So I’ve been back and forth a while trying to decide which on these beautiful controllers to purchase and I was hoping that the folks here on the DJTT Forum could help me make an educated decision.
Here are some things that I appreciate about the DDJ-T1:
The Size. It’s large and in charge, and I like the under-the-controller laptop aspect. This would provide me a great comfort zone… nothing is cramped.
The ‘CDJ look’ (and supposed feel, haven’t tested the feel myself though)
Dedicated FX section
Analog inspired knobs
Some things I like about the S4:
Traktor 2 complete feature integration (specifically, dedicated control for loop record/sample triggers) ← obviously this is a huge plus
Dedicated FX Section
That being said, I do have some qualms about each as well. The DDJ-T1, for example has been marketed as a ‘bedroom DJ device.’ This I don’t understand… what makes it non-professional or un-club-worthy? Also, as far as I understand (and please correct me if I’m wrong), the DDJ-T1 comes with a Traktor Pro DDJ-T1 specific software version, rather than Traktor Pro 2. Is there an upgrade offer to Traktor Pro 2? This is a big frustration to me because I would 100% much rather use Traktor Pro 2 and I really was hoping it would come bundled with the hardware.
On the other hand, I have heard that with the S4, many people have had some serious internal sound card issues. This is a huge concern for me.
I was wondering if anyone with experience with both (or just either) of these controllers could share their upsides and downfalls with me so I could make an educated decision.
Another controller that has caught my eye and ear has been the Numark NS6… how would you rank this controller between the other two? (utilizing Traktor software, I don’t care about Serato).
i’d prefer getting a pair of cdj 400’s and a rotary midi controller rather than the ddj-t1. but the S4 wins over either any of the pioneer options sub £1200
I haven’t played with the S4 but I personally hate having a lot of buttons in front of the jog wheels. I always end up hitting them by accident because I like to lay my palm somewhere below the jog wheel to nudge it for pitch bending. For the rest it really looks sweet and the fact that it can run decks with timecoded discs or records is a huge plus.
I’ve personally played with the Pioneer a few times, club tested twice. It really left me speachless. The feel of this controller is amazing. My previous experience with controllers is limited to some Denon units & some Hercules, which I all hated and preferred using my CD players & timecodes in Traktor. I’ve been running Traktor with timecodes for the past 3 years at least. When the store offered to lend me their demo for some testing, I tried to import the tsi mappings and it never worked on my PC. I had to reinstall the Traktor Pioneer edition CD on top of my existing TSP version. It worked instantly, and I still had my TSP skin and timecode functionalities with my Audio8 afterwards.
Only minor issues were the soft takeover for the pitch & filters when switching from decks 1 to 3 & 2 to 4. If there was a way for the pitch faders & filter knobs to have a relative mode instead of absolute mode, it would be a perfect controller IMO. The pitch I can live with by hitting the sync button but I usually never sync with decks 1 & 2. I also would have liked channel level meters next to each fader like all Pioneer mixers have. That way I wouldn’t have to look at the computer to monitor my levels all the time. I’m not a fan of the auto gain feature.
So when I took it back to the store, I got back home and started remapping my Xone:1D because I really preffered the Pioneer’s layout!
Visiting family in MA right now and there is a nearby Guitar Center that stocks both the S4 and the DDJ-T1 so I’m gonna go have a look at both… I don’t usually get the opportunity to look before buying as I live in VT out in the middle of nowhere.
The information you guys have provided is great for consideration, though, as I may be able to mess with the controllers for a few minutes, but you’re input comes from more extensive use, not just first impressions.
Now I haven’t gigged with it, but based on touching one at Guitar Center, I completely disagree. All of the buttons on the unit are plastic akin to the VCI-100. The S4 on the other hand has much more playable rubberized buttons. Also, the jogs on the DDJ-T1 are absolute crap in comparison to the S4 jogs - plastic, lightweight, and feel very flimsy. I would not take a DDJ-T1 if you paid me, TBH.
Ok I may have used the wrong word, replace feel with LAYOUT.
Again I haven’t played much with controllers, I use timecode. I’ve seen and touched the S4 but haven’t fiddled with it as it was just on the store’s shelf and non-functional when I was there.
Some controllers probably offer a better FEEL if we’re just talking about the knobs & faders and the plastic. The way everything is disposed on this controller just suits me better. It looks very much like the Traktor interface on the screen so everything feels natural. I’d carry this controller as a backup any day over most because of how all the buttons are disposed.
I would love to try a Vestax TR1 as it has a similar layout, but it lacks the 4 channel mixer section & jog wheels.
After checking out both units, The S4 completely blows the Pioneer out of the water. I do enjoy the Pioneers layout, but man is it build like a crappy child’s toy. The S4 was bigger and meaner than I had expected. Definitely sold.
hahhaaa the thing with cheap feeling items is that I really get into what I’m doing and love to work my gear hard and if I have something that’s flimsy or cheap feeling, I just am worried that I will (and probably will) break it.
As an analogy, I’d hate to own a Faberge Egg - it may be very detailed and beautiful, but I would be so afraid that I’d break it and would be totally heartbroken when it happens. Something that lasts longer I’ll at least get my money’s worth out of before it starts to deteriorate.
Finally recieved the s4 last night, nothing is flimsy or cheap. actually feels better than a lot of nice mixers out there. nobs are sturdy. 100% satisfied
this is the new djing “we like it or not” (i’m a turntable person)