Xone: K2 Thread

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Xone: K2 Thread
Posted on: 30.09.2011 by Romelia Stankard
Wow this looks promissing

http://www.allen-heath.com/uk/Produc...neK2&SubCatId=



So if you link two together with the ethernet cable through USB, will it 'merge' the soundcard so you have a 4 channel soundcard?

If it does then you could bring two to a gig, hook them together with ethernet and not need another audio interface and have a 4 channel soundcard. It kind of sucks they put one 1/8" on the front instead of having both outputs in the back. It makes it a little awkward if you wanted to run both outputs to separate channels on the mixer, now you have to run a cable to the front. Also remember you have the option to run each channel in traktor mono so you could use one of them as a 4 channel soundcard with a few adapters (like you would with an audio 2 or 4). Plus a lot of systems are mono anyway.

I really like the idea of having one or two of these with a DB2 or DB4 for a home setup then just take them to your gig with a laptop and you have an audio interface to use already in your controller with the house mixer.

I love the X1s but I might have to give them up for these, i would love to get my hands on one.
Ashlea Retzlaff
11.04.2012		after a week or so playing with it, finally got used to the stock x1 emulator. its pretty good and i can do almost everything i was able to do on my s4. the only thing i would like to edit is when you seek through the track it seeks by 8 bars always, not by the loop setting you set. how do i go about changing this
Brant Briski
11.04.2012		my 2 x K2 CABD + FX tsi's with documentation are now available from the xone website:
http://www.allen-heath.com/uk/Produc...d#tabset-tab-4
Leota Dolney
11.04.2012
Originally Posted by firebr4nd
Ah okay. Is there any way to not have that happen when switching layers?
unfortunately, not really....
Ulysses Vittetoe
11.04.2012
Originally Posted by padi_04
When the hardware and software position don't match, doesn't need to be 0.
Ah okay. Is there any way to not have that happen when switching layers?
Nedra Fresneda
11.04.2012		When the hardware and software position don't match, doesn't need to be 0.
Ulysses Vittetoe
11.04.2012
Originally Posted by DirtyNerd
No...not yet working on it...this is just a vert basic map...I am trying to see how well the soft takeover mode for the pots/faders work so I can add them to the layers and add FX control.

For now, I am relying on my X1 and Launchpad for FX.
What exactly is soft takeover mode? Is that when you switch layers and a pot/line fade is in a position other than 0?
Leota Dolney
10.04.2012
Originally Posted by firebr4nd
Wait...no control over the FX parameters with the pots/line faders? Very nice job otherwise, thanks for posting it. I wish I knew how to map properly
No...not yet working on it...this is just a vert basic map...I am trying to see how well the soft takeover mode for the pots/faders work so I can add them to the layers and add FX control.

For now, I am relying on my X1 and Launchpad for FX.
Ulysses Vittetoe
10.04.2012
Originally Posted by DirtyNerd
For those that are interested...I have a basic mapping in place for the K2. Everything is divided along vertical strips...one for each Deck C,A,B,D order.

Top encoders are for gain..push for channel monitor. Rotary pots and their buttons for EQs and EQ Kills, Line faders are self explanatory.

I have only the bottom set of buttons set to use layers
Layer 1: turn on FX units 1-4 for each deck
Layer 2: Play, Cue, Sync, load selected track to deck
Layer 3: Hotcues 1-4 for each deck

bottom encoders: left encoder scrolls through track list, push button loads and plays track in preview player, right encoder seeks through track playing in the preview player

Button on bottom right is SHIFT


Here is the mapping for anyone that is interested. It may not be perfect as I have not had too much time to play with it yet.
Attachment 8798
Wait...no control over the FX parameters with the pots/line faders? Very nice job otherwise, thanks for posting it. I wish I knew how to map properly
Ulysses Vittetoe
10.04.2012
Originally Posted by xii
Has anyone tried chroma caps on it yet?
None of them fit really. The encoder caps do a bit, but it's not really worth it.
Chasidy Heckenbach
10.04.2012		anyone in the uk managed to snag a k2 yet? and if so any tips on where to buy online from?
Nedra Fresneda
10.04.2012		Just got confirmation that they won't reach here till may 7th. Oh well
Kirby Morgan
10.04.2012		Has anyone tried chroma caps on it yet?
Kirby Morgan
10.04.2012		Just got mine last evening and I love it so far aside from the plasticy faders. I'll post my mapping tomorrow for anyone interested.
Leota Dolney
10.04.2012		For those that are interested...I have a basic mapping in place for the K2. Everything is divided along vertical strips...one for each Deck C,A,B,D order.

Top encoders are for gain..push for channel monitor. Rotary pots and their buttons for EQs and EQ Kills, Line faders are self explanatory.

I have only the bottom set of buttons set to use layers
Layer 1: turn on FX units 1-4 for each deck
Layer 2: Play, Cue, Sync, load selected track to deck
Layer 3: Hotcues 1-4 for each deck

bottom encoders: left encoder scrolls through track list, push button loads and plays track in preview player, right encoder seeks through track playing in the preview player

Button on bottom right is SHIFT


Here is the mapping for anyone that is interested. It may not be perfect as I have not had too much time to play with it yet.
K2-Mapping-Image.jpg
Chasidy Heckenbach
09.04.2012
Originally Posted by MrPopinjay
Do they still not let you resize that window? Mapping in traktor (while powerful) was incredibly painful.
not yet... still painful for those without xtrememapping and sometimes it's easier to test out things within traktor without editting in xtrememapping and reimporting each time anyway.
Kiyoko Wellisch
09.04.2012		Do they still not let you resize that window? Mapping in traktor (while powerful) was incredibly painful.
Chasidy Heckenbach
09.04.2012
Originally Posted by coupon
i am not anything for windows?
afraid not. if you're a coder u can use my midimasher to script stuff - but you're probably best off just getting used to the basics within traktor's mapping windows. it's not all that bad for small mappings.
Ashlea Retzlaff
09.04.2012
Originally Posted by zestoi
if you're on macosx u can buy xtrememapping for a few quid. my first purchase when i went macish
i am not anything for windows?
Chasidy Heckenbach
09.04.2012
Originally Posted by coupon
whats the easiest way to map the k2 with traktor? i dont like the stock one. do i have to use the editor built in traktor?
if you're on macosx u can buy xtrememapping for a few quid. my first purchase when i went macish
Chasidy Heckenbach
09.04.2012
Originally Posted by DirtyNerd
Likewise....I basically never use jogwheels...which is ironic since I started with vinyl WAAY back in the day...I have just embraced new control paradigms for myself. but jogwheels do give a nice simplicity plus they are useful for setting up tracks for precise cues without needing to touch my laptop keyboard.
i started out on vinyl more years ago then i care to admit to as well - but i still would rather use jogs to nudge into sync and scan thru tracks than just using buttons. maybe no real need but i'd feel kind of naked playing out without decent jog wheels

I thought about the DN SC2000...but it is 2.5 times more that the projected price of the CMD PL-1!!! I am not sure what it would provide that the PL-1 doesn't. Like you I only really need one...but at that price, I can get two PL-1s for less than one DN-SC2000!
i have thought about buying some 2nd hand as they do seem a bit expensive new. if anything the PL-1 probably has more controls overall than the dnsc2000 and they both have the same 10cm jog wheels.

I have just given up and accepted that I will likely get them as well.
well that's one good way of dealing with it i guess a K2 and one PL-1 will have to be top of my list. a MF3D is oddly tempting too tho...
Ashlea Retzlaff
09.04.2012		whats the easiest way to map the k2 with traktor? i dont like the stock one. do i have to use the editor built in traktor?
Leota Dolney
09.04.2012
Originally Posted by zestoi
i really like the idea of the PL-1. would love either two of those or two dnsc2000's sometime. i need my "jogwheel fix". ....
i'm sure i'd only need one mind u - so maybe get one and then see. will be interesting when those new controllers are released anyway....
Likewise....I basically never use jogwheels...which is ironic since I started with vinyl WAAY back in the day...I have just embraced new control paradigms for myself. but jogwheels do give a nice simplicity plus they are useful for setting up tracks for precise cues without needing to touch my laptop keyboard.

I thought about the DN SC2000...but it is 2.5 times more that the projected price of the CMD PL-1!!! I am not sure what it would provide that the PL-1 doesn't. Like you I only really need one...but at that price, I can get two PL-1s for less than one DN-SC2000!

Originally Posted by zestoi
i'm not sure i can really justify all the controllers i want... love the rgb'ness of the MF3D and the F1 but the K2 has to be the most useful thing for me to get - esp as i need a soundcard. too much choice atm i guess...
I have just given up and accepted that I will likely get them as well. The only justification I need is that I want to play with it and use and I don't feel guilty about it one bit. If it fits my style and workflow, it stays. Otherwise, I will hang on to it...see if my mood/style/workflow changes after some months. eventually, if I find that I am really not using it...then I sill sell it and look for something else. Right now my focus is the integration of the K2 and the F1 and Launchpad.

I need to paradoxically make each controller as independent from the others as possible while removing overly redundant functionality from my mappings. I want to be able to perform with either the X1 & K2, Launchpad & K2, or all three....will be more work for me over the next few days...need to tweak the launchpad and see how it is.
Chasidy Heckenbach
09.04.2012
Originally Posted by DirtyNerd
Haha....I totally missed that +1!!!
i couldn't help myself well i could... but i didn't

YUP...The F1 will be next on the list for me too. Actually...I may acquire a Behringer CMD PL-1. For thre price it is good...has 2 deck (ok 4 deck) control capability, control for 2 FX units and a jog wheel for "mixing old school" actually, it is more useful to me for setting up tracks, dialing in beat grids and hot cues with a jog wheel and then practicing what I want to do with it...But at the heart, it will likely always the the K2.
i really like the idea of the PL-1. would love either two of those or two dnsc2000's sometime. i need my "jogwheel fix". i'm sure i'd only need one mind u - so maybe get one and then see. will be interesting when those new controllers are released anyway. oddly the jogs are actually bigger on their STUDIO 4A tho.

i'm not sure i can really justify all the controllers i want... love the rgb'ness of the MF3D and the F1 but the K2 has to be the most useful thing for me to get - esp as i need a soundcard. too much choice atm i guess...
Leota Dolney
09.04.2012
Originally Posted by zestoi
Haha....I totally missed that +1!!!

Originally Posted by zestoi
kind of what i am hoping to do - sounds ideal for the job...
Just a super simple mapping...with all the requisite LEDs working for feedback...and to test out the workflow. I wish it had "one more row" of knobs so I could use it for the channel filters. Right now...I just map param 3 knob from my X1 for the Channel (mixer) filter for decks A&B. Other than that...the workflow is simple

Originally Posted by zestoi
very nice and portable setup. even just a k2 and launchpad should be good for most things tho i guess? if i bought an x1 then i'm going to want to put an f1 next to it
YUP...The F1 will be next on the list for me too. Actually...I may acquire a Behringer CMD PL-1. For thre price it is good...has 2 deck (ok 4 deck) control capability, control for 2 FX units and a jog wheel for "mixing old school" actually, it is more useful to me for setting up tracks, dialing in beat grids and hot cues with a jog wheel and then practicing what I want to do with it...But at the heart, it will likely always the the K2.
Chasidy Heckenbach
09.04.2012
Originally Posted by DirtyNerd
I finally came this weekend.


- Top row encoders rotary: gain on each channel
- Top row encoder push button functionality and LED : CUE/PFL/Monitor for each channel

- Rotary pots and corresponding buttons: H/M/L EQs (knobs) and EQ Kill (buttons) for each channel

- Line Faders: Volume faders for each channel
kind of what i am hoping to do - sounds ideal for the job...

The trio of X1, K2, and Launchpad should work well. Since I no longer need a sound card now that I have the K2, minimally I only need the K2 and either the X1 or the Launchpad depending on what I want to do.
very nice and portable setup. even just a k2 and launchpad should be good for most things tho i guess? if i bought an x1 then i'm going to want to put an f1 next to it
Leota Dolney
10.04.2012		I got minie from Hollywood DJ...last week they had a 15% off code "OFF15" that I used. I finally came this weekend. Have not played too much with it...It will effectively take over mixing functionality and combined with my X1 and launchpad, give me a small modular setup.

I have created a basic Traktor Mapping for it in case anyone is interested. My mapping divides the K2 into logical vertical strips that correspond to each channel. Arrangement of channels is typical "CABD".

- Top row encoders rotary: gain on each channel
- Top row encoder push button functionality and LED : CUE/PFL/Monitor for each channel

- Rotary pots and corresponding buttons: H/M/L EQs (knobs) and EQ Kill (buttons) for each channel

- Line Faders: Volume faders for each channel

- 4x4 Bank of buttons: FX Unit 1-4 on for each channel

Bottom encoder (LEFT) rotary: scroll through tracks in list
Bottom encoder (LEFT) push button: load & play/unload selected track from preview player
Bottom encoder (RIGHT) rotary: seek through track position of track currently loaded in preview player.

I have not done anything with layers yet. I just needed a basic mapping that would let me have a good workflow with my X1. Currently I rely of my X1 fro basic transport (play/cue etc.), tempo adjust, filters, manual effects sweeps etc. I can do hot cues on it....But I prefer my launchpad for that. My launchpad is mapped for 8 hotcues for decks A&B as well as a modifiation of the MF Instant Gratification mapping for triggered FX.

The trio of X1, K2, and Launchpad should work well. Since I no longer need a sound card now that I have the K2, minimally I only need the K2 and either the X1 or the Launchpad depending on what I want to do.
Lily Laumb
09.04.2012		Fellaz!Where can i buy this controller now? With ships to Russia
Verona Candia
08.04.2012		Hell yeah just put in my order, unfortunately I had to pay CA sales tax
Ming Toffoli
07.04.2012		only thing I hate so far. I have to plug it in while holding the set up button, then exit to reg mode. otherwise it wont send midi
Virgina Nihan
06.04.2012		Got mine earlier in the mail today... I love it so far!

It comes shipped with an X:LINK cable and a USB cable. The controller itself comes shipped in the case which doubles as a stand. The disk includes the drivers needed for Windows users (Mac users don't have to install any drivers) and has two available default mappings: Sample Deck Control and X1 Emulator. I've only been using the X1 Emulator and haven't tried the sample deck one, I'll get back on that one. It also contained the User Manual, printable overlays for the default mappings, and setup instructions.

Overall, its really well built. The knobs feel right, have a good grip as well. The faders are also very responsive. The LEDs are very bright, to my surprise because it is bus-powered. Its very lightweight as well. However, the reason it is so lightweight is because part of it is made of plastic, but it doesn't cause much problems. It still feels like a nice, solid, rugged controller. My only complaint to this unit is that the bottom rubber circles that are supposed to hold it in place slide a little bit.

Later on, I plan on mapping it to my liking... hopefully I won't run into too many problems there.
Pictures attached

-Panda


photo (2).jpgphoto (3).jpgphoto.jpg
Chasidy Heckenbach
06.04.2012		that's what i want(ed) to do with a k2... assign play/cue/sync to 3 buttons per channel and maybe the 4th for headphone cue'ing. if the issue is just that - how to cue up a channel on your cans - then just assign one of those buttons to do it.
Leota Dolney
06.04.2012
Originally Posted by djproben
Assign cue to a button?
+1

Or am I missing something...The K2 has a bunch of buttons with LED feedback...plus, if it is the issue of audio routing, the K2 has 2 sets of stereo outs one in back with RCA and another in front with headphone jack...if you are mixing internally, select internal mixing, route your master to one set of outputs and route monitor to the other set.
Verona Candia
06.04.2012		Man if I was not saving for my Vegas trip, I woulda driven down to HollywoodDJ and picked one up today, they have some in stock.
Danae Dumler
06.04.2012
Originally Posted by firebr4nd
Upfader and crosffader mixing each have their own merits. How do I get around the cueing issue though?
Assign cue to a button?
Ulysses Vittetoe
05.04.2012
Originally Posted by MrPopinjay
Dude, you need to get out of the habit of mixing purely with the crossfader, it's a very blunt tool. Once you get used to using line faders you really won't want to go back ;P
Upfader and crosffader mixing each have their own merits. How do I get around the cueing issue though?
Leota Dolney
05.04.2012
Originally Posted by MrPopinjay
Dude, you need to get out of the habit of mixing purely with the crossfader, it's a very blunt tool. Once you get used to using line faders you really won't want to go back ;P
I agree. I rarely use the crossfader. I mix mainly with line faders and EQs + Filter. Actually, sometimes the crossfader gets in my way in that I accidentally bump it and it cuts something in/out that I don't want it to.
Kiyoko Wellisch
05.04.2012
Originally Posted by firebr4nd
I love mine so far, haven't had much time to play with it yet though. But, I have no idea what I'm doing mixing without a crossfader and cueing.
Dude, you need to get out of the habit of mixing purely with the crossfader, it's a very blunt tool. Once you get used to using line faders you really won't want to go back ;P
Ulysses Vittetoe
05.04.2012		I love mine so far, haven't had much time to play with it yet though. But, I have no idea what I'm doing mixing without a crossfader and cueing.
Leota Dolney
05.04.2012
Originally Posted by kevz718
Not a fan either but i do like these on the k2.. They r so smooth and feel just right for smooth mixing - out of all the knobs, etc the faders def feel the best to me.

Not the slam type faders tho so itll depend on a persons pref.
That's good to know...Still waiting....hopefully it'll be here tomorrow and I can check it out.
Cliff Lohman
05.04.2012
Originally Posted by DirtyNerd
That's annoying. The knobs are not a huge deal...but I am not a huge fan of the studio style faders...
Not a fan either but i do like these on the k2.. They r so smooth and feel just right for smooth mixing - out of all the knobs, etc the faders def feel the best to me.

Not the slam type faders tho so itll depend on a persons pref.

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