Who has used a Kontrol X1 and/or Xone K2? what are your thougts?
Who has used a Kontrol X1 and/or Xone K2? what are your thougts? Posted on: 29.11.2012 by Christopher Smathers ...And is there anything similar to them?I'm selling my S2 because I want to move to a very small setup. I want to use either the X1 with a Launchpad/Push or a K2 with a Launchpad/Push. I'd be routing Ableton into Traktor. I understand that the X1 doesnt have a soundcard (I have an Audio 2) I'm just curious what the people, who has used one or the other or both, believe about these two units. thanks | |
| Mellisa Calenda 03.12.2012 |
Originally Posted by DirtyNerd
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| Kasandra Kreindler 03.12.2012 |
Originally Posted by djsrone
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| Sharonda Flewellyn 03.12.2012 |
Originally Posted by bmar222
I use both the X1 and the K2. I use the K2 for my mixer needs, and the X1 for transport. I use both Traktor and Ableton, and find this combo perfect for me. The sound card is fine, although I understand there maybe driver issues with Windows 8. I have lot's of mappings for the K2 that range from an X1 emulation, to four decks, to two decks, with faders on the K2 being used as pitch sliders, and depending on what/where I am or what mood I'm in, I'll use the appropriate one. Also as the K2 can be mapped like the X1, if I forget, or, god forbid, my X1 goes up the spout, I have a back up I have used loads of controllers, and set ups over the years from VCM-600, UC-33e, and others, and this set up is just right for me. Easy to transport, the protective cases are nifty, they are both USB powered, and are really close in size. All round perfect solution for me. If I was going the Ext mixer route, then I would be using a very different set up. |
| Leeanna Ayla 02.12.2012 |
Originally Posted by smittten
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| Kasandra Kreindler 30.11.2012 |
Originally Posted by MaxOne
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| Kasandra Kreindler 01.12.2012 |
Originally Posted by bmar222
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| Christopher Smathers 29.11.2012 |
Originally Posted by NoizeuNit
Well I actually would just use the clubs mixer if I had the X1 I definitely wouldnt be able to use JUST the X1. Does anyone use the K2 with just the internal mixer? Is it even loud enough?? My big thing is my trepidation with using club gear. I've been using a single unit controller pretty much for 2 years and Ive always been thankful not having to use club gear after seeing how bad they take care of it (my main reason for not switching full time to CDJs). If you guys believe the K2 is a good enough and loud enough unit to use on its own than I'll probably do that but if the output isnt great than I believe I would use the X1 + audio 2 w/ the club mixer. |
| Mellisa Calenda 03.12.2012 |
Originally Posted by DirtyNerd
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| Kasandra Kreindler 03.12.2012 |
Originally Posted by djsrone
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| Carli Hedwall 04.12.2012 | I recently traded my x1 for a k2. The X1 was great but I wanted 4 deck control without shifting and I also wanted line faders. The k2 out the box was not very intuitive. It has a learning curve mapping midi and getting use to the layers. The k2 out the box has a documented bug that has no fix at the moment. Setting the latency to under 17s/rapid or high-speed crashes Traktor and the k2. I believe its only a windows7 x64 bug. The K2 is great and has all the features I need. One gripe is that it didn't come with blank overlay. The X1 came with a Serato over lay which was nice of NI being that Serato is a competitor. |
| Sharonda Flewellyn 03.12.2012 |
Originally Posted by bmar222
I use both the X1 and the K2. I use the K2 for my mixer needs, and the X1 for transport. I use both Traktor and Ableton, and find this combo perfect for me. The sound card is fine, although I understand there maybe driver issues with Windows 8. I have lot's of mappings for the K2 that range from an X1 emulation, to four decks, to two decks, with faders on the K2 being used as pitch sliders, and depending on what/where I am or what mood I'm in, I'll use the appropriate one. Also as the K2 can be mapped like the X1, if I forget, or, god forbid, my X1 goes up the spout, I have a back up I have used loads of controllers, and set ups over the years from VCM-600, UC-33e, and others, and this set up is just right for me. Easy to transport, the protective cases are nifty, they are both USB powered, and are really close in size. All round perfect solution for me. If I was going the Ext mixer route, then I would be using a very different set up. |
| Judi Sissel 02.12.2012 | ^^^ True story Smitten. Good luck in finding a cheap sacrificial jackalope now a days. I'll probably never (fully) get away from the X1/F1 combo. Just to versatile of a setup... Minus the lack of a soundcard. |
| Leeanna Ayla 02.12.2012 |
Originally Posted by smittten
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| Len Lukawski 01.12.2012 |
This chap breaks it all the way doon. Personally, I got my K2 from an internet Gypsy and I'm pretty sure it's cursed with Texan voodoo |
| Ok Moroski 01.12.2012 | I bought an X1 about 2 years ago - the controls are all of similar to those of your S2 in terms of quality, though with a slightly different feel - the buttons have a little bit more travel and are more rubberized, like the cue button on the S2/4. The encoders and knobs are pretty much the same, feel-wise. It works very well in a DVS setup as I have below, or with the S4 and the APC40 before that. My current setup is 2 turntables, a mixer, the X1, and an RMX 1000 and I couldn't really ask for more aside from maybe cdjs, but I can't justify that expense for what I see as a marginal upgrade. For you though, keep in mind that if you're not using the x1 for Traktor, it's a bit less appealing. The dual control surface aspect of it uses NHL for the top layer, which is a protocol that only works with Traktor, while the bottom layer is midi. So if you're using the X1 in ableton, you can only use one layer of controls, which makes the K2 a clear winner. Although, you can use the NHL layer for Traktor and the Midi layer for Ableton, which is what I do. You may be able to get around some of that with control editor for the X1 (the program from NI to mess with the midi output in the unit) and/or Bomes Midi Translator but I haven't bothered. |
| Latoria Kavulich 30.11.2012 | I have used X1's since they were released in 2010. Best controllers to slide beside a mixer by far. |
| Kasandra Kreindler 30.11.2012 |
Originally Posted by MaxOne
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| Hipolito Scionti 01.12.2012 | Personally, I'd rather an audio 6 or 10 because I like that 3rd channel to preview tracks |
| Winston Wisher 01.12.2012 | I have the X1 and I love it. I had that before I bought the S2. Honestly the X1 was a lot easier to use and map. I'm trying to figure out how to use them both together with a midi fighter. |
| Kasandra Kreindler 01.12.2012 |
Originally Posted by bmar222
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| Christopher Smathers 29.11.2012 |
Originally Posted by NoizeuNit
Well I actually would just use the clubs mixer if I had the X1 I definitely wouldnt be able to use JUST the X1. Does anyone use the K2 with just the internal mixer? Is it even loud enough?? My big thing is my trepidation with using club gear. I've been using a single unit controller pretty much for 2 years and Ive always been thankful not having to use club gear after seeing how bad they take care of it (my main reason for not switching full time to CDJs). If you guys believe the K2 is a good enough and loud enough unit to use on its own than I'll probably do that but if the output isnt great than I believe I would use the X1 + audio 2 w/ the club mixer. |
| Trista Karle 29.11.2012 | I have mapped my x1 to control deck c and d with browse buttons being filters and eq control up top keeping my looping buttons and arranging pads to be nudge buttons loop size encoders to be pitch and leaving hot cue buttons in place ... I have also mapped it to control effects before more in depth then normal when running in chained effects mode... However these days I mostly use itch with my ns6... Don't recall last time I used traktor tbh..... Keep saying one of these days will start using it again |
| Janyce Henningson 29.11.2012 | I've been using an F1 as a midi mixer (filter for gain) and the channel EQ's mapped to my X1's and it works well.. Plus it's really easy to get to a mates house or whatever.. |
| Leota Dolney 29.11.2012 |
Originally Posted by photojojo
I got the K2 when it first came out believeing that the audio interface and faders would give me a minimal internal mixer to use alongside my X1. In the end, I just didn't like using the studio style faders and lack of center detente on the pots to use for mixing. Also, I prefer 4-5 knobs per channel for mixing internally: 3 EQS (Lo/Mid/Hi) + 1 Filter (and if available, + 1 Gain). The K2 only has 3 knobs per channel...and no, the encoder doesn't count for me as it is not smooth enough for filter sweeps etc...plus, I need visual feedback on the knob itself to see where the knob position is...i don't want to have to look at the screen the whole time. I wound up getting a DN-X1700 as I can use the mixer as a big MIDI control surface when mixing with traktor (internal mixing), and I can seamlessly switch between mixing internally in Traktor to traditional mixing with 2 CDJs. |
| Branden Wentler 29.11.2012 |
Originally Posted by firebr4nd
I keep the k2 at home to bash out ideas using internal mixer and to prep tracks. Vastly underused i know but with the new DB4 firmware looking at incorporating it into my regular setup which is mixer and one F1/X1 |
| Kasandra Kreindler 30.11.2012 | not to jack the thread from OP but im curious how everyone is using there K2 as an X1 replacement (i.e not using faders and knobs for EQ and stuff) still using the external mixer for EQ and channels. im going to be replacing my X1 with a K2 and get another K2 eventually to have more control but for now just one as i have a Kontrol F1 and will continue to use remix decks if i can build some better remix sets have been putting that off for some time.. as for the OP in your situation I'd go for a Xone K2 over the X1, i love my X1 but for your projected setup you would fare better with the K2 |
| Brianne Duvoisin 30.11.2012 | I've had a similar question recently. I'm a noob looking to upgrade from my S2 to a setup that will let me control 4-decks. Adding the soundcard/mixer to the cost of an X1 is a huge turn-off though. Is anyone out there using the K2 as a controller and internal mixer in Traktor simultaneously? Is it usable? The price point is right but it seems like you'd have to swap layers between mixer/effects control etc. and it could just be a huge pain in the butt. Better to bite the bullet and start saving up cash for the external mixer / X1's combo? |
| Leeanna Ayla 29.11.2012 | I have both, the K2 is currently in its box and the X1 is siting next to the Z2. |
| Ulysses Vittetoe 29.11.2012 | As an owner of both, I thoroughly enjoy both. It's nice to have the K2 because it has pretty much everything for a spur of the moment gig, and then if i throw my x1 alongside of it I have even more control over Traktor. They're 2 different pieces of hardware though kind of. The k2 is doable by itself, while you need a mixer/soundcard to use the x1. |
| Jonas Hanway 29.11.2012 | I don't believe I could DJ with the X1 without a mixer. It's vital for me. The X1 for me is purely for control of Traktor and the songs. EQ's and minor FX are still done on the mixer. I love the X1, but as a standalone piece of kit. It wouldn't work for me. |
| Margaretta Hebenstreit 29.11.2012 | I use two x1s with a standalone mixer. One x1 perfectly controls two of my decks, without too much changing of the default mapping. they perfectly fit my needs. but since you will not have a mixer, the fader-section of the k2 might come in really handy, so i would go for that, regarding the setup you're planning. |
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