The 32 pads are the central focus of the controller (thus, P32). Speaking of finger-drumming, let’s talk about the pad buttons on the P32 DJ. The one drawback in this context is that the rest of the controller is designed for two-deck use, which is great for Ableton users who already have their sets designed for two channels, but less ideal if you have a number of clips scattered across more than two channels. There’s no included mapping for Ableton Live, but it’s easy to map on your own quickly. We also imagine that a number of Ableton Live finger-drumming producers will be inclined to view this bit of kit as a one-stop-shop for performance setups. Just being able to hit the sampler button and quickly have access to a full 16 samples is a fun – it feels very similar to using a Kontrol F1 in this respect. It also can control Remix Decks, Serato’s SP-6 Sampler, or Virtual DJ’s sample banks with ease. Sampler – in Hercules’ own DJUCED software, this controls decks 3 and 4, which are sample decks.Loop mode – makes it easy to select common loop roll lengths (top 8 buttons) or enable a loop of any length (bottom 8 buttons) quickly – this is a bit redundant with the loop encoder at the top of the controller, but still very useful to DJs who rely on loops to mix – which is way more common when you aren’t as focused on jog wheels.Slicer mode – (Freeze mode in Traktor) uses the top 8 buttons to slice through a track and the bottom 8 to adjust the length of the slices selected.16 cue points for each deck – 16 cues allow you to easily have an entire deck on melodic or vocal chopping, fun to layer over top of another deck.Here’s what’s really fun about this type of setup with the P32 DJ: Being presented with a grid of pads instead of jogwheels, turntables, or platters of any kind is a mental switch up for many DJs who are used to controlling the playing tracks in a traditional manner. The answer is yes – with some adjustment. Let’s start out with the big question on everyone’s minds: Can You DJ with Just Pads / Without Jogwheels? Your primary deck controls: 16 pads. But there’s no doubt that they’ve stayed true to their traditions of reasonably priced gear that emphasizes portability on this controller. The P32 stands out against most of the controllers that Hercules has made in the last few yearsįor Hercules, the P32 DJ a departure from a formula that they’ve been following for years, with smaller-than-usual jogwheels present on almost all of their previous controllers. But in recent years the entire industry has caught on to the trend of “performance pads” as a key toolset with which to DJ. Novation and Native Instruments might have been the first major DJ hardware manufacturers to replace DJ MIDI controllers’ traditional jogwheels with alternative controls (with the Twitch and Kontrol S8/S5, respectively). Inputs/Outputs: RCA Master Out, 1/4” headphone jack, USB port (also powers the unit).Compatibility: Works with all DJ software – included DJUCED 40º (Hercules’ own DJ software), mappings for Traktor Pro, Serato DJ, Virtual DJ 8.What Rocks: Unique control layout is unlike any other all-in-one DJ controller, highly portable, and a good price for 32 pads.Want to jump right to the contest and enter to win a P32? Click here. In today’s review, we take a closer look at this pad-heavy controller – and we’re even giving one away – keep reading to enter to win! Introduced at NAMM 2016, Hercules took on a bold new direction with their P32 DJ controller, a two-deck MIDI controller with built-in sound card that swaps out jog wheels for 16 pads on each deck.
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