IMG_8862

If you want to mash on some arcade buttons for your DJ or live set, your perfect hardware may have arrived.

Sure, okay – you’ve seen this before. DJ TechTools followed up on their original, DIY-centric Midi Fighter with the swanky-looking Midi Fighter 3D. The industrial design was gorgeous, replacing the homebrewed original with a crisp-looking case, subtle side buttons, and features like a custom USB cable. But we heard from plenty of readers who weren’t interested in waving the hardware around to take advantage of the gyroscope features.

At a lower price (US$175.99 to the $249.99 3D model), and with all the nice, new industrial design but no need to wave things around, Midi Fighter Spectra looks like a winner. It’s not without competition – a Novation Launchpad goes for next to nothing these days, for instance. But short of building your own hardware (which can become more expensive), it’s a no-brainer for lovers of arcade button, and now has the light-up RGB color feedback of last year’s model introduction. The omission that was found on many DIY versions: faders. So I’m curious how people do insert this in their rigs, and how they use it (and, for that matter, if CDM readers do use Midi Fighter or if they’ve all left our shores for DJ TechTools).

Specs:

  • 4×4 arcade button matrix
  • Class-compliant USB MIDI operation
  • Custom-built colors for your buttons, faceplate
  • Silicon case
  • Full-color ring lighting, customizable with included software (including animation functionality)
  • Six function buttons on the side
  • Mappings for Traktor, Serato, Ableton Live

DJ TechTools shop
Introducing The Midi Fighter Spectra

Included utility software handles mappings and custom LED colors and animations. All images courtesy DJ TechTools.

Included utility software handles mappings and custom LED colors and animations. All images courtesy DJ TechTools.

Obligatory promo video…

Gallery

IMG_8920

IMG_8932

IMG_8915

IMG_8889

IMG_8886

IMG_8840

IMG_8827

IMG_8737

IMG_8722

IMG_8686

IMG_8683