Hi All
I am thinking to build a mixer to use with traktor3.0 .
At the momnet I am planning to use approx 24 push buttons, 31 pots, 2encoders 2 adafruit trellis (4x4) and two 16X2 LCD display -> although I need to check whether it is possible to output the names of the Effects used by traktor via midi back to the board ( I am not sure about this actually). Plus a bunch of LEDs.
What board would you recommend? I will surely need to use some multiplexer, but I suppose it's better to start with a lot of pins....
What are You talking about?
Hopefully some other helper picks up the thread.
when you planning anyway 24 buttons, then why using additional expensive "adafruit trellis (4x4)" ?
becasue the adafruit trellis have rubber pads that are very good ( I have used them in another project and I was very ahppy with them). The ones I had were the previous version (monochrome). The only problem with them is they are not velocity sensitive, but for this project it doesnt matter. I will use them for playback cue etc and to lanch samples.
the other buttons are for mid high and low kills, effect selections and other few things.
I dont think Iwill be using the lcd as I doubt traktor will output the names of the effects... I have beel looking into it and can't find nothing about it. At the moment I am thinking to use a leonardo, but I am not sure. Mega has more output but Leonardo is "midi ready". I have used the teensy 2.0 in a past project which was good. I could consider a teensy with more outputs I suppose.
i think it is feasible with Uno, then by using Serial port, you need: MIDI Output shield(and MIDI-to-USB converter) OR the program "Hairless MIDI" on PC to redirect serial to MIDI input of PC and then Cubase(Ableton or what you want) will see it.
without LCD you can attach 5-pin DIN connector instead of MIDI shield. you will need 2x 220 Ohm resistors.
but with LCD it will much superior. do you able to send MIDI command back to this device?
because we can store effect names and call it by number. for example, when we receiving a note from channel 15(command 0x9F) then next two bytes we can using as a message, like: "file 120; line 127"
I have done midi controllers before but never transmitted strings. midi message can be sent back to the midi controller (midi feedback) for example to light LEDs, but I don't know how to do this for strings. Yes it is possible with a uno, but I don't want to struggle with midi or use "hairlessmidi". Th eleonardo and teensy I have used is a better choice thant that I think.
ok, but instead of Leo better take "Sparkfun Pro Micro" a.k.a. "Arduino Pro Micro", it is smaller.
you don't need to send full string, you can store it in sketch or in file on SD card, and midi feedback can bring number of line in that file, this line will be shown in display which number will be in the second byte of feedback message.
it is convenient instead of bare LCD to use a LCD with I2C backpack
and maybe LCD with more symbols, f.e. 2402
@kolaha
Thank you very much, I will check out the pro micro and also what you mention about the midi feedback! So basically if I understand it correct Traktor sends a midi message with the number of the effect selected?
yes. we can use note that usually never used, like note 1 and velocity will mean number of line, if it bigger as 64 means the right LCD( and line is = Velocity - 64)
I understand the logic, but I am not sure that I understand how it works in this case.
I have done this with midi controllers with Cubase and Ableton live but never with traktor.
I give you an example with cubase: if I assign a midi message (ie CC 15 value 127) to... let's say "selected channel solo", when I press the button sending that midi message the solo button lights up. Now cubase also sends back a feedback message to the controller (CC15
value 127) so if I want an LED to track the state of my "selected channel solo" in my code I will use a statement to light up that LED when CC15 value 127 message is received.
But in Traktor what kind of message do I get back when I select effects from the effect racks? Would it be the same? for example I set an encoder sending message on Ch 1 CC 20 value 127 to increase the selection and value 0 to decrease it. Will Traktor send back a midi message on cc 20 value X (where x is the number of the selected effects?)
wait, when PC says back what is sent to it, we need no feedback, bc we know what we sending. i thought the problem is to follow changes made in the cubase, you choosing one effect for the channel on the screen and the name of this particular effect should appear on Tracktor controller display.
I will need to test Traktor and what messages it sends back when changing effects. I can do that with bome midi translator. I will let you know.
The disadvantage of just tracking what we are sending is that if you change the effects directly on tractor with you mouse, or with another controller, the LCD will not update and then everything is screwed up.
so, Tracktor is a program, not a device
Yes it's a DJ software from Native Instruments, I have version 3.0. There are devices for controlling it like Traktor S4 or S8, quite nice but expensive.
I am planning to build one similar to the S4 but simpler.
maybe TracktorS4 sending some sort commands via USB and Tracktor v.4 translate it in MIDI actions
https://www.musiconerd.com/projects/traktorino/
This is Gustavo, the guy that basically introduce me to coding when I decided to build my first midi controller. He built "Traktorino" something similar to what I want to do but I am planning to make it four channels.
I can see that he used the micro for his project😊
I think the S4 works with exclusive messages that are way beyond my ability, but I could be wrong.
where? i see he using Arduino Uno
You are correct . He is using the micro for his other project:
https://www.musiconerd.com/projects/fliper-dj/