Suggestion For RekordBox DJ PADs (Feature Request)

1) I understand why you'd might want to free up that pad, but it makes sense that it's locked into that position.

2) The problem with a custom page is there's no way to engage it from a controller.

Hi Pulse,

Thank you for taking the time to answer the post.  The support you provide is incredible and I find myself referring to it  whenever I'm stuck trying to help a client out.  (I'm in a way your counterpart up here with your neighbors of the great white north as Pioneer DJ Product Specialist for SFM/Pioneer DJ Canada.)

As far as the response goes I would have to disagree. I don't see how it makes sense that it's locked.  Could you elaborate please?  

You could optionally replace one of the PAD FX pages or the Sampler page or the Beat Jump page or whichever page.  That's how you would engage it. By engaging one of those pages.

Example I don't DJ with Samples.  I would replace my sampler page with a custom one. So when I engage the sampler pads for me they are my custom Hot Cue+ effects+whatever PADs. That being said I return to the 8th PAD point.  Like myself I know many DJs who don't use that feature. (release effects) it's literally a Dead button for me. I will never use it.

Thought?

Thanks Again :)

Here's why it makes sense, at least for me -- if you were to go to another computer and controller, you can rely on the fact that Pad 8 will always be a release effect. Consistency gives me comfort when I walk up to a Pioneer DJ setup, I know what to expect. This is why I am against many of the "customizations" that users request or suggest; especially when it comes to changes to hardware that would take the expected performance away from the controls.

Yes, this is software and it's more dynamic, so it's possible we'll see changes to it in the future, but I know the product teams are always hesitant to add a function or mode that isn't "visible" on the hardware. A good example of this is the 3rd layer of MIDI control on the DJM-T1. Most DJs have no idea it's even there because it's not silk-screened onto the mixer face. The DJM-S9 has an additional layer for each of the pad modes which doesn't have a silk-screening, but what the mixer DOES have is a display to show the user they're in alternate modes, so it's obvious.

I can see the point your making and in the case of CDJ+DJM (my preferred way of DJing) workflow you want that consistency. However that is hardware. This is software, it unchains us from that.  Anything goes, it's all about customizing things in a way that makes sense for our performance and workflow.  I come from Traktor, when RekordBoxDJ came it blew my mind and I jumped right into it leaving my beloved Traktor behind.  In traktor you could configure anything the way you wanted. The only thing that stopped you is the time to set it up. (so painful).  Rekordbox has made that entire process so streamlined. Even though it's a new software it feels matured. I just feel that it's so close to being probably the best Software out there. 

99.9% of the time you are going to be plugging your own laptop into a controller thus your own settings will be used.  

Unfortunately we live in an era where people don't care to read anymore, they expect everything handed to them.  Everything is supposed to work like magic.  There is a talk I give at the CDJ Show and one of the biggest points I highlight its "KNOW YOUR GEAR"

I have to echo the sentiments of the original poster.

I get the concern provided, but broviding a means to return to default effects on the pads would satiate the 'What am I getting?' issue. It would also allow users to set up their system to replace undesired content with something they'll use. 

I agree with the design take that unless the controller shows visibility of content somehow, it's dangerous to do something like include totally different kinds of functions on the one 'page' of pads. You'd basically need pads with the ability to display text or at least iconic info.

But maybe there's a possible solution for units with robust menu controls?

Why can't a custom page (either for mixed features, or even just customised options in set pages) be accessed on a controller like the RX2, which has a screen, QWERTY keyboard and a touch screen?