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Posted by Max Thomson on Sep-29-2009 20:25:

NI's New Traktor Controller

http://www.skratchworx.com/news3/comments.php?id=1331

Looks like a 1d with no faders, doesn't particularly interest me. Maybe its got some cool integration features but I dunno, seems lacking.

Speculate, discuss

Posted by itsamemario on Sep-29-2009 21:46:

looks like its fun to play with...

Posted by Tony Morello on Sep-30-2009 00:15:

Re: NI's New Traktor Controller

quote:
Originally posted by Max Thomson
Looks like a 4d with no faders

looks more like a pair of 1Ds, kinda like he was using before

Posted by Max Thomson on Sep-30-2009 03:11:

right, meant 1D/2D

Posted by Ryan0751 on Sep-30-2009 17:56:

I think it's great. First off, it looks reminiscent of their Maschine controller (which I have). If so, it should be really built well... but where things really get interesting is that if they tightly integrated this controller to Traktor as well as they did Maschine to it's software, then we are in for a treat. Having full feedback with LED's and having everything tightly mapped, labeled, and plug and play is really quite a nice thing. Maschine's integration is very impressive.

This isn't meant for mixing, it's meant for controlling loops, cue points, effects and filters (we presume). For anyone using Traktor Scratch Pro as their DVS, or uses other controllers and an external mixer, this looks awesome.

The Xone 1D he previously was using isn't really cracked up to what it's made out to be, I had one and liked it a lot at first but sold it:

1. Layout is terrible for basically anything. If you want to mix with it (internal), there's only 2 knobs above the faders (not including the endless rotary, which stinks for EQ'ing), and the faders are too short. If you aren't using it to mix (using an external mixer or other controller), then the faders aren't useful for much. The rest of the controller is just and array of small cramped buttons.

2. The jog wheel is pretty useless. It's far too lose to be used for anything for track selection and scrubbing, forget trying to simulate a CDJ's jog wheel. The 4-way compass point clicks are hard to use.

3. The 1D doesn't work well (if at all) on USB hubs. To use two you have to chain one into the other using a MIDI cable, then power the second with USB. This is ridiculous.

4. There is no LED feedback. Just looking at the controller it's impossible to see what is going on in the software. The 4 lit buttons are supposed to be able to receive MIDI feedback, but I could never get it to work.

5. It looks nice next to a mixer, but it's really big to put in a DJ bag. It's shape is a giant brick.

This is why I switched to the Stanton SCS.3D's. With the Traktor Tro preset Stanton provides, the controller shows me everything that's going on in the software via it's array of many LED's. They are also much smaller and easier to bring to a gig than the 1D was.

Also, the modes on the SCS.3D give you many layers of control. With my 2 controllers I can control playback on all 4 traktor decks, looping, eq's, filters, both effects units, cue points, gain and master volume control, etc.

Now if this N.I. controller lets me do what I can do with the Stanton's (I'm mostly interested in looping, filters, effects)... AND it's labeled to match the software, AND provides LED feedback, AND has real knobs (the one thing about the Stanton that takes getting used to is that it's touch sensive), then I'm impressed!

Posted by david.michael on Sep-30-2009 18:02:

Excellent post, Ryan. I have a 2D and have basically the same complaints as you. I love it in that it is all-in-one (soundcard and MIDI), but the layout is not exactly intuitive for much of anything. I may start looking into alternatives. (It's especially difficult for me, because I'm not using it as a DVS, but I am using an external mixer... so I need to use it for all my transport controls and such as well.)

Posted by tubby on Oct-01-2009 01:02:

I've never had problems with the 4 buttons under the jog dials. the dials are great for scanning a track, setting cue points and track selection, never tried much more with them.
I'd happily get rid of the sliders for another row or 2 of buttons, i mix on the mixer and rarely use the sliders. Maybe i'll remap them as dry/wet controls.
but a single 1D would struggle to control 4 decks, you could do it with some thought but you'd always be compromising a bit to fit everything in.

Posted by david.michael on Oct-01-2009 12:45:

quote:
Originally posted by tubby
but a single 1D would struggle to control 4 decks, you could do it with some thought but you'd always be compromising a bit to fit everything in.

Yeah, and the problem you run in to is the potential to accidentally start or stop the wrong deck.

Posted by Teezdalien on Oct-01-2009 13:16:

You should try mixing on a pacemaker then.

Posted by david.michael on Oct-01-2009 19:24:

quote:
Originally posted by Cro_Addict
Hey just wondering if you could maybe share your tsi and overlay for the 2D?? The one provided with the controller sucks.

Thanks

If I can remember from home, I'll try and do it. I never finished an overlay, and honestly, I never came up with a mapping I was totally happy with. I really don't think you will want it, as it isn't entirely functional.