Thoughts on how to modify NI Traktor S4 to play USBs (ie. function standalone)?
Hi All,
I have an old Traktor s4 MK1, and I’m thinking about ways in which I could modify it to be more like a CDJ then a controller which requires connection to a computer.
Ideally I’d like to figure out how I could get it to play media via USB sticks without having to have traktor open.
Any electrical engineers or hobbyists every try this? let me know 
Its not possible without building another computer into the case of the S4.
The S4 has no ‘brains’ which is what the laptop is for.
Intel core 2 duo laptop. Strip the screen. Create extension onto the bottom of the s4. Mount a 8" hdmi 720p monitor to the back. Plug it in. Build a usb hub into your s4 and connect it to said laptop. Good to go.
Well I thought about using a Raspberry Pi connected with a 10" Display and loading Traktor on it…that would be way lighter to carry than a Notebook.
But I am not Nerdy enough to do it
That’s not going to work, NI does not support Linux and therefore Traktor won’t work, I had considered a similar option myself with a screen built into a flight case with a controller as an all in one setup, with RPi running it, but, nope, it ran into various issues around drivers for controller and storage solutions, and that’s before I even got to learning that the software wouldn’t work. There are software alternatives for DJ’ing, but you’d be restricting your options I think, and the RPi doesn’t like being pushed too hard either, so processor intensive stuff won’t end well.
This is way less convenient than a laptop. Youll have to carry a keyboard and mouse, monitor cables, find a way to mount the screen, and its much less powerful than a very cheap i3 laptop.
This is replacing the laptop computer with a much less efficient and suitable computer thats harder to carry around and setup than a laptop.
This whole thing is a dead end idea.
i believe in you
My ears…
Can’t unhear it.. 
what type of form factor are you trying to stick to?
Is this for other people or just for your own personal use?
Will it be in a road case?
When you fly, do you want it stowed or carry on?
What is your budget?
Why not just sell the S4 and get an S8?
If you want to keep the original form factor it’ll be quite hard, some custom software using the newest RasPi might be your best option.
Using Mixx on Linux would be fine for this on the Pi if someone really wanted to go to all the effort.
Well as I said I am not IT-Nerd, but the new Raspberry Pi3 exists with Win10 on it…doesn’t this abbort the Linux Problem?
Well idk about the Efficiency of the Raspberry as I am not an IT Nerd, but watch this System out:
https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B01J52TWD4/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3HM43P17AWPYB
No Problems with Monitor cables.
A simple case to Transport it (I have my 15" Laptop in a case too)
small Keyboards are available in the same size or smaller
And for a Value of less than 200€ I have a portable System for my mobile Gigs…where do you get a cheaper Laptop?
And the Pi3 is available with WIN10 on it.
I am not using a 3rd of my DJ-Software Features so maybe on Traktor the Features could be turned off tu use less ressources of the CPU???
Raspberry PI’s can run windows 10 IoT core, good luck installing Traktor on that.
The best option, although quite a challenge is to build a custom os with a linux core and a heavily modified mixxx on top for the playback / mixing engine. You would effectively be creating a similar os /firmware to that of the pioneer XDJRX, with simplified graphic output for the Pi to process.
Not really getting if you are OK with using an external display, I don’t assume you are, right?
If you are going through this, it would make more sense to do the build on an s8. Screens already there. Less modification needed.
Ras PI is a good bet if you continue with the S4 project, though. It’s just way more work than what I would be willing to go through personally.