The trend of tieing controllers to software

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The trend of tieing controllers to software
Posted on: 11.01.2011 by Eugenie Bueltel
...yeah, what the hell is up with that? Like that new sexy S4 controller and the Pioneer DDJ series. Why would anyone want a piece of hardware that's so firmly hardwired into specific software? What's wrong with just making it a midi USB controller? In the case of S4 I guess I can understand, since it's an NI product, but Pioneer is actually going to great lengths to make TWO different controllers, one for Traktor and one for Serato, when one generic midi controller would've been just fine. Why does this bother me? Because I don't want a controller that's anything but fully customizable. Hell, I want to be able to use the jogwheels for changing layout modes in Traktor, if that so pleases me. It seems they're catering to an audience who just wants to take the crap straight out of the box, plug it in and use it with the factory defaults and never change anything depending on personal preference. Am i exaggerating? Do people actually want these controllers to be so very specifically tied to certain software or would you all like me prefer them to be just normal midi interfaces?
Nedra Fresneda
11.01.2011
Originally Posted by korona
Allow me to clarify something. I do, like most people, want there to be existing mappings for my software of choice included with the controller, so that I can start with those and then customize to my liking.

It seems I've been misinformed about the S4, as I was under the impression that it wasn't "just a midi controller", but it seems as I was wrong I'm happy, and I'm not looking for a decent priced one in Sweden.
you have the native HID connection that has way more resolution than regular MIDI (accesed via shift + browse). Right now the HID/NHL mapping is locked but we are expecting that to change in a future update so we can remap it like the X1. MIDI mapping has 2 limitations, you lose the loop display and the extra accuracy you get with HID. Either way, you can use both at the same time without interfering with each other, just 2 buttons away.

you weren't misinformed, it's not just a midi controller, it's way more
Layne Koop
11.01.2011
Originally Posted by korona
It seems they're catering to an audience who just wants to take the crap straight out of the box, plug it in and use it with the factory defaults and never change anything depending on personal preference. Am i exaggerating?
You are not exaggerating. But, you are also describing the preference of 99% of people for 99% of the products they buy. I want things to "just work" out of the box. I do not want to have to spend an hour (or 10 hours, or 100 hours) customizing an appliance to do what I want. Heck, half the people I visit in their homes don't even bother to set the clock on their microwave!

This site is dedicated to DIYers and moders and people who want to be on the bleeding edge. It can sometimes be hard to remember that many people DO NOT WANT to customize the buttons. What they want instead is to know that when they push the "play" button, the track will begin to play...regardless of what other buttons are pressed, or what mode something is in, etc. What the Vast Majority of DJs want is an appliance that has the reliability of a CDJ....but with a computer storing the songs.

Given the market share owned by Traktor and Serato, it makes a lot of sense to do a custom controller for each. In reality, I would bet that 90% of the controllers, circuit boards, firmware, etc is common between the units.

I am just glad that someone like Pioneer is putting out a (hopefully) well integrated product...and that I will get to take advantage of the "mass market" price point for hardware like that.
Eugenie Bueltel
11.01.2011		...yeah, what the hell is up with that? Like that new sexy S4 controller and the Pioneer DDJ series. Why would anyone want a piece of hardware that's so firmly hardwired into specific software? What's wrong with just making it a midi USB controller? In the case of S4 I guess I can understand, since it's an NI product, but Pioneer is actually going to great lengths to make TWO different controllers, one for Traktor and one for Serato, when one generic midi controller would've been just fine. Why does this bother me? Because I don't want a controller that's anything but fully customizable. Hell, I want to be able to use the jogwheels for changing layout modes in Traktor, if that so pleases me. It seems they're catering to an audience who just wants to take the crap straight out of the box, plug it in and use it with the factory defaults and never change anything depending on personal preference. Am i exaggerating? Do people actually want these controllers to be so very specifically tied to certain software or would you all like me prefer them to be just normal midi interfaces?
Demetra Pinizzotto
11.01.2011		I know livid instruments makes completely freely assignable controllers that are not 'tied'.
I really like the look of the ohm64, but the choice is very limited
anyone know more companies like this one.
(monome only makes pad based units)
Nedra Fresneda
11.01.2011
Originally Posted by korona
Allow me to clarify something. I do, like most people, want there to be existing mappings for my software of choice included with the controller, so that I can start with those and then customize to my liking.

It seems I've been misinformed about the S4, as I was under the impression that it wasn't "just a midi controller", but it seems as I was wrong I'm happy, and I'm not looking for a decent priced one in Sweden.
you have the native HID connection that has way more resolution than regular MIDI (accesed via shift + browse). Right now the HID/NHL mapping is locked but we are expecting that to change in a future update so we can remap it like the X1. MIDI mapping has 2 limitations, you lose the loop display and the extra accuracy you get with HID. Either way, you can use both at the same time without interfering with each other, just 2 buttons away.

you weren't misinformed, it's not just a midi controller, it's way more
Eugenie Bueltel
11.01.2011		Allow me to clarify something. I do, like most people, want there to be existing mappings for my software of choice included with the controller, so that I can start with those and then customize to my liking.

It seems I've been misinformed about the S4, as I was under the impression that it wasn't "just a midi controller", but it seems as I was wrong I'm happy, and I'm not looking for a decent priced one in Sweden.
Nedra Fresneda
11.01.2011		you can still midimap de s4
Layne Koop
11.01.2011
Originally Posted by korona
It seems they're catering to an audience who just wants to take the crap straight out of the box, plug it in and use it with the factory defaults and never change anything depending on personal preference. Am i exaggerating?
You are not exaggerating. But, you are also describing the preference of 99% of people for 99% of the products they buy. I want things to "just work" out of the box. I do not want to have to spend an hour (or 10 hours, or 100 hours) customizing an appliance to do what I want. Heck, half the people I visit in their homes don't even bother to set the clock on their microwave!

This site is dedicated to DIYers and moders and people who want to be on the bleeding edge. It can sometimes be hard to remember that many people DO NOT WANT to customize the buttons. What they want instead is to know that when they push the "play" button, the track will begin to play...regardless of what other buttons are pressed, or what mode something is in, etc. What the Vast Majority of DJs want is an appliance that has the reliability of a CDJ....but with a computer storing the songs.

Given the market share owned by Traktor and Serato, it makes a lot of sense to do a custom controller for each. In reality, I would bet that 90% of the controllers, circuit boards, firmware, etc is common between the units.

I am just glad that someone like Pioneer is putting out a (hopefully) well integrated product...and that I will get to take advantage of the "mass market" price point for hardware like that.

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