What’s missing from NI controllers?
What are some of the obvious hardware flaws in the S4, Maschine, X1, F1?
If you could design modular controllers like the CMD line, what would they feature and how would they be different from what is already on the market?
I’m starting my own controler company and want your input on where NI went wrong, as well as, where the market is heading.
Thanks,
Vincent
Inbuilt Soundcards, standalone-ability.
That’s good 
anything else?
What would make you say “wow”?
Haven’t had any problems with the built-in sound card yet, though I thing the USB connector on the S4 and S2 could use work. (Loads of these acting up)
What kind of designs and/or features do you want to see that big companies are too afraid to produce?
My vote is take a hint from the MF3D. It brought something new to the table. IMO, for me to say wow at a new controller, it has to perfect what we’ve already got; but bring something new. What that is I don’t know, or I would make controllers haha.
Think of a new dimension of controlling music. In architecture you’re taught to explore and exploit and ideas - what is a wall? What makes a wall a wall? Why do want the wall? What else can be a wall; it doesn’t have to be physical does it?
Think of a button on a controller. How do you press that button? What happens when you press that button? What is another way of performing the same action without pressing the button? Idk what I’m getting at, hopefully you understand what I mean and this sparks an idea.
TLDR Perfect what we have - enlighten us with something new.
edit: Why not even opt for a fully ‘unique’ controller; similar to how you can ‘customise’ a midi fighter.
I would love to see a blank canvas; a rectangle controller. Let people put buttons where they want, jogwheels where they want, knobs and faders where they want. What colour, how long they are.
I have no idea if this is possible, but I know if something like this existed it would put a lot of people out of business, haha.
I agree they need a better usb connection.
Its really hard to take out. When you unplug the usb cord it either needs to be yanked out hard or jiggled out roughly which is probably loosing up the usb connection internally.
So i far i enjoy the way its setup.
That is what I’m doing here. I have several truly unique ideas and I’m trying to see which ones you will go for.
Enlighten us with them! Share them and I’m sure people will comment. I understand you want to give people what they want, but people don’t know what they don’t like until it’s in their faces.
That’s obviously not a smart business move, sorry.
What about modular designs?
Wait, so you want folks to give you mad ideas for all your grand plans but you won’t share anything? Yeah. Nah.
No, I’m researching the viability of my designs without allowing the competition to know what they are yet.
When in this industry you have to play your cards close to your chest for your own protection.
Pretty much this.
Sounds like now you have no ideas, and are just milking others to think for you. I provided stimulus for ideas, but I or no one else here will draft a controller for you.
You can always come up with a design, patent it and share it. You’re ideas are protected and you can get feedback.
edit: And I’m fairly sure the hard working people over at NI and Pioneer are keeping themselves busy with their own ideas.
Care to tell me how my designs are legally protected?
I have to prototype five-six different controllers, I only have the funding for one prototype at a time so obviously (like any company would) I research what the market has an appetite for.
It’s basic business folks.
i just want the strength of a vestax pmc mixer, VCI-300 jogs, 4 mixer channels with p & g faders and rgb leds in everything… I want to be able to throw something down the stairs, brush it off and plug it in, that’s not too much to ask is it?
if you going for modular I would love something similar to the novation nocturn with 8 led ringed encoders but with 16 rgb buttons instead of the 8 you get on the nocturn. it would ideally be able to sit above or in front of a mixer kind of like the zomo thing, and made with steel
Both of those things aren’t going to make you any money though, unless you already own a factory fitted out to make electronics
make something that lights up pretty with “spinning” leds on the platter, works most of the time and the public will gobble it up. I’m nearly over gear, or at least gear wars, the only reason i might upgrade is for better four channel control.
All of the designs I have would be applicable in traditional or adventurous scenarios. I have multiple threads like this on different forums to help me control variables. And this is a chance for someone to say what they like/don’t to help improve the state of the industry.
Thank you for your time.
Wireless ad-hoc controllers or design your own USB dongle that handles the transmission.
I hate cables surely this is possible with either Bluetooth 4.0 or wireless adhoc
multi TT usb hubs in controllers. like behringer finally made with the cdm series..