Modders - Cheap deal? Not spam.

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Modders - Cheap deal? Not spam.
Posted on: 22.09.2012 by Shay Wyche
If you're in the UK and your looking for a cheap little project to get working with, then this might be what you're looking for. Lots of buttons, just make a new case for it. 85 keys and no need for a third party software. Deckadance included if you're that way inclined to.

http://www.ebuyer.com/388669-dj-tech...software-djtk1

Anyone modded one of these before? It states that it's a keyboard, so I'm not sure if you press more than 3 keys at the same time they will all work. Led's look a little shit as well as they are on all the time, but I'm sure with a little work, you would be able to get round this.
Era Roka
28.09.2012
yes i'm in Europe, The Netherlands, Haarlem. I already have an S4, so i'm not gonna try to fix it. I want to make an S1....

Edit: Just saw the casing is ru
Era Roka
28.09.2012
yes i'm in Europe, The Netherlands, Haarlem. I already have an S4, so i'm not gonna try to fix it. I want to make an S1....

Edit: Just saw the casing is ru
Era Roka
28.09.2012
yes i'm in Europe, The Netherlands, Haarlem. I already have an S4, so i'm not gonna try to fix it. I want to make an S1....

Edit: Just saw the casing is ru
Era Roka
28.09.2012
yes i'm in Europe, The Netherlands, Haarlem. I already have an S4, so i'm not gonna try to fix it. I want to make an S1....

Edit: Just saw the casing is ru
Era Roka
28.09.2012
I'm going to check the bidding but this thing is really wrecked

Schermafbeelding 2012-09-28 om 16.55.19.jpg

I mean come on! What the hell happened to this thing???

So 150 shipping is too much for me. Still checking my local "craigslist kinda thing" for S4's like this.
Era Roka
28.09.2012
yes i'm in Europe, The Netherlands, Haarlem. I already have an S4, so i'm not gonna try to fix it. I want to make an S1....

Edit: Just saw the casing is ru
Faustino Stringfellow
28.09.2012
Originally Posted by DJDoubleYou
i want that so bad! but the shipping is 150!!!!!
that just maybe eBay's shipping calculator being over excited, perhaps if you contact the seller about unfair postal costs (i still believe they made it against the rules for over charging) you could get it cheaper.

BUT it maybe more than you can fix, as I said I bought one that actually powers up, but i can't get the lights working at all....
Faustino Stringfellow
26.09.2012
Originally Posted by LFO8
That sounds like alot of work (the braking apart a keyboard option)
I hate to misquote, but it's said many times that "nothing in this world that's worthwhile is easy".

The keyboard mod is about as easy as you can get, it, for many is the first way into large button arrays. It would mean the same as modding any device, just bigger and in this case bigger is usually better. Modding a nano is a evening mare, as you need to solder onto some extremely small solder points on the sides SMD's etc.

But ultimately using a Teensy 2++ or a Teensy 3 and multiplexers would give you better control over the device and you can get it to fake the REMIX slots like the F1.

keep us informed of your build.

good luck and happy modding
Faustino Stringfellow
26.09.2012
Originally Posted by LFO8
I would need 3 Teensy's to have a total of 106 controls I need to control uHe - Diva.

I believe with all the other parts added, it would exeed my budget. I believe frankensteining existing controllers into one would be financially better atainable. BUt how to make several controllers into 1...

Have you thought about buying an old 88 key MIDI keyboard ? Something crap like a CASIO, with broken keys, buttons missing etc. That should get you there. There's often lots of other MIDI enabled buttons on those large keyboards. and it's just a matter of extending the switch contacts.

Have a look at Ean golden's Oxygen he made all those years ago for reference.

It might be a bit easier for you.
Faustino Stringfellow
26.09.2012
LFO8

You need ONE teensy2++.

and you add multiplexers like the TI CD74HC4051E.

teensy.jpg
Ruben Stolt
26.09.2012
Originally Posted by DJDoubleYou
Yes but the hard work is already done (see link)
I would need 3 Teensy's to have a total of 106 controls I need to control uHe - Diva.

I believe with all the other parts added, it would exeed my budget. I believe frankensteining existing controllers into one would be financially better atainable. BUt how to make several controllers into 1...
Faustino Stringfellow
26.09.2012
Originally Posted by DJDoubleYou
Any advice JSM?

p.s. making an "S1" seems like a dream controller, but just sawing a S2/4 appart without knowing if i'm going to pull this of seems like a to big risk to me.
The Denon Sc2000 is as close to an "S1" as you can get, 1/2 or 4 deck control, REMIX slots the same as the S4, a much better looping system than the S4, Filter with on/off as it's an encoder ...this is more useful than you believe.

A HUUUUUGE pitch fader for absolute accuracy when nudging BPM.

There's many things I'd change with the S4, but nothing with the Denon's ....god, I'm starting to sound like a fan-boy ....sorry for that !

I believe eventually i'll get two more for the ultimate 4 deck controller ...
Faustino Stringfellow
26.09.2012
Originally Posted by DJDoubleYou
Any advice JSM?

p.s. making an "S1" seems like a dream controller, but just sawing a S2/4 appart without knowing if i'm going to pull this of seems like a to big risk to me.

WHAT ??????????

Seriously, are considering cutting open an S4/S2 ?

You are indeed the bravest man alive, I've looked at the inside and there's very liitle you can do as they are large circuit boards full of SMD's. Almost nothing to modify inside them, plus many of them are still in their 2 year warranty.

Personally I'd go down the teensy route , even I don't have the balls to take a soldering iron to either of my S4's (one has no LEDS in the center - bought for
Karry Sappington
28.09.2012
some monkey chewed off those!
take a look
http://www.djtechpro.com/product_det...product_id=539



djtech cdj 101
Era Roka
28.09.2012
I'm going to check the bidding but this thing is really wrecked

Schermafbeelding 2012-09-28 om 16.55.19.jpg

I mean come on! What the hell happened to this thing???

So 150 shipping is too much for me. Still checking my local "craigslist kinda thing" for S4's like this.
Faustino Stringfellow
28.09.2012
it's missing the two top plastic covers which need to be removed to take out the main circuit board, something like a DJskin would cover it nicely ....but my concern is that it would never power up. you'll need to add a crossfader too, i can't see it on the photo.

my mistake about Haarlem, i though it was a "play" on the NY harlem.

Anyway the Sc2000 is the perfect S1 .... just MIDI though ...
Era Roka
28.09.2012
yes i'm in Europe, The Netherlands, Haarlem. I already have an S4, so i'm not gonna try to fix it. I want to make an S1....

Edit: Just saw the casing is ru
Faustino Stringfellow
28.09.2012
the indicated shipping in the states is just $10, so i believe it's the calculator at fault, are you in Europe ? it's got Haarlam as your location, ...confused...
Faustino Stringfellow
28.09.2012
Originally Posted by DJDoubleYou
i want that so bad! but the shipping is 150!!!!!
that just maybe eBay's shipping calculator being over excited, perhaps if you contact the seller about unfair postal costs (i still believe they made it against the rules for over charging) you could get it cheaper.

BUT it maybe more than you can fix, as I said I bought one that actually powers up, but i can't get the lights working at all....
Era Roka
28.09.2012
i want that so bad! but the shipping is 150!!!!!
Faustino Stringfellow
28.09.2012
there's always something like this ...http://www.ebay.com/itm/Native-Instr...item2c687f3d58

although I bought one in better condition, and I still can't get the LEDS to come on .....
Faustino Stringfellow
28.09.2012
actually that's not a bad idea, you are already dealing with HID (lessening latency) and the sketches as you say have been made already.

Also if you get it wrong, it hasn't cost a lot and has given you valuable practical experience.

good call kilobytekaushik
Karry Sappington
28.09.2012
If you want buttons , break open a pc keyboard any damn old one. All the 105-108 keys are multiplexed to some 10-15 contact points and to prevent ghosting ,connect a diode to each button. For analogue use arduino .
It doesnt even require completely writing the prog. only copy paste existing sketches and changing the pin output assigned to the knobs.
For help get any smalltime programmer dude to do the stuff,get him a beer or two .A electronics college kid can get you made the wirings n all.
Last resort come back here , we would help.
Faustino Stringfellow
26.09.2012
Originally Posted by LFO8
That sounds like alot of work (the braking apart a keyboard option)
I hate to misquote, but it's said many times that "nothing in this world that's worthwhile is easy".

The keyboard mod is about as easy as you can get, it, for many is the first way into large button arrays. It would mean the same as modding any device, just bigger and in this case bigger is usually better. Modding a nano is a evening mare, as you need to solder onto some extremely small solder points on the sides SMD's etc.

But ultimately using a Teensy 2++ or a Teensy 3 and multiplexers would give you better control over the device and you can get it to fake the REMIX slots like the F1.

keep us informed of your build.

good luck and happy modding
Ruben Stolt
26.09.2012
That sounds like alot of work (the braking apart a keyboard option)
Faustino Stringfellow
26.09.2012
Originally Posted by LFO8
I would need 3 Teensy's to have a total of 106 controls I need to control uHe - Diva.

I believe with all the other parts added, it would exeed my budget. I believe frankensteining existing controllers into one would be financially better atainable. BUt how to make several controllers into 1...

Have you thought about buying an old 88 key MIDI keyboard ? Something crap like a CASIO, with broken keys, buttons missing etc. That should get you there. There's often lots of other MIDI enabled buttons on those large keyboards. and it's just a matter of extending the switch contacts.

Have a look at Ean golden's Oxygen he made all those years ago for reference.

It might be a bit easier for you.
Faustino Stringfellow
26.09.2012
LFO8

You need ONE teensy2++.

and you add multiplexers like the TI CD74HC4051E.

teensy.jpg
Ruben Stolt
26.09.2012
Originally Posted by DJDoubleYou
Yes but the hard work is already done (see link)
I would need 3 Teensy's to have a total of 106 controls I need to control uHe - Diva.

I believe with all the other parts added, it would exeed my budget. I believe frankensteining existing controllers into one would be financially better atainable. BUt how to make several controllers into 1...
Faustino Stringfellow
26.09.2012
Originally Posted by DJDoubleYou
Any advice JSM?

p.s. making an "S1" seems like a dream controller, but just sawing a S2/4 appart without knowing if i'm going to pull this of seems like a to big risk to me.
The Denon Sc2000 is as close to an "S1" as you can get, 1/2 or 4 deck control, REMIX slots the same as the S4, a much better looping system than the S4, Filter with on/off as it's an encoder ...this is more useful than you believe.

A HUUUUUGE pitch fader for absolute accuracy when nudging BPM.

There's many things I'd change with the S4, but nothing with the Denon's ....god, I'm starting to sound like a fan-boy ....sorry for that !

I believe eventually i'll get two more for the ultimate 4 deck controller ...
Faustino Stringfellow
26.09.2012
Originally Posted by DJDoubleYou
Any advice JSM?

p.s. making an "S1" seems like a dream controller, but just sawing a S2/4 appart without knowing if i'm going to pull this of seems like a to big risk to me.

WHAT ??????????

Seriously, are considering cutting open an S4/S2 ?

You are indeed the bravest man alive, I've looked at the inside and there's very liitle you can do as they are large circuit boards full of SMD's. Almost nothing to modify inside them, plus many of them are still in their 2 year warranty.

Personally I'd go down the teensy route , even I don't have the balls to take a soldering iron to either of my S4's (one has no LEDS in the center - bought for
Faustino Stringfellow
26.09.2012
@LFO8

You missed the one on eBay two weeks ago then, it's on my desk right now bought for 45€, and the one that's coming from Belgium i picked up yesterday was €50, both prices included economy shipping. These two both look scruffy on the outside, so people don't buy them.

eBay is not the best place to find them, there's other places IF you look. Every country has a buy/sell list like craigs list in the states ... that's where to start.

They are around, you just have yo look in the places people don't expect. Just don't ask me exactly where, 'cos then I will not be able to get any cheap again, 'cos everyone here will do the same, I hope you understand.

Best
Mark
Era Roka
26.09.2012
Yes but the hard work is already done (see link)
Ruben Stolt
26.09.2012
Do I have to program a Teensy?
Era Roka
26.09.2012
True, in NL they are much more expensive 100 - 150.

Try this:
http://www.instructables.com/id/A-Fr...tylish-Modula/
Ruben Stolt
26.09.2012
Originally Posted by JSM
New they are yes, but on the 2nd hand market, i regularly grab them for under
Era Roka
25.09.2012
Any advice JSM?

p.s. making an "S1" seems like a dream controller, but just sawing a S2/4 appart without knowing if i'm going to pull this of seems like a to big risk to me.
Era Roka
24.09.2012
Hmmmm.... i'm stil believeing about what to do, buy 2 Denon dn- sc 2000's or buld 2 controllers for deck C&D myself.
Faustino Stringfellow
24.09.2012
Originally Posted by DJDoubleYou
About the teensy, i originally wanted to use one, but it just seems to compicated, i know i can use fuzzywobbles framework but it still seems very hard to me.

Edit: btw JSM i really love your work, just two questions?? what the hell happened to you S4's joggs? and how do you like the denon midi controllers?
Most of the work on the teensy programming is already done for you, select a sketch, tell it what to do ..and away. once you've done the first button/fader/LED, the rest is basically rinse and repeat.

The S4 jogs have 45rpm record centres on them, one still has the middle of a 45 left on it, because the title is "Having Fun", It's also a "tip of the hat" to my DJ "career", I've been collecting rare soul and rhythm and blues 45's for about 25 years and have played them in almost every country in Europe (and once in New York).

The Denons are probably the best platters ever ...no joking, I missed them for so long because the maps really let them down, but with people like Viper around and hours and hours of tinkering, I now have 2.5.1 maps for them. I'd sell my two S4's before parting with them ! they are THAT nice to use.

I can't recommend them enough, i won't be modding them, they don't need it. Occasionally I'll change the caps to chroma caps, but they always end up going back to black standard.
Era Roka
24.09.2012
About the teensy, i originally wanted to use one, but it just seems to compicated, i know i can use fuzzywobbles framework but it still seems very hard to me.

Edit: btw JSM i really love your work, just two questions?? what the hell happened to you S4's joggs? and how do you like the denon midi controllers?
Shay Wyche
24.09.2012
Originally Posted by DJDoubleYou
it's done before, so it's not inpossible.
Inpossible is nothing.

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