Kontrol X1 to Xone K2

DJ Life & Community General Discussion
1

Kontrol X1 to Xone K2

Basically thinking of getting (2) Xone K2s to replace my (2) Kontrol X1s

And I wanted to get some feedback on people who switched and if they liked the switch? why or why not
Also dont mind feedback from anyone who has used one or from people who use it with ableton how they like it

hope to make up my mind soon :confused:

2

I own both and also use them in a setup with an external mixer. These are my findings:

  • The knobs and encoders on the X1 feel better than the K2. The 4 aligned knobs of the X1 are better suited for the advanced fx of traktor. The encoders also feel better. Also the knobs on the X1 have a ‘0’ point where they ‘locked’. On the other hand, the buttons of the K2 are bigger and thus better.
  • The latching layers of the K2 are phenomenal. The transition between layers and LED feedback gives you a really decent workflow. It’s so much better, MIDI-mode on the X1 should be embarrassed.
  • Side notes: The K2 has no writing on it, which I find positive. The K2 is a little bit bigger than the X1.
3

I’ve just switched from 1 x1 to 1 k2 and I’m in love :slight_smile:

I did my own mapping to a full x1 into the k2 (with dry/wet fx 1 and 2 on the faders) plus a internal mixer with two decks at the layer one (red) …
Layer two (orange) is for cue point recording/deleting exactly like x1
Exactly what I wanted.

And I have a plus, with the thrid layer (green) I’ve done a led output mapping to monitor my post fader and master levels/clip.

Gonna review my mapping and post it at the foruns soon :slight_smile:

Now I only need my xone k2 to play with high audio quality, two decks internal mixer with full eq kill and two FXs :slight_smile:

4

My only downside with the change is that the volume output of the k2 is even lower then my last interface numark DJIO.
I have to crank all way up the gain on the mixer to get near the volume output of CDJs.

5

thanks for the feedback definitely gave me a bit more insight right now Im drawing out what I want my midi map to look like and see if I could get a good workflow. Ill prob end up buying it from guitar center to check it out if I dont like it Ill just return it :slight_smile: but hopefully I can head over to a friends house who has one to get some hands-on with it hopefully

anyone else who uses it I would love to hear more reviews!

6

This is a rough sketch of what one of the K2s will do…if I get 2 it will probably mirrored just controlling deck C & D and other stuff in ableton. Still trying to make up my mind :rage:

7

Make sure you test the volume output comparing to CDJ’s volume or Audio 2 volume at guitar center…

Mine is extremely quiet :disappointed:

8

I use two Xone k2s.. Dont use their audio features just the control features. Personally I love them over the other two offerings traktor has simply because it meets my workflow style. I think thats really the only key.

Unlike a previous poster, I feel the k2 knobs feel much better (they area nut/bolt assembly heavy duty). There are only a few gripes I have with the unit and I wish were different, but I can manage.

  1. The buttons on the k2 have a nice feel and push but they are to small in my opinion, I like the slightly larger pads on the x1/f1
  • I used latched layers on just the bottom section of bottoms for 4 cue points on each deck (each fader grouping controls a deck on one of my k2s)

  1. There seems to be some issues with MIDI OUT and IN with messages sent and recieved by the k2 with traktor. For whatever reason LED functionality is very unpredictable if you try and cycle colors or do any form of modification such as blinking etc to the LEDs on the same button you are pushing. It works correctly if a different button is affecting those parameters on another button.

  2. RGB LEDS… What the heck A&H… I like having the three colors at least, but im jealous of the RGB setup hehe

  3. Latching layers… Great love them for all intents and purposes for certain applications but the fact we can only use 1 color for a section of buttons that is latched is ridiculous. Hopefully this is something that can be changed in a firmware update.

Everything else i find a win over the x1/f1. But i think its personal feel. I enjoy the space between the encoders, it makes tweaking fx and the like easier to me (I actually need to use a button to switch between param 1 and 2 knobs on fx because I lack an extra knob I need lol, but because of placement its easy to use.

9

So you’re still running an external audio card balakoth?

I’m debating whether I should move from an APC40 to Xone:42 + X1s/K2s with an Audio 4.

10

hi there regarding the outputs

are we able to get decent outputs with 2 x K2 setup (all 4 stereo outputs out), i have read that the output gain is really weak - is that the case?

i own the audio 6 currently (3 stereo outputs) and considering getting 2 x K2s for a 4 deck setup, but kinda worried that i wont be able to get the same loud punchy sound that i get from the audio 6

11

I’ve had the a single k2 for a few months now and I really love this controller. The build quality is great and the mapping capabilities are phenomenal! For me the output of the k2 is fine on my setup. Borrowed a friends k2 and made a 4 deck latching layers mapping for internal mixing which is awesome.

I will definitely be picking up another k2 to add to my setup. I like the fact that they included the awesome hard case with the k2 as well.

12

Yeah SJJven, I use two Xone k2s, only as controllers, I use the Traktor AUdio 10s for my two Laptops. (I only use the K2 as an audio device if Im on the plane and want to work on some tracks, or work on remixes, cue points etc)

As for the gain, its not to shabby, it lacks the punch of say a higher end audio device but can still hold its own.

13

Just hooked up my k2 to a xone 92 and routed traktor through it… Now I see why everyone complains about the output. I’ve had to max out the gains on the mixer in order to get it loud enough. Looks like I’ll have to pickup an audio 10 now…

14

is it fine when maxed out though? does it output enough?

15

Thats odd.. I have no issues getting my k2 as loud as my Audio 10 without any major adjustments

Question though, why go from a K2 to an audio 10… Audio 6 seems more than enough if you were just using the k2 as a sound card

16

When I put the gain up all the way on the 92 its a bit more useful. But when its at 12 o’clock the mixer is reading -10 on each ch.

I’ve actually borrowed my friends k2 and aggregated the sound cards to give me 4 stereo outs. I’m running 4 traktor decks which is why I would need an audio 8/10. I’d rather have the 10 so I can eventually add ableton/maschine to my mic channel.

17

It really deppends on the gain adjust of the CDJs that were playing before you. If their channels were alredy more then 50% up, the max gain on your channel maybe not enough…

This is the only problem with the k2 :disappointed:

There is a post on A&H Forums but it’s a bit quiet there, you guys could help me bring that issue up again:
http://xoneforum.allen-heath.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5268&title=k2-club-voulme-issue