extremely basic question - from the old school...

[dwightvesuvius]

Personally I think all this talk of controllers is silly. I think the best way for this chap to get a bit more digital with his setup is just for him to get serato or traktor scratch and use his existing mixer.

absolutely, the most cost-effective answer, however do like the option of a lot of those effects that are available with, say the S4, as opposed to just using turntables.
that being said - with 2 x turntables + s4 i'm thinking timecoded vinyl is useless without a 'Scratch' unit - i.e. can you control the mp3s via the vinyl? and also, i notice on the back of the s4, there are inputs for turntables but no grounds - and the outputs - can that not go straight to an amp or does it have to go via a laptop/pc ?
again, apologies for the rookie questions, but then again, what do you expect - still listening to happy hardcore from 1992 on the old ipod classic. good times.

[MrPopinjay]

It was the NI Traktor Z2 mixer.

[MrPopinjay]

absolutely, the most cost-effective answer, however do like the option of a lot of those effects that are available with, say the S4, as opposed to just using turntables.

With traktor and timecode you get exactly the same effects as with traktor and the S4.

that being said - with 2 x turntables + s4 i'm thinking timecoded vinyl is useless without a 'Scratch' unit - i.e. can you control the mp3s via the vinyl?

When using timecode vinyl it's exactly as if you had the track on vinyl. You scratch the timecode vinyl and the computer makes it sound like you did it with that mp3 on real vinyl. I don't know what a scratch unit is but you don't need it. All you need (for traktor timecode) is the timecode vinyl, a certified traktor scratch soundcard (the S4 controller has one built in as do some mixers), a computer and the Traktor Scratch software.

and also, i notice on the back of the s4, there are inputs for turntables but no grounds

The ground post for the S4 is on the back on the far left. Next to the logo.

- and the outputs - can that not go straight to an amp or does it have to go via a laptop/pc ?

The outputs go to the amp. The S4 (or any timecode soundcard) is connected to the computer via USB.
Edit: I should point out that without the computer attached and the software running the S4 does *nothing*. You can't use it like a normal stand alone mixer.

The audio flows like this for a DVS setup:
[Turntable] --RCAs--> [Soundcard] --USB--> [Computer] --USB--> [Soundcard] --RCAs--> [Your mixer]

Timecode signal is converted into your desired track by the traktor software in the computer.

If you're using the S4 you'd be using the software mixer so instead of the last step being your mixer it would be the amp. Personally though I think the internal mixer is a bit rubbish. I'd go for the Audio6 bundle and use a real mixer rather then the S4 controller.

[dwightvesuvius]

oh the 'Scratch' box looks like it's the same sort of thing as this audio6 box, that apparently fits between the 2 x turntables & mixer.

hmmm, decisions decisions - last question (for now) - is the fader replaceable on the S4, if i did decide that route?

also, when you say a 'software mxer' on the S4, I trust you mean you still physically mix with the crossfader, yes?

at the end of the day, want to embrace the whole new era, but not quite ready to hang up the decks -so ideally would want the bells and whistles that come with the controller as well as the feel of the vinyl (being an old school kid). - and also like the idea of playing mp3s via vinyl or jog wheels.

(what are the jog wheels like, btw?) - they look a bit plasticky when compared to 1200s...

so many questions, so little time!

thanks for the rapid response btw.

[MrPopinjay]

Do you mean the soundcard for Serato Scratch Live? If so, yes it's the same thing. Just a different audio interface and a different program. Works exactly the same way!

I don't know if the fader is replaceable, sorry.

A software mixer means that rather than actually having physical hardware that electronically adjusts the audio it's done by software. You connect a controller like the S4 to the computer and the controller sends signals to the software whenever you press a button or turn a knob . The software is programmed to react in a certain way to these signals, you may set it up so the pretend volume fader on the S4 raises the virtual volume fader in the software or you could do something crazy like have it add an effect effect to the track.
Think of controllers like the S4 like a really fancy keyboard and mouse. They don't actually do anything to the audio, they just give you a hands on way to control software that does.

IMO jog wheels are lame. Nothing compares to vinyl (timecode or real) and a traditional mixer. (though you should probably go to a store and make your own mind up about the "feel"). I believe that the best way to upgrade your traditional setup is to get the Traktor Audio6 timecode bundle or the Serato SL2 bundle.

If you then want a controller so you don't have to use the laptop touchpad to add effects or to load a new track onto the decks I'd recommend not replacing your mixer with something like the S4 but to get a complimentary controller that sits next to your setup like the Traktor X1

Here's a demo video on the X1.

[dwightvesuvius]

nice one, thanks for your thoughts.

certainly was a touch easier when a couple of sl1200s and a mixer were the only things to think about...

cheers

[MrPopinjay]

Eh I dunno about that. Servicing TTs and trying to work out where that humming sound is coming from is always great fun with my vinyl setup ;P

[Cybertrash]

It's always the grounding post... Stupid thing never wants to stay put.

[dwightvesuvius]

not wishing to overdo this post, but what's the latest thinking on the numark n4 - i see that has the capability for turntable input, and is half the price of the S4. the platters look ok, although the whole unit looks a little plasticky.

also, i have read elsewhere that there are latency issues, when using timecoded vinyl, or is this not the case.

cheers

oh, and never had grounding issues, more problems with the on off switch needing to be replaced, since someone assumed it was a dial. that, and having to resort to 5p pieces on top of the stylus to cope with warped vinyl. happy days.

[MrPopinjay]

Not at all dude, ask away! Best to get as much information as you can before you commit to a purchase.

I don't have any experiences with the Numark N4 but it's important that you remember that if you want to use Traktor Scratch timecode vinyl you have to use the Traktor Certified audio interfaces! i.e. the Audio4,6,8,10, the S4 or a handful of Traktor certified mixers. You would not be able to use the inputs on the N4 for timecode with Traktor. Or Serato Scratch Live. You could use VDJ or Mixvibes or Mixxx etc though!
Again, I've no experience with it but the Numark N4 does look like a flimsy piece of plastic, I don't think I would enjoy using it.

While timecode does introduce latency it's not noticeable with a decent audio interface. Well, maybe unless you're a scratch wizard or something... We're talking just a couple of milliseconds, it's a non-issue.