5 Reasons why the Traktor Kontrol S4 Still Holds Its Own in 2021 

Cheers

2020 purchase for me too, upgrading from the S4 Mk2. We may be late to the party, but I agree with this video. It's a cracking piece of kit.

do you know how to correct pitch. mine runing here and there please. ?

@@MsMasriya I don't. Does it happen when jogwheels are spinning? Or does it also happen in regular jogwheel mode?

Welcome to the good life my friend!

@@quotaish Thanks, man! Hahaha

Who doesn't 😅

Ah yes, Mouse and Keyboard Virtual DJ

What were your buggy issues? I currently have had the S4 MK2 for years, and still love it. Been trying to figure out if upgrading is necessary for me...

@@NueNueKiro nobody seems to talk about the extra USB port. Glad to know you can connect a flashdrive to it. Can it be used for anything else? I'm guessing you can add other controllers on it, like an F1? MK2 has VU meters and gain adjustment was well. But yeah, the foot switch and midi ports were nice extras.

@@NueNueKiro Does the master level meter work on your mk3? Mine lights up when I power up the controller so it's not broken but I'm not able to get it to show any levels when I'm playing. Figured that it must be some kind of firmware issue with my unit as I have an S5 and it works fine...I'm not a noob :D I noticed on this video that his master level meter isn't working either so it's not just me!

@@NueNueKiro You can see that his line meters are working but not his master. It doesn't light up at all, even when he's got three tracks playing at once. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-anU0su_ErZY.html

@@ride-time I have that problem, Master meter doesnt do anything, def strange as it's there for a reason. Notice some issues with glitching waveforms too when playing live and sometimes when using the loops when exiting from a loop for example it'll be weirdly notciable on the main speakers. The 3.5 update on the software was the start of my issues, wish I never did..

Cheers

Hola y no se te danan rápido el.motorizado ?

El motor funciona bien con el tiempo? Y los botones cue y play de plástico? Son duraderos?

@@allsoftware2008 saludos .. sin novedad mi máquina .. botones, pads, motores .. luces .. flamantes ..

@@Deejaydanny los botones play y pause, me tocó recubrirlos de un adhesivo porque se marcaban con las uñas... Por lo demás todo bien ... Creo que ya es hora de darle un mantenimiento... aunque parezca no necesitarlo . Pero la verdad acá en Ecuador desconfío llevarlo...

Cheers

Hi Alejandro. I have a question. I have tr8s and looking forward to buy s4 mk3, and sync it. There are lots of videos but none about sync s4 mk3 with tr8s. This is not possible? Or did find the solution?

the middle are basic effects - the ones at the top are programmable heavy duty ones, ie freeze delay

@@tebbisimoX ok cheers man!!!!

Maybe you get it run allready, but the actual software traktor pro 3 runs all the previous controllers well...

You can still switch most knobs for custom ones, all of them if you 3D print them which I did. The lights can be turned off if you use Joe Eastons Screen Mod, which I highly recommend. They can't be turned off in the factory form though.

Yes they are.

i am getting the S3 it's cheaper and has more dynamic range

@Steve 75 and @Tony Corless as per Native Instruments yes, The S4 can be used in the alternative standalone mixer mode without a computer. This means you can mix external audio such as turntables on the S4. I personally have not messed with it as I don't use turntables however I always Connect my controller to my Mixer for karaoke and or live band/group singers setup, and also in case laptop or controller crashes then my mixer and phone is my back up to get the party going.

For anyone still looking for the answer, the answer is yes. You can use the S4 as a complete standalone mixer meaning you can hookup 2 CDJ's and 2 turntables (or any 4 deck configuration you want). You can then switch all of the channels to line in and off you go - without the need for a laptop at all. I currently have mine setup WITH my macbook running Traktor with the S4 taking up deck/channel A and B then I have my 900's going through C and D. The benefit of using Traktor with the whole setup is that you get to use all of the built in effects within Traktor as opposed to the one effect that you get per channel when in standalone mode. That single effect is just a filter. I will say though, if Traktor crashes - I'm not entirely sure what'd happen to channel C and D as the loss of the USB connection might cause a hiccup for a second.

shift button and loop length knob

I was looking at this video with the same question on my mind. I've noticed that the MK2 was released in Sept 2013, while the MK3 in Sept 2018, so the new one should be released in Sept 2023. However thinking about how technology evolves, I would wait for the new one to come

@@sbupuwo im wondering weather to trade my s8 for a s4 but dont want to do that and then the mk4 s4 released

Suuuuper late, but I had this issue until recently learning there's a separate volume control within Traktor separate from the knob, and after turning the software knob up the controller audio is much more manageable.

We don't know if NI will be releasing anything new this year, but the S4 Mk3 we believe is still worth buying

@@Noisegate ok thank you! So still good controller to start with to learn DJing and Traktor? I was thinking to stay with N.I. Ecosystem as I’m learning Maschine at the moment…

@@Noisegate cheers man! Strugglying to choose my first controller. As there is so much hype on Pioneer, etc...

There are great products out there, so it will be a choice made on personal preference. Its an opinion industry, so go with what suits you best

We are sure that everyone will have an opinion on this...

I wanted to change to this dj controller because of better sound quality since the one I have (pioneer ddj sx) sounds horrid. So I hope this statement is false. Otherwise I will have to pass on it

Honestly, the loop rotary knobs are a breath of fresh air compared to the in-out Pioneer approach. Once you've used it, you'll never want to go back.

You're right, It doesnt matter - but it serves as a good reminder that gear like this is still awesome at what it does.

Sure does except it's called Key Lock. You can access it via the Traktor Software underneath the Tempo slider, or you can press and Hold Shift+SYNC button on the controller.

@@Noisegate thank you man! So there is no butotn on the actual controller?

@@Le_Lys_Eclectique You can press Shift + Sync on the controller

@@InternetThe The SHIFT button under the "Deck select"?

You already know you scored. You can turn around and flip that for more than double if you wanted.

Idk they discontinued it lol

ive the s8 and concidering selling for the s4. not really sure why as i love the s8 but my mates miss the wheels

2 questions: 1) coming from S4 Mk1, is this Mk3 much worse in regards to the mic? 2) how does Deck C/D input work compared to the dedicated mic input on the Mk1?

@@PJSnow23 It's definitely better on mk3 than mk1... I have both. On the mk3, I put the gain up to around 75-80% and it sounds just fine & clear.

@@gbe386 thanks for the feedback. How about the input on the mk3? On the mk1, the mic has its own input and can be used separately from the 4 decks. Is that similar to the mk3? Everything I see seems to indicate you loose a deck when using a mic. Also, does it matter which deck (C or D) you input the mic into on the mk3? Does the cross fader have to be on the active mic deck for it to be used? Sorry for all the questions but I’m thinking about upgrading and I want to make sure it fits my needs. Thanks in advance

@@PJSnow23 It has 2 mic inputs. One routes into Deck C and that is only a 1/4" TRS input. The other one routes into Deck D and that is a combo XLR/TRS jack. So... yes, you lose a deck (or two)... but... you gain being able to route it to FX. The cross-fader need not come into play if you disable it.

@@PJSnow23 I started with and still have S2 MK1 then upgraded to S4 MK1 and MK2 And the S4 MK3 is the beast! Cons: Yes it takes away C and D if you use both microphones however I have had always used a Mackie ProFx12v3 and or Yamaha mg12xu mixer with my setups to simplify and it becomes handy as a backup in case laptop or controller crashes and also very handy for karaoke time at some of my events as I always run a set of 4 wireless micropone system

This is such a typical egomaniacal comment from cocky guys that spin. You can use this software and controller for some huge versatility past your two deck standard of blending the same two songs together. Step outside the box, mix 4 tracks with effects that blanket everything strategically and learn something new. I currently use an XDJ XZ and this system offers more on hand and it's $500. Mind you it weighs nothing. I also use Abelton, Logic, Rekordbox, Traktor and have an entire recording studio in my home where I can produce music with analog equipment setup, synths pedals, limiters etc. There is no limit to an artform except living in a box you create with a "standard" so that you fit in

@@JayMcCracken first off I dont spin as you call it I would never do that its simp I'm the guy who actually plays the instruments that make the music that you butcher with your all done for you machines think b 4 you speak I would never lower myself to the making like I'm creating something thing you call D J OR SPINNING THATS FUNNY. SPINNING FUKEN FUNNY

​@@ricot5391 lol whatever. Enjoy your little box of ego

@@ricot5391 you got issues dude lol

Go back to playing your drums and watching videos of stuff you will never use. I always enjoy a good DJ versus live music unless it is a top artist.

headphone out on mine is loud af even on half

With the newest firmware of the S4 MK3 you shouldn't have any issue with its headphone volume. I use it with Sennheiser HD 25 and I don't have any problem with it. Most of the time I use it around or below 50% of the maximum volume and the loudness is more then enough, the sound quality crisp and clear.

So get the Mk3 S4?