DARK FADER – QUICK GUIDE
CONNECTORS [BACKSIDE]
USB IN: Connects the Dark Fader to the midi host
(PC/Mac/iOS etc.). Dark Fader offers a class
compatible midi protocol, no driver on host needed.
USB Out (optionally): Available if an active hub is
mounted, can be used to connect more midi
devices in daisy chain.
DC Power IN (5V, polarity + inside): Available if an
active hub is mounted. Dark Fader needs less than
80mA, so even 2 Dark Faders can be connected to
an iOS device without any power supply. Intended
use of DC Power IN: Power daisy chain connected
devices at USB Out.
MIDI CHANNEL BUTTON [ 1]
Top Button toggles midi channel (1 or 2) for all
control elements of Dark Fader, typically used to
switch between deck A and B. The fader goes into
waiting mode if inbuilt Midi Soft Takeover is
enabled (feature can be enabled/disabled in Power-
On Setup Mode).
Top LED (above button): shows selected midi
channel (green=channel 1, red=channel 2).
Dark Fader stores the last used channel
permanently. On next power on, the last used
channel is selected automatically (this simplifies
the usage of 2 Dark Faders; both are aligned to left
and right deck permanently). MIDI: In addition to
midi channel toggle, the button also sends midi
commands to allow additional midi mapping.
LEFT AND RIGHT BUTTONS [ 2]
Typically used for pitch bend [–] and [+], but can be
mapped to any other supported midi functions of
your DJ application.
MIDI: Both buttons send midi notes, holding the
SHIFT button modifies the notes of both buttons,
this allows a 2nd layer mapping to e.g. Cue/Play.
SHIFT BUTTON [ 3]
SHIFT button modifies the midi note of all other
buttons. MIDI: The button itself also sends a midi
note to allow additional midi mapping.
SL1200 PITCH FADER [ 4]
Original Technics SL1200 fader (click-less mk3/5 model): The fader values are calculated in full
14bit resolution. MIDI: The fader sends a midi pitchbend command (14bit). The LED to the left of the
fader is used for multiple purposes:
LED RED: As soon as a fader movement is detected, the LED flashes red to indicate that a midi
message was sent. LED OFF (despite movements): Midi Soft Takeover is active, fader waits until
user catches the earlier fader position in actual midi channel. LED GREEN: indicates that the last
sent midi value was #8192 (exact mid zero position). Permanently on if pitch reset is active.
Dark Fader offers 2 options to trigger the exact mid (zero) position: moving into ‘mid range’ (similar
to the SL1200 mk2 models) AND via a pitch reset feature (similar pitch reset knob on SL1200 mk3
models). Dark Fader combines the advantages of both SL1200 models.
Pitch Reset: to reset pitch to zero press SHIFT and MIDI CHANNEL buttons together (hold SHIFT,
then press MIDI CHANNEL). When pitch reset mode is activated: pitch resets to zero and mid LED
lights green, midi value 8192 sent once, and any fader movements are disabled. Press both buttons
again to leave pitch reset mode. Both midi channels store their own pitch reset status, so when a
deck is changed (via top deck selector/midi channel button) the mid LED shows the pitch reset
status of the new deck.
Customizing & Calibration: Dark Fader firmware offers an inbuilt Power-On Setup Mode. This allows
customizing and storing user specific preferred settings (fader mid position / mid range size /
sensitivity / midi soft takeover / reset).
www.dark-controller.com
© 2019-08-04
