Updating my setup/controller, need your recommendations!
Hi all, things are going great and I want a new setup to become more professional. I use traktor on a laptop and a controller. Couple of things I don’t like about traktor (see later) but I think I got to stick with it. I got my flow, tracks analysed and properly placed tons of cue points over the years. I used a Hercules 4MX and a custom mapping. People are looking funny when I arrive with this not-so-popular and modest controller, so I need something to be taken seriously
Also, the Hercules is rather small, I’m missing some controls and some buttons don’t react if you don’t press the properly in the middle of the button - rather annoying.
Their is stuff in traktor I don’t use: no scratch, STEMS, remix decks. I’m not a producer and not interested in remixing live. I sparsely use samples. But I do use loops, fx, filters. These last two I don’t like in traktor (no decent delay! no option of adding external fx). And I did use Allen & Heath mixers in the past, I’d love to use those filters.
Things I’m looking for in the setup: on the mixer part
-XLR output
FX on board or send/return options
good EQ and filters
ability to browse
on the deck part
trigger samples
trigger cuepoints
active, move and resize loops
-scroll or move through a track (jogwheels maybe, but something to beatmatch manually, I do run some groovy tracks!)
I could buy a Native Instruments controller, but I feel like I probably be paying to much for stuff I don’t use (STEMS-ready let’s say). With the whole X1, F1, Z1,D2, Z2 range I’m confused about what to buy. I like the feel of a ‘real’ mixer, with FX and filters on board, ad maybe I can overcome the bad filter and fx by traktor this way?
Z2 in combination with F1 and X1 might be something - though you stick with the traktor fx and filters.
Then there is the A&H Xone range that looks really nice but does it work with traktor?
Feel free to suggest a controller or a modular setup that could fit my (pretty oldskool) needs
Gonna have to pick and choose really. You aren’t going to get external effects unless you get a fancy expensive mixer. But then unless you’re planning on getting CDJs, it’ll be hard to find a jog wheel replacement. Otherwise a fancy mixer, midi fighter 3D, a midi fighter twister, and a clever mapping might be fun to use.
Just for give you some ideas and answer to your questions.
The F1 remix deck controller is use:
-for 1 track deck (Deck C) in the same way of the x1 with a custom mapping on the midi layer.
-for remix deck (Deck D) mainly for triggering loops
Ableton is used for create beats on the fly ,added to the main mix and also used for external effects (delauy, reverb) sending from and back to xone92.
Traktor.
But yeah, a good choice if he decides to switch to Rekordbox.
Considering the need for external fx I would go for DDJ-SZ. Works decent with Traktor and he can later switch to Serato (licence supplied)/Rekordbox (he can use 14 days trial to test it) if he decides.
I know but limited FX control over Traktor FX’s, center display doesn’t work, jog displays don’t work and I’m not sure about VU meters (not shown but should work?). Anyway, makes no sense to pay things he won’t use while he might need 4 channels on the SZ, pads and nicer upfaders…
I guess it all depends on the price.
To be closer from your needs and adapting from my set up, your final set up could be:
-2 traktorx1Mk2 ==> 4 Decks easy to use especially for loops on the fly, easy browse options
-any mixer allen and heath with send/return effect and you will get nice filters
souncard Traktor audio 10, in order to set traktor effects in Sent.return mode on the 5th stereo channel
If you really don’t like traktor effects, just replace the FXTraktor loop by any FX extern unit you like.
Does the OP want to go modular at all? I understand he wants all in one unit and except for the XDJ RX I see no other controller with full djm style onboard FX (beat+color fx). The SZ has only sound color fx, no beat fx, if I’m not mistaken, plus it’s more expensive. He also said he’d rather avoid Traktor fx.
Missed that part, was following where he’s coming from - a portable controller:
"I used a Hercules 4MX and a custom mapping. People are looking funny when I arrive with this not-so-popular and modest controller, so I need something to be taken seriously "
oh hoy! Lots of replies! Thanks all so far, I’d need some time to figure it all out
To answer a couple of questions:
I’d use recordbox in the past, I’m not switching from traktor right now. I like Traktor and the whole flow, but I don’t like the fx and filters
XDJ-RX is too expensive. What’s more - I think it’s too expensive for the bits of basics I want. That’s why I suggested a modular setup. Combine the gear I use and don’t buy controllers I don’t use
I need it to be portable, although I don’t mind to move a small A&H mixer and 2 X1’s for example. It’s not like an XDJ-RX is very portable neither, no? Or am I overlooking something here?
The Zomo MC-1000 looks like a smart controller, I like it but it has to fit with another controller and a mixer - so not really a full setup there (nice price anyhow!)
So far, I like elohyspoissonpilote solution: 1 A&H mixer and 2 X1’s
Does anyone has experience in mapping A&H for traktor -I’m thinking Xone 23C? and are filters calculated via traktor, or on board of the mixer (so, when applying the A&H low-pass filter, does it sound different then a mapped traktor filter?)
Argh damn, didn’t thought of that!
I use 2 channels, but I add some samples from time to time in 3 &4 channels now. I can live with 2 channels in the future nonetheless.
