Frustrations
As it stands now, and from what I'm hearing and reading, controllers are being looked at by the established professional DJ world (including promoters and clubs) as bedroom DJ toys. They are seen as automated push button solutions for DJs who want to spin but without learning the craft like the vinyl DJs did before Serato/Final Scratch/Traktor. Controllers also aren't as 'sexy' and lack the 'showiness' of two turntables and a mixer. Sure, there are exceptions, but in all generalities this is true.
First, let get something straight: Whether you push buttons, spin records, or tap a keyboard, if your music comes from your laptop you are technically using a controller. It's amazing to me how this concept hasn't taken shape in a lot of the minds of the vinyl DJs especially with the acceptance of the Novation Dicer into the turntable world.
I do believe controllers are the future of the DJ, but not the immediate future. Vinyl DJ's (ie...Serato/Tractor Scratch) are very reluctant to give up their reliable tables and jump into technology they might not understand. Can you blame them? Turntables have been the standard since the DJ came into existence. Plus turntables are the DJ icon or, in so many words, the unofficial logo for the DJ.
The mistake that is being made by the current controller market is that the controller is to replace the turntable. That you EITHER have a controller OR turntables. Not many options for a hybrid.
The controller world has addressed this to a point with platters and jog wheels. This is good, but misses the mark. The NS7 is a nice but the wheels 'of steel' are too small to appeal to the vinyl DJ. Plus it's Numark and they have yet to make any piece of equipment that is well respected to the traditional pro DJ world (ie..Rane 56, Vestax 05/07, etc...). Plus the size of the thing made it difficult to transport and fit into most DJ booths.
Along these lines, controllers need to take into consideration the things that vinyl DJs (and turntablists) look for, especially in faders. User replaceable faders would be a start. Also using high quality crossfaders (or well known alternatives) would also help. Making a controller that adheres to what vinyl DJs in a mixer is the key.
Another issue that the controller world has completely WRONG and only shows to the traditional vinyl DJs that controllers are toys is the lack of a booth output. To assume that you're plugging the controller into a club mixer for use of a booth output is implying that the controller is inferior and not ready for mainstream club integration. Also it says that the controller isn't ideal for most situations. For example, I DJ in the desert which means a lot of outside club gigs. Usually the Dj booth is far away from the dance floor (being in a cabana or inside an actual booth) where a booth output is needed.
Also, the controller manufacturers need to come up with a better way to handle a microphone. Sending the mic through software for whatever reason is ludicrous.
To some, booth outputs and mic options might be getting close to the line between club gear and mobile DJ gear. But let's think about this for a minute: most DJs bring their own gear to clubs anyway. I've seen a growing trend that clubs usually have a DJ booth that is empty and only provide rca/xlr/mixer for a DJ to plug into for floor sound. It all comes down to the fact that controllers need to be more self sufficient.
So why Vestax and Traktor?
Why not Vestax and Serato?
First off, I think Serato made a huge mistake by introducing Itch. Behind the scenes I'm not sure what Rane and Serato worked out, but Itch only segregated the controllerists from the vinyl-ists. Traktor on the other hand doesn't. Yes, there are multiple versions of Traktor to suit needs but all-in-all if you work with one version of Traktor, you can work in all versions.
Why Traktor?
As I stated above, Traktor basically looks the same across all versions and doesn't make one version that appears to be more important than the other. Serato Scratch is more respected than running Itch. I understand the reasoning behind Itch; I just don't agree 100%.
Plus (NI) Traktor has been producing software for ages, allows more than 2 decks in its flagship software, plus has a slew of options and features. In my opinion it is the best DJ software out there.
Why Vestax?
Here is is the thing with Vestax: it's a respected brand with solid gear in the vinyl world. Rane is too invested in Serato right now. Vestax has a good reputation especially with its 05/07 line of mixers. Heck, you can still rock an older 05/07 as a scratch mixer without issue. Point being is that they have a solid reputation among the vinyl purists.
How can Traktor and Vestax bring controllerism mainstream?
Work on making a mixer similar to the Rane 57 but more with more controller features while leaving it feeling like a mixer.
Scratch included, but optional.
Include Traktor Scratch inside the mixer. Allow for this to be upgraded via USB so if Traktor scratch 3 comes out there won't be issue with upgrades. Make it possible to turn off Traktor if the DJ needed to reboot the computer or use audio provided by turntables/CD players.
Stay with the familiar
Use the same mixer-esque layout Vestax already has. Allow for user replaceable faders and hardware controls for faders curves and reverse (hamster) style.
Don't junk up the mixer
Keep mixer functionality in one area (closest to the DJ) and controller functionality in another. There shouldn't be jog wheels or huge play buttons (if any at all - this could be an add-on). Keep the controller functions on the mixer to track selection, effects, loops, and fader controls. Other functions like start, stop, and pause should be left to the audio source.
Keep the price low
Of course, right? Keep this thing under the $900 price to be competitive with what's out there.
I'm sure I've missed the boat a few times, but this is what I am missing while looking for a controller.
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