The right tools are an essential investment for any DJ or musical creator. Aside from the basic “must-have” equipment, you’ll need to set up for any event or gig, you may also find yourself experimenting with a wider range of tools as you develop your skills, so you can explore more unique sounds.
The MIDI Fighter 64 is a fantastic little machine capable of producing experimental experiences for modern DJs.
At first glance, it looks just like a small box with a lot of buttons connected to it. However, there’s obviously a lot more to the experience than this.
The simple but effective MIDI Fighter 64 is one of those amazingly simple ideas that work better than most people would imagine.
Let’s take a closer look at what this device can do.
Is the Midi Fighter 64 any good? (in short)
The Midi Fighter 64 is a unique and impressive controller with the capacity to live up to the demands of live performances from any musician or DJ. Though a simple idea, the MIDI Fighter 64 is beautifully well-made, with stunning customizations throughout.
Overview
The MIDI Fighter 64, now in production for the masses, started life as a concept by Shawn Wasabi (Shawn Serrano), known for his MIDI fighting mashup music.
The artist shot to fame when his mashup routine was performed on the MIDI fighter spectra, Midi Fighter 3D, and a few other video game controllers.
After creating a host of successful mashups using the 16 buttons on the MIDI Fighter Spectra/3D, Shawn contacted DJTechTools to create a custom prototype of the MIDI fighter with a full 64 buttons.
The mashup created by this controller, known as Marble Soda, is one of the most popular on YouTube today, with millions of hits.
Even after creating an incredible mashup, the DJTechTools brand wasn’t happy to mass produce the new controller. Shawn Wasabi was the only artist of his kind to have access to the tool.
It’s likely the team at DJ TechTools simply thought the device wouldn’t appeal to many people in the music creation industry. After all, traditional or “conventional” DJing isn’t exactly the point here.
Fortunately, after views started to increase around Wasabi’s videos, other DJs found themselves drawn towards the idea of a solution for sample/clip triggering just like this one. If you’re a lover of finger drumming and need a solution requiring low-latency, fast-paced control via MIDI, this is the product for you.
After an unfortunate incident involving Shawn’s controller being stolen in 2016, the DJTechTools developers finally decided it was time to create additional controllers for other hardcore fans.
Now, the MIDI Fighter 64 is finally available to the masses, and we’re ready to show you everything it can do.
Midi Fighter 64: Key Features
Widely regarded as the best controller on the market right now for finger drumming, the powerful MIDI Fighter 64 combines authentic Japanese Sanwa arcade buttons with 5 incredible sound packs.
Key to the design of this product is the unique 8×8 grid of arcade-style buttons, similar to what you might find on a standard 90s Street Fighter machine.
For the initial mass production run, the MIDI Fighter 64 came in a range of options, including a central black or central whiteboard.
There’s also the option to get a solid or clear bottom body. The clear design on the bottom is fantastic for grabbing attention, in our opinion.
However, according to the DJ TechTools team, you could also request custom designs too, as each MIDI Fighter 64 comes custom-built upon request.
The product comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty ensuring you can return the product if you have any issues with defects.
Plus, the website includes an “accident protection” coverage policy customers can access if they need extra peace of mind.
Features include:
- Software and 30 training lessons
- Class compliant structure
- Customizable animated LED color rings
- USB B type B connector
- USB powered performance
- USB MIDI Class compliant
- Full set of tactile buttons
- Plug and play functionality
- Built to last with ultra-reliable performance
The Design
The hardware for the MIDI Fighter 64 is beautifully well-made, with longevity built-in. Everything is built to last, so you don’t have to worry about feeling as though you’re going to snap something if you get a little “overly excited” with your performance.
Created specifically for serious finger drummers in the DJ world, this is a device with rock-solid reliability, endless customization options, and an easy-to-understand layout.
The Fighter has quickly emerged as the gold standard for many finger drummers worldwide.
The buttons are rated to last 5 million presses with some of the best components in the world. The devices are built to stand the test of time and deliver excellence with every show.
If you’ve used similar products before, like the MIDI Fighter Spectra, the hardware will have a similar feeling, with an all-plastic body. However, it’s worth noting this device is a lot larger.
The Buttons
Though there are many things to love about the MIDI Fighter 64, the most important component for most fans has to be the buttons. All MIDI Fighter 64 products come with a full grid of high-performance triggers tested to last a lifetime.
The genuine SANWA arcade buttons have beautifully tactile feedback, and they’re built for smooth operation with amazing sensitivity.
The MIDI Fighter 64 comes with access to full color-ring lighting with a range of animations controlled via a MIDI connection. The hardware is also the only controller in the world designed with animations built-in, so you can create unique effects and color changes through the MIDI connection.
There’s no need for any complex clip programming to start customizing either.
Though you may argue the colors available from the buttons are a little simplistic – with only around 19 options to choose from, it’s not a major issue for most.
The MIDI Fighter 64 utility application can be used to set the color of individual buttons. From a design perspective, the buttons with the MIDI Fighter 64 feature:
- Drum-like bounce back
- 2mm of travel
- Ball bearing contacts
- Clear audible feedback
- Industry-leading low latency
- Rating to 5 million presses
Software
Built for amazing performance, the MIDI Fighter 64 is designed to impress the likes of serious finger drummers like Mad Zach and Korn. In fact, countless bands and DJs now use this product on stage to help them access a wider range of sounds.
However, you will need to seek out some software on your own.
The device does come with the MIDI Fighter Utility pack, where you can set up your animations and lighting colors, but that’s about it.
This isn’t to say you can’t begin experimenting with your new tool straight away, however. The easy-to-understand controller comes with access to some amazing sound packs, including one created by Shawn Wasabi.
Every customer will get access to a full set of Mad Zach’s sound packs too, created specifically for practice and inspiration.
Because the sound packs are for Ableton Live, you will need to have access to this service on your computer before you can technically “plug and play” with the service.
It is worth noting this device can also technically work with any software accepting the MIDI Note On/Off messages, though it’s generally more convenient to use Ableton Live.
Though the sound packs are built for Ableton Live, you won’t get advanced integrations like a clip launch or scaling mode.
The good news is everything is pretty simple to set up.
There’s a CC, or continuous controller option, with CC values fixed to maintain a consistently great experience.
Customization
What really makes the MIDI Fighter special, yet a little confusing to some is how customizable it is. Many artists see this product as a blank canvas, without a specific primary purpose connected to it.
You’ll need to configure and set this machine up in a way that specifically matches your needs.
This gives you a bit more of a unique experience to work with.
The MIDI Fighter 64 does come bundled with sound packs to explore, but you have a lot of extra functionality built-in to adjust the experience to suit your needs. The Utility software built-in with the system allows you to configure your hardware to work in specific ways.
You can even activate arcade-style combos which trigger specific MIDI notes when you hit a specific selection of keys.
Mashups
If you’ve previously used the Launchpad User Mode feature to create mashups, you’ll be able to transition those Ableton sessions over to the MIDI Fighter 64. The biggest difference here is likely to be the LED feedback.
Remember, you’ll need to make sure the MIDI data for your mixes is delivered to the third channel on the MIDI Fighter 64 to create custom light patterns.
Outside of this, everything else should work the same as usual.
If you’ve created mashups on the Push controller user mode within Ableton and you want to translate those over to the MIDI Fighter 64, there will be significantly more work to do.
The MIDI note layout is definitely much different here. The first four bottom notes on these devices will generally be listed chromatically from left to right in fours.
However, the Push doesn’t allow this pattern.
Lighting
We’ve already discussed some of the lighting options available from the MIDI Fighter 64 when covering the button functionality of the device.
The light show is significant enough that it probably does deserve some attention on its own too. The light show surrounding the buttons thanks to the built-in LEDs, is truly impressive and immediately striking.
Like the rest of this controller system, the lighting options also come with the option for customization and configuration.
You can adjust the colors of the LED surrounds with a selection of about 19 different shades to choose from. You’ll also be able to adjust what the light does when you’re not touching the button, and when you do.
You can even adapt the colors the buttons change to when you tap them, and how the color spreads too.
Pros and Cons
Definitely not the perfect DJ controller for everyone, but the ideal purchase for many modern DJs, the MIDI Fighter is a must-have investment for those who love the fun of finger drumming.
The MIDI Fighter 64 can withstand regular use and hardcore performances in all kinds of environments. If you really want to bring your music to life with a finger drumming solution, this is the product for you.
If you have an opportunity to get a taste of one of these devices for yourself, you should definitely consider it.
Pros
Cons
Midi Fighter 64: The Verdict
It’s probably safe to say that not every DJ or creator will necessarily “get” the MIDI Fighter 64 and what makes it so special – but that’s alright.
This was a machine designed for a very specific purpose.
This is a device we can definitely see ourselves becoming obsessed with really quickly. From the moment you start purchasing your product, you can make customizations to ensure it’s suitable for your specific needs.
The MIDI Fighter 64 also comes with a bunch of features you can start exploring immediately – but you can also adjust virtually everything about your device, which means there are dozens of unique experiences to create.
Though a bit of a novelty in its unique functionality, the MIDI Fighter 64 certainly isn’t just some cheap “fun” idea.
This is a product custom-made for mashups, finger drumming, and stunning visual performance routines. While it is priced a little higher than some of the alternatives on the market today, you’re paying for sensational quality and design.
