![]() At $279, should they buy it? That question's a little more complicated.%Gallery-156497% Hardware Will DJ's want it? We feel it's safe to say they will. While boxes from Roland and Akai have been defining genres for decades, this 16-pad add-on takes the sampling game to a new arena. Native Instruments' just-released Traktor Kontrol F1 is a blinking slab of rainbow-tinged hardware with an intense devotion to manipulating samples. But every once in a while a new toy crops up that adds depth and breadth to the way music nerds play back music. In the deeper end of the DJ pool, things aren't expanding at such a frantic pace. Is everyone with a music collection and a sense for good timing a DJ, or does their music collection have to exceed a certain number of gigabytes or slabs of vinyl to be in the club (no pun intended)? Audio playback devices are certainly getting more plentiful and powerful on a large scale anyone who's played with an iOS DJ app can tell you that. In short, if you're running Traktor and want the option of full, native hardware control over your "remix" decks without giving up the full customizability of a truly generic MIDI controller, the F1 is your best option.What is a DJ? Everyone who considers him or herself one can probably give you a unique answer. The very best of these mappings are distributed for free (and with step-by-step installation instructions) on various community sites (esp., ). Even if you don't care for Traktor's "remix" decks, you can load up your own custom MIDI mapping (literally mid-song if you want - with no audio interruption this same trick does not work with the NI S4) by hitting the shift+browse button on the F1.ĭon't know how to configure custom MIDI maps? No problem, the vast popularity of this controller has meant a burgeoning community of users who have written totally rad custom MIDI mappings, which will turn your F1 into fully-loaded primary controllers (transport controls, EQs, etc.) or super tricked-out instant FX units. This is what makes this controller a great secondary controller: FLEXIBILITY. That being said, it allows for seamless switching between the Native Instrument preset and your other user-defined MIDI mappings. As such, it isn't designed to be used as a primary controller (your transport controls, EQs, effects, etc.). Its main purpose is to control Traktor's 64-bank "remix" decks (a sort of tricked out in-software sample player). This controller is designed to be used with Traktor DJ software (with which it integrates perfectly). The only exception to this rule is the MidiFighter from DJ Techtools () NOTE: As of this writing, other MIDI controllers cannot access all 64 sample banks in a "remix" set within Traktor. This can sometimes reduce the efficiency of your workflow. ![]() You can toggle between several "remix" decks though.Ģ) Several native controls can only be accessed via the 'shift' button. Those colorful LEDs look absolutely rad in a dark club environment.ġ) A single F1 can only control one "remix" deck at a time. This is the same mechanism that exists on the flagship NI S4 controller.Ĥ) Great aesthetics. There are mechanisms in place that literally GRIP your USB cable, so that it will not accidentally get yanked out as you bang the hell out of the F1 during a performance. They can also take a beating.ģ) The USB port on the back of the F1 is iron-clad BY DESIGN. They are large, soft-to-the-touch, and depress with a satisfying click. I know I've beaten the hell out of it.Ģ) Great buttons. In light of that experience, here are some quick pros and cons, and then a more detailed discussion of the F1's main advantage as (I think) the most flexible "dedicated" Traktor controller:ġ) Sturdy construction. ![]() I've been using this unit heavily (3-4 five-hour gigs per week) for the last several months without issue.
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