After a short period of sort-of-but-not-really teasing their new and immensely long awaited MIDI controller, Native Instruments are happy to officially announce the
Traktor Kontrol X1. Geared very specifically at Traktor users, this also doubles as a regular MIDI controller for other applications too. Indeed, it comes with Scratch Live compatibility out of the box. Imagine that.
UPDATE: UK Price £179 and £35 for the bag/stand.
One of my real problems with MIDI is the plug and hope architecture. We live in an age where things should
just work rather than be told what to do. So getting something like the Kontrol X1 that shouldn't need any bullying to get to play nice with my software is a real draw. One day, I'll do a proper write up of my own auto mapping idea too - it's a corker.
Anyways, full info follows:
Native Instruments Announces TRAKTOR KONTROL X1
Compact professional two-deck DJ controller gives intuitive control
over essential functions of TRAKTOR and Serato Scratch Live
Berlin, November 3rd, 2009 - Native Instruments today announced TRAKTOR KONTROL X1, a highly functional performance controller that gives DJs immediate hands-on control over vital aspects of their performance. Designed by the team behind the groundbreaking TRAKTOR DJ platform, the compact KONTROL X1 offers an unprecedented level of integration with the latest TRAKTOR generation for maximum performance and ease-of-use, and can also efficiently control any MIDI-compatible DJ software on the market.
TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 provides DJs of all styles and genres with a highly efficient and intuitive way to control loop, cue, effect, track selection and transport functions of their system. The unit accommodates the two most common digital DJing paradigms - it ideally complements a typical timecode-controlled TRAKTOR SCRATCH setup consisting of a hardware mixer, turntables or CD decks, and also excels as a selfcontained controller for DJs who play beat-gridded tracks with the
TRAKTOR software and mix externally. Two X1 units can also easily be combined into a four-deck setup that controls all decks and effect units of TRAKTOR PRO or TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO simultaneously.
The functionality and layout of TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 was carefully engineered and fine-tuned based on extensive artist feedback and usability testing in order to combine a versatile feature set with maximum ease of use. The unit is equipped with precise and durable high-quality buttons, knobs and encoders, complemented by dynamic colored backlighting for additional visual feedback. The X1 integrates with the TRAKTOR software through a dedicated high-resolution protocol, resulting in a level of precision and responsiveness beyond what regular MIDI-based controllers can provide, and allowing for true plug-and-play operation with no setup or specific configuration required.
TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 has been specifically designed for heavy-duty usage in performance environments. Its compact casing is both robust and lightweight for high portability, and the special vertical form factor makes the unit fit seamlessly within a typical club setup. The optional high-quality carrying bag for the X1 doubles as a versatile stand that conveniently raises the controller surface to match the height of typical DJ mixers.
Beyond TRAKTOR, the KONTROL X1 can be used to efficiently control any MIDI-compatible DVS, DJ software or music performance application. The optional MIDI mode of the controller can be engaged on the fly via a dedicated button on the unit. The X1 also comes with a carefully designed set of parameter assignments for the Serato Scratch Live system, matching the relevant features of the software to the controller in an ideal way without any individual setup effort. A special Serato Scratch Live overlay for the X1 is also available.
TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 also ships with TRAKTOR LE, a basic version of the TRAKTOR PRO software that provides two decks with essential looping, effects and mixing features, turning X1 into a complete entry level solution for digital DJing. Owners of TRAKTOR LE can upgrade to the full-featured TRAKTOR PRO software for a special discounted price at any time.
Pricing and availability
TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 will be available in February 2010 for a suggested price of $229 / 199 . The carrying bag / stand for TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 will be available for $49 / 39 .
Further product information and press material
Additional information on TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 is available at www.native-instruments.com/traktorkontrolx1.info
And all being well, I'll get to fondle one for a short time on Thrsday and will return with pics and maybe even video. And you just know I'll take some killer studio shots of this too in due course. Flashy blinky lights make me grab my camera...
I'll Keep My Xponent
Any news on the UK price yet?
@Paco Loco - looks like £179.
Looks ok i suppose, dunno how well it would sit between decks and mixer, looks a bit low.
i'd rather invest in a xone:1d
@Martyn: It's still a helluva lot cheaper than a Xone:1D. Also, while the Xone:1D is a multi-purpose MIDI controller, this guy here has pretty much a pre-configured feature set.
@DJ Julio: The Xponent is aimed at a completely different market. It's got deck controls, a mixer and an audio interface. Not even close to being in the same market segment.
Anyone else notice that after essentially fucking everyone else by not informing the hardware development community at large in enough time to include 4 FX control, NI seems to have been too far along in development as well to include it on the X1?
Was holding out to see if this turned out to be any better than the Xone 1D, and I'm not exactly bowled over by this...
Gonna go for the 1D instead then, since would prefer to have faders as well.
It got Serato support, but how you are suppose to use it? Different faceplate maybe? With that faceplate it would be just confusing, but still looking forward too see what's coming <3
Ok, first of let me say that I absolutly love this controller, the videos on the N.I. Page explain and show the functions etc. really well...but 3 things do piss me off:
1.)Why did N.I. not include buttons and knobs for the fourth effect slot??? Were they really done developing as well as massproducing before the 1.2. Update? Cause if they weren't (which i assume, at least the mass production part!
including one more buttonrow couldn't have been such a big deal!
2.)Buttons and knobs for the standard-filters as well as the keylock/keychange are missing! That def sucks!
3.) The price 199 ? On the N.I. forum it was initially said somewhere around 149 !
- And 39 for just the case???? Come on N.I. that is seriously a rip off...it's just a case...a cloth case not metall or expensive applications...An eastpak or jansport bagpack is cheaper...the magma headphone bag as well as the magma headshell case are both cheaper!
I think for 199 the case should def have been included for free!
Greetz
Strategy
Ps. Somebody wrote that they thought this controller might not be high enough...well if you put the controller on above mentioned overpriced case it will be exactly the same hight as most clubmixers and CDJs/TTs!
One question had me thinking as well. How would you control the 3rd and 4th effects slots. I'm sure there will be an assignment that will change focus so that is possible. I'm sure there is a keypress that will take care of that.
I saw the vid, and Kontrol X1 was put next to Denon DN-X1700. Is it kinda a teasing video showing that Denon DN-X1700 will be TSP certified?
Thanks for the price info.
Personally I am comparing this to the A&H 1D, which is readily available online for £195 so they are priced similarly (plus it's easy to pick up a 1D second hand even cheaper).
Seems to me that the advantage of the 1D is it has faders and a jog wheel, whereas the X1 obviously has tighter traktor integration, so I will make my choice based on those points.
Also the X1 is not released until February... think I will have bought a 1D by then to be honest!
its annoying that it isnt available this year! you would think they would try to get it in shops in time for xmas sales. either way ill probably be getting this. the annoying thing about the 1D is that it lacks any kind of midi feedback, so i think the X1 will do well against it.
does the "shift" button latch? ...it's going to be really awkward to use the pitch bend functions while mixing if it doesn't!
Purpose built controller made by NI?
No compatibility issues
No more reaching for the laptop to load songs
MIDI feedback
Small enough to fit two in my laptop bag
Count me in.
Does this mean you dont require an SL1 box is you purchase this? Or do you still require RANE hardware to use it with the tracktor cotnrol X1, cause the price isnt half too bad
Does this mean if you purchase this that you dont require and SL1-3 box? Or do you still require the RANE hardware to use serato? because this x1 isnt half bad for the price
@phoenix - you always always ALWAYS need Rane hardware to run Scratch Live.
I should make that a story on its own so people stop asking that question.
If you have two of these you have control over decks C&D and FX banks 3&4. It might be a ploy to get you to spend more money, but it makes sense to me.
Thanks gizmo, does this mean with this K1 controller you do not require and other hardware to use traktor?
Thank you for your patience
@phoenix - you can use Traktor just with a laptop if you want, but you'll still need some sort of audio interface for sound output. The K1 will give you greater control over certain features, but it's not really a replacement for a full MIDI interface like a Vestax VCI-100. It's really designed to be more of an addition to an existing setup.
looks pretty good to me.... only thing i hate is the bag part lol they make you buy the back so it can be the same height as your mixer... give us a break
Wait... why are people complaining because NI offer an optional bag/stand and charge for it, yet when Denon bring out an equally low controller, nobody complains at all?
If you have a problem, cut some 2"x2" timber and make your own stands.
@ Gizmo - I don't mind N.I. asking for money for the softcase, eventhou I still think that for 199 the case should be included...but, what I do consider messed up is asking for 39 for said SMALL SOFTCASE!
If it was a flightcase or at least an Odyssey-style hardcase I would maybe deem it more worth those 39 , but for a small softcase...19 would have been ok but 39 def not...no way Josι!
@ Gizmo lol thats it send them down to B&Q
hi all,
If you watch the video, and read the info on the NI Site, you'll see (and hear):
1) This IS a fully assignable MIDI controller usable in programs outside of DJing.
2) A Serato Scratch Live faceplate is being worked on (if not available already)
3) If you have two (look for Ritchie Hawtin video on YouTube to see it), you can control all 4 FX units, and decks C and D in Traktor Pro and Traktor Scratch Pro.
4) Take a look at the Setups Gallery on the NI site, and you'll see that there are sound cards used. I imagine that if you have a mixer that has a sound card built in (Korg Zero4 comes to mind), you won't need one to gain the control you want.
I would have been even happier if this had a mixer in it, as I'm currently looking for a USB (but prefer Firewire) mixer like the Korg Zero4. But, what this is for (from my understanding, anyway) the ability to work with Traktor, without the need to touch the laptop at all. This, to me is great. It's going to allow me to keep in the flow of things, and really pay attention to the crowd more. Coming from vinyl, I was looking at the Audio 8 DJ unit and a good mixer. But since I've played with the EKS Otus which is really well thought out, and the Korg Zero4, I've gotten more creative BECAUSE of the effects AND my song selection AND my programming of the mix. This couldn't have come at a better time, and I'm most definitely getting one.
I can now take all the tracks I've written, and play them out and mix them in, and really tear it up!
quote:
"Wait... why are people complaining because NI offer an optional bag/stand and charge for it, yet when Denon bring out an equally low controller, nobody complains at all?
If you have a problem, cut some 2"x2" timber and make your own stands."
I'm a TS Pro user, but the design of the Denon solution would seem to fit the 2 decks & mixer setup better. Saying that tho, I've not used either yet so the proof of the pudding etc.
I know its possible to control all 4 decks with 2 units...is it possible to use my existing cd players to control decks 1&2 & use 1 X1 to control decks 3&4? TS Pro
On November 3, 2009, DJ Julio commented...
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