MIDI Controller Specifically for DJ'ing

sambo27 · Post by **sambo27** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 12:58 pm

Hi There,

Im a 3rd year university student studying Creative Music and Sound Technology.

For my dissertation project I have chosen to build a MIDI Control surface specifically for DJ'ing with ableton Live.

I would greatley appreciate it if people who are using Ableton for DJ'ing could post details of their ideal layout for a control suface of this type.

It would also be great if you could post details of the controllers you are all using at the moment, briefly listing any areas you think could be improved.

Many Thanks

Sam Shone

Mike Goodwin · Post by **Mike Goodwin** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 1:11 pm

I would want it to be set out like a regular 8-12 track mixing desk. Each channel would have 8 endless encoders with light rings on them. As well I would want to have 6 buttons on each track with lights to show there state. As well as the 8-12 tracks I would like to have a "master controll" section on the right hand side that would have a cear display telling me what progriam i have selected as well as my basic save type functions. In this area you could put some fun stuff like a couple of joysticks, or even better touch pads with some form of light to show the current position. Outside of that it would have to be usb, and it would be great if it where usb powered but that would not be a deal breaker. It would be best if the case where made out of strong plasting or aluminium to keep the weight down. And the encoders would have to be of good quality and NOT SLIPERY when damp. Having simple software that would go with it would be great. Also being able to program how the lightrings where displayed would be great.

There ya go. Lets just say that I have thought about this ALOT. If I had the time and the cash I would build one myself. Untill then I use my BCR2000 as it is the closest thing I can get my hands on.

Peace

serotoninsteve · Post by **serotoninsteve** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 1:49 pm

Yeah, Mike brought it to the point, implement a light for each button to give you feedback for it´s status, that´s what Live lacks for the moment.
For the (3 band?) EQ section of each channel I wouldn´t take endless rotarys as I like to feel the position of my knob, wich you can´t with endless rot.
Yeah, touchpads would be cool too, with an additional function: If they would let you save your initial pos. and then after been tweaked jump back to their pos., (perhaps with a programmable slugginess) like on a kaoss pad.
And a small TriggerFinger pads section would make it perfect.
Good luck and let´s see that monster when it´s finished!

Greetings

Mike Goodwin · Post by **Mike Goodwin** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 9:21 pm

serotoninsteve wrote:For the (3 band?) EQ section of each channel I wouldn´t take endless rotarys as I like to feel the position of my knob, wich you can´t with endless rot.

You have a point there, Having that little dent in the midle is nice. But on the other hanad I use filters for most of my eq'ing now. A good poing though.

Yeah, touchpads would be cool too, with an additional function: If they would let you save your initial pos. and then after been tweaked jump back to their pos., (perhaps with a programmable slugginess) like on a kaoss pad.
And a small TriggerFinger pads section would make it perfect.
Good luck and let´s see that monster when it´s finished!

Greetings

I personaly would rather would leave trigger finger like pads to a seperate device but that is just me. I like the idea of a "programmable slugginess" for some things. could be usefull for sure. Or even a feature where you could use one of the buttons to do a "memory recall" for a channel or for the hole controller but in stead of snapping into place it would smooth transition. Kinda like a digital mixer but it would be controlling your software/synth instead.

nuperspective · Post by **nuperspective** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 11:05 pm

base it on sasha's maven and you wont go far wrong [clip launch buttons next to the channel faders]. if its for sale when your done please give me a call.

serotoninsteve · Post by **serotoninsteve** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 3:11 pm

Mike Goodwin wrote:
serotoninsteve wrote:For the (3 band?) EQ section of each channel I wouldn´t take endless rotarys as I like to feel the position of my knob, wich you can´t with endless rot.

You have a point there, Having that little dent in the midle is nice. But on the other hanad I use filters for most of my eq'ing now. A good poing though.

I personaly would rather would leave trigger finger like pads to a seperate device but that is just me. I like the idea of a "programmable slugginess" for some things. could be usefull for sure. Or even a feature where you could use one of the buttons to do a "memory recall" for a channel or for the hole controller but in stead of snapping into place it would smooth transition. Kinda like a digital mixer but it would be controlling your software/synth instead.

Well the idea with the (laptop) touchpad and the configurable initial pos is an old one, that´s definately something I miss in the concept how this is implemented in Live, first as it´s only for VST´s and second as you never find back your initial pos. in the hassle, so if this function could be implemented inside Live incl. a sluggyness parameter would make things easier and a lot more live friendly.

How do you use your filters, when using the eq4 I often miss that it not kills totally (for DJ´ing), that´s why I´m back to eq3 for mid hi mixing.

Greetings

Mike Goodwin · Post by **Mike Goodwin** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:20 pm

i use filters for most of my eq work now. I only use eq4 for mild eq ajustments.

kabuki · Post by **kabuki** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:49 pm

Also, a crossfader with curve adjustment, a set of hamster buttons/toggles

hambone1 · Post by **hambone1** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 6:26 pm

If you're just looking to replicate what can be done with record players or CDJs, a generic controller is probably possible. There's only so much you can do with records and CDs.

I don't think there is an ideal vanilla controller that would suit creative Live DJs, though. Everyone works in a different way and with different material and requirements.

Modular is the way to go, IMO. Customize it and built it the way that works for you.

ryansupak · Post by **ryansupak** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 8:28 pm

I'd want something simple and very rugged, designed to supplement an existing DJ mixer and audio interface:

* heavy-gauge steel box
* about the size of a battle mixer, ports on the "narrow side"
* USB or MIDI Bus-Powered with MIDI thru (for chaining)
* about (16) "program" pads arranged vertically
* about (8) 16-bit knobs (quality knobs)
* about (3) master faders on the front (quality faders)
* (16) general-use buttons arranged in two groups
* good middleware for customization

The basic idea would be that each controller should represent one "deck" at one time, but the standard amount to use would be two or more...

$0.02,
rs