Im still deciding to whether get an S4 or not but so far besides how great the unit is I have also heard lots of problems. I have heard a lot of people having problems with their S4’s about jogwheels malfunctioning, unresponsive decks, freezes/crashes, monitor output too low, CUE remains lit among others.
Theres a review in GC that made me think about getting the unit right away and that they first should iron things out in order to release a better put up product.Do the Maschine and X1 were like this?
I was a bit worried too cos I didn’t get one of the first batch and saw people moaning about jog wheels etc.
But since I got mine I have had no problems at all.
I updated the driver and software from NI, recalibrated the jogs and it’s been perfect - get one mate you won’t regret it.
I have a macbook (a 2008 model, so it’s nothing special), I got mine on the first batch from DJTT. It was shipped from California too Iraq, so it took a few bumps on the way over here and it works perfect. Haven’t had a single issue. I also got the X1’s when they first came out and no issues with those either.
I do know a friend that recently got an X1 and he had to send it back to NI for a new one. So they aren’t always all perfect, and its not always the first batch.
Thanks for your quick replys. Electronics are not strange to release some faulty first production units and get things ironed out along the way. I understand that NI are very pro in what they do and that their flagship controller/software combo must be released working flawlessly and solidly as the reputation the software has managed to have.
Im still deciding since I have gotten a hold of the workflow with the VCI100 and some custom mappings but the S4 looks like the functions I need are more available and depend less of shift holds
Any other S4 owner can tell their story? early adopter, where they bought it, any problems etc.
I got mine the first week it dropped at GC. From what I was told it was the last one of the first batch they had… drove to another city to get it. None the less, I’ve had no issues. Running a MBP 2.66, latest drivers and software version and recalibrated jogs. All is well. Works like my vci100 did.
Sounds good so far . Now not to create another thread, can you disable the internal soundcard and use another one? I have a Presonus Firebox that I have grow fond of and performs rock solid… So maybe disable the internal soundcard and, maybe, getting it to be totally bus powered? Maybe the soundcard is what keeps the thing needing external juice…
I used the S4 with a Firebox and its a great combo.
Are you PC or Mac Quenpas..?
What id say about early adopter and the fear of new hardware is that this thing isnt gonna change.
The hardware is fine. Yes there are some teething problems but most are in making the drivers work with PCs.
Most of the issues are getting resolved and quickly and are not due to hardware that needing a rethink. Its just software.
The internal soundcard is as good as anything in my studio and it aint lacking live.
Bus power knocks the LEDs down to half light which for me is a no go.
There is no doubting that people have some issues but these people are the loud minority.
you only need to go to the Denon forum to read to some real bullshit about the S4 and some proper misinformation been peddled by some members.
I wouldnt come on here and say that the S4 soundcard sounds as good as my Presonus FireBox if i genuinely didnt think it did.
I have a black MacBook 2.4GHz C2D. Bought it used and it has performed rock solid. Yeah I think you are right about the loud minority thing since around here some individuals are posting multiple post about the S4 having issues. Still it’s something that’s worth a bit research since $900 is a month rent or 2 month car payment
The more I know about the unit the more secure I’ll feel to upgrade from my VCI100 which btw has performed rock solid and would only upgrade if the experience HW and SW are exponentially better… and even then I would have to think it some more.
If I had the money I would definitely keep the VCI as a dedicated FX machine and loop/sample control.
Yeah totally hear ya mate. I have just sold my VCI 100 and it was a wrench.
It has served me well for 2 years but i just didnt need it now that im converted fully to the S4.
Nothing i have seen or used has even remotely made me think of leaving the VCI especially after the 1.4 update which makes the VCI 300 as much use as a barn door.
You should defo go demo the S4 as i think the feel of it will be the decider for you.
With your Mac you should be trouble free. I hav had no issues with performance at all but as im a bit of a crappy scratcher i love the S4 Jog wheels so i suppose if there are any compromises on the feel (its not a chunky tough controller like the VCI unfortunately) i can see passed them as im totally sold on the Jogs.
I remember thinking that VCI was all back to front and i hated the fact that the controls arent symmetrical and i was disappointed with the jogs but then i realised what you could do with it and all those things became history and i was converted.
I didnt have any of those doubts with S4 it was like the first time i used an X1 it just felt right.
I just fear ever dropping the damn thing. I dropped my VCI from about 4 feet once and i think the floor came off worse…!!!
I got my S4 and have not one problem with it. I am run it on a mac book pro. The S4 will be worth every penny! NI got this freaking thing right. I got a couple of litte problems with some of the sampling feature but definitely nothing that a show stopper.
Not an S4 owner but a Firebox owner. For me Firewire have less latency. Also I think that the FB is tried and true with solid drivers and there are more outputs and 2 XLR inputs.
I hope they crank up production for 2011 since I think they made like, what, 500 units?
