SSL Mixers: Which allow for the best navigation of the software?
Looking for some education here.
Mixers such as the Rane Sixty-One/Two have the serato soundcard integrated within them, and don’t need the SL box. This is a huge advantage, and to me it’s one less piece of hardware to lug around. The biggest advantage that I see coming from serato-based mixers is that software control can be done directly from the hardware itself, and not the computer.
I’ll expand on why I like this. I currently run an NS7 + ITCH, and the mixer section has a nice little section over the EQs that allows for software navigation. This includes an awesome knob (tactility, size, spacing are all incredible), navigational buttons such as ‘crate’ and ‘load’ and of course ‘load a/b’ buttons. The NS6 has something very similar. Here are some snapshots:
Essentially, the only time I’m touching my MacBook Pro is when I’m actually searching for a song on with my keyboard. This is HUGE. I cannot tell you how much of a step backwards it would be for me to ‘upgrade’ to SSL and have to use the fucking trackpad to drag tracks onto decks A&B. This may sound fickle, but trust me; muscle memory has ensured the software navigation panel is now an extension of my hand and I can EASILY pull any track in my crates in a matter of seconds. If you are going to try and disagree with me and tell me that fiddlefucking around on the trackpad is just as good and is just a mild inconvenience that all SSL users have to embrace, then don’t bother with a reply.
So, for those of you who can understand what users want in terms of SSL-integration; what mixer best fits the bill? $ is no object.
The LEDs on the X1 don’t work with SSL though, unless you use midipipe which a pain in the ass. The denon is a better bet as it’s well labelled and automaps to serato. Don’t get me wrong, the X1 is excellent for traktor, but until SSL sorts out its lack of midi out there are better options.
Heh…the hc-1000 is still on top for SSL? That thing’s been around forever.
Not a bad thing, necessarily. Also a little cheaper than the X1. Unfortunately, nothing to control effects (because it was designed before SSL had effects).
Interesting. Both seem to have their advantages. I had no idea the X1 was compatible with SSL. I admire the tactility of NI’s stuff, and effects situation might not be a big deal, as I’m looking to invest in a high-end Pioneer rig with effects that will trump Serato’s suite. Looping from a knob isn’t too appealing to me either, and I prefer having a button for each loop size (a bit like the dicer)… WHY AM I SO HARD TO PLEASE
I’ve had some luck with an LPD8 (or the top of my MPKmini, which is the same thing basically) as well. You need to play around a bit with mapping, but yeah. Mapping in Serato is stupidly simple anyhow, though you can’t really get all that advanced.
I’m honestly pretty surprised that there hasn’t been an update to the Denon unit that also incorporates FX. I’m sure there would be a huge market for it.
like some said already the dicers have two unmapped shift sections where you could browse load and do fx. i use mine with samples also too. you have twenty mappable buttons! ten on each dicer js. and for a 100 too and they fit perfectly on your tts js.
