novation twitch | Digital DJ Tips

December 30th, 2012 Training

Controller Clinic #18: Can I DJ Weddings & Bars With The Novation Twitch?

by Phil Morse

The Novation Twitch is a cool, modern controller with lots of performance features… but is it appropriate for a bar or wedding DJ?

Digital DJ Tips reader Scott writes: “I am looking at purchasing my first controller and although I am familiar with Ableton I am new to DJing. I have friends who are turntablists but at heart I think I am a controllerist. I would like to get out there and DJ to a crowd ASAP – maybe even bars and weddings, as I love music although it would be useful to make some extra cash.

“Originally I had thought the Denon DJ MC2000, but decided the extra input backup and levels on the Denon DJ MC3000 would be a better choice. My dilemma is that I like the idea of the Novation Twitch and its features but I am concerned that this may not be as applicable to the type of crowds I hope to entertain.

39 Comments »

January 14th, 2012 Training

Controller Clinic #7: Novation Twitch or Launchpad?

by Phil Morse

Our reader can't decide between a straight DJ controller like the Twitch, or going down the Ableton Live route with something like the Novation Launchpad or the Akai APC40 (both pictured above).

Reader DJ Mustachio Nuts (great name!) writes: “I’ve been a musician, mostly bass, all my life which has definitely helped me understand the core job of a DJ – getting people to shake their asses! – which is what I loved about being a bass player. I played in rock bands and always considered it my job to get people’s heads nodding, no matter how heavy the music, so DJing seemed perfect for me.

“I bought a Numark Mixtrack, but found that although my DJ skills matched the controller perfectly, my producer / musician ear had already felt like I’d outgrown it. I wanted easier access to samples, and one shots, I wanted to run an acappella track and mix and cut together multiple music tracks underneath below to make live mashups.

19 Comments »

November 19th, 2011 Reviews

Controller Clinic #1: Novation Twitch vs Traktor Kontrol S4

by Phil Morse

The Novation Twitch comes with an overlay and mapping for Traktor, although there are mixed reports about the quality of the supplied mapping. Pic: Zzsounds

Reader Kirill write: “I am moving now from the Vestax Typhoon to a new controller and I’m all excited about the Twitch because it has no jogs (I don’t scratch, never did, never will). It also seems to have lots of buttons and FX controls that seem great to replace an external pad controller.

“I am mainly playing electronic music and dubstep, and working live with another DJ who is using Ableton Live with an APC40 to control our drum triggers and play loops and other effects while I run the tracks and mash them. I am worried that I will outgrow the Twitch just as fast as I did with the Typhoon (squeezed every little bit that it had to offer!), and wondering if it won’t be better to get a Kontrol S4.

30 Comments »

August 8th, 2011 News & Opinion

Video: Novation Twitch Hot Cue Demo

by Phil Morse

I was impressed with the Novation Twitch when we reviewed it recently, and have been using it for one of my gigs this last few weeks.

Now I’ve got the hang of some of its features, I thought I’d do a short YouTube video showing off one of the functions that they’ve made truly simple to use: Hot cues.

31 Comments »

July 18th, 2011 Reviews

Review & Video: The Novation Twitch DJ Controller

by Phil Morse

Not much bigger than the laptop it connects to, the Novation Twitch brings portability back to digital DJing, while managing to avoid look like a toy.

Ever had the thought that jogwheels are a bit unnecessary when DJing with digital music? Or dreamt of a controller that replaced them with functions more suited to digital DJing? Looked at technogeeks with their custom controllers and wanted in on the action? If so, the new Novation Twitch DJ controller may be right up your street.

We’ve had a Novation Twitch for review for a week now. We’ve devoured the manual, tested the features, and played a real-life gig using it. So we’re in a great position to answer the question: After all the hype, is this diminutive little controller the way forward, or a brave failure? Let’s find out…

89 Comments »

June 20th, 2011 Equipment

Hands On With The Novation Twitch

by Jon Hersom

It's certainly a controller with a difference, looking like a cross between two X1s and an Akai Ableton controller.

The Novation Twitch DJ controller caused a real stir on its first public outing at the Musikmesse Show as reported by Digital DJ Tips earlier this year, being the first major controller to offer DJs an alternative to jogwheels in an all-in-one controller.

On Friday I went to Sonar Barcelona 2011 with the main aim of getting my hands on the new Novation Twitch to see if it’s as good as Novation’s Twitch YouTube video suggests. Here’s my report:

26 Comments »