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Ion Scratch 2 Go turns you into DJ Suction Cups

The iPad DJing experience is about to get a lot more tactile. Ion's Scratch 2 Go uses suction cups to add all the cool knobs and spinners you really desire.

Amanda Kooser
Freelance writer Amanda C. Kooser covers gadgets and tech news with a twist for CNET. When not wallowing in weird gear and iPad apps for cats, she can be found tinkering with her 1956 DeSoto.
Amanda Kooser
2 min read
Scratch 2 Go
Scratch 2 Go holds firm to your iPad's screen. Amanda Kooser/CNET

LAS VEGAS--Achieving DJing glory on the iPad is possible thanks to some pretty nifty apps out there, but there's always been something missing from the experience. A cold flat screen just can't replicate the dynamism and quirks of real knobs and records. Ion Audio is taking a shot at putting the feel back into tablet DJing with a set of tactile controls.

Scratch 2 Go slider
Get your fingers on a suction cup slider. (Click to enlarge.) Amanda Kooser/CNET

A demo unit of Scratch 2 Go is on the show floor at CES 2013. It consists of a slider control, two round discs for scratching control, and two banks of three knobs each for all the fine tuning. They hang onto the screen thanks to what Ion describes as "industrial suction cups."

The suction cups feel pretty solid. Pull them up and look below to see what makes this tick. Underneath, the spinners have what looks like the tip of a touch-screen stylus. It's nothing fancy, but it works.

The plastic gadget won't totally replicate the feel of real DJ gear, but it enhances the iPad experience tremendously. There are no worries about fumbling about and hitting the wrong control. Plus, the knobs are all nicely shiny, just right to catch the light bouncing off the disco ball at the club.

I played around with the Scratch 2 Go, spinning the knobs and generally proving to myself why I would be a terrible DJ. But I did have fun, way more fun than if I were doing the equivalent activities on the flat naked screen.

Scratch 2 Go will be out in May for $39.99. It's compatible with the Djay, Deej, and iDJ2GO apps. All you'll need next is a set of hefty headphones and perhaps a giant mouse head costume.

Scratch 2 Go underneath
The secret to Scratch 2 Go is the stylus tip hidden underneath the controls. Amanda Kooser/CNET