Native Instruments Kontrol X1  First Impressions.

by MO7S

control surface

Native Instruments Kontrol X1  First Impressions.

I didn’t think i was going to get my filthy fingers on this thing until I was tipped off by a gypsy of its whereabouts. The guy at guitar center thought I was crazy, but was willing to hold it for me until days end.

My first impressions begin with the concept thats riddled my fingers for some decades…no more key commands.The barrage of applications and logical abbreviations of actions turned key macros, has forever made my brain a complex environment.But there are other things to think about. my mix, my progression, my cue points,  my loop ins and loop outs.

I un-boxed the product to be presently surprised with a useless multi language pamphlet and quick start guide. Save the whales and give a pdf next time. This piece of gear is far too intuitive to RTFM.

I plugged it in and booted it up Traktor. The results were instantaneous. Every time I’d raise my key command claws to my laptop, I’d trigger back, for my new little friend conveniently tucked in between my mixer and left cdj.

Browsing is a snap. Scroll with the endless encoder on each respective side  (Deck A/Deck B) until you reach your favorite jam, and push it in. Track loaded.

Play allows you to get it the party started, while SYNC prevents those nights where you had too much to drink. I’ve dubbed this button, the Drunken Disaster Blaster. Cue buttons allow you to reach that special part of the track, you’ve chosen as your start point.

The second endless encoders is where the fun begins. scroll left or right to determine your loop length. Push in to engage. Ah the beauty of the extended mix. Above this section lay your effects units and potentiometers. you can chain up to 3 effects at a time, which can be assigned to master or track.

To sum this up quickly and efficiently, those of you searching for the right way to stop loading finicky TSI files, and using 3rd party controllers that don’t grab right, or just plain hassle to setup. Native instruments has delivered the easiest piece of gear to install in their history!!! No bullshit service center ballistics to get thru. If your a Traktor pro user, just plug and play. A much needed approach in regards to Native Instruments ease of use install scenarios. Blarg!!!!

I foresee another version of this coming, perhaps integrated as a mixer and sound card. The demand exceeds the supply with this product and for good reason. Its simplicity allows you to get started, without going to Traktors endless control preferences.

4.9 out of 5.0

Pros: Rugged design. TSI’s not necessary. Ease of use. Intuitive layout. Works with Serato and has a template cover. Kensington lock.

Cons: No link out usb (for chaining x1’s) Another usb device on a laptop. Not flush with mixer without accessory. Stop wasting paper and give me PDF’s.

salute!!

MO7S