Long story short I’ve had to sell my VCI - 100 and soundcard (no option unfortunately ). So all Im currently left with just my laptop with Traktor. I don’t perform anywhere so I don’t need a major set up, but I can’t function purely with just the laptop.
So with a bit of creative mapping, would I be able to use a single Kontrol X1 or LPD8 and get by? I don’t scratch at all.
The other option I had thought of was to get a cheap midi keyboard (one with a few knobs) and try to map that?
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated guys as this is a really shitty situation to be in!
Got an LPD8, and it sure is enough as a standalone. Not very enjoyable of course, but still.
8 knobs = 23 equalizer (or filter, and have 22 spares) and 21 volume
8 buttons = 2play, 2*sync, 4 FX superbuttons, and when you switch to CC-mode you can map those 8 buttons to cue points.
On top of that, the LPD8 has 4 different layers, so you can map a whole lot to it, but switching between those layers isn’t thàt quick. The CC-change is though
Don’t have an X1, but I suppose it’ll do the job just fine too, probably better because it’s got more buttons (but less knobs iirc?). The LPD8 is a whole lot cheaper though!
as an only controller i guess the only thing the nocturn has going for it is the cross fader which is the main thing you’d be missing with an lpd8 ofc…
did you see the thread on the new gemini firstmix? it does look rather childish but might be worth considering one if you want touch sensitive jog wheels and a few pots. the buttons don’t look very good - but i think i’ll pick one up. the price seems to be only 80usd?
i first picked up a 2nd hand hercules mk2 which for what you get for the money i think is very good. not in the same league as the x1 or even lpd8 tho…
edit: just realised you don’t scratch so i guess jogs arent too important (tho i still love jog wheels and don’t scratch)… so mostly depends on how important a cross fader is i guess?
Had to do that recently as well. Worked quite well. Nice solution when you don’t wanna be packing heaps of gear for a small gig (actually considering getting an A2DJ, just so I don’t have to rewire the A8DJ back at home in those cases).
the nocturn can be a viable option, but there are some caveats, mainly :
.the automap software is a bit a pain in the ass to learn, think more pain than traktor mapping at first, but once you’ve learnt it its ok
.the cross fader is ok, but i wouldnt use it constantly, it is quite stiff
.the build quality is ok, for a studio, or as a secondary controller, using it as your sole controller will wear it down quite fast i think (on the plus side a good working second hand one isn’t very expensive)
.like 3heads said, while encoders with led feedback are nice for a lot of things (if you produce, or plan to use it as an fx controller for traktor), if it is supposed to be your sole controller it will feel weird, even with the led feedback
As to your question, i would answer an x1 if you have the money for it, the akai being inexpensive (50 eur, so i guess around 60$) and i think better suited as a secondary one, and while i dont use an x1, between the two the x1 as more options, the build quality is great, and if your ever need to sell it it wouldn’t loose too much value.
I just got one of those oxygen keyboard with a foot pedal, I think its was around $150, it gives me a lot of buttons, knobs to use. No cross faders though so you’ll still want to use an external mixer. Also had to custom map it to traktor.
i just picked up a scs.3d for 49gbp on ebay… it has quite a lot of mapping potential. could be used quite easily by itself probably. the scs.3m might also be useful but that’s usually a bit more expensive i think.
the scs.3d can certainly be used to control 2 decks for eq+level+cuepoints+fx anyway.
i picked up a launchpad more for production/ableton live type stuff but have been having quite a lot of fun using it for traktor too…
you can emulate sliders/faders on the launchpad via the right software which isnt too bad either. midikatapult can do that, and my own homebrew app can too - which i’ll probably be releasing for free to the forum soonish.
via my own software (its just a midi mapper type thing) i’ve added a couple of virtual deckalised midifighters to one page with an instant gratification midifighter too - it’s quite a lot of fun
one page could just be dedicated faders for eq+levels ofc and/or virtual crossfader.
(no option unfortunately ). So all Im currently left with just my laptop with Traktor. I don’t perform anywhere so I don’t need a major set up, but I can’t function purely with just the laptop.
