favorite PORTABLE DJ controller, like Faderfox??

[ekg]

Well my FaderFox DJ2 controller finally died on me and so its time to look for the next level of portable DJ controller to use with Ableton. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be anything else like the FaderFox on the market, and yeah, i could buy another Faderfox on eBay for $375 USD, but of course FaderFox has its quirks,... like no onboard USB... and it seems better set up for Traktor than LIVE.

What i'm really looking for is a small-as-possible USB/MIDI mixer with crossfader and 3 EQs per side, plus kill switch for bass. (There are a lot of close-calls out there on the market, like the cheesy-looking Nocturn, and the too-large X-Session). I could use something portable like this in conjunction with a Launchpad and maybe a Korg NanoKontrol, and then i'd be all set. Too bad the APC40 doesn't have knobs that work well with DJ EQ needs... and too bad its so huge to carry around. I travel overseas a lot, and i just can't justify the APC40, or the stripped down APC20. The Launchpad does a lot for its size... Just have to find its DJ-mixin side-kick!

Suggestions anyone??
thanks!

Greg

[Dalski]

Have you looked at the NI Kontrol X1? It doesn't have the x-fader but the buttons on the top can be midi mapped to kills along with the knobs for EQ purpose, you can map the large encoders as rotary volume controls. The Nocturn is pretty rubbish imo. The encoders have to be turned at least 1.5 times for a full rotation in the corresponding software. Low res crap.

[Maco]

I have Xponent from M-Audio as a DJ perspective have all the controllers and much more have his own dj program its good and can rewire and i have in mind some templates to work with live trough M4L but as i can see nobody in this forum have the Xponent ejejeje

[ekg]

Yeah, i guess the X1 is meant to be used with a standard DJ mixer for the crossfades and such.

And the Xponent... well that's sure not portable at all! Only interested in a space-saving mixer that you can carry around the world in a backpack... along with a 17" MacBook Pro, Launchpad, MOTU UltraLight.....

Seriously, i don't think there's anything else like the FaderFox out there....!!!!
Is there????

[darkmelody]

Well I use an Akai MPD 32, which admittedly doesn't have a crosssfader. You could map a line fader to be a crossfader, bit weird I guess, up and down instead of left and right, personally I mix with the line faders anyway because I used to mix a lot with three turntables.

I love the build quality though, and it has about the same footprint as a 15' MBP so I comfortably carry both + an audio interface in a backpack.

[medicinefor~roBots]

I have been using the akai lpd 8 with my apc 40. I turn the lpd 8 vertical and have my knobs for eq, plus two extra knobs for a filter sweep...I guess you could use one of those knobs as a crossfader...

Use the pads for eq kill.

It is cheap and portable.

[supamonsta]

NI kontrol X1 IMHO really lacks some faders...

I don't understand why they don't release something like the X2, or whatever, with the faders isntead of rotaries.

anyway, you still can use the DJ console's faders...

[SubFunk]

NI kontrol X1 IMHO really lacks some faders...

I don't understand why they don't release something like the X2, or whatever, with the faders isntead of rotaries.

anyway, you still can use the DJ console's faders...

well it's design is not aimed at being a mixer, simple as that. you can however use it as such (and many house DJs love rotaries over faders)

but the design is for the fx section and browsing, etc. it is aimed at professional DJs and those hardly use the internal mixer, you route your decks from traktor into a decent hardware mixer in a club and that is what the whole unit combo Traktor / x1 / audio DJ 8 is designed for...
the internal mixer in traktor is an 'add on' to have a small & cheap solution for a little home, hotel, road practising, nothing more.

[rikhyray]

Faderfox DJ3 with USB, supposed to be out this spring, I am impatiently waiting for it too. I got Nocturn while waiting for DJ3 but it is rubbish, perhaps microKontrol is better choice. I use mainly 2 x SCS3d sometimes LP too. SCS3M is good but I like rotaries so 2 x SCS3d + DJ3 will be perfect.

[SubFunk]

Faderfox DJ3 with USB, supposed to be out this spring, I am impatiently waiting for it too. I got Nocturn while waiting for DJ3 but it is rubbish, perhaps microKontrol is better choice. I use mainly 2 x SCS3d sometimes LP too. SCS3M is good but I like rotaries so 2 x SCS3d + DJ3 will be perfect.

yeah i am exited about that too, finally USB and hopefully buspowered.

[Rave]

iPad

[beats me]

My major gripe with the X1 from announcement to current is NI makes a fully functioning DJ application that doesn't need a DJ mixer and then they release a controller that you almost have to use a DJ mixer with. WTF are they thinking?

If they can make a drum machine program and attached hardware controller that can almost completely take a DAW out of the equation then what's up with their half-assed DJ controller?

[SubFunk]

My major gripe with the X1 from announcement to current is NI makes a fully functioning DJ application that doesn't need a DJ mixer and then they release a controller that you almost have to use a DJ mixer with. WTF are they thinking?

sorry to say, but it shows that you are not a professional DJ i mean not someone who plays often in clubs...

it is perfectly designed exactly like that! on total 100% purpose, it let's you use all none mix related functions via the controller. and then you plug in everything else into the DJ mixer in the club. as i said it's the combo traktor, x1, audio dj 8

if you don't like it fair enough, but that is exactly what it is designed for and it's perfect for professionals & club use, it is not for home party use, sure!

maschine is totally different and for a totally different target group!!!

[Tarekith]

If you can adapt your way of working, I have a Kenton Killamix mini that I think is great in terms of a portable controller. It's only knobs and buttons, but when space is an issue or you want a small backpack for everything, it's awesome. Very flexible too, great build.

[McQ714]

i wouldn't be surprised at all if NI was working on something more for the houseparty DJ. maybe a complimentary mixer-like controller. it seems they don't like to rely on any other company to make hardware for their them. and they've done a pretty damn good job on the hardware stuff so far for being a software company. Kore, Maschine, and X1 are all solid! not too much in the negative for the interfaces either, although i've never tried them. maybe a Kore keyboard would be cool with some dedicated controls and a magic knob a la Novation for controlling whatever the mouse is hovered over. that would fill in the gap for the entire line of synths and samplers i think. and then a metal-body dj mixer type controller. something like the korg zero4 without the audio interface and with a smaller footprint. i know there's plenty out there but NI hasn't made one yet.

has anyone seen pics of the FF DJ3 yet? i can't find anything.