3x Xone K2 Traktor Pro 3. Preview Image, updated mapping for my 3x K2 configuration. Pro - Version 2.10 4 decks, 4 FX units. Autor: DJ-Dave View. Rekordbox Dj and Xone K2. Hello, i have two CDJs 900 NXS and a Xone 92. Want to use all the nice features of RB DJ and think about getting a Xone K2 and mapping it. What are your experiences sofar? Do you get most features mapped? It's more a matter of wether Pioneer will add support for rotary encoders on specific actions or not.
A few months back Allen & Heath announced a new controller, The Xone K2, “an elegant, compact controller for any DJ software with no fewer than 52 hardware controls providing up to 171 MIDI commands across 3 layers – plus the ability to link multiple units. Xone: K2 has the power and flexibility to put you in touch with everything from the essential functions to the fine nuances of your chosen software.”
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Allen & Heath have enjoyed incredible success amongst pro jocks with their Xone: 1D and 2D performance controllers. They have a reputation for being able to take a beating at the club and still work the next day with great sound output. The K2 takes some of the form factor (layout, spacing) from the 1D/2D and applies it to a new lower profile design. The K2 looks very enticing, indeed. Small footprint, four faders, and assignable controls that could be used for DJ performance as well as DAW control. While the Traktor X1 does offer custom mapping (and I’m a fan of the mixer control template in particular), this new Allen & Heath device offers faders – a staple of may performers / producers’ needs. In addition the K2 boasts an audio interface and headphone output – making this this smallest dj controller with sound capabilities I’ve seen so far. If the sound quality lives up to the A&H legacy this should be a product worth checking out when it releases this spring.
More details on the Xone: K2 from Allen & Heath:
Xone: K2 has a high quality internal, four channel (2 stereo) soundcard.
Universal controller and is perfect for use with all leading DJ software, such as Traktor Pro, Ableton, Virtual DJ, PCDJ and M ixVibes. Xone:K2 can even be used to control lights or VJ software – if it can receive MIDI data it can take commands from K2.
52 physical controls – including 12 analogue and 6 endless rotary encoders with push switch, 4 linear faders, and 30 backlit performance switches – providing up to 171 MIDI control commands across 3 layers. What each control does is entirely up to you – with a little thought you can create a completely customised layout that perfectly fits the way you want to work. We also provide some sample maps and information on how to set up your own.
Latching Layers – By assigning controls to multiple layers you can give a singlephysical control up to 3 functions. You can configure all, some or none of K2’s controls to be linked to the latching layers system. As a quick visual reminder, when toggling through layers all switches assigned to a particular layer will illuminate in the appropriate colour.
X-Link – Two K2s can be linked via Allen & Heath’s X:LINK protocol, giving twice as much control capability. X:LINK uses a standard RJ45 connector and distributes power and data, which means two K2s can be connected to your software using only one USB port. X:LINK also allows connection to Xone:DB4 and Xone:DB2 mixers.
Case / Stand – Xone:K2 comes packed in a robust black padded case as standard. As well as keeping it safe on the road, the case doubles as a stand, bringing the K2 up to the same height as most pro DJ mixers.
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Allen & Heath has announced a new DJ controller, the Xone:K2, which it will demonstrate for the first time at the BPM Show this weekend. The controller has the same slimline shape as the Traktor X1, but differs in a number of ways, including having four physical faders and a built in four-out sound card.
It has also been designed as a “universal” device to control any DJ software, having 52 hardware controls that can provide 171 Midi commands across three layers, with three-colour LEDs lighting buttons to indicate which layer is selected.
While the unit comes with sample mappings, Allen & Heath envisages it as being adapted by DJs to suit their own style and workflow, promising “quick and simple” mapping, which will allow the device to control any Midi software.
Two units can be linked together to provide a greater degree of control using Allen & Heath’s X:LINK protocol, and Allen & Heath also offers the possibility of X:LINKing two of these to one of its digital mixers (the Xone:DB4 or newly announced Xone:DB2), which would give a 100% digital system that would have truly mouthwatering potential.
Each unit comes with a carry case, which doubles up as a stand, to raise it up to the height of any standard club mixer. As long as you don’t need a crossfader, you could feasibly mix four decks with just this one unit, and plug into one channel of a mixer – or straight into a PA.
Alternatively, you could use an external mixer to control two independent decks with each Xone:K2, by plugging both the headphone and the RCA outputs into separate channels. On first glance, an extra set of RCAs on the back would have been preferable to having to use the headphone socket in this way. We’ll bring you a full review as soon as we’ve had a chance to properly test one of the units.
What do you think? Have you been waiting for an X1-style controller with a built-in sound card? Can you see yourself slotting one of these into your workflow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.