apache-labs.com

Been reading through the posts and it’s a bit confusing.

The cmd pl-1 looks good but seems to be discontinued and I’m also looking at the two platter Hercules Inpulse 200 or 300 or Behringer CMD Micro or Hercules Starlight.

It seems the Behringer models do the variable step size based on speed of the platter moving which is appealing to me, do the Hercules models do this too?

Hard to figure out which of the many choices to pick. Anyone have a comparison write up?

What say you all?

It's really a very personal choice. The Hercules don't have multi-speed jog wheels AFAIK (neither of the ones I had/have do). What I did was sit down with a printed image of the controllers I was thinking about and penciled in the controls I wanted to support, playing with the layout until I thought I had something that would work for me. Ultimately I realized I did not need/want very many MIDI-fied controls and went with the relatively small and simple Hercules DJ Control Compact. It did everything I wanted and is small enough to push underneath my monitors when I'm not using it (most of the time I just use the mouse).

Thanks. So mapping the functions is a wash between the models really, they’ll just work.

Not sure I “need” one but today they are shiny.

Here's mine with more knobs and sliders

It's really a very personal choice. The Hercules don't have multi-speed jog wheels AFAIK (neither of the ones I had/have do). What I did was sit down with a printed image of the controllers I was thinking about and penciled in the controls I wanted to support, playing with the layout until I thought I had something that would work for me. Ultimately I realized I did not need/want very many MIDI-fied controls and went with the relatively small and simple Hercules DJ Control Compact. It did everything I wanted and is small enough to push underneath my monitors when I'm not using it (most of the time I just use the mouse).

HI Scott, good afternoon - Does this controller work with Thetis 2.6.9?

The controllers work with both PowerSDR and Thetis, and support for them goes back many versions so 2.6.9 is perfectly fine.

Hi Scott,

Has Hercules Starlight Compact which seems very similar to your controler been successfully used for this task ?
I can get one for a good price and would like to test it.
Which labeling system did you use ?

73s

Phil FM5GB.

Phil,

I'm not aware of anyone having tried that one, but it sure looks promising.

I used a Brother P-Touch with a combination of white-on-black and black-on-clear tapes. I used leftover black tape to cover original markings that I didn't want to show.

73,

Scott

Thank you Scott !

Best 73s Phil

I now have a DJConrol Compact controller working with my 7000DLE. Any idea how to activate/deactivate the LED backlighting of the eight translucent pushbuttons when a button is pressed?

Paul, W9AC

In the Button Down Event field put SSYY7F.

In the Button Up Event field put SSYY00.

Understand that this is not a modeless function. The state of the button lighting only follows MIDI button presses. If you change the setting using the mouse on the normal UI the state of the button lighting will not track those changes. Maybe someday we'll be blessed with a developer interested in adding that functionality.

w-u-2-o wrote:In the Button Down Event field put SSYY7F.

In the Button Up Event field put SSYY00.

Understand that this is not a modeless function. The state of the button lighting only follows MIDI button presses. If you change the setting using the mouse on the normal UI the state of the button lighting will not track those changes. Maybe someday we'll be blessed with a developer interested in adding that functionality.

Scott, that worked like a charm. Thanks. The only remaining issue is that the right large rotary knob I have assigned to VFO B has the same Control ID as the #1 translucent button on the right button bank. They both share Control ID 49 and that's causing a problem. I don't see a way to separate and re-assign one of them, but no doubt I'm missing something in the setup.

Paul, W9AC

That's absolutely correct, Paul, you are not making any mistakes.

The DJControl Compact has a very interesting feature that I have not yet exploited, mostly because I'm happy with the buttons I have. On this controller you can actually assign 4 different functions to each of the white buttons, except for right-hand button #1 which, as you pointed out Paul, is limited to 3 functions.

The way you can access the other button modes is to hold the MODE button down and press white button 1, 2, 3 or 4. The indicators over the white buttons will show Loop, FX, Sample or Cue, as appropriate. This works separately for each of the left and right bank of white buttons.

I had thought about making labels split into four quadrants for the white buttons, but ultimately decided I didn't need more functions than I already had.

One way to use this capability would be to have different sets of buttons for SSB, CW, etc. Another possible use would have you setting the right bank into MODE 2 (FX) so you get all four buttons.

Once you get it relatively stable, it would be interesting if you would post a photo of your button assignments, Paul.

73!

Scott

That's awesome, Scott. I moved the default to "FX" for both button banks and it cleared the issue. I do have a P-Touch printer with black-on-clear tape but I may need to purchase a white-on-black cartridge.

I didn't think one of the MIDI controllers would be right for me but I'm enjoying it very much. Apart from the glitches described above, the setup was surprisingly easy.

Paul, W9AC

I'm a recent owner of an Anan 7000dle. I wanted to add a midi controller to have some hard controls for the radio. I found and bought one ofthe smaller DJ controllers like the one in the 2nd posting above.

For me there were 2 determining factors; price and number of knobs. The smaller Hercules controller met both these factors. The price was good and the number of knobs is almost enough. I'd have liked one more knob but not willing to pay 2 to 3 times the cost.

My current setup with the DJControl Compact controller, but subject to change with use. VFO A right wheel, VFO B left. Filter step below left wheel, Tuning step below right wheel. VFO Lock center below each wheel.

As of this posting, the DJControl Compact is USD $59.99 from several on-line vendors.

Paul, W9AC

Operating position in back of Logitech Bluetooth keyboard. Pay no attention to the IC-7610.

Paul, w9AC

Widescreen view of the operating position. Adjustable-intensity LED lighting under the riser. Studio mic can be seen above left monitor. Old faithful D104 still used on the desktop. Custom designed ultra hi-fi mic preamps in front of the LP-700 wattmeter.

Paul, W9AC

Nice job, Paul.

Was using the DJ Compact which works great and is about $60, but just got the CMD Studio 2a and absolutely love the feel of those wheels, specially the fact that they move the freq faster if you move them faster.... The feel is absolutely amazing. Keeping it for sure. $99 at adorama so very acceptable compared to the DJCompact.

I bought the Hercules DJControl Starlight. It has Serato, whatever that is. I downloaded it but I have no idea of what it is supposed to do. In any case, the Starlight will not work. When I spin the wheel and call it VFO A and assign it, it works sporadically. When I assign a knob to VFO A audio, it works oddly. First, when I select it and move the knob, the selection screen starts flickering, a long time. Then when I'm finished, it works badly. From very quiet audio to full blast audio. Is there a way to calm things down. BTW, I also have a CMD Studio 2a and it works fine. I was looking for a smaller form factor. The Starlight refuses to work with either PowerSDR or Thetis. Is there anything that can be done to fix it or is Serato a no-go?
73,
Harry K1RSA

Uninstall Serato, you don't need it. Reboot. See how things work after that.

The DJControl Compact is about the same size and works perfectly.

Thanks for the advice Scott. I removed Serato, rebooted, and the Starlight still would not work so back it goes. I've ordered a DJ Control Compact, something I should have done in the first place. Duhhh
73, Harry K1RSA

Hi all

I have the same problem with a Starlight here too.
I'm considering the purchase of a Compact also.
Since I've been retired I have so much things to do
(many ham do-it-yourself projects in progress, gardening,
hiking etc) that I did'nt investigate with the Midi translator.

Merry Christmas to all of you.

73s Phil FM5GB

Harry/Phil, thanks for the info about the Starlight, that saved me and possibly others from buying the wrong one.

I stopped hassle around with the half working Behringer X-Touch One (so don't buy that One guys) and just ordered a DJControl Compact too. I learned one thing if you know that a particular brand/model works good then don't wait to long. Most midi consoles don't stay long on the market and successor models don't work always. Two VFO's wheels are better anyway.

Hey peeps, I'm wondering id this is the one from Hercules controllers that works the Anan 8000dle?
HERCULES DJCONTROL COMPACT DJ CONTROLLER W EFFECTS & DJUCED SOFTWARE
Any info is highly appreciated, thanks!

BIGBOY wrote:Any info is highly appreciated, thanks!

Just read this thread and you will have your answer. No sense in repeating ourselves

Thanks for the reply its just that all I read on this topic was the "DJ CONTROL COMPACT"only and haven't read it with the "EFFECTS AND DJUCED SOFTWARE". I just want to make sure that what I'm getting is the right one.

It's the same unit. You will not need to install the DJuced software, just the MIDI drivers.

Thanks Scott, much appreciated!