I can get a xone:4D for 1070$. Should I? (Rookie DJ)
Hi all
This is my first post but I have been lurking around here for a while
I have been bedroom-djing for a while on my Hercules RMX and got quite sucked into the whole thing. I had to kind of take a brake because university took its toll on my free time. Anyways, as graduation is nearing, I am preparing to get back into the whole thing. Actually, I want to take it to the next level and, at some point, try to get some gigs.
So I need a new controller for Traktor. After reading a shitton of information and reviews on controllers and stuff, I have narrowed down my selection to the VCI-400, the Pioneer DDJ-T1 and the Denon DN-MC6000. Considering the S2/S4 too…
Turns out I could probably get a used Xone4D for 1050$, including a Zomo Flightcase. I figure the price is quite good as it costs only marginally more than the above mentioned controllers.
However, I am aware that this is very much high-end equipment and its probably overkill for someone with my skills…
But the real issue is that I’m concerned with the age of this monster. It’s been released 5 years ago and tech has since moved on. I guess the mixer is probably still topnotch, but the controller features are probably dated. Also, this thing completley lacks labels on the buttons, which sucks.
I just feel uncomfortable shedding such an amount of money for equipment that was designed in 2007, and not even for specific use with traktor…
Any thoughts/good advice for me?
You could always get overlays for the buttons on the 4d. Also realize the 4d was probably made in the UK and not China or Japan. The only downsides I would see is the 4d is going to be bulkier/heavier vs say an S4 and there is no warranty for it.
I had one until a few weeks ago, and it’s great!
The sound quality is awesome, and it will last for ever
The only thing I dislike from Xone 4D, is the knobs… they are too near one from another :c
Imo, maybe you could get a VCI-400, MC-6000 or S2/S4, they have everything you’ll need and the default maps are great
Id go for it. It has everything you need to get back into it, allows you to add cdjs or vinyl if you want, and will get you used to a real mixer like what a club will have. If you don’t like it down the line I’m sure you will be able to sell it and replace with a 92 and 2 x1s or whatever you decide you want. In a nutshell, its a great new beginning that leaves you open to pretty much any direction of growth.
I wouldnt get an s4 though. They’re way overpriced for what they are.
A Xone:4D is THE dreamed controller/mixer/whatever for the people here, I guess. Even if you say you’re a rookie, I would still pick it. Once you understand all the Traktor concepts, if you have some talent, you’ll be spinnin great stuff on a Xone:4D, it has a really nice mixer, nice filters, a lot of midi controls… it’s pretty awesome.
Hmm… But its 5 years old No one seems to mind that…
Damn I’m so tempted now The other controller’s UI looks much simpler and cleaner to me, but then again this is high end stuff. Ahh need to think about it and read more
I was looking into the Xone 4D for the same reasons as you OP. It can be had for pretty cheap now (for what it does) but after research, I got to the same conclusion as DirtyNerd.
IT’s really dated, and it’s not the best controller for Traktor. Ableton, probably one of the top ones, but I don’t think it’s a good Traktor controlller.
Meh. The 4d is essentially a 92 with two 2d’s on each side. You’re paying for the mixer and soundcard, not the controller. Agreed that it’s not the most functional controller out there, but for $1070 you will be hard pressed to find a good 4 channel mixer, 20 channel sound card, and controller. Depending on the genre of music you want to mix as well, the only controls you really need for traktor are transport, loops, and effects. The 4d has more than enough controls laid out for that as well.
If however you want to get into mixing with lots of cue point juggling, and all the craziness that seems to get discussed on djtt so much, then you will be better off with something else probably. For house, tech no, and their derivatives though, the 4d will work great.
I would do it. The most important feature hasn’t really been mentioned; it’s a mixer too!
It’s not just a controller, it’s a mixer. As someone who has had both mixers, turntables and controller only setups, when it comes to feeling, you just can’t beat the feeling of a mixer when mixing.
Also, I can’t believe people think it’s outdated…
Have never been more in love with a piece of gear as this one.
Yup. Sure it was released a few years ago, but it’s still a great mixer and will be for a long time. The only part of it that’s lacking in my opinion are the buttons that are on the sides under the faders, and I only say that because they’re small and not backlit. The jog wheels on it are fantastic for browsing and aren’t awful for beatmatching, but if you’re using traktor you may as well just use sync. There’s no benefit to not using sync really, other than being able to say that you beatmatch manually… The jogwheels are also directional controls too which I think is awesome when it comes to browsing and selecting which tree you want to be in.
As a mixer, the 4d may be great and not dated at all. But the OP seemed to be asking for a controller for Traktor…and to me, the 4D does seem a bit dated as a controller. It is scratch certified and has a nice sound interface, but it is big, heavy, and to me, the controls are not ideally setup for DJing wih Traktor.
I’d say 100% yes … personally I think its ideal for traktor, much more so than even an S4 IMHO
20 ch Scratch Certified soundcard Real Allen and Heath Mixer which can be used standalone
Control of all Traktor FX layers without needing encoders or soft takeover
Huge number of cue / loop buttons available
Proper Midi I/O should you want to expand/sync your setup with external devices.
At that price its in the same bracket as a basic xone:42 mixer and you get the case worth, what $150 ?
The 4D as a mixer with built in soundcard is pretty incredible and it’s a decent deal just for that. The midi panels on the side are a little dated though- the jog wheels and buttons leave something to be desired when compared to newer controllers like the X1/K2 with better quality and better feeling backlit buttons and some of the new controllers have slightly better layouts compared to the 4D sides.
If you are planning to take it to gigs just realize it’s huge and in some situations might not be possible to bring or fit in a booth.
A standard 4 channel mixer + modular controllers gives you much more flexibility, especially for gigging out. Unless you’re a mobile DJ providing all equipment the 4D is not realistically going to leave your house.
Thanks for all that input. I’m having a hard time deciding though. However I think I will skip this one… I am aware that having such a fabulous mixer is awesome, but I’m foremost in need of a good controller.
Just by looking at it, I can tell the 4D’s layout isn’t as intuitive as the VCI-400 or S4. No labels on them buttons and whats worse, NO.BACKLIGHT.BUTTONS. Like someone said here, it seems more like a great mixer with added controllers on both sides… but it’s probably more mixer than controller. For home use I have a shitty Pioneer DJM-300, and the controllers own mixers aren’t that different, so that’s ok for the time being.
My assumption was that when playing at a venue, a studio-grade mixer is usually provided,no?
Anyways, I now saw another offer for a used S4 for only 430$. Thats less than half… so i could get a separate mixer if really needed, or even a Kontrol F1. However, ppl seem to prefer the VCI-400. Also I hear the build quality of the S4 is shite, stuff breaking down, port’s not working anymore…
Since it has no warranty, that is a serious issue! Is it really that bad??
The good thing about it is it works with TP2 scratch, and since I have two Technics 1200 which I never used so far (got em for free!), thats really something.
So it’s now whteher to buy a used S4 or get something else. Oh how I hate those first world problems
if you like good audio quality (somewhat more punch/warm sound from a&h mixers) with the best sounding filters on the market its a good deal.
as someone earlier said its basically a 92 without 4band eq.
but instead it has a traktor scratch soundcard which is really high quality and alot of midicontrols for about the same price.
so what it boils down to is really how you want to mix which someone also mentioned earlier, the 4d is not really ideal for cue point juggling and 15 second fast mixing but for controlling traktors search and track load, effects and cue/play/loop it has a great layout.
No one seems to mind that…
The other controller’s UI looks much simpler and cleaner to me, but then again this is high end stuff. Ahh need to think about it and read more 
