Comments on: David Cross’ Retro-Styled DJ MIDI Controller for Ableton Live

By: nat

nat — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:49:31 +0000

wow, great make, I’m looking to do a similar project, is there any reason you didn’t use the usb64 board?

thanks
Nathaniel

By: Create Digital Music » Faderfox Controllers for Live, DJing: US Distribution, Upcoming Models

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 15:45:41 +0000

[...] David CrossÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ Retro-Styled DJ MIDI Controller for Ableton Live [...]

By: softcoder.info » Blog Archive » Homebrewed MIDI controllers

softcoder.info » Blog Archive » Homebrewed MIDI controllers — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 21:23:42 +0000

[...] Peter’s knowledge of all things MIDI… is intimating writes in with a collection of homebrewed MIDI controllers– Using DYI kits from makers like Doepfer, you can build your own custom controller for music software and other MIDI-compatible applications. (Just in time for Make 07 hitting newsstands!) David Cross has built this gorgeous DJ-style controller - Link. And electronic musician Monolake has built a “sequel” to his monster controller for the software he helped design, Ableton Live - Link. These projects are similar to the controller you (MAKE) covered in May - Link. [...]

By: Peter Kirn

Peter Kirn — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 01:58:32 +0000

Actually, that’d a good point … it would be nice to have a utility that stands in between and aids with assignments. (Even better, I’d love to have something that did this with OSC messages. Have to think about this one.)

By: Thomas Swift

Thomas Swift — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 01:54:51 +0000

Thanks for the info, I figured there would be no enigma type software for this but i was looking to see what helped handle the cc messages, off to the doepfer website to dig.

Thanks for the help and very nice controller!

By: David Cross

David Cross — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 15:27:51 +0000

The doepfer electronics do a lot of the dirty work for you: Live will simply recognize the CC messages with no trouble. I decided to integrate my device with an M-audio 1×1 USB MIDI interface (the other PCB in the second pic), making it even easier to connect with a DAW/DJ application.

That said, there is no fancy software like Enigma - you assign dip switches on the Doepfer gear so there are no conflicting CCs, and that’s it. You just have to hope your application has a good MIDI map scheme (like Live and Traktor do).

By: Thomas Swift

Thomas Swift — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 04:40:24 +0000

I have a trigger finger but I want more buttons and have been looking for some diy midi plans, this looks like a great controller using the Doepfer boards.

I have a few questions. How does ableton recognize a diy controller? And then how easy is it define your midi key map? Say this knob to this eq parameter.

Again, I have a trigger finger with the enigma software that allows you to program the mappings for ableton quite easily.

By: Velkro Smaak

Velkro Smaak — Sun, 13 Aug 2006 16:18:42 +0000

This makes me want to dig out my Pocket C and actually put it to some use. Looks very nice, very professionally made. I like the integrated headphone out as well.