My friend’s birthday is coming up in a month, and me and a bunch of buddies have around $1000 saved up for his surprise birthday present!
The birthday boy has no DJ experience, and were limited on money, so we decided to get him a controller. So now the real question remains, which one is “better”?
He plans to play electro, house, and hip hop with a bit of scratching I assume.
All feedback is appreciated, and I need to place the order soon, so it isn’t late for his birthday!
S4 is much better in my opinion but the NS6 uses itch is easier to learn. I would try to bring up the topic of dj software by chance and happen to casually ask him if he "likes traktor or itch " ergo he says traktor then you get him the s4 and if he says itch then the ns6
S4 is more portable but the build quality on the NS6 looks outstanding and it does have those amazing jogs if he wants to scratch. AND it has the built in mixer. I’d go for the NS6 if I had to choose but as always it’s down to personal preference.
amazing friends. you guys are awesome. As someone above said, talk to him a little before hand if you can and feel out the following. Which do you think are most important to him and will be his long-term needs:
If scratching is necessary: NS6. Not sure if the jogs are HID like s4. Build quality blows s4 out of the water though and it also looks a little more portable, even though it might be a little heavier.
If Traktor is necessary (and you think he’s opposed to Itch): s4. But Itch 2.0 just came out and it’s pretty sweet. Plus remember, if you get s4, he’ll have to buy software. If you get Itch controller, software would be free. Another option is s4 + x1, therefore gettin TP2 free with the new NI deal.
If scratching is not necessary: Xone Dx hands down. Itch 2.0 and Traktor mappable. Plus the price just came down (to 50% new!) this week bc it’s been out for exactly 1 year. You’ll probably have $400 left and you can use that to buy Traktor, or maybe the sweet $200 Mono Case Xone Dx backpack!
If you have any extra money, I’d look into getting him some type of backpack (Mono Case EFX line for different controllers) or deck saver etc.
No matter what you guys end up choosing, I’m sure he’ll be happy. Definitely a present he’ll never forget Good looking out for your friend ! Tell us what you end up choosing!
As for NS6 build quality blows the s4 out of the water, I completely disagree. A more solid chassis I’ll give you, but I prefer the feel of the faders, knobs, AND buttons on the S4. Jogs are a tossup - the NS6 are larger, but the rotation on the S4 feels better. I’d give it to the NS6 based on size, but only if you’re scratching. Then again, you can use a TT and timecode with the S4 while with the NS6 you can’t, and I’d rather use an actual TT if I’m going to scratch anyway.
Interesting about the Xone DX. I always thought it was overrated and overpriced considering it didn’t have an inbuilt mixer, but at $500 it’s awfully tempting even though I have an S4… lol.
The faders reminded me of an APC40.. but with less consistent resistance.
That was actually the first thing I noticed when I touched it.
And I’m not to sure how comfortable I’d be banging on those buttons all day.
Its definitely a good controller if you’re a beginner or upgrading from a mixtrack or similar controller.
wish I got given a present like that haha anyways, I’d go the S4 personally
