midi controllers | Digital DJ Tips

January 23rd, 2013 News & Opinion

NAMM 2013: Livid Base Midi Controller Launched

by Phil Morse

Combining touch faders and multi-colour backlit LEDs, the Livid Base could be used to control just about any Midi software.

Livid Base was today announced ahead of the NAMM Show 2013, the first pressure sensitive controller from the company – part pad controller, part touchscreen-inspired, with 32 pressure-sensitive pads, nine touch sliders, eight touch-sensitive buttons, and eight momentary buttons.

While clearly a good match for Ableton Live, at first consideration it could also make an excellent controller for the Serato SP-6 sample player, for instance.

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September 23rd, 2012 Training

Over To You: Can I Add A Controller To Traktor Just For Effects?

by Phil Morse

Adding an Allen & Heath K2 to your set-up would give you extra controls. Pic: Traktor Bible

Digital DJ Tips reader Perry writes: “I use Traktor Pro 2 to DJ with, alongside my Kontrol S2 controller and laptop, and while DJing I find it hard to easily vary the effects I can use. If I’m honest, the S2 just doesn’t give me enough options for controlling effects within Traktor.

“So I am writing to you today to asking if there are any external controller units that integrate with Traktor and allow for you to have more control over what you are doing?”

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September 17th, 2012 Reviews

Review & Video: QuNeo 3D Multitouch Pad Controller

by Phil Morse

With tactile pads, sliders, rotary sensors and switches, the touch-sensitive QuNeo offers a depth of Midi control never before seen in such a small, light controller.

Want a controller with a difference? They don’t get much more different than the QuNeo 3D Multitouch Pad Controller. The same size as an iPad and weighing just 14oz, this beautifully made Midi controller can give you a wide degree hardware control over your DJ software on your laptop or iPad (via USB or OSC), with LED feedback that’s so good it makes the unit all but irresistible.

The QuNeo comes complete with out-of-the-box mappings for Traktor, Serato Scratch Live, Mixxx and Ableton Live (as well as drum machine, sampler and synthesiser software), but you won’t be surprised to hear that it has its own editor for coming up with your own mappings too.

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June 20th, 2012 Reviews

Review & Video: American Audio VMS4.1 Controller & Standalone Mixer

by Phil Morse

The American Audio VMS4.1 improves in at least one key area over its predecessor, the VMS4: Sound quality.

On paper, the American Audio VMS4, which the VMS4.1 that we’re reviewing today replaces, looked like a real bargain. It had more features than just about any DJ controller out there at any but the highest of prices, appeared well made, and seemed to offer a level of versatility unmatched by anything other than top-of-the-range gear from the likes of Allen & Heath.

Turned out though, that this (admittedly very affordable) controller had issues which for many were deal-breakers: The main one was average audio, but there were also reliability issues reported by a larger than normal number of users. While some loved it, for many it was ultimately – despite its metal and rubber, workmanlike externals and plethora of controls – a work in progress.

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April 12th, 2012 News & Opinion

Video: Denon DJ SC3900 Digital Turntable & Midi Controller

by Phil Morse

At Musikmesse 2012 a week or so ago we snagged a private talkthrough of the Denon DJ SC3900, Denon DJ’s latest spinning platter controller.

It can be used to control timecode software (eg Serato Scratch), as a USB DJ device, as a straight Midi controller, or with an iPad and Denon’s new Engine software. Oh, and if you really want to you can play CDs on it too.

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March 17th, 2012 News & Opinion

Vestax’s New VCI-380: The Ultimate 2-Deck ITCH DJ Controller

by Phil Morse

The Vestax VCI-380: Compact, powerful and pro-quality. Looks like the ultimate two-deck ITCH controller to date. (Click to enlarge.)

Vestax has today announced its latest DJ controller, the Vestax VCI-380 – a two-deck, Serato ITCH-powered performance Midi controller and audio interface.

It takes some of the best features of Vestax’s popular but ageing VCI-300 ITCH controller, incorporates elements of the spec of the company’s flagship VCI-400 model, and adds a healthy dose of the innovative Novation Twitch to boot. In doing so, Vestax seems to have created the ultimate two-deck Serato controller. Read on for full spec, video, press release and photo gallery.

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March 14th, 2012 Reviews

Review & Video: Allen & Heath Xone:K2 DJ Midi Controller

by Phil Morse

The Allen & Heath Xone:K2. Our review finds out if it's the ultimate 'slimline' DJ controller.

In the sea of me-too twin jogwheeled DJ controllers, just occasionally someone does something different. When Allen & Heath showed the prototype Xone:K2 back at October 2011′s BPM show, the company did just that.

With many DJs seeing the benefits of slimline DJ controllers that fit easily in DJ booths (proven by the runaway success of the Traktor Kontrol X1 and the recent launch of the Traktor Kontrol F1), and Allen & Heath already established in this field with its bigger, heavier but essentially similar Xone:1D and Xone:2D controllers, the Xone:K2 seemed a logical updating of the concept. As we’ll see, though, it throws in a few innovative features of its own. Let’s take a closer look…

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December 16th, 2011 Reviews

DJ Midi Controllers: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide 2012

by Phil Morse

The Novation Twitch was a hit this year, bucking the trend of big, four-deck controllers with a compact, controllerist-led two-deck design,

61 64 of the best DJ Midi controllers reviewed and rated

Most people get started in digital DJing with just a laptop. But after a while, it’s natural you’ll start to hanker after a proper DJ controller. It is now possible to duplicate every part of the traditional DJing experience (except jumping needles!), and much more, with the best DJ controllers – but because there’s more choice than ever, it can be difficult to know which to choose. That’s where this guide will help you. Nowhere online will you find a more complete DJ controller guide.

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December 12th, 2011 Reviews

Review & Video: American Audio Versadeck

by Phil Morse

The American Audio Versadeck: Jack of all trades, but is it a master of any of them?

Compared to some similarly priced but distinctly lightweight controllers, American Audio’s Versadeck packs in a lot for your US$499: It’s a two-channel standalone mixer (with inputs for record decks or CDs/lines plus two microphones); it’s a USB playback device; it’s a Midi controller for DJ software like Virtual DJ (LE is supplied) or Traktor; and it’s a DSP (packing hardware looping, effects and keylock).

It’s also well-built in metal, with durable controls, a proper “kettle”-style power lead, and a pleasing sloping, ergonomic design. In short, for the more technical mobile DJ, it appears to be pretty much a dream controller. As always, though, the proof is in the performance. Let’s take a look…

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