We think we prefer headphone volume and cue mix knobs on the top of the controller, not the front, but we grew used to it pretty quickly. The front of the controller, meanwhile, has your headphone out along with knobs for headphone and mic volume and cue mix. We're sure it's just not practical to try to drive a device this large off that little current, but still, that external power brick is just one more thing to carry (and lose) on the road. Yes, that's right, we said AC adapter jack: unlike the X1, the S4 can't be driven off bus power alone, unfortunately. Toward the right, you've got the USB type B connector that runs to your laptop, the AC adapter jack, and the master power switch. The back of the S4 is pretty much what you'd expect: a couple of spare sets of RCA stereo inputs, a mic input, TRS and RCA outputs, a MIDI passthrough, and a footswitch jack if you're into that sort of thing. Notably, Native Instruments is making a $200 custom case for the S4 that we imagine should alleviate any lingering concerns you've got about durability in real-world gigging situations - and it's got a built-in collapsible laptop riser to boot. Overall, we'd surmise the S4 isn't built to the same tank-like standards as an Allen & Heath Xone:4D - but then again, this isn't close to $3,000 the way a Xone:4D is, and it's still a heck of a lot beefier than the entry-level gear you find at electronics shops for $100 to $300. One area of concern is the mixer section, which is offset from the deck sections with a glossy plastic background - though we didn't dare test it, we wouldn't be surprised to see this area get scratched up over time. The construction is a combination of brushed metal and what appears to be thick, high-grade plastic similar to that used on the X1 we wouldn't worry about it breaking with the normal wear and tear that comes with traveling, but by the same token, we wouldn't carelessly throw it around. ![]() The hardware is really attractive in an industrial, all-business way dare we say it looks very German (Native Instruments is, after all, a German company). The package is designed to be a one-stop shop for a bedroom or traveling DJ, but it'll interface with other MIDI gear, mics, Kontrol X1s, and so on if you're accustomed to a bigger setup. Interestingly, it's also bundled with its own unique version of Traktor called Traktor Pro S4 it's designed specifically for the S4 hardware and can't be purchased separately (more on this in a bit). Does it deliver? Let's take a look.īut let's take a step back: what, exactly, is the S4? Technically it can be used as a MIDI controller for anything you like, but really, it's a physical extension of the Traktor software that integrates four-deck control (two decks that can each be toggled) with a four-channel digital mixer and audio interface. Perhaps as a calculated response to Serato's Itch partnerships with Numark, Vestax, Denon, and Allen & Heath, Native Instruments finally decided to get its hands dirty and put together its own idea of what an all-in-one DJ controller should be. It doesn't integrate as tightly as it could, and no matter how fantastic the device might be, you're always making sacrifices - it's nearly impossible with one of these third-party products to get your setup to the point where you never need to touch the computer.Īnd behold, that's where the Traktor Kontrol S4 comes in. ![]() In fact, Native Instruments even certifies a long list of equipment as being "Traktor Ready." But even in the best-case scenario, a third-party DJ controller connected to Traktor is just a glorified MIDI controller with a DJ-friendly layout. Traditionally, both Serato and Native Instruments have mostly left the hardware side of the equation - digital mixers, controllers, and the like - to other companies. In clubs, Serato's Scratch Live sees duty in plenty of booths, but Native Instruments' Traktor is as strong of a contender as it's ever been - and for all-digital DJs who didn't cut their teeth on turntables, its long, rich list of features and capabilities makes it a strong, maybe even an obvious choice. Think the iOS-versus-Android war is interesting? Out of sight to most of us, there's a knock-down, drag-out battle that's been waging for years between pro DJ software suites, and it's got all the drama and fanboyism of the dirtiest smartphone fight you've ever seen.
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