Need some help finding a controller. I’m using an APC40 to contol Traktor Pro.. which works great. Could do with a few more knobs to contol eq’s and gains better tho.
Was going to buy some USB mixer that I saw on eBay but thinking about it, I’m quite happy using the volume controls and x-fader on the APC (no point paying for stuff I ain’t going to use).
So I’m just looking for a real basic, 16 knobed MIDI controller with nothing else. Preferably as small as possible.
I did find one called the ‘Kenton Spin Doctor’ which looks like just what I’m looking for but I can’t find anywhere that sells one.
Anyone here got any ideas for me? Thanks very much!
hmm, thanks for the reply. I’ve read good reviews about both these units. Ideally I was looking for something smaller than the BCR. Looking for something I can just sit infront of my APC40 or to the side.
I know these two units are well priced and good value for money but ideally I was looking for something cheaper. Again, don’t want to paying for features I won’t use. Just looking for a small, dirt cheap unit with 16 knobs and no a lot else.
That’s deffo more the price/size of unit I’m looking for. I’m just worried how having two connected would work. If I map the 1st knob on one unit to control the ‘gain’ on deck A for example, will the 1st knob on the 2nd unit not have the same name and be left controlling the same gain?
Also (and this is not essential), I’d prefer a unit the I could connect via MIDI, not USB. I’ve ran out of USB ports on my laptop. I know I can get an adaptor easy enough but I’ve had trouble with these cutting out in the past and would rather not use one. I’ve also got a free MIDI input/output on my M Audio Fast Track Pro that I would prefer to use.
The LPD8 are not released yet, I assume the software will let you switch the channels. If not there is software that will let you switch the channels. However with Traktor Pro 1.2 it will likely be better to have separate units, because then you will only need to do one mapping and then you can use the “device target” feature to direct the knobs to deck A or B and you also do not need to worry about the channels anymore.
As for not enough USB ports, that is a problem indeed. If you have an Expresscard slot you can get a 4 port card fairly cheap and the latency will be very low.
Doepfer Pocket control:
16 knobs, all programmable using own software.
Has lots programms, and you can switch these live using switches on back.
Midi in / Midi out
No usb
Metal case, built like a tank!
Thanks for all the replies. They’ve really helped a lot.
The faderfox unit is exactly what I’m looking for, it ticks all the right boxes… it’s just too damn expensive!! Wayyy more than I looking to pay.
The Doepfer Pocket Control again is totally the sort of thing I’m looking for. Only problem with that is I can’t find anywhere that’s selling one, spent the last half hour on google looking for one but no luck. Having the same problem looking for this http://www.kentonuk.com/products/spindoctor.shtml
Only thing I’ve found myself is the Korg Nano Kontrol. It’s a combo of 9 knobs and 9 faders (I’d prefer if it was all knobs) but it’s the right sort of size to fit infront of my APC40 and I can get one brand new of eBay for $50-60.
I’d rather have something like the Doepher or the Kenton and would happily spend a bit more than 60 bucks to get it.. if anyone can tell where I can buy one that is… or if anyone knows of a very similar unit.
I could build you something with exactly what you’re looking for. But, i won’t be starting any new builds for at least a few months, maybe as late as December (I just opened up my sushi bar, and it’s keeping me busy as all hell.)
However, if you are pretty hand with a soldering iron. I can get together a parts list and some build instructions for you. And you could have it done in no time at all. 16 pots/knobs is a really simple build, you could even use the Doepfer Pocket Electronic Pocket Electronics Info , the brains of the previously mentioned Pocket control and Pocket Fader.
I used a Pocket Electronic for a NI Guitar Rig controller i built, and it’s great, but i think it was a little overkill, as i only use 16 of the possible 128 midi events.
There are other options too.
And for the price of building one, you could get a BCR2000/3000.
that’s what i suggested, you can find them used for around $25-40, and it doubles as a club or defensive weapon in the event of zombie club goers (it is a very very solid piece of hardware, almost the exact opposite of the x-session pro)
you can use standard midi cables or usb. also you can change controller assignments right on the machine.
fyi, those last pics with the uc-17 with LEDs is not stock, but a pretty handy looking DIY mod that the user did.
I was gonna open up a new thread, but it’s all there already. I’m still missing some features in the controllers you guys recommended, though…
I use a VCI-100 SE, but I’m already kind of tired of switching between the FX banks all the time. I mean to use another smaller controller for the 4 FX banks to come in Traktor 1.2, so needed are:
4 knobs or 100mm faders for every bank, preferably unlimited rotary encoders with led rings around them
four buttons to turn it on/off, led lit
one knob for every bank to select the FX
The most important part to me is that the knobs are actually led lit, kinda like on the APC40 (mean piece of gear btw). I have been looking at the MPD32… the BCF2000. Nothing really comes close to what I have in mind, though
If anyone could point me to a controller with working Traktor mappings in conjunction with the VCI, that would be even better
So with the lpd8 would it be possible to change banks on the fly while in traktor? like have one scene mapped for transport and another mapped for effects and switch between the two ?
, you can find them used for around $25-40, and it doubles as a club or defensive weapon in the event of zombie club goers (it is a very very solid piece of hardware, almost the exact opposite of the x-session pro)
