Novation TWITCH DJ Controller - Road Test w/ Abe Duque

In our latest video series "Road Test" -- dedicated to road testing portable electronic music performance and production tools Dubspot Instructor, DJ and producer Abe Duque takes various music equipment out of the comfort of the studio and puts them to use while on the road as a traveling musician and performer. He documents his findings and details the creative possibilities these tools offer in a live performance setting.

In the first installment of Road Test, Abe brings the Novation TWITCH back into the Dubspot lab after a tour in Germany where he utilized the new DJ controller as his primary DJ equipment. Presented here are the results of his experience with the Twitch - from its light, compact, durable design, tactile and precise knobs, buttons, and faders to the multifunctional touchstrip controls and Fader FX feature. As you can tell by now, the Twitch absolutely passes Abe's Road Test. Stay tuned for more.

[theGiantAngryRobot]

good video, i liked the reality of your hang over the morning after the show hahaha! you guys also answered the one question that was holding me back from wanting to purchase this bad boy when you addressed turning off the fader fx. clever novation :D

[AbeDuqueOfficial]

With any of these type of units it's all about controller real estate and the clever use thereof.
The twitch is a really good attempt to balance out all these concerns with a heavy focus on portability. It can use much more but couldn't we all? :)
I realize that this review does sound overwhelmingly positive but I struggled to find something I did not like about. I have recently started to work out an Ableton mapping for it and I must say it is my favorite way to play with it so far.

[AbeDuqueOfficial]

FYI: I had never used the piece before. I was at Dubspot one day when they asked me if I would do a tutorial on it. I figured, why not? I am a sort of controller specialist so I really found it interesting to try something new. I never expected to like it as much. Biased? Well only as much as I like it :)
True the outputs are not the loudest but they are reasonable. However a booth monitor, 4 layers of pads and push button second stage knobs controls now that is something to be biased about.

[AbeDuqueOfficial]

To answer some of your comments:
This video did already come out but it was mysteriously deleted.
The touch strip actually does feel pretty tight.
It's not falling apart, what you may be looking at is the overlay.
I was not paid to make this video. The twitch is not perfect. I don't believe the perfect controller has been made yet. However it is very tightly built and compact enough to carry around. When you tour as much as I do you get to really appreciate portability. It can be sleeker but....

[thatchinaboi]

I'm getting interested.. but I won't consider buying this unless they make a 4 deck version. Thumbs up if you agree!

[LibertarianCoconut]

The twitch has some nice features but I won't even consider it unless they release a 4-channel version with separate transport controls for all 4 decks in Traktor. It's small enough that they could make a 4-channel version that doesn't require switching between decks A-C and B-D which is a major PITA. I love my S4 but hate having to switch decks or use a separate X-1 for decks C and D.

[eemi]

what is the name of the song that plays in the background at the end ? love that style!! thanks!

[beJT]

slicer looks like you are trusting your mix sounding good to a randmon chance.

[brettpiggott]

What's the track that's playing towards the end of this video???

[sophisticatedgeniuz]

What about the lights on the controller. Do they still operate as they would with Serato?

[djedd]

Actually it will install. but you you can only use one deck if a supported controller isn't connected.

[merkga]

This is more of a review with a bit of a tutorial then a road test video.

[audiojck]

Loop Roll will actually keep playing, so you can skip certain parts of the track by using the loop.

[DJTrippaT]

Would this be good for a back-up mixer?

[rMeSclan]

Serato ITCH is free software that is only usable if you have a controller/deck developed for it. It will not install without one connected to the computer. Visit Serato's website.

[Smaharry]

@Dubspot wt if your laptop dies during gig??? nd how to change a tempo of a song thts playing ???

[iMrDubalicious]

@abeduque I know what you meen about the outputs the controller was fantastic but after the terrible essembly on my twitch i was no a happy camper. If i was able to i would love to remake the twitch in my own image higher quality more idea's too it and made for traktor and ableton as one massive midi monster. the mixer has too much potential but in my opinion they half ass it....

[TheMattCosta]

@EvanWhomp
maybe a remake cause sth went wrong

[Traclfeen]

@ToStheDJ Well if you like a product you are gonna be a bit bias about it.. I don't think he is being any more "bias" than those traktor s2 and s4 fan boys.. Honestly, it's 6 of 1 half dozen of another when it comes to these controllers..

[ArmorKingEmir]

interesting thing, but i think i am still not ready to jive up on jog wheels :)