Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol Z2

Best mixer in the world right now for the hard core skratchers... and I got all the other great mixers too! I can only recommend this mixer for deep nerdy skratchers. If you're just gonna do club mixing and some skratching here and there, then just get serato based mixers or anything else... Those will do just fine. But if you are a pro skratcher that really knows the little tiny detailed techniques, then you already should be aware of Traktor's mixer capabilities! It has double the processing speed compared to the highest competitor mixers. I need this extra edge for those complex intricate skratch techniques. It's so close to the real thing, I sometimes can't even tell the difference from real vinyl anymore! I thought it would take forever to get here, but we are truly living in the future.

The Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol Z2 is a DJ mixer and controller that has a 24 bit audio interface and comes with Traktor Scratch Pro 2 Software. This interface and software combo is very good because there really is no set up process involved. It pretty much is just plug and play. The price of this system/set up is higher than most of the other similar set ups that are out costing more than 800 dollars but it is well worth that amount of money because of the quality and features that it delivers.

UTILIZATION

Setting up the Kontrol Z2 is pretty simple because it comes with the instructions that can walk you through the whole process easily. This whole system is very professional, I have used it for paid gigs many times and for a while it was my main set up before I switched. The K2 has XLR outputs and it is great for working with vinyl, CD’s or playing files from any source.

SOUNDS

It comes with Traktor Scratch Pro 2 which is ready to be synced with iTunes to give you easy control over finding and working with all of your music. The BPM or beat detection is very good and accurate; I suggest any DJ take a look at this set up because it can make your job a lot easier.

OVERALL OPINION

There is a multi colored remix deck trigger button and LED loop display. No matter what your lighting situation is you will be able to see what you are doing and navigate through anything quickly. This whole hardware unit is made out of aluminum chassis and has a high quality build to it that I expect could last a very long time. The Z2 is very heavy duty; it has onboard effects and can be used as a standalone mixer. There really isn’t much that this system cannot do. There are a total of 5 stereo RCA inputs and 2 XLR with 2 RCA outputs. There are no platters on this unit but it does have 8 multi colored pads and triggers with 2 volume faders.

table built around software in native instrument, which fits perfectly to the skin.
also works with serato and others.
I think it has the simplest level outputs, but it suits me.

UTILIZATION

the grip is easy after the software is quite complex compared to serato but once mastered effects and others it becomes a treat.
missing dead spots on some knobs but nothing nasty.
It looks good and solid preparation to do with time.

SOUNDS

I am musically trendy hip hop blow this table is less suitable and other effects level, I think this table is oriented electronica.
After the sound is powerful and the filter is just huge and phono and line usage.

OVERALL OPINION

I have this table for 3 months and it is my favorite first 15 years of his I owned vestax numark and the other and I think not separate myself from the table before a while.

NI decides to take the plunge and propose a mixer which aims hybrid, to manage two analog sources (phono / line) and / or the integrated and up to 4 decks in traktor traktor timecode.

Technical side, the Z2 includes:

IN:
- Track A and B in the CAR; phono or line (+ ground for each track)
- To CAR
- Mic in Jack

OUT:
- A hand out XLR and RCA
- A booth in jack
- A headphone with both formats jack, handy outlet when you do not put this adapter *** ... ^ ^

A plus for the USB 2 (2 slots) HUB useful when you have a small laptop with only 2 slots and that is already taken by the z2 ...


MIXER:

Classical side: slice gain / hi / med / low + filter that works even without computer, fader correct quality and cross more than adequate; each cross faders and is upgradeable with innofaders (possibility of the same on the rane 62 for example).
The cross can be reversed and the curvature is adjustable.

Next mix 2.0; nice and soft backlit push, knobs endless notched for loops (with digital displays for the length of the loop), 2 sections 2 effects knobs, one knob displacement browser + volume control of tracks C, D and.

UTILIZATION

The side of the plug 'n play z2 is indisputable; very clear:

- You plug in turntables phono or line, it works.
- You plug your usb on traktor and it works, everything is directly recognized and assigned.
- You want switcher real timecode vinyl with a simple push button on top of your slice and you Gears / sloppy action traktor.

A big plus for me is the hypercompatibilité with Native range, I have my marks on Traktor and over time I acquired a Kontrol X1 mk2 (allows for the plays, touch browser (not much but very significant qd was used) and sections more substantial effects); and a kontrol z1: config with z1 + x1 you have 2 tracks for completeness (and a sound card with RCA output + headphone minijack): good practice on qd you move without z2; but just plug the hub of z2 for clues C and D complete, really damn good!

2 black still points certainly due to defects of the first series:
- From the first day, after 10 hours of mix: painting the faceplate around the cross fader and goes; after one or two weeks almost nothing!
- After 3 weeks, the first night out: right track starts no longer react in traktor, cross fader cut more, something that you care much balls!
-> Blow SAV, 3 weeks of waiting, I Recycling the z2 and 2 days after rebelotte, big gueulante in native, I finally got a new z2, with aluminum faceplate more kind and no problem since ca been a year in regular use and RAS!

SOUNDS

Level sound card, the quality is more than correct (without either be comparable to RME or other); it samples at 48kHz / 24bit; never had a glitch with.

The équalo is not lousy, possibility traktor mode choose the rendering of the EQ.

The filter is pretty sweet, not much to say at this level.

The effect section makes it easy to have a good record, also easy to assign to a particular track, which is more macro effects possible to obtain a very good record with only two knobs.

The cross also like the road, it's a very different feel of eternal eg, less metal, more tender.

OVERALL OPINION

I have for over a year now, having already owned a eclerc Nuo 3 and mixed on rane, pioneer, rodec; I also played on the controller: Xponent OR S2, Vestax ...

Apart from the little quack first few weeks, I am very happy with this table, the price / quality / features and top notch report; it easily allows to mix vinyl, timecode, digital full, remix decks, with very good ergonomics!

The other alternative for my mode of operation is the rane 62, 1000 euros more expensive and forcing me to go on Serato; I would do this choice without hesitation!