I like NI products in general, but I hate the S2/S4 when it comes to build quality. Especially considering what they ask for the suckers. And they still aren’t cheap taking the sale into account.
the s4/s2 series must be the worst DJ Controllers of all time. They have good functionality, but even their MK1 versions had very shoddy build quality and now NI completely fucked up with the mk2
Or just use SDJ along with it, I really don’t know why you’d even bother with Traktor when using a DDJ Controller.
I think the S4 MK1 was actually a really nice piece, especially for home use. I’m quite positive there are many, in some cases MUCH worse DJ controllers of all time. I didn’t trust the S4 to take out, but for a home piece, it’s pretty awesome.
I mean yeah, the Controller had great features and functionality, I had one myself and had loads of problems after a few months of use the faders started acting up. I’m pretty sure there is no other gear that costs 900 bucks (at the time) and starts acting up after a few months of home use, which gives it the worst bang-for-your-buck Rating ever.
Actually, I might recommend against buying a DDJ-SB as anything remotely close to an S4/S2 experience. The pads and jogwheels are less nice than the SR/SX/SZ, and it makes a big difference.
Well, I had mine for about six months I believe and didn’t have any major issues. I’ve read plenty of people that also have had theirs for years and not encountered major issues, even gigging out regularly with them.
They may have had some quality control issues with these. Unfortunately, it sounds like you got a rough one from the get go, which sucks - especially when you’re dropping that kind of money. But others have had pretty stable S4s for a couple years, so I’m not going to say overall the S4 was a horrible piece of kit of bad bang-for-the-buck.
NI have always had major build quality issues. Every piece of kit from them Ive owned (X1 mk1, S4, X1 mk2) has failed at one point or another, not to mention all the other pieces of NI kit that friends own that have also failed.
Ive seen at least 3 S4’s with wonky faders/buttons and at least 2 X1’s that have failed due to broken USB connectors.
What I will say is that so so long as you can prove you bought it from a major retailer or from NI directly they will fix/replace the gear for free.