So here it is. The first DJ controller manufactured by Native Instruments is going to be available in February for  $229 (€199) It’s called the Kontrol X1 and is the same controller shown in the Ritchie Hawtin video we posted on here a while back. The X1 is a dedicated 2-deck controller with FX, loops, loading and transport controls for 2 decks for Traktor, BUT and its a big but is it lacks mixer controls, which sucks. We were really looking forward to this launch,however it wastes buttons on Tap tempo which no one uses anyway as they beatmatch before using in Traktor! Why wait four months to release this when it looks like they’d be good to go now, i think we’ll be keeping our wallets in our pockets for the time being. And $50 just for a bag to carry it in? wtf!

So the wait goes on for a dedicated all in one traktor controller at a reasonable price. First company to realise this is on to a winner. Seems so simple? Yes

More news of it here from Ean Golden and his posse at Djtechtools.com

OK edit some of what we just said!, maybe we got a little ahead of ourselves as we just got a look at some vids over on Native Instruments website amd we’re warming to it a little……. or actually maybe a lot!

After years on the software side of DJing, it appears that Native Instruments is finally producing its own DJ controller. Richies got a new toy to play with and we want one too! Here he is trying it out last week in Berlin @ Saturday Adventure Club and we’d imagine he used this at the Contakt show too. No news on a release date yet.

excerpt from djtechtools.com

“In this video he is using:

2 of the new controllers for FX and loops

+ 1 Maschine (for  sample triggering)

+ 1 analog mixer for levels and EQ

= A modular FX/transport controller  for Traktor Pro?

Normally Ritchie uses the Allen & Heath Xone 3D, and it looks like these two NI controllers may make a good replacement for the now aging Xone 1D. It might also be very useful for people with two deck controllers who need extra control over one more deck or the additional FX units in Traktor 1.2. Don’t hold your breath on a release date; this is an early teaser with no word on when it will hit shelves, so chances are high it won’t come out until some time next year.“

Also here is an amazing video of Richie Hawtin during his 7hr set! at Time Warp Mannheim 2009 this year. Here he is messing round using NI’s Maschine. Only he could pull this off, he’s the most hands on dj going!

Pete Tong goes to Berlin to meet the creators of Traktor (Native Instruments) and their best buddy Richie Hawtin. Richie talks in depth about the first time he saw a computers potential with mp3’s way back in 1999 to the day himself and friends split ways over arguments about digital vs vinyl. He also talks with excitement about new NI products such as their Drum machine (Maschine) and its capabilities along with his excitement for a few upcoming shows, in particular his b2b set with Ali Dubfire at Exit and playing alongside Josh Wink who also uses Traktor on the Cocoon terrace in early August. (Wish I could see that!)

Anyway its a great listen with a few ok tracks thrown in between. Enjoy!