S4 video and some tricks
S4 video and some tricks Posted on: 07.12.2010 by Kecia Wnukowski Here's a video using most of the features from the S4 and putting into practice the idea of adding more FX presets by twisting the embedded mapping:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze2j3g5Bxiw Here's the video's description: Mix using the loop recorder, sample decks & Fx presets. The loop recorder is used to duplicate a loop while dividing the original (adding a natural phaser effect) or allows to 'record' a manipulation of the sound with eq or FX so the whole segment can be played at will. I'm using a few samples in the sample decks: a short vocal loop, some 'tops', a 'downlifter' and a 'rise' sound effects. Lastly I'm calling Fxs presets using a twist of the embedded mapping while using the jog as main control for those presets. I'm working with 4 fx units but each pair of unit is considered as one only (as I'm using some FX combos using two units). A dedicated assign button engages the related pair of FX unit for each deck. The second available Fx assign button for each deck as been remapped to give access to an instant delay. The colored faders were painted blue & white to match decks' color code with some acrylic paint but comes originally from Djs face like the orange knobs used on all D/W knobs. Playlist: Underworld - Bird 1 (Lone dub) Dirty Disco Youth - In love (Etienne de Crecy remix) Adam Beyer & Alexi Delano - Sleep horn Extrawelt - My stupid (Gregor Tresher remix) + tools (samples, loops, Fx; acapellas) You'll find the suggestion I made to get more presets from the S4 while using the embedded mapping here: http://www.djranking s.com/community /showthread.php?t=20764 | |
| Teressa Madorin 10.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by Yul
I also struggle with advanced midi mapping, although I've managed to do it in the past ~ for me it's a long and pained process; my believeing is not math oriented, much more abstract. That's why I make good art but struggle with things that require syntax, like coding languages. Thank you, again for your attention: Props to your abilities. =Z |
| nayit ruiz jaramillo 07.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by photojojo
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| Leeanna Ayla 07.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by Yul
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| Leeanna Ayla 07.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by PRESSPL>Y
http://www.djranking s.com/community /showthread.php?t=20764 |
| Kecia Wnukowski 07.12.2010 | Here's a video using most of the features from the S4 and putting into practice the idea of adding more FX presets by twisting the embedded mapping: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze2j3g5Bxiw Here's the video's description: Mix using the loop recorder, sample decks & Fx presets. The loop recorder is used to duplicate a loop while dividing the original (adding a natural phaser effect) or allows to 'record' a manipulation of the sound with eq or FX so the whole segment can be played at will. I'm using a few samples in the sample decks: a short vocal loop, some 'tops', a 'downlifter' and a 'rise' sound effects. Lastly I'm calling Fxs presets using a twist of the embedded mapping while using the jog as main control for those presets. I'm working with 4 fx units but each pair of unit is considered as one only (as I'm using some FX combos using two units). A dedicated assign button engages the related pair of FX unit for each deck. The second available Fx assign button for each deck as been remapped to give access to an instant delay. The colored faders were painted blue & white to match decks' color code with some acrylic paint but comes originally from Djs face like the orange knobs used on all D/W knobs. Playlist: Underworld - Bird 1 (Lone dub) Dirty Disco Youth - In love (Etienne de Crecy remix) Adam Beyer & Alexi Delano - Sleep horn Extrawelt - My stupid (Gregor Tresher remix) + tools (samples, loops, Fx; acapellas) You'll find the suggestion I made to get more presets from the S4 while using the embedded mapping here: http://www.djranking s.com/community /showthread.php?t=20764 |
| Teressa Madorin 10.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by Yul
I also struggle with advanced midi mapping, although I've managed to do it in the past ~ for me it's a long and pained process; my believeing is not math oriented, much more abstract. That's why I make good art but struggle with things that require syntax, like coding languages. Thank you, again for your attention: Props to your abilities. =Z |
| Kecia Wnukowski 10.12.2010 | Then see the S4 as a great midi controller, which actually it is, and way far superior than most, even in midi mode. Then your only limitations will be your actual capacity to midi map and plan, and the known boundaries of midi mapping Traktor. Another option you have is to stay with the embedded mapping and when you want full and total control about the way you manage effects (fader fx mode, whatever) you pass into midi mode. Create the led feedback and basic functions you may have to keep from embedded to midi mode and map the rest to your convenience. I did something like that at the start when I realised the limitations of the HID mode but then I believe switching to midi mode is not a very practical process (the midi mode needing to give you access to some basic controls anyway). But that's my view on the idea for the time being. May be I should have gone deeper but I was more interested by keeping the embedded mapping (or at least trying to stay at close as possible to it). An additional option could be to simply add a side controller with some buttons and faders or knobs and use that for juggle mode - but in my eyes defeats the prime idea of an all in one solution I was looking for. |
| Teressa Madorin 11.12.2010 | Thank you very much for your responce ~ juggle mode or 'fader fx' mode is exactly what I'd like to at least TRY; and compare to what I've lost in the original settings. My goal is to bring the fun back into the production of music, sound and samples, to get away from the mouse and add a performing element to the engineer roll. I'm not so much interested in the S4 acting like turntables primarily. I wonder how easy or hard it would be to map the effects parameters on the S4's knobs, to the faders on a behringer BCF2000 for example. (I suppose I just don't like the grab action of knobs as much as faders for rhythmic purposes.) It's great that you know your stuff - I'm not as much of a tech-mod guy, which is why I thought the S4 was a better rout than trying to build it myself, like Mouldover. =Z |
| Kecia Wnukowski 10.12.2010 | The basis is that you have an option in the S4 preferences that allows to change the load button to an option allowing to control an effect amount with the jogwheel. But I'm currently testing a kind of advanced control mode (juggle mode) with the jogwheel (that's what I'm using in the video). I'm working on it but so far I don't have much success as it is really difficult to reproduce the different states of the S4, it implies multiple states that can't be achieved with a user mapping (actually you need several of them, using a LOT of modifiers and their own states). Without being too technical, each 'state' relates to other layers of states, sometimes more than 3, so it's very very complex to set up with a mapping all the 'events' than can happen and that reproduces the behaviour of the hardware (as as long you're using the embedded mapping you have this obligation). In other words it's not error proofed and don't make real sense as if it doesn't work it also messes with the software (and what you do). Not something I will share until I can find a way (and I've worked hard trying). To answer your question about faders, you can only use them for something else when you push the two offset buttons and use auto mode. So you need to create a user mapping reproducing this behavior. But you'll be limited anyway as the controller editor won't accept those faders for anything else than faders. It means you can't use the faders as a 'button' to engage an effect for example. Same thing with knobs by the way. Of course if you dump the embedded mapping and pass into midi mode you have more freedom (but still within the limitations of the hardware's behaviour). In midi mode, as you're not limited anymore by the restrictions given by the HID mode, you could if wanted recreate a real juggle mode like on the DJTT's mapping for the VCI100. On the other hand you'll loose much from what the embedded mapping offers. |
| Teressa Madorin 10.12.2010 | I may be missing something obvious here, but I'd really like to know how you are using the jog wheels to apply effects? I don't see the point in always having the jog wheels for scratching, when there are so many more possibilities for them... also the tempo fader for effects (large pitch changes, or delay 'freezes' would be great.) Please dump your knowledge base on me =Z |
| Kecia Wnukowski 09.12.2010 | Yes, I plan to get one soon but still it's an issue for me if the button is 'broken' (a bad contact probably). |
| Hailey Westen 10.12.2010 | i assume a foot pedal would solve your loop recorder button issue ? ps. nice mix vid. |
| Kecia Wnukowski 09.12.2010 | Thanks Nerve I appreciate. Just so you know, I had a playlist ready and knew the tunes so it makes things smoother when you're doing it really. Usually I make longer mixes and tend to let the tracks play more. The video format (10 minutes) implies to be a 'bit' more technical or have more tracks within in it if you wanna put forward something interesting, but that's not how I do mix for several hours. SleekGreek: no, not really, nothing that critical. However, I do have a defective loop recorder's rec button it seems (as you can spot in the video, sometimes it doesn't engage the rec properly, sometimes it engages it and recut it instantly, which is really annoying). But that's something new to me and I need to check if I will need to send the unit back because of that. |
| Cindy Lerdahl 09.12.2010 | you haven't had any problems with your s4 yet? |
| Miquel Catan 08.12.2010 | Sadly... this video makes everything look so easy respect. Awesome.. simply awesome. Between the effects and just the production alone. |
| nayit ruiz jaramillo 07.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by photojojo
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| Hanna Ridenbaugh 07.12.2010 | really enjoyed that. definately looking forward to the new update to include s4 software features in tpro. Gonna wait till after Namm in January before I believe of upgrading gear see what's new. Keep it up and post some more! |
| Leeanna Ayla 07.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by Yul
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| Kecia Wnukowski 07.12.2010 | That's nice of you thanks, but that's too much praise, I believe it's only a very tiny grasp of what's feasible. I wish I would be better at cue point juggling and scratching (no skill there whatsoever) so I could include this kind of stuff in my mixes. What's packed with the software combined with the ability of recording yourself with the loop recorder opens so much possibilities. I can't wait to get a foot pedal and get used to practice with the recorder more. I wish the embedded mapping could be a bit more flexible too. |
| Leeanna Ayla 07.12.2010 |
Originally Posted by PRESSPL>Y
http://www.djranking s.com/community /showthread.php?t=20764 |
| Hang Natelli 07.12.2010 | Thank you very much for posting! I can't wait to check this out when I get home today. I've really been hoping someone would post a video demonstrating some of the S4 features in use, as I've either not had time to play around with them much (was having way too much fun DJing the classic way to get into the new) and I've also had trouble trying to figure out how I'd incorporate these new features into my current style. Up until only a couple weeks ago, I had never used effects or filters. It's exciting though, to have so much more to learn now. -PL>Y |
| Leeanna Ayla 07.12.2010 | Nice! Now I'm off to DJ's face to check out some orange knobs. |
| Francina Decosse 07.12.2010 | Well done, mate ! By far, better than most (just don't want to be absolute by saying all) other S4 performance videos out there. Cheers and thanks for sharing! |
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