Ns6 or S4????

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Ns6 or S4????
Posted on: 09.12.2011 by Elba Nacua
Been making mixes for awhile now, Ive been using Virtual DJ with a Mixtrack Pro and looking to upgrade. Plus i wanna start doing some live shows at clubs and showing up with a mixtrack would be embarrassing.

I tried out the S4 and loved it at a local music store, I was pretty dead set on that but my friend told me to check out the Ns6 before anything. He said it was the best controller on the market.

Im definetly picking up a midi fighter either way so does one controller work better with a midi fighter then the other?

And what are your opinions on what controller is better?? The ns6 or the S4.
Joselyn Supina
14.12.2011
Originally Posted by Gapout
Traktor comes with 30 different colors paint

Itch comes with 20 different colors of paint

At the end of the day having more colors lets u be more expressive.
I'm going to be a total jerk and say that this is completely wrong. I learned in art school that you should never use a color directly out of the tube. Blending is key...I honestly don't believe I have more than 10-15 tubes of paint in my collection.

Anyway, I wanted to go S4 but had a friend say that the ns6 was where it was at and that traktor was junk and itch this, serato that...I got the S4 and am very happy with it.
Sarai Suchman
11.12.2011
Originally Posted by Sublim&All
The more FX and sample decks surely give more options. But the last time I checked, creativity is still something that must come from the person controlling them. No matter how many fancy pantsy options you have, if you don't have the ability to use them properly you're still by far creative.

Agreed that creativity is based on the person...but this is the way i believe of it.

Lets say doing a mix or a song is like painting a picture.

Traktor comes with 30 different colors paint

Itch comes with 20 different colors of paint

At the end of the day having more colors lets u be more expressive.

I use serato and traktor at home but 80% of the clubs are only serato... so if youre looking at making some money in the evening club bis... get familiar with serato
This isnt a deciding factor anymore due to the fact most clubs have their own club mixer. Person A plugs into Channel A and runs Serato, when its time for Person B with traktor they setup on Channel B on the mixer, manually beatmatch to Person A fade out Channel A and you are strickly on your Traktor Setup
Viviana Tarno
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by Gapout
last time i checked the more FX, sample decks directly relate to creativity.
The more FX and sample decks surely give more options. But the last time I checked, creativity is still something that must come from the person controlling them. No matter how many fancy pantsy options you have, if you don't have the ability to use them properly you're still by far creative.

Originally Posted by Gapout
And i believe its funny how u guys are saying its a brilliant piece of software yet if you goto the serato community s theres a million threads of people bitching about the bugs in ITCH.
When you go over to the NI community s, I'm sure there will be enough bug bitching as well. I've been using ITCH for 2 years now, and I have never encountered ANY bug.
Sarai Suchman
09.12.2011
Originally Posted by njdevil30
how is the midi fighter integration with itch anyway.....???
"Currently you can not use MIDI controllers with ITCH. However we are very keen to add MIDI functionality to ITCH, it is something we are looking to do in the future."

Straight off the Serato boards
Romelia Stankard
09.12.2011
Originally Posted by Gapout
??

20 sample decks? have u even used Traktor?
I was being facetious
Joselyn Supina
14.12.2011
Originally Posted by Gapout
Traktor comes with 30 different colors paint

Itch comes with 20 different colors of paint

At the end of the day having more colors lets u be more expressive.
I'm going to be a total jerk and say that this is completely wrong. I learned in art school that you should never use a color directly out of the tube. Blending is key...I honestly don't believe I have more than 10-15 tubes of paint in my collection.

Anyway, I wanted to go S4 but had a friend say that the ns6 was where it was at and that traktor was junk and itch this, serato that...I got the S4 and am very happy with it.
Melinda Wubben
10.12.2011		This topic has probably been beaten to death already, but I believe it's a very simple thing - the S4 is much better for fx-laden controllerism and good for EDM in general. On the other hand, if you want to play and beatmatch by hand, or play a lot of older stuff that hasn't got sequenced rhythm tracks, and scratch a little, NS6 and Itch suit that style better.
Elba Nacua
10.12.2011		what about the S4 Vs. the Pioneer DDJ-TI???
Sarai Suchman
11.12.2011
Originally Posted by Sublim&All
The more FX and sample decks surely give more options. But the last time I checked, creativity is still something that must come from the person controlling them. No matter how many fancy pantsy options you have, if you don't have the ability to use them properly you're still by far creative.

Agreed that creativity is based on the person...but this is the way i believe of it.

Lets say doing a mix or a song is like painting a picture.

Traktor comes with 30 different colors paint

Itch comes with 20 different colors of paint

At the end of the day having more colors lets u be more expressive.

I use serato and traktor at home but 80% of the clubs are only serato... so if youre looking at making some money in the evening club bis... get familiar with serato
This isnt a deciding factor anymore due to the fact most clubs have their own club mixer. Person A plugs into Channel A and runs Serato, when its time for Person B with traktor they setup on Channel B on the mixer, manually beatmatch to Person A fade out Channel A and you are strickly on your Traktor Setup
Viviana Tarno
10.12.2011
Originally Posted by Gapout
last time i checked the more FX, sample decks directly relate to creativity.
The more FX and sample decks surely give more options. But the last time I checked, creativity is still something that must come from the person controlling them. No matter how many fancy pantsy options you have, if you don't have the ability to use them properly you're still by far creative.

Originally Posted by Gapout
And i believe its funny how u guys are saying its a brilliant piece of software yet if you goto the serato community s theres a million threads of people bitching about the bugs in ITCH.
When you go over to the NI community s, I'm sure there will be enough bug bitching as well. I've been using ITCH for 2 years now, and I have never encountered ANY bug.
Rodger Seferovic
10.12.2011		Can you give more details about the NS6 traktor mapping? Would it make scratching essentially useless? I love the build quality of NS6 and don't mind mapping if that's the case. I'm scared that the S4 won't hold up.

10.12.2011		just for the record, there is at least one near-perfect traktor mapping for the NS6 which takes about 30 minutes to modify towards perfection. I have played a couple of gigs on the NS6 (because my vinyl setup is a bit too heavy to take with me on a plane, I only did that a couple of times). it's taken an impressive amount of abuse and I'm really happy with it - only the hotcue buttons take a few minutes to get used to. still, I've purchased the vci400 because I like its layout better, but the NS6 is solid and reliable hardware I would DJ with anytime.
Karena Jethwa
10.12.2011		dont get either. just get a vci400 and at least be ahead of the curve.
Seema Brossard
09.12.2011		I use serato and traktor at home but 80% of the clubs are only serato... so if youre looking at making some money in the evening club bis... get familiar with serato
Asha Kravetz
09.12.2011		forget preference. buy S4. I was an idiot and bought Ns6 first. broke within 2 weeks. just get the S4, and you'll be happy!
Elba Nacua
09.12.2011		But if I can't use the midi fighter with Serato that's a deal breaker for me, I'm sure I could map the ns6 to traktor pro but I'm not feeling all that extra work.
Sarai Suchman
09.12.2011		sorry for being a little looney lol

I have used both SSL and Traktor. I love SSL for the simplicity of it all and traditional feel, but i believe when it comes to controllerism Traktor takes the cake. Mind you i am coming from a bias opinion since i love Traktor, and all the cool little tricks u can do.
Janyce Henningson
09.12.2011		i would go try the NS6 first buddy - I had an S4 and didn't like it but love the NS6, personal preference

And as for gapout going a bit loony - yes you can be just as creative in itch - check some videos of twitch for example
Sarai Suchman
09.12.2011
Originally Posted by njdevil30
how is the midi fighter integration with itch anyway.....???
"Currently you can not use MIDI controllers with ITCH. However we are very keen to add MIDI functionality to ITCH, it is something we are looking to do in the future."

Straight off the Serato boards
Romelia Stankard
09.12.2011
Originally Posted by Gapout
??

20 sample decks? have u even used Traktor?
I was being facetious
Elba Nacua
09.12.2011		how is the midi fighter integration with itch anyway.....???
Sarai Suchman
09.12.2011		To my understanding ITCH does have sample decks in the software...but none of the controllers actually have sample deck buttons. As well there is no way to even map it if u wanted to.
Elba Nacua
09.12.2011		im sure you are, just a matter of how good your are on the ns6 and Itch, im definetly going with the S4 and traktor just cause im a looping type of dj, making remixes on the fly will be sick once i get the hang of it.

Plus i tired using serato intro with the mixtrack pro and wasnt very impressed, i used different mappings wit traktor with the mixtrack pro and had alot more fun with that.
Sarai Suchman
09.12.2011		Not to beat a dead horse...but are u able to create your own mashups directly in ITCH then record prior to gigs?

Are you able to record your own loops to use later on?

Are you able to do mashups on the fly?
Roseline Canright
09.12.2011		b4 i bought i downloaded the free demos of each.
i felt traktor provided me with more possibilities and i enjoyed the layout and design better.

my advice to you
Sarai Suchman
09.12.2011
Originally Posted by Sublim&All
Kind of bullshit.
ITCH is for the DJs who don't need fancy FX and midimapping possibilities and don't feel like twitching with configuration themselves.
And Itch may have less possibilities than Traktor, it still is you yourself that the creativity must come from.

So it's just about what you are looking for: foolproof plug&play fun, or a gazillion configuration possibilities.
last time i checked the more FX, sample decks directly relate to creativity.

Tell me how in ITCH i can have a vocal sample running over my track and add an effect to my vocals then layer with effects for a transition all smoothly.

I havent played around with ITCH to much but from what i have read on the serato website this is not possible.

For straight up DJing mixing tracks togeather yes ITCH is fine.

S4 is straight up foolproof plug and play as well.

And i believe its funny how u guys are saying its a brilliant piece of software yet if you goto the serato community s theres a million threads of people bitching about the bugs in ITCH.
Sarai Suchman
09.12.2011
Originally Posted by Xonetacular
Pure BS.

People need to stop hiding behind this whole 'creative potential' nonsense. You can be just as and often more creative on two CD decks and a mixer than an S4 and 20 sample decks.
??

20 sample decks? have u even used Traktor?

and IMO The more options you have with a software is directly related to the ability to be more creative.

IE ITCH has sample decks yet NO HARDWARE actually can fully take advantage of it to my understanding.
Kandra Fagler
09.12.2011		try them both in a store and decide

personally if i can have the NS6 hardware and S4's traktor integration -> PERFECT

i like the large jogwheels of the ns6 and the user-replaceable xfaders, I also love S4 for its ultra-tight integration with traktor
Romelia Stankard
09.12.2011
Originally Posted by Gapout
S4 definately.

Serato itch doesnt have the creative possiblities like Traktor does.

Traktor Pro has been around forever but serato ITCH is new and still isnt perfect yet.
Pure BS.

People need to stop hiding behind this whole 'creative potential' nonsense. You can be just as and often more creative on two CD decks and a mixer than an S4 and 20 sample decks.


As far as NS6 vs S4 it's all preference and your style and which software you prefer. NS6 is also built like a tank and much better quality than the S4 and definitely physically feels more professional and has XLR outs, etc...
Viviana Tarno
09.12.2011
Originally Posted by Gapout
S4 definately.

Serato itch doesnt have the creative possiblities like Traktor does.

Traktor Pro has been around forever but serato ITCH is new and still isnt perfect yet.
Kind of bullshit.

ITCH is brilliant software just as perfect as Traktor is, but for a slightly different purpose: idiot-proof, plug&play, straightforward DJing. ITCH is for the DJs who don't need fancy FX and midimapping possibilities and don't feel like twitching with configuration themselves.
And Itch may have less possibilities than Traktor, it still is you yourself that the creativity must come from.

So it's just about what you are looking for: foolproof plug&play fun, or a gazillion configuration possibilities.
Sarai Suchman
09.12.2011		S4 definately.

Serato itch doesnt have the creative possiblities like Traktor does.

Traktor Pro has been around forever but serato ITCH is new and still isnt perfect yet.
Elba Nacua
09.12.2011		I kno that already, I guess it's just all about preference. I'm prolli gonna go with the s4 and use the instant gratification mapping for the midi fighter.
Kirk Patil
09.12.2011
Originally Posted by njdevil30
Been making mixes for awhile now, Ive been using Virtual DJ with a Mixtrack Pro and looking to upgrade. Plus i wanna start doing some live shows at clubs and showing up with a mixtrack would be embarrassing.

I tried out the S4 and loved it at a local music store, I was pretty dead set on that but my friend told me to check out the Ns6 before anything. He said it was the best controller on the market.

Im definetly picking up a midi fighter either way so does one controller work better with a midi fighter then the other?

And what are your opinions on what controller is better?? The ns6 or the S4.
With S4 you get Traktor Pro and with Numark you get Serato Itch. You can also use Numark with Traktor but then you have to buy the software.

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