Traktor Kontrol F1: How And Why To Add One To Your Set-up 

Holy schermoly!! After wanting something a bit more robust and professional ive just ordered a Z2/X1/F1 package without really knowing what ive let myself in for. Im glad I have,

My setup consists of a traktor z2, 2 f1's for live finger drumming and loop/clip launching, a midi fighter spectra for transport controls, and a maschine mikro mk2 with a custom mapping for beatmashing and effects.

Just what I was looking for. A good clear explanation of how the F1 would fit into a current DJ's setup. Buying mine today :)

i have both. the integration is insane. you can render loops in maschine really quickly and drop them right into your remix decks. if you dont plan on building your own loops and samples, definitely get the f1 first

Pretty useful... if you want to use the Remix Decks, of course.

Good job Phil! Djing is not only about gear functionality, it's also about find YOUR inspiration and put that into gear. You can use remix deck with keyboard and mouse and then decide to buy F1. An important news in Traktor 2.5 is you can load a full song into a sample/remix deck and this can be very useful in some situations...

Hello I’m a producer drummer. Getting into finger drumming which I absolutely love. And won’t ever stop doing it. The way I practice my finger drumming is by playing backing bass / percussion/ synths or samples on the background and I finger drum for hour. And this device particularly has the perfect layup to do thAt kind of performing. Not a dj at all. But I know there is art in the craft and I know I can integrate it to my live set.

I count on you for reviews now. Especially at 12:29 your honesty makes me want this even more in my maschine studio set up.

I'm playing with the idea of a Z2 and F1 to go with my Maschine Mikro Mk2. That is, after I make it through the entire Maschine Manual and get 2 tracks done, 1 mashup, and some samples and loops ready for my first "routine".... That is my goal by new years. My setup would be at least one good vinyl turntable(I have 2 cheap ones for now) and one CD/Media player, such as a Denon. For now, I have lots to keep me busy for the rest of 2014! Thanks again for all that you folks do! Keep Shining...... Moonshadow

I am going back to using this bad boy. Interesting to see how your production has changed for the better lately. Cheers!

Just bought an F1 used for $140 at Guitar Center. I'm happy.

To Digital DJ Tips: Thanks for the good profound info Phil. I'm learning from you Sir.

i think ill probably pick one of these up. started practicing back in oct when i got my S2, and i like using loops.

I definitely see this as a huge addition for S2 owners specifically. The cost of an S2+F1 will be less than that of an S4 and provide so much more versatility. This is of course assuming you don't want to be playing 3-4 actual tracks at once, and want to be using samples.

this video is about the F1 but I will answer your question about the X1. you need a traktor audio4 (a4) or a6, or a8, or a10. the input to the audio interface is by USB on your computer and the output are two sets of RCAs which you plug into your DJM 900 into channel 1 and 2 or however you want it to correspond to your Traktor decks 1 and 2

no you do not need to buy an X1 unless you want to utilize the "dead deck" you would have left over with Traktor in 4Decks mode. the X1 is redundant in many ways to the s2. unless you mapped half the controller to other functions, you would be spending $200 for Half of a controller just to control deck D. in addition, its easier to just set up User mode on the F1 to control Deck D, and use the faders and such for chained FX, while leaving the Remix mode to Deck C, with A & B still on your S2.

i just ordered my F1, cant wait to test it out ! maschine will be next for sure :D

This is how i play : Traktor S8 with F1 Controller, Roland Mx-1 Mixer, Tr-8, Touchline Bass TB-3, Roland Voice Transformer VT-3 and System 1 and if needed a Roland 202 Controller. Thanks to DDJT, i have grown in my music production, being a DJ to me is more than playing other peoples tracks but also producing my own and is great to use the F1 Controller to achieve my sets!

That Mikro is versitile. I've even seen a guy scratching with a knob on there by mapping it to his transport control... It's a good machine as far as I can tell.

Phil. Great video here. I am just sinking my teeth so to speak with the F1 and it is absolutely spectacular. I would like to see a video of you putting together some of the things you spoke about in this video in a small live performance. I think that would be great to see some of your ideas at work.

Hey Phil, thanks for the low-down on this device. I've been holding back on getting one of these but you've answered quite a few 'lay-man' questions I have thus I'll be ordering soon. Cheers buddy.

So many decisions, i currently have the traktor kontrol s2. I want to upgrade by either getting the s4, the numark 4trak, or getting this. This in itself has so much potential. I really want control over hotcues i usualy use up to 8 per track. But I also want to have control over my remix decks.

I think you're totally right..in a sense that this is for DJ who's getting out of the rookie phase. My question is, I'm actually a CDJ and I just want to be able to add overlayed loops and beats here and there..can I use this kontrol f1 in conjunction with CDJ setup or do I need to convert my whole gig setup to digital?

I use an x1 that is mapped to a keystroke emulator to make use of SP-6 in Itch. It's a makeshift fix, however, since you can only use it to trigger samples - once you hit the button, the sample will play all the way through.

a lot's of thanks totally agree!

Great video my man. Very useful information in regards to the APPLICATIONS that the F1 may have in the game. Good stuff :)

very good idea with the remix sets with favourite stuff ordered by key! i think that is what i am going to do first too :)

One of the things making me really consider this is that you get Traktor 2.5 with it ..... Great if you don't have it yet! :)

Fantastic video. My F1 is in the mail and I'm trying to find out how I can apply it to my sets. Very informative!

you can NOT apply independent FX to each individual sample, if thats what you're asking. only to each Deck. you can turn off the FX on each bank though, even if the FX are routing to the rmx deck. if you're fast on the controls you should be able to achieve the desired effect, since you can only run one sample per bank at once... in this case, I'd use macros for FX deck 3 and 4 in group mode.

I was so confused when the thumbnail for this video showed the X1 rather than the F1. :P Anyway great vid Phil, I've actually ordered one, on top of DJing I produce a bit and I was hoping to use this for experimenting on how to play my own tracks more than just "hitting play".

Once again... A great video piece. Very comprehensive.

That's exactly the kind of information I was looking for about this product. What you can do with it! I have a Maschine Mikro I can also insert into the workflow. Thanks.

it really depends. i went to guitar center and got my first, yea first one and it came with it. as i was moving something i dropped it and the udb cord pushed the usb input and messed it up. this one came with the newest traktor pro download. than i jst recently ordered another f1 and it came with an evoucher for native instruments. if you go to a music store itll say it on the box whether it come with the software or an evoucher. its not on disc either you have to donwload it off the n.i. site

How to connect DJ's? easy. You will need Traktor Scratch Pro ( I had Traktor Scratch Duo, but it didn't work) , and once you download it you want to connect the F1 to the usb of your laptop, and the "main out" of your Traktor audio to your mixer. The audio will play out of your main out.

I'm using a Numark Mixdeck with Traktor and have been thinking of solutions to get control over the remix decks and cue points. This vid has been great help to understand how to use for the remix decks, but I'm correct in saying that this can't be used for cue points, right?

Do review on that desk. I need to buy one like that.

Its a shame it doesn't have some more of the advanced features Ableton allows in clip view - i've been using Ableton to DJ to do all the things you can do with remix decks with the APC40, and add on and Maschine since 2007 (originally using Allen and Heath midi controller) being able to set it up to follow the next clip in the list after X amount of loops of the previous clip as you can in Ableton would be perfect for pieces together breaks and fills etc, and effectively having the entire song multi-track retriggerable.

Thank you so much for that was very informative!

You can't hook this up to CDJ's, because it's essentially a MIDI controller. It won't work without software. You could use timecode cd's, but I don't think that's what you're looking for.

@Austin Wells: You're going to want to either use your ears, (if you can, and is an excellent talent for a dj/producer to have) or you can just run it through some sort of analyse.

If I wanted to spend about $500 total including an F1 what would be a good digital mixer with jog wheels to go with it that would work with Traktor 2.5. Something similar functionality wise to the Traktor S2 + F1 except a bit cheaper

At 11:58 ish... Kudos ;) great idea

Can you control everything Remixrelated with a generic controller? I read rumors about the F1 being the only controller to control the remix decks. it's the basic features im mainly interested in. Trigger samples and loops from Maschine in midimode to be precise. Thanks for the video!

I am between this and the kontrol x1 cus I just don't know which one I would use more

i play reggae and want to be able to quick fire sound effects and jingles i have tried this with my s2 but the sample button works like a play pause not like a cue point for example and remix deck becomes the master with the my songs playing at ridiculous speeds, i sold my sp404 sampler thinking my s2 would be a one box solution to my setup. can these problems be solved with a tweak of the settings and if so how ??? or will the f1 be the answer ?

hello for digital tips ,i'm going to buy dj controller and one software,and am comparing between two software and 2 controllers which is (traktor +x1contoller) or (crossdj 2.0 + u-mix controller from mix vibes),waiting for u reply asap ,thank u for ur reply from now :) cheers

I kept staring at the 2 sliders n either end hoping he'll push them down and make them uniform with the other 2

HI WHAT IS THE NAME OF THOSE SPEAKERS ? Thank you soooo much

The brand is called KRK. I have the same at home :)))

there is on the X1

Thanks a million and would it be working perfectly fine even though when you are not using it with the Native Instrument's S4 mk 2 or other controllers .... i am wanting to use Traktor Pro so i am looking for the best and reliable option since i am finding XDJ RX not much creative as compared to the S4 mk2 ... i am confused please help me to select in terms of what to buy or go for XDJ RX or S4 mk2 .... also i have never been a software DJ so just worried about the software freezing or crashing .... please help me as i would be very grateful to you sir .... thanks a ton once again .....

So if i put a x1 and f1 together its just like a full controller without the tunrtables?

My mate just said it would be good with a midi remapping to control the effects... hmm!

Very interesting insight Phil.

Don't suppose you know, is it possible to re map all of the functions of two F1s to an APC40 or would it be limited?

I'm considering buying a controller, and I want to get into production as well. should I get this because its cheaper or wait until I have a little more money to get a maschine. I'm a turntablist running traktor 2.5 thanks in advance!

@DigitalDJTips would you recommend this for beginners?

traktor +control f1 or crossdj +umix controller??what is the difference?? and do u think the quality of sound in unix is professional ??

i am using a pioneer DDJ-T1 and the F1. How do i record samples onto my F1 from a track i have playing or from the mic? So i can break down a tune into a sample set and play it in any order on my F1. thanks danny

I am getting one but my only concern is that I dont have any dj hardware. Can I just hook this up to the laptop and will it work or do I need to buy something else also

Interesting indeed.

Is it possible to use remix decks without the F1? I mean, is it easy, practically-speaking? I'd like to see a tutorial somewhere on using remix decks with the S2 Kontrol mkii WITHOUT the F1...

yes ... but with no sound card... must use card on board (PC)

i want to get an f1 and have an s2 I'm wandering if i want to play 2 tracks and have a separate remix deck if i need to buy an x1 with it. sorry for making it bait confusing :P

You Bought Me At Remix With Stems

Could you post the midi mappings? I can't seem to map my launch pad

Great video! Can this hardware be used with a Numark Onmi Controller?

If I have traktor on my laptop and a Pioneer DJM 900 mixer, how can I hook up the Kontrol x1 to the mixer?

I have a kontrol s2 and i wonder if i need an x1 if i still want 2 track decks in a and b

Nobody know what this is for.......that's what makes it awesome.

hey. If I used a Behringer deck along side the F1, would they work together? or does it all need to be native instrument decks?

Hi there, please pardon my ignorance as I am brand new into digital music production. I'm interested in using samples and cutting up songs- kinda like Crystal Castles, Pictureplane or the remixes of HEALTH on the Disco 2 album. Would you say, therefore, that this would be a good investment for me? Or would you recommend something else? Also, can I in theory use the F1 as a sampler? Thank you very much.

this video is exactly what i was looking for. nice work. sub +1

Have you managed to midi map it to all slots on the remix deck?

u can ue f1 simply as a mixer also no controling traktor software

Quick question; I have Stanton SCS.3m & the F1 BUT, one of the decks on my Stanton doesn't show up on my Traktor. Is there any way I can use the F1 as a main deck rather than just a deck 3 or 4?

hi , so i wanna buy a behringer djx900 and a reloop contour as cd player on traktor and i have a maschine mikro now but can i use my mikro as loop ? i can't find an working mapping for it

Can it be used in DAW's as a mock when making music

Can this be also used with Pioneer's XDJ RX ... ??

what would you recommend for a beginner

You're talking about stems quite a bit, and I find the concept interesting. Do you know where I could find/buy some stems?

I have a large music collection and I've always wanted them to be arranged in key. Any ideas on a quick way or software that will add key information to each track?

i hav numark 4 trak is the Maschine Mikro MK2 or the kontrol f1dj controller is good to use

Why would you want to? They're Traktor devices and the Pioneer is a Serato controller.

Hi,I have serato but currently thinking of getting traktor software and using the F1 as a nice way to create a live Techno set.what are your thoughts?worth getting or should i get the software and use another controller?I have the Akai LPD8,small but effective.. The only reason Im thinking traktor is so i dont have to spend hours mapping and beat gridding.tcan just sink,not my prefered choice of DJing(i still use cdj's and beatmix)but for a creative live longer set thought it could be cool?

worth getting if i already use a midi fighter and an efx-500 ?

so if i get an s2 and the f1 will be mcuh better than getting the s4?

I feel stupid for asking this but do you have to have a deck to use with it for the F1 to work?

it´s also possible on vms4 with traktor

Hi there, being new on the field, I would like a recommendation from you, if I may. I was wondering whether I should buy a 4 channel mixer, traktor x1 and f1, or just start with the traktor s4 controller and then add other devices in the future. I am really keen to do a big shop, but need to know what's more suitable for me! Your answer is much appreciated. Ciao

good shit mate, very informative

great review cheers

Hi Phil, do you know if anyone is selling those chopped up songs in stem format? If so, where can one buy get them? Waiting for one of these babies to arrive in mail any day now!

hey i wanted to ask someone who actually bought one, how is the mikro working out for you? because i want to start making music and i probably won't have enough money to get the original so i might just go with the mikro

I have a A &H Xone DX and I bought a kontrol F1 can I hook the two up?

Does it work with the vms 4.1 using VDJ too? or only with traktor assigned controllers?

I can't seem to find the video you made showing how to copy from a different channel to a remix cell. Is it capture you used. Im trying to remember how to copy loops from different channels & create my own remix deck Do you remember or still have that video posted?

Hey I was just wondering if there is a note-repeat type of function on the controller?

Just Clarifying @06:34 you say that the f1 will allow my S4 MK2 to be mapped for 8 cue points. I assume the 4 play buttons above cues 1-4 now become cues 5-8. Correct?