Hey guys, so I’m selling my beloved S4… :eek: Yeah I know I must be crazy, but after playing around with it for the last 3 months and traveling all over the world with it, its just not suitable for my specific needs. The main issue being the size factor… Its just too big!
I love the S4, don’t get me wrong its just too big especially when traveling all over. Setting it up in clubs and gigs hasn’t been an issue surprisingly, but getting it around has. So… I’ve decided to let it go.
So here’s my scenario, what other DJ Controller on the market would you say is in the same sort of field and class as the S4 in terms of features, quality, and awesomeness but smaller? I’ve been looking into perhaps getting the Novation Twitch (Not too keen on Itch though) the Reloop Jockey III Master Edition, or VCI 100 Arcade.
Are there any other viable options out there besides what I’ve mentioned that should be considered? Please ket me know guys! Thanks a mil!
thinking of the 2 vs 4 channels - if C & D are just sample decks, one could do fine with just 2 channel faders. NanoKontrol comes to my mind (again) as a proper supplementary …
Twitch looks most sexy to me, and the thing shouts CREATIVITY!
i’m still not sure if i’m feeling the twitch… yeah those stripes are something else, and will appear on more controllers in the future, but that’s just the start. be a few better examples along soon enough imo
I would suggest working out more often, so that carrying a huge controller up a flight of stairs doesn’t tire you out :-p
I kid, I kid!
Maybe those little denon controllers and a denon x-120 mixer? Or a VCI-300?
However the Kontrol S4 would not pass particularly well as a central DJ controller for a small bar, lounge or even club, in a way you could see the DN-MC6000 doing. Why?
There’s no booth volume. As it has a separate booth/FX send section, the Denon DN-MC6000 could happily send a signal to the DJ booth and the master PA
The DN-MC6000 lets you play your analogue sources without having a laptop plugged in. Although you can use turntables/CDs through the Kontrol S4, you need to be set up with a laptop and Traktor Kontrol S4 running for external analogue sources to work,apart from one “emergency” source that goes straight through bypassing all controls
The Kontrol S4 is not rack-mountable; the Denon DN-MC6000 is
The Kontrol S4 doesn’t have balanced XLR outputs to interface directly with a club PA system, unlike the Denon
While the Kontrol S4 does have a mic input (expect it to be used for live sampling as much as voiceovers, as demonstrated by DJ Shiftee in the early promo video), the Denon has 2 mike input channels, both with full EQ and one with “echo” (karaoke here we come)
I believe these features draw the line in the sand as to where Denon and Native Instruments intend their respective units to sit in the marketplace.
Rack-mountability (with included 19″ rackmount accessory kit), a number of on-board MIDI effect controls, durable construction, intuitive layout, dual jog wheels, pitch fader, channel fader, cross fader and much more. The unit’s Pitch/Fader/Volume lock function holds the last known Audio value and position until the NULL point is again reached. It is also easy for users to find where they are going, with the included File browse navigation keys and rotary encoder file selector knob with illuminated ring. Also featured are the unit’s high-quality, high-output headphone amp, the independent 3-band Channel EQ with “Kills” (high-mid-low) and various Utility presets to customize user settings.
Newly designed, high-resolution 105-mm touch-sensitive jog wheel
Smooth 100-mm long pitch slider with high 14-bit resolution
Eight (4 + 4) hot cue/sampler buttons with dual bank selector key
Auto loop button with Beat Jump (loop cut)
Manual loop In/Out buttons
Large-size Cue & PLAY buttons
EFX controls, EFX keys and Parameter knobs
Multiple GUI controls – Mixer, Video, Scratch, Sampler, REC, etc.
Powerful Shift key – used for various dual-button operations
Search keys, to advance around within a file
Denon’s legacy “Pitch Bend” keys
Vinyl and Pitch Bend Jog modes
SYNC key for beat matching between decks
Key Lock on/off button with LED confirmation
Matrix Input Assignment selector knob
Selectable PFL input gain and program meters
Independent CUE system (all channels)
Split Cue function with Cue/Master pan knob
45-mm Channel and Cross Faders
Independent Channel A-B Thru switch (cross fader)
Cross Fader contour adjustment
Master Output stereo/mono switch
Booth Output with Source Selector and level control
Mic 3-band EQ (High-Mid-Low) for mics 1 and 2
Mic Ducking and built-in Echo Effect for mics 1 and 2
MIDI-mapable control surface (faders, knobs and buttons) for other DJ applications
Inputs include two RCA/Phono lines, one XLR Mic/quarter-inch one quarter-inch TRS Mic jack, and two RCA AUX inputs. Outputs include balanced master XLR, unbalanced master RCA, quarter-inch TRS booth/send out, RCA record out, and stereo headphone out. The DN-MC6000 also has a USB Audio in/out selectable routing switch and a Kensington lock security feature. The unit measures 18.1″ x 2″ x 10″ without rack ears. Power input is AC 100V – 240V, 50/60 Hz, and output is DC 12V, 3A. AC adaptor power supply and 1.5-meter USB cable are included, and the unit also features a green, energy-saving ECO standby mode.
Wowwweeeeeeez b3n thanks for all that info, but the Denon isnt exactly a solution to my problem, its still a big Controller, but thanks you’re the bestest mate!
Thats my thoughts too Brad. I’m very keen on the Twitch but not sold yet!
Yeah that sounds killer but a wallet killer price too! I like the DB4 but I’m not sure if I’m feeling Serato Itch. I’m a TP 2 kinda guy..
Man so many options but…
Wow thanks for all the suggestions bro, very thoughtful ha ha! Well they all sound like good options, but not really a very compact solution like the S4 or other Controllers, but very imaginative!
Yeah thats what I do at club gigs sometimes, but the S4 is so much fun to use in the clubs hey, but yeah I get you.
I mostly use the S4 for parties and gigs, but the traveling around with it especially when flying from pace to place, and overseas has turned into a hassle. I need a good Controller that will fit into a Dj bag not a Dj case, lol! Yeah maybe the VCI 100 is a good idea…
So… I’ve decided to let it go.
