Saw you posting over at the Mixvibes forums. If a DJ controller connected to a computer is OK then I might be able to make something simple and bulletproof…
A Korg kp mini and a Korg kaossilator mini along with a Korg volca beats would really be up the ally or a Korg volca sample with any of the above combination… I’ve recently order a teenage engineering po-14 but their po line looks promising with a slew of options as support line in audio
Mom on a Mission
Yes, Stormcaller, I did post on both sites. I had posted on a musicians forum back in December and everyone pretty much as lost I as was. When I decided to try again I was pretty desperate and didn’t want another several months to go by without her having something, so when I decided to reach out to you DJ’s, I thought I’d go for the gusto and post both places. So far I think you and I’m Shy Guy have the most viable options. The Korg Mini Pad is the closest thing I’ve seen to doing the things she likes to do. Building something sounds like a great idea too, but I’m not sure how independent she would be able to be as it seems she would need someone to still it for her since she can’t see. Maybe I’m not understanding something. If so, please enlighten me. I so appreciate you all hanging in here with me through this process! 
ZxZDeViLZxZ, could you briefly explain the difference between these three devices? Thanks bunches!!
I replied to you on the Mixvibes forums but I will also add this here. Since you are also considering a controller that plugs into a computer, there is a piece of software called Mixxx that is completely free, supports many controllers, and will do everything you are asking for. I figured it would be inappropriate to mention that on the Mixvibes forums because its rival software to theirs.
My thought was, make all the controls feel different to touch. You would still need to select tracks for it to play, but once that is loaded, the controls will let you pause, play, jump around the track, make it play backwards, and so on, with each individual knob and button doing a different thing, so she can associate a certain knob with a certain result. The Korg has 2 controls that do everything, so it needs someone else to select what that control is going to do.
I ordered some replacement knobs from DJTT recently for my controller. The electrical component inside the controller that knobs attach to is called a “potentiometer” or “pot” for short. The shaft that the knob attaches to is a standard size so, for the most part, the knobs that DJTT sell will work on any controller. It turns out the knobs for gas cookers also use the same standard size for their controls, and I thought it would be funny to put the DJTT chroma caps on the cooker before installing them on my controller. DJTT recently posted it on their facebook.
Anyway, this works in reverse. I could get a bunch of different cooker knobs from the scrap metal merchant, and attach them to a DJ controller, so they all feel different from each other, that way, you don’t need to see to tell them apart.
Oh, I forgot to mention, write to Korg. They have donated instruments and devices to disabled people in the past, and it can’t hurt to ask. If that MP3 player Kaoss pad thing linked above is useful it might be another way you can get one.
One is a traditional drum machine allowing you to sequence all your basic drum sounds and contains a handful of effects along with audio line in…
One is a bass sound synth this allows you to crest the sub/bass frequencies… It also contains a standard drum kit and has audio line in and effects
And factory is a lead synth generator same thing handful of effects line in and a drum kit also
I like your idea of having different knobs that feel different and do a set thing Stormcaller but for me the fun in effects is kind of having no idea whats going to happen when you twist a knob. I feel like you’ll get more life out of the device (she wont get bored with it) if the sounds change as well as the effects change. That way each time you load up a sound pack it’s an adventure more so than a static environment. If you were going to go a controller route that’s hooked up to a PC what about a Midi Fighter Twister? I could make some sound packs for it and have each of the 16 knobs change a different effect. Then when you pushed the actual knob It would play whatever sound/song that is mapped to it. This leads to flexibility as you could just drag and drop 16 different sounds into the clip spaces or rearrange/add different effects. They also happen to be built and sold from the store of this site 
. I admit that it’s starting to get pretty complex, much more so than a all in one unit such as the Korg.
I think she doesn’t want it tied to a computer… This maybe where something like a raspberry pi with audio addon and such could be handy to have a free open source DAW which I know there is one for Linux but can’t remember it and then have the midi devices mapped to it then it’d be an all in one as a pi is fairly small and could be mounted to anything
Now we’re getting REALLY complex. Does a Rasberry Pi have enough processing power to run a full daw without a massive amount of latency? There’s only so much you can do with the limited budget. I stand by the Korg. Good luck! Pm me your paypal and I will get that $10 donation to you .
A Korg Kaoss pad I reckon is definitely your best bet, personally I would go with the Kaosspad 3 primarily as its got big knobs, switches and Dials
From the sounds of it you solely need the device for music manipulation - I would start there.
Yup kp3 can usually be found cheaply on eBay and would do essentially everything
A full DAW is a bit overkill here
It’s way out of her budget. It’d be a really good solution though.
https://vimeo.com/119650998
Korg volca keys routed to Korg kaoss pad mini rev 1 Korg volca beats touted to Korg montron duo then monotrons duo routed to monotrons delay…
Monotrons duo and delay have line in and have very interesting sound shaping
Capabilities being purely analog and filtering can get some really interesting effects especially when coupled with the monotrons delay for the delay effect… Both these unit retail for $49.99usd each. The Korg volcas would be more if you wanted to have option to really create own sounds since There is no line in on them… There is the volca sampler which has a line in and allows you to sample sounds and then replay them back on any desired order… These all retail for I believe $149usd? I live in Canada and they are 169-179 depending on store here…
No onto the Korg kaoss pad mini… I purchased it used from a djtech tools member for 75$ 2 or 3 years ago… It has line in and line out along with headphones out…
I have ordered an akai mpx8 sampler that I can show how that works I should have it next week and do another Video of it chained in with stuff…
I don’t know if any of this is useful but thought would show you since they are relatively close To budget
Hi guys! just wanted you to know I haven’t gotten lost. It’s just been a busy few days. I’ll be back in touch as soon as I can. My appreciation for the art of DJing has blown through the roof! I’m amazed at what you guys do!You’re awesome!
I think something like the Numark Mixdeck would be great…
You DON’T need a separate laptop, and you can use straight CD’s, USB stick or iPad…
They can be had on eBay for ~£200
I say one of the older korg electribes are fun and don’t require much visually. The knobs can be replaced with bigger ones. The new ones might require better vision to see the display menu. I had a korg EM1 which had a simple to use synth and drum machine. It has a simple step sequencer to make beats. You can just press record and push buttons and it plays them back. It will even record knob turns. It doesn’t require too much menu diving. Has 7 segment display in fact. It’s fun for hours. That is my suggestion
I have a roland mc-303 I purchased a while back and tore it apart cleaned it and touched up some of the knobs that had issues… I will check it again and make sure it works correctly as it should… Did this a while ago… It currently sits in used in one of my desk drawers and I would gladly donate it to the cause for just the shipping fee… Take a look at them online see if it’s something your interested in and let me know…