New Traktor? New NI Controller?

[mmauve]

Nice!. That's one thing thats a stickler for me, I started out on SL-1200's and work frequently with CDJ-1000's, so a good quality pitch slider is a huge thing for me on a tactile level (I just feel like I loose alot of control over the decks when relying on sync due to poor pitch control).

Thanks for clarifying that

[djchriswoods.co.uk]

My initial opinion when i saw the Dubfire vid was, 'that looks fecking awesome' but after seeing it in daylight in the other vids, i think it looks like a toy...

planning to be on traktor by the end of the year, but think i'll still go for Scratch Pro

[MiL0]

I like the new controller, if only because it's resulted in a newer version of Traktor, which in turn means that other manufacturers will have to release new controllers soon to take advantage of the new features.

[loop]

Could someone share what would be the "Alternative layout" which according to the Interface explorer at: http://www.native-instruments.com/#/.../?content=1336 could be triggered with the SHIFT + Deck C/D button? I would expect that Ean's VCI-like mapping would fit nicely in this layer.

As per the Interface Explorer, there are so many controls, which does not have SHIFT functions assigned. I see a lot of opportunities for setting more FX units control, Key control, per-sampler volume and filter, The Browse encoder + Shift could become browser tree navigation in non-browse mode.

Also, if the hardware would allow it, the Booth level could be SHIFT + Master. That's very unlikely to work, as the two outs share one channel of the Audio4, but still, i dare to imagine it may work.

I really like the exact layout and ergonomics of the controller. I don't think it's limiting or that it lacks anything. There are 2 layers for each deck (A/C & B/D) + alternative layout for each of them + SHIFT. We, humans, have only 2 hands and are limited in what we can touch at once. This has all the buttons it needs and is not overloaded at the same. I also like that NI allows us to use all the usual TP/TSP hardware - the Audio8, the X1s and all 3rd parties. If one's workflow needs more knobs, pots, buttons or I/O - you're welcome. What's built-in is well thought for sure and I'm happy it's as it is. The design IS A JOB WELL DONE.

The price is also very good IMO. Consider that CDJ-2000 is about 1500GBP. For the same amount you get the S4 + X1 + Audio8 TSP, if you so need the extra buttons, knobs and I/O. Also the options to take with you whatever makes sense when gigging. That would be the most versatile setup for Pros and it's still within the reasonable limits of spending.

The S4, being a separate "version" of Traktor is a good choice too. My understanding as a Software Engineer is that this is the most appropriate way to stabilize the Loop Recorder and the sampler addition without risking the quality of the software with which the people work and use for living (TP/TSP). Having it as a separate version/ new product is the best way to release the new and potentially immature Looper & Sampler features and at the same time keep your mainstream product line as stable as expected by the users.

Once the experiments are done with the S4 branch (incl S4 DVS) and all is stable, they will release the TP/TSP update with all back ports from S4. If I were you, and using TSP professionally (which I don't), I wouldn't rush to get the new loop recorder & sampler in T(S)P. I'm a software engineer myself and could imagine the nasty use & test cases where it may fail with the beat counting of the loop recorder if there's a scratch going on. Or samples scratch or anything ... These additions are very complex and need time to grow and become mature first!

As per the common concern that "NI's Dev team will be distracted by the multiple software editions" - I wouldn't worry. Firstly, consider that they are Germans . Secondly consider that they have almost 100% identical products which works on Mac OS X and on Windows -it takes a lot of discipline and experience to make this. These days, there are very advanced software Developments practices which allows to manage such complex software development process. I'm sure that they are good in doing it - all their products have the signature of well designed work process. It's the same code base across all editions and platforms - some enable the features, other don't. It's just different builds and build targets. Once S4 is stable, they'll just re-base all the branches and the focus will be unified once again. I wouldn't worry about it.

It's a great tool this S4. I'll get one as soon as it's available!

Cheers!

[loop]

Feedback from Shiftee:

http://blog.dubspot.com/s4-native-in...trol-s4-video/

[photojojo]

Feedback from Shiftee:

http://blog.dubspot.com/s4-native-in...trol-s4-video/

3. New Sync.
Traktor Pro S4 has a new sync ability, namely you can now load into a synced deck. In other words, SYNC now is independent of phase. You can scratch and drop in the normal way knowing your tracks are matched with tempo. For the deckless DJs out there, have no fear. There’s still a synchronous start, meaning if you hit play from a stopped deck it will play in phase. Also, phase syncing is still an option. If you still have your socks on, I don’t know what to tell you. If you don’t own socks, I recommend argyle

Interesting.

Slick new color choices and lots of nice subtlety involving menus and buttons

Choices? Does this mean I can select what color my wave forms are or what color my loops are or what color my samples are? That would be cool

[loop]

Not sure if anyone posted this here. I'm sure you'd be interested:

The Serato Ableton bridge is now in public Beta: http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/0...ual-available/

[Dj just b]

Not sure if anyone posted this here. I'm sure you'd be interested:

The Serato Ableton bridge is now in public Beta: http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/0...ual-available/

Figures. Seems the S4 lit a fire under their asses.

[SirReal]

One drawback I see, and hopefully, someone proves me wrong, while looking at the "software screens shots" the fifth picture shows the setup config for it and it seems that if you have 4 decks or 2 decks and 2 samplers selected then you can't use the live inputs also. That's really too bad. Is there a way to switch internally in the software without having to load another config file? I really wish the 2 "live inputs" were actually analog mixer channels and didn't have to go through the software. That means if you crash, no audio.

[farhanashraf]

platters look too small