Introducing The New TRAKTOR KONTROL S4
For all the Traktor users out there, their new controller, the Traktor Kontrol S4 is here and it looks very nice indeed.
For those not familiar with Traktor, its The flagship digital DJ software from Native Instruments and has long been the go to software for both amateur laptop DJs and pros alike.
There looks to be 4 main areas that have been developed this time round, here’s what Traktor have to say:
- Reinvented Jog Wheels - we have re-envisioned what jog wheels can do, and what you can do with them. They’re now motorised, and provide you with haptic feedback. It’s a new way of connecting with your tracks in three different modes.
- Club Standard Layout - New all-hands-on deck design, including 16 RGB pads for Hotcues and samples, and new Mixer FX. Keep track of transport information, Stems, and Remix decks, with two high-res screens.
- Traktor Pro 3 Included - We have have included the best version of our flagship DJ software yet. With an improved audio engine, a brand new user interface that makes things easier to see in the club, one-touch Mixer FX, and loads more.
- Visual Deck Feedback - You can instantly see which deck you’re on when playing across four channels, with color-coded light rings and deck buttons. Visualization of track tempo, play mode, and nudging makes your mixing plain to see.
“Haptic feedback!” I hear you cry. No, us neither. We had to look it up. It’s when your phone or controller buzzes or vibrates when something happens, so that sounds pretty useful and a nice development to the range. This should hopefully create a more tactile experience more akin to playing vinyl, or maybe something new entirely?
You can see the full spec along with a detailed breakdown of what's new on with Traktor Kontrol S4 over at the Native Instrument site.
- https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/traktor/dj-controllers/traktor-kontrol-s4/specifications/
- https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/traktor/dj-controllers/traktor-kontrol-s4/whats-new/
We haven’t been able to try one yet and at £719 it’s certainly one for the dedicated pro.
Do you use Traktor or any of the dedicated controllers ? Let us know what you think in the comments.
I have the S4 MK2 and love it. Traktor is great and it integrates seamlessly with the hardware... you only need to worry about the music not config/setup. Only downside I found was the integrated soundcard is pretty weak and the headphone monitor volume is totally inadequate. The new S4 looks nice, only reason I'd consider upgrading is for the motorized jog wheels and the new version of Traktor. But for close to a thousands bucks? Nah
I have an S2 that I've had for a couple years. The crossfader is finally starting to bleed on the right side (I primarily scratch left-handed). I've read that the Traktors are notoriously difficult to switch out crossfaders so I wonder if the S4 is any better with that.
Yeah I have seen it with komplete kontrol ,traktor S2 and native instrument pack of 90k sounds.
They were on display and I have seen them in action.S4 is really cool.I am not into dJing so I don't remember specs clearly.But the jog wheels colour coding and its emulation of turntable feel was the good things in it.