S4 - Fx tricks in midi mode (new user video)

**Yul** · 01-20-2011, 04:52 PM

I copy here the video's description:

Because of the fast communication protocol (generally used), many people tend to forget that the S4 is ALSO one of the best midi controllers out there. Facing the difficulties to be limited on how you can manage different FX parameters with the jogwheels or some buttons, I decided to have a go at a FX management midi mode to pull out quickly some tricks. The idea was to be able either to play with the buttons like pads ( a bit like a midi-fighter) or emulate with the jogwheel and faders - in this case the pitch fader - the juggle mode from the VCI100.

The video is only here to 'showcase' what is the endless potential that you could add to the existing S4's embedded mapping. You can see I switch to midi mode as the browse button will lit in blue (and I've created some led behaviours on the sample play buttons).

Only two tracks mixed basically here and me playing with the FX combinations I set up. As I said this is a test, I usually don't twist songs that much with effects so please be gentle with me .

The coloured faders were painted blue & white to match decks' colour code with some acrylic paint but comes originally from Djs face like the orange knobs used on all D/W knobs.

Playlist:
Kenny Larkin - You are (Planet E communications)
Hobo - Berlin booty (Minus)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF0VsLlq0Fc

Hope it will give you some ideas.

**IrishBlaggard** · 01-20-2011, 05:35 PM

very nice... you sure know your way around your S4

kudos

**photojojo** · 01-20-2011, 06:21 PM

Very nice as usual. I especially like your sample button volume meters. I'm in the middle of working on an S4 companion mapping for my Midi Fighter. What are some of the FX combos you're using?

**Yul** · 01-20-2011, 08:00 PM

For the leds on the sample buttons, it's a modified beat phase monitor(s) settings. I just divided the range 4 times so each one pulses one after the other.

For the buttons:

I'm using Fx units in pairs so units 1&3 are either for decks a&c or both, units 2&4 for decks b&d. The 8 buttons (HT & samples) usually control the 1st or 2nd unit depending on which side you're working on, the 'sync', 'cue' & 'play' buttons generally control the 3 & 4 units likewise.

Note: I'll edit the post later to answer your question, I need to open Traktor once again and it's quite late here (2am), I'll come back tomorrow. Thanks for your comments.