WHY do so many people here use and suggest the S2/S4??

I don't usually recommend the S2 to anyone... if you want a two channel mixer, you probably want it even cheaper and may even be fine with the software bundled with it. I do recommend the S4 to people that are on the fence about how far they are going to expand later. The appeal of timecode and raw features in a four channel controller out of the box is too great. I like the VCI-400, and would recommend it, but if someone has no software, no controller the S4 is the better deal for the aspiring bedroom dj that will last them a long time and grow with them. Given that most of the people asking what controller to buy are going to spend most of their time playing to stuffed animals, the S4 seems like a great choice as there is little they will have to do but plug it in and rock out.

Personally I'm on the fence between VCI-400 and S4 in my recommendation to myself, if I can pick up an used one of either I am going to give it a go.

TBH my first controller was all plastic and ffelt cheap, works fine to this day even though I moved on. It's been dropped and thrashed around ect. still in 1 piece. My S2 is still in perfect condition as well, Are you just buying them to see if they will surive Lenovo torturer tests?

if you use traktor the S2/S4 make sense, if you use DVS a X1, F1 or maschine would help out alot. Traktor used to be my cup of tea and it gets the job done, if you dont like NI products many other companies want ur business

Lol okay guys, he get's the picture... He's wrong about HID vs midi. Poor guy made a simple mistake and we all jumped on him haha,

...

Also, several people are talking on both sides about build quality. It's not just how long it lasts, it's also how it feels while you use it. My S4's broken SEVERAL times in SEVERAL different ways because of the terrible build quality.... but just as importantly, it's also felt like a stupid little toy the entire time. It's also caused me tons of "fuck ups" when mixing, because of the shitty buttons not pressing like they should, the fader caps flying off mid-throw, and the "touch" system for the jogwheels being a complete joke.

Also, what is this "being careful" crap some of you are talking about? If something is of a good build quality, you shouldn't have to be more careful with it than you would a pioneer mixer or a TT1200.

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Originally Posted by rotebass

@OP, they are popular because they get the job done and they are inexpensive. If you don't like them, recommend something you do like instead of getting all butt hurt and writing a god damn diatribe about it. Did someone at NI poke your significant other or something?

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I did recommend several controllers. Twice now you've failed at reading my posts and thrown a useless, personally-targetted argument out there with no data to support your silliness, and made an ass out of yourself. Could you please post-stalk me and disagree with everything i say so I look better? :thumbup:

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Originally Posted by RockingClub

True!

I think comparing the S4 with the VCI 400 (EGE) and the Numark 4Trak in this thread is a bit unfair due to their release dates. But if you want to buy a controller today there will be some controllers offering more here or there than the S4. But as Tommi Bass said this doesn't mean you will automatically be better than all the S4 users out there.

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Well true, but the focus of this post was asking why people STILL suggest the S4 to people. And yeah, of course you won't automatically be better than someone else based on your gear... But:
A, it's a lot more fun to play on good gear
B, it sucks when gear breaks
C, you won't have as many screw-ups due to inferior gear... So that definitely gives you the leg up, if you're keeping score.

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Originally Posted by Ed Paris

+1!
been using my vci for a couple of years now. was thinking about buying the s2 but, i wouldn´t really use it a lot since i´m an absolute lover of mixers and external mixing.

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+1 on external mixing. i like to see the young guys get some experience on an analogue mixer, hence the modular setup.

If you want good quality, well built, durable DJ gear. Don't buy an all in one. Its pretty fucking simple.

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Originally Posted by oliosky

If you want good quality, well built, durable DJ gear. Don't buy an all in one. Its pretty fucking simple.

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gotta agree with you there.

btw 666 posts \m/

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Originally Posted by oliosky

If you want good quality, well built, durable DJ gear. Don't buy an all in one. Its pretty fucking simple.

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i stand by my VCI-300 its a freaking tank.

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Originally Posted by Tommi Bass

Mr Golden cannot map talent for you.

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mind if I sig this?

I felt the same way about the toyish feel of the S4 when I tried it out. There was something about it that I just didn't like. I ended up with a Xone DX. It has since been discontinued, not because of build quality or there being anything wrong with the controller except maybe the jog wheels not being touch sensitive or too small for some people but because of pricing. It was priced a little high at $1200 when it first came out and it was touted as a 4 deck controller for Itch when Itch first came out. I got it about a year ago for $600 and it works and intergrates perfectly with Traktor. You can probably still buy a new one or get it used for $600 or less. Built like a tank, 20 channel soundcard, can't go wrong.

I do also own maschine andI think its a great piece of gear and I also own an audio 6 and think its great as well. So NI isn't all that bad.