Recommend MIDI controller (without platters) for TSP?

[sfz]

Greetings all

I converted over to Traktor Scratch Pro last fall, because 95% of the tunes I purhcase are beat grid-able, i've found myself using time-code via CD less and less as time has gone on. I mapped my MIC channel to do pitch adjustments on the focus deck via MIDI on my Ecler Evo 5, so I don't really need turn-tables for songs that aren't beat gridded, or if i'm mixing into another DJ's set.

However. Carrying around my full size Ecler Evo 5 mixer to every gig is becoming a bit of a pain. I was thinking about getting a Behringer BCD3000, but I don't need the two little platters, and I would like to be able to setup MIDI maps for the 3/4 virtual decks in TSP as well.

What would be some recommendations for a suitable MIDI controller, with built in SOUND card that I could use for gigs?

regards

Owen

[pilmat]

Welcome to the forum.

This is an old question. You should spend some time digging through this forum, as the opinions vary tremendously but are invaluable.

As for your question my take on it is that you will probably miss the audio mixing once you go internal (the only way with a midi controller). But that is a personal thing that you will have to firure out yourself.

Going from the quality and feel of your Ecler, you will probably be interested in the Xone DX. It can do what your looking for and the jog wheels on it are basically big knobs on endless encoders if I understand all the reviews (not usefull as platters). It comes with Itch (hence the price) but will be awesome with TSP (but you lose the timecode). Plus it has an A&H soundcard which SHOULD BE top notch at the price.

I am not a Behringer fan as their quality tends to be hit and miss (hence the price).

I love my VCI Arcade, only drawback is the two channel thing. Sure the DJTT mapping covers it really well, but its not the same as working on a real 4 channel.

Good luck, look around, and feel free to ask really specific questions (most people here love to give you their opinions).

Phil.

[sfz]

Greetings

I forgot to include in my OP that My budget is around $300 cdn. So the DX is not an option

[Bassline Brine]

Here's my suggestion: (All in USD)

M-Audio X-Session Pro ($60 on buy.com under the "mixlab" name)
NI Kontrol X1 ($200ish)

Combined gives you full control over what you want, at a much easier carrying payload.

[haze324]

^^ Thats a nice small little set up to do gigs with and have a ton of control over TP.

[sfz]

Right, but i still need a soundcard with that

[Bassline Brine]

well add an NI audio 2 DJ :P

M-Audio X-Session Pro ($60 on buy.com under the "mixlab" name)
NI Kontrol X1 ($200ish)
NI Audio 2 DJ ($99)

So for about $360, you have a nice modular little setup. and if I'm not mistaken, it's smaller than most all in one controllers.

The only thing I can see that you would want for the 3/4 decks is potentially adding another Kontrol X1 in the future. And if you wanted to stick with the mixer that you have, you wouldn't have to bother with the x-session pro but you /may/ need a bigger soundcard. Not quite sure on that.

I either like the idea of a perfect "all in one" setup, or a nice modular setup. And so it depends really on what you are looking for. From everything I hear, the Kontrol X1's are fairly amazing as they go, and could fit your style perfectly.

[jimsimp59]

I got an Akia APC 40 mapped to 4 decks. Got more than enough controls. You can find one for about $400 USD. You need a sound card. AUDIO 2 DJ is what i'm using. Very happy with it. I mix internal. Alot of midi mapping but it was worth it. Its an Ableton controller and works with Ableton great which is a plus. The X1 looks really cool but you can only really control 2 decks unless you use modifiers i think, so you would need 2 of them.

[sine143]

as I'm sure tekki will chime in, Maybe the BCR 2000 is up your alley? Its just 32 knobs, 16 buttons, and all the knobs are endless encoders. There are a few people who use this for traktor. You could also add a nanopad, or similar device off to the side.


I use it as a secondary controller.... I actually got it for free here on DJTT via the buy/sell (15 dollars in shipping for it and 3 vci faceplates).

[bmo]

the vestax spin is fairly decent for the price ($280 cdn) from what I hear. It has an internal soundcard, Has touch sensitive spin platters (similar to the VCI-300), comes with a full version of djay software. Plus there are people here on djtechtools.com who have mapped it for traktor scratch pro and use it for gigs. I've order my vestax spin and i'm still waiting on it. I bought the NI Audio DJ 2 to use as a better soundcard than the internal one, but i've heard mostly positive comments about the product. Ofcourse you pay for what you get, so you shouldn't expect to be able to do the same things as a VCI-100 arcade. But it's a start.

btw if you have windows, it can work with windows. The person who mapped the spin for traktor uses it on his pc. Anyhow they are coming out with the Vestax Typhoon which is exactly the same as the spin but built specificially for the pc.