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.
Chasidy Heckenbach
27.03.2012
Originally Posted by herlsy
-No center click on pots.
this is a shame but probably as many people will be pleased as not...

-Top row of buttons are extremely tight between the top encoders and pots, they don't click like the other buttons and are flush with top casing.
i guess they're trying to fit a lot into a small space tho i did figure they'd have the same feel as other buttons
Shala Busso
27.03.2012
Originally Posted by synthet1c
I believe I speak for me when I say "who cares about the packaging", what does it feel like, is everything solid when you slide, twist or push it & will it suffer through abuse or just break.

Also do the pots have a centre indent?
I hear ya, i have barely got a chance to look at it, just put the sick kiddo to bed so i'm just now getting my hands on it.

Bullet points:
-No center click on pots.
-Pots are all same build quality and feel as my Xone 42, resistance feels the same.
-Nuts are on top of pots/top plate similar to Xone mixers.
-Encoders have a similar feel to the ones on the Traktor X1, slightly smaller in size.
-Buttons are very short press with slight click, rubber feel, dont stick up as high as X1.
-Top row of buttons are extremely tight between the top encoders and pots, they don't click like the other buttons and are flush with top casing.
-Plastic around outside edges is kinda weak, would have been better if top plate was flush on top instead of sunk.
Jonathan Chiuchiolo
27.03.2012		I believe I speak for me when I say "who cares about the packaging", what does it feel like, is everything solid when you slide, twist or push it & will it suffer through abuse or just break.

Also do the pots have a centre indent?
Shala Busso
27.03.2012		I got some pictures of the packaging and contents. This thing is alot longer than i imagined, i dont even believe i checked the dimensions. The packaging was 'meh', more like bulk packaging rather than retail. The k2 was extremely tight in its case and i couldnt get it out with the helper strap.


Outer Box

Inner Box





France Evoniuk
26.03.2012
Originally Posted by herlsy
Mine got delivered today!
We need a full review now!!
Shala Busso
26.03.2012
Originally Posted by KryticalH!T
Will JK pro audio be shipping them soon? I'll need mine by april 10th...
Mine got delivered today!
Celina Crusey
26.03.2012		Will JK pro audio be shipping them soon? I'll need mine by april 10th...
Branden Wentler
26.03.2012		Just ordered mine from the same place. *crosses fingers*
Shala Busso
26.03.2012
Originally Posted by KryticalH!T
Herlsy, where'd you order from? I called sweetwater and pro sound n stage lighting and they said it wouldn't be shipping until may/june
Ordered from JK Pro Audio, but it seems that they are just having their orders drop shipped direct from the distributor in Olive Branch, MS (near Memphis, TN).
Bethel Himmelein
26.03.2012		There is a Musikmesse Youtube video with the Xone Product Manager from the A&H distributor in Germany. He said they have the K2 in stock end of March/begin of April and that demand is high.
Celina Crusey
26.03.2012		Herlsy, where'd you order from? I called sweetwater and pro sound n stage lighting and they said it wouldn't be shipping until may/june
Shala Busso
26.03.2012		Out for delivery today....giggity giggity....cant wait. Worked out good since the distribution center is actually in the same town...
Jonathan Chiuchiolo
26.03.2012		Thanks for the info Rainer that helps a lot
Bethel Himmelein
26.03.2012		If one button is currently red, and if you wish to make it green, simply send the Note for green. You do not need to switch red off first. So yes, the note for the new color overrides the active one.
Felipe Rasper
26.03.2012		Seems like a handy way.
Jonathan Chiuchiolo
25.03.2012
Originally Posted by RainerHaselier
LED output and colors works as follows:

- For a section that has no layers enabled you can always use all three colors and see the result of the message immediately.
Rainer in regard to the multiple led colors on the single layer, I am making a mapping for vdj to utilize this ability, but I am flying blind at the moment... So far I have been setting the led colors together eg. setting (red on, yellow off, green off) if i want the red led on, I don't mind doing this as the mapper is almost complete with this method, but I was wanting to know if the leds operate in a way that if you have a red led lit and send the midi for green do you get a yellow led, or does the second message "green" override the "red"? I do understand there is a different message for yellow, this will just tell me how the leds operate together.

This is a visual representation of what I am trying to achieve, all led feedback will be red but this will be the background colors

k2's 2.jpg

Cheers
Shala Busso
24.03.2012
Originally Posted by TommyQuiet
Y NO RELEASE DATE????? (still)
I was told yesterday that they are in at the A&H warehouse (usa) and should ship out this week.
Kandy Ahdoot
24.03.2012		Y NO RELEASE DATE????? (still)
Chasidy Heckenbach
24.03.2012		just thought of one more thing... something i find very useful on the launchpad is having "lo" and "hi" versions of each color. lo for layout and hi when u press. i guess that isn't an option with the K2 either? have to hope that some of these things might make it into a future firmware.
Chasidy Heckenbach
24.03.2012
Originally Posted by RainerHaselier
I am seriously evaluating some options here. In short term I won't be able to provide a digital edition. The Traktor Bible is more like a hobby for me and the project list for my "normal" work is quite long at the moment.

So short answer is "yes, but not in the near future".
awesome! good to know
Bethel Himmelein
24.03.2012
Originally Posted by zestoi
do u believe there will be ever a chance of selling soft copies of the traktor bible sometime?
I am seriously evaluating some options here. In short term I won't be able to provide a digital edition. The Traktor Bible is more like a hobby for me and the project list for my "normal" work is quite long at the moment.

So short answer is "yes, but not in the near future".
Chasidy Heckenbach
24.03.2012
Originally Posted by RainerHaselier
The mappings?
about traktor mappings and as you're on this thread... pretty sure it's a long shot but do u believe there will be ever a chance of selling soft copies of the traktor bible sometime? i would *love* to buy a copy but don't own any printed books these days and don't intend starting again now. i wouldn't even mind paying full price and just not getting the printed copy if it came with a full soft copy and not just a soft copy for the updates.

as a software engineer i understand too well the issues of piracy ofc with selling soft copies. but i can only ask
Chasidy Heckenbach
24.03.2012
Originally Posted by RainerHaselier
I would love to be able to set a blink interval by using the velocity setting
this is true... or alteratively the very cool way that u can achieve synched blinking colors in the launchpad. in that controller you set a colour as being solid or blinking (just via the velocity, which selects colour/shade/blinkiness) and then u have two further options:

* use the internal blinking frequency

* disable the internal blinking frequency and send one CC to turn all blinking led's ON and another CC to send all blinking led's OFF. this can be achieved just using the beatphase in traktor.

the launchpad has hidden depths all done just via simple CC's too, no nasty sysex. if anyone was interested the info is hidden in my midimasher lib file somewhere: http://midimasher.djism.com/lua/lib/launchpad.lua

edit: the very cool thing about the launchpad's method ofc is that u only need to send a single value and all led's flash in sync. pretty neat...
Bethel Himmelein
24.03.2012
Originally Posted by padi_04
Btw, since you are already done with the new mappings, when should I expect it delivered in my doorstep?
The mappings?
I have a pre-production unit, so I don't know when AH will ship the K2. What does your dealer say?
Nedra Fresneda
24.03.2012
Originally Posted by RainerHaselier
They are on/off LEDs, MIDI value 0 = off, MIDI value 1 to 127 = on
Aww I'ts a pitty you can't map phase/progress/VU meters like with the X1,Maschine, etc. Yes, blinking would have been nice.

Btw, since you are already done with the new mappings, when should I expect it delivered in my doorstep?
Bethel Himmelein
24.03.2012		I would love to be able to set a blink interval by using the velocity setting
Chasidy Heckenbach
24.03.2012
Originally Posted by RainerHaselier
They are on/off LEDs, MIDI value 0 = off, MIDI value 1 to 127 = on
ah - didn't see your reply when posting about velocities. i do believe they're missing a trick or three with their firmware.
Chasidy Heckenbach
24.03.2012
Originally Posted by RainerHaselier
What would be the benefit? You would still need to map another command to implement a color change.
Something I am missing?
because surely each latched layer sends out different midi, an octave apart or something.

so would be very useful to be able to use it's builtin latching layers to add controls and *also* have some way of changing the colors of those pads via midi.

just seems a not completely thought out solution that they have come up with. latching layers are very cunning and could be very useful but having all pads the same color very *not* useful.
Chasidy Heckenbach
24.03.2012		cunning question... seeing as we have to send back a different message value to select a color anyway if varying the velocity changed the colour then that would make a lot more sense. not that i'm sure we'd need 128 intensity levels
Bethel Himmelein
24.03.2012
Originally Posted by zestoi
cheers rainer. a shame u can't somehow combine using it's own latching layers with different colors for buttons but at least there is a way we can just change colors via midi. would be nice if in the future sometime they'd provide some firmware that when *not* using the latching system u can change led colors via note velocity and not having to send a different note number.
What would be the benefit? You would still need to map another command to implement a color change.
Something I am missing?
Bethel Himmelein
24.03.2012
Originally Posted by padi_04
And that rises the question: Are they simple on/off leds like with the APC series or can brightness be controlled with velocity?
They are on/off LEDs, MIDI value 0 = off, MIDI value 1 to 127 = on
Nedra Fresneda
24.03.2012		And that rises the question: Are they simple on/off leds like with the APC series or can brightness be controlled with velocity?
Chasidy Heckenbach
24.03.2012		cheers rainer. a shame u can't somehow combine using it's own latching layers with different colors for buttons but at least there is a way we can just change colors via midi. would be nice if in the future sometime they'd provide some firmware that when *not* using the latching system u can change led colors via note velocity and not having to send a different note number.
Jonathan Chiuchiolo
24.03.2012		definately does, thanks for the explination Rainer
Nedra Fresneda
24.03.2012		Purrrfect. Thx for clearing that up
Bethel Himmelein
24.03.2012		LED output and colors works as follows:

- if you set one section of the controller to layered (let's say the 16 buttons in the lower part of the K2) you can only see the LED color that is assigned to that layer. For example, if you are on the red layer and send the message for LED RED ON, the button reacts accordingly. If you are on the green layer, and send the message for LED RED ON, the K2 processes the message, but you will see the red LED not before you switch to the red layer. This implementation makes sense as the layers are totally independent from each other
- For a section that has no layers enabled you can always use all three colors and see the result of the message immediately.

Hope this could clear things up.

Rainer
Bethel Himmelein
24.03.2012
Originally Posted by ZiiK
Probably the least significant but the one that I would like your opinion about is the two encoders at the bottom. I like symetric layouts and can't understand why one would place them there. It throws the unit of balance in my eyes.
A usage example for the two lower encoders is a simple setup where the K2 is the only controller to use (and the K2 soundcard for internal mixing mode). You can map the two encoders to:
- Scroll in browser tree
- Expand/collapes node in browser tree
- Scroll in track list
- Scroll through favorites list
- Set browser to full screen mode
Shala Busso
23.03.2012		Looks like they've arrived stateside, mine is being shipped from a warehouse in Mississippi or somethin...sweet
Jonathan Chiuchiolo
23.03.2012
Originally Posted by MrPopinjay
Well the layer button is pretty much a hard wired shift button when you believe about it
With VDJ I can do everything with soft shifts so If we can choose the color we want the leds, I can disable the latching layers and the layer button just becomes another button just like any other it's a little more work to achieve but still pretty easy and it will give me the functionality that I want... I could also have more than 3 layers all with different led combinations to let me know what layer is active...
Chasidy Heckenbach
23.03.2012		that's how i understood it from what mixarchitect said.

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