Not everyone in the world has access to high-quality DJ gear. For much of the world, DJing is growing in popularity – but the cost of getting a solid mixer or controller is prohibitive. A new project, Traktorino, has built a basic MIDI mixer on top of the Arduino Uno, with the goal of being more accessible. Keep reading for details.
Traktorino: Arduino Gets A MIDI Mixer
Make no mistake, this is effectively the same controller as a Traktor Kontrol Z1. The big difference is that it’s a DIY shield for the Arduino Uno – the super-cheap ($25) microcontroller board. The team behind the project is Músico Nerd, a Brazilian-based company run by Gustavo Silveira. He writes (translated from Portuguese):
The shield was made for Arduino Uno, which can be turned into a USB-MIDI Class compliant device controller. […]
When asked about how the project looks like a Kontrol Z1, he brings up a key point: accessibility. This is particularly critical in regions like South America where DJ gear isn’t as cheap as Europe or the US (where the Kontrol Z1 sells for $199)
I also drool [over] Native’s products, but not everyone has a way to buy it. The idea is to democratise that kind of equipment!
Right now there’s expected release date, but Gustavo makes it clear that he wants the Traktorino to be available both as a DIY kit and as a completely assembled product. In the comments on a Facebook post, he estimates that the kit would run R$170 (about $54 USD) and the full unit would be priced at R$290 ($92 USD).
