As already mentioned in previous articles, the big manufacturers - now almost by obligation rather than by choice - combine their professional software with controllers and equipment that somehow help the DJ to manage the live evening or the performance in a unique, creative and simple. Native Instruments has long made available to users the X1 controller, designed for owners (but also for non-owners!) Of the TRAKTOR software.
First impression
As usual, Native Instruments never ceases to amaze us. The packaging has already been "designed" to introduce us to the controller and get us excited even before getting our hands on our toy. In fact, on the box there is a sort of tear-off folding "flap", where the X1 divided into sections is depicted in full size: with a single glance we are thus given a taste of the functions and the various solutions of work, as well as how to connect the controller in the different setup situations. When I open the box I have in front of my eyes, in practice, the younger brother of the Maschine (Fig.1), same workmanship, same style. The package comes with - in addition to the controller, of course - the USB cable for connection to the PC / MAC, a setup manual in various languages (make no mistake: the Italian language, as always, is absent) and a DVD with the drivers for the installation, a version of TRAKTOR LE, KORE PLAYER and KORE SELECTION.
Installation
Installing the X1 controller is very simple: just connect the peripheral via USB port (Fig. 2) to the PC / Mac, launch the drivers, install and run Tractor LE and the device is automatically recognized by proprietary software. I have tested the controller with Traktor Scratch PRO on Mac and I didn't even have to install the drivers because it was automatically recognized. The mapping is of "default”That established by Native Instruments, which then fully exploits the usability of the controller.
The Controller
The controller is really of excellent workmanship, as anticipated: the rigid plastic and the aluminum mask, similar to that of the Maschine, gives the X1 controller a solid and robust appearance, but at the same time light and transportable even for its small size. The hard plastic keys squeeze firmly, and despite being backlit (Fig.3), you can easily hear the “click” of the contact when the key is pressed.
Even the Knobs with a rubberized grip are of the highest quality, to the touch they are very sensitive and precise at the same time thanks to a click potentiometer and a central notch that always helps us to position the wheel towards 12 o'clock. the knobs have a primary and secondary function, the keys light up in three colors with different functions (blue, white and red). It should be noted that through the Traktor software it is possible to manage both the brightness of the “on” keys and the backlight when the keys are not active. At first glance, the X1 controls have been designed and divided on the controller in a simple and intuitive way. In a first group of keys starting from the top, the "EFFECTS" section 8 potentiometers and 8 keys that give us direct access to the effects (Fig.4), obviously the user can simultaneously control the latter on the two separate decks also having the possibility to change the effect in real time, in fact by holding down the (SHIFT) key you can quickly access the effect presets (DELAY, REVERB, FILTER) or even the arrow key (ON) to select the effect we want to use immediately, and with keys 1, 2 and 3 activate the knobs to adjust the parameters of the latter in percentage (Fig 5).
Immediately under the "Effects" section we find the very useful "BROWSE" section (Fig 6). Of course, very useful, because it gives the DJ the opportunity not to touch the laptop for any reason, by browsing through the two rotors / Knobs the track directory and clicking on the same rotor to load the track on the corresponding deck. By holding down the SHIFT key, also in this case, you access a double function that gives the possibility to extend the track list to full screen and vice versa (by clicking on the rotor), while rotating it you have the possibility to quickly decide the point starting the piece.
In the "LOOP" section of the X1 we can, in a very practical way, decide - with the IN and OUT keys (Fig.7) - the loop segment, while with the rotor / knobs we will choose the measure. In reality you can also use a sort of shortcut, first selecting the size of the loop with the rotor and then pressing the latter to activate the segments.
Finally, the "TRANSPORT" section, divided into 6 buttons per deck (BEAT-CUE / REL, CUE / ABS - PLAY and SYNC), accurately reflects the basic commands for managing the track in Traktor as in any other software. management for dj. Obviously, even here, by selecting shift, you access other advanced functions (Tempo - / +, KEY and TAP) for the painstaking management of the session (Fig.8).
The test
I personally tried Traktor Kontrol X1 by placing it between the mixer Vestax PMC-05 Pro IV and my two Technics 1210. The result is a well integrated console for space management, aesthetics and ease of use. The is also very useful Traktor Kontrol x1 Bag (not included in the package) (Fig 9) which allows you, after placing it under the controller, to have all the controls at hand at mixer height.
The term "latency" in this controller is non-existent. Indeed, the interaction with the software is immediate and the robustness of the controller suggests that you are dealing with a highly professional product, far from a simple console remote control. At first glance, the interface may seem difficult, but after half an hour of use everything becomes clearer and more “slender”. Like all midi controllers, the X1 is also fully mappable with software from other manufacturers, including Evening. To this link you can download and import the mapping for this controller.
Considerations
It goes without saying that the controller, as it was designed, is indispensable for those who use DVS systems with time-code. Furthermore, the controller, compared to the laptop keyboard, has an unparalleled ease of use: the DJ will not have to think about anything other than to pass some good sound and in particular the techno and house DJs will have a lot to have fun, giving vent to their dexterity. and imagination, upsetting the live sets. Even the turtablists will be able to have their performance under control, combining a scratch and a cut with the controller always and in any case within a palm of the mixer. Ultimately, we are talking about a product capable of satisfying, for a modest sum, even the most refined and ambitious palates. On the other hand, when the colleague Mariano de Vita (in art DJ Marv) passed us this nice toy for the test, we already knew, in truth, what we were getting into.
See you next review DJ Fresella .....
Pro:
- Excellent price
- The quality of the components is high
- Easy to install
- Intuitive work-flow
- Adjustable key illumination
Against:
- Not detailed manual.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
Producer: Native instruments
Model: Controller X1
Website: www.native-instruments.com
Distributor: www.midimusic.it
Price: Euro199 + VAT
Next,
DJ Fresella
As mentioned in previous reviews, the big manufacturers – now forced rather than by choice – are combining their professional softwares with controllers and devices which somehow would help the DJ manage a live set or his performance in a unique, creative and easy way. For a long time now, Native Instruments has made available for users the X1 controller, aimed at those who own the TRAKTOR software (but also for those who don't!).
First impression
As usual, Native Instruments never ceases to amaze us. Yet the package has been “planned” in order to introduce us to the controller and get excited even before getting our hands on this toy. In fact, on the box there is some sort of pliable “little pull-wing”, where the X1 writing is pictured, divided into sections: so just one glance offers us a sample of the functions and of the various work solutions, as well as the possibilities to connect controllers within different settings. Once opened the box, before my eyes is, basically, the Maschine controller's little brother (Pic.1), same workmanship, same style. The package provides – besides the controller, obviously – the USB cable to connect it to the PC/MAC, a set-up guide translated in different languages (don't raise your hopes: as usual, the Italian one is missing) and a DVD for drivers installation, a version of TRAKTOR LE, KORE PLAYER and KORE SELECTION softwares.
Installation
Installing the X1 controller is very easy: all you have to do is connect the device to the PC/MAC via the USB port (Pic.2), launch the drivers, install and start Traktor LE and the device is immediately recognized by the proprietary software. I tested the controller with Traktor Scratch PRO on a MAC device and I didn't even have to install drivers for it was recognized right away. The default mapping is set by Native Instruments and takes advantage of the controller's full usability.
The Controller
The controller, as said, stands out with really good workmanship. The rigid molded plastic and the aluminum top plate, yet similar to the Maschine's one, gives the Kontrol X1 a solid and compact shape, as well as light and easy to carry around thanks to its reduced dimensions. The rigid-plastic keys must be pressed sharply, and though they are backlit (Pic.3), you can easily hear the click sound when you press them.
The rubberized knobs are high-quality manufactures, providing a soft grippy feeling and, at the same time, easy on the finger tips thanks to a potentiometer with a snap function and a middle bar that helps us to position the knob at 12 o'clock. Both keys and knobs have a primary and secondary function, keys are backlit in three different colors (Blue, white and red) depending on the function. It is worth pointing out that, via the Traktor software, it is possible to control both the brightness of the buttons that are “on” and their backlighting when they aren't. At first glance, the X1 controls have been designed and placed on the controller in a simple and intuitive way. In the first upper group there is the “EFFECTS” section with 8 potentiometers and 8 buttons with direct access to the effects (Pic.4), allowing the user to control them simultaneously on the two separate decks and to change effect in real time, in fact keeping the SHIFT button pressed, you can easily select preset effects (DELAY, REVERB, FILTER) or even, the arrow button (ON) to select the effect we want to use, while with the 1, 2 and 3 buttons you can set the knob parameters by percentage (Pic. 5).
Right below the “Effects” section there is the “BROWSE” one (Pic. 6). Indeed very useful, for it gives the DJ no reason to touch the laptop, browsing the track library via the two knobs and pushing the knob to load the track on the corresponding deck. Just holding the SHIFT button, in this case too, a double function which allows to expand the track library to full screen and reverse it (clicking the knob again), while, twisting it, you can easily choose the starting point of the track.
In the “LOOP” section, in a very practical way, we can decide and choose the loop segment – via the IN and OUT buttons (Pic.7) -, while, with the rotary knob we can choose its size. Actually you could even take a shortcut, selecting the loop size first by the knob and then pushing it to select its segments.
Lastly, the “TRANPORT” section, within 6 buttons per deck (BEAT-CUE/REL, CUE/ABS – PLAY and SYNC), provides the same basic playback controls within Traktor, as in any other dj software. Indeed here too, pushing the shift button takes on other advanced functions (Tempo -/+, KEY and TAP) for a painstaking session work (Pic.8).
the test
I tested the Traktor Kontrol X1 myself placing it between Vestax PMC-05 Pro IV and my two Technics 1210. The result is a perfectly integrated console in terms of space, design and ease of use. Very useful is also the Traktor Kontrol X1 bag (not supplied) (Pic. 9) allowing you to, once placed under the controller, elevate all the controls at hand to standard mixer height.
The term “latency” is missing in this controller. On the contrary, the interaction with its software is immediate and the controller's compact design makes you understand that what you have in your hands is a highly professional product, quite far from a simple remote control console. At first the interface may result a little difficult but, after half an hour of use everything gets clearer and faster. Like any midi controller, the X1 can be entirely mapped too within other manufacturers' softwares, such as Serato. Here is the link where you can download and import this controller mapping.
considerations
Saying that this controller, as it has been designed, is essential for those who use DVS systems with time-code control disks, is too obvious. Besides, in comparison to using the laptop keyboard, its ease of use is beyond compare. The dj will only worry to play some good sound and the techno and house djs in particular will have lots of fun, expressing all their skills and fantasies, reinventing the live set. Also Turntablists will be able to have their performance under control, combining a scratch and a cut to the controller which is a few inches away from the mixer, no matter where or when. To sum up, we're talking about a product that is able to satisfy, at an affordable price, even the ones who have champagne taste. Actually, when our colleague Mariano de Vita (stage name Dj Marv) let us this nice toy in order to test it, to be honest with you, we already knew what we were going to deal with.
To the next review DJ Fresella …..
Italian to English translation: Humbert of the Judge
Pros:
Excellent price
High-quality components
Easy to install
Intuitive workflow
Adjustable LED brightness
Cons:
Not detailed manual
USEFUL INFORMATION:
Manufacturer: Native instruments
Model: Controller X1
Website:www.native-instruments.com
Distributor: www.midimusic.it
Price: 199 Euros VAT not included
