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I’m sure you probably thought it was out already, but the new Traktor Kontrol X1 is available in shops now. Well actually, it’s been available for a few days in said shops, but today is the official release day. And to mark it, NI have really pushed out the VIP boat and snared Felix da Housecat to gush effusively about how much he loves the new X1.
I’m sure I’m just repeating myself here, but this is the latest press release from NI:
Native Instruments releases TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 MK2
The redesigned DJ performance controller for TRAKTOR PRO 2 is now available in stores worldwide
Berlin, August 6, 2013 – Native Instruments today released the updated TRAKTOR KONTROL X1, a new version of its compact and highly popular decks and effects controller. With the same size and robust product design as the original controller, TRAKTOR KONTROL X1’s new features include touch-sensitive Browse and Loop encoders, 7-segment displays and LEDs for visual feedback, and an innovative multi-purpose touch strip for added tactile control. When combined with TRAKTOR PRO, the X1 MK2 delivers plug-and- play physical control over 2 track decks and 2 freely assignable TRAKTOR FX units – with or without the use of turntables or CDJs. The TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 MK2 is now available in stores worldwide and at the NI Online Shop.
TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 MK2 allows direct control over playback, browse, cue, sync and loop functionality, and now introduces a button for dedicated Flux mode access. 7-segment displays, LEDs, and quality RGB back-lit buttons that match color with cue point types provide precise visual feedback even in the darkest conditions. The most significant new addition is a multi- purpose touch strip that delivers physical command over track position, pitch bend, and effects. Actions such as nudging, needle dropping, track seeking or setting loop length are now possible through simple finger swiping for customizable tactile control over these parameters in TRAKTOR PRO 2. LED indicators help DJs keep track of the assigned parameter without having to look at the computer screen.
Furthermore, the new TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 MK2 hardware now provides even more dedicated control over TRAKTOR PRO 2. Advanced Browse and Loop encoders respond to touch, providing direct access to different views and functions in TRAKTOR PRO 2.
Pricing and availability
TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 MK2 is now available at retailers worldwide and at the NI Online Shop for $229 / 199 € / 20,800 ¥.
All X1 customers receive a personal $50 / 50 € / ¥ 5000 e-voucher delivered by email upon registration of the X1 hardware.
Further product information and press material
Additional information on TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 is available at:
www.native-instruments.com/traktorkontrolx1
A digital press kit including picture material is available at:
www.native-instruments.com/press.info
A video of legendary house DJ Felix da Housecat working with the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 MK2, is available on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=valZJch5i6s
To stay up to date with Felix da Housecat, please see the links below. Felix is also currently running his residency ‘Clandestin’ every Friday night at Space, Ibiza.
www.twitter.com/TheeRealFDHC
www.facebook.com/felixdahousecat
www.soundcloud.com/felix-da-housecat
Sooo… X1s have replaced conventional decks in Felix’s workflow. In today’s loop and sample based DJ world, the need for a jog wheel becomes less with each passing beat quantised year. And thanks to sync and accurate beat grids, pitch faders are becoming a relic of the golden age of DJing. But “this shit is touch sensitive” it seems, and riding the pitch is now replaced with stroking the strip. You can use that if you want.
But Felix comes from those times, and rather than just taking all this new fangled voodoo for granted, he clearly appreciates what he has in front of him. I like the fact he’s brave enough to go with such a minimal set of gear, but in this day and age, you don’t need much more.
A glimpse of the future?
The above shot caught my eye more than anything else in the video, as a potential shape of things to come. I was at first reminded of Allen & Heath’s Xone 4D controller, but with one important omission — the jog wheels. As time evolves, so does technique, and slowly features we’ve become used to are disappearing. Pitch controls, jog wheels, and probably crossfaders are slowly being evolved out of DJ workflows (check Novation’s Twitch for evidence of this), so I wouldn’t be surprised if this new X1 heralded some challenging ways of working in future NI hardware. If a touch strip can be more than one control, then who knows what inventive new ways NI has up its sleeves to multi-purpose existing controls.
Expect our detailed review next week. There’s no rush. Most will have already bought it regardless of reviews anyway.
hes mastered it.
so cheesy I know, but after seeing this video, I ran to SamAsh and bought one. Seeing gear being used in the real world is much better than a feature run down.
I prefer the original X1, sure this one has the multi-purpose touch strips and 7 segment displays, but what makes it better than the MK1? No support for XP(I know it’s old etc. but…), only 4 cue points vs.8 on the old one. And how about mapping? Can this control all 4 decks likeMK1 with custom mapping? I feel sorry for those that will jump on that just because is a new product. Same with the poorly designed A6 and A10 Vs. Audio DJ 8 that had Mic input, no power supply and is better in many ways..Instead of improvement NI goes the other way. Pity it doesn’t have a proper competition.
In the default mapping of the old x1 you had only access to the hotcues by pressing the hotcue button (and losing other deckcontrols).
Like the old x1 the mk2 is fully midi-mappable. In the Video Felix suggested to use the flux button as shift for more cuepoints.
Overall i would say with the mk2 you lose one encoder and gain two touchstripes, displays and rgb leds. Not so bad… https://www.bax-shop.nl/images/Native-Instruments-Traktor-Kontrol-X1-MK2-vergelijk.jpg
Audio 8 vs 10. The Mic input is still there, they switched it from xlr to 1/4.
This was needed to fit in additional in+out. Before it had 8 ins/outs, now it has 10, which makes it possible to use timecode on 4 channels while also recording the mix (yeah!). The power supply is partly needed (on a6 its an option) because of the line/phone thru mode without an connected laptop.
I’ll guess the extra ins/outs make it mandatory.
Measurements also suggest the A10 offers better audio performance (higher dynamic range, less noise, less crosstalk) http://www.mts.net/~lllp/a8djVSta10/Comparison.htm
Does he really use this exact setup for all his gigs now?
The way he was banging on about dropping in samples I would have thought he’d be using an F1 or two…?
As I see it in the video he seems to prefer using normal tracks with a lots of cue points
He “was rockin’ the CDJs in the 90’s”. He must have been really ahead of his time. The first CDJ that you could “rock” was the CDJ-1000 that was released in 2001.
“The CDJ-100S is the cheapest and most basic model in the CDJ range of CD players. It was released by Pioneer sometime in 1996 or early 1997.”
I know there have been CDJs before the -1000. But these were no great performance tools. The -1000 was the first cd deck that made many of the well-known djs switch from vinyl to digital.
I think it depends on the mixing style. To many DJs (if not the most) scratching and vinyl-like behaviour is just not that relevant.
The CDJ series started 1992 with the top loading CDJ-300, which only offers basic controls like pitch/bending/seeking. The CDJ-500, introduced 94, brought in a significant feature: looping. Serval revisions of the CDJ-500 later, the CDJ-100 is introduced in 1998. While it lacks looping, it brings in frontloading and could be bought at a much much lower price. I believe frontloading was the key feature that increased reliability so much, CD-djing could succeed.
The CDJ-100s can still be found at many bars and other venues.
Does anybody knows which are the headphones he’s using?
V-MODA.
Thnks!