Considering an S4 over existing VCI-300 setup.
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Considering an S4 over existing VCI-300 setup. Posted on: 27.05.2011 by Evette Czapski I'm a bedroom DJ/hack and have been using a VCI-300(MK1)/VFX-1 & Itch for the past two years. I've been considering an S4 as it appears to be a lot more expressive, compared to the VCI-300. My goals are mixes, some remixes, and getting more into controllerism.The loops and samples features of the S4 look appealing, as do some of the performance features. A few questions to the s4 owners: Has anyone made this, or a similar move? How is scratching on the s4 to the VCI-300? I like the feel of the VCI-300 for scratching. If I use S4/traktor, can I easily incorporate other midi controllers for effects/samples/other creative uses? I have an M-Audio Trigger Finger and a 25-key controller. Any other tips or information would be helpful. I know that Itch 2.0 is (allegedly) around the corner and it brings new features, as well as sample support. I've never used Traktor but from what I've read, it appears to have capabilities beyond Itch. I'd love the group's thoughts on making the move from the VCI-300/Itch to S4/Traktor. | |
| Matthew Urtel 01.06.2011 |
Originally Posted by haze324
When I mix EDM...Traktor excels at getting the 4/4 grid right. I have a plethora of effects, looping, 4 decks etc. Much more to work with. I don't have to worry about the crowd wanting to hear "their song" ASAP, let alone people having request in general. I can "get into the mix" You can mix hip hop on traktor easily though(when I did I used no grids) And the new colored waveforms do help quite a bit. |
| Julissa Serrone 29.05.2011 |
Originally Posted by TABS
I'm with this guy. Glad I'm not the only crazy one that uses two softwares depending on what I'm playing. |
| Evette Czapski 29.05.2011 |
Originally Posted by TABS
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| Dorcas Bassignani 27.05.2011 |
Originally Posted by neilkod
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| Leeanna Ayla 28.05.2011 |
Originally Posted by neilkod
Originally Posted by neilkod
Originally Posted by neilkod
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| Dorcas Bassignani 27.05.2011 | am i right in believeing that the 300+vfx comes to almost the same as the s4? in that instance on feature/ |
| Evette Czapski 27.05.2011 | I'm a bedroom DJ/hack and have been using a VCI-300(MK1)/VFX-1 & Itch for the past two years. I've been considering an S4 as it appears to be a lot more expressive, compared to the VCI-300. My goals are mixes, some remixes, and getting more into controllerism. The loops and samples features of the S4 look appealing, as do some of the performance features. A few questions to the s4 owners: Has anyone made this, or a similar move? How is scratching on the s4 to the VCI-300? I like the feel of the VCI-300 for scratching. If I use S4/traktor, can I easily incorporate other midi controllers for effects/samples/other creative uses? I have an M-Audio Trigger Finger and a 25-key controller. Any other tips or information would be helpful. I know that Itch 2.0 is (allegedly) around the corner and it brings new features, as well as sample support. I've never used Traktor but from what I've read, it appears to have capabilities beyond Itch. I'd love the group's thoughts on making the move from the VCI-300/Itch to S4/Traktor. |
| Randell Burfeind 15.06.2011 | i'm also considering making a move from the vci 300 to the s4 can i use deck c & d in traktor pro 2 like the way deck A & B are used.. loading a track.. taking cue points.. pitch n all or is deck c & d limited to only sampling decks? and i can take a sample from any track, giving me a loop range from 4 to 32 beats.. is it not possible to take a loop below 4 beats? or is that a stupid question? lol can the s4 be used with timecode CD/Vinyl without having to get an extra soundcard? can the s4 soundcard be used with ableton too? anyone using the s4 with ableton? is it even possible? any idea / talks of any new controller hitting the market anytime soon? hehe.. |
| Matthew Urtel 01.06.2011 |
Originally Posted by haze324
When I mix EDM...Traktor excels at getting the 4/4 grid right. I have a plethora of effects, looping, 4 decks etc. Much more to work with. I don't have to worry about the crowd wanting to hear "their song" ASAP, let alone people having request in general. I can "get into the mix" You can mix hip hop on traktor easily though(when I did I used no grids) And the new colored waveforms do help quite a bit. |
| Julissa Serrone 29.05.2011 |
Originally Posted by TABS
I'm with this guy. Glad I'm not the only crazy one that uses two softwares depending on what I'm playing. |
| Evette Czapski 29.05.2011 |
Originally Posted by TABS
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| Karolis Petrauskas 28.05.2011 | Fully touch sesnsitive like or if not better than the 300. One issue you shouldn't have is the platter stopping with too much bass like the 300. |
| Matthew Urtel 27.05.2011 | If I'm spinning top 40/hiphop I go straight to SSL or Itch. If it's EDM I use Traktor. I'm not a bedroom DJ though, I am a Club DJ...so...I guess take it how you want. |
| Dorcas Bassignani 27.05.2011 |
Originally Posted by neilkod
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| Evette Czapski 27.05.2011 | I should also say that I'm interested in the seemingly more open nature of a Traktor system. The ability to add external controllers such as the trigger finger or others, seems really appealing. I especially am fascinated by the whole Midi Fighter subculture |
| Evette Czapski 27.05.2011 | Thanks for the info - it certainly helps! Keep the opinions and experiences coming. I'm really into scratching - As far as the 'push sensitive' nature of the s4 wheels, do you have to push them in order to do scratching or basic manipulation? I'm used to the touch-sensitive VCI wheels so any info helps. |
| Karolis Petrauskas 27.05.2011 | I had the vci-300 and loved it...As Haze said it's a lot simpler than traktor. Itch for the VCI is a basic system with 2 decks plus AWESOME beatgrids & some effects. The S4 has way more features and you can get lost in it for hours. If you want simple go stick with your vci, if you want to get lost in geeky stuff and mix some go for the s4. I enjoy my S4 but since I know the power of traktor, I find myself wanting to make it better. Since I spend so much time tinkering I don't spend as much time playing music. I must say though I love tinkering and when I pull off a new mapping thats useful to my dj style it's awesome. I also prefer the platters on the s4 for placement and the cdj style of them. Features = Traktor w/ S4 Easy Basic Mixing = Itch w/ vci I wish I still had my vci-300 but I LOVE my S4. |
| Merry Piesik 28.05.2011 | I also qualify as a bedroom DJ/hack. I started with turntables in college 9 years ago, but was too busy juggling other things in life so I ended up selling them to a buddy to help me fund an engagement ring. About 3 months ago I decided to really give it another shot. I bought a new MBP and the S4. I absolutely love the S4. Traktor is very intuitive / easy to learn IMO. The S4's build quality is solid and the workflow matches Traktor's so it's very easy to learn as well. I haven't messed around w/ Itch but I'm assuming the transition would be pretty easy. As far as scratching, the jog wheels are pretty good for it. Obviously not like vinyl but they exceeded my expectations. I'd go for the S4 and when the money is there go for a Midi Fighter Pro. I just bought the Beat Masher and Cue Master and got an email today saying they've been assembled Good luck! |
| Julissa Serrone 28.05.2011 | I heart Itch...... ....and Traktor Itch is a very streamlined software and VCI-300 + VFX are supposed to mimic a similar workflow to two CDJ's and a mixer. I truley enjoy the workflow as it keeps things simple and focused. I feel so much more involved with the music i'm playing. I had a VCI-300 and the jogs are a tad better because they are bigger and are "touch sensitive" not push sensitive. I'd say the response time is exactly the same. The crossfader feels better and is in a better position on the S4 so it's more comfortable. In the end it's 50/50. They are both good. The S4 and Traktor 2 are extremely full featured. I don't use a 1/4 of what the software can do. Somedays I'm a little less enthusiastic about traktor and the S4 because it feels lifeless. I'm just pressing buttons. On the other end some days on Itch I feel it's missing some needed features. The S4 itself feels 100 times better than the VCI. The fader, knobs, etc. all feel like pro-quality gear. For me it comes down to what mood and what style of music I'm going to play. If it's a strictly EDM/House set, I'm on traktor and the S4 because of the feature set. If it's an open format and I'm playing hip hop reggae, etc. I'm on the NS7. The stacked waves, big rotating platters make it more enjoyable. If I were you, I'd sit back for a few 2-3 months and wait on the release of Itch 2.0. It's near. I'd also maybe look at a controller like the NS6 that closely resembles the S4 and if you truley want to try Traktor out, you could always use the NS6 with either software. I'm considering this as an option as well. |
| Leeanna Ayla 28.05.2011 |
Originally Posted by neilkod
Originally Posted by neilkod
Originally Posted by neilkod
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| Dorcas Bassignani 27.05.2011 | i know... was just pointing out that it won't be a 'downgrade' |
| Evette Czapski 27.05.2011 | True but I already have the VCI-300 + VFX-1. I'm looking at potentially making the switch. |
| Dorcas Bassignani 27.05.2011 | am i right in believeing that the 300+vfx comes to almost the same as the s4? in that instance on feature/ |
| Tatum Ansaldo 27.05.2011 | I'd go for it. But to be fair, on this community
, you're unlikely to get an objective view on ITCH because the vast majority of us are Traktor users. As far as I'm concerned, the S4 has a lot more to offer than the VCI-300, and Traktor has more to offer than ITCH. Customisability for one thing, with ITCH you get what you get. Traktor has a world of posibilities. There must be a reason why many people with VCI-300s mapped them for Traktor, even though they come with ITCH free. |
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