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Topic: Diff mapping for left and right keyboard modifier keys possible?

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Hi,

In Mappers when Key Learn is active if I press just the right shift key "Right Shift" is correctly detected but if I try a combo say "right shift and space bar" it processes it as SHIFT+SPACE i.e. no different than if I had pressed "left shift and space bar".

Is there a way to achieve separate mappings for left and right shift/alt/ctrl keys in VirtualDJ 7? What I'm trying to achieve is to control the left deck with the left modifier keys and the right one with the right. Say, Left Ctrl + P = deck left play_pause and Right Ctrl + P = deck right play_pause etc.

The biggest problem I'm facing right now is to sometimes forget changing the active deck and it ruins the mix. So, I have to be on my toes literally and it doesn't let me enjoy my own mix that much.. :)

If VDJ doesn't support this what do you guys esp. the ones who DJ on their laptops suggest as an alternative.

Thanks & Regards,
Ravi
 
Posted Sat 08 Sep 12 @ 11:25 am
dj_ravit wrote :

If VDJ doesn't support this what do you guys esp. the ones who DJ on their laptops suggest as an alternative.


I suggest a controller, a little more money spent is well worth making mixing easier.
 
you could map it by using the left and right shift keys to set different variables eg.

left shift = "set 'l_shift' while_pressed"
right shift = "set 'r_shift' while_pressed"

then query the state of 'l_shift' and 'r_shift' on the other button

var 'l_shift' ? deck left play_pause : var 'r_shift' ? deck right play_pause : what you want the key to do when not shifted

I used to use the left alt and ctrl though before I got a controller for my DVS Setup, that way you use the same hand to select the deck and the same hand to do the action.
 
blckjck wrote :
dj_ravit wrote :

If VDJ doesn't support this what do you guys esp. the ones who DJ on their laptops suggest as an alternative.

I suggest a controller, a little more money spent is well worth making mixing easier.

Yes, that does make sense but I'm not a pro yet pursuing it as a hobby. Mixing at house parties with some friends and beers.. hope you get the idea! :) You won't believe I'm not even using the headphone cue! Hence, my need to be spot on with when to bring the other deck in. (Cross fader helps me to hide the hiccups if any!)

So, that's why I gotta customise the keyboard as much as possible. Being in IT I actually feel quite comfortable with them, though EQ mixing and other PRO stuff would definitely warrant a controller to be at ease and I think the right DJ hardware does kinda rub off on you! :) I've been watching a lot of tutorial YouTubes and yes CDJ-200 etc. there's a different feel to them altogether that a keyboard can never match!

Anyways, KBD shortcuts first, then a DJ splitter cable. Then as I get better a good usb sound card and if and when I go pro a new thread on what to buy?!! :D

synthet1c wrote :

var 'l_shift' ? deck left play_pause : var 'r_shift' ? deck right play_pause : what you want the key to do when not shifted

This seems to solve my problem to a T. I'm gonna try this. Thanks a lot!

synthet1c wrote :

I used to use the left alt and ctrl though before I got a controller for my DVS Setup, that way you use the same hand to select the deck and the same hand to do the action.

I'm actually making a note of what I'm assigning to which key on a keyboard graphic. If you ever made a note of your mappings in pic or text would you like to share them with me? Thanks again!
 
 
I tried using the set 'var' approach but somehow the 'var' is not getting set. There's no syntax error as the else part (if ? then : else) runs fine! I went through VDJ wiki and it suggested making use of a $var as they are global and shared between decks. It made sense to use them as I thought maybe my shift key state is getting set for the active deck only but no using $ made no difference.

I tried to tinker with the syntax some more using no quotes on var, then "var" and then 'var' but it didn't work. I'm gonna try going through the wiki some more to find what's wrong with my syntax and then update here.

Anyways, many thanks for the keyboard pictures. It's given me some good mapping ideas esp. for pulling EQ effects. I won't be using stickers though as that would make it hard to write Java software then! :D
 
make sure you have deleted any keys you had previously that use the same keys eg

ALT + Space
CTRL + Space
etc..

They will interfere with the new mapping.

You can use the '$global' shift if you prefer but it is not necessary for this as the keyboard is global anyway, that is why you must declare the deck that the action takes place on. This is not the same for properly defined controllers, the '$global' shift is seen by both sides of the controller whereas the 'local' variable is seen by only the side it was activated on.

I also think that you do not need the "quotes" or 'apostrophe' when declaring variables, but I prefer them as it makes it easier to identify when something is declared. Generally I use the 'apostrophe' as that is what must be used for skins due to "quotes" being reserved in xml.

Also this is a good idea if you are afraid of not being able to see the keys
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/160855939371?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/160855939371?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
 
Yeah, you figured it out! Ctrl + Space was already mapped to *automix* and was interfering.. and that translucent keyboard membrane is a pretty good idea actually but I need to see if I can find one that matches the keyboard of my 14" HP laptop..

Thanks for all your help! You have any of your mixes uploaded online.. SoundCloud maybe.. would love to hear some.
 


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