Best controller for traktor with 4 decks

**DJ Retro Blaze** · 07-25-2012, 07:49 PM

I own the Pioneer DDJ-T1, and like it. However, the crossfader is not replaceable, to my knowledge.

**ChilledoutCharlie** · 07-25-2012, 07:49 PM

You can access your iTunes playlists with Traktor yes. Scratch certified means it works with Traktor Scratch Pro which allows you to use timecode vinyl/cds. I kind of agree with Jason in that you seem to have made up your mind. I have an S4 and love it but I have no experience with the other systems mentioned. Do you already have Traktor though? S4 ships with Traktor so bear that in mind, if you already have it you can sell the additional if you don't you have saved some money.

**dj matt blaze** · 07-25-2012, 08:03 PM

Why do you need a replaceable crossfader if you don't scratch?

**djproben** · 07-25-2012, 08:29 PM

Dunno about the crossfader but if I was buying a 4-deck controller today I wouldn't look at anything but the VCI-400 EGE. That's because I've had such good experience with the VCI-100 and the S4 never really did it for me. I don't like how tied to the software the controller is and I don't really like the feel of it. I don't think sound quality would be an issue on either one. And of course the 400 EGE will have all the DJTT trick mappings if you want to get fancy with it.

The Denon is probably your best bet in terms of pure sound quality but seriously you're not going to be able to notice any difference at all unless you are playing and listening under conditions you would never play and listen under (really, listening for a tiny smudge on the attack of a high hat? who does that?) The feel of it is definitely cramped but a lot of people don't mind that. The Denon would be my second choice after the VCI because of its input/output options and the fact that it can be used as a regular mixer (the S4 can't). The booth option it offers is nice if you do a lot of random gigs at places that aren't clubs that suddenly tell you at the last minute they want a CD playing in another room while you are DJing in the main room or whatever.

Honestly I wouldn't bother with any others. I don't know anything about the Numark but I don't like the look of it at all. And honestly the v7 is the only thing they made that I ever really liked, including their mixers, so I'm already biased against it. So the VCI-400 gets my vote, for what it's worth...

**Entheos406** · 07-25-2012, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by dj matt blaze

Why do you need a replaceable crossfader if you don't scratch?

Here is what I responded in the other thread I started earlier. I started a new one because it got dropped to the next page and nobody seemed interested in commenting. The other one suddenly jumped up top and I kinda feel like a douche for starting two threads on basically the same topic.

Here is my gripe:
I set up the V7s 3 times a week, and the only output on the turntable is an RCA jack that is soldered into a circuit board with a 10 pin connection. Not user replaceable. Cost me $100 to fix when the rca jack stripped out. Not only that, even though the hardware completely allows 4 deck control they never bothered programing it in. Also, in hind-sight I think Traktor is a much better (more customizable) program and it would suit me to learn on that. Also, why do I need vinyl emulators if I don't know how to scratch on vinyl? Can't I just learn how to scratch on jog wheels if all I am going to be doing is using it sparingly and mostly for fun and my main DJ sets are not going to be scratch heavy? I feel like I got left behind with the V7s, and they are good for somebody who likes and is familiar with vinyl. I am neutral on the subject of vinyl.

If I want tractor and 4 deck control I should have the 4trak or the VCI. The S4 just seems kinda cheap to me, and not having a user replaceable crossfader just makes me think they didn't think it through. I have heard many great things about the NS6, and if the 4trak is the NS6 for Traktor it's probably what I want. The reason I am asking you guys is that I figure some of you have experience with these machines. My gripes about the v7 will probably make some stay away, and others will not care, it will help them make their decision. I want to hear from those who have used the 4-trak and those who have used the VCI 400 and see which way to go, because I am selling my V7s and buying a new setup soon. In fact the 4trak would be on the way if I hadn't paused to talk with you all and hadn't spent 12 of the last 24 hours pouring over pictures, websites and videos.

**squidot** · 07-25-2012, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by djproben

Dunno about the crossfader but if I was buying a 4-deck controller today I wouldn't look at anything but the VCI-400 EGE. That's because I've had such good experience with the VCI-100 and the S4 never really did it for me. I don't like how tied to the software the controller is and I don't really like the feel of it. I don't think sound quality would be an issue on either one. And of course the 400 EGE will have all the DJTT trick mappings if you want to get fancy with it.

The Denon is probably your best bet in terms of pure sound quality but seriously you're not going to be able to notice any difference at all unless you are playing and listening under conditions you would never play and listen under (really, listening for a tiny smudge on the attack of a high hat? who does that?) The feel of it is definitely cramped but a lot of people don't mind that. The Denon would be my second choice after the VCI because of its input/output options and the fact that it can be used as a regular mixer (the S4 can't). The booth option it offers is nice if you do a lot of random gigs at places that aren't clubs that suddenly tell you at the last minute they want a CD playing in another room while you are DJing in the main room or whatever.

Honestly I wouldn't bother with any others. I don't know anything about the Numark but I don't like the look of it at all. And honestly the v7 is the only thing they made that I ever really liked, including their mixers, so I'm already biased against it. So the VCI-400 gets my vote, for what it's worth...

i agree with this. i have a the vci-400 ege and i really like it. i think if i went with the s4 i would always be thinking i made the wrong choice in the back of my mind. when i play on my vestax, i know i picked correctly. it's all about personal preference though, so good luck on your choice.

**djproben** · 07-26-2012, 12:16 AM

Just a couple things to add:

1) you can replace the fader in an S4; it's tricky but it's been done: http://www.djtechtools.com/2011/11/2...er-innobender/ -- it's not meant to be "user replaceable" per se, but you can certainly do it.

2) You can keep your v7 and run Traktor; what you do is run your timecode on Itch and pipe it through Traktor (of course you need Traktor Scratch Pro for this to work). It's a little hack-y and some would say you are ripping off Serato by doing it but it's your hardware and software, you ought to be able to do as you like. I don't know about 4deck control, but you can run 2 decks with one physical timecode deck so I don't see why you couldn't run 4 decks with two. So if you like your v7 other than the 4deck thing, you might not need to buy anything.

**Entheos406** · 07-26-2012, 12:42 AM

You can run 4 decks on the V7s that way, and with itch. You just need two computers. I have seen that hack and it seems pretty lame to run timecode tracks through itch to run traktor. Better off with itch's limitations in my opinion.

I was leaning towards the 4 trak because I like the buttons and feel on the V7, to hear they changed that makes me want to spend a little more and get the vestax, also because I think Ean Golden is a pretty straight up dude and I'd like to support him and his 400 EGE...