rfb
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rfb
MemberHaha, 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.
🙂
MemberI 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.
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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 🙂
MemberYeah, I mean there MUST be a reason the X1 is so widely and heavily used. Even if it starts to give in to hard use after a year, then there’s still plenty of warranty on that sh*t, right? 😀
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Faderfox controllers shipped today, Midifighter yesterday. Can’t wait 🙂MemberJust had another testing session with the X1, and though this particular unit is going back for sure (!) (for wobbling around on the table) I actually had a lot of fun playing with it, using the 4 Deck mapping. The mapping is exactly like the stock mapping apart from only one exception, which lets you use it for 4 Decks instead of just two. Very intuitive! And funny how with only two FX units I had the most fun playing around with the FX in a long time.
So I could actually see me using a X1 after all, but let’s see how the Faderfox stuff compares. It really depends on the workflow with the FT3 unit, because with that I will control the internal mixer. I don’t wanna buy a real mixer as of now (due to budget constraints), and I don’t want to mess around with my computer to control Traktor’s mixer. So for the decision whether to go modular the FT3 will be most important. If it’s a trainwreck I can still get Faderfox’s DJ3, but that’s 50 bucks more I’d rather save.
MemberGood choice on your part I think. I love NI, I think they put out great products. But not impressed with their hardware build-quality at ALL. Your VCI should hold up way better 🙂
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For the general statement, I agree with you. BUT budget considerations are more important than what DJ gear I think I would like the most. I mean given my skills it’s not like I couldn’t still grow on a cheaper modular setup or even with nothing else than my S2 🙂MemberMy TP2 license came with the S2. Sure I can sell the S2 without the license, but then I would get a little less money for it. Either scenario requires me to shell out 500 bucks on top of what I already invested. And I’m sure the VCI 400 EGE is a really, really great controller, but not sure if that investment would pay off for me. I haven’t been into this long enough IMO, and I don’t know how the EGE would go as far as resale value goes, since not everybody here in Germany knows DJTT and so I doubt that people would be willing to pay a premium as compared to a used run of the mill VCI 400.
Does that make sense at all? 😀
MemberThe gateway drug for me was DJay too. Then I tried VDJ, which was OK for me and Traktor, which I didn’t like much. Then I tried ITCH and Traktor again more in depth (coupled with the choice on my first REAL Controller). I’m in love with Traktor ever since then. But ITCH is nice software too, they just really have to step it up a little bit and integrate the other Serato brands more to provide people with an upgrade path.
And of course Traktor is open to all kinds of controllers. The limited choice in the hardware department for me is not exactly a plus for Itch. But if they have a controller that is spot on for your way of doing things, more power to you!
MemberHey guys great to find more feedback, thanks for that!
@djsubculture:
Yeah, I’ve looked into the VCI 400 EGE, and if I could pick any All-in-one controller to keep me happy for a long time, this would be the one. It’s on sale at DJTT atm and would weigh in at a total 810,- Euros including shipping and taxes. Compared to the regular price this is a really good offer, but still a lot of money. If I sold my S2 I would have to spend another ~ 450 bucks to pay for that, leaving me without a TP2 license. Not willing to make that kind of investment right now, since I have only been djing for a good two months now 🙂
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@synthet1c:
Still intrigued with the Contour, thanks for your sharing your more in-depth experience with it! Pretty cool that is has 10 outs, didn’t know that. To me the Contour looks way more interesting than the A&H K2. I also love the fact, that it has tiny jog wheels, because going modular usually means losing jogs. And although I don’t scratch, they certainly have their good uses!I’m putting my S2 to the side for now and will go into a modular testing phase. I have a Faderfox FT3 underway for my mixer needs + a Faderfox DX3 for more deck controls, loops and effects. If you don’t know Faderfox, they have amazing build-quality from what I hear and they are based out of the same city in Germany I live in. Support your local scene! Since they are fully warrantied demo devices I only pay 200,- for both of them combined (normally one unit is 250,-) 🙂
I secured a used Midifighter Classic today for only a hundred bucks.
Then I still have the X1 here, which I will have another test session with today (found an interesting 4 Deck mapping), but I’m pretty sure I’ll send it back. So probably ruling out option b) (see below) today.
But still got the Contour on the horizon. I think I will end up with one of the following setups (the ones in bold = most likely), that should keep me busy for a long time:
a) Faderfox FT3 + DX3 + Midifighter + NI Traktor Audio 2
b) Faderfox FT3 + X1 + Midifighter + NI Traktor Audio 2
c) Faderfox FT3 + Contour (Controller) + Midifighter + NI Traktor Audio
d) Good ole NI S2 + Midifighter
e) Denon MC 6000 + MidifighterI will keep you posted on my progress, just to add something to the forums and help out others who might debate going modular. Modular sounds very interesting to me for the ability to only bring to a gig what I really need, and also to be very flexible in the future 🙂
MemberThanks for your feedback!
I will try the modular approach first, because I can try out the Faderfoxes and give them back if I don’t like the workflow. And there is so many possibilites to tune such a setup to individual needs. But yeah, all those cables, USB Hubs… gonna be a pain in the ass lol
If modular isn’t for me right now, I’ll definitely give the MC-6000 a shot, and if that’s not for me either I will just stfu and get a Kontrol S4…
MemberNo experience with the Xone labelled ones, but they are made by Audio Technica so they shouldn’t be bad at all!
I tried the AKGs (but only for an hour maybe). Wasn’t impressed with the sound, but headphones need to burn in anyways. They definitely didn’t FEEL like they would last too long, but neither do the HD-25. So they might be decent, and IMO they look better than the Technics for sure ^^
MemberGlad to find out in that last post you got the F1, because that would’ve been my advice: X1 or F1, if you don’t like the hardware sell it and keep the TP2 license.
Would nice to hear back from you in regards to the F1: Will you keep it, will you manage to incorporate it in your sets etc? I was so excited for it and then after trying it out for a couple of days was like “meh, whatever…”
September 1, 2012 at 11:41 am in reply to: What to add? X1, F1, Midi Fighter, Mashicne? What do you use? #1011330MemberMichael Lawrence, post: 25989, member: 856 wrote:
At the end of the day its your choice but I would highly suggest gettign gear that can be used for multiple purposesThat’s a very good point IMO.
To start off with the X1: I don’t see how this would add much to your setup out of the box. You can use it to control Decks C+D in addition to the S2, but gaining two more track decks doesn’t seem to be what you are after?
Since it seems that you are really interested in the Remix decks, as of now there is only two choices really: F1 or Midifighter 3D. And this is where the quote comes in: Since use of the Remix decks is a little bit limited in reality (see a recent DJTT article) as long as you want to do more with it than just using them as really fancy sample decks, I’d definitely go for the Midifighter 3D. You could fully control one remix deck with that (like with the F1), but if you grow bored of that it still offers soo many things to try out and play around with. IMO one of the coolest pieces of gear around right now, if I had the money I’d get one right away 😀
If you are leaning more towards producing, the Maschine might be really great. To really use it as intended production wise you need the big one though, and the MkII weighs in at $599,- so that might be a turn off.
MemberSo what alternatives have I been thinking about?
First off: I will probably get a midifighter anyways, just to have some extra buttons for cuepoint juggling or other stuff to play with. So that will probably be added to whatever else is going to replace the S2.
1. The Denon MC6000 is becoming more appealing the more I look at it. Sure the controls are a bit crammed, but I’ve got small hands 😀 Build-quality seems to be rock solid, it has tons of in- and outputs, tons of controls, it’s a standalone mixer too and coupled with a midi-fighter and all the available mappings out there (although soon I will probably get my own hands dirty with that too) this could be a really cool, reliable setup. They go used for prices that I might put up with. Only unsecurity because of the loop controls, I love the encoders on the S2 for that.
2. Minimalist modular setup: So Faderfox apparently is selling off demo devices for steal prices atm. I could get a Traktor Audio 2, a DJ3 or FT3 for controlling Traktor’s mixer and the transport sections of up to 4 decks and a FX3 for handling the effects. Selling the Traktor license I don’t need this could come in at ~ 250€ – and coupled with a midifighter would be a very compact yet powerful setup. With an Audio 10 (or comparable interface) this is a club ready 4 Deck setup! Only downside is that given the workflow of the Faderfox stuff this would be a BIG step away from the workflow of the S2 (compared to Twitch or MC6000).
So any thoughts anyone? Pretty pleeeaaase? 😀
Maybe suggestions on a better modular approach for option number 5? Should I go modular now, or maybe stick to the all-in-one road a bit longer, until I’m able to do my own mappings and stuff?As I said, kinda lost right now, so help is highly appreciated! 🙂
MemberSorry for the double post, but maybe this way somebody’s gonna take a look at what I’m writing, maybe I’ll even start a new post, because I am unbelievably CONFUSED right now 😀
So I did a lot more research and went through possible setups/controllers in my head.
The S2 I have is a nice piece of kit, and I don’t wanna claim that I outgrew it or anything. There’s a lot I like about the S2, like its formfactor and how it integrates nicely with Traktor. I also really digg the loop controls with the two push encoders, and the transport and hotcue buttons are nice (but there could be more of them).
But there’s some stuff I dislike. Build-quality could be better, not just talking about that plasticky feel. I mentioned that some more buttons would be nice. And I just can’t wrap my head around how they could forego including dedicated filter knobs! This alone is becoming a serious deal breaker for me. Also the EQs aren’t full kill, which didn’t bother me at first, but now sometimes I wish they were!While on paper I like the “2 Decks + 1” approach of the S2, I’m coming to a point, where it doesn’t line up with my slowly emerging own style of djing anymore. Especially since I feel the “+1” part = the very limited control of the Sample (now Remix) Decks, isn’t of much use in a real world liveset. Sure if you carefully prepare them with the help of your trackpad and computer you can pull off some nice stuff, but to use it from the controller on the fly? meh…
I don’t want the S4. Build-quality with NI seems to be a bit of a gamble. Tried the F1, that was great. Tried out the X1 and it didn’t even sit on the table properly because the rubber feet weren’t aligned correctly! I hate stuff like that! Also the S4 is way too big.
MemberRecent reviews on both German amazon and the biggest German retailer for music equipment speak a different language, sorry.
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