Which controller to get? Traktor S2?

[muffintop]

Ya it's a NI midi controller. Since you aren't doing any looping you can change the loop length encoder to adjust pitch. One can pretty easily control 1 or 2 decks...creative mapping

[Nibbsy]

Ok, thanks. To be honest the X1 doesn't appeal to me for use as a deck - no jog wheel or pitch slider just take it a bit too far away from a traditional turntable for me. Obviously I've never used one so can't be sure, but that's the impression I get.

I'd also prefer to move away from using an analogue mixer, so that I would still have an all in one set up without having to have additional midi controllers or turntables.

I'm leaning towards the Xone XD at the moment. I would be very grateful if someone could confirm the following:

- It will work as a stand alone mixer and midi controller for Serato
- It will work as an analogue mixer for 2 external turntables (although only via the software, as I understand it, so not a 'true' analogue mixer)
- It will work with timecoded vinyl, without any additional pieces of equipment
- All of the above are fully interchangeable, so that it's possible to, for example, play an MP3 on deck A in midi controller mode, mix into another MP3 on deck B using a timecoded vinyl, then mix back to an analogue vinyl playing 'direct through' on Deck A

Also, are there any other controllers that can do this? It sounds like the S4 does, but any others that are a bit cheaper and a bit smaller than the S4? Denon MC6000? Numark NS6?

Thanks all for all your help with this.

[Gre3nergy]

Hey!
So i just recently bought the xone dx and made the switch from TP2 to Itch 2.0.1. First off, the xone dx is completely midi mappable with TP2. Im currently tweaking a midi mapping that i got from traktor bible 2. their also is another link within DJTT under the thread of something called like "all midi mapping list" or something like that...if you do decide to buy a xone dx, this would be a good place to start! Also, speaking from personal experience, Itch 2.0 is NOTHING like TP2. everything is locked up, and you cant "map/change" anything within the program...im still giving Itch 2.0 a shot for now....but honestly, this program is UTTER SHIT! it is extremly frustrating to go from a UI where i can change and controll everything to a UI that is completly locked up!
also, the xone dx is not a stand alone mixer. So if you want traktor scratch, you need another sound card I.E. the traktor audio 6, 8, 10 box. this ultimately means that your soundcard in the xone dx will goto waste. from the sounds of it, you either want a xone 4d or the traktor s4, since you want dvs control. on a side note, the one thing that i will have to complain about the DX mapping with traktor is that you cant "roll" the cue points like with an s4 controller or even a keyboard. what i mean by this is, if i hit the "1" button that is set to cue point #1, i cant press it repeatedly to make 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 notes etc....this is annoying but other than that, so far so good with the xone dx and traktor!

hope this helps!!

[Onimode]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Gre3nergy.

I'm curious about the Xone mixers/controllers, specifically the DB4 and 4D. Can they support timecoded vinyl/CDs?

[Nibbsy]

Thanks Gre3nergy, that's really helpful. Interesting to hear from someone who has made the TP2 to Itch switch. I'm not too attached to TP2 so not averse to making the switch. In fact there are a few things (smart crates, for one) which I am keen to switch for.

To be honest one of the things about the XD that appeals is the lack of customizable mapping. I mean, I'm all for freedom and customization, but I'm also a big fan of stuff that 'just works' out of the box, so that you don't feel like anything need changing. Obviously that wasn't the case for you though, and no doubt I would also find things I'd like to tweak.

2 things that are putting me off the XD - the jog wheels sound quite poor, and there are no pitch sliders (it has twist knobs instead, right?). How did you find these 2 aspects? It sounds like those 2 things make it more removed from old style vinyl mixing than other controllers. Are you finding this?

It also looks like the XD may have been discontinued, and the price has dropped a lot since release. Is this the case and why?

The fact that it doesn't support DVS is very disappointing, I was under the impression that it did.

[nicoga3000]

I'll reiterate what a few people have said - save a little more and get an S4.

No really, do it. You'll be happy you did.

[Nibbsy]

I'll reiterate what a few people have said - save a little more and get an S4.

No really, do it. You'll be happy you did.

Haha, yeah I hear you, it's starting to look that way.

I'm just amazed there isn't an alternative. When I started considering an upgrade I thought I'd be spoilt for choice, with an array of options that would all do what I want. The more I look into it, the more it's looking like the S4 (and possibly the MC6000) is the only one that does what I need.

I'm still researching though, and still holding out hope that someone is going to come up with another alternative.

The S4 just seems a bit too focussed on things like looping and sample decks, which I really have no use for, and is bit too big for my set up.

[Gre3nergy]

hey!
i definitely get what you and others mean when you say that it's appealing to pull something out of a box and have it work! i would not exclude the idea of making a switch to Itch 2.0 since you are coming from a vinyl background.

addressing ur questions!
1) from my personal use, thus far, i feel that the jog wheels "don't feel cheap". in itch, i use it to nudge my tracks into timing but that's about it. i don't do anything more complex like scratching...something it sounds like you are interested in. (once again, S4 has this capability)
2) There isnt a pitch slider on the DX. this is a huge disadvantage, even for a person like me who dosent come from a vinyl background...We are DJ'S! and if you are serious/passionate about what you do, learn the basics of what you are doing...AKA beat matching and tempo sliding ur tracks!!! you are right, this is a feature that i wish they didnt change. the twist knob is "somewhat effective" but once again, you dont have the ease/feeling of a slider!
3) yes, it seems to be that the DX may be discontinued. Im not sure why they discontinued this item, but when this controller was first released, it ran something like 1500! that's WAY too much and probably had to do something with it. looking hind-sight, i most definitely jumped the gun purchasing the xone dx, but ultimately, a controller is a controller...if you got MAD SKILLZ, you can rip mixes on anything!!!! (besides, it was REALLY sad DJing with a keyboard for many many years...) after all, it still is a controller that is fully mappable, thats got to be good for something! personally, im waiting for the mixing software called "the one". its a fully customizable UI!

overall, it sounds to me like you want the S4 over the DX. i would save and make an investment that you have absolutely no regrets/questions about!

my thoughts... i love my DX but looking back, should have probably waited for the S4. i would like to eventually learn how to scratch and all that...so i have to overcome another hurdle before i make that switch... one that you may avoid by purchasing the S4!

hope this helps!!

[nicoga3000]

The S4 offers MUCH more than just a glorified loop controller, I promise! The built-in sound card is awesome, the absolute GORGEOUS integration with Traktor, and the super quality is impossible to complain about.

That being said, while the S4 does have awesome power of sample decks and loop controls, it is perfectly capable of being used as a 2-deck mixer (which is primarily what I've used it for), or a 4-deck mixer (for all those capable of wrapping their head's around that...I can't!).

My one comment that I will make regarding Gre3nergy's post, is that you'll want to try out both pieces of software before making the jump. I used Traktor with an S4, tried Itch with a Twitch, and I'm back to Traktor. Itch isn't BAD, but once you get used to one, it's very difficult to fully appreciate what the other offers.

Anyways, I still stand by my statement that you won't be disappointed if you burn cash on the S4 - the unit is simply one of the coolest pieces of hardware I've EVER purchased for any reason.

[Nibbsy]

Thanks very much Gre3nergy, that's all very interesting.

I wouldn't say that I want to scratch, it's more that I like to be able to turn a platter to scroll through the track, do spinbacks etc. It's not a deal breaker by any means, I'd just prefer to have it than not. Same with pitch sliders - like you, often when I'm mixing digitally I won't touch the pitch sliders as I'm using sync, but I'd prefer them to be there than not.

It does slightly put me off that A&H have already discontinued it and dropped the price though. That's pretty rare for A&H DJ equipment in my experience.

I'm not sure I'd have no regrets about an S4, as I do have reservations. The build quality and presence of the XD sounds somehow more substantial than the S4, which gives the impression of being a bit plasticky. It's also much bigger than I'd like, and seems to be more aimed at looping/sample decks than straight up mixing. In terms of straight mixing the XD sounds like it's better. It's just a shame about the other limitations.

Thanks again for your help.