Notebook + S2 -> How to upgrade from here?

I got the Faderfox units today and I am impressed with them on so many levels (will try them in use tonight).
They are demo units, but feel better than any brand new NI product I laid hands on (the pots! the faders!), built in Germany, and they are smaller than I expected. Maybe close to 2/3 of the size of an X1.
–
So, had a little session with FT3 and DX3. The FT3 to me is awesome, it’s amazin how much control that little thing gives you over 4 decks of traktor, with 4 FX units, looping, EQs, Filters, Browser controls… Remember, it’s smaller than the X1! When it comes to the mixer section it has much more controls than the S2 offers, and even FX units… Only with the BeauBryte (Ean Golden) Mapping can the S2 keep up due to JogFX. Impressive stuff. And funny thing is, although it uses a lot of hard modifiers and shift key, it’s kinda intuitive.

The DX3 wasn’t my thing. it packs a LOT of knobs on the tiny controller, even for my small hands it felt a little crowded, and then again I don’t feel like it gives me a ton of extra controls in addition to the FT3.

So right now I can totally imagine using the FT3 (got a DJ3 underway for comparison) at the core of the setup and add a X1 or a Contour to it 🙂

Haha, fair enough!

As I said, I have comparably small hands for a male specimen of 186cm height ^^ With the FT3 it’s no issue at all the way the controller is laid out. The DJ3 is on its way and I don’t expect problems with that either.

In use the FT3 is so amazing, it feels really good and I was skeptical about the LED feedback, but it totally works. They look so stupid at first, but you can tell that a LOT of thought went into designing the hardware and the workflow.

While I’m not sure yet whether it’ll be the FT3 or DJ3 (leaning towards DJ3), it’s funny how I’ll probably end up with an X1 (over another Faderfox or the Reloop Contour), because first I didn’t like it. I looked up so many videos and reviews, forum posts etc on the Contour, that I feel I don’t even need to try it to pick the X1 over it.

I think the Contour is a GREAT controller without too much competition (capable modular controllers), especially at its pricepoint. It has its place in a lot of setups, but I guess not in mine. But for example using two Contours (one IE and one CE) and a mixer, I could totally see that work. Biggest selling point for me of the Contour would be its jogwheel. Not even because I would need one, but I’m used to them by now and sometimes they just feel like the most natural way to do stuff (like seeking through a track).

But what the X1 does better for my specific needs: First of all, you can control two decks on ONE layer. It’s not like I need to do that constantly, but I think sometimes it comes in handy. Also you can control 2 effects units at once. Paired with the Faderfox thats 3 FX units at any given time. The contour allows me one FX unit per layer. Also hotcues: X1 = 8 hotcues per deck, two decks at once (awesome for cuepoint juggling), Contour gives me 8 only with a hard toggle, so it’s 4 hotcues and just one deck.

And lastly even though I know the Contour is a great piece of hardware too, probably built a little sturdier and offering more controls OVERALL, the X1 just feels nice and familiar with the same browsing, FX pots, loop encoders etc. that I’m used to from the S2. And the Jogwheel can’t make up for that fact on its own. Contour has lots of Pro’s, but they don’t factor in for me and my wants/needs.

🙂

Went to a cool store in my city today, and they must’ve had every controller you could think of available right now. Spent a shitload of time there 😀

So I decided on a setup finally today. It should definitely keep me more than happy (and very busy) for quite a while. But then again the cool thing about modular is, that you can just ditch a specific component if the needs change.

I was reaffirmed though that the VCI 400 EGE would be the controller of my dreams. Packs everything I need in one (not TOO big) unit, feels awesome… (they had the regular VCI 400). But even with the sale at DJTT atm for the difference in money I can get an Ableton Live license, so I’m happy with saving a few bucks 🙂

(Rly impressed with the Denon stuff too, felt awesome in use!)

Oh lol, forgot: So the new setup is the Faderfox DJ3 + NI X1 + Midifighter Classic