Kenton Killamix Mini - Manual (Page 3)

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The Killamix-Mini compact USB controller is housed in a sturdy brushed aluminium case with
solid aluminium knobs. It is the perfect companion to your laptop, whether you are using a
sequencer, DJ-ing or VJ-ing, just plug in the USB cable and go. Despite having only 9 knobs, 9
buttons and a joystick, the Killamix-Mini can in effect be 144 knobs, 144 buttons and a joystick.
By pressing a single knob you can select any MIDI transmit channel from 1 to 9, or with a
combination of two knobs, select the remaining channels 10 to 16. When you select a new
MIDI channel, the current values of the knobs for that channel are stored so that they can be
restored when you next select this channel, thus avoiding any parameter jump difficulties
typical of units with traditional knobs and faders. When the values are restored, the LED rings
around the knobs indicate their new positions.
The 9 rotary encoders
The encoders send controller messages (CCs) when turned. The leftmost encoder always
sends CC#1, the next one CC#2 and so on until the rightmost one which sends CC#9. As the
encoders are turned, the LED rings around the encoders indicate the position that the knob is
in. If you change MIDI channel by pressing a knob, the true position of the knob will be stored
so that when you later return to the same channel, the knob will continue sending from where it
previously left off and the LED ring will be updated to indicate that position. When the Killamix
Mini is powered on after having been off, it will revert to the channel and data values last
saved (by pushing a knob) – so if you want to save the exact current state of the unit before
powering down, you should press the knob(s) for the currently selected channel first.
As mentioned above, pressing any knob will change the MIDI transmit channel to that
indicated beneath it, so pressing knob #9 (the rightmost one) will select MIDI channel #9. The
LED above the knob will light to indicate the current channel. When a new channel is selected,
any knob or switch values which have changed (on any channel) will be stored, then the
values for the new channel will be indicated by the LED rings. To select MIDI channels 10 to
16 you need to press two knobs in combination. Press and hold knob #9 then press one of the
other knobs 1 to 7. Adding the two numbers together gives the final channel number, so knob
#9 plus knob #3 gives channel 12, and knob #9 plus knob #7 gives channel #16. There will be
two LEDs lit above knobs for channels 10 –16. A CC#23 message is sent on the new channel
when selected for software which can make use of this.
When turned very slowly, the encoder data values change (increment or decrement) 30 times
each revolution. When turned faster (normal speed) the encoder values will change 60 times
per revolution. If the encoder knobs are turned very fast, the encoder values will change 60
times per revolution but 3 at a time so making the whole range (0-127) in less that one turn,
allowing you to go from one end of the data scale to the other in one twist of the knob. Turning
the knob further after maximum or minimum position has been reached will continue to send
the same max or min data. You cannot step from max to min or vice versa.
It is possible to configure the encoders to send controller incremental messages instead of
standard messages. Also the controller numbers can be offset from their default values. See
“Configuring extra operational modes” section on page 6.
When getting software to learn controller messages from the knobs, we recommend that you
set all the knobs to somewhere near the centre position (as indicated on the ledrings) before
initiating the learn process. We have found this to produce the most reliable results.