Native Instruments Kontrol X1

Now these boytjies at NI are smart ‘cos they’ve also thought of the LE user and the Pro users who don’t use Timecode and for this they offer you the key transport functions to cue tracks, adjust the tempo, nudge the beats, play the tracks and off course the one all you DJ’s who use controllers to play with love – the good old beat sync, removing any need to really match your beats the real DJ way!!! (Just kiddin’ – you’re also real DJs!!!) What X1 does not have is a soundcard so the ideal basic solution (for non-Timecode users) would be to buy an Audio 2 DJ card (lekka portable) and one of these. Kontrol X1 comes with Traktor LE, so these 2 gadgets plus a laptop and you’re styling my bru! Now if you can get your hands on the optional bag this acts as the perfect platform to place the X1 on alongside the mixer. So your transport, FX, library browsing etc are nice and easy to reach while mixing. An important thing to note though, is that unlike the all-in-one DJ midi controllers that have double CDJ functionality plus mixer (and usually soundcard built in too,) with the X1 you will need to have a standard DJ mixer into which you will plug the soundcard into two of its channels. This device is not designed for internal mixer mode.

Existing Traktor Scratch and Pro users who really do want to start using the FX and looping functions, instead of pretending they do should get this now! It encourages one to use the full functionality of Traktor as the looping is dead easy and one can actually remember what you’re doing without staring blankly at a generic controller trying to figure out what you mapped where. Beginner DJ’s should probably look at the all-in-one units as this gives one a better overall feel for Dj’ing, however if you’ve been spinning old-skool for a while and now want to go digital, this + DJ soundcard + laptop will enable you to still mix through a conventional DJ mixer but allow you a hands-on approach to the software.

I’ve bought one so what more can I say than that? It’s a little beaut, this X1. Portable, cool looking, remarkably functional for its size and now gives me two options when playing out. Either use it as FX/Loop Station when doing a Pro gig (Timecode CD), or just use it with beat sync when I’m jolling at home or with friends.

• It’s a looker!
• Portable and robust
• Knobs and buttons feel very good
• Almost all buttons and knobs have dual functionality
• Easy to use and remember what is where