIDI controller into a standalone system. I later read about the XDJ100SX project by Marc Monka and realized that not only was it possible, and that I could do it, but also that I had to learn how to manufacture consumer electronics in order to build something secure, portable and seamless that looked like it could be a part of the controller itself.
To accomplish this, I had to leverage all the DIY knowledge I had of computer systems, digital electronics and mechanical engineering, then go learn the relevant manufacturing techniques and the tools of the trade. And in iterating for months over the most optimal version of the vision I had in my head for this device, building one version of it after another and sourcing all the machinery needed to do so, I realized that I had the means to bring the value of this innovation to non-technical audiences as well.
Introducing the Deckshark Mako
The Mako (pictured on the left) is the culmination of nine months of design, research and development into how to convert my DJ controller into a standalone system. It is also the first commercially available product on the market sold explicitly for this purpose.
The Mako ships with the following features:
- Secure but also detachable mount from your controller
- Shields ports on your controller, protecting them
- Full physical compatibility with the FLX4 and DDJ-400 controllers
- Two top-facing USB ports on either side with safe eject buttons
- One additional top-facing USB port exposed directly under the screen in the back
- BiteDJ - a fork of Mixxx that inherits its entire feature set, such as natively supporting reading from many existing DJ libraries
- Use multiple simultaneous MIDI inputs, such as pads or FX, while attached to a controller
- Configure multiple audio outputs separately and independently (booth, master and headphones)
- Support every USB mass file storage device, including sticks and external drives
However, what it doesn't support is just as important as what it does.
No bluetooth, wifi or internet abilities.
Opposite the direction many other companies are taking, we didn't want streaming services or subscriptions to get in the way when playing a set, especially when DJs are aiming for sub-5ms latency on controller inputs and audio processing to make every transition perfect. When you plug in a Mako, it boots directly into the interface you expect out of a standalone system- no frills, no "login required" and no hidden privacy issues or subscription fees. That's the kind of experience we want out of a standalone system, and a breath of fresh air for many DJs who feel the same way.
No XLR outputs or integrated battery pack (yet)
While the goal is to evolve the Mako into a full-fledged standalone powerhouse, including a built-in soundcard with separate master and booth channels, XLR and TRS outputs, it will take a really big investment and a lot of effort to get there. The Mako- which relies on the existing audio outputs in your MIDI controller- is meant to test the waters. If the Mako does well, and people are generally happy with it, we'll take your feedback and evolve everything about the product to take it to the next level.
Only officially supports the FLX4 and DDJ-400
While we're very eager to know what other controllers the Mako works with, we've limited our focus down to only the FLX4 and DDJ-400 to ensure the best possible experience right out of the box. This is because we've had direct access to these controllers and the ability to test them extensively, address any pain points and ensure a good experience. However, we don't plan to stop at just these two. We'll add official support for many additional controllers in the future as the community evolves and we gain direct access to more gear.
Our commitment to you
Every Mako is handmade in our Seattle, WA workshop.
We source the components, we write the firmware, we manufacture the enclosures, we solder the boards, we assemble the units, pack and ship them out to you, all under the same roof. That means we have total control over the product, its design, quality and evolution. And, in a world where DJ hardware is dominated by industry giants, full ownership of the means of production is exactly what we want.
This means that when you buy a Deckshark, you're not just buying a new shiny piece of gear- you're buying extended technical support, the full community backing of our open-source DJ firmware and exclusive access to shape the future of standalone DJing.
Now, A Few Serious Updates
Only selling in the USA (for now!)
When we announced the development of the Mako, we (optimistically) aimed for worldwide shipping. But when we added up all the costs of customs and import duties, regulatory compliance and certifications in every country we plan to sell, the shipping costs overseas and the costs of returns and support involved in being a brand-new product, the math no longer made sense. That's why we need to keep the Mako exclusive to the US market for now.
Do we eventually plan to sell worldwide? Yes! In fact, we're already working with partners overseas to get our products sold in the UK, EU, Brazil and Mexico. And the second we're ready to ship to markets outside the US, we'll announce it.
Our New Pricing Guide
When pre-orders open for the Mako, the first 15 units sold will receive a 33% discount, selling for only $199 USD. The remaining units sold on pre-order will retail for $299. All units ordered will ship within a month of the date of the order.
We wanted to offer this enormous discount to our most loyal fans as a thank you for believing in us and helping us get to where we are now. We also wanted to acknowledge that, once we got into the minutiae of the costs it actually takes to build one unit, we realized that our original price projections were way off and, between the costs of small-batch component sourcing, returns, support, manufacturing, legal and administration fees, selling at that price would put us in a really rough spot.
Remember, we aren't a stock or share of equity in some investor's portfolio- we are an entirely self-funded company building every unit ourselves. In order for us to commit full time to taking this project to the next level, we need to demonstrate that our investment is worth it. If we sell just 100 units at $299, we can sell 10,000 in the future for up to 50% less. We'll never inflate our prices beyond what's absolutely necessary to feed, clothe and house the people who build them- That's part of our company's ongoing commitment to you.
Our Commitment to Open Source
This project was build atop free and open source software, including Mixxx, Linux and a custom skin by timewasternl. However, we've made enourmous modifications to those codebases in order to make our product work the way we want. Hundreds of hours spent debugging, coding and tweaking things to get the entire system snappy, responsive, and USB-centric. This is why we aren't releasing the source code right away- we're releasing it to our GitHub immediately following our very first sale this Friday our first shipment of a pre-ordered Mako to a customer in early August.
We also promise regular firmware updates, ensuring users are getting the greatest value out of their gear at all times.
How do I pre-order?
On Friday, 7/31 at 12:00 PM PST, the Deckshark DJ website will change to our storefront and be open for pre-orders. The first 15 units sold will automatically get a 33% discount applied at the time of checkout. The remaining units (between 100 and 150 depending on when we receive our next component shipments) will sell at $299, with the exception of our limited edition versions (pink/white and red/black) which will sell for slightly more to cover the cost of customization.
To pre-order, you only need to open our website at that exact time and purchase a unit. In addition, since we're only taking pre-orders in the US market, shipping will be free and included in the total cost.
Final Words
It hasn't been easy getting to this point, but we're finally ready to bring the Mako to the market and take things to the next level. Thank you all for being a part of this journey with us, and I hope we can share our vision with you for many more years to come.