All user reviews of 4/5 for the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4

• How long have you use it?
I use this controller for almost a year.

• Have you tried many other models before buying it?
This is my second, the first controller I had was the Numark Mixtrack Pro.


• What is the particular feature you like best and least?

The +:

- Knobs to manage loops: a treat! Truly exceptional for controlling Traktor!
- Intuitive: it perfectly follows the logic of Traktor
- Plug & Play
- Light / transportable wish
- The pushs jogs (I've remapped to control FX)
- Small screens displaying the size of the loop, very convenient
- Easy custom mapping with Traktor S4, I exchanged knobs notched gains by selecting FXs, very convenient.
- We regale with this controller! Its use is really addictive

The -:

- No eQ kill!
- Tempo pitch too small compared to the DDJ-SX for example, not easy to calibrate with that ...
- Plastic: seem perfectly solid over time ...
- Crossfader / faders seem a little fragile. A friend replaced his cross in not even 3 months ...
- The output in dB is rather low compared to CD players (mean difference in club), but I could not compare it with other controllers. I guess the Pioneer with 105 dB supplants. I never found the output characteristic dB S4 ear but it must be seen in the 85-90dB max ...


• How would you rate the quality / price?

- A little too expensive considering the longevity / dubious quality ...


- After almost a year of intensive use, despite having taken care of extremely stupid (I have small hands and I press the buttons really slowly, no need to go as a nag), I all déconnent buttons: Shift, Sync, Cue, Play, FX on / off, cue previews, Load, Cue buttons and buttons Samples: sometimes when I press nothing happens, so that I missed some breaks! Must be pressed several times sometimes before it deigns to walk (I had no problem at first, but I think it is a scandal after less than a year of use for the price!) It's frustrating and it proves that the plastic is not robust / durable in time, I am disappointed because of that, I'll have to buy another more robust type controller DDJ-SX.


• With experience, you do again this choice?

- I have learned through this excellent Traktor controller, it is perfect for it, however I do not think it's made to last over the years. It's really great to start Traktor and improve his techniques, it is THE controller that comes with the software, however I expect Native Instruments improves the quality of its machines because the cheap plastic side is a remarkable error.

- I think the switch to DDJ-SX, which has me much more solid air with more metal than plastic doubtful. Looking primarily a controller so I can keep over the years, tired of changing setup every year.

- I am surprised that nobody else has done back when the strength of this machine on the length, it is for this particular detail that I decided to write my return. Someone there had the same problem as me? My friend who has changed the cross fader has the same problem, and was purchased at almost the same period.

The Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 is a complete DJ system from head to toe. You will be able to run a whole set with this set up no matter what your skill level is, it is great for beginners to learn with and understand how to use a controller with DJ software. If you are an “old school” DJ that uses vinyl then you will love this control interface. It has CDJ style plates that give you a very vinyl style feel when mixing. You will have everything you need right out of the box to mix your MP3’s with.
This system is very easy to set up, it is virtually a plug and play set up. You can install the software on your computer quickly without it taking up a lot of disk space. Then just plug in the Kontrol S4 controller and it will automatically sync with your software. You will not have to do anything special to get it to work. It is really easy; it does have a manual included that is easy to understand a follow.
The Kontrol 4 has very low latency allowing you to do everything live. I do recommend having a newer system though with a good amount of RAM so that it will run at a high performance.

The S4 comes with the USB cord which is all you need for it to connect to your computer and control your software. This was one of the first full DJ systems that I had and I loved every minute of using it. Though it is pretty expensive if you are a beginner, there are other similar systems that are made by other companies that are cheaper if you cannot afford to spend this much for a controller and software. I would not have had it any different though. I loved using the Kontrol S4 and it has taught me a lot about using a controller with DJ software.

I use it for 8 months.

Before, I did not use the dedicated controller itself but an Akai MPD24 with traktor pro DUO2, or with Serato.

What is so special that you like best:

ca comes to hand, the ownership and operation of traktor becomes intuitive and fun:

- Loop on the fly that can be sent directly to a sample track, we vary the loop length and its position in the song with a simple dial,

- All knobs or buttons needed to control traktor are here: effects (cumulative), reminders of loops or preselected points / discs, navigation in the 'browser'

- The filter

- The lights and lights that indicated the trails 'on air', samples etc. ... Read always useful for the cab and dark and the hours are felt

- Ergonomics is good although I find that the faders to set the tempo is wrong place and it happened to me to hang them, a good place also for the volume control knobs retractable headphones

Updating with traktor pro to run the discs timecoded, that is not competition (or the date I bought it) which has tilted my choice. And yes, it is possible to run his old LPs and vinyl or timecoded.



What is so special that you like least:

The gain for each (although this contrary to what some say) is set oddly, at least automatically if an option is unchecked I think he ...

The appearance of the box a little cheap for the price, a metal plate for the game console would not have the luxury of even small brushes under running faders to protect from dust and other ... At least the S4 is rather light.

I find the effects less fun than djm. Even if there's something to do is a bit austere for a layman.

The cross slap lot abut and it is a bit frail, compared to a pro sm1 and Co. .. It allows for the sleight of scratch and nice, too bad it does not inspire more confidence and without knowing the price of a replacement I avoid forcing. I hesitate to buy the S4 only for the hardcore turntablism, with the potential shame because there's something to send. The jogs are responding very well but are too small for my taste.

The value for money is okay. It is expensive but the function timecode (that competition will never) has been important in my choice, otherwise I would have bought pionneer.

How long have you use it?
I use it for 1 week

Have you tried many other models before buying it?
Yes, CDJ 800 MK2, Numark TTX, TTM57 Rane, Pioneer DJM 400

What is so special that you like most and least?
what I like most is the use of Traktor Scratch Pro and 2 with timecodes. It's really more pa compared to other controllers. This opens possibilities of Enom, the software is top, there are a lot of posibilities from SERATO (effects, 4 DECKS, DECK samples).
I also like the ergonomic and intuitive side, in just a few hours it is taken well in hand, the CUES, samples, loops and effects are very easy to use and how ave SNAP and quantize it never misses his shot to calibrate the in the TEMPO BEAT

What I like least is its thickness compared to the plates which mandates a fly box for the improve. I also do not like the pitch that is too short and seems fragile, the cross fader also is not suitable for the scratch, it slams against the stops too so that you hear over the noise of the movements that cross the scratch itself, however Audioinnovate created innobender (innofader for s4) so ​​I think the change. the jogs are very reactive but very small. it would nice to have the size of the CDJ Avoi for better control

How would you rate the quality / price? With experience, you do again this choice? ...

A bit expensive new, but for a product while it's still an excellent value for money especially since they now offers the upgrade to TSP2. I received a very good chance I would do so without hesitation that choice

I use it for about 3 weeks

I already try in the range of the Controller of Hercules RMX and other numark controller, plus "low" range.
In platinum, 800, 400 and 2000.

The pros:
- The function loop is pretty well done (from 32 to 0.32 times)
- The effects are not bad (although it lacks the high and low pass)
- Sample and hotcues
- Space on the same controller in him

The -:
- So no high pass and low pass
Really convinced otherwise.

Value for money: I found a bit high, almost 900 €. I must have not seen around 750 € -800 €
With the experience: Even choice of controller best moment for me

A) how long the utis you?
1 month

B) Have you tried many other models
before buying it?

BCD2000, OMNI CONTROL, DJM2000

C) It is special that you like best or least?

Plus, the quality of the table, a table look good ....
software Traktor S4 is high!
The effects are difficult very powerful, but difficult to digest.
The samples

Fewest Using encoder gain (really boring)
impossible to mix with the input line without a PC.

D) How do you value for money.

I found the report very Corrette.

E) Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?

Yes ..