StikAx turns you into a digital DJ
Ministry of Sound StikAx
The product: The joystick-style StikAx lets you create, mix, and record songs and videos with less reliance on your keyboard and mouse. Instead, use the thumb-ready buttons lining the gun-shape StikAx to pick and mix audio or video tracks, then drag and drop them into your digital projects. Plug it into your PC via USB. More specs:

• Requires a Pentium 4, 1.3GHz system running Windows XP, plus 256MB or more of RAM
• Comes with TrakAx software for digital audio and video mixing
• Comes with 450 loops and beats, plus sample tracks
• Connects to your computer via USB
• Accepts a USB microphone for recording your own sounds

The prospects: Entry-level DJs who are reluctant to learn on heavy-duty mixing software can get a handle on the basics of audio and video mixing with the StikAx. Digital music and film pros will probably treat this device as a novelty for newbies.

By Elsa Wenzel, associate editor, CNET Reviews