Would like some advice from people that have used either the Kontrol S4 or VCI-400 SE or both. I had the pioneer 350 setup that I used with Traktor but sold it as I was not happy with simply just mixing and feel myself leaning more towards the controllerist side of things. I sold it with the intention of getting the Kontrol S4 but after recently watching DJ Tech Tools video on the VCI-400 SE I thought it was the perfect piece of kit I was looking for. The only problem is that it will cost me an extra €200 on taxes and duties to import it to Ireland. I know it’s on offer for $850 at the moment which is about €700 including delivery but it will cost me €900 to get it into the country. Basically what I want to know is is it worth the extra €200 in taxes. I can get a second hand Kontrol S4 for about €550 maybe less if I’m lucky so straight away I’m saving €350 over the VCI-400 SE and I’ll still prob have to get a Kontrol F1 at an additional cost of €240 with both of them if I really want to make use of Traktor’s Remix decks. I really want the VCI-400 SE but it’s a lot of extra cash that I could save if I go with the Kontrol S4. I know the VCI-400 SE is much better build quality but I basically want to know is it a better piece of kit for a controllerist over the Kontrol S4 with the DJ Tech Tools firmware and mapping and if so is it good enough to be worth shelling out an extra €350-€400.
its up to you man. It sucks you can’t go and try them out. the S4 imo is more reliable being that it works hand and hand with traktor. The vci looks nice but Ive never used one. I don’t thinks its worth more than maybe an extra $100. Keep in mind you if you already have traktor you can sell the s4 copy and make a little extra money back
but try searching here on the forums. Ive seen and been a part of this debate a few times already
Ya it would be nice to try them out but unfortunately I just gotta take a gamble and hope I pick the right one. I searched the forums already and found one or two threads about this but they all turned into an argument over build quality and the Traktor integration. I know the VCI-400 is much better build quality and I really think that’s a plus. The fact that the Kontrol S4 was built to work hand in hand with Traktor doesn’t really bother me as all controllers are made so they can be mapped to whatever software you want to use and DJ Tech Tools are fairly experienced and reliable when it comes to mappings so I trust that the VCI-400 will work very well with Traktor. I personally think the VCI-400 SE is better and if I was living in the states, I’d be after buying it by now. What I’m hoping for is to hear from someone that has used both and can tell their opinion on both and whether the VCI is worth the extra cash. I know the VCI will cost me and extra €350 but it will be new whereas the S4 will be second hand. If I was to buy the S4 new I’d only save €120 over the VCI. When I look at it that way maybe the extra €120 ain’t that much. Would prefer if I was paying for an extra €120 worth of features rather than it going on tax.
As much as I love DJing, I was never fully satisfied with it and feel I can be doing so much more. I really think controllerism is the way for me to go and I think that the VCI-400 SE looks to be the perfect piece of kit for a controllerist. If I buy an S4 I’ll prob end up buying a midi fighter. The VCI will take away the need for a midi fighter and will prob work out cheaper too. I think I’m talking myself into a decision haha. Would still like to hear from someone that has experience with both
I gig’d with a mapped controller for about a year before I got my S4. Playing live in front of a crowd you want everything to work flawlessly. sure a mapped controller will work, but from experience if something goes wrong it normally happens at a gig. I never had a problem with the S4’s integration
Again its completely up to you, I’m just playing devils advocate. But with that €350 ($430) difference I wouldn’t even question it. if you sell the software you could easily have an extra $500 which is 2 MF 3D’s added to your setup.
No not due to lack of funds, but judging from the intro video Ean did about the VCI SE, those 8 pads above the jog wheels have four different fuctions such as cue, gratify etc. so I think that takes away for the need of a midi fighter. Don’t see a point in shelling out an extra €250 for one when I could do a lot of the same things on the performance section of the VCI as I could with a midi fighter.
I know it’s better build quality cause it has a metal chassis whereas the S4 is made of plastic. All the reviews I looked up on the standard VCI-400 comment on how well it is built and a lot of them also compare it’s build quality to the S4 as they are both high end controllers with the VCI winnign out in all of the reviews I checked out.
Ya gigging usually is the time that everything that can go wrong does go wrong. I know your just giving me your own opinion and that’s exactly what I’m looking for, the opinions of people that have used these controllers. As cool as the MF3D looks I don’t think I can see myself performing in front of a crowd with one shaking it about and flipping it upside down and all that. I’d have no problem doing that at home but tend to be a bit more reserved in front of a crowd and not o all crazy. I think the MF Pro would prob be better for me if I do go with the S4. Don’t think I have a need for two though
i was on the fence between the s4, vci-400 ege, and the denon x1600 and the ege won out. the vci-400 ege is meant to run flawlessly with traktor due to it’s custom midi firmware…and it does just that, right out of the box. i have one and it runs perfectly with traktor, never had even a tiny issue with it and i’ve been using it for almost a couple of months now.
the build quality is better on the vci, but when you consider the pricing of both i think it balances out in that regard (and no, i don’t think the build quality is bad on the s4). it’s just a matter of preference and what you want to do with it, while considering how much you want to spend. the vci has more ways to customize and more options on the controller with better build at a higher price. the jog wheels don’t seem quite as responsive on the vci however. the s4 will allow for timecode integration (though i would rather use a real mixer with turntables to be honest) while the vci has a firmware update to allow it to be a standalone mixer.
are you sure about being able to sell the traktor software that comes with it? i’m pretty sure that with the x1 (and f1 i believe) that you have to register the software with the serial of your hardware. so, in order to sell it you would have to provide that to the buyer, which may cause you issues if you need to send it for repairs. is it any different with the s4?
I don’t mind that the VCI SE is more expensive than the S4. It’s the fact that it will cost me an extra €200 on taxes to import it while I can get the S4 here in Ireland. Do you thing it’s worth an extra €200 on top of the price already. With regards the timecode, I was think of getting a soundcard anyway as they are always handy to have if you can’t use your controller and have to use cdjs. I came across a guy selling an NI Audio 8 online here in Ireland for €200 but he agreed to let it go for €130 but the deal fell through. Would have no bother picking one up if I could get it for that price
Sounds like you really want the VCI. You might consider whether you can get the regular VCI in Europe and try to sit tight until DJTT makes a firmware upgrade available with access to all the new mappings (I assume you can acquire the regular VCI without paying the customs fees?) They claimed it would be $99 when available and it should just be a download so you wouldn’t have to worry about the shipping. Alternatively, find a buddy going to the US to bring one back…
well, it’s tough for me to answer that but at an additional $200+ with the already more expensive price i personally would start thinking about the s4. if i could have picked up a used s4 in good condition for about half price ($400-$450) i would have probably done that instead of the ege because it’s a great deal for a pretty good product. i did get a deal on the ege though at $950 with a free mono bag. their current deal is even better now, but i don’t know if it still comes with the bag.
honestly though, i am wondering if i should have gotten the denon x1600 and went a more traditional route since i have tsp 2.5, technics and cdjs. that would allow me to play all of those things and/or use my 2 x1s to control traktor. i’m considering selling my ege at this point, though i may keep it for certain gigs because it would be easier for me to bring and setup than a modular system.
i think i’m going to hook up my old stanton sk-2f limited edition and have a go with an x1 to see what i prefer. if i like that better i’ll wait until i can get a new x1600 for $800 or a used one for a good price. tough choices…tough choices for a lot of us.
this is a good point as well. someone just posted an email response from djtt that they are working on some things with vestax standalone mixer firmware for the ege. maybe they are also working on the midi firmware for the standard edition.
Well it’s the same machine, so anything they do for the EGE can easily be put on the regular VCI; it’s just a question of when they will release it and how much it will cost…
I really do have my heart set on the EGE but like I said it’s a huge difference in money if I just get a used S4. I’m going into my final year in college and I’m emigrating when I finish next year so I’m thinking am I better off just going for the S4 as the money I save can help go towards flight, visa etc. I really do have my heart set on it though. I was thinking about getting the regular VCI but it will cost me €777 and with the upgrade(roughly €80) on top of that they will nearly work out the same price as importing one(€900 including taxes). Would prefer to import one instead as I wouldn’t be saving much by getting a regular VCI and I don’t know how long I’ll be waiting for DJTT to release the firmware update or if they will even release it.
I own both the VCI EGE and the S4. Its definitely a really tough decision and will depend on a few things. I absolutely love both. I currently have the S4 set up at my office and the EGE in my studio at home. I’m playing out in 2 weeks and am debating which one to use because both have their pros and cons.
Ideally I would bring the EGE because I absolutely love all of the creative possibilities and extra features: 8 cue points easily accessed, midi fighter instant grat, slicer, grid, platter effects. It’s a truly amazing controller…
HOWEVER, for some reason and I’ve been trying to fight it, I just feel more confident with the S4. As several have mentioned, there are less risks. So when playing out I’m leaning towards the S4 while I will always use the EGE at home when friends are hanging out and I’m just having fun.
The EGE has been buggy at times. Its never anything too major and usually just needs me to unplug it and then start it back up, or reimport the mapping (yes I know to import it twice using the large import button b/c of a Traktor bug).
If using the EGE with additional controllers like a midi fighter, I’ve noticed the issues to be compounded. Main issues for example are platter effects triggering the wrong one or staying on when they shouldn’t. Another major issue is that the controller is a bit more cramped and you can very EASILY hit the Cue/Play buttons at the bottom if going hard at the crossfader and getting a bit careless.
My best rig at the moment I’m thinking is to go with my S4 and the Midi Fighter 3D mapping with Ean’s new mapping for effects and the remix decks. This is what I think I’ll use next week. I’ll have the rock solid S4 for reliable mixing / less technical issues and the 3D for tons of creativity.
Like a said, it’s definitely a tough call but hopefully this helps. If money is one of the main concerns you might even want to consider a S2 and the 3D. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!
again booters, I was really just trying to give you some different angles to look at, and its nice to see you did some research! Thanks for being a good sport
And yes, I honestly could never see myself using a MF3D for the same reasons. (It was purely an example, though, of what you could do with the saved money)
I really think Skeerplunk has some good input because he currently has both controllers (so he isn’t as biased as I). From what I got out of it he likes the reliability (and maybe size/weight) of the S4 for traveling and gigging, but when playing around at home he goes for the EGE. But my gig setup sounds similar to his, except I use an F1 instead of the MF3D for the reasons that you mentioned. Plus being an NI fanboy keeps everything working well together
Yeah Emery, that’s basically it. As for the 3D, I too had the same reservations, but I have been blown away by it. I very rarely use the 3D motion effects and have realized there are so many other reasons to buy this controller. With the 3 buttons on each side, you can map additional layers giving you so many more possibilities… Ean did this with his F1/Remix deck mapping. You still have the 16 instant grat buttons and then can hit one of the middle side buttons and then the 16 control your Remix Deck. In addition, the lights/ability to customize them is really cool. You can disable the 3D motion as well. The only time I’ll use that tends to be if I’m getting really into a build up, but once again that’s more at home w/ friends then playing out…
Booters, if you are looking for just one controller with limitless possibilities go with the EGE but be prepared for some mapping related glitches along the way. Over time I’m sure they’ll get perfected, but just know you can have a few missteps while playing out.
If you plan on getting a main controller plus something effects related, I say go with the 100% trustworthy S4.
One more thing and this applies to the 3D as well, the more creative effects you have at your fingertips the easier it is to overdo it rather than focus enough on mixing / song selection. Something I always have to remind myself when I’m drinking and mixing
^Thats very true^ effects add character to the music, not the other way around
Yeah I always thought DJTT did an awesome job with adding so many possibilities to one controller! trust me I was heavy on the fence with the 3D vs F1, and knowing me Ill probably end up getting a 3D in the future anyway because I already miss my classic and the feel of those buttons
I ended up making my own Fx mapping for the F1 so I could use it for both effects and the remix deck, and I couldnt find any good ones out there. Were you talking about Ean’s mapping for the MF3D, or did he make one for the F1?
