Is my S4 defective?

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Is my S4 defective?
Posted on: 26.04.2012 by Kathleen Mcoy
I bought a new S4 about 6 days ago and started noticing an issue with it in the last couple days.

My current setup is the S4 plugged into my Macbook Pro running the latest version of Lion. (Before it gets brought up, this isn't an issue with the USB cable but just to settle the issue for anyone doubting, I am using the cable that came with the S4).

As I am describing the issue below I will refer to two groups of controls:
Group A: All 8 knobs and 8 buttons for the two FX units
Group B: FX Unit 2 On buttons (by the gains) for channels A and C and the FX Unit 1 On buttons for channels B and D. (Note this doesn't include the other 4 FX unit on buttons, only specifically Unit 2 for channel A and C and Unit 1 for channel B and D)

Here is what happens:
  1. Launch Traktor
  2. Delete ALL controller mappings (so there is no S4 default or user mappings listed)
  3. Connect my S4 to the power
  4. Connect the USB to S4 and computer
  5. Turn on the power switch on the S4
  6. Traktor recognizes the new S4 and adds a default mapping
  7. Attempt to use the knobs and buttons listed in both groups A and B above


Results: Group A (FX unit controls) are NOT working. Group B (FX unit on buttons) are working.

Continuing to debug the issue I try this...
  1. Close Traktor
  2. Leave the S4 plugged in and on
  3. Launch Traktor
  4. Attempt to use the knobs and buttons listed in both groups A and B above


Results: Group A (FX unit controls) are now working. Group B (FX unit on buttons) are no longer working. Note the behavior has now switched.

How about this...
  1. Leave Traktor open after seeing the failure of the controls to work properly
  2. Open the preferences window
  3. Delete the S4 controller mapping
  4. Manually add a new default S4 mapping
  5. Attempt to use the knobs and buttons listed in both groups A and B above


Results: Same situation, only one of the two groups of controls work.

Trying one more thing....
  1. Don't close Traktor after seeing the failure of the controls to work properly
  2. Leave the S4 plugged in and on
  3. Go into the preferences
  4. Go the the Traktor Kontrol S4 section of the preferences
  5. Click the "Restore" button under the Restore Default section
  6. Attempt to use the knobs and buttons listed in both groups A and B above


Results: Everything works! yay,... right?.... no....

After this as soon as I close Traktor and relaunch it I am right back where I started and the same symptoms occur again.

I'm not sure what else to try. My Traktor install has worked flawlessly ever since Traktor Pro came out. I've used a pretty good array of controllers without issue including my pair of X1s and never had an issue before.

I don't know what else to do other than to return the device. Any help is appreciated.
Joesph Kasian
27.04.2012
Originally Posted by kooper1980
I can't see how this is a faulty controller. It wouldn't work after a restore if it was

As far as I know you need to always plug the s4 in before you start Traktor. Pretty sure it's not to be plugged/unplugged whilst Traktor is open. Therefore I assume from your first post that doing it this way you would have control over group A but not group B. the Group B issue is something I've encountered myself and I'm pretty sure (although dot quote me on this) that in the default mapping channel A & C only have access on the s4 to fx bank 1 and channel B & D only have access onthe s4 to fx bank 2.

Easy way to trouble shoot this would be to click the fx1 and fx2 indicators for channel B on your mac screen using your mouse and then try to use the controls on the s4. If they work then I'd be pretty confident that its not a hardware issue.
This guy, Kooper, is constantly supplying great answers on this community - follow what he says here and report back dude.
Kathleen Mcoy
26.04.2012		I bought a new S4 about 6 days ago and started noticing an issue with it in the last couple days.

My current setup is the S4 plugged into my Macbook Pro running the latest version of Lion. (Before it gets brought up, this isn't an issue with the USB cable but just to settle the issue for anyone doubting, I am using the cable that came with the S4).

As I am describing the issue below I will refer to two groups of controls:
Group A: All 8 knobs and 8 buttons for the two FX units
Group B: FX Unit 2 On buttons (by the gains) for channels A and C and the FX Unit 1 On buttons for channels B and D. (Note this doesn't include the other 4 FX unit on buttons, only specifically Unit 2 for channel A and C and Unit 1 for channel B and D)

Here is what happens:
  1. Launch Traktor
  2. Delete ALL controller mappings (so there is no S4 default or user mappings listed)
  3. Connect my S4 to the power
  4. Connect the USB to S4 and computer
  5. Turn on the power switch on the S4
  6. Traktor recognizes the new S4 and adds a default mapping
  7. Attempt to use the knobs and buttons listed in both groups A and B above


Results: Group A (FX unit controls) are NOT working. Group B (FX unit on buttons) are working.

Continuing to debug the issue I try this...
  1. Close Traktor
  2. Leave the S4 plugged in and on
  3. Launch Traktor
  4. Attempt to use the knobs and buttons listed in both groups A and B above


Results: Group A (FX unit controls) are now working. Group B (FX unit on buttons) are no longer working. Note the behavior has now switched.

How about this...
  1. Leave Traktor open after seeing the failure of the controls to work properly
  2. Open the preferences window
  3. Delete the S4 controller mapping
  4. Manually add a new default S4 mapping
  5. Attempt to use the knobs and buttons listed in both groups A and B above


Results: Same situation, only one of the two groups of controls work.

Trying one more thing....
  1. Don't close Traktor after seeing the failure of the controls to work properly
  2. Leave the S4 plugged in and on
  3. Go into the preferences
  4. Go the the Traktor Kontrol S4 section of the preferences
  5. Click the "Restore" button under the Restore Default section
  6. Attempt to use the knobs and buttons listed in both groups A and B above


Results: Everything works! yay,... right?.... no....

After this as soon as I close Traktor and relaunch it I am right back where I started and the same symptoms occur again.

I'm not sure what else to try. My Traktor install has worked flawlessly ever since Traktor Pro came out. I've used a pretty good array of controllers without issue including my pair of X1s and never had an issue before.

I don't know what else to do other than to return the device. Any help is appreciated.
Daine Ziadeh
28.04.2012		This happens on the S2 sometimes, just change the effect group from single to group and back. This will allow control on the effects.
Glennis Cartin
28.04.2012		If all else fails, go into the Traktor folder in Computer>Program Files (or Mac eqivilent) and delete the "Traktor Settings.tsi" file. This will restore Traktor to default settings (including mapping) and it all should work fine.

If this does't fix your problem, file a ticket with NI - they should be able to troubleshoot it.
Kristofer Krauel
27.04.2012		You are too kind!!
Joesph Kasian
27.04.2012
Originally Posted by kooper1980
I can't see how this is a faulty controller. It wouldn't work after a restore if it was

As far as I know you need to always plug the s4 in before you start Traktor. Pretty sure it's not to be plugged/unplugged whilst Traktor is open. Therefore I assume from your first post that doing it this way you would have control over group A but not group B. the Group B issue is something I've encountered myself and I'm pretty sure (although dot quote me on this) that in the default mapping channel A & C only have access on the s4 to fx bank 1 and channel B & D only have access onthe s4 to fx bank 2.

Easy way to trouble shoot this would be to click the fx1 and fx2 indicators for channel B on your mac screen using your mouse and then try to use the controls on the s4. If they work then I'd be pretty confident that its not a hardware issue.
This guy, Kooper, is constantly supplying great answers on this community - follow what he says here and report back dude.
Kristofer Krauel
27.04.2012		I can't see how this is a faulty controller. It wouldn't work after a restore if it was

As far as I know you need to always plug the s4 in before you start Traktor. Pretty sure it's not to be plugged/unplugged whilst Traktor is open. Therefore I assume from your first post that doing it this way you would have control over group A but not group B. the Group B issue is something I've encountered myself and I'm pretty sure (although dot quote me on this) that in the default mapping channel A & C only have access on the s4 to fx bank 1 and channel B & D only have access onthe s4 to fx bank 2.

Easy way to trouble shoot this would be to click the fx1 and fx2 indicators for channel B on your mac screen using your mouse and then try to use the controls on the s4. If they work then I'd be pretty confident that its not a hardware issue.
Rey Holubar
27.04.2012		I'd go ahead upgrade and then if you have problems, try the setup wizard at the bottom of the Preferences window to get the S4 going. If you have problems after that, then you would most likely have a real S4 issue.

scamo
Kathleen Mcoy
27.04.2012		I blew away my traktor install and reinstalled from the disc that came with the S4 and that put me back more than just the previous version. Now I am back to 2.0.1. But... now I am afraid to update.

Seriously...?

Grrr... I don't want to have to keep tinkering with it right before a gig this weekend but at the same time it's stupid to not be able to use the current version of the software with the companies own flagship controller for that software without confidence.
Diego Aggen
27.04.2012		You should have folder if u use a mac its macdrive (whatever your name)/applications/native instruments/traktor 2/backup if u use windows check c drive/programs/native instruments/traktor 2/backup

U should find the previous version there hope that helps
Kathleen Mcoy
26.04.2012		My version is 2.1.2.12125.

How would I go back a version?
Diego Aggen
26.04.2012		What version do u have? Try going back a version before the update

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