OK, this may be a redundant question and Traktor seems better than even Apple at keeping secrets (of course Apple has a million or two more followers) but I’m an Itch DJ looking to make the dive into Traktor. I like what I’ve seen and used so far in Traktor and I am fighting the temptation to buy the Kontrol S4 because seeing that it’s now about 2-1/2 years new on the market and Traktor decided not to put out a new controller with Pioneer, I am assuming that there must be something new in the works.
Soooo… that being said, I don’t want to shell out close to $800.00 for the S4 and then, SURPRISE!, something newer and totally more “awesomer” comes out the next month.
Therefore… does anyone have an idea, clue or inside info as to if and when a new NI Traktor controller will be released and replace the S4 as their flagship baby?
If anything, they would release an S4 with pads like the Maschine, but it’s pure speculation.
It’s all about making great music. If you buy an S4 then some new and shinier piece of gear comes along, it doesn’t matter. It’s not going to have some feature that will instantly make your skills better.
Focus on your skills, getting an S4 is probably a better idea given that it will be easier on your wallet. Even an S2 would be great.
Hm, my skills are not the question here, I DJ’ed on 1200’s and the first CDJ’s to give you some insight into my experience. But, I understand your comment on gear not always being the same, etc. But a controller is an investment, and an $800+ investment at that so if there is any info on a new one coming out made by NI then I would like to wait it out and get that rather than spend the 8 bills now.
And, being that NI does not release controllers every 6 months and that their controllers are tightly integrated with their software then that money would be best spent on the newest piece of gear that they put out. But, I also don’t want to wait forever to make this move.
I’m looking for constructive criticism and insight here.
I had heard that their stuff was pretty good, the built-in sound card on the S4 has nice specs too (correct me if I’m wrong) but mostly I’ve heard over and over that it has the tightest integration with Traktor and best option for the full functionality of their software.
I had long considered the VCI-400 but over and over again I read that the S4 just functions better with Traktor. I had also been waiting for a new Pioneer DDJ for Traktor but that didn’t come out. My idea is to make a step up from the my VCI-300 and bring more to my sets while making the move to a 4 channel controller.
IMO the X1 is their best made controller and still has no direct competition/clones, whereas the S2+S4 are in need of a refresh if they want to stay competitive.
you need to decide which software your going to use. If its traktor then imo and s2 or s4 with a f1 or two will last for years with no need to update (only the software). If you look at traktor pro now do you really think its gonna change that much in the next few years apart from better integration. In the 2 - 2 and half years its only changed in so much as more slots to fire sample and loops and colours. I think native will bring out more hardware as they are now on the treadmill. Maybe i pad intregration but I seriously think the s4 is super safe for a while.
Me personally, I would like to see larger platters to start. Someone also rumored about CDJ style controllers too without the CD player part, maybe with embedded timecode or good midi integration.
I don’t know, I think from a market sales point of view, they may want to refresh the S4 and S2 while adding something more to it, or else they will begin to lose sales to newer gear from other manufacturers… other options I would like to see is a separate monitor out with gain and eq for the monitor similar to the Denon MC6000.
