Being a fairly trim and boutique team ourselves, we at DJWORX are all for the little guy. I covered the open source software Mixxx earlier in the week, because we love what they’re trying to do, and here we are with another project, this time from Android/iOS app developer Alexander Nowak: Traktor Kontrol.
The mobile app is a fairly no-frills touch interface for Traktor Pro 2. It’s meant to provide you with everything you need for basic mixing, and comes with a mapping file ready to go. It uses RTP MIDI over WIFI with a little bit of setting up and a smart device of some sorts. If you’ve got either a iOS or Android phone or tablet, you’re good to go. There are plans to extend functionality over to Serato and VDJ8, once the developer has access to the software (though I suspect Serato might not allow that sort of functionality).
In Alexander’s own words:
I once searched for Android MIDI DJing controllers and I realized that there’s only some unhandy rubbish on the market so I just had to get my hands on this. It currently only covers the very basic features of your DJing software but I am gong to expand the functionality within the next couple of weeks.
So how does it differ from the other apps? It’s the very first Android MIDI app that offers a touch strip instead of wasting your space with 2 bulky jog wheels. I haven’t seen this approach anywhere else so I thought it’d be a cool thing to publish.
My thoughts
I’ve never been a fan of touch interfaces as a primary means of DJing. I remember when the Jazzmutant Lemur came out and I watched a video of a fairly famous DJ [/producer] mixing on it and just thinking how awkward that must feel. Sure, it can be done, and it’s eminently portable, but not for your bread & butter, day in day out. The Kontrol app makes no secret of the fact that it’s not meant as your main equipment. It’s an experiment that has some practical use as a bit of fun.
I had a bit of a go with the app and I was pretty impressed with how it works. It feels much like using some of the bigger Android DJ apps that are out there, but obviously controls the full-blown Traktor Pro software. For basic two channel mixing, it does the job, though you’d be hard pressed to do anything complex, and you’re better off using the crossfader over the channel faders.
One thing that’s really nice (and actually works quite well) is that the app lets you control the browser using a push to toggle. The action brings up a grey vertical bar that you can drag your finger up and down to scroll through your current playlist. There’s also buttons to drop through different parts of the browser tree and load up your tracks into the decks. On top of that, you’ve got basic controls for effects, EQs, looping, and even the remix decks on channels C and D.
As mentioned, Alexander has plans to extend beyond just Traktor Pro 2 so that the app can work with Serato and VDJ8. He currently doesn’t own copies of either, so the more people pay for the app, the more chance that’ll happen. Personally, I’d suggest it might be better to create separate apps for other software to ensure the controls are specialised from the get go.
Your thoughts
Have you had a go with the app? Would you use it for a gig?
You can grab Traktor Kontrol for both Android and iOS for free, with extra stuff to unlock via in app purchase.
Nice app… but I guess calling it TRAKTOR KONTROL will cause some legal issues.
Pretty sure this is trademarked!
This was our thinking too. Traktor is absolutely trademarked, but I’m not sure about Kontrol as there is another controller called Kontrol.
Kontrol is what it’s called on your home screen. I’d imagine it is too common.
NI is a German company and here we spell “tractors” (as in the farmer’s thing) “Traktor” (including capitalization) so it is a rather generalized term.
And for “Kontrol” I was just praying. I checked what patents NI’s handed in and they haven’t claimed the word “Kontrol” to be theirs, “Kontrol” only occurs in combination with “Komplete” and all their controllers. The app itself is “officially” called “Kontrol” as I consider it safe to use – whereas the app’s listing (which can be changed) includes Traktor so people can find it better.
In the end of the day I doubt NI will ever even notice this app anyway so yea am safe I guess :)
cant wait to try it on my new ipod touch 6g!! hope it proves to be a worhty asset in my DJ gear!
cant wait to try it on my new ipod touch 6g!! hope it proves to be a worhty asset in my DJ gear!
Quote:
“I’ve never been a fan of touch interfaces as a primary means of DJing. I remember when the Jazzmutant Lemur came out and I watched a video of a fairly famous DJ [/producer] mixing on it and just thinking how awkward that must feel. Sure, it can be done, and it’s eminently portable, but not for your bread & butter, day in day out.”
And then you find a Djay pro app banner ad over the top. :/
Firstly, this is my opinion. There are several other people on the team that have their own, differing, views as well.
Secondly, what do either of those have to do with each other? There will be plenty of products advertised that one or more of the team don’t like/use. Advertising works because it’s not about what the writers think about the product, but what the readers might like.
Thirdly, you can hardly compare a mobile DJ app that works with MIDI controllers to a fully touch interface app that connects to a desktop DJ application.
Firstly, this is my opinion. There are several other people on the team that have their own, differing, views as well.
Secondly, what do either of those have to do with each other? There will be plenty of products advertised that one or more of the team don’t like/use. Advertising works because it’s not about what the writers think about the product, but what the readers might like.
Thirdly, you can hardly compare a mobile DJ app that works with MIDI controllers to a fully touch interface app that connects to a desktop DJ application.
Firstly, maybe theym will make better assumptions or maybe know their point could be interesting.
Secondly, I was pointing how biased could be an opinion from one who doesn’t use them often and how ironic is to have a banner of one app focused towards ipad “pro” at the same article (app which hasn’t be reviewed at the moment of the actual article and banner were released at this site)
Thirdly, I can because I used booth in real situations… Can you affirm the same?
Finally, it wasn’t a rant over you Dan (but you take it wrong and make me be clear about it. It was a rant against “new era’s” articles about old tools advertised by ipad pro apps one day and next day this. It makes no sense and only keeps deeper the gap between “artistic people who uses tools”.
Jm2c
@dubbylabby:disqus Hey bro, none of the buttons being blocked by the ad could’ve been accessed without upgrading anyways. It would simply look a bit awkward having that big black background in there without anything else. Also, you will understand that I wanna make money after all – please keep in mind that everyone can use 70% of the functions without paying a single cent.
@happydan:disqus thanks so much for the article, I didn’t even wanna “hand it in” yet but apparently the app as of now was enough to impress you haha :D I really appreciate it, please keep it real and never stop caring about the smaller players in the business <3
@dubbylabby:disqus Hey bro, none of the buttons being blocked by the ad could’ve been accessed without upgrading anyways. It would simply look a bit awkward having that big black background in there without anything else. Also, you will understand that I wanna make money after all – please keep in mind that everyone can use 70% of the functions without paying a single cent.
@happydan:disqus thanks so much for the article, I didn’t even wanna “hand it in” yet but apparently the app as of now was enough to impress you haha :D I really appreciate it, please keep it real and never stop caring about the smaller players in the business <3
@dubbylabby:disqus Hey bro, none of the buttons being blocked by the ad could’ve been accessed without upgrading anyways. It would simply look a bit awkward having that big black background in there without anything else. Also, you will understand that I wanna make money after all – please keep in mind that everyone can use 70% of the functions without paying a single cent.
@happydan:disqus thanks so much for the article, I didn’t even wanna “hand it in” yet but apparently the app as of now was enough to impress you haha :D I really appreciate it, please keep it real and never stop caring about the smaller players in the business <3
Alexander I don’t know what are you talking about. I’m talking about banner on this site about ipad pro djay pro app , nothing directly related to your app. Read my first comment.
Oh aight man got it, totally misinterpreted the whole thing
Don’t worry. I even love to see someday Dan loving touch interfaces… Sooner or later haptic touchable surfaces will come and they should be the “norm”. Merry x-mas to all!
i don’t know why NI haven’t done something like this – Traktor DJ hasn’t been updated in almost a year. A tablet would certainly compliment the software as opposed to replacing it.
Serato have their Remote app. NI seem to be more into building independently working apps like iMaschine and TraktorDJ.
I dare an ipad pro version released at the same time than traktor 3… Wait, no. NI never goes in common sense way, sadly.
NI makes a ton of money off of its hardware; I tend to think they don’t favor the idea of a fully fledged touch screen interface that can be updated alongside the software as there is a lot less profit margin through that path…
“I once searched for Android MIDI DJing controllers and I realized that there’s only some unhandy rubbish on the market so I just had to get my hands on this”
:(
http://djworx.com/traxus-control-ultimate-traktor-remote/
Android? Sorry bro I might be wrong but back then Traxus was not listed on the Play Store.
It wouldn’t be; Traxus is a free template for the Lemur app (Touch OSC but on steroids), which is available for both iOs and Android