niu02kevin
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niu02kevin
ParticipantFrom Createdigitalmusic.com:
“You can control Remix Decks from third-party hardware like the Akai MPD (or NI’s own Maschine controller), among others, but there are some limitations, as first reported by DJ TechTools. Only the first four slots are assignable, not the sixteen slots available in the software, which would map more logically to the many 16-pad controllers available. Also, other bi-directional data is missing, so light-up color feedback can’t map back to controllers that support it, and scrolling is unsupported. This means that, for many users, only the F1 Kontrol hardware from NI is able to access the Remix Deck features in full.”
It all depends what you want to do with it. Personally, I envision creating recognizable loops from VERY different musical genres and mixing them in with and/or on top of electro/prog house to create interest or something that sounds incredibly different, even if just for 45-60 seconds.
I agree with NietSKY, it is an attempt to pull people away from, or keeping them from jumping to, other DJ software that allows you to fire off clips/loops ala Ableton or Serato/Bridge. If everyone wanted that though, we’d all be using Ableton. I have faith in NI, whom have only been in the hardware business a short time, that this will, in the end, prove an excellent option to change things up for a few minutes at pertinent moments in your set.
Like I said before, the F1 gets a lot of hate. I think most people just don’t want to have to create remix sets. This is one of the primary functions of the F1. There is a great tut over at DJTT’s by Zach who puts together a an entire remix set in a few minutes. Looks like a bit if a learning curve, but the possibilities seem endless.
ParticipantI learned to map from the Traktor Bible. It’s an indispensable resource for getting the most out of Traktor. Well worth the price. Rainer takes you through a logical series of exercises explaining everything even better than the Native Instruments Traktor Manual does. PM if you like, I’ll help if I can.
ParticipantDefinitely @ Candyman. Just map it as generic MIDI. You can pretty much map anything to anything that is MIDI. I use the 9 faders on my MID keyboard to control the EQs and volume faders in Traktor. If I wanted, I could even map keys to fire off hotcues or chained effects. It all depends on how you want to use it.
ParticipantYou can map hotcues 5 – 8 by adding a modifier which acts like a shift key, then use 1:5, 2:6, etc. If you’re not sure how to do it, open your S2 mapping and look at how hotcues 1-4 are mapped, then just apply the same/similar settings for the additional hotcues.
Or select add in, track deck –> cue –> map hotcue, then select hotcue type 1-8, deck target, and choose your modifier. Probably a button you don’t use much. You can decide to make it a toggle switch or hold switch.
I would also, for simplicity, recommend getting an X1. This will grant you 1-8, along with giving you additional control over FX and transport for deck C and D should you choose. I’ve seen used models for <$100.
Good luck.
ParticipantI would agree with Terry. If you’re experienced with Traktor and mapping (which is a lot easier than most people make of it) I’d go with the Vestax. If not, Pioneer. I was going to go with DDJSX/Serato initially until I tried the demo version of Traktor. I liked it, and decided to stick with Traktor, so I ordered myself a Traktor bible which lays out in a very descriptive and easy to understand way, mapping any and all functions that Traktor can perform. It takes a little time to get it down, but once you get the ball rolling, not too bad.
Also, if you plan to do scratching and using the jogs a lot, I’d go with the DDJSX. From what I hear, mapping any jogs that aren’t Native Instruments’ to Traktor is less than optimal.
I am waiting for the next big Traktor controller. Either Pioneer’s DDJ-TX, or the VCI-400-II, or Kontrol S4/F1 combo. One of these has to be coming. Good luck!
ParticipantI can’t wait to get an F1. I just don’t have the time to learn/use it right now. I think it is a misunderstood device. It is the ONLY seamless way to completely have full control over the remix decks and what they can do. Also, it is the device that most easily lends itself to creating remix sets utilizing the loop recorder and ones own music content. I think most people have been waiting for stems of hit tracks to go on sale for use in the Traktor remix deck. I see a ton if used F1’s for sale.
Maschine looks cool. But be clear, that it is a sequencer. Most production software comes with that. I love Logic’s Ultrabeat. You’re right, that it comes with some great NI sounds/instruments. Yeah, you could map it to do a lot in Traktor, but as of now, it cannot do what the F1 can.
I’m a big fan of buying both, then returning the one I like the least. I know place like Guitar Center have great return policies and if you pay the extra $25 for 2 years of extra damage protection, you get 60 days to return it. That should be plenty of time to decide.
I just paid $199 for Logic Pro. It comes with over 50GB of sounds and Ultrabeat sequencer, EXS24 sampler, and 11 other synths.
Maschine is over $600 and comes with an 11GB library. You do get Massive which is a popular synth, but for that price, I think you should get a little more. Plus you still need to buy a DAW.
Let us know the results.
ParticipantI also highly recommend IsoAcoustics monitor stands. Picked up a pair for $99. Adjustable height/angle and decent decoupling.
ParticipantRokit 8’s then. Especially if you’re doing DJ business. They may not be the best for production as they are quite beefy at the low end, but I know a lot of us enjoy that.
ParticipantCheck Amazon. V-Moda has the LPs for significantly higher prices on their website. I’ve seen them for $99 on places like Amazon.
ParticipantV-Moda….I have the M-100s but from what I can tell, the Crossfade LPs are the same fit. I can wear them for over 4 hours continuously without any ear soreness……….and they sound amazing. The M100s blur the line between DJ and audiophile. Well worth the lofty price. Looking cool is also a plus.
ParticipantThaanks for taking the time to reply. I guess I find that it being 2013 and all, and I have over $3K in computers next to each other, it shouldn’t be that hard for them to share. I’ve looked into Dropbox the most, the same dropbox that is offered in the metadata sync section of Traktor’s options, and for that reason, tis the winner. Basically, there is a folder on my desktop of both my iMac and MacBook called “Dropbox”. When you purchase an account through Traktor, via metadata sync section primarily for Traktor DJ iPad purposes, Traktor drops down for you, the things that need to be backed up like the root directory, cover art, stripes, and so on. Whenever something changes on one, the next time gou turn on the other, the same changes are made with no requirment on my part to Have to click any sync button at all.
I appreciate your suggestion and for that reason, I will only be purchasing music on my laptop. I will run some tests. Clearly this is a neccessary feature that I can’t figure out why Apple hasn’t figure it out. I called them to inquire about putting Traktor files in my iCloud account and they didn’t say it wasn’t possible, but that they didn’t recommend it. Then we chatted about how this HAS to be something that is coming. How many people own more than one Apple device? Between me, my wife, and daughter: we have 2 laptops, 1 desktop, 2 iPhones, 1 iPad, 2 iPods ( that we use ), i have a whole droor of old ipods.
Thanks again. I will keep you posted.
ParticipantDunno bout Serato and VDJ, but I use the loop recorder in Traktor to cut up tracks and make my own remix sets. Record a loop, drop it in the remix deck. Erase the loop recorder. Record a loop, and again drop it in the remix deck. It takes a bit of time but I think and hope finding the right combo of several different tracks in the same key will bear fruit if I stick with it for a while.
Participanthttp://prusadjs.cz/2009/07/synchronize-multiple-collections-of-traktor-pro-automatically/
I found this, but, I don’t know……
Does anyone else use Sugar Sync?
ParticipantAhhhhh, yes. I listened on my laptop and it sounded okay. The Mixcloud app on my phone sounded like AM radio. Thanks.
ParticipantOf course I’m assuming that I’ll have 64 or 128 GB of RAM at that time and world-class speed wireless connection. Just hoping. I’ll be playing on my 21 inch iPad Pro which will have the virtual mixer of choice and virtual Technics decks and so-on. Heck, in the future, why even bither being present. We will probably stream live performances to anywhere in the world from our home studio with video feed of our screen and a little skype/facetime box in the corner so the crowd cam see my face.
Hey that’s partially a good idea. Having my full Traktor Pro screen on monitors throughout the venue so the crowd can see what the DJ is up to. No track names or album artwork as that would spoil any surprises. I know a club where there is a balcony above the DJ booth and I frequently go above to watch what the performer is up to.
I’m just wishing. And yes, I’m establishing a seperate user interface for DJing only to avoid random back-up attempts, incoming texts, facetime calls, and everything else that laptop does for me. Ultimately as was mentioned, it will be better to have a laptop for DJ only purposes. And several backup/just in case options ahould anything go wrong.
When you guys say you have CDs, do you have CDs of mixes or previous performances, or just of a select library and you would perform CDJ style? I guess both. You could put on the mix cd while you work to get your DDJ gear together, then CDs of your partial library should things just not work out and the show must go on.
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