Over To You: How Can I Best Use My Kontrol F1?

Here’s a question which like yesterday’s, has been asked to me on several occasions (here’s another one) since the Traktor Kontrol F1 was launched. “I like my F1 and I have a lot of Remix Sets that I’ve created using the sample CDs from music magazines plus the NI free downloads. My problem is I cannot figure out how to really use it in a live setting. The only useful thing I do is trigger scratch sound effects or other one shot sounds either during a song or at the transition.”

“Also, for me all the samples clutter up in one folder and it’s a mess. I’m super-compulsive about hard drive organisation and don’t like all the samples tossed into one folder. So at the moment it’s: Great idea. Great device. But practical use? I’m not figuring out and it’s frustrating. Any advice?”

Digital DJ Tips says:

Firstly, apologies to the reader who asked this question for losing his name – that’s twice in two weeks I’ve done that. I’m clearly working too hard! 😉

OK. Often new technology take a while to “bed in” and find its feet. We’re feeling the same thing now about Mixed In Key’s Flow software, and indeed I’m working on an article exploring the new things that particular product brings to the table creatively for DJs that aren’t maybe apparent on first play with it. As far as the Kontrol F1 goes, I made a video a while back talking through some potential use cases for it, which has actually proved very popular – so if you have an F1 and feel a bit lost as to how to use it, it seems you’re not alone! Here it is:

There’s also an article from as few months back on DJ Tech Tools that explores ways of using the Remix Decks that may whet your appetite – you can find it here. But I’d like to throw this one over to the readers, as I’m sure there are many F1 owners who’ve found ways of using the device out there, and who’d be happy to share some tips.

So, over to you: Have you bought a Kontrol F1? How do you use it? How do you keep your samples organised? Please share in the comments.