Official info on the Kontrol Z2!

[nestaselect]

I wish they'd just release some damn info, it's already October. Nestaselect you said we'd have news by October 1st, what gives?

I'm hearing Oct 8 now. Not sure what the holdup is.

[thepanache]

Good job NI.. This is a great solution for someone who wants to spend DJM800 money on a mixer, who can still use their CDJ's, turntables & Traktor, all controlled from a single station, no soundcard and so on.

I WISH they would release a MIDI only version. Most people who use Traktor have X1's and F1's, no we just need a mixer to complete the modular set..

I wonder if they have been smart and enabled daisy chaining of devices from the mixer? I doubt it.. Would be extremely useful to daisy chain a X1 & F1 to this.

Something to discuss - Wireless MIDI control over bluetooth or WIFI.. Rechargeable X1 or F1, or even battery powered? Who wants cables everywhere?

[bmo]

Good job NI.. This is a great solution for someone who wants to spend DJM800 money on a mixer, who can still use their CDJ's, turntables & Traktor, all controlled from a single station, no soundcard and so on.

I WISH they would release a MIDI only version. Most people who use Traktor have X1's and F1's, no we just need a mixer to complete the modular set..

I wonder if they have been smart and enabled daisy chaining of devices from the mixer? I doubt it.. Would be extremely useful to daisy chain a X1 & F1 to this.

Something to discuss - Wireless MIDI control over bluetooth or WIFI.. Rechargeable X1 or F1, or even battery powered? Who wants cables everywhere?

on the Spanish website it says

Con Z2 como controlador/mezclador central de un club se puede tener el material convencional (platos y/o CDJ’s) sonando, pero empezar a sonar con tu TRAKTOR nada más conectar un cable USB. Además dos hubs USB integrados te permitirán conectar F1 o X1 en cualquier combinación al mismo mixer y a sonar… Los cambios entre DJ’s son ahora posibles en menos de dos segundos

Which means that the Z2 can be used with conventional decks such as a CDJ or turntable, but to use it with Traktor you don't need anything other than a USB cable. In addition it has two integrated USB hubs built in whihc will permit you to connect an F1 or X1 to the same mixer in whatever combination. DJ switch ups are now possible in les than two seconds.

So esesentially, if this is true, that means that it will be a big advantage for DJs who hate having to bring a USB hub to connect their soundcard, X1 and F1. In this situation you would just need one usb for the mixer and the subsequent USBs for the X1 and F1 would connect to the mixer. (they have this on some old higher end mixers for electricity for Turntables).

[thepanache]

on the Spanish website it says

Which means that the Z2 can be used with conventional decks such as a CDJ or turntable, but to use it with Traktor you don't need anything other than a USB cable. In addition it has two integrated USB hubs built in whihc will permit you to connect an F1 or X1 to the same mixer in whatever combination. DJ switch ups are now possible in les than two seconds.

So esesentially, if this is true, that means that it will be a big advantage for DJs who hate having to bring a USB hub to connect their soundcard, X1 and F1. In this situation you would just need one usb for the mixer and the subsequent USBs for the X1 and F1 would connect to the mixer. (they have this on some old higher end mixers for electricity for Turntables).

That's cool, very cool.. Good to see the option to daisy chain.. But the point I was making was for NI to release a MIDI only version for those who do not wish to connect any CDJ's/Turntables. Let's face it, most of us have analogue mixers at home which we can run CDJ's/Turntables & a soundcard input from Traktor, using X1's/F1's or a combination of the 2 to control Traktor & all of it's wonderful effects.. I'd love to see a MIDI only version with a similar form factor to the X1 & F1, maybe just wider.. For a BUS powered exclusive DIGITAL setup with Traktor.. Which would be much more portable..

Browser selection, effects and buttons are already available on the S2 & S4 along with jog wheels and everything else.. So it seems that the Z2 is just like the S2 & S4 but without the jog wheels..

[bmo]

Actaully While I'm at it. I'll jus translate the whole thing for everyone properly:

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol Z2


Desde el primer momento este producto que ha levantado una gran expectación. La KONTROL Z2 es un controlador para DJ de club, con tarjeta de sonido de 4 canales integrada y capacidad para manejar señales externas procedentes de platos o CDJ’s en una sesión. Incluso funciona en modo “stand alone”, es decir, sin conectarla al ordenador. La idea principal que se desarrolla con el diseño y salida al mercado de TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2, es que hay una inmensa comunidad de DJ’s a nivel mundial que usan TRAKTOR y van de gira con su ordenador como pieza clave. Al llegar al club los DJ’s se encuentran con multitud de soluciones de mezcla que no se integran con TRAKTOR en absoluto, debes enfrentarte a conexiones y desconexiones de cables y hacer sitio en cabina para controladores dedicados como X1 y F1 que son los que de verdad van a solucionar tu sesión con TRAKTOR. El mixer como pieza central de la cabina queda relegado entonces a controlar el volumen, la EQ y poco más, y en el caso de que sea uno viejo y maltratado interpondrá ruidos de masa o unos faders y EQ’s rascantes entre tu flamante ordenador y el equipo se sonido.

Since the beginning this product has had high expectations. The Kontrol Z2 is a controller built for Club DJs, with an integrated 4 Chanel sound interface, and the ability to use external sound sources such as Turntables or CDJs. It also works in "stand alone" which means you can use it without connecting to a computer. The main idea with the design and marketing of the mixer, is that there is an immesne community of DJs around the world that use Traktor and go on tour with their computer as their key piece of equipment. When they arrive at the club, the DJs encounter a multitude of different setups that don't integrate the best with Traktor, you have to manage inputs and outputs, as well as various cables, and make room for dedicated traktor controllers like the F1 or X1, which are what really provide the solution to using those rigs with Traktor. The mixer is then relegated to simply controlling the volume and EQs. Not to mention many club mixers are often worn and beat-up and not providing the true sound coming out of your computer.

Con Z2 como controlador/mezclador central de un club se puede tener el material convencional (platos y/o CDJ’s) sonando, pero empezar a sonar con tu TRAKTOR nada más conectar un cable USB. Además dos hubs USB integrados te permitirán conectar F1 o X1 en cualquier combinación al mismo mixer y a sonar… Los cambios entre DJ’s son ahora posibles en menos de dos segundos.

The Z2 can be used with conventional decks such as a CDJ or turntable, but to use it with Traktor you don't need anything other than a USB cable. In addition it has two integrated USB hubs built in whihc will permit you to connect an F1 or X1 to the same mixer in whatever combination. DJ switch ups are now possible in les than two seconds.

Z2 puede controlar 4 canales de sonido, permite seleccionar entre canales A,B,C y D de forma fácil. Sus 4 botones laterales están preparados para controlar 4 CUES o el disparo de los 4 primeros samples de los REMIX decks. El control de efectos de TRAKTOR está también integrado aunque de una forma menos extensiva que si se usa un X1. El cambio a recibir la señal analógica de una fuente externa es instantáneo y se realiza con un simple pulsado de un botón, en este caso solo funciones de EQ, filtro y volumen pueden realizarse sobre la señal. El motor de mezcla sigue siendo TRAKTOR cuando no esté sonando una fuente externa, por lo que la limpieza absoluta en el camino de señal está garantizada.

The Z2 can control 4 chanels of music, and allows you to choose easily between chanels A,B,C and D. The 4 lateral buttons are built to control 4 hot cues or launch the first 4 samples of your remix decks. Traktor's effects are also well integrated in a way that allows you to control them in a simpler way than how you would use them on an X1. Switching between analogue and internal input source is instantaneous with the push of a button. When in analogue mode only the EQ, filtre and volume are functional. When in internal mode the main driver of music is Traktor to ensure the cleanest music signal.

La electrónica analógica alrededor del motor digital ha sido diseñada y elegida para brindar una calidad de audio a la altura del nivel que se va a exigir a este nuevo aspirante a conquistar el corazón de las cabinas de todo el mundo. En ese sentido tanto los filtros como la EQ son excelentes. Se incluye además una licencia de TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2 con sus correspondientes vinilos y CD’s en el pack. Con este nuevo integrante de la familia TRAKTOR, el sistema de DJ digital más avanzado que podríamos tener dentro del universo NI no es un S4 si no un KONTROL Z2 + dos F1 ó un F1 y un X1 más dos platos o dos CDJ’s y un ordenador.

The analogue electronics were designed and chosen to provide an exceptional sound quality, to win the hearts of clubs all around the world. In that regard, the filtres as well as the EQs are excellent. In addition, it also includes a Traktor Scratch Pro 2 license with the corresponding vinyl and CD packs. With this new integrated part of the Traktor family, the most advanced digital DJ system in the world isn't an S4, but rather a Z2 with two F1s or an F1 and an X1 in combination with two turntables or two CDJs.

Otros detalles como efectos PRE / POST fader seleccionables, curva de crossfader ajustable desde el panel frontal, así como X-fader reverse, dos salidas de auriculares de jack de ¼ de pulgada, entrada de micro (jack) con control de tono, modo macro-effects (este modo permite controlar varios parámetros del un efecto desde un solo botón y la nueva versión de TRAKTOR vendrá con un nutrido grupo de efectos preconfigurados para ser controlados con un solo botón que harán las delicias de los DJ’s por su sencillez de uso y su increible sonido), modo jump-back, etc.

Other specifications include: Pre/Post fader effects, adjustable cross-fader curve from the front plate, such as revers cross-fader curve, 2 1/4" audio output jacks, Microphon input jack with pitch control, macro effects mode (allows oyu to control various parametres of an effect with one button, included in the new version of Traktor, these are preconfigured to be controlled in this manner), jump-back mode, etc

Muchos DJ’s han comentado que hubieran preferido un set-up clásico de 4 canales. La verdad es que Z2 tiene 4 canales, pero dos de ellos disponen solo de control de volumen con potenciómetro en lugar de fader. Pensando en un DJ que siempre usa TRAKTOR es un paso lógico pues en realidad colocando dos F1 al lado dispondremos de 12 canales! de mezcla con su correnpondiente volumen y filtro en 10 de ellos. Y colocando una MASCHINE al lado de un set-up así y haciendo uso de sus capacidades de sampling y síntesis podríamos montar el mejor sistema de composición de temas DANCE en directo que jamas haya soñado un DJ en la vida

Basically says that many DJs have preferred a classic 4 channel setup. But the truth is that the Z2 is a 4 chanel mixer, but two of them are only controlled with a volume knob instead of a fader. A DJ using a few F1s could have as many as 12 chanels available 10 of which with their corrisponding volume and filtre. Add a Maschine to the mix and you've basically got the tits.

[0.0]

Other specifications include: Pre/Post fader effects, adjustable cross-fader curve from the front plate, such as revers cross-fader curve, 2 1/4" audio output jacks, Microphon input jack with pitch control, macro effects mode (allows oyu to control various parametres of an effect with one button, included in the new version of Traktor, these are preconfigured to be controlled in this manner), jump-back mode, etc

Am I reading that right? Will the Z2 be released alongside a Traktor update?

[padi_04]

Yuuup, you can see a few differences in the software in the Z2's video.

[bmo]

To be honest, the ONE thing i'm kind of let-down by this, is the fact that the main outputs are 1/4" and so far it doesn't look like there will be a booth output. I mean let's be frank. XLR outputs truly are the standard. If they're expecting people to replace club mixers with this they should have really included main XLR outputs and 1/4" booth outputs. I can forgive them for dropping the rec output, because obviously you can just record internally on Traktor.

[rdej47]

To be honest, the ONE thing i'm kind of let-down by this, is the fact that the main outputs are 1/4" and so far it doesn't look like there will be a booth output. I mean let's be frank. XLR outputs truly are the standard. If they're expecting people to replace club mixers with this they should have really included main XLR outputs and 1/4" booth outputs. I can forgive them for dropping the rec output, because obviously you can just record internally on Traktor.

There is a booth output. Like a nerd I ripped the 1080p version and threw it into Final Cut and did a frame by frame analysis. I boosted the exposure and in a shot from the back of the mixer you can see it clearly reads booth. It's likely 1/4" outputs.

[bmo]

There is a booth output. Like a nerd I ripped the 1080p version and threw it into Final Cut and did a frame by frame analysis. I boosted the exposure and in a shot from the back of the mixer you can see it clearly reads booth. It's likely 1/4" outputs.

That's awesome!! I guess the main output being 1/4" can be fixed with 1/4"-XLR cables which isn't that big of a deal, but still lol. Thanks for the correction rdej47