Faderfox, Boutique German DJ + Live Controllers, Get Refresh, USB
Ready for some superior German engineering in your controller hardware? Before the APC or the Launchpad, before the Kontrol X1 from NI, Faderfox was the underground, boutique choice for controllers. “Professionally” made in Germany, the devices really are little tanks. They have incredibly solid-feeling buttons and knobs, and as opposed to the sprawling form factors of the consumer controllers, all that power is packed into a compact case. Whereas many controller layouts are combinations of relatively generic compromises, the Faderfox has also been tightly optimized for use with software like Traktor and Ableton Live.
That’s not to say the previous Faderfox wasn’t without some idiosyncrasies. In undying devotion to MIDI, they contained only MIDI DIN ports – no USB. That also meant that, for power, you needed to either plug them in or use 9V batteries.
No more: a refresh to the model improves controls, and adds driver-less USB support and USB bus power. That means you can plug them into any Mac, Windows, or Linux PC directly, without the need for drivers, and power from your computer reliably without an additional connection. (The power consumption on these devices is also very low, at 500mW / 100mA – a big deal, as the actual power produced by laptop USB ports can be unreliable.)
Advanced digital DJs should also appreciate the new access to four decks and four effects slots. As before, different models cater to different applications, like loop control or DJ mixing. Curiously, the references to Ableton Live have been largely removed, and you won’t find a model for triggering clips, but I don’t see why the DJ-style layouts couldn’t be used for live PA-style Live sets, too.
The only bad news (depending on preference): no more endless encoders. I should just have a static page on CDM that I can link to that points out that endless encoders and knobs with limited range each have their own advantages and their own adherents. But from comments, current FaderFox owners aren’t pleased with the change.
We’ve got pictures of all the models here.
There’s only one downside to the USB embrace, which is that you don’t get the ability to control synths and hardware; the MIDI DIN connections are gone. So, if you were coupling one of these with a Machinedrum or something, you may want to seek out the old models before they’re gone.
I still love my second-generation Faderfoxes, but this could be reason to upgrade for those with some extra cash, and it removes the obstacles that might have frightened people away from this line in the past. I really have to say, while the prices are high, the quality is exceptional. I’ll be in touch with creator Mathias more to talk about how to best set up these controllers for your rig.
There’s also a new, more extensive site, replacing the more primitive predecessor:
http://www.faderfox.de/
So, any devoted Faderfox users out there?
What about Ableton Live? See comments below; Faderfox’s creator is readying a new Live controller, too, and a successor to the previous LV2. Stay tuned.
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10 Comments so far
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An LV3 sounds like it will be the next addition to my Live rig. Keep up the great work guys!
I had a German friend help me aquire an LV1 several years ago and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s been completely dependable, and is really well designed, versatile and compact… These new controllers look super.
@faderfox: Can’t wait for the updated LV2. Sounds like a winner! I turned Mort Subotnick on to the LV2 and now it’s his only touring controller.
i’ve got a DJ2
fantastic device – really solid and great feel to it… and now with the novation launchpad i’ve got my perfect dj/liveset hybrid control setup
tho maybe the new live orientated faderfox i’ll be having when i get the urge to buy somethin new!
and a sideffect of owning one – they are pretty rare, ppl are curious about it and more than once after playing my set i have wondered around with it still running on its batteries – pretending to mix from the dancefloor lol
I luuurve my faderfoxes. I’ve currently got 2 LV1s and a LD2, and had a DJ1 for a long time too… all bought on ebay so I didn’t feel the pain so much… Fantastic quality, and I really like the modular approach to controllers that it fosters. I’m sure I’ll pick up one of the new breed at some point, but I quite like the midi ports. I often use one of them with my Fireworx to turn it more into an instrument, and another one teams up nicely with a Nord MicroModular to create a really portable and fun noise machine.
i wish i had the loot for one. = it would be perfect for my MSI WIND netbook triple boot OS travel DJ setup.
man…. i just picked up a dj2…
i’d have to say…. it upped my fx by 3000%…
i used to just chain multi fx to a couple buttons…
now i gotta window looper (think teaspoon), phrase looper, bitcrushers, dubdelays, filters, kills and stutters like mad…. all from this lil compact tank of a controller… these things really kick ass… highly recommended…. easy to setup…. sting!
I forgot to mention that there are not only standard pots on my new line.
have a look to the FT3, there are only encoders (all the knobs without the white indicator).
on each of the new models you find a mix of different control types because some things need the perfect feeling of the full control range and others must have this jump free feature.
actually I work on a successor for the LV2.
anyhow it is a mix between LV1 & LV2:
- 8 tracks
- 5 encoders
- a lot of buttons with leds
- USB
and not so tricky like the LV2.
I hope it will be released this year.
thx for your thoughts.
mathias
I agree about depth of control, too; the Faderfoxes tend to have way more options/layers than you need (which can be a great thing when you want/need to add some additional controls or mappings).