# 2 sample decks VS 4 track decks **URL:** \ **Category:** Traktor\ **Tags:** sample-deck, track-deck, traktor-s4\ **Created:** [March 23, 2011, 5:58am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/2-sample-decks-vs-4-track-decks/21520 "2011-03-23T05:58:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![iamscenic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/34f0e0/32.png) [@iamscenic](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/iamscenic)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 5:58am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/2-sample-decks-vs-4-track-decks/21520/1 "2011-03-23T05:58:53Z")
**2 sample decks VS 4 track decks** Hey everyone, I’ve been reading around the S4 forum and haven’t found a discussion on this particular topic, so thought I’d post it up. When I first got into the S4 software I immediately started dropping loops and loading 'em up into sample decks like a kid tearing open his christmas presents. However, now that I am using it more and more, I am starting to believe that 4 track decks might be a little more effective at what I’m doing. Typically, I do backyard parties and house parties so my set lists are always spontaneous and vary depending on the people there. I feel like sample decks would be much more effective when the set list is pre-determined and rehearsed, so that you can have exactly which loops you want to throw down cued up and ready to go. I am also experimenting with 3 track decks and 1 sample deck, using the sample deck for one shots and DJ drop names etc. (backyard parties **love** that reggaeton horn sample!) My question and topic of discussion is this: Which configuration (4 track decks or 2 track/2 sample decks) do you prefer and what are you doing with each configuration? Side note: Anyone else wish the Sample buttons would retrigger rather than mute/unmute? ---
**Author:** ![paulmac](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/paulmac/32/12329_2.png) [@paulmac](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/paulmac)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 8:21am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/2-sample-decks-vs-4-track-decks/21520/2 "2011-03-23T08:21:28Z")
yeah i thin i would prefer them to just stop and restart when you hit the button so u know it drops bang on what u expect it to without having to change the deck focus to c or d and hittin the cue button.. ---
**Author:** ![photojojo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/photojojo/32/14618_2.png) [@photojojo](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/photojojo)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 11:42am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/2-sample-decks-vs-4-track-decks/21520/3 "2011-03-23T11:42:18Z")
I’ll switch between three track decks and one sample two track decks and two sample decks. I’ve just started getting comfortable using more than two or three sample decks at a time. ---
**Author:** ![VanGogo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/vangogo/32/12189_2.png) [@VanGogo](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/VanGogo)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 2:12pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/2-sample-decks-vs-4-track-decks/21520/4 "2011-03-23T14:12:23Z")
What ever you prefer is what works. I change this around all the time, depending on what I’m trying to accomplish. I also mapped some buttons on my xtra controller to change deck D from a sample deck to live input to track deck, so I can change it on the fly. With TPro2 you will soon be able to change all 4 decks to sample decks also. I prefer 3 track decks and 1 sample deck at the moment, because the lack of key lock on the sample decks limits what I can do with them. ---
**Author:** ![tomflynn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/tomflynn/32/12911_2.png) [@tomflynn](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/tomflynn)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2011, 11:18pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/2-sample-decks-vs-4-track-decks/21520/5 "2011-03-23T23:18:59Z")
I’m with Van on that, totally agree. If i was pushed i would say 3 track decks and 1 sample deck. 4 sample slots is still a lot. I forgot to check this, but is the upgrade to TP2 going to include key lock on sample decks? Major fail not having that key lock. Nothing worse than dropping in a sample from a playing track only to hear it sound different when you’re in the middle of a mix. ---
**Author:** ![iamscenic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/34f0e0/32.png) [@iamscenic](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/iamscenic)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 9:31am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/2-sample-decks-vs-4-track-decks/21520/6 "2011-03-24T09:31:59Z")
Yea I’ve read in a couple other posts that TP2 is including key lock in sample decks. This is actually the problem that first pushed me to working with 4 track decks instead of sample decks. Stoked to hear it’s getting fixed. I’m also finding it a little weird working with more than 4 hot cues. I know that the sample buttons can become hot cues 5-8 but that disables immediate access to the sample decks themselves until you manually switch to Deck C or D. I guess I just need a MIDI Fighter, eh? 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![tomflynn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/tomflynn/32/12911_2.png) [@tomflynn](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/tomflynn)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2011, 11:44pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/2-sample-decks-vs-4-track-decks/21520/7 "2011-03-24T23:44:28Z")
Thats great that they are. ---
**Author:** ![RainerHaselier](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/rainerhaselier/32/13124_2.png) [@RainerHaselier](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/RainerHaselier)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2011, 8:59am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/2-sample-decks-vs-4-track-decks/21520/8 "2011-03-27T08:59:42Z")
> [@iamscenic](#): > > Yea I’ve read in a couple other posts that TP2 is including key lock in sample decks. I wouldn’t trust this information mate. Rainer ---
**Author:** ![photojojo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/photojojo/32/14618_2.png) [@photojojo](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/photojojo)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2011, 12:51pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/2-sample-decks-vs-4-track-decks/21520/9 "2011-03-27T12:51:31Z")
> [@RainerHaselier](#): > > I wouldn’t trust this information mate. > > Rainer 😕 ---
**Author:** ![DennisHuiberts](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/dennishuiberts/32/14614_2.png) [@DennisHuiberts](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/DennisHuiberts)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2011, 3:50pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/2-sample-decks-vs-4-track-decks/21520/10 "2011-03-27T15:50:11Z")
I don’t think your CPU is going to like key lock on every sample… ---
**Author:** ![photojojo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/photojojo/32/14618_2.png) [@photojojo](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/photojojo)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2011, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/2-sample-decks-vs-4-track-decks/21520/11 "2011-03-27T16:39:06Z")
> [@DennisHuiberts](#): > > I don’t think your CPU is going to like key lock on every sample… That’s what I initially thought as well, but Thomas@NI siad it would be coming in a future free update on page three here [http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121890](http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121890) Maybe just not this free update. ---
**Author:** ![RainerHaselier](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/rainerhaselier/32/13124_2.png) [@RainerHaselier](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/RainerHaselier)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2011, 4:21am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/2-sample-decks-vs-4-track-decks/21520/12 "2011-03-28T04:21:48Z")
> [@photojojo](#): > > 😕 What I wanted to say is that there is no official annoucement that key lock for sample slots is a feature in the TP2 version beeing released on April 1