Is anyone else planning to use the Z2 without turntables or cdjs?
So I’m pretty stoked about the new Z2 because it’s got everything I need in the most compact form. High quality mixer for EQ’s, cues, filters, and some control over the remix decks for some ad-lib drumming.
Planning to use this as my sole standalone controller for Traktor. I like my setup as minimal as possible! Maschine and cdj’s will be added down the line, but for now this mixer has everything I need to control Traktor and perform simple A-B mixing (using sync obviously). A simple midi mapping for play/pause and all transport control is on board too.
but you do say your getting cdj’s but if you dont i think you wont get the most of the mixer as you’ll be mixing internally only.. which means you may as well just get a controller
The Z2 runs on HID instead of midi. NI hasn’t allowed the ability to custom map HID in Traktor. They pre-program the mappings. So the Z2 will have a few specific pre-determined changes you can make, but you won’t be able custom map it.
They might add an additional midi “mode” like they did with the S2/S4/F1 that you could map however you like, but you’d lose all of the features that NI’s decided not to let us midi-map, including the colored LEDs, and the numerical readouts.
Honestly, from what you said, I think you’d be much better-served by any controller with a mixer, or any hardware mixer, and either one or two Midi fighter 3D’s. I say this because you want remix deck control and track deck control, and you can only do one or the other of those with an F1 for the most part.
The MF3D is the only other controller that has remix deck control, currently, and you can map other layers to control track decks.
There is a new override feature in 2.6 where I believe you can map the z2 however you like. I just got mine last night and haven’t had a lot of time with it but I’ll see how that works tonight and post back.
I plan on using the Z2 as a standalone for some gigs and with my TTs for others. I do use my Maschine as a controller for Traktor, and unless you can do some re-mapping of the Z2, I imagine that I will continue to need to bring the Maschine as it has been mapped with play/pause, which seems to be absent from the standard Z2 layout.
The DJM-T1 definitely fits in better as an “all inclusive” setup, due to it’s “X1 attached to a mixer” design, rather than the supplemental essentials design of the Z2.
The T1 is just a better buy all around at it’s current price.
