OtsAV can be controlled using the Hercules DJ Console MK1 MIDI Controller. To enable this controller in OtsAV, go to Options -> OHM / MIDI Hardware Control -> OHM / MIDI Configuration, and select Hercules DJ Console in the Input Device drop-down section. Select (Ots) Hercules DJ Console MK1 (Channel 0) or (Ots) Hercules DJ Console MK1 (Channel 1) (depending on your firmware version - try both to see which works) 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 Control Panel software has the following settings...
DJ is selected (not Normal)
Sample Rate is set to 44100Hz
Enable ASIO Mode is selected if you want to use the soundcard in ASIO mode
MIDI Input drop-down, select DJ Console Buttons
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.
CUE
- Returns instantly to cue point if Deck is playing or paused.
- 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, or if pressed while scratching.
- Press and hold the "Shift" key and press Cue to set the cue
point while a song is playing.
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.
Volume
Increase or decrease the volume of the Deck. (the OtsAV Mixer will reflect
any changes made)
Note: Sync Logic is used if the controller dial and the slider on the OtsAV Mixer are in different positions. The controller dial will not adjust volume levels until the controller dial has passed the position of the OtsAV Mixer slider. (Alternatively, you can use the "Shift" button (controller mouse button) to snap the controls into like positions)
Headphone
button
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.
Pitch Slider
Adjusts the position of the Pitch and Tempo sliders in OtsAV. (use the
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)
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: Look at the OtsAV decks to determine which slider is currently being controlled.
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.
Selection buttons (beside the FX LEDs)
Cycle between the percentage ranges on the Pitch and Tempo sliders. This
allows you to set the sensitivity of the slider. The slider can be set
to 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 100% ranges.
Tip: Look at the OtsAV decks to determine the current slider range percentage.
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 left "Shift" key to allow scratching using
the left Jog Wheel.
- Press and hold the right "Shift" key to allow scratching using
the right Jog Wheel.
- 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.)
Jog Wheel
- Pitch/Tempo Bend the song.
- Scratch the song in the Deck when holding either of the controller
Mouse buttons.
- 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. (Alternatively, you can use the "Shift" button (controller mouse button) to snap the sliders into like positions)
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)
Note: The Hercules DJ Console MK1 does not accept MIDI out signals, and therefore OtsAV cannot set LEDs or lights to turn on/off.
The functions listed above are the default settings in the (Ots) Hercules DJ Console MK1 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.