My ultimate controller for Traktor FX

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My ultimate controller for Traktor FX
Posted on: 03.02.2010 by Marnie Foye
I doubt I'm the first person to say anything about this, but I haven't been able to find anything else similar. I want to have complete control over all 4 of traktor's FX units as well as enough buttons for cuepoints etc. Here are the major things I'm looking for.

* Scratchable crossfaders for the wet/dry of each effect.
* Dedicated knobs and buttons for each FX deck.
* Pads for hotcue's or loop control.
* Extra knobs for filter/key that could also be used as super knobs, or 2 deck EQ control.
* Buttons for mode switching ie switch between hotcues and loop control.

Right now my concept has a total of 56 controls.
*20 knobs
*4 faders
*16 buttons
*16 pads

If I make this custom it looks like the livid instruments diy controller would have what it takes. I'm just not sure about where to get the rest of the controls. Particularly the pads/buttons since everything else I see just uses the arcade buttons. Would I just have to forget that part, and use an Akai instead?
Gianna Renfer
27.03.2010
Originally Posted by TWD
If I make this custom it looks like the livid instruments diy controller would have what it takes. I'm just not sure about where to get the rest of the controls. Particularly the pads/buttons since everything else I see just uses the arcade buttons. Would I just have to forget that part, and use an Akai instead?
Neat!

im using the livid diy because its new and exciting, also building an arduino-monome and a halemicro USBMIDI chip for a mini FX controller at the same time.

http://soundsparks.blogspot.com

if you need a hand gimmie a yell,
Carlene Rothacker
27.03.2010
Originally Posted by BigC
Couldn't you use a x-session pro on it's side, and then a nanopad/lpd 8? I know it's not an all in one DIY solution, but it's what I thought about when seeing the OP drawing.

12 pads, 4 "crossfaders", 12 knobs, and a few extras.

Something to chew on mentally at least I guess.
The upfaders are a bit stiff compared to a crossfader on the x-session.
Corrin Penney
05.02.2010
Originally Posted by TWD
Well it's not like I plan on modifying all 4 decks at once per say. I just want to be able to get to them instantly. Right now I have good control over 2 FX units with my LPD8. I have to switch to a different FX bank to do anything else and it drives me nuts. I just believe that there could be an advantage to having dedicated controls for all 4 decks. If you want to do something with a smaller control surface that allows you to modify a lot of things at the same time there's already stuff out there that is effective at this (IE MPD24).

As for having a reset button this can certainly work, and I even believe there's room for 4 more buttons. You'd just have to make sure you use soft takeover for the knobs.
Fair enough mate. If your only using an LPD8 i can see your a bit short on buttons to do anything with. I too have an LPD8 that i used alongside a digital jockey 2 and even that wasnt a big enough control surface to do much with. I recently upgraded to an MPD24 which, alongside my other controller, is offering enough buttons and knobs to be really expressive.
Marnie Foye
05.02.2010
Originally Posted by Flash101uk
Do you not believe that having all of these buttons is a bit too much? How the hell do you control it all? You only have 2 hands after all and if you want to do cue juggling aswell, your stuffed!
Is it not better to be more intuitive with a smaller control surface? Traktor has many modifiers at different levels that can be used to great advantage.

I too have been pondering effects lately and have devised a solution that, while only partially implemented so far, seems like a good step forward.
Why dont you have a button that sets up your preffered effect selection to the deck currently in focus. This way, you wont need 4 knobs for each effect bank. Have this button activate a modifier too and connect all the effects, dry/wet, on/off, everything, to one knob. This leaves the other hand free for tinkering with cues . You could have multiple buttons to do a different effect combo each!
Oh, I also found it useful to have another button that sets all the effects back to their original place / decks and turns off modifiers. It could get very messy otherwise.
Well it's not like I plan on modifying all 4 decks at once per say. I just want to be able to get to them instantly. Right now I have good control over 2 FX units with my LPD8. I have to switch to a different FX bank to do anything else and it drives me nuts. I just believe that there could be an advantage to having dedicated controls for all 4 decks. If you want to do something with a smaller control surface that allows you to modify a lot of things at the same time there's already stuff out there that is effective at this (IE MPD24).

As for having a reset button this can certainly work, and I even believe there's room for 4 more buttons. You'd just have to make sure you use soft takeover for the knobs.
Marnie Foye
03.02.2010
I doubt I'm the first person to say anything about this, but I haven't been able to find anything else similar. I want to have complete control over all 4 of traktor's FX units as well as enough buttons for cuepoints etc. Here are the major things I'm looking for.

* Scratchable crossfaders for the wet/dry of each effect.
* Dedicated knobs and buttons for each FX deck.
* Pads for hotcue's or loop control.
* Extra knobs for filter/key that could also be used as super knobs, or 2 deck EQ control.
* Buttons for mode switching ie switch between hotcues and loop control.

Right now my concept has a total of 56 controls.
*20 knobs
*4 faders
*16 buttons
*16 pads

If I make this custom it looks like the livid instruments diy controller would have what it takes. I'm just not sure about where to get the rest of the controls. Particularly the pads/buttons since everything else I see just uses the arcade buttons. Would I just have to forget that part, and use an Akai instead?
Toshia Shirey
06.04.2010
Hello, people, I'm also believeing on this issue. The second controller is required. Can VCM 100 will do the task (50%), and for one and the question of audiointerface resolved. who is familiar with this device? . Apologize for my English)).
Yevette Matatall
28.03.2010
Just wondering, after looking at the x session pro.... is it possible with TP that I could use to X fader to scroll through a set of Preselected effect chains, then assign it to what ver fx bank?

Is it possible to have a list of favourite fx settings and scroll through them?
Gianna Renfer
27.03.2010
Originally Posted by TWD
If I make this custom it looks like the livid instruments diy controller would have what it takes. I'm just not sure about where to get the rest of the controls. Particularly the pads/buttons since everything else I see just uses the arcade buttons. Would I just have to forget that part, and use an Akai instead?
Neat!

im using the livid diy because its new and exciting, also building an arduino-monome and a halemicro USBMIDI chip for a mini FX controller at the same time.

http://soundsparks.blogspot.com

if you need a hand gimmie a yell,
Carlene Rothacker
27.03.2010
Originally Posted by BigC
Couldn't you use a x-session pro on it's side, and then a nanopad/lpd 8? I know it's not an all in one DIY solution, but it's what I thought about when seeing the OP drawing.

12 pads, 4 "crossfaders", 12 knobs, and a few extras.

Something to chew on mentally at least I guess.
The upfaders are a bit stiff compared to a crossfader on the x-session.
Audrey Pinda
20.03.2010
Couldn't you use a x-session pro on it's side, and then a nanopad/lpd 8? I know it's not an all in one DIY solution, but it's what I thought about when seeing the OP drawing.





12 pads, 4 "crossfaders", 12 knobs, and a few extras.

Something to chew on mentally at least I guess.
DJ MENSAH
20.03.2010
Yes, MTE is really dedicated Midibox-er. We had some same solutions while creating midiboxes.
Freeda Johnsey
19.03.2010
In looking around that DIY site, found this:

Traktorizer - http://mte.bplaced.net/Hardware-Proj...izer-Index.htm

DJ MENSAH
19.03.2010
I wish 2xLPD8 + X:1D + X:2D.
Happy thoughts, happy thoughts....
Corrin Penney
05.02.2010
Originally Posted by TWD
Well it's not like I plan on modifying all 4 decks at once per say. I just want to be able to get to them instantly. Right now I have good control over 2 FX units with my LPD8. I have to switch to a different FX bank to do anything else and it drives me nuts. I just believe that there could be an advantage to having dedicated controls for all 4 decks. If you want to do something with a smaller control surface that allows you to modify a lot of things at the same time there's already stuff out there that is effective at this (IE MPD24).

As for having a reset button this can certainly work, and I even believe there's room for 4 more buttons. You'd just have to make sure you use soft takeover for the knobs.
Fair enough mate. If your only using an LPD8 i can see your a bit short on buttons to do anything with. I too have an LPD8 that i used alongside a digital jockey 2 and even that wasnt a big enough control surface to do much with. I recently upgraded to an MPD24 which, alongside my other controller, is offering enough buttons and knobs to be really expressive.
Nestor Roppe
04.02.2010
MIDIBox is probably better for you at the moment as MIDI hasn't totally kicked off on the Arduino. Although some people are doing it, there's not much of a community dedicated to ArduinoMIDI. MIDIBOX however has a very good community dedicated to making midi controllers...

I agree, clever access to everything you want is key. Check out the controller I'm making, it'll give me access to everything I want, but isn't to convoluted. Everythings laid out in a nice logistical manner and I can swap between the different sections at will, just like my mixer.

You can see it here:
http://www.monstamusic.co.uk

Good luck!
MONSTA
Marnie Foye
05.02.2010
Originally Posted by Flash101uk
Do you not believe that having all of these buttons is a bit too much? How the hell do you control it all? You only have 2 hands after all and if you want to do cue juggling aswell, your stuffed!
Is it not better to be more intuitive with a smaller control surface? Traktor has many modifiers at different levels that can be used to great advantage.

I too have been pondering effects lately and have devised a solution that, while only partially implemented so far, seems like a good step forward.
Why dont you have a button that sets up your preffered effect selection to the deck currently in focus. This way, you wont need 4 knobs for each effect bank. Have this button activate a modifier too and connect all the effects, dry/wet, on/off, everything, to one knob. This leaves the other hand free for tinkering with cues . You could have multiple buttons to do a different effect combo each!
Oh, I also found it useful to have another button that sets all the effects back to their original place / decks and turns off modifiers. It could get very messy otherwise.
Well it's not like I plan on modifying all 4 decks at once per say. I just want to be able to get to them instantly. Right now I have good control over 2 FX units with my LPD8. I have to switch to a different FX bank to do anything else and it drives me nuts. I just believe that there could be an advantage to having dedicated controls for all 4 decks. If you want to do something with a smaller control surface that allows you to modify a lot of things at the same time there's already stuff out there that is effective at this (IE MPD24).

As for having a reset button this can certainly work, and I even believe there's room for 4 more buttons. You'd just have to make sure you use soft takeover for the knobs.
Corrin Penney
04.02.2010
Do you not believe that having all of these buttons is a bit too much? How the hell do you control it all? You only have 2 hands after all and if you want to do cue juggling aswell, your stuffed!
Is it not better to be more intuitive with a smaller control surface? Traktor has many modifiers at different levels that can be used to great advantage.

I too have been pondering effects lately and have devised a solution that, while only partially implemented so far, seems like a good step forward.
Why dont you have a button that sets up your preffered effect selection to the deck currently in focus. This way, you wont need 4 knobs for each effect bank. Have this button activate a modifier too and connect all the effects, dry/wet, on/off, everything, to one knob. This leaves the other hand free for tinkering with cues . You could have multiple buttons to do a different effect combo each!
Oh, I also found it useful to have another button that sets all the effects back to their original place / decks and turns off modifiers. It could get very messy otherwise.
Irwin Ney
04.02.2010
MIDIBOX or ARDUINO?
What's better for a DIY Project like this?
I have a controller project too...
Keely Jurik
03.02.2010
http://www.ucapps.de

DIY MIDI community of epic proportions!

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