Starting out...get a new traktor s4 or s2 ?

[holdened]

Thanks guys.. I decided to buy the traktor s4 + tma-1 headphone bundle from the DJTT website and get it going and start mixing! Its a good deal at $939 and I also wonder if anyone knows is it really expensive to ship to canada as in like paying lots of duties and custom fees?

[mrkleen]

S4 feels so unnecessarily bulky and large.

And I think the biggest problem with these all-in-one controllers is they're not as convenient as you'd think having everything right there. And considering these days, more and more, most nights there is a line up DJs.

And while everyone is using the mixer or something more convenient, boom comes the massive S4 and it just doesn't fit right in like a lot of things need to in that setting.

Just something to think about, I've never owned one, but I hear that is the biggest complaint. S4 is a powerful and great unit though, love to have one myself, but I think convenience is more important than all the functions the S4 offers.

But I'm kinda turned off by the all-in-one controller thing altogether.

If there is anything that is "inconvenient" - it is having 4 DJs - all running different DVS - all trying to swap out sound cards and wires every 60 or 90 minutes.

With the S4 all you need in a single channel on the house mixer to input into and you are off and running.

Grab a keyboard stand - a piece or two of thick foam - and you are good to go in ANY club situation.

If there is room for you - lay the foam down on the turntables or CDJs - and the S4 on top. If there is no room, set up your keyboard stand on the floor in front of the house mixer and you are good to go.

S4 is as simple as connecting the power and USB - one line out to line in on house system and booting your computer. Much easier the any other DVS set up.

[Maven]

or just use usb and the cdjs =p

[mrkleen]

or just use usb and the cdjs =p

yeah....and you need an X1 and to use your mouse or you give up 50% of the functionality vs. and S4.

[mattmangrease]

I was in a similar situation recently, and decided to get an S2 and use Beaubryte's mapping, and an F1. With Beau's mapping you can control the eq's for decks C/D by using the shift button and the eq knobs/faders, and the F1 in midi mode is great for cue points, or using the remix decks.

[AryanH]

The lack of fx knobs and filter knobs is a total nono for me

[mattmangrease]

Which FX knobs are lacking? The gain knobs can be set to filters, though they're clickeys.

The lack of fx knobs and filter knobs is a total nono for me

[AryanH]

Of course, u can remap everything to make it have ur fx knobs and everything, but is he Willing to do it? And is he ok with 2 channels instead of 4?

[mattmangrease]

Quite frankly, if he's not willing to put in a TINY amount of work to set something up to his liking, he shouldn't buy anything.

[holdened]

I would eventually go down that route and get more gear to add on to my controller but I think for now I just want to start off with an tightly integrated controller like the S4 and with the 4 channels/loops, i can definitely play around more with the music I am going for. I definitely did consider the S2 as well as a cheaper option but with the S4 on a $100 off for the summer sale and with a great bundle with the TMA-1 headphones, I am just going for it instead. Besides it is a 2 year warranty from NI right if you purchase it?