Best sub $1000 replacement for the Traktor S4?
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  1. #1
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    Default Best sub $1000 replacement for the Traktor S4?

    I'm sick of Native Instruments giving the middle finger to their customers and not offering a damn thing to help those of use with S4Mk1s that are constantly crashing.

    What the best non NI controller for Traktor that is less than $1000 USD?

    Thanks

  2. #2
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    Do you mean dedicated to Traktor or just working with Traktor? Because you can pretty much make anything work with Traktor. I'd look into things like the Pioneer DDJ-SX or the Reloop Terminal Mix 4 or 8. They are much better built than the S4 and have more capabilities than the S4. I don't know about the Reloops, but the Pioneer has some very good mappings available.

  3. #3
    Tech Guru William Gibson's Avatar
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    I know ive been saying this for a year now but if you like how the s4 is set up then look at a vestax vci 400. Those things are built like tanks. Cop one used for like $500 and it will outlast multiple s4s. Unless your the type that needs the latest and greatest in which the vci will be a little dated.

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  4. #4
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    Numark NV is looking pretty good.

    That said, for 1K, I would buy an external mixer and move to modular controllers. Denon SC2000, Reloop Contour, Zomo MC-1000, etc. It sets you up to get CDJs/Tables if you ever want to make the move as well.

    If you really want a controller, then Vestax VCI or Pioneer's DDJ-SX are very nice.
    Bedroom DJ | Pioneer DJM-800 | Pioneer CDJ2000 and CDJ900-NXS | 2 x Mackie MR8MKII | Sennheiser Amperior

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by William Gibson View Post
    I know ive been saying this for a year now but if you like how the s4 is set up then look at a vestax vci 400. Those things are built like tanks. Cop one used for like $500 and it will outlast multiple s4s.
    Isn't Vestax in bankruptcy? That would make really ANY support non-existent. It may not be an issue...my VCI-100 is still going strong. But that does make a difference to some people. Don't get me wrong, the VCI-400 for $500 is still a great deal...even if you have use google for support.

    +1 for the Pioneer DDJ-S?. The SB, SR, SX all fit into your <$1k budget. The SZ, not so much. The SX has a stand alone mixer, and is really as the sweet spot on the price-v-performance curve, IMO, YMMV.

    +1 for the Reloop Terminal mix 4 or 8. Depending on your style and if you want the performance pads...both are solid choices.
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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ash Carr View Post
    Get two NI Traktor X1 mk2's, a NI Traktor Z1 and a NI Traktor Audio 6/10 for when you play out in the clubs.
    Can't tell if sarcastic or not.
    Bedroom DJ | Pioneer DJM-800 | Pioneer CDJ2000 and CDJ900-NXS | 2 x Mackie MR8MKII | Sennheiser Amperior

  7. #7
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    Already have decks (been djing since the early 90s) but I sold my mixer when I bought the S4 (dumb on my part but it would have been outdated by now anyway). I've considered buying a new mixer and a couple controllers but that's a lot of money to invest right now (just bought a house). Would prefer an all in one that doesn't cost me a fortune but has a good enough phone pre-amp to play turntables through as I still have a lot of vinyl. The phono pre-amp on the s4 mk1 sucks.
    thanks for the advice guys. might look at that vestal but will research their financial status first.

  8. #8
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    Just because one famous person chooses setup x, it doesn't mean it's everybody's best option. I like having jogwheels and beatmatching manually for instance.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by mscot View Post
    Already have decks (been djing since the early 90s) but I sold my mixer when I bought the S4 (dumb on my part but it would have been outdated by now anyway). I've considered buying a new mixer and a couple controllers but that's a lot of money to invest right now (just bought a house). Would prefer an all in one that doesn't cost me a fortune but has a good enough phone pre-amp to play turntables through as I still have a lot of vinyl. The phono pre-amp on the s4 mk1 sucks.
    thanks for the advice guys. might look at that vestal but will research their financial status first.
    no mixer is outdated, that's the point. a good mixer is always a center of a good setup. because of phono preamps I would suggest denon mc6000. look for a good used mk1 if you would like a hybrid setup with traktor (mixer section of the controller acts like a external mixer, jogwheels section control deck in traktor and plug TT for timecode control if you use the hack) or mk2 if you like new stuff (note: mk2 doesn't have the hybrid option of controlling traktor)
    Denon X600 - 2x Denon SC-2000 - AKG K181DJ - NI Audio 2

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