DaRouter, Power to the Presets

DaRouter is an application developed between Stanton and Bome’s Software which allows DaScratch to specifically integrate and interact with audio applications. DaRouter takes incoming messages coming from DaScratch and translates them to the host target audio application through the form of presets. This translation process allows the unit to change its functionality depending on which mode the unit is in and the desired host application functionality. Every single action on DaScratch is processed through DaRouter, which means that as applications evolve, so do presets… thus eliminating the need for firmware updates or placing unnecessary logic in the hardware’s memory. More importantly, presets can be created and edited freely with virtually no limit to what DaScratch can do, thus opening up a whole element in control surface DJing. Stanton believes that it’s important to give our best recommendation for how hardware should work, but to not assume that every DJ wants to interface with their software in the same way.

Presets, Programmed, Powered

Presets are self enclosed files which contain all the logic behind DaScratch. When creating DaRouter, Stanton and Bome’s Software wanted to create a simple and intuitive application that could use presets with very little setup or complexity. However the files that DaRouter loads are indeed quite deep and complex.

A preset at its fundamental level is simply a bunch of “translators”. Translators are simple rules that have inputs and outputs. In most cases the inputs are MIDI commands coming from DaRouter and outputs are MIDI commands going to the application. Within each translator are also rules. For instance, a translator might send a different output message depending on the value of a variable. As an example, let’s say you wanted a slider to send a message to change deck volume when you hold button A, but an effects parameter when holding button B. This can be easily done using a translator.

TRAKTOR PRESET

The Traktor preset was written to take advantage of some of the newer features released in Traktor version 3.4 and up. The idea behind it was to try to use Traktor’s robust MIDI implementation and give you control over not only typical deck functions (transport, track manipulation, etc), but also deck effects, looping, cues, and more. Using this preset, you could easily use DaScratch to replace a traditional deck, and also have access to controls more normally found on the mixer.

SERATO SCRATCH LIVE PRESET

The Serato preset was designed to allow advanced control over Serato when using timecode sources (vinyl or CD). The main goals of the preset were to create unique and easy to use interfaces towards basic transport control, looping, triggering and most importantly browsing. Serato is a very powerful and reliable program to begin with, and the philosophy of this preset is not to replace the vinyl but rather add to what can be done with two turntables and a regular mixer.

GENERIC PRESET

Stanton provides what we call a “generic” preset which can be used to map to any application for which a specific preset is not yet available. It’s also a good starting point for the creation of any non-application specific preset. This preset shows how to make the unit switch modes, convert incremental (gesture) movements into absolute positions, and all the different LED feedback modes the unit supports.

Midi Translator^®

DaRouter is “Powered by Midi Translator”, which means its uses the extremely reliable and tested real time processing engine developed by Bome Software for Midi Translator. Midi Translator is the editor (as well as the player) for preset files which run inside of DaRouter. All the presets for DaScratch are first developed in Midi Translator then tested in DaRouter, so DaRouter is simply a sibling of Midi Translator.

Midi Translator may be utilized by power users to modify and create presets to be run inside DaRouter. For more information on Midi Translator and other Bome Software products, visit: http://www.bome.com/midi/translator/