No no, it’s not opinion I’m talking about, it’s information. I’m suggesting that you are lacking information that would make you understand why we’re right. That information, if we’re talking about build quality, is exposure to other gear that you could compare the S4 to, and a knowledge of how these things are constructed.
How many times have we explained in this thread that build quality is not just about how hard you have to beat on it to break it? It feels like a toy, when you compare it to good controllers.
Also the VCI-400 is $800, and that includes software too, and that IS billed as high-end gear, and it easily lives up to that.
NI could have made the S4 high-quality and sold if for even less. They didn’t, because their business model is to use the fact that they can give exclusive features to their controllers and overprice them based on this, and THEN put shitty components in them to make extra money.
Seems to me the price of the S4 is solid and very reasonable after the sound card and software is thrown in… I’m not sure why you are having so much trouble pressing the buttons and using the jog wheels… The controller isn’t necessarily touted as the end-all be-all of turntablists and controllerists - that’s what turntables and controllers like the MIDI-Fighter are for.
While I would rather they have used buttons like you see in the x1, i’ve never had trouble pressing them like you seem to. The jog wheels function very well and are quite precise - And while the jogs are small, I didn’t buy the controller to scratch with it. And while I do agree on the build quality - I’d rather it feel more substantial - it’s been proven to be very durable, as has NI’s x1, which is of the same build quality and touted by many touring professionals around the world - despite it being a piece of cheap plastic.
The fact of the matter is that it’s a reasonably priced piece of kit thats all-inclusive, reliable, versatile, and a great tool for beginners and even professionals. If it doesn’t fit your workflow or you’re upset that it doesn’t feel like an Allen & Heath 4D, don’t buy it! But something that doesn’t fit your requirements may (and does) fit many others’.
I have one. And it does fit my workflow, that’s why I bought it… it just does so very badly. You’re missing my point here (because you didn’t read the thread before posting) I’m pointing out why almost everyone would be better-served with a better controller. it has nothing to do with me.
So far the ONLY reason I can see for buying an s4 would if you meet ALL THREE of these critera:
you absolutely need a mixer AND deck controls AND timecode control,
you don’t own an NI sound card
you can afford exactly $800 right now, and absolutely cannot wait until you can afford slightly more so you can get an audio 6 and a better controller.
If you don’t meet ALL THREE of those, I have no idea why you wouldn’t just buy a better controller, or a better controller and a Audio 6 DJ.
Once behringer’s CMD line comes out, even if you meet those three criteria, you’d be better served with their gear and an Audio 6DJ than the S4. (Assuming the build quality is as good as everyone who went to NAMM says it is.)
The controllers you were referring to cost $1000… + the NI A6 brings the total to about $1230. That’s more than 50% more than just purchasing the S4 on its own. Not really “just a little more” in most people’s eyes. Hence why it’s such a good value.
And in my opinion, the 4Track or VCI-400 is not really a “better controller” by any means. You may prefer them, and yes they feel sturdier, but the S4 is not unreliable or flimsy by any means.
Set up will be easier than an S4, thankfully, because the gear is modular, and is actually smaller than an S4 in total size (excluding the PL-1, which would really just be tossed wherever there was space, as I wouldn’t need it much if I had TTs/ CDJs set up like in the picture.
two Midi Fighter 3D’s, a Behringer CMD MM-1, and a NI sound card. An Audio 10, so I can mix externally when the event has a four channel mixer, and so I can use turntables if I feel like bringing them.
Also a CMD PL-1 for times that I need tempo control when I don’t have CDJs or Vinyl to play on. They’ll apparently have some of the only high-res pitch faders and jogwheels that Traktor supports, because they’re 14-bit midi.
Also, even when I do have timecode set up, I’ll probably use the PL-1 for effects, because eight led ring, PUSH BUTTON encoders is just too good to pass up, even though they might not be necessary.
Whole set up will cost $1000, as I’m buying the Audio 10 used. Plus I’ll probably get more than half of that for my S4 when the time comes.
EDIT: Obviously, this is all dependent on trying out the MM-1 and PL-1 for build quality when they come out, but they have incredible reviews thus far.
Yeahhh, I don’t like that part either. It’ll be VERY rare that I have to set up that many. 90% of the time events I play have either CDJ1000’s or 2000’s and a 4 channel mixer, so it will usually just be like this: (lol i finally have an excuse to post these mock ups)
With the PL-1 thrown in if I end up needing it, depending on how i map the 3D’s,
Also hahaha, those techs are just meant as an example of what the event would have, they’re not included in the $1000.
I do have a pair of 1200 MK2’s that I got for $400, but I have roughly zero interest in bringing them to events, so they’re jsut part of my home set up.
I think $1000 is incredible, considering I honestly cannot think of any gear I’d rather have, given any amount of money.
…Except for maybe having a DJM900 nexus as my backup for if the club doesn’t have a 4 channel, instead of the MM-1. But swapping out mixers in an event environment is a pain anyways, so I dunno if it’d even be worth the hassle…
word, more power to ya man! If the places i played had 2000’s and such Id deff go the same route. Im trying to go modular so I can adust to diffrent gigs and situations myself.
Well timecode CDs work too, I’d suggest looking into that route. That’s gonna be my backup plan for if they have older CDJs.
Modular is the way to go for soooooo many reasons. The more of the club’s normal gear you can use, the happier everyone seems to be, and the more you seem to get booked. That is why ultimate flexibility, while maintaining my workflow, is my ultimate goal. Also, it’s just more fun to play on high-quality mixers and CDJS/TT’s than it is to play on cheap controllers, as long as you can keep your workflow intact.
. The cost of returns would be deadly for such ideas to float around…
