Rotating platter Midi Turntable - Interest check

deevey

Howya's,

Just kinda putting the feelers out on how anyone would feel about a basic motorized platter midi turntable at a reasonable cost ? (I'm looking at building one....or more)

What would anyone like to see? so far I have....

1. High tourque motor and decent feeling platter and casing (I think I have someone who can supply these at the right price)
2. Portable and Reasonably lightweight, in the 3-4kg dept.
3. 7-9' platters
4. Incremental speed control e.g. +8 +16 +32 (this would be the motor control only)
5. USB midi
6. Switchable Midi Channels (for single deck operation)
7. (Maybe) a few buttons/faders or rotary encoders for good measure?
8. Good resolution.
9. CHEAP(er) than a bcd3000 and lots cheaper than the denon s1200's
10. USB (hopefully)

I won't be building custom midi-boxes or anything, more ..errr butchering existing solutions for this, so theres a limit as to how far I can go on the faders/switches, probably use a novation nocturn or something as a base to start from,


anything else you can think of

Smyth

4 channel control.. low, mid low, mid high, high, gain on each. 2 platters to cater for everyday djing. extra control for ableton stuff.

navigation control. up down left right and center.

Buttons to be sensitive for beatjuggling...also would need very low latency.

Layered control.

Light display to sync with programs...maybe lights on the deck that's playing only.

I'm sure I'll think of more.

jimi_t

deevey wrote: »

9. CHEAP(er) than a bcd3000 and lots cheaper than the denon s1200's

I see this maybe once a month over the last 3 years on the various forums I frequent.

It ain't possible. Unless you happen to own an injection moulding plant in Taiwan that is. The figures simply don't add up if you're butchering existing equipment to create a new 'uber-controller', even if you're buying secondhand.

Why not just use Pinky and be done with it if you can't afford FinalScratch?

deevey

It ain't possible. Unless you happen to own an injection moulding plant in Taiwan that is. The figures simply don't add up if you're butchering existing equipment to create a new 'uber-controller', even if you're buying secondhand.

I'm not looking at making an UBER controller just one really nice quality one(s)thats a little more like vinyl only all digital.... turntable and few midi buttons / sliders

An existing controller to do what I'm thinking exists for around 40 euro (behringer nano control) or below (yes even brand new) which would have enough inputs / outputs to control 2 platters... the rest of the unit can be built easy enough..cheap enough, well we'll see, but I'm reckoning on around 200 odd for a single platter prototype.

If I used an existing numark or stanton DD turntable as a base i'd probably do it for less money.. but have something else in mind.

Why not just use Pinky and be done with it if you can't afford FinalScratch?

1. I want the system to be lighter than existing turntables (which I dont own anymore anyhow) but the same funtionality and feel for digital DJ's... This being one reason I don't like the idea of the stanton SC series or NS-7 from Numark (too big and too much all-in-one) ...although I would probably pick up a NS-7 in a snap.

Why is a turntable is reliable and robust and all? .. well.. I mean theres not alot in there to break!

2. I also do not want to be locked into using any specific software.

if they actually implemented the Midi on the CDX i'd be interested now they came down in price, but still too big and heavy... denon do a midi controller/cd player .. but way too pricy.

4 channel control.. low, mid low, mid high, high, gain on each. 2 platters to cater for everyday djing. extra control for ableton stuff...etc... etc.....

Dude... im talking midi turntables control NOT a full dj mixing rig and audio setup, somthing that will compliment an existing controller like a Faderfox, Hercules, xponant or similar ...except with real platter control like the stanton SC series (except smaller and lighter and ... err not 1200 euro !!)

A few extra buttons for loops and tings maybe

I would do these as individual decks NOT as twins I reckon, but allow layer switching if you only wanted one for a more compact setup.

jimi_t

deevey wrote: »

An existing controller to do what I'm thinking exists for around 40 euro (behringer nano control) or below (yes even brand new) which would have enough inputs / outputs to control 2 platters

So basically you're talking of making two massive jog platters, and then shoving a cheapo motor underneath it and hoping that the device drivers for whatever you're basing this on are up to the task of not BSOD'ing immediately?

Can't see the point tbh. If you want to seriously get into it then start reading up on MIDIBOX etc...

seannash

motorised platters are **** for controlling anything but vinyl.the cd decks that have the spinning platter arent ideal.you dont need a spinning platter,look at the pioneer cdjs platter.its perfect.
anyway i think its pointless,you immediatyely take ableton out of the equation because it beaqtmatches for you so no need to use it for beatmatching.i guess your left with scratching then.even traktor is out for anyone who uses the sync feature.
i dont know man,i think your onto a loser there,but thats just my opinion

deevey

@ Jimi

1. I'm not looking at cheapy motors ... actually they are one of the most expensive bits...

2. I Have read up on Midibox.. the nano-control is a cheap option with the enough functionality for testing if its stripped and the encoders are changed.... midibox could come later if things worked... hell i'm thinking of doing this for kicks right now not making loadsa cash... think of it as a DIY Midibox kit project.

3. When I last checked midi didn't require drivers unless its over USB.

4. I won't BSOD ... I use a mac :P


@seannash

How'd you figure they are muck for controlling anything but vinyl :-S ?

I really hate the pioneers non moving platter so its a matter of opinion which is shared by many others....

you dont need a spinning platter

you don't need anything more than a laptop and mouse .... but most people would prefer a controller that suits their need and worldly desires

The rotating platter of the Numark CDX was gorgeous to use (in my opinion of course), the Technics one was lovery to use but sounded like crap! .... Oh and you left out cueing ... which is one thing that I prefer on vinyl 100000000 times over a normal CD player.

Obviously CD Platters as they exist aren't perfectly suited for everyone, I started on vinyl and despite having every variation of CD player known to man at my disposal through the years (I used to sell dj gear) I still prefer the feel of touching something that controls the sound based on rotational speed.....and I know i'm not the only person in this boat.

Why would some biggest names in the business like Numark, Stanton, Denon to name a few, invest large large sums of cash to manufacture rotating platters on CD decks or now midi controllers ?... it works, feels good...and its familiar to those who like vinyl.

Yes the platters on CD players "work fine" as do the jogs on any midi controller out there, but ... its like driving an auto car vs manual, one is drivable the other ... just drives.

The sync function is out of the equation anyhow for any DVS system too remember, and personally I prefer manually controlling pitch then having to wait for Ableton to warp files (and then Rewarp again properly before playing)

I wouldn't be aiming at the Ableton market anyhow for one thing I'm only designing to control a single thing .. the music speed (initially)

The Xone 3d or Vestax VCI-600 is designed much better for the Ableton job however theres no reason the motor of my platter coudnt be turned off and still be used for beatjumps etc in Ableton.

For Plain o'l DJ use I would (and will be flamed probably for saying this) say that Traktor or FS is more than enough......

Yes I know Ableton is more creative etc.... but some dj's (despite "sync") still have enough problems just beatmatching hehe.

gah.. and reading back on this .. i must have too much time on my hands :P

seannash

well look at the most popular cd deck,its got a fixed platter.
honestly man the reason people love the feel of a moving platter is beacuse of the vinyl thats on top of it.all those companys that spent countless amounts of money on spinning platters,yet you will be able to develope and manufacture one thats realistic.
if people are going to go the digital route there either gonna go full hog or there gonna use serato and get the real feel.
i dont know man.people who have responded dont seem to think its a great idea.
maybe build a prototype and then do some demo videos.gauge the reaction from that.otherwise your just gonna get a million answers for everyones different set ups

Smyth

Sorry about that. I only briefly browsed over the post.
Stanton are releasing a similar product.
Not authentic vinyl control, but similar.
http://www.djforums.com/content/2008/09/19/stanton-introduces-dascratch-controller/#more-470

deevey

Hadn't seen that stanton offering, it seems to be more like the "Otus" though and doesn't offer rotating platter (the other SCS:1d does however) .. the vinyl feel is what i'd aim at and the whole point, theres already a billion solutions out there where that isnt the case.

Ah sure i'll play around with a few ideas and see where it goes.

seannash

give it a go man,if you want a controller like that go for it but as for the market appeal i personally dont think its there,but hey thats just me