Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK2 DJ Controller

Before I start, a little background. I have been messing around with DJing for about 3-4 years now and haven't gotten serious until the past year. Some would say I'm not a 'true' DJ as for a while, beatmatching was a bit out of my reach, and scratching wasn't something I was big on. Before I got this, I had a Numark Mixtrack Pro. It served as a good beginner controller and suited my basic needs for what I was doing. However, my DJ program of choice became Traktor. I had tried Virtual DJ and Serato DJ, but didn't like the options I had with those programs and the cost of them was a bit too high for my situation back then. So I picked up Traktor after having a few friends that had used it. After working with Traktor for a few years, I decided I needed an upgrade from my Mixtrack Pro and ideally, something that would take advantage of more features Traktor had to offer. After doing extensive research on my options, I decided on this controller as my main one for my DJ rig.This is an amazing controller. It gives you full control of the 3 band EQ, Gain, filter, cue, volume, and what decks will be receiving effects for all 4 decks. Setup is quick and easy, just download the S4 drivers with the Traktor service center and you are good to go. You have a good range of inputs/outputs so you can use other accessories like vinyl turntables, CD turntables, or even an mp3 player if you want a backup in case of a computer crash. There are 2 outputs with independent volume controls, so you can have one as your master out and one for booth/monitor speakers. There are also MIDI ports if you need them.The jog wheels are nice and responsive. if you press down on the platter, you can scratch, and if you move the wheel from the sides, it functions as a nudge for beat matching. The only downside is you do not have any idea 'where' the wheel is like some other controllers(no display inside the wheel, led lights on the outside, etc) so you will have to keep your eye on your computer screen if you need visual cues for scratching.Each side of the controller has it's own loop control just below the jog wheel, and it is quick and easy to create a loop on the fly and exit out of them with just a few pushes of a button. It is also quick and easy to alter the size of a loop once it is created. Further more if you have remix decks available, you can record a loop and push it to a remix deck so you don't have to take up an entire deck for a simple loop.As far as the performance pads go, the top 4 buttons are play/stop buttons for remix decks and 'fast forward/backward'(will jump you ahead or back in a track quickly, nice for quickly finding a specific spot in a track) for regular tracks, that means for cue points/remix deck control, you will only have access to 4 slots... As you can see from my picture, I have other controllers to expand that for my sets, so it isn't a big deal for me.Each jog wheel and associated loop controls and performance pads can be switched to the other deck on its respective side with just the touch of a button, so you can easily control 4 decks and still have the same level of control deck to deck. There is also a loop recorder independent of the track level loop controls, so you can record a live loop and have it at your fingertips for future use, I have not tried using this yet however, so can't speak to how well it works.The entire unit is of sturdy construction and feels like it can take a beating. The nice thing for me is it is just a little bigger than my previous controller, so I didn't have to account for a significant change in size. All the knobs have a good smooth feel to them as you turn them and each has a center 'notch' so you can easily bring them back to center. They are all rubberized so there is little worry about your fingers slipping while using them. The sliders are all smooth and offer varying levels of resistance. The crossfader has next to no resistance and it is quick and easy to manipulate. The tempo/key sliders have a little more resistance, but move smoothly. The individual track sliders have the most resistance, but are still smooth and that extra resistance makes it really easy to dial in the perfect level for tracks.Overall it is a great controller and has exceeded my expectations. This is my first controller after my entry level one so take that into consideration when reading my review. It has already expanded my use of Traktor and given me plenty of ideas for future sets. If you are a more 'traditional' DJ this should suit your needs fine. If you are looking to use remix decks, you will only have basic functionality.If you do not have Traktor, this unit comes with a key for the FULL version of Traktor Pro 2(Download from Native Instruments website).

Full disclosure: on many of the dj forums, DJs like me are not considered "real" DJs. I'm not a club DJ. I don't scratch. My dance song transitions are not always beat-matched. I don't use a lot of fx/loops/samples, except for some modest filtering/looping when I do beat match and the occasional fx. I'm still learning the remix decks. Worst of all, I often commit the unforgivable "sin" of using Traktor's cruise control during cocktail hours, particularly when I've been invited to join the guests for dinner/drinks (I still keep close tabs on the music/equipment). Btw, programming your playlist with Traktor's load and fade-out hotcues ahead of time can make it sound like you're paying more attention than you are.Typically, I play in front of crowds mostly 40 years & older (private parties, weddings, corporate stuff, class reunions, homeowner's association parties, etc.). My strengths are an extensive, up-to-date, high quality music library (mostly iTunes 256kbps and 320kbps mp3s rips/conversions with Platinum Notes processing as needed), first-rate mobile equipment (QSC K12s & Subs, Mackie mixer (for mics and with iPods for smaller background-only applications and backup) and a love for many different genres of music. I play close attention to room acoustics and gain structure and only drive my PAs with balanced xlr signals (the S4 Mk2 requires a 1/4" TRS male to XLR male patch cable for XLR connections, not a big deal). I regularly get compliments on sound quality and music selection. I'm older (retired) and, luckily, don't rely on my DJ income to eat. I do it because I love music and I like to see people have a good time (the extra money doesn't hurt).Sorry about the windy intro, but I wanted readers to understand my perspective. My prior controller was a Denon MC6000 (which I'm keeping for backup) and an Allen & Heath K2 that I use for more casual gigs and midi-programming fun/experience. I like the Denon a lot (great build quality), but I always found the layout a bit cramped. I originally bought it for Virtual DJ, but not long after I switched to Traktor and never looked back. I narrowed my search for a new controller to the S4 Mk2, Pioneer DDJ-SX and Denon MC6000 Mk2 (all of which, were remarkably near each other in price, if you adjust the Denon's price upward to include the full version of Serato DJ).In the end, I went for the S4's tight integration with Traktor Pro, the possibility of exploring Traktor DJ/iPad integration, it's size/layout, and, to a lesser extent, it's remix capabilities and RGB hotcue buttons (nice touch, but not a deal maker/breaker). If the Pioneer DDJ-SX had been optimized for Traktor (as opposed to Serato DJ) and smaller (it's 6 inches wider than the S4 and 8 inches wider than my MC6000), it would have been a much tougher decision. I enjoy programming controllers/keyboards in Traktor - the performance pads on the DDJ-SX looked like fun + its build quality appears to be top-notch. As a Traktor user, the Denon (optimized for Serato DJ like the DDJ-SX) just didn't seem that much of an upgrade from my older MC6000. I know there are Traktor maps for the DDJ-SX and MC6000 Mk2 that I could have customized, but in the end I knew I wasn't going to switch to Serato (which, last I checked, was not yet optimized for Windows 8 + they seem slow rolling out updates/features,) and the S4 Mk2 just seemed like the best "fit" for me.More disclosure: I haven't used it in a gig yet (just got it and have been practising extensively). I'm VERY happy with it so far. Nice size and weight. The control surface layout just seems more intuitive/easy to me. It worked perfectly out of the box and setup was a breeze (I already had Traktor Pro 2.6.6 and the S4 Mk2 drivers installed on my HP i7 laptop). I like the feel of the sliders and knobs/pots as well or better than my MC6000 and K2. The build quality, while not as tank-like as my MC6000, seems very solid/refined and more than adequate for what I do. The sound quality is basically perfect (to my aging ears). I have no problem rating it 5 STARS.Observation: buying a DJ controller is not unlike buying a car or finding your so-called "soul mate" - figure out what's important to you, do your research/homework, road-test it if you can (particularly, the "soul mate") and then take that leap into the abyss and hope it works out like you thought it would (or better). Good luck.

It's still one of the best equipment around.

I owned the s4MK1 and the MK2 is a very nice revamp. The jog wheels feel a little more solid. The mixer has crisp movements with all of the knobs and the lights seem brighter which is a nice steady reminder of what's going on at any point in time.This controller functions perfectly with traktor and if you use the different midi configurations that tractor provides it can also help you with prepping playlists for a gig and adjusting beat markers to where they should beI'm a big fan of this product for the price. I've tried cheaper controllers and didn't like the feel of how everything worked together.

Everything worked well right out of the box. Hardware and software looks professional and is impressive to clients.I'm an amateur, and I say it might be overkill for beginners because you can be a casual DJ just by using the crossfader to fade between songs and prevent deadtime in between. In a casual bar setting or at house parties, that's good enough. I found that most people will think you know what you are doing, and you could do it on much less expensive hardware. If you want to get more involved, you can try beat matching and other transitions (also possible on much cheaper hardware).But if you expect to get super-involved in DJ-ing, like performing at real clubs or scratching and remixing, then I think this hardware could take you all the way from beginner to pro.In any case, if you want a professional setup and have the money, this is a great product. Also, the full version of Traktor software comes free with the hardware. Download the demo and a card with an activation number is in the box.