Aurora: the DJ MIDI controller that lights up

Plug the Aurora into a laptop and you're ready to start mixing.
Plug the Aurora into a laptop and you're ready to start mixing.

With countless hardware companies now competing for your DJ controller cash, newcomers to the market need their products to offer something extra if they want to get noticed. Aurora's stand-out feature is controllable ambient lighting, but there's plenty more to it than that.

This is an open-source device that connects to your computer over USB and puts you in control of any MIDI-compatible software. Aurora has two channel faders, a crossfader and eight backlit buttons.

There's a video of the controller in action, and you can find a list of everything you need to build one on the Aurora website. There's no news on pricing as yet, but if you want to buy one, you can email the developers and express your interest.

(via Hack A Day)

Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.