firstly, I know that Kontrol X1 is designed as an extra unit especially for DVS to operate FX sections. But I would like to ask how much he can replace full equipment controller like VCI or Digital Jockey?
One of the problems is lack of the faders, but it is possible to use those from the mixer. Similar problem according to EQ can be solved also by using it on the mixer.
In this case is it possible to feel free and create good mix by using Kontrol X1 + mixer.
It’s possible, but you don’t have a jog. To compensate this you can put load markers on the first beat (in traktor), and work with more hot cues so you can jump to parts quick without having to use a jog wheel. The only thing is that you can’t beatmatch so you have to sync everything.
If you look on youtube that is how Hawtin plays. If you don’t need jogs it works GREAT. Also if you are staying close to the same BPM where you don’t need pitch slider. The X1 has buttons for this - but it takes a few seconds to adjust…much slower that just sliding up and down. For me personally it works awesome when playing EDM and music that I have set cue points for. When playing Top 40 or songs on the fly I would prefer some jogs.
If you already own the mixer, then I think the X1 is a better option. Firstly because it’s new, meaning if something breaks you know where to go. Secondly, the added functionality of the VCI is redundant because of the functions on the mixer. Thirdly, the VCI is much larger = less portability and it’s harder to find a place for it in the tight club booth.
One thing is that the left over knobs on the VCI-100 could be mapped as super knobs or some oddball function that you like. The kontrol x1 seems to have all knobs ‘full’.
Its not as fun as it sounds. I started using a Xone 42 and two X1’s and went back to the VCI for the jogs.
The seek function that is set to shift + browse is actually a beatjump command. So you can set it to jump 8 beats, 4, 2, 1/2 a beat, 1/8th, etc. There are also two buttons that seek fwd and backwd 1 beat. So you can seek thru a track with either. The problem happens when you want to cue a song from a specific point.
If you have the rotary set to fine or 1/8th it does NOTHING while the song is playing. So you have to hit stop, then scroll back, set a cue, press play, make sure your good, then cue again, then play it. Man thats a mission compared to a jogwheel.
Like I said previously. If its strictly EDM music, its not as bad because you can beatjump back and most of the songs you can just start on a beat. But with top 40/hip-hop things are a little different.
The only other way it works well, is if you’ve set cue points on all your songs. Then it works great. No need to seek
actually it does have “jogs.” It has 4 encoders, and jogs are just that encoders. I’m working a a good mapping for the x1, 4 decks, midi fighter, and some super knobs that have fx combos. i’ll up it up when i’m done with it.
Adding a VCI to an X1 isnt completely redundant. although the x1 takes care of mixing functions, you could easily add a vci for controls of decks 3/4 (or vice versa).
And yea… it does have jogs
You could also use the jogs as pitch control, for manual beatmatching, this gets rid of the issue with the buttons.
When I use my X1 as a dedicated controller I just use the 4 knobs as my EQ control instead of for effects. Instead of a fader your volume control is just the bottom knob (which as a mix DJ I kinda like more). Plus you have all those buttons you can map to kill. There’s the whole midi section so you can put FX on one and EQ on the other.
And yes you can cue just fine, but again you’ll have to do some custom mapping. Just map your encoders to the seek position control. Set it as encoder/relative and adjust the sensitivity. There’s two encoders per deck, and there’s the shift function. So you can set one up for general browsing with a higher sensitivity, and one for fine control with a small sensitivity.
My setup is a pair of X1s and a 4 channel mixer. Works fine as I’ve gridded and set cuepoints all over the tracks I play (and do so whenever I get something new). If I feel like not using sync, the mapping is as follows on midi mode :
FX1/2 FX1/2 = deck select focus A/B/C/D (with led feedback)
browse 1/browse 1 click = scroll tree view/pop tree view folder
browse 2/browse 2 click/shift click = scroll tracks/load selected/toggle browser view
loop 1/loop 2 = tempo adjust “wide”/tempo adjust “tight” - depends on tempo range, but remains 0.01 tight at 25%
right hotcues = tempo bend for all 4 decks.
Beatmatching with that looks like tuning a broken radio
I recently bought a Xone 22, now Im waiting for a Kontrol X1 to complete my setup, I think it will work properly. Never used the jogs on my Hercules RMX so I guess I wont miss them.
please post up what you come up with — i think your mappings are great stuff…im curious to see how you end up using the encoders. I personally think just using a rotary knob is a pain in the butt compared to a touchsensitve jog wheel.
I use the X1 and love it… personally I did it because I plan to run a hybrid set which later on the road will include CDJs. Personally I also want them there as backup. Never know when the computer’s gonna take a poop
I use 1 x1 mapped for four deck control and use a m-audio x session as my mixer for four decks and works perfect. I also have mapping for 2 decks which consist of 1 x1 and m-audio where two of the slides are mapped as pitch controls which allows me to run out only one set of rca’s and control my pitches on tracks that don’t beat grid and my pitch bend buttons on the x session is mapped as fine 16th beatjump. If I am going to run more rca’s than that and disconnect the cdj’s from the mixer I would rather use time coded cd’s then and use the x1 for effects and loops. I am trying to get away from disconnecting the main setup in the booth and just running one set of rca’s to a unused channel. I also have mapping for x1 all in one,where second scene of midi is for mixing controls. Browser knobs are vol faders and effects knobs are eq’s and filters, buttons next to them are kills for eq, snap and master are monitor cues and left hand loop knob is monitor vol and right is x fader. all the rest are the same but works great for not having to plug into the house mixer. If anyone wants any of these mappings let me know.
@ djkevind - those sound like really useful mappings for the X1.
I’ve wanted one just for two decks with EQ / Vol / etc as you describe it sounds perfect. Also a workable 4 deck, for the external mixer option is also great - I find a lot of booth’s pretty short on space, and most of the time, taking 2 - X1’s isn’t practical.
I’d love both of these mappings if you could post them up
I think that all functions from X1 you can use on VCI, so in my opinion is not the best idea You only double functionality, but on other hand, of course you get some extra knobs and buttons.
