Best Ultra Compact Traktor Controller Under $100
Best Ultra Compact Traktor Controller Under $100 Posted on: 09.06.2012 by Arlinda Finazzo Hello,I love my Traktor S2 and I love my Pacemaker DJ device. My Pacemaker has melted many hours away when on long travels with smooth mixing entertainment. A great little compact device that has so much potential. However Tonium has given up on the Pacemaker hardware, no more firmware updates (and they won't release the code to the public for community updates) and no more editor (computer software) updates to fix issues with beat grid detection and other minor shortcomings. Maybe it's time for me to move on... I take my laptop on all of my travels. I would probably be just as happy using my laptop and Traktor as my on-the-go DJ setup... however I would prefer to have some physical controls, at least for the faders/knobs, so I don't rely on limited keyboard and mouse controls. But I want it to be nice and small, so I can throw it in with my laptop backpack... and can run without being an excessive drain my laptop battery. Best I can currently see is the Korg NanoKontrol... and may be hard to beat at $60. I just want easy access to 2 decks (transport, pitch control, volume levels and full EQ)... anything beyond those basics (samples, efx, etc) are just a bonus. Any other hardware suggestions? | |
| Ressie Losiewicz 12.06.2012 | I've got an M-Audio X-Session Pro for sale (uk), It's on here for |
| Ressie Losiewicz 12.06.2012 | I've got an M-Audio X-Session Pro for sale (uk), It's on here for |
| Ressie Losiewicz 12.06.2012 | I've got an M-Audio X-Session Pro for sale (uk), It's on here for |
| Ressie Losiewicz 12.06.2012 | I've got an M-Audio X-Session Pro for sale (uk), It's on here for |
| Ressie Losiewicz 12.06.2012 | I've got an M-Audio X-Session Pro for sale (uk), It's on here for |
| Ressie Losiewicz 12.06.2012 | I've got an M-Audio X-Session Pro for sale (uk), It's on here for |
| Ressie Losiewicz 12.06.2012 | I've got an M-Audio X-Session Pro for sale (uk), It's on here for |
| Ressie Losiewicz 12.06.2012 | I've got an M-Audio X-Session Pro for sale (uk), It's on here for |
| Arlinda Finazzo 13.06.2012 | So... it should work for me and my plans... just the only stipulation really of using the Nocturn, is you must have the Automap software running in the background at all times? I believe I may take a look around for one of these in the coming week or so. Thanks again. |
| Jonathan Chiuchiolo 13.06.2012 | it already does that, those buttons are hot shifts for the automap software that you run in the background, so you can have as many virtual pages as you like that you can navigate with the buttons on the left, but have the 4 on the right that you can easily activate... I'm just greedy because I want to use those buttons for controlling the functions of vdj, and have the shift selectors under a shift, so you have to hold the global shift to activate the local shifts if you get what I mean, that will give me a tonne more options and I'll be able to trigger the leds from the software for real feedback. Check out the vids on youtube to see how automap works. |
| Arlinda Finazzo 13.06.2012 | Hmm... thanks synthet1c for the reply. I'll keep an eye open for information about your findings. The Nocturn does look like it'd nicely fit my wats... if I could use those buttons (user/fx/inst/mixer) to allow the controller to switch between items it's controlling, that would be great. |
| Jonathan Chiuchiolo 13.06.2012 | you can't use the function buttons easily, I am reading up on how to crack it though as I want the extra buttons as well, but the only information I could get was someone made a game that runs on linux, but the knobs don't work and they wher saying that the nocturn isn't actually a HID device it's a "custom usb device" using it's own communication protocol... I contacted novation and they gave me the link to the automap sdk so I'll see if I can make any sense from it, but my knowledge of computer coding is non existant in anything other than javascript so it might take a while before I am competent enough to know if it's even possible. |
| Arlinda Finazzo 13.06.2012 | Thanks Ash. I'll highly consider the Novation Nocturn then... found my local store has them for $99 CAD. That's not much more than the nanoKontrol2 (at $63 CAD), and would be a better option if the Nocturn is going to be easy to configure with the 4 function buttons in use. |
| Ressie Losiewicz 13.06.2012 | It's dead simple to setup. If I can find my old nocturn mappings, I'll upload them. |
| Arlinda Finazzo 13.06.2012 | The i-Mix is too big for this use... I want 'ultra compact'... I've already got a S2 for home/party play... this is for when I'm on a plane, boat, bus, etc with my laptop. Seen some good deals on the Nocturn on eBay. Still concerned regarding mapping it with Traktor Pro 2.5, don't see very many pre-made mappings out there. Wondering if the system buttons (user, efx, inst, mixer) would properly work with Traktor. 'Inst' being deck controls (loop on/off, loop size, tempo/pitch, gain) and then 'Mixer' for obviously the mixer (low/mid/high and level) and 'fx' for control of 2 fx banks. Could work really well... but again my concern, will it map easily using their software and Traktor? |
| Shonda Soulier 13.06.2012 | If you want to get super cheap the DJ-Tech i-MIX goes for like $100 used on eBay incl shipping... It wouldn't be my idea of the ideal option, but it's an option nonetheless. If it were me I'd probably get a MFPro Cue Master with an NI Audio2 and map the heck out of it. |
| Ressie Losiewicz 12.06.2012 | I had a novation nocturn for years and sold it last month, it's so portable and so easy to set up and it works with anything.... GET ONE! |
| Arlinda Finazzo 11.06.2012 | The Novation looks interesting... mind is spinning with ideas of how i'd get that to work in a custom layout, but is very possible option to look for. Not interested in the M-Audio at all... and the FaderFox DJ1, no thanks due to battery pack and no usb (midi if I'm right, would need adapter). Other FaderFox products are nice... and good now that they are USB... but outside the price range that I'm willing to spend. Is the reliability/build of the Korg stuff that bad? I'm not using it for live performances, and I won't be going hard on the device... it's just for personal use exclusively for when on travels. |
| Ressie Losiewicz 12.06.2012 | I've got an M-Audio X-Session Pro for sale (uk), It's on here for |
| Arcelia Siebeneck 11.06.2012 | DJ1 has full 3 band EQ on 2 decks $100 is cheaper than €99 too :P (edit: oops no it's not... erm, I'll sell mine for 75 euros) |
| Arcelia Siebeneck 11.06.2012 | I'll sell you my Faderfox DJ1 for $100 if you're interested |
| Marva Cupid 10.06.2012 | M-audio x session pro?? Got mixing and transport controls for two decks+a little extra for FX or filters or whatever u want. |
| Nedra Fresneda 10.06.2012 | I would skip the korg nano series, the build quality is just too bad, even for an affordable controller. |
| Jonathan Chiuchiolo 10.06.2012 | I just picked up a novation nocturn secondhand for $50, it's small with only a few controls, but there is some middleware that allows up to 1200 seperate controls so very versatile. I'm hoping to crack the HID to bypass the automap software and get the use of the green buttons in software. It's good quality, I have read a lot of complaints from people about the automap software, but honestly they are stupid as it couldn't be easier |
| Arlinda Finazzo 10.06.2012 | LPD8 is a very close competitor to the Korg NanoKontrol... almost forgot about them. I was considering using one paired with my old Vestax TR-1 to use Sample Decks, but then I upgraded to the S2 which works great for that anyway. And the Total Control is way off the mark... I said ultra compact/portable. I already own a S2... I'm not replacing that, I'm just trying to find a simple little controller to use in conjunction with my laptop when on the bus/ferry/airplane/etc. |
| Albertina Fay 10.06.2012 | Numark Total Control.... I used it for just that and was able to find one for 60. |
| Pansy Shiveley 10.06.2012 | Oh, 1 or 2 LPD8's, possibly in combination with some laptop keyboard, should give you enough knobs and buttons as well! They're dirt cheap and built to last. |
| Arlinda Finazzo 10.06.2012 | DJ2Go... without EQ control it's no good to me... jog wheels are a bonus, but not required. And I'll consider an X1 if I can find a deal... but I believe that's going to be rare find without paying a chunk for shipping. Thanks for the replies. |
| Pansy Shiveley 10.06.2012 | I picked up a X1 + bag for 110 a couple of months ago, second hand but in mint condition. If you can find a deal like that, go for it. I've done gigs with nothing but the X1. |
| Janella Gripe 10.06.2012 | Maybe the Numark Dj2Go is perfect for you, it costs arround $80 and it's compact. |
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