Midi Controller: Novation Twitch a waste of money?

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Midi Controller: Novation Twitch a waste of money?
Posted on: 08.01.2012 by Julieann Branin
I'm in the market for a new midi controller to upgrade from my Hercules MP3 E2 to something better with a built in soundcard. I really like the Novation Twitch but I've been hearing of concerns about the soundcard it comes with having way too low of an output volume. The Twitch is $450 on Amazon.com so that pretty much is the most I want to spend. I've done a bunch of research but I'm still unsure.

My question to you guys:
How bad is the sound output and is it a deal breaker?
Any other concerns with the Twitch?
For the $450 price range any other controllers you would recommend instead?
Sook Kitaoka
13.01.2012
Originally Posted by jsa83
meh.. i have it. i wish i saved the $390 i paid. i can't figure out how to output it to my mix. i have an rca cable with two 1/4 adapters at the end on the cable to connect into the TWITCH but its not working. why couldn't they make the connection to master out the same as the booth out. any one have this problem or solved it? ..
Answers:
Part 1) There's an "Booth Output Switch" on the back of the controller so you can choose the RCA outs for Main or Cue so you don't *NEED* the 1/4" adapters.

Part 2) Remember that you have to select the Sound Card you're using in the software you're using. If you're using Traktor Pro, you can find this under the Settings Tab (the Gear in the upper right of the Program) and Selecting Audio Setup (from the new pop up window) and then selecting "Twitch" from the top drop-down menu.

Part 2a) Also remember to map your outputs (under Output Routing). Output Monitor should be L: 2: Twitch Out R: 3: Twitch Out and your Output Master should be L: 0: Twitch Out R: 1: Twitch Out.

Part 3) If you haven't already, make sure you turn the Master Volume up and make sure that whatever you're amplifying your sound through (the device you're sending the sound out to from Twitch down the RCA cables) has the correct mode selected (as indicated on the inputs of the device.
Clinton Voran
13.01.2012
Originally Posted by deco
i would have been surprised if there wasn't this feature.
i guess there is something in the preferences.

you can't load a whole track in there though can you?
You can load whatever you want in there as long as it's a format that Serato is compatible with. It acts like a synced auxiliary input minus the bulk of the deck controls. You can kind of treat it like a very dumbed down version of Ableton's clip launcher if you want.
Clinton Voran
13.01.2012
Originally Posted by jprime
Holy bugger....I'm gonna have to look at that when I get home

Thanks for the heads up
Yeah, there's 4 ways to launch them. One shots, hold (plays as long as you have them pressed), one shots that you can cut off and re-fire if you press the button again before the sample ends (just plays from the start again), and sync.
Clinton Voran
13.01.2012
Originally Posted by deco
can those sample slots be tempo synced for synth and bass loops? they're not just one-shots are they?

hey jprime - lets see that routine!
Yup, you can have the samples auto synced. I believe they are gridded as well. They definitely are also loop-able. The SP6 is pretty robust IMHO.
Breanne Penge
13.01.2012
Originally Posted by deco
can those sample slots be tempo synced for synth and bass loops? they're not just one-shots are they?

hey jprime - lets see that routine!
I don't believe the samples can be gridded or synch'd - though I would not be surprised to see this in a future release.

^^Working on the editing man, hopefully this weekend. Busy Sat. evening? Might have a bit of a jam.
Clinton Voran
13.01.2012
Originally Posted by jprime
Twitch FTW. I'm loving the SP-6 sampler integration in the new Itch 2.1 release. That software just gets tighter and tighter.

There's seriously way more sample slots there then I would ever need. 24 samples altogether, it's a doosy.
Clinton Voran
09.01.2012
Originally Posted by Bassline Brine
If you want something around that same price-point... the Xone DX is $499 now I believe in a lot of places. Also worth looking at.

I've also heard the concerns about the output on the Twitch.
Was looking at the DX. I saw a listing on one of the UK sites that has the DX showing up as "Discontinued" so, that might be why the price dropped down so low recently (could be just that one site though, not sure, anybody else out there with a better idea?).

As for the output on the Twitch, the output is fine. You might have to adjust the gain on the PA system though. The Twitch has a noticeably lower output then most club controllers like a CDJ. CDJ's and other powered audio sources have pretty powerful outs so the club systems has the gain lowered to accommodate this, but from a technical standpoint, there's more than enough there on the Twitch to pump sufficient sound out, you just have to realize that you may need to increase the overall gain on the system your plugging into increased to match other controllers and mixers. Worst comes to worst, you can always just bring a small amp with you, the total size of the controller and the amp is still going to be smaller than even a S4. Definitely way smaller than lugging a NS6/7 around.
Clinton Voran
10.01.2012
Originally Posted by Arbite
Have you flipped the booth/master switch on the back?
I don't believe that is the issue the person has with this though. He's plugging straight into the Main outs using the 1/4" to RCA adapters. Either those outs are shot, the RCA cables are shot, or those adapters are shot. One way to test if it's a software issue is to plug the RCA cables straight into the booth outs (switch the booth switch in the back from Cue to Master of course) to see if the audio comes out of that. If it does come out from that hook up, then the next step is to get a some 1/4" phono cables and test it with that. If it works with the 1/4" phone cables, then that means the Twitch unit itself is working, the software is working, it's then obviously the 1/4" adapters the person is using or the RCA cables the person is using.
Sook Kitaoka
13.01.2012
Originally Posted by jsa83
meh.. i have it. i wish i saved the $390 i paid. i can't figure out how to output it to my mix. i have an rca cable with two 1/4 adapters at the end on the cable to connect into the TWITCH but its not working. why couldn't they make the connection to master out the same as the booth out. any one have this problem or solved it? ..
Answers:
Part 1) There's an "Booth Output Switch" on the back of the controller so you can choose the RCA outs for Main or Cue so you don't *NEED* the 1/4" adapters.

Part 2) Remember that you have to select the Sound Card you're using in the software you're using. If you're using Traktor Pro, you can find this under the Settings Tab (the Gear in the upper right of the Program) and Selecting Audio Setup (from the new pop up window) and then selecting "Twitch" from the top drop-down menu.

Part 2a) Also remember to map your outputs (under Output Routing). Output Monitor should be L: 2: Twitch Out R: 3: Twitch Out and your Output Master should be L: 0: Twitch Out R: 1: Twitch Out.

Part 3) If you haven't already, make sure you turn the Master Volume up and make sure that whatever you're amplifying your sound through (the device you're sending the sound out to from Twitch down the RCA cables) has the correct mode selected (as indicated on the inputs of the device.
Clinton Voran
13.01.2012
Originally Posted by deco
i would have been surprised if there wasn't this feature.
i guess there is something in the preferences.

you can't load a whole track in there though can you?
You can load whatever you want in there as long as it's a format that Serato is compatible with. It acts like a synced auxiliary input minus the bulk of the deck controls. You can kind of treat it like a very dumbed down version of Ableton's clip launcher if you want.
Wayne Washko
13.01.2012		i would have been surprised if there wasn't this feature.
i guess there is something in the preferences.

you can't load a whole track in there though can you?
Clinton Voran
13.01.2012
Originally Posted by jprime
Holy bugger....I'm gonna have to look at that when I get home

Thanks for the heads up
Yeah, there's 4 ways to launch them. One shots, hold (plays as long as you have them pressed), one shots that you can cut off and re-fire if you press the button again before the sample ends (just plays from the start again), and sync.
Breanne Penge
13.01.2012		Holy bugger....I'm gonna have to look at that when I get home

Thanks for the heads up
Clinton Voran
13.01.2012
Originally Posted by deco
can those sample slots be tempo synced for synth and bass loops? they're not just one-shots are they?

hey jprime - lets see that routine!
Yup, you can have the samples auto synced. I believe they are gridded as well. They definitely are also loop-able. The SP6 is pretty robust IMHO.
Breanne Penge
13.01.2012
Originally Posted by deco
can those sample slots be tempo synced for synth and bass loops? they're not just one-shots are they?

hey jprime - lets see that routine!
I don't believe the samples can be gridded or synch'd - though I would not be surprised to see this in a future release.

^^Working on the editing man, hopefully this weekend. Busy Sat. evening? Might have a bit of a jam.
Wayne Washko
13.01.2012		can those sample slots be tempo synced for synth and bass loops? they're not just one-shots are they?

hey jprime - lets see that routine!
Clinton Voran
13.01.2012
Originally Posted by jprime
Twitch FTW. I'm loving the SP-6 sampler integration in the new Itch 2.1 release. That software just gets tighter and tighter.

There's seriously way more sample slots there then I would ever need. 24 samples altogether, it's a doosy.
Breanne Penge
13.01.2012		Twitch FTW. I'm loving the SP-6 sampler integration in the new Itch 2.1 release. That software just gets tighter and tighter.

Lorine Krattli
13.01.2012		i am debating getting a twitch or an S2. I currently use a omnicontrol with a launchpad in in TP2 but really like the look of the twitch.
Clinton Voran
09.01.2012
Originally Posted by Bassline Brine
If you want something around that same price-point... the Xone DX is $499 now I believe in a lot of places. Also worth looking at.

I've also heard the concerns about the output on the Twitch.
Was looking at the DX. I saw a listing on one of the UK sites that has the DX showing up as "Discontinued" so, that might be why the price dropped down so low recently (could be just that one site though, not sure, anybody else out there with a better idea?).

As for the output on the Twitch, the output is fine. You might have to adjust the gain on the PA system though. The Twitch has a noticeably lower output then most club controllers like a CDJ. CDJ's and other powered audio sources have pretty powerful outs so the club systems has the gain lowered to accommodate this, but from a technical standpoint, there's more than enough there on the Twitch to pump sufficient sound out, you just have to realize that you may need to increase the overall gain on the system your plugging into increased to match other controllers and mixers. Worst comes to worst, you can always just bring a small amp with you, the total size of the controller and the amp is still going to be smaller than even a S4. Definitely way smaller than lugging a NS6/7 around.
Audrey Pinda
09.01.2012		If you want something around that same price-point... the Xone DX is $499 now I believe in a lot of places. Also worth looking at.

I've also heard the concerns about the output on the Twitch.
Clinton Voran
10.01.2012
Originally Posted by Arbite
Have you flipped the booth/master switch on the back?
I don't believe that is the issue the person has with this though. He's plugging straight into the Main outs using the 1/4" to RCA adapters. Either those outs are shot, the RCA cables are shot, or those adapters are shot. One way to test if it's a software issue is to plug the RCA cables straight into the booth outs (switch the booth switch in the back from Cue to Master of course) to see if the audio comes out of that. If it does come out from that hook up, then the next step is to get a some 1/4" phono cables and test it with that. If it works with the 1/4" phone cables, then that means the Twitch unit itself is working, the software is working, it's then obviously the 1/4" adapters the person is using or the RCA cables the person is using.
Danial Sawn
09.01.2012		Have you flipped the booth/master switch on the back?
Johnetta Olewine
09.01.2012		how odd. I dont use twitch so I'm not real familiar with the output settings. Can you select the master output in your Mac's audio settings?
Betsy Orsillo
08.01.2012		yup .. the master volume is up on the twitch
Johnetta Olewine
08.01.2012		nah it should be stereo. is the master volume level up?
Betsy Orsillo
08.01.2012


hmmm .... should it be mono, not stereo?...
Johnetta Olewine
08.01.2012		it soujnds like a routing issue in the software. Post up a screen grab of your settings
Betsy Orsillo
08.01.2012

the red/white rca cables go to my mixer and the other goes to the twitch with the 1/4 adapters .....


not really concerned with it b/c i just use the twitch with my headphones while sitting on my couch but i'd like to play with it @ my desk some time
Betsy Orsillo
08.01.2012		serato itch.. i can connect the booth out output to my mixer but the master out doesn't work... newb question but ... does it matter if i have the 1/4 adapter in mono or stereo when connecting to the twitch? ..
Johnetta Olewine
08.01.2012
Originally Posted by jsa83
meh.. i have it. i wish i saved the $390 i paid. i can't figure out how to output it to my mix. i have an rca cable with two 1/4 adapters at the end on the cable to connect into the TWITCH but its not working. why couldn't they make the connection to master out the same as the booth out. any one have this problem or solved it? ..
what software are you using?
Betsy Orsillo
08.01.2012		meh.. i have it. i wish i saved the $390 i paid. i can't figure out how to output it to my mix. i have an rca cable with two 1/4 adapters at the end on the cable to connect into the TWITCH but its not working. why couldn't they make the connection to master out the same as the booth out. any one have this problem or solved it? ..
Danial Sawn
08.01.2012		The sound isn't bad at all. The only issue is if you plug straight into the P.A. system of a club, and even then they can just up the speaker volume. A lot of what I've read is the slightly below average sound output, and then you have DJ's failing to realize they can just turn the volume up on the mixer that you plug the controller into, or change the output via Serato.

The great thing about the twitch is it's portability. It is light and small, yet just as powerful as any other controller on the market. Plus the fact that it's bus powered makes it easy to set up.

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