M-audio Xponent

Tricked

Hey,

So I'm looking to get a controller and preferably use it with Traktor Pro. At the moment I'm looking at the M-Audio Torq Xponent. While this is obviously geared to Torq would it be very difficult to map it to Traktor? I'm aware of some tks files that have already done this but havn't a breeze on how to actually apply these.

After looking for months at various controllers, including those aimed at Traktor I reckon the Xponent wins hands down. The larger discs and synced lights seem to be pretty unique in the market and it comes closest to getting the feel of a real mixer.

Any advice on whether I should reconsider and go with another one and how too map to traktor?

Also I'm planning on getting it on ebay from a powerseller, possibly this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/M-Audio-Xponent-USB-Controller-Digital-DJ-Maudio_W0QQitemZ170354735800QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMidi_Controllers?hash=item27a9eefab8&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1688|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50 Seem safe enough?

Cheers Guys

joker77

If you haven't completely your mind made up already - I'd recommend the Vestax VCI-100 SE - I chose it over the M-Audio and don't regret it for 1 second. Here's an article on the mapping with Traktor Pro - there's a rake more articles on both of them on this site

Tricked

I was looking at the VCI too and it would definitely be better with Traktor. I still prefer the xponent though for a couple of reasons: Slightly bigger jog controls, better and more controls (imo), the mouse pad which could double as a tiny kaoss pad for messing around, the lighted buttons (which admittedly may not work with Traktor) and the overall feel of the Xponent. All the reviews I've read seem to be different though, half pick the VCI, half pick the Xponent. The VCI looks better I think but the Xponent seems to have more tricks.

Thanks for the link on the mapping though

Zascar

I have the Xponent and have been very happy with it for years. I've just started trying to use it with Traktor Pro, it works ok, but not as well as I'd like to.

Having just seen one of the video's on the Vestax VCI-100SE I wish I had that instead. The points you mention about the Xponent I don't think are relevant. Flashing lights are a pain, jog wheels are nice but do you really need big ones? Are you going to be doing much scratching? If so you're on the wrong platform.

The Xponent is built for Torq, but can be made work with Trator - but not perfectly. The VCI-100SE has full support from djtechtools and will be continually updated, thats a very big plus...

One thing I'm not sure of, does the VCI have inbuilt soundcards or do you need an external one? If so that's a big plus for the Xponent

Tricked

Yeah just looking more into the VCI now. It doesn't have a built in soundcard - most appear to be using a maya 44 with it.

Fair enough the jog wheels don't make a huge difference but would you not still go it due to the extra features like more controls and the effects pad? I'm thinking in terms of messing around with tracks and not just gigs, I think the xponent has more to offer in terms of features, whereas the VCI is probably more sturdy and convenient?

The traktor issue is now what's holding me back on buying the xponent. There appears to be a fair few files which map out settings as best as possible but it does seem a bit pointless getting a midi controller to use with traktor when it was built for Torq. Ugh decisions decisions. I can't find a guide for DIY mapping if anybody has one?

If I heard Traktor would definately work well with the Xponent I'd go for it

Zascar

Tricked wrote: »

If I heard Traktor would definately work well with the Xponent I'd go for it

If you find out please let me know but so far I'll continue to use Torq apart from messing around with Traktor

Tricked

Out of interest how do you find Torq? I think I'll go for the Xponnent and use it with Torq until there's an official mapping that works work Traktor

Zascar

Torq is very good! Not perfect but none of them are, but in general is does most things quite well.

I'm not sure if we will see the Xponent getting official mapping. Might be to do with competing companies etc

VinylJunkie

I think Torq is excellent the 1.07 edition has never crashed on me, The only thing that bugs me is the range and quality of the effects. However you can download VST plugin's which ive never bothered doing.

Zascar

Get the 1.5 update its miles better. You can preview a track in you headphones without dragging it onto a deck.

Effects are not great in fairness but I rarely use them. Playing with Traktor, the Filter is pretty good, Torq should have it.

One annoying thing I've noticed when mapping the Xponent to Traktor is most of the maps put the filter effect on the Gain knob. I think you need the gain knob for making adjustments to the gain between tracks of different volume etc. I think it is supposed to deal with that itself automatically but in the short while I've been using it I don't think it does a great job really...

Tricked

Great, thanks for all the advice! The main deterrent was being confined to torq but as it's pretty good I'll go for the xponent and fingers crossed someone will eventually configure the ideal mapping! At the moment I'm using VDJ which seems to be fairly similar to Torq anyway

VinylJunkie

Correct me if im wrong a midi controller can map to any software, even if you have to do it manually. I have an oxygen 8 v2 keyboard mapped to Torq to control loops and efx.

Tricked

Yeah that's right but from what I hear it's particularly difficult to map all the functions of Traktor with the Xponent. There are a number of mappings available but all have flaws - e.g. lights don't illuminate, gain knobs are misconfigured...etc. I've never mapped before so I assume that if by now people havn't sussed out an ideal solution I wouldn't be able to do it. I'm not sure why there's this problem but from what I hear it's because the Xponent is designed for Torq and ideally for them it should be as difficult as possible to use it with a different program?

copeyhagen

if you have the money to spend maybe a set of cdj 400's. they can be used with cd's, any mp3 player, external ahrd drive, laptop etc.

i switched from vinyl to digital and was using a bdc3000. now its ok but i just find the general lack of a decent hands on approach to be a bit homo.

so im plannin on picking a set of cdj400's later this year when funds are available.

need all the money i can for my spending money for ibiza in august

Zascar

This Xponent mapping seems pretty good: http://www.otto-armstrong.com/Mapping.html - compared to Torq its a much more vast application so there is a lot I have yet to figure out.

CyberWaste

Tricked, did you end up getting the Xponent? IF so what did you think, im thinking of getting one too.

Tricked

Yep got it just over a month ago now.

So far so good, I'm impressed! I've used it for several gigs and had no problems yet, some features such as the xy pad make it great craic to use for bedroom DJing too. As regards the VCI -v- Xponent debate I still reckon I'd go for the Xponent. As far as I'm concerned the VCI has two major advantages: It's traktor-friendly and it looks better. But the xponent has more features, will be compatible with Traktor if mapped correctly and is a seriously impressive machine. If your looking for something sturdy and masters the bare essentials go with the VCI. In my eyes the Xponent is much more fun, has usable platters (bigger than the VCI's) and I was pleasantly surprised by Torq (which comes with the xponent). It looks basic at first but is the business when used with the xponent. If your going with it I'd recommend buying from getinthemix on Ebay, cheap and reliable in my experience.

barryd09

just ordered the xponent there myself :D
got it with a handy gig bag too for holding the unit,a laptop,cables,headphones etc.
this is it:



ive been away from djing for too long now.id still love at some point to setup my 1210's again but for now the xponent and torq will do me just fine!:D:D

how do people find torq vs traktor?
and how was mapping traktor for the xponent?

Táck

good thread, im also thinking of purchasing one of these. again, its between the vestax and the xponent...

Táck

still doing my netsearch into it all. i want the xponent, im just not gone on the looks of it to be honest. then i seen this baby,

Vestax TR-1 USB


comes with traktor as well...but not really readily available yet...hmmm...

Zascar

That TR1 looks the nuts - if it were out at the time I would have bought it. It's expensive though, but I think it would be work it.

Táck

no crossfader, only noticed that. but that wouldnt be too disheartening

barryd09

mine arrived on friday,pretty happy with it.its been a good while since ive mixed on anything,just over 5 years so its all about getting back into it.

the flimsy-ness of the pitch faders are the only down side i can see so far.

also installing on windows 7 isnt too straightforward as i found out.
the software for the xponent on windows 7 is still only in beta format but its works.
version 1.5.2 torq can be downloaded directly from the m-audio forums,you need to install this rather than the 1.5v straight off the disc that comes with it.

mloc

Looking at getting something similar myself, the new VCI-300 looks very nice:

http://www.vestax.com/v/products/players/vci-300.html

It's between that and the xponent. Has anyone used the 300?

Zascar

The 300 does look good but I decided against it for a few reasons. It's expensive. It's not a standard midi controller like the others. It's designed for Serato Itch and if you want to use with Traktor, it has to use a "Translator" to get 24 bit into Midi (or something like that). It has less buttons and knobs for effects etc however you can get a remote control type - effects unit add on.

eeloe

I've had my xponent for a few months now, and i absolutely LOVE it!

Best product i'v bought in a long time!:)

mloc

Right I'm gonna pull the trigger and get the Xponent.

Any idea where might be best to buy it? I'm based in Dublin but I imagine online is cheaper?

barryd09

mloc wrote: »

Right I'm gonna pull the trigger and get the Xponent.

Any idea where might be best to buy it? I'm based in Dublin but I imagine online is cheaper?

try my post earlier in this thread.

i got it from inthemix.com or something.

i got the xponent and a gig bag that takes your laptop,the xponent unit,cabling,headphones etc etc delivered for €450.

the unit by itself will be cheaper obviously.

run_Forrest_run

€399 on Thomann with free shipping (anything over €199)

Sh1te

Just under €340 on digital village, free shipping too http://www.dv247.com/dj-equipment/m-audio-torq-xponent-advanced-dj-performance-production-system--40025

mloc

Sh1te wrote: »

Just under €340 on digital village, free shipping too http://www.dv247.com/dj-equipment/m-audio-torq-xponent-advanced-dj-performance-production-system--40025

Just ordered it there. Excellent.

Can't wait. I must get some sort of sound reinforcement system to play it through though, I'm using a MacBook Pro so computer wise I'm sorted but need an amp and speakers.

chrism2007

Tricked wrote: »

Hey,

So I'm looking to get a controller and preferably use it with Traktor Pro. At the moment I'm looking at the M-Audio Torq Xponent. While this is obviously geared to Torq would it be very difficult to map it to Traktor? I'm aware of some tks files that have already done this but havn't a breeze on how to actually apply these.

After looking for months at various controllers, including those aimed at Traktor I reckon the Xponent wins hands down. The larger discs and synced lights seem to be pretty unique in the market and it comes closest to getting the feel of a real mixer.

Any advice on whether I should reconsider and go with another one and how too map to traktor?

Also I'm planning on getting it on ebay from a powerseller, possibly this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/M-Audio-Xponent-USB-Controller-Digital-DJ-Maudio_W0QQitemZ170354735800QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMidi_Controllers?hash=item27a9eefab8&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1688|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50 Seem safe enough?

Cheers Guys

dont. had one. flogged it on ebay. get something else

edit - too late

Táck

seeing as you have an opinion on the xponent, would you care to share it?

"dont. get something else" just isnt enough reason for me to stop considering whilst so many others are positive about it. negative criticism would be good for the thread as well. if you can qualify the negativity, that is...

chrism2007

sorry rushed it a bit as i was finishing work

firstly you need a dedicated pc. if you use the pc for anything else its gonna be unstable, skip and freeze while doing a set.

i was using it on a quad core with 4gb ram with fresh install of xp and it still skipped and jumped

this isnt exclusive to pcs. the forums were full of people on macs with problems aswell

secondly, even if it was stable the xponent software is ****. there are key maps for traktor developed by volunteers which is a far better option but it has no support from maudio

effects are absolute ****. they sound so cheap its not even funny

the beatcounter is terrible and works on roughly 70% of tunes.

constant problems with soundcard drivers.

the xponent is a cheap option to a set of decks. youll regret not just buying real decks roughly 10 minutes after connecting it to the pc

i paid 370 sterling for mine and was happy to sell for 200 euro a couple of months later

the maudio forum is busy for a reason.

half the time your on using it, half the time your fixing it

Táck

i always thought that it crashed, unless you were using a mac but i suppose i only read that on a forum so should really take it as gospel.

thanks for the negative feedback as i thought the xponent was more or less going to get me a residency, maybe even my own night in ibiza next summer :P

just had a quick google search for not so good reviews and you werent lying...

http://www.djforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130425
http://www.torq-dj.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6278&sid=6b77487be1b7e6f19ad090d699f7c4e5
http://www.djtechtools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5197

"computer crashes" "MADE IN CHINA...GARBAGE" "i had an xponent, it blows dude return it." etc etc...

hmmmm.....the VCI-100 is back on my mind...

chrism2007

i remember reading m-audios solution to crashing on a mac

it was something along the lines of plug it onto the usb port furthest away from the soundcard

absolute ****.

so many excuses from them, so many updates that always seemed to be delayed

the xponent on paper looks good but in reality its a toy

im guessing a sizable chunk of there budget went on ads rather than programmers


if ya want to mix. buy decks. :pac:

colin29

Just get the VCI-100 with Traktor Pro, you'll need to get a soundcard but it's worth it.

Táck

colin, i was looking in tom lee's and they have them. good little dj room too you should go down. savage music shop in general though. i spent an hour in there easily. the production room should have installed peep show boxes and kleenex tissues when they were building it.

tis rent week and bills week so i wont be making any final calls for a week.

colin29

Táck wrote: »

colin, i was looking in tom lee's and they have them. good little dj room too you should go down. savage music shop in general though. i spent an hour in there easily. the production room should have installed peep show boxes and kleenex tissues when they were building it.

tis rent week and bills week so i wont be making any final calls for a week.

It's where I bought my VCI-100, damn fine store altogether, whatever you're into I'm sure they'd have it, I don'yt like the whole having to check in your bag at the door so you don't rob anything.

D Audio Tripper

colin29 wrote: »

Just get the VCI-100 with Traktor Pro, you'll need to get a soundcard but it's worth it.

What sound card do you use with it?

joker77

I have the VCI-100 SE (the black one) and think it's great - don't regret buying it one bit. I've got a Numark DJIO soundcard, which works fine but have heard good things about the M-Audio one.

I used it on Windows Vista for the first few months with Traktor 3, then Traktor Pro, and now with Windows 7.

The only time my O/S has ever bluescreened though was using this combination - it only happened once - when a track was playing I unplugged the USB cable from the VCI-100, Vista blue screened. As I say, this is the only time I've ever had a blue screen from using Vista for 2 years at home and in work, and was unsurprisingly hardware driver related.

D Audio Tripper

joker77 wrote: »

I have the VCI-100 SE (the black one) and think it's great - don't regret buying it one bit. I've got a Numark DJIO soundcard, which works fine but have heard good things about the M-Audio one.

I used it on Windows Vista for the first few months with Traktor 3, then Traktor Pro, and now with Windows 7.

The only time my O/S has ever bluescreened though was using this combination - it only happened once - when a track was playing I unplugged the USB cable from the VCI-100, Vista blue screened. As I say, this is the only time I've ever had a blue screen from using Vista for 2 years at home and in work, and was unsurprisingly hardware driver related.

How do you find using the effects with the 100?? Ummm so many different options and none of them are perfect IMO, Vestax are really milking the market for everything they can get aren't they!
I'd like a TR1 with build-in sound card, crossfader, jog wheels and a mouse pad... even4 channels so you don't have swap between deck A/C and B/D
I suppose eventually they'll design 'the perfect' controller..... after they a make a fortune off everyone first :rolleyes:

joker77

I find it really easy to use - and there are bundles of tutorials on djtechtools around effects and mapping etc, but to be honest I really just use the basic functionality and that does me fine.

The Kontrol from Native Instruments looks really good though, it's a cheaper option as well

Zascar

Do a search in this forum for Xponent under my username - i've talked about the pros and cons loads. It's a great unit but Traktor is better than Torq, so get the VCI-100SE from www.djtechtools.com and an Audio 2DJ if you want to use Traktor Pro.

Tricked

I got the Xponent in the end about 6 months ago and havn't had a problem with it yet. I'd love to use scratch vinyls or CDJs but can't afford them yet. The Xponent works perfectly for me, has yet to crash on me during a gig. Also it pays for itself after 2 gigs so worst case scenario is it's a relatively inexpensive lesson that will make up your mind on whether to invest in more heavy duty equipment.

It's ideal for bedroom DJing and messing around with effects. All the buttons are very easy to configure and it has some nice features like the XY pad that you generally don't use but are fun to mess around with. Instead of opting for decks I invested in a Macbook Pro and I'd do it again no doubt. The Xponent gets a bad rep but just trawl through the forums and be prepared to sort out a few glitches yourself.

barryd09

so what do you need to run the vci-100 etc?is there a souncard needed aswell?has anyone gone for one of the SE editions?

electrogrimey

barryd09 wrote: »

so what do you need to run the vci-100 etc?is there a souncard needed aswell?has anyone gone for one of the SE editions?

The 100 needs an external soundcard, like the NI Audio 2 DJ, or the Maya 44. The 300 has a built in soundcard.

barryd09

electrogrimey wrote: »

The 100 needs an external soundcard, like the NI Audio 2 DJ, or the Maya 44. The 300 has a built in soundcard.

is there the different firmware available for the 300 also?
v1.3?

colin29

D Audio Tripper wrote: »

What sound card do you use with it?

Audio 2 DJ, pretty good as far as I can tell, just as good sound as Audio 4 and Audio 8