Stems and F1

I would think the F1 would be the cheaper alternative to the D2 at this point. I am not trying to be snobby or anything it is just that at the F1 comes in at a very cheap price point already and any cheaper and you will see a deterioration in quality (ie behiringer controllers) or lack of features.

From the sounds of it the S8, D2 and F1 controllers will be the primary solutions for the Stems format.

Out of curiosity did you come up with any ideas of what you would have used?

 

The more I think about it, this is rather inaccurate. I wasn't considering the fact that the pads on the F1 have secondary functions that will likely carry over to stem control.. fx send, monitor send, mute, and perhaps keylock will probably all be implemented. Depending on how that might fit into your workflow, I would say the Launch Control XL might be a good candidate for what you're looking for.. As you said, two deck control for about the same cost as an F1. Also dependent upon your personal preference, the faders on the NanoKontrol might be too short.. Something to consider.

 

You should be able to use something like a Samson Graphite MF8. Its only about $60 and should have more than enough controls if you want to map it.

 

How long do you really need the faders? With stems, the faders are only controlling volume. I don't really see the need for extremely fine control over volume. The difference between 90% - 85% - 80% is not that noticeable. The one problem I can see with the Samson controller is the fader being right next to the knob and if you have fat fingers, accidentally twisting the knob as you adjust the fader. But for only $60, its worth a try if you don't have anything else...

 

I totally agree with Rob, and Graphite MF8 is bigger than you think: it is 17,5" wide (Korg NanoKontrol is 12.8" wide), and i think that faders is as least long as faders on D2.

 

And what if NI create one cheap controller, just to be used for Stems, tightly integrated?
No more than 120 EUR/USD - there is no much to develop.
I will buy that for sure...and probably many S2/S4 owners.

 

Guess they could call it the S1 or D1? /trollololololol

In all seriousness, I'd rather wait and see how exactly the Stems decks will operate before wanting to have a purpose-built controller made. Though I suppose you could remove or slim down the 4x4 pad of a F1, shift everything down a bit and then just put a screen on the top part above everything else to be a D1 controller.

 

Or they could keep it the same size as the X1/Z1/F1 and leave the F1 faders, knobs and 8 pads and put a jog wheel underneath and then transport controls under that. Maybe make the knobs dual purpose for EFX and stems. Keep it the same $199 and I will buy two of them. Two of those with either a Z2 or a Z1 would be the perfect balance.

 

Satisfied?

 

Not too shabby at all! I'll have to sit down with the D2 template at some stage and have a play around to see what I can come up with.

Speaking of which, here's an old S1 concept I came up with well before the S8 and D2 came out. Guess It'd be able to be reworked as a D1.

 

Man I wish I knew photoshop. What I am thinking of from top to bottom:

4 knobs for FX
4 faders for Stem & remix volume
4 pushable knobs for turning on FX and FX dry/wet
4 x 2 bank of RGB Pads the small ones like on the Z2 to save space
multi-function encoder knob, loop display, pitch display multifunction encoder knob
jog wheel (admittedly, there may not be enough room for a jog wheel)
Shift, Sync, Cue Play Buttons

I'm probably missing something

 

Guys, jog wheels on NI controlers are tempi passati.
Touch strip is good enough: if you wanna scratch, buy a pair of turntables.

 

There is the reason why hip hop and top 40 guys think Traktor is only for EDM music. If I want to do a little scratching to liven up my set a little then I either have to get an S4/2 or get a Z2 or A6/10 and turntables or CDJs. That's a lot to lug around for just a little scratching. Personally it's what I do, just because I like using my turntables. But I would love a modular option.

 

Yeah, mine was a very old concept. I'm into the touch strip now, though thought I'd post it up for posterity's sake.

 

I'm pretty interested in seeing how NI implements the software UI with Stems supported. It would be a great time to finally clean up the UI a little bit so it doesn't look extra busy with the addition of stems. It already takes up enough screen real-estate as it is especially for DJs like me who regularly use the four deck setup with two track decks and two remix decks.

 

Nope. I disagree.

I use timecode a lot but at some gigs I am forced to use an S4MK2 due to lack of space (I like the S4 anyway). I'd be lost without the jogwheels.
Let's be happy that for now there are jogwheel and jogwheel-less controllers and let's not assume that we all want to go down the same path either way.

The day NI gives up on jog wheels on all-in-one controllers will be a very sad one indeed.

Karlos

 

For some that actually know how to DJ without the sync button and beatmatch the jog wheels are the closest thing to a turntable feel. I personally like jog wheels. I use two 1200's and a Z2. If I'm gigging out I rather have the jog wheel feel than touch strips.Just apart of growing with the future.

 

FYI, from the official 2.9 update status thread:

When assigning an F1 to a Stem Deck, you’ll be able to control Slot Volumes, Filters, Mutes, and can also access the FX Sends via the shift-layer of the Pads. The Pads also serve as 4 visual level meters for the 4 audio slots in the Stem Deck so you can see if audio is playing on a slot even when its volume is turned down.

 

When I was at the Mutek event from Native on the Stems. The possibility to map the F1 seem to be one of there goal, they even show it to every one, saying yes the time will come. But strangely no one seems to be able to know about, How it would be possible to see the four track lines in the Stems windows rather than the complete track it self, on your laptop.
If you want to play with your F1, you need to see all the 4 lines. That didn't seem to be in there plan in the near futur...well lets say, this was 2 months ago.
It would be normal for them to try to sell couples of D2 before opening it to other market...remember the F1 with the midfighter for example.

 

I saw some videos about using stems, but they were all with D2, and I never saw 4 stems tracks on a computer screen within a Traktor Pro.
But, NI claims that F1 will be "Stems ready hardware", so I strongly believe that a new version of Traktor Pro can show 4 tracks on a computer screen.
If not, I cannot see a logic to use F1 for controlling Stems - if you cannot see on a screen what's going on with your track.