Next generation traktor controller?
Is it possible NI might be working on a new S4-like controller (it’s already been out almost two years) in the near future or will they just continue riding the success of the S4/S2 and release small units like the F1 to accompany their S4/S2?
Ideally, I’m looking for a controller with functionality similar to the VCI-380 and Twitch, but 4-channel and with actual traktor integration, so preferably by NI. Anyone think this might be up NI’s alley?
Since they haven’t had any problems with them, don’t hold your breath. These controllers are extremely versatile and very few people have bad things to say about them, kind of a “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” kind of deal. Look around in the maps section, their might be an already exisisting map to one of these controllers that will work for you. If not, make one, it’s not that difficult and will let your controller be exactly what you want it to be.
They’ve had LOTS of problems with them, and lots of us have TONS of bad to say about them… (seriously… the drivers for the S4 were just finally fixed like a year ago)
Don’t be fooled, “actual traktor integration” Is BAD thing. The (VERY few) benefits of their proprietary system are all midi-mappable concepts that anyone could make hardware for, if NI would just add them to the controller manager. NI’s new business model is making features that you have to buy their hardware to use. The problem with this, is that unless they build their own new mapping module, they can’t let you access these features AND make custom mappings, otherwise anyone could make a controller that takes advantage of these special privileges. So to take advantage of their bullshit proprietary system (that is inferior to 16 bit midi ANYWAYS), you have to use their stock mapping, or come up with hacks and workarounds to squeeze some slight customization out of it.
But to answer your question, I doubt they’ll release anything that makes their old controllers obsolete. They’re not interested in improving, they’re interested in selling new gimmicks.
Dang didn’t realize any of that, I just hadn’t heard anything bad from the people I know with the s4. Sorry for the misinformation caide.
I’m thinking maybe an xy pad will come next, seems like that’s the only piece of current technology they’re missing…
although thinking about what’s needed it would be mad to make a touchscreen vga/dvi monitor with the dimensions of 21" 32:4.5 that’s a 16:9 monitor cut in half height wise but double the length… then you could place it directly in front of your controller and use a mac mini or similar to display all the information you need, bye bye laptop wall…
someone needs to make this!
I didn’t mean to go off, I just feel obligated to give the other side of the story on traktor… We’re on a forum full of traktor fanboys who won’t listen to a bad word about NI, so i always try to keep people from forgetting how shitty NI is. I still use it myself, but i can’t wait for a platform to come along that lets me do what i do without having to put up with NI’s bullshit.
Yeah man, really hoping that alternatives to laptops on stage are the next big thing in the industry. Been working on a custom solution for that problem using usb screens… If Mil0 will ever get back to me about his view switching macros for clonething, I’ll be able to perform with my laptop closed.
Although I’m really hoping touch screens don’t further catch on… At least until a few years down the line when we develop physically dynamic screens. I really hate touch controllers.
Windows Surface mang
yeah I hate touch controllers too, but being touch means you don’t need to use a physical keyboard to search for tracks as you could use the onscreen one.
Well tablet PCs have been around for a while, and in terms of physical space, it would take up the same. Only advantage of windows surface would be that they probably have some kind of virtual mouse and keyboard built into the OS, like android/iOS. This means you could interact with traktor without an open laptop.
Problem is that there’s no knowing yet if surface will even support Traktor/VDJ/serato, I would honestly doubt it, especially for the first year or so.
It’ll support any Windows program
@attila read the fine print on the press release
That Windows Store exclusivity thing is for the RT version only that runs on the RT OS (basically an updated WP7 OS). The Pro version is just a regular Windows 8 desktop OS (although rt is also available so you can switch for convenience) that you can load any software onto.
re-he-he-healy I’m sold! after it’s been out for a month with no problems, I use an atom windows/android tab for web browsing which needs to be replaced anyway. /offtopic
Yeah man I’m seriously giddy like a little girl for this right now haha
And there’s a press release floating around for Ableton 9 that says it’ll be Windows 8 ready, so everything’s just coming together magically 
Just have to see what NI does with their software…
Lets be real..You really want to use a windows based system to DJ with? There is a reason why Macs are the way to go with DDjing. Because of their reliability. Something Windows has never had.
I have never had a software crash that wasn’t caused by a bad plugin, and I’ve never used a bad plugin in front of a crowd. And I’ve never ever blue screened from the OS crashing. Windows has always been a pig with background services but it still runs dj software fine when you disable the things you don’t need.
Fader, chill.
Nikefootball, no need for a windows vs mac debate. There are LOTs of guys here that use windows, myself included, and in the last year and a half with my current pc, no significant issues with running traktor. NONE.
Maschine is almost 4 years old, still hasn’t been updated. Same with the X1 but with 3 years. Sure, they are not perfect, but they do the job just fine. The only reason they discontinued their previous line of soundcards was to add and extra I/O pair to take advantage of the new functions in Traktor without loosing functionality (you can’t use timecode if you aggregate devices). This doesn’t apply to the S2/4 because you can just get a F1 and put it on the side or map it to any controller in the future.
IMO, there is no need for them to release a new version of their controllers.
+1 on the no Win vs OS X discussions, it’s an endless discussion.
Can’t see why they don’t do their own DJ mixer, fully digital comes with TP2
Im sick of all this bullshit about NI. They have a business plan that looks like they want their own controllers to have ultimate control over their own software! Whats so wrong with this? There are plenty of other DJ programs out there that allow all the personalisation you could ask for. Why don’t we abandon Traktor for the others??.. because Traktor is so fucking good thats why!
Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because plenty of people on this forum want customisation that this is the norm. Away from this forum the majority of digital DJ’s just want something that is reliable and works straight out of the box. If NI release a new feature in Traktor and you want to use that feature then you go out and buy the hardware to control it. Its a very simple philosophy to understand.
As for a response to the OP i don’t see why NI need to release another all in one controller just yet. The S4 has been out for a little over 18 months and the s2 12 months. They’ve just released the F1. These all work perfectly with the current release of their software. no need to release anything else just yet.