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Posted by woscar on Nov-14-2008 04:29:

Numark Total Control

I've been looking for a decent MIDI controller to use with Traktor 3 that is not too expensive. I don't need anything too fancy, just something I can use to control Traktor 3 with basic functionality (cuing, eqing, loops) that's reliable, durable, and simple to use.

In my research, I came across this baby:

the Numark Total Control...which by just looking at it seems to be exactly what I'm looking for at a decent price (roughly $210 on Amazon).

I just wanted to know if any of you guys have used it and what has been your experience with it Also, how does it compare to the Vestax vci-100 apart from the build-in soundcard?

Thanks!

Posted by veezee on Nov-14-2008 06:52:

Its Numark (not a good following to most of their products), I would go with the Vestex VCI-100. It is a bit more expensive , but atleast the faders are replaceable and it maps out well to T3.

Jay

Posted by pwnage1 on Nov-14-2008 07:05:

I have used it, and for the price it is quite nice. It is not the most durable but you could probably drop it and it would be alright. It works well with the software it comes with, i haven't tried it with Traktor 3 yet though. Probably the simplest thing i have ever used. Not much else to say.

Edit: I haven't used the vestax, and i don't think i will probably after i can afford it will go the turntables and Traktor scratch pro route. But, for now this is a good solution for me.

Posted by woscar on Nov-14-2008 15:07:

quote:
Originally posted by veezee
Its Numark (not a good following to most of their products), I would go with the Vestex VCI-100. It is a bit more expensive , but atleast the faders are replaceable and it maps out well to T3.

Jay

Thanks, I've been looking into the Vestax as well but it costs more than double than what the Numark costs...

I'm not that skilled yet, and want to use this mainly to finally get a feel of what it is to mix with actual gear (turning knobs, sliding faders, etc.) and learn do do it properly.

quote:
Originally posted by pwnage1
I have used it, and for the price it is quite nice. It is not the most durable but you could probably drop it and it would be alright. It works well with the software it comes with, i haven't tried it with Traktor 3 yet though. Probably the simplest thing i have ever used. Not much else to say.

Edit: I haven't used the vestax, and i don't think i will probably after i can afford it will go the turntables and Traktor scratch pro route. But, for now this is a good solution for me.

Yeah, I'm pretty anal about all my things so I don't think the durability will be THAT much of an issue.

The more I read about the Vestax, the more I like it and feel inclined to go that route but it's just too damn expensive for what I'm gonna be using it for.

Posted by PutBoy on Nov-14-2008 17:14:

I have it and I use it with the DJiO.

It works fine for me. Has all the button's you need. I use it with traktor DJ. Because it works well for the most part, I will list the things it does bad:

* Pitch faders are too small, and have too low a resolution. I find I have to constantly pitch bend to make it work. Smallest increments on the +/- 8 setting seems to be something like 0.12 %. You also do need the +/- 8 setting or it is impossible to beatmatch (meaning you will need the newest version of traktor). With Virtual DJ you can set it to +/- 6 and I would assume this would work better. The faders also seem to move themselves every now and then. I notice that sometimes I have the pitch on 1.1%, for example, and suddenly it will say 1.2% instead. It could be me nudging it though, but it is still a problem.

However, I don't have any trouble beatmatching with it anyway, my mixes are made using this setup (they're in my sig), and I don't use sync, I don't have BPM's set, and the beatmatching is def on par, but you can judge for yourself (don't forget to leave a comment if you do :P)

* Acctually, there is one more thing, but I forgot. :/ Will see if I can remember.

On the plusside, the unit is affordable, has a nice feel to it. The EQ-knobs are abit tacky if you really take notice, the up-faders and X-fader works great, and the FX-knobs are just sweet.

The jogwheel has a really nice rubbery feel, and they just have this perfect response-spin to them.

Bare in mind though, this is the only controller/mixer/deck I have ever laid my hands on, so I have nothing to compare it to. But these are my thoughts.

Also, the MIDI-map for Traktor that is on Numarks website is mapped wrong, which is funny in a very hilarious way.

Posted by woscar on Nov-14-2008 18:21:

Thanks for the lenghty post PutBoy...that's exactly the sort of things I need to know before buying

While researching, I came across this new controller from Numark which DOES include a built-in sound card:

http://www.numark.com/omnicontrol

Plus, it look a hell of a lot more professional and sturdy. Anyone tried this one out?

Posted by whiskers on Nov-14-2008 20:07:

mind you, vci-100 does not have a built-in soundcard. vci-300 does.

i own the NTC and it's pretty good - plasticky and a little cramped, but for lugging around it's great. also, i mapped a lot of functions to it. the effects are kind of a pain to use though. the new traktor completely destroys the layout as well...

Posted by woscar on Nov-14-2008 23:59:

Posted by whiskers on Nov-15-2008 17:40:

quote:
Originally posted by woscar99
Oh, thanks for clarifying that

What do you mean by "the new traktor completely destroys the layout as well"?

the TC was sort of modeled after the T3 GUI (as well as numark's own software, cue), so buttons made sense kind of.

now, you've got your effects completely reworked and you have the 3 panels at the bottom where you can select grid/loop size/jump. basically, with the new GUI i'll have to get much more creative about mapping out the controls and perhaps it will be more difficult.

Posted by woscar on Nov-15-2008 21:46:

quote:
Originally posted by whiskers
the TC was sort of modeled after the T3 GUI (as well as numark's own software, cue), so buttons made sense kind of.

now, you've got your effects completely reworked and you have the 3 panels at the bottom where you can select grid/loop size/jump. basically, with the new GUI i'll have to get much more creative about mapping out the controls and perhaps it will be more difficult.

Oh, I see...you mean the new 'Traktor Pro' right? I guess that'll be no big deal for me as I use Traktor 3.41 and don't plan to update to Pro just yet

Posted by veezee on Nov-16-2008 04:15:

quote:
Originally posted by whiskers
mind you, vci-100 does not have a built-in soundcard. vci-300 does.

i own the NTC and it's pretty good - plasticky and a little cramped, but for lugging around it's great. also, i mapped a lot of functions to it. the effects are kind of a pain to use though. the new traktor completely destroys the layout as well...

While the VCI-300 does have a built in soundcard, it was designed for Serato Itch. The midi resolution is alot better and therefor would need a midi-translator to dumb down to a language Traktor could understand. Also, there are not enough buttons to map out to traktor to make it worth it.

Also, the VCI-300 is double the price of the VCI-100. From what I heard though, the VCI-300 has super awesome jog/pitch/fader control because of the high resolution. Can't wait to try it out.

Jay

Posted by woscar on Nov-17-2008 03:08:

So, would you guys recommend the Numark Total Control to begin?

Posted by pwnage1 on Nov-17-2008 03:56:

quote:
Originally posted by woscar99
So, would you guys recommend the Numark Total Control to begin?
Yes.

Posted by Imu on Nov-19-2008 07:43:

i've used numark total control and vesta vci-300...

firstly, whoever said they had no trouble beatmatching - well i'd fucking hope so considering it has a sync button on it

secondly, this may and will sound like i'm a whiny purist..but i started off on one of these MIDI controllers...and honestly, u lose so much time and ear-skill on them...dj-ing on these things is easy to the point that its boring...and when u move to real gear ull wish u hadnt wasted time on them (take it from me)

anyway, since u want an opinion...

i like vci-300 far more...numark total control is not sturdy...the beatmatching is as good as virtual dj, which is frankly not that good. ur very limited with effects. vci-300 is a far better investment.

although i still say u should buy a couple of cheap vinyl turntables and serato scratch...at least that way u get into some ear-training and after 3 months u wont need ur visual aids

Posted by Teezdalien on Nov-19-2008 07:48:

quote:
Originally posted by Imu
i've used numark total control and vesta vci-300...

firstly, whoever said they had no trouble beatmatching - well i'd fucking hope so considering it has a sync button on it

secondly, this may and will sound like i'm a whiny purist..but i started off on one of these MIDI controllers...and honestly, u lose so much time and ear-skill on them...dj-ing on these things is easy to the point that its boring...and when u move to real gear ull wish u hadnt wasted time on them (take it from me)

anyway, since u want an opinion...

i like vci-300 far more...numark total control is not sturdy...the beatmatching is as good as virtual dj, which is frankly not that good. ur very limited with effects. vci-300 is a far better investment.

although i still say u should buy a couple of cheap vinyl turntables and serato scratch...at least that way u get into some ear-training and after 3 months u wont need ur visual aids

Yeah your a fucking legend!

Posted by whiskers on Nov-19-2008 17:06:

Posted by woscar on Nov-24-2008 22:47:

Due to the 'lack of sturdiness' that has been reported on the Numark TC...would you guys recommend getting a used one? I've managed to find a 'nearly mint, hardly used' one for around $150 including a soundcard...

Posted by pwnage1 on Nov-24-2008 23:42:

quote:
Originally posted by woscar99
Due to the 'lack of sturdiness' that has been reported on the Numark TC...would you guys recommend getting a used one? I've managed to find a 'nearly mint, hardly used' one for around $150 including a soundcard...
What's the sound card?

Posted by PutBoy on Nov-25-2008 00:14:

quote:
Originally posted by Imu
firstly, whoever said they had no trouble beatmatching - well i'd fucking hope so considering it has a sync button on it

If you are referring to my post, it was made pretty clear that I was talking about the pitch control, and that I have no problem beatmatching using that and the jog wheel for bending to beatmatch.

I don't use sync, I have terrible experiences with it trainwrecking my mixes. Never touched it since.

quote:
Originally posted by pwnage1
What's the sound card?

I'd bet my house it's the DJiO

Posted by woscar on Nov-25-2008 13:52:

quote:
Originally posted by PutBoy
I'd bet my house it's the DJiO

Yes it is

Posted by Teezdalien on Nov-30-2008 05:46:

quote:
Originally posted by PutBoy
I don't use sync, I have terrible experiences with it trainwrecking my mixes. Never touched it since.

Yes. These 'sync' buttons are more trouble than they're worth. Definitely DON'T use them whilst in a mix. They can be handy for fast cueing but often throw a mix out by half a beat, which is fucked.

Posted by woscar on Dec-01-2008 03:07:

quote:
Originally posted by Teezdalien
Yes. These 'sync' buttons are more trouble than they're worth. Definitely DON'T use them whilst in a mix. They can be handy for fast cueing but often throw a mix out by half a beat, which is fucked.

For them to work properly you must first prepare your tracks. If tracks are not beat-gridded properly then yes, the "Sync" button will most likely fuck up your mixes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFNVTis1EHI

Posted by Adam420 on Dec-01-2008 05:37:

Yea I was gonna write exactly that. If the beat grids are properly aligned then the sync function should not be creating any problems for you at all.

Posted by Teezdalien on Dec-01-2008 09:27:

What a waste of time imo. Shouldn't really have to rely on 'sync' buttons and beatgrids to mix well.

Posted by Imu on Dec-02-2008 00:54:

whenever iv used virtual dj iv done so in combination with 2 or 3 turntables, and in the knowledge that at some point in the night i will be getting ridiculously hammered..and thats when syncing is slightly useful...but yeah that beat-gridding is really fucking annoying.

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