Ableton Forum

SubFunk wrote:the thing for me is i use 3 decks only, two for playing tracks and one for loops and stuff...

Yeah, I was going to say that perhaps the 2 decks at a time controller might work well if you do something like use decks A and B for full tracks and C and D for loops or one shots, but I've had a lot of fun and happy accidents using all 4 decks for full songs. So you can see what a nightmare and head scratcher it would be to only have access to 2 decks at a time, especially if a happy accident is decidedly far from happy and you have to fix that shit with a quickness.

I still need to get my Maschine going with Traktor. I can be a tool who doesn't use his tools.

^^^ maschine as a traktor controller can be also very clear and fast for 4 full decks...

i have seen already several clever implementations, they just differ in the way that is more intuitive to the one or other person...

take a bit of time and wrap your head around it... if you own maschine already, i tell you, you are stoopid not using it as a traktor controller, it is really purrfect.

at least give it a try, it took me a while, but now it's spot on with complete visual feedback, the control editor is immense powerful.
just needs a bit wrapping the head around it.

i really think you can't get a better control surface right now then maschine for it.

SubFunk wrote:^^^ maschine as a traktor controller can be also very clear and fast for 4 full decks...

i have seen already several clever implementations, they just differ in the way that is more intuitive to the one or other person...

take a bit of time and wrap your head around it... if you own maschine already, i tell you, you are stoopid not using it as a traktor controller, it is really purrfect.

at least give it a try, it took me a while, but now it's spot on with complete visual feedback, the control editor is immense powerful.
just needs a bit wrapping the head around it.

i really think you can't get a better control surface right now then maschine for it.

Got any recommendations on how and where to get started on this?

Assume I know nothing because that's pretty much the truth.

Maschine or iPad seem to be the best solution for that.

beats me wrote:

SubFunk wrote:^^^ maschine as a traktor controller can be also very clear and fast for 4 full decks...

i have seen already several clever implementations, they just differ in the way that is more intuitive to the one or other person...

take a bit of time and wrap your head around it... if you own maschine already, i tell you, you are stoopid not using it as a traktor controller, it is really purrfect.

at least give it a try, it took me a while, but now it's spot on with complete visual feedback, the control editor is immense powerful.
just needs a bit wrapping the head around it.

i really think you can't get a better control surface right now then maschine for it.

Got any recommendations on how and where to get started on this?

Assume I know nothing because that's pretty much the truth.

simply by having a brain storm which functions are vital to you... start by making a list what 1 deck should be able to do FOR YOU.. start / stop, pitch bend or not, loop or not and if loop do you want to be able to change loop length on the fly or you only need one etc., etc., etc.

then which global functions you need.. and so on... check how many buttons or rotaries it would take to accomplish that for 4 decks, respectively how many of those in ideal are rotaries or buttons and so forth...

then start to program, it is a bit of a pain i admit, because the traktor side of programming midi is a bit of a fiddle, but again extremely powerful, because you pretty much have no limits...

and you only need to do it once... just once and that for a perfect controller setup is worth it in my book.

if you like PM me and i send you my template the maschine and pertinently traktor one... so you can analyse what i did or use it, i just urge you if you redistribute it to other friends / people to leave it as it is because it carries my name

or check the NI forums, plenty of 4 deck setups floating around there... maybe grab a few look into them and then manipulate the one that suits you most for your workflow...

that is the great thing about maschine as a controller as well, because it is not designed purely as a DJ controller it allows a high amount of flexibility...

yum, super, yum yum yum.

gawd how much i love this thing it suits to everything so perfect, with having maschine itself as an add on

if i wouldn't have read about possible dj3/dx3 on this forum, i'd say just get a replacement faderfox.

oh, and what died exactly?

Well thanks for everybody's replies, opinions and info.
I guess my original suspicion is correct:
There ISN'T anything quite so PORTABLE, efficient and DJ-friendly as the FaderFox DJ2 on the market yet, but its good to learn that a USB version is coming soon!

I was also originally intrigued by the X1,... but then quickly buzz-killed to learn what it was lacking... yes, targeted towards that "professional" club-DJ niche, where a big old-school analog DJ mixer still rules the day.

Its just strange to see such a huge obvious hole in the market, for self-contained traveling semi-professionals... or "professionals" who don't want to depend upon the default club's mixer, nor carry around their own large "pro" analog DJ mixer in addition to all the other digital DJ stuff they have to lug from city to city, country to country! In this day and age of the iPhone/iPad, mobility is the key, as we move towards becoming ever-more self-contained and "expressive" via evolving nanotechnologies. So right NOW, but for the lack of a FaderFox-killer on the market, damn, we're pretty much there!

BTW: here's the mobile-studio that i lugged to Thailand:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1 ... =705225583

3 months of ocean-side ultra-humidity ended up killing both my FaderFox AND my MacBook Pro (but at least the latter was covered under warranty when i got back)

cheers,
Greg

@ ekg, man i envy you, i should do hat soon myself, just packing a few things up and get outta this fucking disgusting shithole.

nice, nice, nice...

SubFunk wrote:simply by having a brain storm which functions are vital to you... start by making a list what 1 deck should be able to do FOR YOU.. start / stop, pitch bend or not, loop or not and if loop do you want to be able to change loop length on the fly or you only need one etc., etc., etc.

then which global functions you need.. and so on... check how many buttons or rotaries it would take to accomplish that for 4 decks, respectively how many of those in ideal are rotaries or buttons and so forth...

then start to program, it is a bit of a pain i admit, because the traktor side of programming midi is a bit of a fiddle, but again extremely powerful, because you pretty much have no limits...

and you only need to do it once... just once and that for a perfect controller setup is worth it in my book.

if you like PM me and i send you my template the maschine and pertinently traktor one... so you can analyse what i did or use it, i just urge you if you redistribute it to other friends / people to leave it as it is because it carries my name

or check the NI forums, plenty of 4 deck setups floating around there... maybe grab a few look into them and then manipulate the one that suits you most for your workflow...

that is the great thing about maschine as a controller as well, because it is not designed purely as a DJ controller it allows a high amount of flexibility...

yum, super, yum yum yum.

gawd how much i love this thing it suits to everything so perfect, with having maschine itself as an add on

I suppose I was being a bit lazy by not heading over to the NI forums with this question. I think a premade template would be a good starting off point because it would somewhat intelligently map things and then I could alter from there.

Quick question, can I have the top 1/3 of the controller mapped to track gain, volume, and maybe kills for each track and then the bottom 2/3 would be more for per track performance, but regardless of what I'm playing with at the bottom on which deck the top map will always remain the same?

beats me wrote:Quick question, can I have the top 1/3 of the controller mapped to track gain, volume, and maybe kills for each track and then the bottom 2/3 would be more for per track performance, but regardless of what I'm playing with at the bottom on which deck the top map will always remain the same?

i am not sure i understand your question correctly, but put it this way, i don't think there is any restriction when it comes to mapping maschine to traktor any possible way you want to, all you need is to understand both items and the mapping (controller editor) fully... then whatever you want, really.

you can even split the pads, that when you change a bank (in case you use that and don't use the bank buttons as midi buttons, that you can also do if you desire, i did and it's my deck3 control) then you can use the first row. let's say always triggering the same... no matter which bank you are in and the rest changes with the banks...

just give them always the same midi channel and CC or note... use your imagination.

well you can do those things with other pad controllers as well... just map intelligent.

SubFunk wrote:[let's say always triggering the same... no matter which bank you are in and the rest changes with the banks...

I think that answers my question. Just wanted to make sure that when I'm using banks (tracks) that the entire controller isn't assigned to that specific track. I always want to have access to at least the volume of all 4 tracks regardless of which one I am noodling away at.

ekg wrote:Well thanks for everybody's replies, opinions and info.
I guess my original suspicion is correct:
There ISN'T anything quite so PORTABLE, efficient and DJ-friendly as the FaderFox DJ2 on the market yet, but its good to learn that a USB version is coming soon!

I was also originally intrigued by the X1,... but then quickly buzz-killed to learn what it was lacking... yes, targeted towards that "professional" club-DJ niche, where a big old-school analog DJ mixer still rules the day.

Its just strange to see such a huge obvious hole in the market, for self-contained traveling semi-professionals... or "professionals" who don't want to depend upon the default club's mixer, nor carry around their own large "pro" analog DJ mixer in addition to all the other digital DJ stuff they have to lug from city to city, country to country! In this day and age of the iPhone/iPad, mobility is the key, as we move towards becoming ever-more self-contained and "expressive" via evolving nanotechnologies. So right NOW, but for the lack of a FaderFox-killer on the market, damn, we're pretty much there!

BTW: here's the mobile-studio that i lugged to Thailand:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1 ... =705225583

3 months of ocean-side ultra-humidity ended up killing both my FaderFox AND my MacBook Pro (but at least the latter was covered under warranty when i got back)

cheers,
Greg

maybe you should check Stanton SCS3m (mixer unit), there is nothing that could break (even while packing) it has build in hub to power your LP or whatever and unlike SCS3d works also without Bomes server.iPhone should be also more resistant to humidity and there are many apps to use it as controller(incl.Automap of Novation) For the future-keep all the stuff in zipped plastic bags when not in use( with dehumidifying gel if available) it is not only the water=humidity as the salt in it that "eats" the electronic. Cheap trick in those countries having light bulb- obviously on 24/7 inside closed cupboard, good for your cloths and gear as well. Generally minimizing direct exposure to that "steam" coming with the breeze.
I lived/had studio in Madras, 500 yards from the shore for 10 years - A/C, sealed but still the humidity halves the lifespan of any electronic gear.

<<oh, and what died exactly?>> (on the FaderFox)

sorry, i missed this question!
The cross-fader starting acting strange at first... i'd pin it all the way to the right
and it would slowly drift 10 to 20% towards the left on its own... weird.
i took it apart and tried cleaning with compressed air and a little rubbing alcohol... didn't help.

so after the macbook pro died, well, fortunately i only had 10 days left on my trip, so i just packed everything up and partied until it was time to hit the plane
when i got home, i plugged in the faderfox and discovered that now the crossfader reacts incredibly slowly... no matter what i do with it. seems more like this new quirk is software related, and i haven't had time to troubleshoot it yet. instead i just got reunited with my APC40,.. but no way am i taking that beast with me on the road... not when i get so many more pads with the LaunchPad! So i'll see what happens with the faderfox... maybe i can send it in for repair (to germany?)
we'll see...
And BTW: thanks to the person who listed suggestions on how to deal with gear in humid seaside environments... as well as everybody else who contributed to this post!
cheers,
Greg

new mix at soundcloud:
http://soundcloud.com/solar-sonic/eklektroshock-mix

I'm about 90% sold on this VCI-100 mod from DJ tech tools.

http://techtools.myshopify.com/collecti ... /vci-100se

Still not a fan of the 2 at a time design but it looks like they put a lot of time into the mappings (watch the videos) and I still really want the feel of a traditional DJ layout. Plus some pretty cool options they have going on there with the jog wheels.

It's also been mentioned that the addition of the X1 with this controller would mostly be redundent.

Another vote here for the AKAI LPD8.

Actually, I bought 2 of em.