Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 Mk3 DJ Controller

Product Information

There's three modes. Jog mode is the classic spin-to-nudge function, as well as scratch capability. The Beatgrid adjust mode allows you to use the jog wheel to manually adjust the beatgrid in Traktor. The Turntable mode makes the jog wheels act as vinyl turntables. Stem control If your TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 is not lighting up or is not recognized by your computer, please read this hardware troubleshooting guide. 2. TRAKTOR Does Not Recognize My Device Personally, I’ll probably keep to the more classic filters but the fact that I can instantly enable a delay or pull down a fader is pretty cool. An Updated Mic There's a three-band EQ and one-knob filter per channel, plus an endless Gain knob. We don't love the endless knobs in this case, as you need to reference the screen for your gain settings. The S4 Mk2 was a let down in a market which is a lot more dynamic than the people at Traktor seem to want it to be. The controller is… fine, but it’s no DDJ-SX. Had the Project Manager developed differently, the S2/S4 series might have retained relevance, but it seems they are going to be what they are until they get superseded by a newer, more modular line of controllers.

But for serious hobbyists, controllerists who DJ in clubs on their own gear, Traktor DJs wanting to dabble in live production, mashup DJs, digital scratch artists, web radio DJs, and anyone else who wants the most capable controller for Traktor that there is, the Kontrol S4 is not only perfect, it’s a joyous revelation. The TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 is equipped with an integrated, club-grade 24-bit / 96-kHz audio interface, with external input options on every channel. Connect turntables for crate-diggers, drum machines and synths for hybrid wizards, or anything else you can think of to push the boundaries of your mix. When connected to TRAKTOR PRO 3, the software adds headroom to the signal, before TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 gives it an analogue boost - meaning better sound at club levels. Loading up white noise builds or appropriate drum loops and fading them in and out with their own filtering and effects assignments blows open Traktor's performance potential - not forgetting you can resample the mic input too.

The fact that Native Instruments has put these functions, along with the hot cue, loop controls and filters, right at the front of the Kontrol S4 shows that it feels DJing will develop in a direction where performers are happy to be more creative with loops and samples; and the fact that the software comes with demo loops, scratches and one-shots further reinforces this thinking. Who it’s not ideal for The sound card has been greatly updated to match its new design and feel, giving a much more noteworthy sound quality as a result

The sample button lets you control Remix Sets that are loaded, triggering active slots using the top four pads, and you can adjust volume and filter for individual sounds too (more detail in the video, where I demo this). By and large, the software out of the box doesn’t replicate the controls on the hardware’s control surface where not necessary – hurray! When you have tightly integrated hardware and software, the screen should show you stuff you don’t have in the unit and vice versa. Why have a crossfader and volume knobs and so on onscreen when you can see how they’re all set by looking at the hardware?

Features

NI have shouted about the quality and sensitivity of the S4's jog wheels with 1,000 counts per revolution and a patent-pending braking system and after only a few minutes, it's clear why.