A new modular controller called Palette has started to ship. Made up of fader, knob, and button modules that snap together via magnet, Palette hooks up to your laptop via USB through its core module, which is the heart of the entire system. You then build your controller around it, adding up to 18 modules in total. It comes with an app that you run on your PC/Mac, which acts as the conduit between Palette and your software.
We think this is a really cool product for two reasons: One, it works straight out the box without any soldering or assembly required, and two it works with just about any software on your computer thanks to the Palette software and core module, so you can use it even for non-DJ apps. Want to have keyboard macro buttons for Photoshop, Final Cut / Premiere, or even Word? Palette can do it – you just need to tell it what to do. Having said that, you do need to work on a bit of Midi mapping within your DJ software.
It’s on the pricey side as far as controllers go, with the basic kit consisting of a fader, two buttons, two knobs and the core module tipping in at just under US$200, but there’s nothing like it out there right now in terms of ease-of-assembly, which is a boon for folks like me who have really bad soldering skills.
It’s a clever way to plug in some holes your favourite DJ controller may have (pitch faders on the Traktor Kontrol S8, anyone?) You can even buy additional modules separately, so if you’re like me and you like a constantly evolving DJ work surface, you can add / remove and re-arrange the modules any way you like as your proficiency and needs change.
Check out the promo video below.
Promo video
• Palette is available now from US$199. Check out the Palette website for more details.
Joey Santos
