I am currently using my APC40 with traktor and a 2in/4out Focusrite Sapphire soundcard. Because Traktor totally blows at integrating fluidly with the APC40 (maps work fine but LED updating is a different story) I need to add a new way to handle my EQ. I am relatively new to traktor and DJing, so I was hoping you fine folks here could provide me with a little guidance. I could either go with a REAL mixer or I could get another MIDI controller that I would use to control traktors internal mixer.
Maybe a Kontrol X1? It’s perfect for use as an EQ if you so wish, and really well built. Just don’t let ants near it.
Having said that, I do like having an external mixer to pull all my audio ramblings together. I have all sorts of different inputs so I like having control over everything without having to route it all through Traktor.
I would just scoop up a Nanokontrol to control the internal mixer, 2 if you’re rocking four decks. Easiest and least expensive solution. And this way, no matter where you go, you’ll always have the same set up and will feel comfortable when playing out and not have to worry about what kind of mixer you’re going to be on.
Plus with all the extra faders and buttons I’m sure you’ll find a use for each one. (I know I did)
Well, this is an interesting option, because instead of using the pots/faders on my APC40 for FX I could just use the X1. That would then leave all my pots/faders open on my APC, enough to leave them stationary (without needing shifted func.) which may be suitable because the LED updating issues really only occur when I use shifted functionalities.
Thanks for the ideas, keep em coming!
*edit, I suppose this doesn’t only apply for the X1, are there any other controllers out there that would be good for controlling four traktor FX racks?
Lol there was a thread on the NI forum a couple of weeks back from a guy who left his X1 out somewhere and came back the next day to find it had been inhabited by ants.
Out of interest, is it a personal tsi you’re using or someone else’s? i think some people have made working tsi files for the APC40 with LED feedback. Have a look at ‘The List’ sticky in the mappings section of the forum.
Currently, I have a heavily modified version of this mapping, which is a mapping for the APC in ‘dumb mode’. I chose to go with a ‘dumb mode’ mapping because I have heard of audio glitches and latency issues with the default mode. However, maybe I will give it a shot because I hear the LED updating is much better in the default mode vs dumb mode.
Why doesn’t anyone give the Nanokontrol a nod? For the price it offers way more controls than an X1, and while it is plastic I’ve never had one break on me (and I have 5 of them). As long as you’re not ‘jamming’ out on it and cranking on it there’s no reason it should be a viable option to use for Traktor’s internal mixer plus a number of other controls as well.
Instead of owning some multiple these, I would rather pick up one of the FX3’s from Faderfox and then use my APC pots/faders for mixing. However, the more I look into using the APC40 in ‘regular’ mode it may be possible to get all this functionality into my APC drools
I honestly haven’t tried running much in regular mode (but will be tonight) the more I read about the regular mode though, the more it sounds like a problem for PC users (not mac users such as myself)
*edit: Found some stuff about Drew’s fix, but, if I am correct, it is only for PC users. Sounds like I shouldn’t have been so weary about APC and it’s regular mode with Traktor.
The 4midiloop makes me hawt. I can’t wait to see the new version for Traktor Pro 2. Am I the only one who thinks that they need to use slightly bigger buttons though? I would really want to touch these things before I dropped 1300 euros on it.
I’d agree. It was the first MIDI thing that I ever bought, still got it, still like it. Only bad thing about it is since it is so small/light sometimes when i twist knobs it lifts up, but know I just tape it down or something.