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One Button MIDI Mapping Contest and Tutorial

By Ean Golden on September 14, 2014

Today’s article comes from two ideas in the DJ TechTools article idea pool. First, how would you turn a play button into a “turntable stop effect” on non-turntable controllers? Related to that idea, we are excited to launch a “One-Button Mapping” contest in which everyone is invited to submit their best ideas for modular macro mappings.  These are highly functional mappings that layer many useful functions onto one button so you can add them to your existing controllers for a little extra performance action.

To enter the DJTT single button MIDI mapping contest, upload your mapping to Maps.DJTechTools.com (Use “One Button FX” for the controller)  and then post a link to your mapping in the comments of this article! We will publish a list of the best ones on the blog next month.

  • Contest Ends: End of September
  • Prizes: DJ TechTools controller of your choice (3d, twister or even a rare spectra!)
  • Judges: Ean Golden and DJTT staff
  • Criteria: Usefulness of mapping, creative application, number of votes, downloads and likes.
  • Software: Any kind of dj software that supports multiple mapping files.

Also, we like the idea suggested in the comments – map the button to the keyboard “V” key so that anyone can test the mappings without remapping anything!

Finally, if we get enough crazy submissions then I will take all of your mappings and combine them into one set of super buttons for some real fun!

Contestdj mappinginstant gratificationmidi mappingsingle button
Comments (130)
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  • youdstealmyrealdjnameitssocool

    this thread makes me so happy!!!
    itll take me months to try all of these ideas

  • Father Loz

    Any news or update on this ? 🙂 thx!

  • PXL

    Replace the crossfader for scratching 😉 push the button is deck a + b , release the button is only the deck with a track playing …

  • PCunha

    Hey guys getting a few (-1 This mapping has serious problems, I would not recommend it), can anyone verify if it’s buggy on their system? I only tested it on my own two versions of traktor and watched some friends with it and it seemed fine.

    I just would like to correct something if it is wrong, with time I invested on the mapping I want to make sure it is a solid map xD

  • Ricardo Couto

    Very cool! Do you have a midi version of it?

  • Candyman

    Free Bird….

  • PCunha

    Finally, here it is 🙂

    https://maps.djtechtools.com/mappings/3439

    A journey through several FX Combos that will go well on every genre, not very harsh, but smooth fx to lighten up the dullest of loops. Grab a Loop first, you choose the size, and then start jamming, all with just one button! When it is done, the journey starts again, like a roller-coaster!

    Try it with the Demo Tracks of Traktor lol it makes wonders xD ! Lots of time debugging this mapping in those tracks lol, can’t hear them anymore..

    Have Fun 🙂

    Info:
    This mapping has several states and differentiates between a long press and a short press in order to move between those states.

    Read the details to get a glimpse 🙂

    Video will be added soon

    • Ricardo Couto

      Very cool! Do you have a midi version of it?

      • PCunha

        Thanks 😉
        Yeah I didn’t had the time to finish the Midi version yet, but I also need it so as soon as I finish it I’ll share it as an update of this mapping 😉

  • MATTHEW S

    ONE BUTTON for scratch effects!

    I think it’s cool!

  • PCunha

    Hey people, great mappings 🙂 looking forward to see every contribution.

    We can still update our mapping untill end of day 30 right? Because I haven’t had much time to tinker with it, but I really want to participate so I’m going to pull an all nighter to make it possible.

    Hope I’m still on time when I finish 🙂

    Keep up and good luck to everyone

  • Stewe

    Hey Guys, made this mapping just for fun 🙂 hope you all like it! Here’s the vid:

  • Ferran

    Instant Mixer first public version. Video and controller version coming soon (less than a day). It transitions between two songs with a different effect chain each time, see complete description and downloads here:
    https://maps.djtechtools.com/mappings/3429

  • Black_Rag

    A last minute entry to the contest a quick mapping done in a few minutes to substitute my original idea and to at least put something interesting into the contest.

    https://maps.djtechtools.com/mappings/3428

    My original idea for a contest entry mapping was a mapping that would allow one to permorm a mix from a playlist with nothing more then one button, it relied on the use of two modifiers and a ton of mapping work that i did but alas it ran into far too many issues with looping,loading and sync functionality of the mapping proving too unreliable by my own standards.

    • Ferran

      Your original idea is very very similar to mine! It’s true that it has been a nightmare to map something like this, but at the end I’ve came up with something pretty usable (not perfect though). Do you have yours uploaded?

      • Black_Rag

        Sadly no, i wasn’t able to fully developed my mapping, mostly due to me being a perfectionist when it comes to mapping. I was having trouble with loops not engaging every 12-16 tracks and play buttons bugging and not working as well as sync being on the fritz at times. I uploaded a heavily stripped down mapping that lets one just load up a track put a 4 beat loop,cue the loop and then mix it in. But i think i still have the .tsi file of the mapping i was working on, maybe we can colab and make the one button mix mapping?

        • Ferran

          Sure! Why don’t you check out my mapping and let me know what do you think? It’s always interesting to listen the opinion of other mapping enthusiasts.
          I think however that if something more advanced has to be made, we will need external scripting tools. I’ve already dealt with lots of Traktor limitations in my current mapping.

          • Black_Rag

            Oh my, it’s definetly an advanced version of what i was going for, but it is also a little bit different. Your mapping uses the concept of build-cut-drop mixing, and that is epic! What i tried to do was to create something similar but that would allow a long blend mix, like cutting out the frequencies of the incoming track till it’s a nice high hat then letting that play over the track and then get the build up from the track that was being played combine it with an effect to give a bit of, almost like a small break then chop into the drop with all EQ’s open.

          • Ferran

            Thank you! I think what you’ve tried is nearly imposible with Traktor alone without any external tool. You cannot make Traktor adjust the duration of events to the current Bpm, neither have good control of the speed a parameter changes other than min, fine…etc

          • Black_Rag

            Ironically that isn’t the thing i had a problem with, i was perfectly able to get it to do the adjustments, it was engaging the loops and engaging the play button reliably.

    • Stewe

      You can always visit our forums and post your ideas regardless of this contest. We’d be glad to help make your original idea come truth… hopefully we that good 😉

  • Ryan Treto

    hey everybody! what do you think about my home made MIDI controller. I did a combination of all the effects from each deck to activated at the same time

    https://maps.djtechtools.com/mappings/3400

  • Father Loz

    Hey all!

    Automatic slow bass fade/cut then on release the bass kicks back-in + a white noise is played at the same time.
    Here is my entry. Basically you press and hold the V button and the bass will slowy be cut (can be changed to your speed liking),then release the button when you want and the bass will kick back-in and at the same time a white noise will be played. Adjust your volumes to what you like and all of the rest of the assignements can also be updated for your set-ups.

    Enjoy!

    https://maps.djtechtools.com/mappings/3398

  • locodog

    With VDJ 8 I could, on first press clone deck1 to an invisible deck29, mute deck29, initiate the echo effect on the deck29 with feedback @ 0%, have it set a variable that gives a GUI warning that all this has happened. On second press, stop deck1, unmute deck29, turn the the echo feedback to 92%, stop deck29, remove the gui warning, load the selected browser track onto deck1 and play deck1.

    The result echo out that doesn’t glitch due to pitch changes and doesn’t get bled into by the new track.
    This isn’t that technical either.

  • PointlessButtonFan

    GIMME. DAT. BUTTON!!!
    u y no sell this?

  • Tomii Forsythe

    Am i missing something? Im not seeing any new posts. Is there somewhere else these fx are being posted?

    • Justin Pongasi

      I think everyone is waiting to drop their ultimate mapping at the last minute as to not give away their idea… ????

      • Tomii Forsythe

        true true

  • Tomii Forsythe

    I would like to see something that implements a Loop function with an active flux, floating cue point and moderate FX chain with a reverb tail. Mods that give the option to increase as you hold or toggle the effect on the fly. I love the FX and the ability to adjust perimeters. Allows to have no two FX sounding the same. However, less is always more. But!! Mod an echo freeze as a finisher to this one button combo and it would totally make my day.

    Remember, we are a community with a forum of very helpful and amazing people. Im not surprised there isn’t an active thread filled with ideas because I’m sure everyone wants to win. Could you imagine if there was though?

    Good luck guys and gals!

    • PCunha

      But the competition is almost over and we can keep up the suggestions after that 🙂 . I’m working on having different functions for different durations of holding the button V, and I think it can be of use for lots of different mappings so I’m really eager to share it, but I’m just trying to finish something more “complete” for the competition eheh.

    • 3rrasti

      Hey, turns out I did some of that! ToT

      we think alike! I love creative and innovative ppl and i had three or more
      ideas half-tuned already but i entered the most original and out there, as i was seeing a lot of the same thing (one button build up, reberb, repeat or echo, etc)

      and then I read this!! made my day.
      dont want to spam you, look for my entry patch if you are interested is above this post, and i will love your feedback if possible!

  • bentselben

    some sort of a mess with the midi maps …… links to them are invalid when reloading link as invalid ……

  • bentselben

    one button contest ” Techno FX (Reverb T3 + Filter)”
    ://maps.djtechtools.com/mappings/3341

  • Tomii Forsythe

    Hey guys! This contest we got going on here has totally made my nipples hard! Would be awesome if we could get some short vid demonstration. I don’t mind testing at all, just a visual learner with ADD

  • Black_Rag

    All you all think too small >:D I’m so gonna spend like 10 days mapping the shiz out of one button with modifiers and find a way to use every modifier that is in traktor in some way to make a single button to rule(mix) them all(mix at least 4 tracks)

    • Tomii Forsythe

      uhhhh…… winning 0.o

  • guest

    my button is velocity sensitive. is it welcome in the competition?

  • true

    Ean is trying to create need for the next fad

  • Chris Tower

    Dang, I was going to make the instant gratification beatmasher build up with the transpose stretch (my favorite part of that mapping) in to one button but it’s been done on the forums already.

  • Mac

    hey Ean I adjusted the mapping so it always has the breaking CDJ stop sound all the time on the Kontrol X1 MK2 when you press play. where do I upload the mapping? I just tweeked it so this way you can play pause anytime not just on the peaks, its 100% perfect now!! The task is done Ean!!

    • Tomii Forsythe

      yup… the ‘V” has a new place in my heart.

    • Tomii Forsythe

      your mapping is a broken link my brother. totally waiting to get ahold of this one.

  • scamo

    Gee, I wish I had more time. I’d love to give it a good try. But, Skooppa.com has my complete attention currently.

    scamo

  • Guest

    DDM4000 4Step fx chain onebutton mapping with outputs as well!
    Just make hotcue 6 deck A on downbeat and see what happends

  • chris

    my imaginary button, works well
    btw, 100 years ago there was the first idea for streaming music with the Telharmonium – sounds a bit like the Le Gaffophone de Gaston

  • Patch

    I am REALLY LIKING some of these mappings!

    Great work, guys!

  • Simone D'Antino

    Instant build up
    After downloading the file, CHANGE FORMAT TO “.tsi” (don’t know why it goes up as an .xml file)
    Mapping based on kontrol x1. To try it out with your controller, just change the button in the controller manager.

    https://maps.djtechtools.com/mappings/3306

    • Chaser720

      This mapping also brings up an interesting question. Can the button be pressed repeatedly for the mapping to work or does it have to be a one press (and possibly hold)?

      • Guest

        Thank you for the comment!
        You actually need to press it repeatedly.

        You press it the first time, it does one thing…you press it the second time, it does another different thing ad so on
        Try that out and you’ll understand what I mean (:

      • Simone D'Antino

        Thank you for the comment!
        You actually need to press it repeatedly.

        You press it the first time, it does one thing…you press it the second time, it does another different thing ad so on
        Try that out and you’ll understand what I mean (:

        Hope I answered your question

        • Chaser720

          Sorry. I may not have phrased that correctly. I was asking more in terms of the contest. Can the mappings require multiple presses to work or do they need to be one press or press and hold?

          I’m at work currently but I am interested to see how you set this up.

          • Simone D'Antino

            Mmm… Ean said we could do “ramp up” things and…since this is a ONE BUTTON mapping contest I hope multiple press are allowed
            Too late to check xD I’ll live it this way

          • Chaser720

            I was considering doing a similar mapping with some modifiers doing some crazy stuff to automate the whole process. IDK if its even possible but thought I’d give it a try.

          • Simone D'Antino

            K but don’t copy me or I’m gonna find you and I ain’t gonna leave until I make a jam with you and your one button mapping haha

          • Simone D'Antino

            OMG Ean thank you so much!
            I’m a big fan of yours and I couldn’t imagine you would reply.
            First time ever I have the chance to say something to you so…even if it probably doesn’t mean anything special, thank you for all your work and for the time you spend for “us”! I learned a lot from you and you are still one of the few that inspires me about trying new tricks and ideas. Said this, If I don’t win, I’ll consider myself satisfied xD Thank you!

    • Stewe

      Please Zip the file before uploading to prevent from this issue 🙂

      • Simone D'Antino

        Sorry I didn’t know (:
        I’ll change it right know or for the next upload

      • Simone D'Antino

        Done! (:
        Tnks for the tip!

    • qazen

      Nice idea Simone, but needs work. e.g. Filter On is off by default and needs to be turned on. I guess, you wanted to leave FX out of the map, but how about a combination of this map with the Drama Sweep template :D?

      • Simone D'Antino

        Thank you for the reply (:
        The “Filter on” thing could be a problem! Let me explain why. In traktor, there’s no possibility to do things like “when I press this button, filter turns on and if I press that another time IT STAYS ON”. Even using the toggle way, it would “turn on” and “turn off”. Could have used a modifier 4 that too: u press first time, and (e.g) “modifier 3, value=1” AND “when modifier 3 is at value=1 –> filter on”. It would have problem even in that way xD (if filter is already on and mod3->value=3 it would turn off the filter). ABOUT THE EFFECTS: I wanted to create something like a delay/reverb/filter thing but think of that: u stop pressing the button, u jump to the drop and…the DELAY/REVERB “echo” is still on. It would ruin the “clearance” of that part. There’s only one way to make it stop immediately and even if it’s by using other modifier… I’ll give it a try xD! Hope I answered! (:

  • Andreas Bührer

    Yaay Ean! You made the new Midi Fighter David Guetta Edition! One Button to play the mixtape

  • Simone D'Antino

    I made mine but I can’t make the download work ):
    I uploaded the .tsi file but when you download you get a .xml file
    What did I do wrong?

    • Martin.W

      you have “map.tsi.xml”
      delete “.xml”
      it’s work)))

      • Simone D'Antino

        Yea mate! I got scared for nothing! Figured that out few minutes ago but thanks 4 the answer (:

  • m

    instead of one button, have on tittie twisting knob…call it the nipple lol

  • Aleeway

    I made a Filter Roll, instant gratification ish style effect. It’s similar to the Filter Roll in the NS7II and NV, and it works with only one button!
    You can change around the settings, make it a low pass instead of a high pass, change the initial loop length, etc. Have fun with it 😛
    https://maps.djtechtools.com/mappings/3303

  • Ferran

    Can we use any external scripting tools or software to aid ourselves to design a cool mapping? Or just Traktor’s mapping options?

    • Chaser720

      If the average user can’t load the mapping and have it work without downloading any other software then I’d say no. Just my opinion.

    • Robert Wulfman

      but then it can’t be re-purposed for use in someone’s existing controller mapping

    • Ean Golden

      you can use any tools that help you make an amazing mapping – just make sure we can all enjoy your creativity .

  • Martin.W

    soon i made for NI X1 mk2…

  • x

    one big ass sync button

  • AGuest

    Uh, so you completely forgot to mention which software this is for. I’m *guessing* Traktor based on the submissions so far which is unfortunate because I have some rather cool mappings for VDJ, but then again it’s not exactly a level playing field when I have a whole scripting engine I can toy with and you just have the limited interface Traktor provides 😛

    • Clearly

      It clearly states –
      Any kind of dj software that supports multiple mapping files.

    • deejae snafu

      cool story VDJ looks like it was made on atari 2600.

  • Aken

    Great idea, I’m totally down for this.

  • DJ L.

    Can you sell that big one button controller, I’m sure I’m not the only one who wants that thing.

    • Jérôme LeBel

      #airhorn

      • David De Garie-Lamanque

        i would personally go for the “Get turned up to Death!” sample from that SNL video

    • Kyle Anaya

      Dude I was thinking the same, maybe a smaller version swell.

  • Stewe

    Super cool. Thumbs up for person who posted this idea as an article suggestion!

  • qazen

    Yea, and let’s all map this button to the character “V” on the computer keyboard, like Pravesh Davedeen did, so nobody needs to map anything to test the mapping!

    • Pravesh Davedeen

      Random selected button “V” has become Famouss!

    • Robert Wulfman

      but then it can’t be re-purposed for use in someone’s existing controller mapping

  • nopalmex

    An idea, opinion, comment, suggestion, request, etc: How about a single knob.

  • Dash Moon

    yeaaa I love this idea. LESS IS MORE. it always has been.

    • Robert Wulfman

      Just updated the mapping to add a keyboard version and make it work faster (required hitting the button twice the first time if the deck was already playing)

      same link as before