DJ controllers are devices used to help DJs mix music with DJ software using knobs, encoders, jog wheels, faders, backlit buttons, touch strips, and other components.[1]
The Hercules DJ Console, one of the first DJ controllers ever made.DJ Controller Pioneer DDJ-RX (launched 2015) with the mixing software Rekordbox (by Mixvibes), which comes packaged with many Pioneer products, running on a computer
DJ controllers are microprocessor-based control surfaces used to provide easier and more precise control of the software than the computer keyboard and touchpad on a laptop, or the touchscreen on tablet computers and smartphones.[2] They do not mix audio signals like DJ mixers; rather, they send signals to a computer to tell the DJ software running on the computer how to mix audio. Many DJ controllers also have a built in sound card with 4 output channels (2 stereo pairs), which allows the DJ to preview music in headphones before playing it on the main output. Most DJ controllers use the standard MIDI or HID protocols to communicate with the computer via USB.[3]
Modern DJ controllers emulate two turntables/CDJs and a DJ mixer. However, DJ controllers are much cheaper than two turntables or CDJs plus a mixer. Indeed, the average price of a DJ controller is around $800.[4] Unlike turntables, controllers can take advantage of the flexibility of computer software, for example, by allowing the DJ to store multiple cue points with music files. Also, DJ software allows users to remap the components of controllers to perform different functions than the controller manufacturer intended.[3]
Some DJ controllers break from the conventional two jog wheels and a mixer layout and are designed to be easily mapped however the user wants. Some controllers are designed to be used either for live PA performances with software such as Ableton Live or with DJ software. A few DJ controllers, most notably the Novation Dicers, are designed to be used with timecode vinyl. Many of the DJ controllers that can be used with timecode vinyl can also be used as MIDI devices, or even as standalone devices.[5]
DJ controllers are usually designed to work with one or a few DJ software programs endorsed by the manufacturer. Most controllers use the standard MIDI or HID protocols, so other software can usually be made to work with them. However, it may take considerable effort to get a controller to work with software it was not designed for, and some controls may not make sense with other software.[6]
DJ controllers have gradually become as powerful as professional media players and mixers, including effects, LCD screens, and touch-sensitive performance pads. Modern DJ controllers usually include drum pads, fader tempo control, and may include motorized platters. With the exception of the classic look, feel, and operation of a vinyl turntable and mixer setup, DJ controllers are starting to be just as versatile and efficient for professional club DJs.[7]
Early examples of DJ controllers include the Hercules DJ Console released by Guillemot Corporation in 2004, which features a 6 channel soundcard with SPDIF and MIDI ports, traditional mixer-style faders, crossfader and EQs, jog wheels and CD DJ style button controls. In 2007 , Vestax produced a controller specifically designed for DJing, the VCI-100, that emulated two turntables and a DJ mixer setup and was built with quality components acceptable to DJs.[9] Many manufacturers saw the success of the VCI-100 and started selling their own similar devices. Unlike the original VCI-100, some of those devices had integrated sound cards.
In 2009, Pioneer DJ produced new models of their popular CDJ media players, the CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900, that could also be used as controllers to control DJ software via HID.[10] This way, CDJs can be used to control DJ software without playing a timecode signal into a sound card. Aside from their CDJ players, in 2011 Pioneer DJ has released their first two all-in-one DJ controllers - the DDJ-T1 and the DDJ-S1. Throughout the next decade up until today, Pioneer DJ has released over 40 different DJ controller models including fully standalone devices, making it one of the leading brands in the DJ equipment market.[11]
In 2010, Native Instruments released the Traktor Kontrol S4, which used high resolution jog wheels and a proprietary protocol rather than MIDI to achieve better performance of the jog wheels.[12] The Mk2 of the Kontrol S4, released in 2013,[13] uses standard HID signals rather than a proprietary protocol to communicate with the computer.[14]
Among other popular brands producing and distributing DJ controllers today are Numark DJ, Hercules DJ and Denon.
References
^Russ, Martin (2012-08-21). Sound Synthesis and Sampling. CRC Press. p. 497. ISBN9781136122149.
^Chamberlin, Hal (1985-11-01). Musical Applications of Microprocessor. Hayden Books. ISBN9780810457683.
^ abSteventon, John (2014-12-03). DJing for dummies (3rd ed.). Chichester, West Sussex. ISBN9781118937280. OCLC 888464041.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
^"How much does a DJ controller cost? – A complete infographic". DJ Roundabout. 2021-01-10. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
^"A Beginner's Guide To Digital Vinyl Systems". Digital DJ Tips. 2017-06-29. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
^Rohit, Shreja (2018-10-02). "Popular DJ Controllers You Need to know about". MusicGearBlog. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
^"How to use a DJ Controller: Basic Parts, Connections, and Features". DJ Play It. 2019-02-13. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
^Golden, Ean (10 January 2011). "The VCI-100 is Dead- Long live the VCI!".
^Golden, Ean (17 September 2009). "Introducing the Pioneer CDJ 2000".
^"Pioneer DJ Controllers – 10 Years Evolution". 2022-01-02. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
^Golden, Ean (16 August 2010). "Traktor Kontrol S4 DJ System".
^Staff Reporter (Sep 6, 2018). "Native Instruments Announces Suite of Updates for Massive, Traktor, Maschine, and More". reverb.com. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
^"I Cannot Find the Driver for my NI Device on the Website (OS X) - Knowledge Base - Support".
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to DJ controllers.
August 20, 2023
controller, devices, used, help, music, with, software, using, knobs, encoders, wheels, faders, backlit, buttons, touch, strips, other, components, hercules, console, first, ever, made, controller, pioneer, launched, 2015, with, mixing, software, rekordbox, mi. DJ controllers are devices used to help DJs mix music with DJ software using knobs encoders jog wheels faders backlit buttons touch strips and other components 1 The Hercules DJ Console one of the first DJ controllers ever made DJ Controller Pioneer DDJ RX launched 2015 with the mixing software Rekordbox by Mixvibes which comes packaged with many Pioneer products running on a computer Contents 1 Overview 2 History 3 References 4 External linksOverview EditDJ controllers are microprocessor based control surfaces used to provide easier and more precise control of the software than the computer keyboard and touchpad on a laptop or the touchscreen on tablet computers and smartphones 2 They do not mix audio signals like DJ mixers rather they send signals to a computer to tell the DJ software running on the computer how to mix audio Many DJ controllers also have a built in sound card with 4 output channels 2 stereo pairs which allows the DJ to preview music in headphones before playing it on the main output Most DJ controllers use the standard MIDI or HID protocols to communicate with the computer via USB 3 Modern DJ controllers emulate two turntables CDJs and a DJ mixer However DJ controllers are much cheaper than two turntables or CDJs plus a mixer Indeed the average price of a DJ controller is around 800 4 Unlike turntables controllers can take advantage of the flexibility of computer software for example by allowing the DJ to store multiple cue points with music files Also DJ software allows users to remap the components of controllers to perform different functions than the controller manufacturer intended 3 Some DJ controllers break from the conventional two jog wheels and a mixer layout and are designed to be easily mapped however the user wants Some controllers are designed to be used either for live PA performances with software such as Ableton Live or with DJ software A few DJ controllers most notably the Novation Dicers are designed to be used with timecode vinyl Many of the DJ controllers that can be used with timecode vinyl can also be used as MIDI devices or even as standalone devices 5 DJ controllers are usually designed to work with one or a few DJ software programs endorsed by the manufacturer Most controllers use the standard MIDI or HID protocols so other software can usually be made to work with them However it may take considerable effort to get a controller to work with software it was not designed for and some controls may not make sense with other software 6 DJ controllers have gradually become as powerful as professional media players and mixers including effects LCD screens and touch sensitive performance pads Modern DJ controllers usually include drum pads fader tempo control and may include motorized platters With the exception of the classic look feel and operation of a vinyl turntable and mixer setup DJ controllers are starting to be just as versatile and efficient for professional club DJs 7 History Edit Pioneer DJ Controller DDJ SX2 2014 8 Early examples of DJ controllers include the Hercules DJ Console released by Guillemot Corporation in 2004 which features a 6 channel soundcard with SPDIF and MIDI ports traditional mixer style faders crossfader and EQs jog wheels and CD DJ style button controls In 2007 Vestax produced a controller specifically designed for DJing the VCI 100 that emulated two turntables and a DJ mixer setup and was built with quality components acceptable to DJs 9 Many manufacturers saw the success of the VCI 100 and started selling their own similar devices Unlike the original VCI 100 some of those devices had integrated sound cards In 2009 Pioneer DJ produced new models of their popular CDJ media players the CDJ 2000 and CDJ 900 that could also be used as controllers to control DJ software via HID 10 This way CDJs can be used to control DJ software without playing a timecode signal into a sound card Aside from their CDJ players in 2011 Pioneer DJ has released their first two all in one DJ controllers the DDJ T1 and the DDJ S1 Throughout the next decade up until today Pioneer DJ has released over 40 different DJ controller models including fully standalone devices making it one of the leading brands in the DJ equipment market 11 In 2010 Native Instruments released the Traktor Kontrol S4 which used high resolution jog wheels and a proprietary protocol rather than MIDI to achieve better performance of the jog wheels 12 The Mk2 of the Kontrol S4 released in 2013 13 uses standard HID signals rather than a proprietary protocol to communicate with the computer 14 Among other popular brands producing and distributing DJ controllers today are Numark DJ Hercules DJ and Denon References Edit Russ Martin 2012 08 21 Sound Synthesis and Sampling CRC Press p 497 ISBN 9781136122149 Chamberlin Hal 1985 11 01 Musical Applications of Microprocessor Hayden Books ISBN 9780810457683 a b Steventon John 2014 12 03 DJing for dummies 3rd ed Chichester West Sussex ISBN 9781118937280 OCLC 888464041 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link How much does a DJ controller cost A complete infographic DJ Roundabout 2021 01 10 Retrieved 2021 02 06 A Beginner s Guide To Digital Vinyl Systems Digital DJ Tips 2017 06 29 Retrieved 2019 04 09 Rohit Shreja 2018 10 02 Popular DJ Controllers You Need to know about MusicGearBlog Retrieved 2018 10 12 How to use a DJ Controller Basic Parts Connections and Features DJ Play It 2019 02 13 Retrieved 2019 04 09 Test bei Bonedo de Golden Ean 10 January 2011 The VCI 100 is Dead Long live the VCI Golden Ean 17 September 2009 Introducing the Pioneer CDJ 2000 Pioneer DJ Controllers 10 Years Evolution 2022 01 02 Retrieved 2023 03 08 Golden Ean 16 August 2010 Traktor Kontrol S4 DJ System Staff Reporter Sep 6 2018 Native Instruments Announces Suite of Updates for Massive Traktor Maschine and More reverb com Retrieved 12 October 2018 I Cannot Find the Driver for my NI Device on the Website OS X Knowledge Base Support External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to DJ controllers Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title DJ controller amp oldid 1145444779, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
