Native Instruments is really having a go at the digital DJ with their various products. Not to mention the fact that they are also making waves in the electronic producer circuits with products like Maschine and Komplete suite of virtual instruments and tools.

Their Traktor DJ-ing software is now more or less standard amongst DJs world over and gives serious competition to Serato's Scratch and and ITCH with more versatility and sophistications, especially since Traktor Pro was released and updated.

So now they have gone ahead and made a dedicated midi controller for Traktor users and are calling it Kontrol X1. They developed it with Traktor's favorite poster boy Richie Hawtin. This product has been in development for a long time and even though both NI and Hawtin were pretty much mum about details, the thing has been spied and leaked multiple times over. Now we finally have the official take, so enjoy!

From Vestax: -

From the makers of TRAKTOR comes TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 - the first official TRAKTOR controller for use with any DJ software. Whether you are a DVS timecode or software DJ, simply connect the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 to a computer running TRAKTOR (or other performance software) and gain instant control of your decks and effect parameters. Robust rotary knobs with a heavy-duty feel and backlit buttons provide precise visual and tactile status feedback- letting you delve deep inside TRAKTOR without having to touch your computer.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 features a total of 30 buttons, 4 push encoders and 8 knobs arranged in the following sections:


1. EFFECTS SECTION
8 high resolution potentiometers and 8 buttons make up the effect section of TRAKTOR KONTROL X1. This section allows control of all the parameters of 2 TRAKTOR effect units simultaneously. In Chained mode, this means simultaneous control over 3 effects per deck. The effects section buttons are programmed to give direct access to 3 of your favorite effect presets.


2. BROWSE SECTION
One push encoder per deck is dedicated to browsing through play lists and loading tracks. Simply turn the push encoder to find the track you want, and push it to load it into the corresponding deck. Once the track is loaded the same encoders seek through the track, using tempo sync'd beat jumps to remain in time.

3. LOOP SECTION
This section allows for intuitive control of TRAKTOR's loop function, giving clear visual feedback about the loop status via LEDs. The section offers first level access to auto loops and manual loops as well as loop editing functions such as loop size and loop position, both coarse and fine.

4. TRANSPORT SECTION
This section provides direct access to basic playback controls as well as shifted access to 8 secondary functions for each deck. All buttons for industry standard workflows (Play, Sync, Cue + Cup) are located here. Switch to hotcue mode and you get another 16 buttons for controlling the 8 hot cues or hot loops per track. Plus, the CUP button flashes in time with the deck's BPM as an added visual mix aid.

Vestax has developed yet another laptop friendly USB midi controller for Traktor. If you want a feel that matches professional Vestax Mixers, this looks like the perfect controller to use. Features no jog wheels or all that, just sheer practicality and build quality. Does not contain a soundcard though. It has been available since 2 Nov '09.

Official Word From Vestax:-

The TR-1 is a compact, user-friendly controller designed to emulate the touch and feel of a traditional DJ mixer while providing the features and usability that professionals demand in a laptop-based system.

Working directly with Watanabe over 2-1/2 years, the Vestax design team has created an easy-to-use, compact and logical design with an array of faders, switches and rotary controllers tuned to combine the natural touch of a DJ mixer with the advanced functionality offered by Native Instruments Traktor software. By merging ease of use with advanced software command, the TR-1 offers new creative possibilities for computer-based DJs.

The TR-1 features seamless command of Traktor Pro software for control of up to four laptops through two program channels. Key features include soft-push switches and smooth 60mm slide faders for high-precision mixing, with an adjustable Input Fader curve to adapt to any mixing style. A new Shift switch feature allows the user to customize control functions by assigning a second command to a single button.

All standard controls are present and accounted for – tempo faders with pitch bend, three-band EQ with pan on both sides, back and forward cue controls, dual effects loops per side, and more. And connectivity is USB-easy.

The Vestax TR-1 comes bundled with Native Instruments Traktor LE software, can command over 160 parameters right out of the box, including live signal processing effects, beat matching, loop programming, filter sweeping and EQ sweetening in real time. Both the TR-1 and Traktor LE software are compatible with both Windows (XP, Vista) and Mac (OS 10.4 or higher) operating systems. Please see our website for full details on minimum system requirements.

Visually, the TR-1 feature's the traditional Vestax white gold faceplate and knobs, housed in a compact, road-tough chassis design that ensures reliability on tour. Hardware features include adjustable brightness of the surface's LED lights for adaptability to any working conditions, and all control knobs are ergonomically designed for easy grabbing and smooth, noise-free adjustment.

If you are a fan of the Djay software for Mac OS, you will love this new controller. Vestax and DJay together bring you a new controller Called Spin. Made to look like the VCI series, this is definitely part of a family of heavy duty controllers.

For those who don't know, DJay is an easy to use software that is meant for bedroom DJs and casual users who are just looking to throw some tunes together. Features include full auto mode. superb iTunes integration and more.

...and it actually lets you scratch, unlike those crazy air guitarists!

3D Computer Interface from Free Flow on Vimeo.
So this is what the description on Vimeo says -

Utilizing the theory of electrostatics, we have designed a low-cost human-computer interface device that has the ability to track the position of a user's hand in three dimensions. Physical contact is not required and the user does not need to hold a controller or attach markers to their body. To control the device, the user simply waves their hand above it in the air.

 I had actually seen something similar with a Max/MSP genius scratching live video! I will try to see if I can search up that one. But this us amazing! I mean really, how many of you can actually swear that you have never, ever, done scratching moves in the air while listening to your favorite scratch dj or hip hop track. Heck, I have seen Linkin Park fans doing it! Anyway, this is really something!

So yeah, you can do pretty much a lot of things with the BCD3000 MIDI controller. This is just a quick round up of the major things I do in Traktor 3 with the BCD.

Jumping right in now, you can set up the mapping so that once you hold down a key (ideally on your laptop keyboard because the controller is always short of keys), you switch to a different MIDI mapping page (Traktor allows for 3 in total). On this new page, you can map everything differently.

For example, I use my left jog wheel to browse up and down the browsing tree, use one of the EQ kill buttons to select the tree item. Then I use the right one to select the tracks and then i use the two side by side EQ kills buttons above it to put the highlighted track on either the left deck or the right.

You can also use your keyboard for shortcuts and I am sure you do but there are few ways you could make it better. As a digital Dj or a Live PA act, you need to remember a lot of shortcuts so it would be best if you mapped corresponding symbols. Let me explain this : -

For example i use the ',' and the '.' buttons to cycle through my channel effects. Why? Because when you see the buttons, the first thing you notice are '<' and '>'; being a human being, it makes it much easier to remember which buttom does what.

Here's another idea. I am sure most of you have played computer games and I am sure at some point manyof you have had to use the typical "AWSD" keys as movement keys. Well these can be brillian when you map them to your deck as deck selection. With the movement thing burned in to my head, it is easy to remember that 'a' is for keft and 'd' is for right. Also, when I hold down the shift key and press either 'a' or 'd'; the selected track is loaded to the corresponding deck. So this is pretty easy.

I have got many such shortcuts litterred around and these kind of associations help me remember my keys.

So that's brings me to the end of my chattering on and on about the BCD. If you have things to add, do mention it in the comment. If I have enough ideas, I will add another post to this series, with your names of course!

Keep it controlling it! (yep, I still haven't figured out a catch phrase!)

Via djtechtools.com

Now this is a real Stop the presses moment!!! So far, Itch from Serato has really been leading the pack in terms of DVS and now with their latest Itch software and Vestax VCI-300 and Numark NS7 controllers (Dedicated Control Midi post in the pipeline), Itch has really taken the Digital DJ world by storm.

Itch has inherited the simplicity and Dj friendly features of Serato Scratch Live but so far, the one place where it lost out to Traktor Pro was the FX section. This was despite of the superb dedicated Hi-res MIDI controllers from Numark Vestax, the ones mentioned before.

But now, the rumour mill has it that Itch is going to get a new FX section! Yep! And the best part is that this was released at the djtechtools.com forums by deducing it from a picture of a brand new controller from Vestax. So in effect, this is two pieces in one! That is just superb!

So as this unfolds, we take a closer look at the sections and try to understand what Serato is really trying to do!

So this new controller is being called VFX- 1 and I can hardly wait to get my hands on this.  But since I more of a Traktor person, I will wait and see how it unfolds. I just hope that I am right in thinking that this is too elaborate to be a hoax.

 BIG UPDATE - The VP of Vestax Corporation just showed up at DJ Techtools blog and confirmed that it exists! This is big! 

So anyway, till the VFX goes up for pre-order or sale you can get ready for it by getting the main piece for yourself -
The Vestax VCI-300 DJ Controller with Serato ITCH Black 
Go ahead, knock yourselves out!

So getting back to the topic, I also use my BCD 3000 plus Traktor setup to scratch the hell out of the poor thing. It is quite abusive actually but I did a brieft stint as the DJ of a Nu-Metal band that covered stuff like Slipknot and had some originals too. So there, I had to scratch.

This would really amuse a lot of DJs out there but believe me - I could not afford the turntable+mixer setup and make my own battle records even if sold all my possesions. So I had no choice really and love to scratch! Rhythm is strong in me.

So I used the Jog Wheel and the cross fader and some how made do. It wasn't too bad but forget two-click or three click flares with these things! Heck, some say even DVS is not as good! My personal jury is still out on that one!

So to do this, you need to set up the thing just right, but the problem is that when you get the proper accuracy, you absilutely must have a low acceleration or else it all goes for a spin, literally! So i set up my left side jog with 1% acceleration with about 70% sensitivity for scratching and the right had more accelertation for giving me a proper one round spin when I hit it properly.

This took care of my scratching needs for a while. But then I realised that I need a sharper curve on my crossfader (yes, a stroke of genius!) so had to adjust that. Well for this you need to adjust the curve from the panel instead of the drop down menus on the mixer corners themselves because it did not work for me for some reason.

To do this, look for the panel called 'Master'. If it is not there on your set up, look for it by right clicking and pulling up the panels menu. Once you are there, you will see the little bar you drag with the CFC on it. Drag to the extreme right (your right) for the sharpest curve and vice-versa.

One thing to have in the mapping is the shift element which makes your controls do more things. More about this in part 3!

Hey people, back here again with something that is pretty close to me. I have been using the BCD3000 since one or two months after Behringer brought them out. And it has been an absolutel pleasure working with it.

I am not saying that it has stellar performance but given the price, it delivers as it should. Now I know Traktor has brough out the new fangled Traktor Pro and all but I just wanted to put in my two cents onthe now covered under marketing Traktor 3.

They (Native Instruments) released the Traktor 3 up to version 3.4 and it was a very stable system. The BCD3000 compliments it perfectly because the BCD itself is as simple as it gets with the MIDI I/O. My only hang up with the BCD is the audio routing, which is somewhat weird!

Coming to the point, there are actually a lot of things you can do with the BCD3000 even though it is slightly limited. The first you need to do is to get rid of the Traktor lite that it comes with. You absoilutely need to have custom mapping in order to get the full potential out of your MIDI controller. And it is not that hard to do either.

Now I know a lot of people have problems with the BCD's lights not going off and on with the events in the software, but this is easily addressed. You see, the events such as play/pause and cue are sent via MIDI to Traktor and Traktor understands what it has to do. But the lights are not Traktor's business because Traktor Does not KNOW about it. So what you need to do is to map the lights in to traktor to get them working.

Will need to keep the BCD manual handy for this work because it has all the channels you will need for the custom mod. Note down the MIDI note names and codes and set up Traktor to send out MIDI signals when something is done. So, if you want the led adjacent to the play/pause button to light up everytime it is supposed to, you map the event exactly as you have mapped your buttons but instead of choosing toggle, you choose 'out' and instead of using learn mode and hitting the button, you look up the corresponding MIDI code for the light and enter it manually in to Traktor and voila! There you have it!

More in the next post, stay tuned!

Yes folks, the wait is finally over. The dream controller for laptop dj-ing has arrived. Well the dream controller for those who are looking for a twin turntable-mixer setup. This would be the bomb to scratch with.

Comes with a high quaity 24bit/96Khz inbuilt soundcard, The platter is a high torque, low spin up type platter. The spinup can actually be changed between classic (slower) and modern (faster) feels.

They also have what they call the 'Strip Search', which is basically a touch sensitive strip which allows you to move through the track, achieving a digital equivalent of needle dropping, of sorts.

And the thing is actually a beast, with solid metal construction, heavy duty crossfader which is replaceable. Was built for Serato's Itch in mind. It gives off Hi-resolution MIDI for more precision control. Of course scratch DJs have not passed a judgement yet (i would like to see someone move them from their Vinyl).

With everythin going for it, this is really a mind blosing MIDI controller. Folks have been drooling over it for a long time now. And now it is finally here! Go grab it!

note: if you have just crawled out from underneath a rock - NS7 is the latest MIDI Controller from Numark, that is built with Serato's latest - Itch in mind. It is an Itch Co-branded product but will work with other Softwares as well (read Traktor Pro, which recently updated to include hi-Res MIDI), if you can map it properly. You don;t have to hold your breath. Custom maps would be available soon, no doubt

Numark NS7 DJ Turntable Controller with Serato ITCH Software

Starting with this post, I am going take certain key areas and talk in great length about what is available for that area. I am going to start with what is closest to me - MIDI Controllers for DJs or DJ MIDI controllers. (and that is the mammoth Xone 4D under UV lights in the picture)

Now DJs are a specialised bunch of performers and they have specific needs from their MIDI Controllers. The main requirements are - realiability, sturdy-ness and ease of use in a dark environment of a Dj booth.

Now of course, when it comes to MIDI Controllers, the software being used is also important. For DJs using controllers, the software is usually Traktor or Ableton Live. There are some who use Virtual DJ, MixVibes and MixMeister, but most DJs use the first two softwares. Those who use timecode, go for Serato. But with Itch, even serato has gone into MIDI Controller territory. More on that as we move along.

Here, we come to a divide. Live and Traktor are two completely different beasts and have completely different approaches to the idea of live performace. Live is more of a 'make music on the fly' type software where you can really play around with music. Traktor represents the traditional approach to DJ-ing - 2-4 decks and a mixer and fx sections.

So, let's just talk about the traditional approach and I will handle Live in a separate post altogether.

For Traktor, Virtual DJ, Mixvibes, etc. we need a MIDI Controller that emulates at least two decks - complete with transport controls (play/pause, cue buttons), pitch faders, etc. And we can choose between using an external mixer or we can use the virtual mixer within the software. Now there are pros and cons of doing either. So let's talk about them.

Going for an external Mixer is usually a good idea, but not if you are low on space in your booth. Sometimes, going for the software mixer is a good idea because you save space by mixing out of one single device (or two, if you are using an external sound card or audio interface). But when it comes to certain techniques, you are best off with a hardware mixer and that would obviously include scratching. Now I am not saying that you can't scratch with just MIDI controllers (heck, I scratch on my BCD3000 sometimes) but for finer controls and complex techniques, you are better off with a hi-res controller and a hardware mixer with a good quaity audio interface.

Going mixer-less will also free up controls on your MIDI controller, which you can then assign to other things, like assign chanel EQ controls to the FX section or the up-faders to some other parameter (get creative with this one!).

Going mixerless is a good idea for mobile DJs and DJs who travel a lot. With a good controller and audio interface, a club Dj can easily play gigs with just 3 items (laptop, controller, sound card/audio interface). It is easier to carry, less items to check at airports and many more. It might be limiting at times, but you can always add small secondary/auxiliary controllers to your set up to give you more freedom. I will write a separate post on that one. So don't worry, I am here to share right ideas with you. Just keep on coming back.

Anyway, so now that you now what you are going to do, you can choose between a MDI Controller with no soundcard or one with built-in soundcard. For controllers with built in sound, you go for the following: -

• 
  Behringer B-Control DeeJay BCD3000
  - a cheaper option, but sould last you for some time, given the price. Decent for beginners, casual and semi-prfessional djs.
• 
  Numark OMNI CONTROL DJ Control Surface
  - Good built quality, quite sturdy, metal casing.
• 
  M-Audio Torq Xponent
  - One of the first controllers to have a touch sensitive feature. It is tied with the Torq software, although it can be hacked into working with other softwares. You just need to find out the correct MIDI outputs to make the LEDs work.
• 
  Hercules DJ Console Rmx Controller
  - Hercules were the makers of one of the first MIDI Controllers for DJs. This one is their second generation offering.
• 
  Stanton SCS.1m Digital Mix Controller
  - Stanton's offering for professional DJs, the high quality SC System combo (SCS.3D notwithstanding). This one emulates a 4 channel mixer, with assignable controls. It features a hi quality firewire audio interface.
• 
  Numark NS7 DJ Turntable Controller with Serato ITCH Software
  - This gigantic Controller features twin spinning platter decks, integrated full fledged mixer section and builtin audio I/O's. It is a dedicated, Hi-res MIDI controller for Serato's Itch software.
• 
  Denon DN-S3700
  and DN s3700 - These are actually DJ table top players with MIDI capabilites. They also act as sound cards and have spinning platters. Pretty cool (and expensive to a point).
• Allen & Heath Xone 4D - If you've ever felt like robbing a bank, you will feel like it now for sure. This is the big daddy, the overkill of a controller. It features the sound quality of Allen & Heath mixers and is as expensive as lemurs (okay, bit less than the Lemur).
• EKS Otus - Touch sensitive Dj deck style controller. Do have a loot at it. Very futuristic.
  

If you are looking for controllers without built-in sound , you are options are many: -

• 
  Numark MixMeister Control
  dedicated controllers - The Dedicated Controller for the Mixmeister software.
• 
  Numark Total Computer DJ In A Box
  - Not the sharpest tool in the shade.
  
• 
  Numark STEALTH CONTROL
  - The soundcard-less version of the Omni controller.
• 
  Vestax VCI-100
  - Both are ruling the roost of digital DJs using controllers. Especially the VCI-100. The 300 is a Hi-res MIDI Controller tied to Serato's Itch software. The VCI-100 also has a special MixVibes Edition and an SE (Special Edition).
• 
  Vestax VCM-100
  and
  Vestax VCM-600
  - The 600 looks like it is meant for controlling Live. VCM100 on the other hand is a perfect space saving controller and perfect for mobile DJs. It also comes with a rack (optional of course) for mounting your laptop.
• 
  M-Audio X-Session Pro
  , this is just the controls that emulate a mixer. Very basic and very popular.
• 
  Stanton SCS.1d Control System Deck
  - This is really the next level by now. It is a highly sophisticated MIDI controller with an adjustable torque spinning platter, with the lowest spin up time in the market (adjustable, as mentioned) and assignable controllers. My only per peeve is that they left out a soundcard to makes us buy the SCS.1m. But obviously, most will go for an audio interface coupled with a hardware mixer.

I could actually go on and on with DJ MIDI controllers, there are so many of them around. But i have to stop somewhere ( to eat, sleep, etc.). So I will stop here. For more information, drop me a line via the comments area and I will reply, either with a full post or a comment.

And remember to subscribe for your daily updates on MIDI Controllers! Available in two exciting flavors - Atom and RSS! :)

So till next time, keep on controlling! (is that better?) :P