Advice on S4 vs. VCI-400 (or 4Trak) for beginner

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Advice on S4 vs. VCI-400 (or 4Trak) for beginner
Posted on: 25.01.2012 by Douglass Yapo
I'm debating between getting an S4 and a VCI-400 (I'm signed up for the Ean Golden e-mail, but might just get the regular version and pay $59 for the firmware upgrade and mapping). I'd appreciate some advice as to which one of these best suits my needs.

My background: I am new to DJing, but have a musical background. I grew up playing guitar in various bands, and in the process became decent on the keyboards/piano, bass, and drums. I usually composed for all the instruments in the band, so I believe I would like to get into Ableton/producing, as well as DJing. I have played friends' parties using DJay for iPad, but have pushed that to its limits and am ready to play with some real gear .

Here are my considerations:

Price: The Vestax is $1000, plus $200 for Traktor 2 Pro, so that is $1200 total for the VCI 400. I can get a used S4 w/ Traktor 2 pro for $600 to $700. Then figure another $100-200 for midifighter or the F1 to get the same programmable triggers I'd have built in on the Vestax (since I want to get into producing and DJing with Ableton). So $700 to $900 for the S4, and you are talking a $300-500 price difference (enough to pay for Ableton).

Build Quality: The Vestax looks much nicer, but not sure that I need it? I would like to play out but that is very much down the road, so I don't know that I really need the build quality (and heck, I've seen Porter Robinson play with an S4 live so I know its doable).

Traktor Compatibility: I know Traktor has the inside track to their own software, so it maps better than anything else. As a beginner, how much does this matter to me? I really have no way to gauge this without any experience.

Intangibles: I just like the VCI 400 more based on looking at the units. I like the idea of having programmable trigger buttons built in vs. a separate component (like the F1). If they cost the same, I don't believe I'd question the decision to go for it. But, since I'm a beginner, I just don't know if I need what I'd be paying extra for with the VCI 400. Thoughts?

Oh yea, and I just noticed the 4Trak, which is priced the same as the VCI 400, but it seems like people are believeing the VCI 400 is the better alternative to the S4?
Clinton Voran
25.01.2012
Originally Posted by mcliffy2
Do you know a way I can get familiar with Traktor without buying? It wouldn't make sense to buy Traktor 2 before a controller, since it comes with the S4 (if I go that route).

Also, I have a full time career, so am not aiming for clubs (I know some people who would probably set me up with gigs....if they like what I do, but I'm taking a what happens, happens, approach -- not quitting my day job any time soon ).
Yeah, you can download the Traktor Pro 2 demo off the NI site. Play around with it, familiarize yourself with the workflows, and then you can get a good sense of how you wish to use it thus you will be better equipped in regards to picking the right controller to suit your personal preference in how you wish to use Traktor.

In regards to cost effectiveness of getting Traktor Pro 2 full version, if you go with the S4, it is included in the package. If you go with the VCI-400, you will have to shell out an additional 139 to upgrade from LE to Pro 2, so that is something to believe about (but man, that VCI-400 is more feature packed in regards to available control mappings and it's seriously built like a tank).
Douglass Yapo
25.01.2012
Originally Posted by dookiex
I would suggest that you get familiar with the Traktor software (I'm guessing that's the software your leaning towards using) first and then figure out which controller to get afterward. If you're planning to mix at clubs and other venues that have their own gear (turntables/CDJs + mixer setups), it's probably wise to learn how to mix old school before jumping into different DJ software and controllers. There's a good reason for this because not all venues have the space in the DJ booth/area for you to plop down your controller on (thus you're stuck using their gear ), this is of course depending on what controller you have but both the S4 and VCI-400 are pretty damn big controllers.

Also a thing to keep in mind, if you're going to go the Ableton route, the S4 and VCI-400 are not great controllers to be controlling Ableton with (and along the same lines, most controllers modelled after the two turntables and a mixer configuration are mostly not great for controlling Ableton with in my opinion).
Do you know a way I can get familiar with Traktor without buying? It wouldn't make sense to buy Traktor 2 before a controller, since it comes with the S4 (if I go that route).

Also, I have a full time career, so am not aiming for clubs (I know some people who would probably set me up with gigs....if they like what I do, but I'm taking a what happens, happens, approach -- not quitting my day job any time soon ).
Douglass Yapo
25.01.2012		I'm debating between getting an S4 and a VCI-400 (I'm signed up for the Ean Golden e-mail, but might just get the regular version and pay $59 for the firmware upgrade and mapping). I'd appreciate some advice as to which one of these best suits my needs.

My background: I am new to DJing, but have a musical background. I grew up playing guitar in various bands, and in the process became decent on the keyboards/piano, bass, and drums. I usually composed for all the instruments in the band, so I believe I would like to get into Ableton/producing, as well as DJing. I have played friends' parties using DJay for iPad, but have pushed that to its limits and am ready to play with some real gear .

Here are my considerations:

Price: The Vestax is $1000, plus $200 for Traktor 2 Pro, so that is $1200 total for the VCI 400. I can get a used S4 w/ Traktor 2 pro for $600 to $700. Then figure another $100-200 for midifighter or the F1 to get the same programmable triggers I'd have built in on the Vestax (since I want to get into producing and DJing with Ableton). So $700 to $900 for the S4, and you are talking a $300-500 price difference (enough to pay for Ableton).

Build Quality: The Vestax looks much nicer, but not sure that I need it? I would like to play out but that is very much down the road, so I don't know that I really need the build quality (and heck, I've seen Porter Robinson play with an S4 live so I know its doable).

Traktor Compatibility: I know Traktor has the inside track to their own software, so it maps better than anything else. As a beginner, how much does this matter to me? I really have no way to gauge this without any experience.

Intangibles: I just like the VCI 400 more based on looking at the units. I like the idea of having programmable trigger buttons built in vs. a separate component (like the F1). If they cost the same, I don't believe I'd question the decision to go for it. But, since I'm a beginner, I just don't know if I need what I'd be paying extra for with the VCI 400. Thoughts?

Oh yea, and I just noticed the 4Trak, which is priced the same as the VCI 400, but it seems like people are believeing the VCI 400 is the better alternative to the S4?
Clinton Voran
25.01.2012
Originally Posted by mcliffy2
Do you know a way I can get familiar with Traktor without buying? It wouldn't make sense to buy Traktor 2 before a controller, since it comes with the S4 (if I go that route).

Also, I have a full time career, so am not aiming for clubs (I know some people who would probably set me up with gigs....if they like what I do, but I'm taking a what happens, happens, approach -- not quitting my day job any time soon ).
Yeah, you can download the Traktor Pro 2 demo off the NI site. Play around with it, familiarize yourself with the workflows, and then you can get a good sense of how you wish to use it thus you will be better equipped in regards to picking the right controller to suit your personal preference in how you wish to use Traktor.

In regards to cost effectiveness of getting Traktor Pro 2 full version, if you go with the S4, it is included in the package. If you go with the VCI-400, you will have to shell out an additional 139 to upgrade from LE to Pro 2, so that is something to believe about (but man, that VCI-400 is more feature packed in regards to available control mappings and it's seriously built like a tank).
Douglass Yapo
25.01.2012
Originally Posted by dookiex
I would suggest that you get familiar with the Traktor software (I'm guessing that's the software your leaning towards using) first and then figure out which controller to get afterward. If you're planning to mix at clubs and other venues that have their own gear (turntables/CDJs + mixer setups), it's probably wise to learn how to mix old school before jumping into different DJ software and controllers. There's a good reason for this because not all venues have the space in the DJ booth/area for you to plop down your controller on (thus you're stuck using their gear ), this is of course depending on what controller you have but both the S4 and VCI-400 are pretty damn big controllers.

Also a thing to keep in mind, if you're going to go the Ableton route, the S4 and VCI-400 are not great controllers to be controlling Ableton with (and along the same lines, most controllers modelled after the two turntables and a mixer configuration are mostly not great for controlling Ableton with in my opinion).
Do you know a way I can get familiar with Traktor without buying? It wouldn't make sense to buy Traktor 2 before a controller, since it comes with the S4 (if I go that route).

Also, I have a full time career, so am not aiming for clubs (I know some people who would probably set me up with gigs....if they like what I do, but I'm taking a what happens, happens, approach -- not quitting my day job any time soon ).
Clinton Voran
25.01.2012		I would suggest that you get familiar with the Traktor software (I'm guessing that's the software your leaning towards using) first and then figure out which controller to get afterward. If you're planning to mix at clubs and other venues that have their own gear (turntables/CDJs + mixer setups), it's probably wise to learn how to mix old school before jumping into different DJ software and controllers. There's a good reason for this because not all venues have the space in the DJ booth/area for you to plop down your controller on (thus you're stuck using their gear ), this is of course depending on what controller you have but both the S4 and VCI-400 are pretty damn big controllers.

Also a thing to keep in mind, if you're going to go the Ableton route, the S4 and VCI-400 are not great controllers to be controlling Ableton with (and along the same lines, most controllers modelled after the two turntables and a mixer configuration are mostly not great for controlling Ableton with in my opinion).
Asha Kravetz
25.01.2012		1. Forget the 4trak

Depends on the level of hardware/software integration

Kontrol S4 is HID, plug and play to work 100% perfectly and natively with Traktor.
You can purchase a scratch upgrade to add turntables into the mix later on

VCI-400 is just Midi
Israel Sulka
25.01.2012		If have use Traktor in 2 deck + 2 sample deck configuration, best controller for this is Reloop Jockey 3, best build quality and now Traktor Pro included.
In April will be on sale Reloop Mix Terminal 4 and at the NAMM was even better than Jockey 3, but the does not setting jog rigidity and absent Traktor software

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