Controllerism
Encyclopedia
Controllerism is the art and practice of using musical software controllers, e.g. MIDI, Open Sound Control (OSC), joystick
, etc., to build upon, mix, scratch, remix, effect, modify, or otherwise create music, usually by a Digital DJ or "controllerist". Controllerism developed at the peak of USB MIDI controller market around the year 2000. Often on the side of virtuoso performance art, controllerism is also a nod to traditional musicianship and instrumental-ism paired with modern computer sequencing software such as Ableton Live
and Native Instruments Traktor
. However a working knowledge of scales and chords is not necessarily required as the performers typically focus their efforts more on sequencing events, software effect and instrument manipulations using buttons, knobs, faders, keys, foot switches and pedals than on instrumental notes played in real time. The term was coined by Moldover in 2007 and popularized by Ean Golden to describe the process while paying homage to and giving respect to the art of turntablism
.
typically involves complex musical routines using the controller in the manner of a musical instrument rather than a simple mixer. Some DJs use turntables and controllers simultaneously, blending the two techniques. DJ Shiftee
and DJ Craze
are widely known for this and were both sponsored by Native Instruments to demonstrate their latest MIDI-based controller products.
, Atomix Virtual DJ and Serato Scratch Live. There are alternate platforms that are less common, including Torq and Deckadance
.
Hardware typically consists of a physical controller, most often a MIDI or HID
device, often resembling a scaled-down CDJ setup (albeit, without hardware CD players). Some include built-in sound card
interfaces and others rely on the PC's internal sound setup or make use of a breakout box with a sound card. Some makers of controllers include Numark
, Native Instruments
, Vestax
, Denon
. Some DJ CD Players, such as the Pioneer Corporation
CDJ800 and Numark MixDeck can also function as controllers. Older controllers occasionally used standard MIDI connectors, most controllers today are USB-based.
Some controllers depart from the traditional two-deck system and incorporate four decks, effects sections, or do away with the traditional deck/mixer setup altogether, using touch-screen interfaces, arcade buttons and other devices. Many DJs use turntables with timecode records to utilize a turntable in a similar manner as a controller. The software that interprets the timecode vinyl is called vinyl emulation software
.
, DJ Craze
, Ean Golden, Miami's The Overthrow, Ed Paris, DJ Dystopic, DJ Velz, Detroit's Edison, Ryan Start, and Hedgehog
Joystick
A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling. Joysticks, also known as 'control columns', are the principal control in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or...
, etc., to build upon, mix, scratch, remix, effect, modify, or otherwise create music, usually by a Digital DJ or "controllerist". Controllerism developed at the peak of USB MIDI controller market around the year 2000. Often on the side of virtuoso performance art, controllerism is also a nod to traditional musicianship and instrumental-ism paired with modern computer sequencing software such as Ableton Live
Ableton Live
Ableton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW for Mac OS and Windows by Ableton. The latest major release of Live, Version 8, was released in April 2009. In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for...
and Native Instruments Traktor
Traktor
Traktor is a DJ software package developed by Native Instruments. The most recent version, Traktor Pro, offers seamless looping, effects, automatic beat-gridding of tracks, advanced beat detection and Sync Lock for automatic synchronization of tracks, a 4-channel mixer, emulating the Xone:92...
. However a working knowledge of scales and chords is not necessarily required as the performers typically focus their efforts more on sequencing events, software effect and instrument manipulations using buttons, knobs, faders, keys, foot switches and pedals than on instrumental notes played in real time. The term was coined by Moldover in 2007 and popularized by Ean Golden to describe the process while paying homage to and giving respect to the art of turntablism
Turntablism
Turntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using phonograph turntables and a DJ mixer.The word 'turntablist' was coined in 1995 by DJ Babu to describe the difference between a DJ who just plays records, and one who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer...
.
Styles
Controllerism, like turntablismTurntablism
Turntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using phonograph turntables and a DJ mixer.The word 'turntablist' was coined in 1995 by DJ Babu to describe the difference between a DJ who just plays records, and one who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer...
typically involves complex musical routines using the controller in the manner of a musical instrument rather than a simple mixer. Some DJs use turntables and controllers simultaneously, blending the two techniques. DJ Shiftee
DJ Shiftee
DJ Shiftee is a New York City based DJ and turntablist.- Career :Zornow is the 2009 DMC World DJ Finals Champion, the only American DJ to date to have won the DMC Battle for World Supremacy, and the youngest champion to date to have won the DMC New York City Championships...
and DJ Craze
DJ Craze
DJ Craze , born Aristh Delgado, is a Nicaraguan American DJ who plays hip hop, Miami bass, breaks, Dubstep, drum n bass, and practices turntablism. He is the only solo DJ in history to claim the DMC World DJ Championships trophy three times consecutively .-Biography:DJ Craze was born in Managua,...
are widely known for this and were both sponsored by Native Instruments to demonstrate their latest MIDI-based controller products.
Software and equipment
Since controllerism depends on a physical controller and a software interface, there is considerable uniqueness with equipment and personal styles among controllerists. Popular software for controllerists includes Native Instruments TraktorTraktor
Traktor is a DJ software package developed by Native Instruments. The most recent version, Traktor Pro, offers seamless looping, effects, automatic beat-gridding of tracks, advanced beat detection and Sync Lock for automatic synchronization of tracks, a 4-channel mixer, emulating the Xone:92...
, Atomix Virtual DJ and Serato Scratch Live. There are alternate platforms that are less common, including Torq and Deckadance
Deckadance
Deckadance is a DJ console and mixing tool developed by Image-Line software. Initially released in May of 2007, it operates on Windows and Mac OS X, and comes in a House Edition and Club Edition...
.
Hardware typically consists of a physical controller, most often a MIDI or HID
HID
HID may refer to:*HID Global, American-based manufacturer of access control products*HID, National Rail code for Hall i' th' Wood railway station, England*High-intensity discharge lamp, a type of electrical light...
device, often resembling a scaled-down CDJ setup (albeit, without hardware CD players). Some include built-in sound card
Sound card
A sound card is an internal computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs. The term sound card is also applied to external audio interfaces that use software to generate sound, as opposed to using hardware...
interfaces and others rely on the PC's internal sound setup or make use of a breakout box with a sound card. Some makers of controllers include Numark
Numark
Numark may refer to:*Numark Industries: a company producing and selling DJ equipment*Numark : a chain of pharmacies in the United Kingdom*DJ Nu-Mark: DJ and member of hip hop crew Jurassic 5...
, Native Instruments
Native Instruments
Native Instruments is a technology company that develops software and hardware for music production and DJing. The company has originally been identified mostly with software instruments, but has also expanded to various other music equipment segments in recent years.Current products of Native...
, Vestax
Vestax
The Vestax Corporation of Japan began in 1977 as a designer and manufacturer of electronic guitars. In the 1980s Vestax introduced a series of cassette based multitracks to challenge established products from Fostex, Yamaha and Tascam's portastudios...
, Denon
Denon
is a Japanese electronics company that was involved in the early stages of development of digital audio technology, while specializing in the manufacture of high-fidelity professional and consumer audio equipment. For many decades, Denon was a brand name of Nippon-Columbia, including the Nippon...
. Some DJ CD Players, such as the Pioneer Corporation
Pioneer Corporation
is a multinational corporation that specializes in digital entertainment products, based in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. The company was founded in 1938 in Tokyo as a radio and speaker repair shop...
CDJ800 and Numark MixDeck can also function as controllers. Older controllers occasionally used standard MIDI connectors, most controllers today are USB-based.
Some controllers depart from the traditional two-deck system and incorporate four decks, effects sections, or do away with the traditional deck/mixer setup altogether, using touch-screen interfaces, arcade buttons and other devices. Many DJs use turntables with timecode records to utilize a turntable in a similar manner as a controller. The software that interprets the timecode vinyl is called vinyl emulation software
Vinyl Emulation Software
Vinyl emulation software allows the user to physically manipulate the playback of digital audio files on a computer using the turntables as an interface, thus preserving the hands-on feel of deejaying with vinyl while allowing playback of audio recordings not available in phonograph form...
.
Custom controllers
Ean Golden of DJTechtools pioneered the construction of custom MIDI controllers using arcade buttons. However, there are many home-brew controllers manufactured by smaller companies and individuals. Typically they allow for more unique layouts.Events
As controllerism gains acceptance in the DJ World and the club scenes, many controllerist DJs have begun to collaborate and compete in the same manner that turntablists have been doing for many years in events such as in the DMC Championship. One of the first organizations to bring controllerism to the mainstream was the Midi Fight Club, a tour of Controllerist and Controllerist/Turntablist DJs including such notables as DJ ShifteeDJ Shiftee
DJ Shiftee is a New York City based DJ and turntablist.- Career :Zornow is the 2009 DMC World DJ Finals Champion, the only American DJ to date to have won the DMC Battle for World Supremacy, and the youngest champion to date to have won the DMC New York City Championships...
, DJ Craze
DJ Craze
DJ Craze , born Aristh Delgado, is a Nicaraguan American DJ who plays hip hop, Miami bass, breaks, Dubstep, drum n bass, and practices turntablism. He is the only solo DJ in history to claim the DMC World DJ Championships trophy three times consecutively .-Biography:DJ Craze was born in Managua,...
, Ean Golden, Miami's The Overthrow, Ed Paris, DJ Dystopic, DJ Velz, Detroit's Edison, Ryan Start, and Hedgehog