I'm switching to Serato! ...And Numark Scratch 

Yeah, I know. It’s been really great but it’s time to move on 😀 No one would love to see NI rising to the occasion more than me. The software products are amazing but as far as hardware goes… it’s just no the same thing anymore.

Agreed 100% New mixer looks good. 👍🏽

Haha! Glad to hear it!

Well… If NI had another battle mixer out there, I’d be more than happy to stay with Traktor. The problem is that I want to be able to use DVS as well as playing regular records and there are no real options for that for traktor as far as I know. The Z2 was discontinued a while back. I can’t find another affordable way to have something similar to this.

@@AccurateBeats yeah, it seems a Traktor ‘powered’ mixer isn’t of interest for Native Instruments anymore. I’m also looking for a Traktor alternative, but in terms of a ‘standalone unit’ with comparable options as the Traktor Kontrol S4mk3. The reason is that I want to be less dependent on PC software for DJ mixing. Yes, I do want the unit to be able to act like an integrated controller, but also to keep working in standalone, running a more slimmed down version of the software. I do like the new Traktor Pro and also the fact it doesn’t need a subscription, so I’m looking for a 3P product…

@@AccurateBeats But the Z2 does play normal vinyl just fine? Each to their own and that but you started the video saying you had upgraded then went through a series of contradictory points and even stating that you won't be using many of the features that are the only real differences between the two platforms... As I say, each to their own and a change can often help creatively and new gear always feels "nicer" but all you really needed to do here was get a full size innofader (which feel a million times better than the minis btw) and you'd have been fine. I own both Traktor and Serato so im not trying to fanboy one over the other, Serato is definitely the more "simple set up and scratch" of the two bu Tractor can be set up to your specific needs with some time invested in midi mapping. Either way as long as you're having fun and making the music you want its all good.

guess you’re right 😀 This might be more of a mental change somehow. I did replace the mini innofader in my Z2 but I still found reasons to want to get into Serato instead. Good reasons, valid reasons, logical reasons? - No. Just emotional ones if I’m 100% honest. The Z2 just doesn’t spark joy anymore and it felt unreliable in a way that made me think twice before using it at all. Yes, I’m overthinking all this and the Z2 is probably in fixable condition… The functions I’m using on the numark scratch are identical to the Z2 so far. This switch just makes me more confident that I have a fully working and stabile setup. That’s worth a lot to me. I’m sensitive to stuff like that, what can I say? I’ll look into the extra stuff that Serato has to offer later down the road too.

@@AccurateBeats Fair enough, Serato is rock solid and has more than enough features to dive into when you're ready, enjoy the new setup! im a new subscriber and im enjoying the videos.

Thanks man! I rarely have any visits in my studio, maybe some day! ❤️

Yeah. I put a new one in, calibrated it and it worked fine. The hum (that wasn’t from the mixer) and some inconsistency on one of the upfaders just made me sick of of it all. Guess I could’ve done more to keep the z2 running but… I didn’t. 🤪

Try using another outlet. Fixed it 100% for me

For real! I have a thunderbolt 4 hub in the mail right now. uSB has become such a weird “standard”

@@AccurateBeats It's mostly that naming of different USB specs is so confusing and all over the place. Data rates and power draws have to be compatible. And then depending on what port on your computer is being used it can be a situation of putting a hub on a hub which is really not a stable solution.

@@MrML4LYupp. It’s totally crazy. All ports and cables with USB-c should have some mandatory marking system so you could distinguish one from the other… How hard could it really be?

I have found it's easy to saturate the data throug put of USB. I always like have audio and data (USB/SSD's) on their own dedicated port's. Not sure but I suspect with multiple devices on one hub the USB protocol will drop to the lowest common denominator.

All right! Good to hear? May I ask if you switched all "switches"? And how much did that end up costing you?

@@kvnklbngr4801 You can get the switch kit from the synth-parts, all the switches for the MPC 1000 were 20€ plus shipping. I also bought the encoder pot for a spare but didn’t swap it yet as mine works just fine. I think it was all less than 40€ shipped for the lot. And yes, I even did the sideboards. Took about 3 hours, it’s easy but time consuming if you have any soldering experience.

Yeah, numark had a bad rep for a while. I guess it’s not the fanciest brand nowadays either but as far as I can tell - this mixer isn’t bad whatsoever. This market is really strange too with very few affordable options… especially compared to what we’re getting in the music production realm. Well… If it works, it works 😀

Thank you! I kinda feel the same way. If Native had another similar mixer, I don’t think I’d switch systems. I might be wrong but it feels to me like everyone uses setups with Pioneer and Serato these days… I’m sad to see my Z2 going but it’s just not reliable anymore. Well well. Now I’m in the Serato club with everyone else. Feels pretty good

Yeah, I know it’s not really as exciting as it feel to me and you’re right in what you’re saying. But now I’m confident that I’ll have a solid setup for at least a few more years to come. :)

Cool! Nah, the KP3 is really cool for what is is too! The replay is really overpriced but this feels like a great way to use it :) Thank you!

Yeah. Quality wise, there are 100% differences between Z2 and numark scratch. But I still kinda doubt that I’ll need more than this for the foreseeable future. I’m not bringing it on the road or anything, all I really need is a crossfader and something that supports Serato natively… The Z2 has been a champ, that’s a fact

Yeah, I know. Thanks! I’m setting up a few crates ring now