Pioneer DDJ T1 vs Traktor Kontrol S4
Pioneer DDJ T1 vs Traktor Kontrol S4 Posted on: 11.04.2012 by Jeraldine Raterink I know this topic has been created at least one time before, but it didn't contain the information that I was looking for.I've been simply laptop DJing for about 2 and a half years using JUST Deckadance simply because I could never afford any controllers and I couldn't find any controller (or set of controllers) that worked well with Deckadance and that I personally liked. However, about 3 months ago I decided to buy the DJ Tech 101 Series controllers because they seemed to be what I wanted for Deckadance. I quickly discovered that was a bad choice. Currently, I'm using the still DJ Tech 101 Series controllers (sad, I know). But I have downloaded the mappings for them so I can use Traktor Pro 2. So far, Traktor is much much better in just about every single manor. Obviously, controllers designed for Deckadance are very limited when using them for Traktor, so I decided to do much searching for a single controller for Traktor NOT set of controllers because I'm very mobile and I'm kind of tired of carrying 4 boxes everywhere. I have found that I really look for these things in controllers: FULL control of Traktors effects Jog wheel effect mapping Spacious knobs "Slip Mode" (I understand that Traktors beatmashing effect is similar to slip) 4 deck control Hot Cues Built in sound card Monitor out and bright lights/vivid displays are always nice Throughout my searching I found that I really like the layout of the Pioneer DDJ T1, but I also like the performance of the Kontrol S4 slightly more than the DDJ T1. Which do you recommend? A big reason why I like the S4 is because of the job wheel effect capability, I'm not sure if you can do that on the T1. However, I really like the size and structure of the T1, especially the ability to slide a laptop under the middle. The T1 also appears to have brighter buttons and the jog wheels just look plain cool and it's very helpful to be able to glance at your controller and see which decks are playing. If you have any other suggestions for a single controller, please post those too! Also, I wouldn't mind buying external effects units such as the Kontrol X1 or a Midi Fighter, so if you recommend a combination of those I'd love to hear it. If I was unclear or scatter brained anywhere, just ask. Thanks! Any feedback will help a LOT. | |
| Felicitas Burgette 16.11.2012 | Do you guys believe that pioneer is going to release a new ddj t1? (Maybe a ddj-t2) I am stuck between the Ddj-SX and the ddj t1+ Traktor f1. I am already used to traktor, so I prefer to continue working with it. However the Ddj-Sx looks amazing. Would you suggest to take the ddj t1+Traktor f1 or better the Ddj-Sx. Or wait maybe for a ddj t2, which will probably have a sample deck. I don |
| Felicitas Burgette 16.11.2012 | Do you guys believe that pioneer is going to release a new ddj t1? (Maybe a ddj-t2) I am stuck between the Ddj-SX and the ddj t1+ Traktor f1. I am already used to traktor, so I prefer to continue working with it. However the Ddj-Sx looks amazing. Would you suggest to take the ddj t1+Traktor f1 or better the Ddj-Sx. Or wait maybe for a ddj t2, which will probably have a sample deck. I don |
| Felicitas Burgette 16.11.2012 | Do you guys believe that pioneer is going to release a new ddj t1? (Maybe a ddj-t2) I am stuck between the Ddj-SX and the ddj t1+ Traktor f1. I am already used to traktor, so I prefer to continue working with it. However the Ddj-Sx looks amazing. Would you suggest to take the ddj t1+Traktor f1 or better the Ddj-Sx. Or wait maybe for a ddj t2, which will probably have a sample deck. I don |
| Felicitas Burgette 16.11.2012 | Do you guys believe that pioneer is going to release a new ddj t1? (Maybe a ddj-t2) I am stuck between the Ddj-SX and the ddj t1+ Traktor f1. I am already used to traktor, so I prefer to continue working with it. However the Ddj-Sx looks amazing. Would you suggest to take the ddj t1+Traktor f1 or better the Ddj-Sx. Or wait maybe for a ddj t2, which will probably have a sample deck. I don |
| Felicitas Burgette 16.11.2012 | Do you guys believe that pioneer is going to release a new ddj t1? (Maybe a ddj-t2) I am stuck between the Ddj-SX and the ddj t1+ Traktor f1. I am already used to traktor, so I prefer to continue working with it. However the Ddj-Sx looks amazing. Would you suggest to take the ddj t1+Traktor f1 or better the Ddj-Sx. Or wait maybe for a ddj t2, which will probably have a sample deck. I don |
| Joslyn Patriarca 19.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by padi_04
The "filter" effect seems short, even after calibration. At 1/4 of the way through travel to either left or right from 12 o clock the effect seems used up. Feels like they didn't use all the travel they could have so the effect is very rapid and not very smooth to me. Coming from pioneer DJM 400 (I believe) at work, the filter effect seems alot more "drawn out" with the play on the knob, feels alot better and more effective. My biggest qualm is probably the Gain control for each channel. Instead of your traditional knob like on the other EQ bands, this knob just turns and turns and turns, and the gain increase per turn is minimal. Most of all, since the knob has no stop there isn't a relative position. Typically when I mix at work on CDJs I leave my faders at 100% and just bring in the next track with the gain at around 10'o clock (paying attention to the levels). From there I bring the gain up to the natural 12 o'clock to match the volume with the track currently playing, or a bit higher depending on the track. Because the gain knob doubles as the effects knob, there isn't static positions, the gain addition per rotation is miniscule, and I can't mix the way I'd like to, efficiently with the inability to accurately judge my gain with relative positioning. I'm not sure if theres a way to fix this, but so far I'm not at all pleased with that. I hadn't noticed it at the music store when I had them unbox one. It may actually be a deal breaker for me. |
| Nedra Fresneda 19.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by 3Fifths
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| Tori Rumer 19.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by 3Fifths
I'm not coming from much and for the style I'm doing it works really well - there are enough controllers and FX to make anything you want but if you're looking to play at bars or shows on a pioneer (like they all have) then it probably doesn't do you justice |
| Hunter Renslow 15.04.2012 |
Originally Posted by Fabiio
The jogs respond like cdj jogs. I have a vci-400 myself and love it but would be happy to borrow my mates t1 and use it for a gig. |
| Jeraldine Raterink 12.04.2012 |
Originally Posted by fabiio
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| Jeraldine Raterink 12.04.2012 |
Originally Posted by shr3dder
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| Ara Tima 12.04.2012 |
Originally Posted by Endure
If you don't mind spending a bit extra though an X1 + T1 is an awesome combo. My 2c. |
| Melinda Wubben 17.11.2012 | I don't see how the T1 would be a contender when the 4Trak exists. Now a possibly forthcoming SX for Traktor would be a different thing... Edit: ok only now noticed that this was an ancient thread |
| Felicitas Burgette 16.11.2012 | Do you guys believe that pioneer is going to release a new ddj t1? (Maybe a ddj-t2) I am stuck between the Ddj-SX and the ddj t1+ Traktor f1. I am already used to traktor, so I prefer to continue working with it. However the Ddj-Sx looks amazing. Would you suggest to take the ddj t1+Traktor f1 or better the Ddj-Sx. Or wait maybe for a ddj t2, which will probably have a sample deck. I don |
| Lakeshia Dampf 14.06.2012 | I'm finally upgrading my old mixtrack pro to a better controller and I'm stuck between the 4trak and the s4. The price difference is not issue because i get both for for half the price. I have asked my local music shops and one said the s4 and the other the 4 trak. I like the long pitch faders on the 4trak, but i prefer rubber buttons and pads on the s4 over the plastic ones that the 4trak has. The jog wheels aren’t that big of a deal since i don't scratch. I'm not going to use a timecode setup, so that feature on the s4 is not a selling point. But I'm very interested in the DJTT s4 mapping and the fact that the s4 comes with the full version of traktor. I have always looked at the s4 as the ultimate controller, but after reading up on the 4 trak i can't make up my mind. I have looked at the ddj-t1, but it seems that the s4 and the 4 trak are better controllers. |
| Nedra Fresneda 19.05.2012 | Navigate to your mixer preferences and choose Xone as filter, I agree the default setting has way too much resonance and an odd curve. Regarding the gains, It might not be the happiest design decision, but It's their way to work with autogain, a regular knob won't cut it. There is a mapping available on traktorbible.com that will let you modify the gain's resolution/speed, or you could map that yourself. |
| Joslyn Patriarca 19.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by padi_04
The "filter" effect seems short, even after calibration. At 1/4 of the way through travel to either left or right from 12 o clock the effect seems used up. Feels like they didn't use all the travel they could have so the effect is very rapid and not very smooth to me. Coming from pioneer DJM 400 (I believe) at work, the filter effect seems alot more "drawn out" with the play on the knob, feels alot better and more effective. My biggest qualm is probably the Gain control for each channel. Instead of your traditional knob like on the other EQ bands, this knob just turns and turns and turns, and the gain increase per turn is minimal. Most of all, since the knob has no stop there isn't a relative position. Typically when I mix at work on CDJs I leave my faders at 100% and just bring in the next track with the gain at around 10'o clock (paying attention to the levels). From there I bring the gain up to the natural 12 o'clock to match the volume with the track currently playing, or a bit higher depending on the track. Because the gain knob doubles as the effects knob, there isn't static positions, the gain addition per rotation is miniscule, and I can't mix the way I'd like to, efficiently with the inability to accurately judge my gain with relative positioning. I'm not sure if theres a way to fix this, but so far I'm not at all pleased with that. I hadn't noticed it at the music store when I had them unbox one. It may actually be a deal breaker for me. |
| Nedra Fresneda 19.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by 3Fifths
|
| Tori Rumer 19.05.2012 |
Originally Posted by 3Fifths
I'm not coming from much and for the style I'm doing it works really well - there are enough controllers and FX to make anything you want but if you're looking to play at bars or shows on a pioneer (like they all have) then it probably doesn't do you justice |
| Joslyn Patriarca 18.05.2012 | How do you feel about the fader and deck slider. As well as the EQ? I've read some reviews that volumer fader and deck fader slide is really flakey and "cheap". I've also heard the EQ sounds bad, how do you find it? How much can you kill a band for EQ mixing? |
| Tori Rumer 19.05.2012 | FYI - I went with an s4. Been using it a couple weeks now - couldn't be happier |
| Roxanna Cheatwood 18.05.2012 | as stated above looking to buy either a pioneer ddj-t1 or NI traktor s4 looking for djing , not that intrested in controllerism also possibly looking at numark mixdeck quad |
| Hunter Renslow 15.04.2012 |
Originally Posted by Fabiio
The jogs respond like cdj jogs. I have a vci-400 myself and love it but would be happy to borrow my mates t1 and use it for a gig. |
| Jeraldine Raterink 12.04.2012 |
Originally Posted by fabiio
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| Ling Mccamman 12.04.2012 | S4 alll the waaaay!!! iv'e mixed with DJJ-T1....and it's meh..... |
| Jeraldine Raterink 12.04.2012 | Oooooo! I forgot about the F1! I could get an ultimate traktor/kontrol set up with an S4, two X1s, and two F1s. AND that would look amazing. |
| Mariah Hegemann 12.04.2012 | With a T1 and 2 X1s, you could do a lot of things. One X1 could be a dedicated sample deck controller while the other one could be mapped to control effects banks 3 and 4 (and do whatever else you wanted). Honestly, though, I'd wait for the F1 if you want an auxillary controller to use for samples. |
| Jeraldine Raterink 12.04.2012 | Indeed indeed... |
| Ara Tima 12.04.2012 | Ummm, I'm not really sure... I have everything covered with a T1 and an X1, I'm sure you could find a use for it though. Or just get a decent standalone mixer instead of a T1/S4 and run 2 X1s off of that? That'd be nice and symmetrical. |
| Jeraldine Raterink 12.04.2012 |
Originally Posted by shr3dder
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| Ara Tima 12.04.2012 |
Originally Posted by Endure
If you don't mind spending a bit extra though an X1 + T1 is an awesome combo. My 2c. |
| Jeraldine Raterink 12.04.2012 | I'd probably end up liking both, hence my tough decision. |
| Ara Tima 12.04.2012 | Well my housemate has an S4 and I have a T1 so I've used both quite a bit. I love the T1, the only problem I have with it is the lack of Sample Decks, but that's pretty easily fixed if you can afford an X1 as well (I was lucky enough to get my T1 dirty cheap, so even with the X1 added it was only the same price as an S4). The jogs are fine, yeah their is a ball bearing noise if the room is dead quiet, but I can't imagine that'll ever be an issue unless you plan on playing sound-less dj sets. For manual beatmixing I find the T1 shits on the S4, but I'm sure as always someone will argue this, basically it all comes down to what you like, they're both great controllers, try not to let the anti-pioneer/NI fan boy feelings of some people influence your decision. Try em both and see what you like. |
| Mariah Hegemann 12.04.2012 | The thing is, though, the DDJ series aren't CDJs. The problem with the T1's jogs are that they're basically straight off the 400s. That should speak for itself (they also don't have HID communication with Traktor). Additionally, the hot cue buttons are about the size of a newborn tick on the T1 and aren't in a very accessible position. I will grant you the play and cue buttons though...they're probably my favorite part of the S1/T1. They feel fantastic and are incredibly responsive. Just so you guys know, I've spent a fair bit of time with the S1 and have played around with a T1 for a little while as well. Not trying to bash, just giving an honest opinion. The DDJ line could have been awesome controllers, but there were just a couple of things about them that made me buy NI. |
| Nancey Inderlied 12.04.2012 |
Originally Posted by Endure
You also get the amazingness that is Pioneer buttons: loop and hot cue buttons feel like they could be punched, and the play/cue buttons are legendary, a far cry from the floppy rubber crap that is the S4 buttons. I can't tell you how many times I've tapped a button on my S4 and just had nothing happen because I didn't hit it right, while I could practically brush the edge of the cue button on my CDJ's and still trigger them. |
| Mariah Hegemann 12.04.2012 |
Originally Posted by Endure
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| Jeraldine Raterink 12.04.2012 | Oh how I wish I could combine the Numark 4TRAK, Kontrol S4, VCI-400, and add on the touch screen features of the Pioneer DJM-2000... |
| Jeraldine Raterink 12.04.2012 |
Originally Posted by synthet1c
Originally Posted by Shishdisma
Originally Posted by synthet1c
Originally Posted by Major Major
The T1 has no sample control and lacks full software. The software thing might not be a big deal to you, but the whole sample thing may be a downside (even if you believe you don't need them...yet )
Build quality. Don't get me wrong, I like the T1 to a degree, but the jogs are noisy and are made with ball bearings (leaving them feel less than smooth), the cue point buttons are tiny and plastic as opposed to the rather spacious and awesome rubbery buttons of the S4, and the S4 actually has level meters. Of course, there are other things, but you get my drift.
The soundcard. The S4 not only has RCA and quarter inch outs, but it has two aux inputs. The T1 has RCA and quarter inch outs as well, but the low end does tend to get a bit lost.
Basically, the S4 does everything the T1 does, but better. Also, knowing that you'll be using jog effects, the HID support may be unimportant. However, the T1's jogs are not nearly as smooth as the S4's, and are placed closer to your body-two things which may or may not matter to you (they definitely did to me, which is why I don't have a T1 today). That being said, you'll be happy with either controller, but the S4 sounds a bit more what you're looking for.
Originally Posted by QUANCE
For example, my "booth" consists of one 6ft table in front of me with my mixers, laptop, and one light controller (just to control the bright par cans that I don't want on all the time), and then two 8ft tables around me. This makes something like a horse shoe shape and keeps the crowd from coming within my space, gives me a place to put amps and monitors, if i bring friends it's a place for them to put their laptops or mixers until they start DJing, and I still have a good 6ft by 6ft space to move around if it's just me. I then also have a 12 foot by 12 foot trussing arch above me for lights. I'm not sure if everyone would count this as part of the booth, but it feels like it to me because it's towering over the booth and gives the feeling of being boxed in from all sides including the top.[/QUOTE] |
| Mariah Hegemann 11.04.2012 | OP, I'd recommend the S4, and here's why:
Basically, the S4 does everything the T1 does, but better. Also, knowing that you'll be using jog effects, the HID support may be unimportant. However, the T1's jogs are not nearly as smooth as the S4's, and are placed closer to your body-two things which may or may not matter to you (they definitely did to me, which is why I don't have a T1 today). That being said, you'll be happy with either controller, but the S4 sounds a bit more what you're looking for. |
| Jonathan Chiuchiolo 11.04.2012 | I wouldn't choose either of them tbh... VCI-400 + VDJ ftw, the VCI is the only controller made to stand up to abuse like traditional dj gear, there is every kind of control to map and vdj is the only software able to exploit all of it's controls |
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