Manufacturer	Faderfox
Website	Faderfox LD2
Price	£
Rating	Select ratingPoorOkayGoodGreatAwesome Your rating: None Average: 5 (1 vote)

The Faderfox series is a modular set of controllers optimized for use with audio software, but they can easily be used and adapted by VJs. The whole range of controllers can be chained and combined to mix personal setup needs. (I will provide reviews of other Faderfox controllers soon).
The LD2 is shipping since february 2007. It has 16 endless encoders which are double functional as rotary controls AND push-buttons. In addition to that, there are 6 buttons to choose a controller setup, and two step buttons which can be used scroll through storage slots indicated by LEDs.

The LD2 comes with three pre-programmed control-sets for Ableton Live, but it is very easy to switch to one of nine empty controller banks and to store your setups there (even i as a midi dummy managed that :) ). Each setup can control 6 control layouts.

Example:
You can assign all 16 encoders for one task like triggering clips by pushing the buttons and save this as control layout 1. Layout 1 is activated by the first button on the left bottom.

Then you can program layout 2 to control some FX, layer visibility or whatever, and trigger the layout by button two. Layout 3 may be programmed to steer Plugins, etc.

You may now easily change between the layouts by pushing one of the 6 buttons. This means you have instant access to 6 layouts for 16 rotary controls plus 16 buttons each!

It is VERY useful that push-encoders can be set to toggle mode, which means it is activated until pushed again. The active state is indicated by a lit LED.

Connections and power supply
Faderfox controllers have no USB port, but must be connected to an USB-midi-interface to connect to your computer. This is because the modular approach would be much more complicated with USB-interconnections between units. This seems to be a bit outdated at first sight, but actually this means using a rock-solid proven standard technology. Anyone who was ever lost in todays driver messes will appreciate this... The integrated midi-merge function helps to avoid control collisions when using several units.

Because the units are not USB-powered, they come with batteries and can be powered with an optional wall plug (not included).

Faderfox does not provide drivers or a software to setup the units. The system setups can be done on the units themselves. Therefore, programming of the units is a bit limited, but fully sufficient for many, even advanced tasks.

Appearance
The LD2 is small at 180x105x70 mm and weighs only 450 g (about half the size and quater of weight of a Behringer BCR2000).

The layout is clear and very ergonomic, with good accessibility and touch. The build quality is very professional + solid with high-quality encoders by ALPS. There are some nice little features for VJs like low-lit LEDs in deactivated mode for better orientation in a dark surrounding.

I use the LD2 with Modul8 and i would rate it as incredibly useful and a great piece of gear.