Drakenberg - In Depth review: Allen & Heath Xone K2
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- Опубліковано 18 гру 2024
- / drakenberglive
An in depth review of Allen & Heaths Midi controller Xone K2
I divided this review up in separate parts, click the time codes below to find out more about any specific area
00:57 Basics
01:41 Connectivity
03:10 Soundcard
03:50 Latching Layers
07:09 Raw Midi Capabilties
09:43 Case
11:12 Kontrol X1 Vs Xone K2
18:23 Why i got the Xone K2
20:38 Going from a normal DJ Mixer to internal mixer thoughts
24:54 Final overall review
33:54 Ending
If there are any questions, please do ask them and i'll do my best to answer as quick as possible!
Please follow me at / drakenberglive
All the best
Even after ten years, the video is still very helpful. It's amazing how timeless it feels!
Haha, thank you (another account, same user)
The only thing that changed is that i now got a a mustache 😂
Great vid, very useful to hear all your detailed experience using it, thanks
This newer review is great, I have watched both of your reviews and they have been extremely informative. I have now purchased 2 k2 to add with my db4 mixer (sold the db2) and I the setup is awesome with traktor. Thanks for taking the time to produce such a detailed review, why Allen and Heath didn't do simpering similar I have no idea.
Great video man. This thing looks really useful and there’s a real lack of info out there about its actual use cases, just mapping videos, without much info on what they are trying to achieve. I wish it was the same size as the Kontrol gear as I’m using 2x X1 mk2’s and 2 F1’s and this will be perfect to link them all together in a 4 deck setup.
The best comparison i have seen on youtube. Good job my Swedish friend:)
Great video, very well put and informative! I had been in a dilemma of having to choose between the K2 and the X1 as a starting MIDI controller, this pushed me in the Xone direction and i'm loving it :-)
Thanks for the in-depth review. Just bought a pair of these excited to get them in the studio
Great review! I just bought a K2 and I will be using it with a mixer. What would be the best way to make this work because the K2 has an internal sound card and the mixer uses an external sound card...Let me know, thanks!
it'd be super nice to have a latching layers tutorial. haven't been able to map layers amber and green. red was alright though.
Thanks for this superb video. I just sold my Traktor Kontrol S2 for the Xone K2
That was an excellent review!!! Thank you!
You have solved my dilemma. I am going to run the 2 k's into a ddm4000 (both plugged in via USB to obtain the full output capabilities) Not your favourite... but it will work for what I need. That way my partner and I will be able to bring just the two k2's the MBP. Seems like an easy setup.
Another question I had. Since you seem to have a lot more experience playing in clubs than I do.
Excellent video. Have just ordered one of these. Do you publish your TSI's anywhere per chance?
Cool, what do you mean by leds not switching between modifiers?
I use all three colors in the same layer using modifiers, the only thing is that it's impossible to "fade" the illumination of the leds, which really is just a nice feature :)
I don't recall how i did it, as it was quite a while now. But i do recall only using modifiers to force the leds to lit differntly in different settings
If you like i assume use a macbook, then going for two x1's and audio 8 isn't a good idea, mainly because you would have to use a hub, and we all hate his right. Worst part about them is the fact that different areas of the world has different outlets etc etc etc, it's a hassle for sure!
With the k2's you can use two of them on just one usb port, which is a great feature for Macbook users!
With the k2 you got the faders and more pots too, which is a really nice feature!
Thanks, great call man :)
No, sadly i haven't done that, but as described in the video, it is possible to do so with mac, and probably pc's as well.
However, as the two different connectors has different levels on their output i find, i'd suggest going for a audio card such as the audio 8/10instead. Unless you get it to work well without flaws of course.
Let me know how it went :)
Cheers
Great review, thanks for taking the time out and reviewing this product it was really helpful
That really was a top review of a product, well done. It's helped me to confirm I'll be purchasing one tomorrow for use with my DB4 / Traktor. Thanks.
no gone through 3 midi controllers now :) using a vestax one at the moment but want 4 decks to practice with and preferably something small and portable. I am keen to get into midi mapping so I can build my own workflow which is making me lean towards this. There is always things I don't use on midi controllers and controls in traktor i wish I had access to.
If I were to be playing 2nd or 3rd in the lineup. Since the outputs of the 2 k2's would need to be connected to all 4 channels of whatever mixer is at the club. How would I do this without interrupting the previous Dj's mix? It's probably a really simple solution that I'm over thinking but i'm sure you know so I figured I'd ask!
Thats what I am afraid of. I really like the endless possibilities it holds though. Especially with ableton. With that being said. Would you recommend 2 x1's audio 8 and mixer over the 2 k2's?
hey brother ! nice review, really complete, I think i got a nice simple mapping for a single k2 just about to do a dual for 2 if them, do you know which will be the best way to mapp a pitch bend up and down, just to have a most accurate sync ? cheers
Great review! I am about to pick up two of these bad boys! I have a question. Have you used both with an external mixer? For example, running all the outputs of the 2 k2's to the 4 channels of the mixer. Like in A&H's demo video?
Thanks very much for such an in-depth review. I am looking for a small powerful controller which can control 4 decks and it looks like this fits the bill!
I no nothing about midi mapping - is this a good controller to start learning with?
Awesome detailed review really appreciate it thank you !
Thank you Popovic.
Yes, sure, it's "good" for my studio as well put it's up next to the rest of the stuff, but it's way to big to be portable while flying etc, they just released some deck covers, think i might go for them!
UA-cam guides to midi mappings, perhaps i should make one as i get a lot of questions regarding that.
Hi Man excellent review, I have a Kontrol Z1 with 2 denon sc 2000, I don't like how does it feel the sound of mixing of the Z1, And I've been thinking about the Xone K2, Do you recommend it more than The Z1?
Indeed a nice and simple setup, just make sure you connect as many channels as you need to start in order not to disturb the previous act. Make sure you have long usb cables (max 4 m) so you can distribute the controllers over the booth allowing you and your partner to perform freely on stage!
another thing with the routing cables is that you should get angled mini jack cables in stead of straight ones, as these will reduce the chance of getting stuck to the cable, the mini jack is fragile!
I think I understand what you're saying after watching some videos on the single setup... but isn't the headphone output much weaker than the main output? What if the sound outputs differ?
First of all thanks fo your great help...I 'm thinking of using with an external mixer so i want to use 4 knobs as:1 for "volume"of effect and the other three for fx parameteres and use their buttons as reset for each knob...And the second column of knobs of each deck i want to map for loop lenght,move etc...It can be done,right?
Yep build quality is pro standard, that soundcard is importantly loud enough to monitor at high levels...which is often lacking on some units with built in cards. However the soundcards in these types of units are normally pretty bad in these units, but this one seems ok..a bit harsh sounding to me.
Overall I think it is an excellent unit and the build quality is the win and the logical pad selections.
Excellent review, Many thanks for the time and effort
You use the gain controls on the mixer to match it :)
This obviously isnt optimal, as it was not designed for such usage.
I however use this method sometimes to use the mixers headphone output, as i like the way it works on the pioneer mixers, having used them for a lot of years!
I have a K2, /I really think it depends of your style of mixing whether you get on with it. The faders are long for breakbeat mixing, but excellent for longer trans mixing such as progressive/trance etc.
Personally I would never mix without using a Ttraditional mixer, they are just much more responsive.
A thin battle is perfect with the K2, I use the Eclur Nuo 2 a midifighter 3D and Live. Wroks for me ;)
The xone k2 sounds like a beast, midi mapping is like everything simple once you got it.
But in the beginning it can be tricky with the modifiers and such.
Use the latching layers as a starter, that would solve a lot of problems for you, pretty much what i've done is created my own operating system inside traktor rendering the k2 to work in a lot of different ways. But i've been mapping for ages. What i'm trying to say is, Don't try and overdo it at first, learn it over time :)
Good luck
great vid bro - def convinced me to pick one of these bad boys up, sounds like its the whole package, or close enough to at least - cheers from California!
Thank you, I do plan to do only two channels... what do you mean by "two different cables?" How would I do that if there's only 1 output? Please teach ;-)!
However, you can run two k2 and a launchpad on just two usb ports! Soundcard is ofc taken from the k2 then! This is a great live performance setup i¨ve been thinking about (currently uses an pac 80 for the live rig)
Thks for your opinion on K2... can you tell me if it´s better then the reloop Contour IE edition
i´m thinking on buiing one of them ... but haven´t found any article comparing booth.. can you help me??
thks on advance
You're welcome I just hate it when people put up reviews where they unbox the damn product, saying a couple of irrelevant things then just leaves it at that =)
Can you explain the jogwheels part?You mapped the two bottom knobs as jogwheels?
Hey man, great video! Got the K2 and I love it, but could you please help me with something? I am using 2 cdj's to control deck A&B in Traktor and want xone K2 to control deck C&D. Do you know how to set it up?? Im having a really hard time... Thank You and greetings from Ireland!
Thanks man, It depends.
With an audiocard, you can work with the mixer, which is always a treat, however. having that one cable is really nice :)
If you only do two channels, you can use the k2's sound card with the two different cables :)
Thank you, glad to hear that, you wont be dissapointed
Thanks a lot mate for your help..I belive it's a really great controller and i am thinking to buy it very soon...
Hey man! I liked your little techy studio. Can I get the list of your gears.... :D Thanks in advance....
use the gain knobs on the mixer to adjust, or the gains inside traktor :)
Great, informative review. Thanks!
Great review, I only disagree about the case witch for me is perfect, because i don't really need to put it anywhere (bag or somepthing) it's safe just like that.
can each fader/button/encoder be mapped to a different midi-channel, to control hardware synth or PureData patches on computer?
I tried using the X1 emulator for this but that doesn't work too well for me. How do I manually assign buttons and controls to the K2 and Traktor?
Nope, as the launchpad runs on a seperate Usb, The k2 can only be linked with X-link cabale units (currently only allen & Heath products)
Is it possible to use this for the novation launchpad?
That's brilliant, many thanks for help!
Awesome review, thank you.
So ... it´s there another controller to compare to .... small midi controller with interface i would to compare
about cheaper... the k2 as almost the same price as reloop countour , as kontrol x1 - but no IE-..
please reply
This k2 or the x1 for traktor with an external mixer?
How did you map it for controlling two decks?I'm thinking of buying it ...
Great vid man
There are lots of things i did not cover in here for obvious reasons, feel free to ask any sort of question you may have in the comments section :) cheers
I saw some other guys video and he has mapped it so the lights change colour to give you a led meter effect for each channel its not allowing me to paste the link :(
I have a question I hope you answer me. Maybe I didn't notice here, but I'm thinking about getting two K2 and using them as a mixer, using the soundcard included. So can I record my dj sets with 2 k2 and my laptop? Thanks in advance :)
and I also I would like to know how to see on Traktor FX :)
Hmm, sure it's great. But is this your first midi controller? How much experience do you have with Deejaying etc?
I used to roll with an audio 8 before, How i did it back then was to start rigging up half an hour 45 minutes before my set started, Mainly because i didn't want to be all over the mixer while the prev DJ was spinning his/her's set.
However, as mentioned in the video, pulling out every Cdj/line unit, stresses out cdj/vinyl djs as hell.
i would also always route cable's when the prev DJ has just finished his/her's mix, as that's when there is least focus on the mixer, go in from the Cdj/vinyl...
i was waiting you to play with it :(
How do you map two k2s with traktor? I just can map one. The other one doesn't do anything it's even in another midi channel. Also, why I can't get any sound through the k2's soundcard in traktor pro 2 but I am able to get sound when I'm running traktor 1. Help me please!
Yes that isnt to hard to do, However, i really don't see the use for that, AND it will eat up Cpu power, not much, but with my midi setup being so advanced on other fronts, the lul lull led's are kept to a minimum :)
Thank u so much
correct, all of that can be done with the k2
He/she just finished and route as many cables as possible without blocking their unit, also make sure you know every mixer's rear inside out, so you don't plug into the wrong thing etc etc.
THIS... Is why i got the k2, no stress from other djs as i only show them 1 line cable, no stress for me as it really just takes me about 5-8 minutes to setup now (full work, i have about 6 different midi controls that's needs to be configured every time)
And i dunno, it just makes lineup's so much easier!
Thanks you very much i gonna buy one!
No, only x-link enabled units can link with the K2, the launchpad need's a usb port for itself!
No promblemo my foreign friend :) Good luck with your rig!
Yeah, it's possible to use this as a standalone unit for complete mixing.
If you at some point find yourself to love Deejaying, i'd recommend learning some real gear as well, as it will teach you some things traktor cant teach you!
But until that, use the k2, or a two channel dj controller with jogwheels, such as the native instruments s2, and so on! The thing is, with dj gear, you got to put some money down, otherwise you will get shit that breaks within the year, even with home usage! Glhf
Next week this unit in my home :D
Sure, anything is possible :)
There's me assuming you are using Traktor - sorry.
I would say: Never buy reloop, Numarks cheaper stuff, Behringer's cheaper stuff, tascam, Dj tech etc etc unless you want something that will break sooner than later :)
I am using traktor, but no i will not share my .tsi files as that would give away what's giving me edge towards everyone else, my tsi files are personalized for the way i perform, they have a lot of very powerful features, and i've worked hard to make them as good as they are, giving them away would be stupid.
No hard feelings though, it's good that you ask. But i suggest you build your own, it's really fun. Kind of like building lego as a kid, it's really fun to build it all together!
Yo, Thank's glad you like it :)
There is always 12inchskinz . com, It doesn't feature the xone k2 specifically, but i think a little bit of mailing here and there can solve that ;)
Good luck, and do let me know about the verdict.
Cheers
I'd say the K2 is super cheap, not only for what you get. But in general terms of DJ gear.
I'd strongly recommend not buying crappy gear, it will just cost you in the long run!
haha im also representative of this brand in this crazy country :-)