So I’ll try to keep this concise. The Pioneer DJM-T1 (or Z2, haven’t decided) is looking mighty appealing as a traktor controller. I’m planning on buying one of the two mixers and I need to know what other kind of equipment I would need to gain full control over the traktor program? Can I use the mixers as a transport controller (play, pause, scrolling through tracks, setting cues… etc) or would I need something else? Behringer is coming out with that new line of cheap controllers (I should say inexpensive, not cheap) and they look like a good solution. Any suggestions?
To reiterate I just need a simple setup that allows me to control traktor completely, which features a mixer. Don’t recommend the s4 or something like that I regret selling my stand alone mixer…
i LOVE my Z2, use 2 x1s and a midi fighter 3d + lappy… all i use these days unless i get forced to use timecode vinyl at venues with built in junk lacking setup space
but yeah i can’t tell you how great the Z2 is, my favorite mixer these days
the z2 is sexy as f*ck but build quality with the pioneer is hard to pass up too, its a close one. i guess what im asking if it the x1s are totally necessary for a simple setup while maintaining transport abilities
Just check out for yourself how many midi-mappable buttons there are on the two mixers in question, figure out, how many buttons you need to comfortably control Traktor and then make your decision. Don’t really see how we can help you with that.
Well I’m asking if anyone has tried something similar and has a fully functional setup. Thats an answerable question. Thanks for your opinion though, I will look into it.
this answer really depends on your mixing style and genre of music.
both mixers are feature rich… once you get past that part.
you would need at least one external midi controller. the F1 being the obvious choice. maybe an X1 if you want to go nuts with the remix decks. then again, you get away with just a midi-fighter type controller. (you dont really need an aditional, contoller, but it would be helpful..)
if your music is not all perfectly beatgridded, you might want a controller with a pitchblend (also for scrolling though a track fast)… the Behringer would be a good option (if its even out yet). maybe a used EKS XP-5, Denon SC2000 or similar..
there is not a 100% correct answer because everyone’s style is different and tends to change based on what tools they have.
You can certainly control the transport functions using custom mapping with the Z2. An X1 would give you even more control, but if you are looking for a mixer-only solution, the Z2 would definitely work.
While I use a decent sized full timecode setup for gigs, I’ve used the Z2 alone for many mixes and it works great! Combine in the F1 and you’ve got yourself pretty much all you need for a full minimalist Traktor setup honestly. The only thing would be programming some pitchbend buttons and you’re really golden!
Hey OP, I was in the same exact position as you a few months ago. I have been through my fair share of controllers (vci-300, xone DX, dn-mc3000, kontrol s2) and, just like you, have realized that nothing feels as good as a real mixer. Since, again like you, I like to be as minimal as possible, I was looking for a mixer that also had transport control. I settled with the z2 bc I am a strict Traktor user and have found that the NI controllers just give me the best Traktor experience. This doesn’t mean other controllers won’t, just my opinion over time.
Now onto your question. Yes, the z2 and djm-t1 both have transport control. The t1 has actual play/pause button. On the z2, however, play/pause is natively mapped to shift+relative. So yeah, an extra button just to play, but you probably can just map yourself a cue button to play. Secondly, as people have said you can pick up a smaller controller like x1 which has dedicated buttons for u already. There will be some doubled up controls but also probably more control too. Then again, my goal has been to use the absolute least number of hardware possible. I have been occasionally adding iPad to my rig for fun, extra controls (like a big play button) and it just looks super cool too.
Made this mix from start to finish with just the z2: Mixcloud
Good luck dude!
Ps. Just to add a little bit more : the z2 has everything the t1 has plus a USB hub and is a standalone mixer (for cdjs or tables which I plan to get in the future). The z2 is basically very future proof. The only thing better than a z2 for me would be a z4! Im also looking forward to a future update to the new iPad Traktor app which would allow compatibility with the z2 mixer. Now that would be the ultimate minimal setup while still retaining a real mixer
pros:you can have 3 decks with external mixing, record sets in Traktor via USB and sync efx on mixer via MIDI clock (“quantized”)
cons: lousy official .tsi for TPro 2.. and no advanced mapping from users
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