FIRST PURCHASE ADVICE: DDJ-SX vs Traktor S4 MK2

FIRST PURCHASE ADVICE: DDJ-SX vs Traktor S4 MK2

I’m planning to purchase my first controller after messing around on my friend’s S4 a handful of times and watching many-many-many Youtube videos and tutorials on mixing. Though I’m pretty much a noob, I learn fast and want something that I won’t need to replace for awhile. Narrowed it down to the DDJ-SX and S4, but now I’m not sure which I should pick. I will be mixing mainly EDM and hip hop (no scratching). The difference I understand so far between the two:

  • DDJ-SX = metal & bigger, S4 = plastic-y & smaller
  • DDJ-SX can run multiple kinds of DJ software, S4 can only run Traktor
  • DDJ-SX = more cue buttons

Is there any reason I should pick one over the other? Any help/feedback would be greatly appreciated!

sounds like you already made up your mind…

Lol, I guess my main concern is if the DDJ-SX is worth the extra $200 if I will be using Traktor over Serato regardless.

Lol, I guess my main concern is if the DDJ-SX is worth the extra $200. I will be using Traktor over Serato regardless.

I like real decks, but would definitely go for Traktor. I’d go for the S4mk2. The other controller is silly-huge and heavy.

I was originally going to go with an S4 myself, but I thought it was silly-huge and instead went with an X1 mk2 and Z1, with the intent on getting another X1 mk2 and/or F1 and an Allen & Heath mixer if I decided I wanted to get serious.

Get an SX plus Traktor, that would be my choice. I wouldn’t touch an S4, the small round buttons break real easily.

Cool. I really like the x1mk2 (with the default Traktor integration) and still have two F1s (do you want them? :slight_smile:). I’ve moved my focus towards live synth, but F1s are still the best way to use remix decks.

The s4 mk2 has threads after threads of numerous random issues dating back to like october of last year. There isnt really any real bonuses of the mk2 over the s4 mk1 other then traktor dj ipad support. But with the countless posts on native instruments forums about random freezing and glitching without any real cause I would definitely chose the ddj sx and just run it with traktor.

If I remember correctly, the DDJ also functions as a stand alone mixer. Which might make it worth the xtra $200.

It’s never happened to me and needless to say, Traktor gets updated all the time.

What about the touchstrips? The touch-sensitive encoders?