DJ'n Controllers - What have you got / do?

Music Production Music Tech Discussion
81

Just an update for anyone who ever researches this topic:

You definitely need another midi controller with a single X1 if you are not using an external mixer. Just for convienence.

I’m sure its a personal thing - but its just easier in my mind to have all the functions avalable at the same time. Otherwise y’d be like “momento-man” trying to remember the code.

Thank fk I’ve got a novation nocturn with an xfader & buttons & sh!t. Just makes the whole thing so much easier.

Now, the annoying part - mapping the whole thing out! :hehe:

82

atm i use a APC40 as my DJ controller and a ableton live, takes some time to warp tracks but a mixing and “creative” possibilities as huge and i just buy a ipad so i was thinking use it as FXbox.



here is a mix tape i recorded with ableton and APC 40



[url]http://soundcloud.com/luka-swier/luka-swier-deep-house-mix[/url]

83

Sounds class Man

84

So are you saying if I run Traktor and Live I would need 2 X1 controllers or a combination of X1 and APC40/20 or Launchpad



I am new to this traktor thing but x1 has no cross fade as far as I can tell is this right and how is one to get round this



(sorry maybe a really dumb question but as you know this digital mixing is completely new to me) My Dan sets never had all this fancy tech

85

Well… you can set stuff up so that things have multiple functions, by pressing a combo of keys… but I think visually / logically it doesnt work. You need certain controls available at all times.

I’ve the Xfader - Nocturn.

The Headphone Mix - Nocturn.

Trying to get the Cue monitor Channel buttons mapped to Nocturn - just have to figure out how to do it! LOL

Might do the Channel Faders on the Nocturn as well. Depends what the response time is like.

Going to Map the EQ’s to the X1 & have reverb on the dry/wet knob & leave it at that for now. More than enough to get practicing with.

86

i really never use the crossfader

87

neither do I normally - well… I didnt used to last time I was mixing regularly… but I must admit, I’ve been using it recently.

Been recreating Clapham Junction, Kings Cross & 7/7 on the 1210’s the last few days :w00t:

The Xfader is great craic :slight_smile:

88

So more expence - sighs :frowning:

89

Small Ads!!

Look at what I got Mate for 1.2 price. Brand new condition.

90

[quote]ICN (12/05/2011)[hr]Sounds class Man[/quote]



ty m8 :)… new mix tape is on a way





btw have you seen Vestax VCI-100 SE?



very good controller for quite ok price!

91

Yeah… I was thinking of getting one briefly - there was one for sale that I was thinking of going to look at. Price was excellent.

But overall, it looked a bit like vestax were making a closed system with it.

Theres a comparison chart here, that has the major features listed.

http://www.djtechtools.com/2008/10/06/vci-100-vs-vci-300/

Dunno… looks great like, but when in doubt - leave it out :slight_smile:

Theres also a lot of them for sale 2nd hand, so I usually wonder why when I see that.

Dont want to change your mind Mate - dont know ANYTHING about them :cool:

92

i know what you mean, i have same problem, i been looking for a mixer for my setup for ages. One thing you shoudl know is that a controller u buy have to fit your style DJ/live pre. Hope it helps :slight_smile:

93

I’ve had awful issues with this fkn yoke.

Noisy & unintuitive. Nearly had me finger off the other day :slight_smile:

94

[quote]ICN (12/05/2011)[hr]Well… you can set stuff up so that things have multiple functions, by pressing a combo of keys… but I think visually / logically it doesnt work. You need certain controls available at all times.



I’ve the Xfader - Nocturn.



The Headphone Mix - Nocturn.



Trying to get the Cue monitorChannel buttons mapped to Nocturn - just have to figure out how to do it! LOL



Might do the Channel Faders on the Nocturn as well. Depends what the response time is like.



Going to Map the EQ’s to the X1 & have reverb on the dry/wet knob & leave it at that for now. More than enough to get practicing with.[/quote]





So how did you get on with the Xfader ?

95

All working perfectly Mate.

You could probably have 100 midi controllers hooked up if you had the holes.

The only “problem” is that the automap on the nocturn doesnt work with Traktor from the get go…

So, what you have to do is get it to transmit midi… then save the settings.

You open up that “template” when you want to use it with Traktor. Only thing is then that you have to click a few settings on/off within the nocturn for it to pick up the 1st time, but after that (10sec) its absolutely fine.

I wish the nocturn had some Faders on it, for the channels (its got rotaries) but its no biggy. The whole thing is working well with 2 decks, the x1 & the nocturn. Was thinking about mapping the channel faders to the faders on my midi keyboard… but dunno, thats probably overkill.

Got all the controls that I wanted to map - monitor cues / h’phone mix etc… out onto the Nocturn.

And… deactivated the controls that werent being used on the Nocturn, so only the ones that are have lights under them. Alles gut. 

96

Hmm - confusing this buisness - since I am unlikely to play any vinyl ever again would I still need the noctrum and the X1

97

Deffo. An X1 and something.

A digital mixer - or a midi controller.

I didnt want to spend a load of money on Automap in case it was a load of sh!te - so I just got the nocturn. That, and it was small.

Its grand - I dont see its usefulness changing anytime soon. I got mine for €50 2nd hand… practically brand new in box.

The Novation SL mkII has xfader and throw faders / pots & buttons and looks a bit sharper… and has a backlit display with channel names on it.

The APC40 looks to have loads of stuff on it though - xfader etc… Werent you thinking about that for Ableton?

98

Well yes but still confused - I really only want to use Ableton to trigger my tracks which will basically be dry loops - with all the fx going to sends which I would want control over via knobs

99

Well - if you can Mate, I’d get the apc40. If nothing else, it looks more impressive! :smiley:

You’d look busier - regardless :wink:

Its got everything you probably need. When you do want to “Upgrade” how you use it, it’ll still have loads of potential.

100

[quote]ICN (15/05/2011)[hr]Well - if you can Mate, I’d get the apc40. If nothing else, it looks more impressive! :smiley:



You’d look busier - regardless :wink:



Its got everything you probably need. When you do want to “Upgrade” how you use it, it’ll still have loads of potential.[/quote]



As well as the x1 for traktor