The Faderfox

[Cupe]

Germany’s Faderfox has always done things in its own sweet way. Having set their vision for DJ controllers out via a stream of similar modular controllers, they’ve now taken the decision to rationalise their range, knock the price down a little and bring out an all new controller. The UC3 is a pretty generic controller, but Faderfox seems to be aiming at Ableton.

The official words:

The swiss knife of controllers

UC3 is a universal controller for all kinds of midi controllable software on Mac, PC and iPad.

The little box has 8 push-encoders and 9 faders, all switchable to 8 groups that allow to control a total amount of 136 control parameters.

All controls are independently programmable very fast and easy by a small display.

The factory settings are perfect to control music and video software products out of the box if they are freely assignable. So any additional device programming isn’t necessary for many applications.

Last but not least the UC3 is also a great extension for your Ableton Live setup.

A special control surface script for Ableton Live 8 is enclosed in the package.

With that script you can also use two UC3 devices to control up to 16 tracks simultaneously.

Check out this amazing power box and you will get a reliable mate…

Features

Universal controller for all kinds of midi controllable software

iPad compatible with camera connection kit

Control surface setup for Ableton Live 8 is included (no manual mapping necessary)

USB interface - class compliant / no driver necessary

8 push encoders without detents (resolution about 36 pulses)

8 faders with 45 mm length

crossfader with 45 mm length

4-digit-display to show control values and programming data

14 bit high resolution encoder mode for sensitive parameters

data feedback for encoders avoid value jumps

All controls fully programmable in the device by channel, type, number and mode

Advanced programming functions like copy, paste and channel set

8 groups for all controls

About 136 commands per setup (17 controls x 8 groups)

16 setups with backup functionality

USB bus powering –­­ consumption less than 500mW / 100mA

Very compact design in a black, plastic casing with metal faceplate (180x105x70 mm, 350 g)

System requirements

PC or Mac with a free USB port (1.0 or higher) or any USB hub

iPad with iOS5 or higher

The Faderfoxes have always had a pretty free run in the controller market. Their high build quality and unique boutique stylings have garnered a lot of fans. But the market has changed in the last 12 months – the trend is modular, typified by Behringer’s upcoming CMD controllers, which workflow-wise adopt a more mainstream appeal.

The attention the CMDs have got is a clear indication that people want larger units with bigger buttons, or ideally pads. And given that said units are coming from a global megacorps with a town sized factory at their disposal, I suspect that Faderfox have had to make some tough decisions.

A range rationalisation makes sense. To me, the range was a bit too specialised with a number of units that crossed over in a lot of ways, and its hard to maintain a wide number of niche units, especially when those units are expensive. So what’s left is a more focussed range, complimented with the new UC3 that for me makes the most sense in the evolving market.

The Faderfoxes are still extremely nice controllers that will continue to sell a good number of units into a niche market. The question for me is when is someone going to make a proper dedicated controller for Serato’s SP-6 sample player?

From djworx.com

[overit]

nice spot cupe.

retailing at £155 monopoly money.

[AlexJ]

looks like a pretty tight unit