2-track controller (budget?)

**nicoga3000** · 10-20-2011, 01:36 PM

Hi all -

I recently got rid of my S4 for a few reasons...

- I wasn't using everything it had to offer (4 decks, all the FX controls, sample decks).

- It wasn't very conducive to carrying around all over.

- Price (I was able to sell it for effectively no loss)

I'd like to find a controller that offers remedies to those things above. My biggest point would be ease of integration with whatever software. I loved Traktor, so that would be my first choice, but if the general analysis algorithms are similar, any software will be fine (as long as it beat grids reasonably well...).

For a controller, track control, EQ's, and filter are my biggest "used" options. Again, FX are completely secondary, as I find myself not using them much at all. Ease of integration with software is my most important piece, though. The S4 was awesome in that it was plug and play, so hopefully something that runs nearly as flawlessly would be good.

Price wise, I'd like something "cheaper". I know that's relative, and I hate giving a price range because of it. I don't want to spend a fortune, but I don't want a piece of crap $50 toy from Best Buy, haha. Suggestions here would be welcome - I haven't found a good article via searching yet. I found a few product reviews here and there, but so few of them compare and contrast. It's not hard to make a sub-par product sound good enough to buy.

Again, I'd love some suggestions here all around. I'm not a turntablist, so scratching isn't something I need to have access to. I'm also not looking for something that every controllerist dreams of, because honestly, I'm not that guy. I just enjoy mixing up the tracks and getting people excited and dancing!

Thanks for the protips everyone!

**Onimode** · 10-20-2011, 01:54 PM

Numark Mixtrack/Mixtrack Pro, Vestax VCI-100, MixVibes uMix Control Pro/2, Kontrol S2, etc.

The list goes on. The Mixtracks are pretty good for an entry-level controller. The VCI-100 is popular for a reason. The Kontrol S2 is the S4's incarnate, so it should be a bit familiar. DJ Tech Pro has a few controllers I'd like to try out. As does Gemini and Hercules. And M-Audio's Xponent looks like fun.

Gotta do research on what you want though. I don't want to choose for anybody. :X

**nicoga3000** · 10-20-2011, 02:17 PM

Yeah, I think the problem I have is that there are SOOOO many controllers out there that you could consider budget, but there are also a TON of shitty ones. Example being some of that DJ Tech stuff. Some looks really cool, but some of it looks like a children's toy.

I'm just looking to get some thoughts on what controllers fit my criteria so that I can make a decision based off that.

**geminimech** · 10-20-2011, 02:36 PM

Check out the Hercules Mp3 e2. Seriously. I just picked one up for my girlfriend, as she was curious about mixing. It's VERY small, it looks pretty decent, and the knobs and faders are all solid. It has all the features you are asking about, and is dirt cheap (I got one at GC with a 2 year warranty for 72 bucks). Of course you would also need a separate interface, but you can get a Maya 44 for cheap as well and have a setup that is VERY easily transportable, inexpensive and fun to use. I've caught myself using it to mix for a couple of hours with a DDJ-T1 sitting right next to me, it really is a neat little controller.

**nicoga3000** · 10-20-2011, 02:46 PM

Interesting little controller there geminimech. Can you map the Loops/FX buttons to cue point setting/triggering? And is there a dedicated filter knob?

**Onimode** · 10-20-2011, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by nicoga3000

I'm just looking to get some thoughts on what controllers fit my criteria so that I can make a decision based off that.

Well, I think looking at the Mixtrack Pro/VCI-100/S2 would be good for you.

**geminimech** · 10-20-2011, 02:59 PM

If you want to take a couple of minutes to map them up, then yeah absolutely. And no there is not a dedicated filter knob unfortunately. The controller was designed to be small and has a rotary encoder in lieu of a pitch fader, so I can see why they didn't include one. Honestly though, I could see myself using this with the addition of an AKAI LPD8, and not needing much else for basic mixing and essential Traktor controls. A perfect "throw away" setup if you will. Or good for mixing parties where you don't want to worry about your gear.

http://skratchworx.com/reviews/hercules_e2.php

Good review from Gizmo of Skratchworx.