Firstly i have to say, great forum, i’ve spent the last 2 hours reading some great posts on here!
I thought i’d throw this one open, I have to say i love the S4 and am in love with everything about it, BUT - i’m not seeing virtually any big DJ’s using the S4.
I’ve seen a clip of dubfire and pete tong using it once. And that’s it.
There are no clips or endorcements from anyone ‘big’.
I would have thought NI would be showing videos on their site of a good selection of people using and talking about the S4, the likes of Carl Cox, Luciano, Richie Hawtin, Carl Craig, Chris Liebing, Loco Dice, Dennis Ferrer etc etc - Bascially all DJ’s that we know use Traktor.
They were quick to post videos and interviews in the past of dj’s using traktor pro, yet there are no interviews or videos of anyone using the S4.
My thought is that it’s not being used by people because of it’s size and problems fitting it in dj booths around the world.
I’m not saying its impossible, I personally think it’s not that big, but i am concerned about having problems fitting it in dj booths.
I just wondered what peoples thoughts are on this?
also want to add, if I was a professional DJ using Traktor or sponsored by NI I would probably prefer to use 2 X1’s and a mixer of my choice over the S4. Less to carry, more controls over effects, etc.
welcome to the forums and a very good topic to start with too
you would think NI would really want a really big name or two to promote the S4
sure the vids from shiftee were enough to start the hype machine rolling and the rountine vids Ean did is what sold the S4 for me.
but kinda strange the dont have some big international club djs behind it…
kinda a lost opportunity if ya ask me,
but then again its not long out and most pro djs want nothing more than stability in there set up, so maybe the S4 is just a new to be trusted in there eyes.(yet)
time will tell… time tells all
them guys dont exactly earn peanuts playing to monkeys
Yes i agree maybe people want to feel comfortable using it before taking it out on the road, however, i’m sure NI sent out a lot of S4’s to the top DJ’s in different genres way before they were availible to the public, so that they could get used to them and be showing them off to drum up hype. But as yet nobody seems to be using it. There must be some reason.
Personally, i think it’s a better solution to use the S4 than 2 X1’s and the Audio8. Only because with the audio 8 you have to plug in 4 pairs of RCA/phono cables into the back of the mixer in the booth.
Not to mention unplugging some stuff from it if there isn’t enough free channels for you. This can really piss people off, e.g the previous dj finishing his set or the sound engineer looking after the booth.
At least with the S4 you just plug in 1 pair of RCA’s to a free channel on the mixer and that’s it.
At the moment though, i really am torn between playing out with the S4 or 2 X1’s and the Audio 8 - Main reason being i don’t want to seem a pain in the ass to people by having this big’ish controller to find a space for (S4) OR having to be plugging loads of leads in the back of the mixer (audio8).
Both have there good & bad points. Just haven’t finally decided on which one to go with yet.
I really don’t think the S4 is aimed at big international DJ’s, but more so to the common DJ that has either a residency where he has more say about what’s in the booth, mobile DJ’s that set up on their own, and bedroom DJ’s.
Interesting point photojojo. I’m not sure i agree totally, but i can see where you’re coming from.
I’m excited to see what this announcement is tomorrow from N.I.
I think they’re going to announce the new audio interfaces & updated versions of Traktor pro and Traktor Scratch Pro (like in that dennis ferrer video not so long ago).
Hopefully the S4 software will get a little make over too.
Theres a big difference between:
Superstar Djs that are gigging with the S4 & Superstar DJs that have got an S4.
I guess that more will come out of the woodwork over time cus they are certainly asking for them… I know a there are many big names that are still pretty new to digital so the S4 will seem like the damn space shuttle in complexity.
Give it time and i think we will see many more.
Its only been around for 2 months or so and DJs can be pretty slow on the uptake of new technology (especially ones from a traditional background)
I feel the same you do on this topic, I already own an Audio8 and two X1s, and would prefer to use external 4 channel mixer (which isnt always available at some of my gigs, unless I bring my own), but it is pain to connect all 4 RCAs to mixer and not trip up the dj before me. On the other hand, Im in the process of order a S4, which seems be a great all in one solution and I already know what to expect just using a controller and the ease of setting up once I can find the space in the booth. But my dilemma, should I spent the money on the S4, since I already have great gear, but dont want to deal setup issues and awkward transitions when working with other djs and hope there’s a decent working 4 channel mixer to boot.
I think carrying two X1s with carrying cases and an Audio8 takes up just the same room in a bag, but in the booth not so much.
I guess when I really think about the ease of setup, is the main reason to get the S4, one USB cord, one rca and power cord. And then its optional to add a X1 to mix, thats unless NI or somebody else came out with something like the M4-concept mixer, shown else where in this forum and have the unit lock up two X1s to it.
Forget the big names. Just use what you want. Many “famous” dj’s use variations of a DVS system because that’s what they have been doing for years and that’s what they are used to. Integrating a controller like S4 into their performance may take a little bit of time. I’m confident that eventually controllers like S4 will be part of any “normal” dj setup. That said, S4 is unlikely to become a new “standard” because of its poor build quality. It simply doesn’t have the sturdiness/reliability most star dj’s would require.
True, I personally like to see and hear what the pros are using and what they think of certain products. Like tonight Dennis Ferrer and the Martinez Brothers, are performing at Hudson Hotel NYC, I assuming with the new version of Traktor S4 Pro and Audio10.
I completely agree Popoff. The most important thing is using what you think is right for you and embracing that. I fully support that attitude.
Karlos i also agree, many ‘star’ dj’s are slow to take up new things sometimes, espically as like you say a lot of them come from a ‘traditional’ dj’ing way of thinking.
I know of a few very big dj’s who have the S4 in their studios but haven’t found the time to really get to use it yet. (have a look on Sebastien Legers forum, he say’s it so himself)
Like you say, things take time, people adopt whatever they feel comfortable with.
It’s good to see people like dubfire, modeselektor, pete tong all using it. I’m sure as time goes on (and people see how much easier it is to set up an S4 compared to TSP) it will gain major support.
Plus, you have to remember that if you are truly serious about where you want to take your dj-ing next then you might just be the next “big name” yourself…
Then everyone will turn their heads to you and say “Hey! That guy is famous now and he’s been using controllers all along. I guess I’ll start using a controller too” Now you see how this easily becomes a question of perception more than anything else.
I couldn’t agree more popoff. I think it’s important to embrace new technology if it’s how you want to do things. As you say, one day it could be you they are looking at for guidance.
