Hercules DJ Console MK2 Controller

OtsAV can be controlled using the Hercules DJ Console MK2 MIDI Controller. To enable this controller in OtsAV, go to Options -> OHM / MIDI Hardware Control -> OHM / MIDI Configuration, and select Hercules DJ Console MK2 in the Input Device drop-down section. Select (Ots) Hercules DJ Console MK2 in the MIDI Mapping File area. (This mapping file may not work with other Hercules models. You may need to create your own mapping file for different models.)

Note: Ensure the Hercules DJ Console MK2 Control Panel software has the following settings...
ASIO Mode is selected if you want to use the soundcard in ASIO mode
ASIO Sample Rate is set to 44100Hz
ASIO Sample Size is set to 16-bit
ASIO Buffer Size is 96 (2ms) or as close to this as you can get on your system without audible glitches
Jog Wheels Settings are Enable (Default)
Note: If running multiple controllers it is important the Hercules DJ Console MK2 is free to use the first MIDI Channel (0xB0) so it matches the OHML mapping file (adjust other controllers in their control panels to not compete with that MIDI channel or unplug them).
(Refer to Hercules manual for other settings if desired.)

Tip: To enable this controller every time OtsAV is launched, select Options -> OHM / MIDI Hardware Control -> Enable Controller at Program Startup (controller must be powered on before launching OtsAV)

Below you will find descriptions of each of the controls, and which functions they control in OtsAV.

Note: Some controls have more than one purpose, and can perform different functions, depending on what states the OtsAV Decks are in.

 

Mouse buttons
Both buttons act as a "Shift" key, and can add additional features to other controls.
- Pressing both "Shift" buttons at the same time will execute a Mix Now feature and immediately fade to the next song. (same as clicking on the next track button in OtsAV's Toolbar)
- Press and hold the "Shift" key and the Next Track button to load the next song in the main Playlist to the deck. (fastest way to load the next song from your playlist)
- Press and hold the "Shift" key and press Cue to set the cue point while a song is playing.
- Press and hold the "Shift" key while pressing Play to "force play" the currently loaded song. (used when AutoDJ is enabled. If you manually start the song around the same time that AutoDJ would start the song, you don't want to accidentally Pause the song if OtsAV has already started it.)

- Press and hold the "Shift" key while pressing an Autobeat button to change between scratch mode and bend mode.

 

CUE
-
Returns instantly to cue point if Deck is playing, paused or scratching/bending.
- Press and hold to initiate Stutter Play if Deck is already at cue point (great for sampling). Release the Cue button to return to cue point.
- Sets the cue point if in Frame Seek mode.
- Press and hold the "Shift" key and press Cue to set the cue point while a song is playing or while scratching/bending.

 

Play
- Start or Pause playback.
- Press and hold the "Shift" key while pressing Play to "force play" the currently loaded song. (used when AutoDJ is enabled. If you manually start the song around the same time that AutoDJ would start the song, you don't want to accidentally Pause the song if OtsAV has already started it.)

 

Track Previous/Next
- Enters Frame Seek Mode. Move backwards and forwards by frame, then press CUE to set cue point.

Tip: While in Frame Seek Mode, the Jog Wheel can be used to seek more rapidly.

- Press and hold the "Shift" key and the Next Track button to load the next song in the main Playlist to the deck. (fastest way to load the next song from your playlist)

 

Bass, Medium, Treble EQ
Knobs can be used to increase or decrease the level of low, mid, and high frequencies.

 

Pitch Knobs (Volume)
Increase or decrease the volume of the Deck. (the OtsAV Mixer will reflect any changes made)

Note: You can use with the "Shift" button (controller mouse button) to snap the OtsAV Mixer channel level to 0dB and -96dB positions)

 

Selection buttons (beside the FX LEDs) (Cue)
Enables/disables the Cue button on the OtsAV Mixer for the associated deck.

Note: The OtsAV Mixer will reflect these controller settings.

 

Pitch Bend
Momentarily increase or decrease the speed of the playing song. Useful for aligning beats while mixing. 

 

Volume Slider (Pitch)
Adjusts the position of the Pitch and Tempo sliders in OtsAV. (use the Beatlock (Master Tempo) button to swap between Pitch and Tempo slider control)

Note: Sync Logic is used if the controller slider and the slider on the OtsAV deck are in different positions. The controller slider will not adjust playback speed until the controller slider has passed the position of the OtsAV deck slider. (Alternatively, you can use the "Shift" button (controller mouse button) to snap the sliders into like positions)

 

Beatlock button (Master Tempo)
Toggles between Pitch and Tempo slider control. If you want to adjust playback speed, but not change the "key" (or Pitch) of the song, use the Tempo sliders.

Tip: Illuminated when in Tempo mode.

 

3
Kill switch allows for instant reduction of low frequencies. 

 

2
Kill switch allows for instant reduction of mid frequencies.

 

1
Kill switch allows for instant reduction of high frequencies.

 

Jog Wheel
-
Scratch the song in the Deck.
- Pitch/Tempo Bend the song.

- Frame Seek while in Frame Seek Mode (see Track Previous/Next button section)

 

Crossfader
Controls the OtsAV Mixer crossfader. Allows quick volume adjustment between decks.

Note: The OtsAV Mixer will reflect these controller settings.

Note: Sync Logic is used if the controller slider and the slider on the OtsAV Mixer are in different positions. The controller slider will not adjust volume levels until the controller slider has passed the position of the OtsAV Mixer slider.

 

Autobeat
Matches the BPM of the opposite Deck.

Note: The Pitch or Tempo may be adjusted on the selected deck, depending on which slider you are controlling at the time. (e.g. if the slider is set to move the Pitch slider in OtsAV, then the Pitch slider is used to match the BPM of the opposite deck)

 

The functions listed above are the default settings in the (Ots) Hercules DJ Console MK2 Ots hardware mapping file.

The way in which each button or slider controls OtsAV can be customized to suit your needs. To learn more about editing/changing an OHM (Ots Hardware Mapping) file, see here.

 

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