I mostly lurk at DJTT, but thought it was time to show my setup! I've been evolving a multi-controller setup since I started out 8 months ago. Primarily a hobbyist, but starting to do enough friends' parties, random gigs, and things that moving my setup was becoming a huge hassle. I decided to set out to put all of my controllers into a single case for easy portability.
I started with a 24" ATA pedal board case:
(That's a 15" laptop briefcase for scale. Case is probably a little too large to flight carry-on, but it's ATA certified so should be fine as check-in).
Gear in packed position:
The top piece of the case comes off completely--I cut grooves into the eggshell foam to fit my keyboard stand arms. The bottom case has rubber feet already attached. The case is wider than club mixers, so for a DJ booth scenario ideally it could sit above the mixer (if the CDJs/turntables have decksavers or something on hand). Worst-case scenario everything is velcro-ed in place and can be removed.
Gear connected to laptop:
Hardware (left to right):
- Native Instruments X1 mk2
- RME Babyface
- Midi Fighter Twister
- Midi Fighter 3D
- Behringer CMD MM-1
- BlinkyTape (on back of case)
The RME has XLR outputs for main, so packed in there are XLR to RCA, XLR to 1/4" TRS, and various adapters to go from there.
On keyboard stand:
The BlinkyTape runs a few different visualizers with controls mapped to the MM-1.
Laptop view:
Software setup:
Traktor:
- External routing, all outputs sent to Ableton
- Doubled decks for EQ isolation inside of Traktor
- MF3D controls Traktor effects with this Instagrat-style mapping
Ableton
- Handles cueing/final mixing
- MF Twister mapped to various post-Traktor effects (mostly washes and other effects to mix between tracks)
- Some effects are on isolated EQ, some on full track, some on full mix
- Max patches to help with Traktor EQ isolation stuff
Processing
- Controls BlinkyTape visualizations
Audition
- Records mix (main output on Babyface set to loopback)
Wish list:
- Scrolling LED sign to display current track name. It's possible to extract this via Traktor's broadcasting feature. Here's a metadata listener that does it without needing to run a full Shoutcast/Icecast server locally. There are cheap LED name badges that could do the trick. Larger signs are $100+ expensive (even on eBay and places).
- Super-small MIDI/LED controllers to fit into the dead space for extra indicator lights (right now my deck/Ableton sync lights are on the Twister). I have a VMeter on the way, but seems like the only other option for small stuff is DIY Arduino stuff.
- A better control surface to replace the MM-1. The built-in hub is nice, but build quality is weak and very little lights up for dark spaces. There aren't many MIDI controllers with crossfaders out there!
- Stickers for case! I guess I should come up with an actual logo eventually...
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