Something I would reccomend looking into. The Traktor Kontrol S2. Not only is it the high quality hardware you would expect from NI, but it's a controller made entirely around NIs' Traktor Pro software. It has dedicated FX knobs, EQ knobs, Sample section, Audio card, and microphone in. It also includes a copy of NIs' Traktor Pro software. You should be able to find one used for around $300-450. Or you currently purchase one new for $500
I appreciate it! I'm very much in love with my F1. Native Instruments' built quality is always top-notch, the pads are so bright and nice feeling, and the included controller editor is very nice also! I've used quite a lot of DAWs out there, and FL Studio is no doubt my favorite. DAWs are pretty much to the point that they all can do the same things or similar. So, it's mainly up to personal preference, we're all different! :D
no problem... been loving this controller since i got it, and ive been looking at viability in many other DAWs... but FLS is my fave. especially since it now has performance potential... :) thanks for the hard work
The S4 is simply the S2 with 4 channels and a few more features. Nothing is complicated if you dedicate time to it. As long as you have something that drives you to learn this stuff, and you practice, practice, practice, you'll be set! But, whether or not you're willing to do that is all up to you.
Oh, and also, Native Instruments includes the Controller Editor software with all of their hardware. If you want to change anything up with their controllers, it's crazy easy with that!
Yep! The F1 no doubt can be a useful tool in a DJs setup, but it cannot be the primary device. You first need to decide if you want to go digital or go with more classic analog DJ gear. So, the more digital route would be Traktor Pro (or similar software) with a Traktor Kontrol S4, S2, or a similar controller. Or something like CDJs or turntables and a classic analog mixer. Really all up to you. I've always personally been into the tech side of things so I went with the digital route
From the looks of it, it doesn't have any dedicated FX knobs or buttons, but their website says it has "Complete mixer section with EQ, loop and effects controls". So the FX must be software based. It does not have a sample section.
Using the controller in Traktor Pro and with the control editor, it only allows you to choose 16 different colors. Which is good enough, but I have no idea if they can be midi controlled. I did see Steve Duda post a video and he was changing the colors of the pads and the brightness from the looks of it. The video is unlisted. Head over to his Twitter and scroll down to June 4th and look for the post: "NI Kontrol F1 / USB hax"
I'd have to say the F1. Not only can you find it for cheaper than the Midi Fighter 3D, the F1 has more buttons, faders, knobs, 16 beautifully backlit pads, and some great software included (Traktor Pro). What more can you ask for?! Official support for the F1 with FL Studio's Performance Mode should be around soon also! It's really up to you though, what are you looking for? Something compact and simple like the Midi Fighter 3D, or something larger that can do a whole lot more like the F1?
Yep. Numarks lower end products tend to be on the cheap side. As far as build quality and functionality, many things are cut to keep the cost down. If this is all you are looking for for a beginner device, then go right ahead! Keep in mind, controllers with much more features and much better build quality can be found for an extra $100-300. It's all up to how serious you want to get into it
That would be great! The controller editor allows you to set each pads color, but not the brightness. So hopefully you can set the colors with your custom support then? Also, I don't know if it's possible, but it would be very handy if you could set the color of each "lane" in FL Studios' playlist, and the F1 would automatically change to that defined color. Thank you for your hard work gol!
if I get a F1 I'll make custom support for it, possibly using all the colors available if their driver allows it (because that bloody Maschine only supports on/off from MIDI [hence the blinking], while the hardware obviously has per-pad light dimming support)
Hopefully it doesn't sound like the F1 is bad. It could be a "primary" device, but it depends on what you're looking to do. Since it only has 4 faders and 4 knobs you can't do a ton with it if you were to try and use it as your primary device.
Okay, cool! It's going to take me a few days to put together a full tutorial because I'm going to be very busy for the next few days. Hopefully that's okay? Sorry about that, :/
That's what I'm afraid of - if their controller editor allows assigning custom colors, most likely it's because it will only be on/off switchable by MIDI. But who knows, maybe the colors can really be set by MIDI too..
Nice, very cool! If you add official support I would really appreciate it, and I know many others would also. Would you be able to incorporate the LED display and the rotary encoder also?
the encoders/faders will be generic (unless I use an encoder+fader for XY offset, I don't know yet), the LED display is pretty limited, maybe I will use it to display the XY offset (but in pages of 4), I don't know. It's also reported as being buggy when you use more than 1 F1, I don't know if it's true. I will probably use 4 buttons for navigation, all faders/knobs free, a button for snap, scene, +scene, overview, stop, and I don't know..
ImageLine added support in one of the more recent beta updates. I made the video before there was any support for it in FL Studio by using a workaround with their Maschine template. I'm sure official support will be included in the next official release. Which we can all assume is FL Studio 11 since they're on beta version 10.9. I'm excited to see what else they unveil in this next update! :)
Hey, check out my "Kontrol F1 with FL Studio Performance Mode - Tutorial" video. I show how to set it all up in there, and the required files are linked in the description. It is slightly harder to set this up than it typically would be, and this method is just a work-around for now. ImageLine (the creators of FL Studio) have promised official F1 support in a later FL Studio update so keep an eye on them!
just got the f1 yesterday, works great with traktor. didn't really cross my mind that I can use this with fl as well, which is pretty awesome. Im trying to map it to the FPC plugin but when I hit "midi learn" and then a pad on the F1 it doesn't map :/ any ideas? I have enabled it as a midi device, and the midi input flashes when I hit buttons, but it just wont map . aahh D:
Nope! You can either disable one of the remix decks and make it a live input or another channel, OR, you can use one controller and simply switch between the two. It's all up to the user. Besides, if it's remix decks and Traktor your into, why not get something designed for it rather than a 3rd party device? I'd imagine setting up the Midi Fighter 3D the way you'd like it would be quite a pain. Once again, it's all up to you!
yea hahahaha im kinda dont want to spend more than $250 on it. And i understand Traktor is beast, but im a beginner, so i think i should go for something less complecated. Wait, is the S4 complecated?
Do a little more research into the different types DJing and then decide from there. Preferably you would want to start with something that has a crossfader. :D I realize nice DJ gear can get expensive. If you have a local Guitar Center or music shop. Go in and check out DJ gear if they have any. Or, watch/read reviews of gear you're interested in.
![Megan Thee Stallion - Mamushi (Remix) [feat. TWICE] [Official Audio]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5c0_u9PsrsQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Something I would reccomend looking into.
The Traktor Kontrol S2.
Not only is it the high quality hardware you would expect from NI, but it's a controller made entirely around NIs' Traktor Pro software.
It has dedicated FX knobs, EQ knobs, Sample section, Audio card, and microphone in. It also includes a copy of NIs' Traktor Pro software.
You should be able to find one used for around $300-450. Or you currently purchase one new for $500
I appreciate it! I'm very much in love with my F1. Native Instruments' built quality is always top-notch, the pads are so bright and nice feeling, and the included controller editor is very nice also!
I've used quite a lot of DAWs out there, and FL Studio is no doubt my favorite. DAWs are pretty much to the point that they all can do the same things or similar. So, it's mainly up to personal preference, we're all different! :D
no problem... been loving this controller since i got it, and ive been looking at viability in many other DAWs... but FLS is my fave. especially since it now has performance potential... :) thanks for the hard work
The S4 is simply the S2 with 4 channels and a few more features.
Nothing is complicated if you dedicate time to it. As long as you have something that drives you to learn this stuff, and you practice, practice, practice, you'll be set!
But, whether or not you're willing to do that is all up to you.
Oh, and also, Native Instruments includes the Controller Editor software with all of their hardware. If you want to change anything up with their controllers, it's crazy easy with that!
Yep! The F1 no doubt can be a useful tool in a DJs setup, but it cannot be the primary device. You first need to decide if you want to go digital or go with more classic analog DJ gear.
So, the more digital route would be Traktor Pro (or similar software) with a Traktor Kontrol S4, S2, or a similar controller.
Or something like CDJs or turntables and a classic analog mixer.
Really all up to you. I've always personally been into the tech side of things so I went with the digital route
From the looks of it, it doesn't have any dedicated FX knobs or buttons, but their website says it has "Complete mixer section with EQ, loop and effects controls". So the FX must be software based. It does not have a sample section.
Using the controller in Traktor Pro and with the control editor, it only allows you to choose 16 different colors. Which is good enough, but I have no idea if they can be midi controlled. I did see Steve Duda post a video and he was changing the colors of the pads and the brightness from the looks of it. The video is unlisted. Head over to his Twitter and scroll down to June 4th and look for the post: "NI Kontrol F1 / USB hax"
I'd have to say the F1. Not only can you find it for cheaper than the Midi Fighter 3D, the F1 has more buttons, faders, knobs, 16 beautifully backlit pads, and some great software included (Traktor Pro). What more can you ask for?!
Official support for the F1 with FL Studio's Performance Mode should be around soon also!
It's really up to you though, what are you looking for? Something compact and simple like the Midi Fighter 3D, or something larger that can do a whole lot more like the F1?
Yep. Numarks lower end products tend to be on the cheap side. As far as build quality and functionality, many things are cut to keep the cost down. If this is all you are looking for for a beginner device, then go right ahead! Keep in mind, controllers with much more features and much better build quality can be found for an extra $100-300. It's all up to how serious you want to get into it
That would be great! The controller editor allows you to set each pads color, but not the brightness. So hopefully you can set the colors with your custom support then? Also, I don't know if it's possible, but it would be very handy if you could set the color of each "lane" in FL Studios' playlist, and the F1 would automatically change to that defined color.
Thank you for your hard work gol!
I just got an F1, colors can be controlled through MIDI, using HSB mode. Doesn't seem to work with notes, but works through CCs.
if I get a F1 I'll make custom support for it, possibly using all the colors available if their driver allows it (because that bloody Maschine only supports on/off from MIDI [hence the blinking], while the hardware obviously has per-pad light dimming support)
Hopefully it doesn't sound like the F1 is bad. It could be a "primary" device, but it depends on what you're looking to do. Since it only has 4 faders and 4 knobs you can't do a ton with it if you were to try and use it as your primary device.
Okay, cool! It's going to take me a few days to put together a full tutorial because I'm going to be very busy for the next few days. Hopefully that's okay? Sorry about that, :/
That's what I'm afraid of - if their controller editor allows assigning custom colors, most likely it's because it will only be on/off switchable by MIDI. But who knows, maybe the colors can really be set by MIDI too..
Nice, very cool! If you add official support I would really appreciate it, and I know many others would also. Would you be able to incorporate the LED display and the rotary encoder also?
If you're interested in the layout or how I got this to work, let me know and I can put together a tutorial!
the encoders/faders will be generic (unless I use an encoder+fader for XY offset, I don't know yet), the LED display is pretty limited, maybe I will use it to display the XY offset (but in pages of 4), I don't know. It's also reported as being buggy when you use more than 1 F1, I don't know if it's true.
I will probably use 4 buttons for navigation, all faders/knobs free, a button for snap, scene, +scene, overview, stop, and I don't know..
ImageLine added support in one of the more recent beta updates. I made the video before there was any support for it in FL Studio by using a workaround with their Maschine template. I'm sure official support will be included in the next official release. Which we can all assume is FL Studio 11 since they're on beta version 10.9. I'm excited to see what else they unveil in this next update! :)
definately interested in the template
My plan was to start with the f1, and then get a mixer after. Idk now. have you heard of idj3? I could get that also
Yea, im just looking for a beginner device. Do you think this mixer will have a fx thing or sample thing?
yea can you tell me some other mixer controllers like idj3, and s2? I would love s2 but it is way too expensive
SHould i get a mixer first, this would be my first dj device
Hey, check out my "Kontrol F1 with FL Studio Performance Mode - Tutorial" video. I show how to set it all up in there, and the required files are linked in the description. It is slightly harder to set this up than it typically would be, and this method is just a work-around for now. ImageLine (the creators of FL Studio) have promised official F1 support in a later FL Studio update so keep an eye on them!
with kontrol F1 can i play/record notes in fl studio or use like akai mpd series in FL studio ?
But have to buy 2 F1s to fully use the remox decks
use traktor at the same time as FL like me ☻
I checked the video, it's a bad sign if controlling the LEDs is considered a hack.. but I'm not surprised.
so can i use the traktor f1 kontroller and map them to fl studio's fpc???
Yep. You can use the Kontrol F1 as a generic midi controller for pretty much anything :)
just got the f1 yesterday, works great with traktor. didn't really cross my mind that I can use this with fl as well, which is pretty awesome. Im trying to map it to the FPC plugin but when I hit "midi learn" and then a pad on the F1 it doesn't map :/ any ideas? I have enabled it as a midi device, and the midi input flashes when I hit buttons, but it just wont map . aahh D:
F1 vs midi fighter 3d?
Nope! You can either disable one of the remix decks and make it a live input or another channel, OR, you can use one controller and simply switch between the two. It's all up to the user.
Besides, if it's remix decks and Traktor your into, why not get something designed for it rather than a 3rd party device?
I'd imagine setting up the Midi Fighter 3D the way you'd like it would be quite a pain. Once again, it's all up to you!
yea hahahaha im kinda dont want to spend more than $250 on it. And i understand Traktor is beast, but im a beginner, so i think i should go for something less complecated. Wait, is the S4 complecated?
Do a little more research into the different types DJing and then decide from there. Preferably you would want to start with something that has a crossfader. :D
I realize nice DJ gear can get expensive. If you have a local Guitar Center or music shop. Go in and check out DJ gear if they have any. Or, watch/read reviews of gear you're interested in.
Is this for beginners?