Finding the perfect controller for DJing, laptop music, and so on has tended to mean either buying an off-the-shelf solution, or building one from scratch. But a growing number of users is choosing a third way: find a nearly-perfect controller and mod it to perfection.
DJ Tech Tools, a new blog from three DJs that has grown out of stories for Remix Magazine, has a great story on adding arcade buttons to a Vestax VCI-100 controller. And yes, that’s “arcade” as in gaming — those fantastic, tactile buttons found on vintage game cabinets.
Tutorial on adding arcade buttons to a VCI-100 [djtechtools.com]
Here are a couple of examples of the results:
Sonic Boooom! VCI-100 Vs. Street Fighter
A great VCI MOD rolls off the line!
Speaking of whimsical DJ toys, djtechtools points to DJ Nu-Mark, who has replaced turntables with a “pair of learning toys meant for teething toddlers.” djtechtools can’t seem to find more details, so I turn that to the ever-knowledgeable CDM readership. And Mark, if you’re out there, give a holler. Not totally sold on his DJ name, though it is a big leap better than “DJ Bear-In-Jer.” But the set looks fantastic. (Via.) The video, with Jurassic 5 in 2006:
[…] newVideoPlayer(“vestax_gawker.flv”, 475, 376); [YouTube and djtechtools.com via Create Digital Music] […]
[…] Video tutorial on adding arcade buttons to a VCI-100 Link – [via […]
[…] Video tutorial on adding arcade buttons to a VCI-100 Link – [via] […]
[…] Here’s what you do if you think your Vestax mixer looks dull as day-old dog doo: mod it. One of the guys from DJ Tech Tools swapped his boring old black knobs for arcade game buttons. How-to video is after the jump.newVideoPlayer(“vestax_gawker.flv”, 475, 376); [YouTube and djtechtools.com via Create Digital Music] […]
[…] Speaking of the folks at DJ Tech Tools and modding controllers, my friend Matt Moldover is pushing a new term he’s coined, “controllerism.” Moldover, pictured here with his hacked-up Novation ReMOTE keyboard at the last Handmade Music event from CDM, Etsy, and Make, has a rig that combines custom Reaktor ensembles, Ableton Live, and modified controllers. His idea is I think to separate digital DJs using vinyl (following in the steps of the original turntablists) from those adding other performance elements unique to computers. […]
We have a digital system that works great. Very slick – We didn't sacrifice any gear though – Everything is still in its manufactured state.
You can see the thing at myspace.com/runninthingsrecords or get a hold of me through Moldover's groovy web page: http://www.controllerism.net
Kipp