Review: Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 Controller | Tips and Tricks
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- čas přidán 10. 12. 2018
- Mojaxx delivers his long-awaited review of Native Instruments' Traktor Kontrol S4 controller. He also looks at the Traktor Pro 3 software. Subscribe to DJcityTV: bit.ly/127fT8P
Buy the Traktor Kontrol S4: bit.ly/2BfxvXE
Buy Traktor Pro 3: bit.ly/2B8owHS
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Another top quality review from Mojaxx. I will always love your desire to ACTUALLY try and test new stuff so you can work out all it's little foibles and quirks to give me, the consumer, an accurate picture of what's good, bad and ugly about a new product.
Personally, I will be holding off on upgrading from Traktor Scratch Pro 2 to Traktor Pro 3 for a while, there's not enough about it for me right now to warrant bothering, it seems more geared towards those buying this particular device and software for the first time. But I am also really pleased that Traktor seems to be here to stay, as it's the only DJ software I have ever used (and WANT to use), so hats off to NI and here's to the next chapter!
Thanks Mojaxx
And much props to you for using "foibles."
Great review as always. Short, informative and to the point
Love your reviews mate, constructive, informed and to the point.
For my DJing style, Traktor is tops. I'm so happy they finally updated their controllers, and although I'm not sold on the "Pioneer club standard" b.s., I like what NI has put on offer here with both the software and the S4 MK3.
The one thing missing to me is clickable pots on the EQs. I don't know why manufacturers aren't doing this. I rock a customized midi controller setup with endless, clickable encoders and being able to kill and bring back EQs with a single push has spoiled me.
sounds like some one cant afford quality pioneer equipment and has to settle on the cheap stuff
Great review once again!!! I'm one of those crazy loyals using Traktor for 10 years and seeing the obvious decline and since I roll on S8 and waiting for new mind blowing stuff, this, although there is a statement that they haven't left, I don't think they are trying hard enough to get their lost customers back.. if the new S8 MK2 isn't coming in 2019 they are done in my eyes too.. however great they used to be
Not too shabby. The haptic feedback is a nice touch, impressive controller all around, even tough I'm not a Traktor fan, this is not bad at all. Nice review!
Been using since it came out and loving the S4! The quirks you mention at 10:00 ish are really the only source of friction I've had with the controller so far-I want to use TT mode for everything but it's forcing me to change my workflow with cue points etc. Also, while in TT mode, the tempo range is limited to -/+ 8% even if you have changed it in the settings. I have mine set to 20%, and so sometimes if I need that extra range I find myself switching back to jog mode so that I can adjust the tempo to where I want.
Thanks Mojaxx. Very helpful
This is a GREAT review - thanks!
Love your vids bigfella. keep it up
Awesome review my friend!
Great review! Very honest and balanced. Let’s hope your suggestions are heard by NI as they should be quite simple to implement. I look forward to more of your reviews, cheers!
great review!
Great video many thanks to u
Most helpful, the Mo!!
Thanks, really Good Review.
Got a lot of love for traktor
a 3,2 traktor version is availeble today if you upgrade it , so it makes the the 4 mk3 a standalone controller.
wait what!?
Looks great.
Nice review MJ. The lack of external mixer is holding me back. And also because I'm trying to build a hybrid traktor / synth setup using novation circuit & mono and with friends and their gear. I struggled with z2 for tight midi sync but for some reason an old Denon mc6000 in external mixer mode works fine. Maybe new MK3 will work ok this way when external mixer is available. But can't get mc6000 to work with traktor 3 DVS either. Less important but would be nice. Always anticipate your vids dude. You are the best out there. Peace.
can't u hook it up on the mic?
Good review sir..
Hey Mojaxx, at the beginning of the video you mention using a standalone setup with usb sticks - what setup do you normally use? thanks in advance.
Great review, I’ve just bought one and it’s absolutely T for tremendous!!!
combines my fav controllers of all time (Traktor mk4 and Numark NS7) I definitely want this just too bad its not stand alone mixer hope they can add that
thanx Mojaxx! the wait was worth it, since you pointed out several things that you probably wouldn't have noticed with just a demo out of the box. obvious you put the S4Mk3 through its paces first.
i don't hear you replacing your SC5000 Prime set up, but at its price, this seems like it could dominate its category.
Caleb Grayson I’m hoping that Denon and NI come to an arrangement to get Traktor control mode into the Prime series. That would be killer.
With the Prime 4 media player stand alone controller w8th Traktor then would be a great combo. But no need for engine software then. They are doing a Serato mapping.
@@Mojaxx fuckin true words! have you asked them ?
@@Mojaxx if you had a choice betweem 1 sc 5000m or s4mk3 what would you pick I own the 2 5000s and a x 1800 .thinkimh abooy am m for scratching
Super video.peace.
Rad review
NI have updated so the S4 Mk3 can be used as a Standalone Mixer.
Something though to note from the manual "In Standalone mode the Decks and the FX Units have no
function. Only the Mixer operates as a conventional DJ mixer. This means the Mixer FX are not
available, but you can use the Filter on each Mixer channel."
So its literally just a mixer with the filter for external sources?
@@PunchineloPow Yeah
@@PunchineloPow well what were you expecting?
Looking to buy a dj controller and exploring the market now. Not completly new to djing but have not done it in a long time. Do you have any opinion on the s3 from NI or any sugestions to look at?
how you activate the sample button mine doesn't light up! i hope they will fix the issue that i'm having right now with the right side led display only shows white led.
So.... The standalone mixer feature. Any idea when it's due?
Its absence is the only thing that stopped me ordering this on day one.
Arrived as u prolly know already :)
Is it easy to hook up your laptop/traktor at the pioneer mixers that are supported? just plug and play?
stijn loyens You’ll need to assign the channels correctly in Traktor, but that’s about it. Bear in mind that you’ll have to map midi controls, or find a mapping, if you want to use those.
In Australia this controller always sells out so the demand is there!
#DjcityTV Since Tracktor Released Ver 3.6 & its Been 4 Years Can You Do A Update, in Depth Review on both the Controller /Hardware & Software as of 2022
Nice video brother 👍! ? Does it come with FREE full traktor pro 3 software...& will it work with virtual DJ pro 8 ? Thank you 😁!
Amazing
Brilliant review as always! Where do I get the hoodie though? ;)
Yes me 2 wanna know?
I like the jacket
What do you recomment me? This traktor or the pioneer ddj1000
There seems to be a decent amount of talk about the headphone volume not being loud enough. Does anyone know if the (recent) update to TP3 software addressed this? I'm currently a Serato controller user, but this controller caught my eye, and I'd like to know if it's worth it, or do I have to go back to finding a Serato controller that isn't a delicate piece of plastic (and don't say "Pioneer" - the DDJ SX3 has MAJOR problems, the SZ2 is out of my price range, and the others have really short pitch throws....)
From all the reviews I've seen, the headphone volume is hugely improved, I bought the S4 mk 3, my first bit of traktor kit, and the headphone volume is fine.
Still use a DDJ-T1 because i love pioneer and traktor. On clubs i play with nexus hid to traktor and djm soundcard with a f1 and a x1 to control traktor fx browse and remix decks. I am this close to change once and for all to rekordbox with a ddj1000 i really need video toneplay and elastic beatgrids. I've been waiting til the release of traktor 3 and this controller, still didn't convince me to stay. I need a large new traktor controller, bigger and better than this WITH jog wheels... Doesn't exist, ill have to change :( Anyone knows any alternative? Is traktor still going to impress and add these features? What can we hope?
Thax Mo Jaxx!... Now you have done this review... Hence... What's your take and opinion when considering and comparing Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000 vs Traktor S4 MK3? Feedback would be appreciated in addition to my own review and play testing with them at music stores. Keep up with great work of reviews and the DJ City TV channel here.
I've been a Traktor DJ for many years but never used a Traktor controller apart from the F1, X1 and Z1. As radio Dj the one thing I would have liked on this a ducker. Maybe in the next firmware upgrade NI could include this by turning he cue buttons on decks C and D into On/Off buttons for a ducker when the Mic is selected, as these buttons effectively become obsolete. When switched on the ducker would affect the output of decks A and B by attenuating the volume by around 6dB with a fast attack and medium fast release. How's about it NI, easy enough?
what about the headphone volume? didn't you find it too low?
Mojaxx nice review however no one is addressing the issue with the low volume in the headphone cue. It on the forums by other users including myself. This is a problem if you are playing where you dance floor requires loud sound.
Headphone volume vastly improved
I read that a firmware update will make it possible to use it as a standalone mixer. any word on this?
boneyard101 so theyre saying basically that there S4 mixers are blocked by firmware so they could unlock the S4 Mk2 mixer too at the same time...
Nice attempt, but I won't ditch the S8 for this.
Nice! But when is that Djm700mk2 review coming?
Funky1ism DJM-750mk2 ? ;-)
TheDJSTUFF correct, must be 750mk2! Thanks.
Every time I request new Pioneer DJ kit for review, I ask. But they’ve not had a demo unit available yet!
MojaxxVDJ thanks! I hope you can get a unit for review soon!
Can anyone tell me how to select tracks using only the hi res, screens and not have to look at the laptop or monitor?
Why is the mic level so low on this controller ?
A lil birdy told me theres big things coming for traktor pro 3 in 2019
New iOS Traktor 😊
Were you right?
Why do none of the top jocks ever use one?
my only problem with the new s4mk3 is the absence of dedicated manual loop in/out buttons 😔
I agree, I see it as downgrade to not have it. My mk3 is sitting on a box because my mk2 still king just because that feature
When dude doesn't understand that U can slap one of these on-top of a club setup DJs and plug direct into a single channel, then U got the 4 decks plus 2 cdjs😎😜. Also laptops are frigging tiny these days big deal
2:20 bhangra!!!!
I do love me some Traktor, but after jumping ship to Serato IMO Serato is much easier on the eyes. Maybe I'm just used to it now, but does anybody agree even after the new update?
Traktor user for 8 years and now serato's for 2 yes serato's is easier to the eyes and the updates Traktor isn't enough yet but maybe in the next update they promised.
Traktor 3 is good apart from it keeps crashing and wiping all my playlists and saved data I'm on the edge with it because I can't get anywhere with it by the time I have sorted my 12000 tracks it crashes again
My biggest question right now is; how will Pioneer respond? Do they have something to sit between the DDJ-400 and DDJ-1000 ready to go to production? Could be a really interesting year for controllers.
And my question is, what is Denon releasing in 2019? Laidback Luke said they are releasing, "a whole lot of stuff."
Can't wait because I was wanting the MC7000, but now let's see what they have coming out!
@@DJActionVasquez prime 4...... wow.
@@imusiccollection
ok so now that we've had time to digest this, i'm actually not that impressed. i mean, i like the 4, and it's quite possible that i will actually get it in about a year. however, what i did not like was that i thought denon would bring out more gear than just one controller
how about a Prime 2, for dj's who don't need four channels? what about other starter controllers, like pioneer does? what about new models of the 4000, 6000mk2, 7000 and 8000?
pioneer has a controller for every budget. perhaps denon should look into that type of market strategy
@@DJActionVasquez
It's a powerful media player. And yes it's not quite the same as iTunes and Traktor combined into stand a lone hardware, such as missing smart playlists and all those hundreds of playlists I've made already. But maybe they can be copied. I like the simplicity of one unit doing everything tho.
And with powerful processing for quality sounding 100%pitch shifting and auto key match and smooth key changing.
Yes they can release a 2 deck unit, but I think they want to capture more of the market before making cheaper units. Pioneer have made many cross the board for all. And first denon want to make a high end one to grab evryones attention then when sold loads filter the tech down to the budget end as no one would buy the expensive one if released other way round, they are competing with the xdj rx so that's what they want to overtake in sales as the xdj rx was the fastest selling DJ unit for a long time.
So I say just have fun and use whatever floats your boat. S4 is nice but doesnt do what the 4 does, and a full set of sc5000m and mixer would be nice . As would xd rx to practise on pioneer but just the 4 would be enough to bring Traktor and iTunes together in one unit and practise tobe ready for club Pioneer too, can always plonk the Prime on top of the cdj or pull the cdj out anyway.
I like the mobile DJ style with prime 4, simpler then Traktor.
@@imusiccollection
Don't get me wrong, I really like the 4. I'm only waiting to see if they can firmware a sampler mode, then I'm getting it.
My disappointment is with Denon, not the Prime 4.
I have an S4 MK2, I bought a DDJ-1000 but I am disappointed. Rekordbox is not good and Pioneer's "effects" are poor. I'm selling my DDJ-1000 with less than a month of use to buy another S4, but this time MK3
What did you not like about the DDJ 1000, mainly the “effects”? I am tossing up between the S4 or the 1000.
@@RonyFayyad
Hello. I was already using Traktor and missed the flexibility of multiple effects with precise intensity and depth controls per track.
I really missed the remix decks, the sample structure, the way of accessing beatjump did not please me.
The sample being unable to use the flexibility of a channel is frustrating. Just one volume ... rekordbox did not please me. The DDJ-1000 is amazing! Rekordbox users, will love it. But I prefer the flexibility of Traktor.
Le That’s fair. Thanks for confirming.
Yeah I have some gigs coming up soon and need a new controller to practice on at home and am exactly stuck between the S4 MK3 and the 1000... any new opinions ? Need to decide today if possible. The main thing stopping me from getting the S4 (I love Traktor and am a much bigger fan of how the looping works on that. I get very experimental with my sets) is the size. It feels like it would be small. Especially the jog wheels and mixer. Let me know. Thanks
Why do none of these manufacturers put a needle/platter indicator on these controllers? Crazy.
I dont get it either. Pioneer only does it on their more expensive controllers. With the s4 mk3 I could have lived without the haptic mode but instead they should have put LED indicators ON the jogs. They give us motorized platters but no visual feedback... well I guess the platter ring should be enough for now (thats what they said).. but for scratching and beatjuggling it would have been awesome to see where EXACTLY the tracks are playing.
I hate those spinning rings even on the Denon controllers. I'd be glad to spend an extra $100 just to get this on let's say a Pioneer DDJ SR2 or even the Roland 505. Honestly spinning platters that aren't the Rane Twelve or Denon style players just looks gimmicky.
@@djalejandro312 about as gimmicky as your comment
5:58 left platter isn´t round
Please correct your statement. This is not an ‘all-in-one’ controller. It still needs a laptop with TP3 software. Compared to the legit ‘all-in-one’ controllers out there.
Big big big mistake no loop in/ out/ if you want to loop a sincopat rythm. You have no chance. This must be fix it… from the other side is my best guitarr😉
Weird mapping NI went with for this, and shame that Traktor's customization of mapping is not intuitive.
You look like Gabriel Iglesias.
Rare to see a CDJ user that doesn't also run a laptop/computer
HA HA HA what are you doing to your HAIR.. lol..
5:59 Daaaang. Letting them levels go into the red. *smh*
So check this out. A while ago I was watching an older video from Ian at DJ Tech Tools and he stated he likes going into the red because it brings out a certain warmth/color to the sound of his equipment. I think he was using an Allen-Heath mixer.
As one who keeps all his levels around zero, I found that interesting. What do you think about that?
@@DJActionVasquez I think most sound engineers would laugh their asses of hearing something like that. I think Mojaxx's video on this subject was perfect. - czcams.com/video/nciUYRrDn8w/video.html
(Please note: My initial comment was a joke, and not to be taken seriously.)
After Pioneer started making controllers for Serato Traktor pretty much became obsolete.
Hey guys i'm sorry and i'm embarrassed that i have to beg but i lost all my dj gear in a fire occurred in the bar i used to work as a resident and i would like to ask you if you can donate any old cord, microphone, laptop, headphones and speakers you might not use at all and probably gonna throw away..? Thank all of you in advance, god bless you all
I am gonna send my s4 back. Native Instruments did not gave me a good answer back on all the problems. And they tried to keep me happy with the same robotic answers that everybody gets (Wait for the update) The pro3 software/hardware integration got too many issues. Tested on several macbooks and windows computers. Native Instruments rushed to sell their product but' it's now a crappy package, that will take them al least almost a year to fix everything. In 1 day i could find so many bugs,. More than 5 major ones. And customer support of Native instruments knows all those bugs from the beginning on. Best is to get your money back from the retailer.
I am now on my old S4 mkII
...After a hour playing the fx had it's moment to live its own life. And kicked in out of nothing like madness.
... Pitch control in TT mode goes only 8%. And the reaction of the fader is then like a sponge.
... Master clock doesn't work well
...Key lock did it on its own way. When loading tracks everything was off key. Even after restarting and resets. And many adjustments in the software.
... Got screen freezes and dropouts. when i played with time code vinyl next to it. it's not cpu related. And had the same with old and new models of apple macbooks .
...Too light isolated build quality.. In a club or on a event with bigger sound systems. The controller goes mad and pics up frequency's that disturbs the functioning of the hardware.
DJcity test the controller proper. Be honest when you review a product.
Lots of issues on the Facebook forum
I think Traktor is dead and buried !
I've been a Traktor DJ for many years but never used a Traktor controller apart from the F1, X1 and Z1. As radio Dj the one thing I would have liked on this a ducker. Maybe in the next firmware upgrade NI could include this by turning he cue buttons on decks C and D into On/Off buttons for a ducker when the Mic is selected, as these buttons effectively become obsolete. When switched on the ducker would affect the output of decks A and B by attenuating the volume by around 6dB with a fast attack and medium fast release. How's about it NI, easy enough?