Reloop Buddy compact 2-channel DJ controller for Algoriddim DJay on iOS, PadOS, Android, Mac and PC with RGB performance pads, FX paddles and Neural Mix controls AMS-BUDDY

Product Information

This “slices” the current eight beats and spreads them across the pads, and lets you play from the start of each beat by tapping its corresponding slicer pad. The Sampler pad feature has eight sample slots available. To start with, these are your standard pre-programmed samples that can later be replaced with different sounds while going through the software.

Because there are no mode selectors in a third row above the eight pads as you find on larger controllers, there is a mode button that you hold while tapping one of the eight pads. Doing so triggers that mode. Let’s look at the modes in turn: The performance pads are colour, which is unusual for a controller at this price point. 1. Hot cues A DJ micro-controller is a smaller version of a traditional controller, designed for portable use. Micro DJ controllers generally include many of the same features as your standard controller, but they may be pared down slightly for size purposes. You can find the following components on DJ microcontrollers: For the absolute smallest controller you can buy, we’d definitely recommend looking at the Hercules DJControl Starlight. Instead of relying too heavily on its hardware (as is the case for most controllers), you’ll instead find yourself leaning much more heavily on its software, playing and experimenting with the different options offered, determining which one works best for you and your DJing style.Mobile DJs will probably want to get all-in-one controllers, easy to transport and install anywhere. This is my preferred way of implementing looping on controllers, and it works as you’d expect. Neural Mix As many of the controls of the software (most, really) can’t be controlled from the hardware, you’ll be using the touchscreen quite a lot too, but that’s by design. After switching to “PC”, you’ll then need to plug the controller in. It will require using Buddy’s USB-B port to connect with the mobile device.

The included iPad/phone stand is a nice touch, the slot being wide enough to accommodate the square pro edged models. The limited real estate on the small controller has lead to a mirrored design. Although we are usually critical of such a decision, on the Buddy it makes perfect sense. Keeping the tempo faders and loop encoders away from the busy mixer section. Setting up is not particularly intuitive, so it pays to study the set-up guide properly. iPad/iPhone powered The good news, however, is that because the software auto gain is so good, much of the downsides are somewhat mitigated (at least to a degree). Connection Layout Reloop’s new entry-level controller is your friend if you’re looking for an intuitive way to learn how to mix.Eight performance modes: hot cue, auto loop, touch FX, sampler, slicer, bounce loop, Neural Mix™, looper Neural Mix™ technology allows you to isolate certain elements from a song such as drums, vocals or instruments – perfect for live remixing

The Reloop Buddy offers you large FX Paddles with HOLD and ON positions for instant effect mixing. PLUG AND PLAY Finally, if you don’t want to connect to a mobile device, you can always use the tried and true method of connecting with your laptop computer.

Performance Pads

It pairs particularly well with djay Pro AI running on iPad, because it also has a built-in iPad stand (a slot at the rear of the unit), making the combination of iPad and Reloop Buddy a particularly neat, portable DJing solution. (You will have to pop your iPad out of its case to slot it in, though.) The Reloop Buddy offers you large FX Paddles with HOLD and ON positions for instant effect mixing PLUG AND PLAY Performance pads: Performance pads allow users to instantly trigger things like hot cues, slicer, sampler, and roll features. You can also hit shift to access different functions. You may have fewer performance pads on a micro-DJ controller. There are two effects engines in djay Pro, each with three “manual effects”, but these knobs and buttons only control the top effect of each pair of three, and whatever you select is duplicated across the pair. That all makes sense, and is similar to how most such controllers implement these types of effects nowadays – keeping it simple.

Below them are two button options that either tweak the effect or change the effect’s parameters (such as its cycle time). Also I felt it would be cool if whichever mode you’re NOT in could be temporarily activated by holding Shift and turning the corresponding knob – it would be much more immediate than having to switch first. Effects Auto loop works exactly the same way as the loop encoders – there are two ways of controlling the same feature. Tap a pad to trigger an auto loop: The pad to its left will trigger an auto loop half its size, the one to the right, double its size. Tap again to turn off. 3. Touch FXThe knob in the middle of these switches controls wet/dry (ie the amount of effect you hear), and the two buttons below that knob either choose an effect (when operated with Shift) or change a parameter of the effect (usually its cycle time).