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Forum: VirtualDJ Technical Support

Tópico: Will any midi controller work on VDJ? - Page: 1
I’m looking at additional controllers to have in my set up (currently a Launchpad and Traktor Z1) but wondering if I can simply plug in any midi controller and map it myself?
Leading example I’m looking at is the Donner Starrypad midi controller on Amazon
https://amzn.eu/d/1B3vHhw)

Any advice is welcomed thank you
 
Mensajes Wed 30 Nov 22 @ 5:37 pm
 
kradcliffe wrote :
If it's not officially supported by VDJ you will have to create a definition file as well which can be complex.

Best to stick with controllers from this list:

https://www.virtualdj.com/products/hardware.html?view=all


Ah ok that’s a shame but good to know thank you for replying to me
 
You don't have to create a definition file. Generally speaking you can easily map button on/off and fader/knob movement with very little effort.

Definition files come into play once you start going beyond that.

The VDJ staff are usually happy to help with mapping a non-native controller too.
 
That's true but for very basic use only as you have stated. To get the most out of the newer controllers a definition is still required.
 
I was also looking at the Donner Starrypad, just as a cheap & cheerful pad controller now Virtual DJ is doing amazing stuff with Stem+FX as my Denon controller doesn't have pads.
Is there anywhere on the forums to request device files for controllers that aren't currently supported, either officially or with getting help starting off.
 
There's not a lot to by the looks, there is no RBG, you have all the channel & cc info from the editor app, all you'd have to do is get the vid & pid [which vdj midilog does] and you'd be on the way.
 
To be honest the whole thing scares me somewhat, especially since I have never done anything like this before. Are then example device.xml files available, or ones other people have created, that can be examined to see things such a correct buttons definition, how to define pages (banks), defining the colors for the pads etc.
Trying to convert a similar pads device.xml file into one that would work with this controller rather starting from scratch might help, and I am sure I have seen in the past people posting their own device files when Virtual DJ has yet to support them, but I can't find any on the forums, all though to be honest, reading what I have about device definitions I think even that may be way above my capabilities as this is an area I have never had to work in before & have no understanding of.

PS. Is it possible to write your own device .xml files for controllers Virtual DJ already supports as I have a basic AKAI pad (LPD8). If I was able to create my own device file for that as an exercise to see if I could, that would be preferable to splashing out for a new controller that I may never get working, however I don't know how to get Virtual DJ to use my device file rather than the built in one, or whether that is even possible.
 
that device has fixed coloured pads [fixed in the set up app] banks are a HW shift so the different "pads in banks" just show up as another button.

there's nothing there that will start a fire.
And yes you can write def files for supported gear you need to start the def file name with
FORCE
 
Great thanks, I will have a go & see how I get on
 
You can find examples of user created definitions in Extentions:

Extentions > Other > Custom Mappers

many will include both the definition and mapper.


and as Locodog as mentioned:

you can use your custom definition, by naming you definition file to force-somename.xml, for VDJ supported hardware
 
Just to save you some time..
If you want to play around with LPD8, create an XML file named force-Akai LPD8.xml inside VirtualDJ/Devices folder, and then paste this code:
?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<device name="AKLPD8" author="Me" description="Akai LPD8" devicetype="sampler" version="850" type="MIDI" vid="0x09E8" pid="0x0075" decks="1" padColumns="4" padRows="2" padSides="1" refreshOutputOnReceive="true">

</device>

The above code will take care with device detection.
I'm providing this because you won't be able to "override" the built in definition until your own XML file has all the proper bits required to properly detect and identify the device.
 
PhantomDeejay wrote :
I'm providing this because you won't be able to "override" the built in definition until your own XML file has all the proper bits required to properly detect and identify the device.


Thank you very much, I appreciate the assistance.
 
djkrysr wrote :
Great thanks, I will have a go & see how I get on


How did you get on?

I've just stumbled across the Starrypad too. I'm looking for something i can use when I'm connected to a pair of CDJ's and a DJM and just using my laptop.

A controller like this would give me the control needed for STEMS and other features I cannot map in that environment.

Cheers,

Roy
 
For a few more quid you can get something similar from Akai which is already natively supported, and save yourself some time and effort.
 
Indeed... I have (as a second controller) the Akai Apc mini Mk2, works great
 
groovindj wrote :
For a few more quid you can get something similar from Akai which is already natively supported, and save yourself some time and effort.


Too many buttons - complete overkill for what I need.

Plus no knobs by the looks of it...
 
What exactly are you looking at? When I said "something similar" I meant e.g. MPD218

Google's AI says:
"The Akai MPD218 generally offers better performance and features compared to the Donner Starrypad, particularly for finger drumming and more expressive playing, despite the Starrypad being a solid, beginner-friendly option.

While the Starrypad is lightweight and portable, the MPD218 provides superior pad sensitivity and responsiveness, along with additional features like MPC Note Repeat and Full Level buttons"

In comparison to the Starrypad, the MPD218 has got fewer buttons and more knobs - the opposite of what you said.
 
groovindj wrote :
What exactly are you looking at? When I said "something similar" I meant e.g. MPD218


I am looking for a 16 pad controller with RGB buttons so it's easier to aim for the correct button when using it as a sampler.
The MPD218 would be perfect but it's not RGB, and all the other 16 pad controllers supported in hardware that I can see, are either not RGB, too expensive (i was hoping for the £100 mark), you don't support that model (MPC Studio may have been an option) or are sadly discontinued (like the MPD 226).

There are quite a few 16 pad RGB Midi controllers out there but none are supported by Virtual DJ, and despite my best efforts I am unable to create a definition file, since RGB is a must and that is way beyond my expertise. I can work out how to edit existing definitions files to a point but this is too technical for me.
Hopefully one of the big manufacturers will come out with another affordable 16 pad controller in the future though, so I will continue to scan your hardware page until something appears.
 
IME it really doesn't matter if the pads are RGB or not, because you're working alongside a screen, and the pad display on the screen tells you which sample is where.

For me this applies not only to VDJ, but when I use pads on my Maschine+ or my MPC X SE. I refer to the screen in all cases.
 
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