at the risk of being "flamed" or disliked...I must say, Traktor Kontrol S4...sucks.
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at the risk of being "flamed" or disliked...I must say, Traktor Kontrol S4...sucks. Posted on: 16.01.2013 by Charissa Paganucci not new to the DJ world, came from heavy 2 channel gemini mixers, TT's and vinyl.Got a Numark mixdeck for cheap, and has been beastly. invested in Native Instruments Kontrol S4, used it for awhile and I can't even force myself to like it. YES ABSOLUTELY it's perfect for Traktor Pro2 etc useage, but the feel of this controler is so delicate. It feels like it should be used by the small delicate hands of a toddler, and not the bass driven hands of a fully grown male/female who gets into their music. For the price they sell for brand new, it's VERY "plasticy" with knobs twists that feel like they can snap, and faders that practically wobble. I had read so much hype about it before buying, even tried it out for a few minutes in the store...but after some time, it's crowded feel (jumble cluster of closely set FX knobs and delicate feeling load buttons) I just didn't feel confident that this will last the test of time throughout gigs. For practically the same price, VCI400's, Denon DMNC6000's, Numark NS7's can be had. am I really the only one that feels the S4 is WAY overhyped? | |
| Shan Bauerly 17.01.2013 |
Originally Posted by donstone
I believe the S4 is nice and it's fun to play. It does, however, need proper faders and field-serviceable parts. NI support is abyssal on a good day, it'd be good to be able to DIY repair (or service locally) without tossing the warranty. The flaws I see, and the reason I sold mine, are with Traktor. They keep changing the software resulting in a far looser integration with their "flagship" controller. Sample decks were so cool, then remix decks landed and now you have the option of firing the top track or more hotcues. (more hotcues are nice, though) And yes, it looks and feels like a toy. As with any controller, you are likely to get molested when you haul it into a booth. |
| Sherrell Dargenio 17.01.2013 |
Originally Posted by backtothefront
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| Shan Bauerly 17.01.2013 |
Originally Posted by donstone
I believe the S4 is nice and it's fun to play. It does, however, need proper faders and field-serviceable parts. NI support is abyssal on a good day, it'd be good to be able to DIY repair (or service locally) without tossing the warranty. The flaws I see, and the reason I sold mine, are with Traktor. They keep changing the software resulting in a far looser integration with their "flagship" controller. Sample decks were so cool, then remix decks landed and now you have the option of firing the top track or more hotcues. (more hotcues are nice, though) And yes, it looks and feels like a toy. As with any controller, you are likely to get molested when you haul it into a booth. |
| Alla Bluemke 17.01.2013 | I would say the biggest gripe was headphone cue. Way too quiet. |
| Sherrell Dargenio 17.01.2013 |
Originally Posted by backtothefront
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| Lashawn Maycock 17.01.2013 | It makes me wonder what some people do with their kit, I've had the S4 for a couple of years now, not a single problem or issue with build quality, however I do look after my stuff. To be honest the argument about materials and the associated build quality is rubbish, I've seen a lot of crap built badly using sheet metal construction and some beautifully well made consumer goods from high quality plastics. I believe it's purely perception - it's heavy and made from metal therefore it must be solid and well made. That is bollocks. I should say I come from an Aerospace Engineering career background and use many different materials. |
| Sherrell Dargenio 17.01.2013 | Like has already been said in here... I love everything about the S4 aside from the build quality. I've had it just over a year now and the tops off the faders like to fall off, some of the knobs are very loose and many of the buttons like to stick or not activate at all. I have NO confidence in using my S4 live anymore and will most likely be moving to X1 and a mixer. We'll see what the next version is like though, I got high hopes in the construction quality as it's the #1 complaitn I usually see. |
| Oretha Afful 17.01.2013 | relatively happy with my S4 but honestly the mixer needs a MAJOR upgrade. Headphone cue needs a better amp as well. |
| Sha Westermeyer 17.01.2013 | i own a kontrol S4 too,works perfect with traktor,no problems at all i liked more something like NS6 when i bought it but i like traktor and i wanted something that was made for it most controllers may look plastic,small but you can carry them everywhere,other are bigger and look more "pro" but its difficult to carry them and find enough space on booth to use it for gigs,so it depends on what you really need if i had the money i would go for CDJs but currently the only affordable solution for me is an all in one controller |
| Merlene Mancia 16.01.2013 | Really happy with mine. 2 years of abuse (flights, bars, clubs) absolutely hammering the fadars and still going strong. As someone mentioned earlier maybe the build problems come with different batches. Sure I've got a couple of gripes, like the sample/hotcues get stuck down sometimes on deck B but I'm guessing if I took my skin off that would get fixed. Have played around with friends controllers and never found anything that I like half as much but then they don't like mine as much. Different strokes for different folks. edit - Use the DJTT S4 bag for gigging and the flight case for more permanent fixtures. Have bent the crossfader but it still works perfectly. |
| Merideth Garnder 16.01.2013 | I recently sold my Traktor S2. It was a great controller for what I needed it for at the time. As I started gigging out at clubs a lot more, I felt that I wasn't even using the controller as much. I agree that the build quality isn't up to Pioneer or A&H levels, but it's a cheap controller that gives you the software you need to play right out of the box......that's huge value especially for newcomers to the digital world. I own CDJ1000 MK3s now with a DJM800 and Audio 8 DJ......the reason primarily being that I started playing on these more often at the local clubs and I just wanted to show up with CDs, USBs, or SD cards to the venue. I also still love MIDI and am currently studying the hell out of Ableton to create an interesting live performance routine (I produce in Logic and Ableton). I still believe the Traktor S2 and S4 are great buys for any DJ. I just didn't even want to carry a controller anymore to the club..... |
| Random X 16.01.2013 | I have used the VCI-100 on several occasions, I was not that happy by the way it felt on tactile base. With the S4 it was instant <3! Wanted one from the get go. My only gripe with it, is the fragile USB-B connector. Than again, I am still a huge fan of the Behringer BCR2000, a rotary encoder controller, made entirely from cheap plastics. Most people here say it's shite because of it. 4 years later, it's still going strong! My point is; yes it's plastic, but the built quality is still better than most nay-sayers pretend it to be! |
| Danae Dumler 16.01.2013 | Honestly I still prefer my VCI-100 to the S4. I don't really use sample and remix decks, but if I did I believe an X1 and Midi fighter (or F1) would give me the extra buttons and knobs I would want. But if I ever wanted to upgrade to another all-in-one controller I'd chose the VCI-400 in a heartbeat over the S4 and probably over the S4 mk2 if it comes. |
| Petra Spale 16.01.2013 | pretty much the same gripes i have with the s4. love mine to death and after about 2 years of consistent at home and a fair bit of travel and gigging some of the knobs in the eq section on decks a&b are quite "wiggly". not heavy handed by any means but would love to see the use of top nutted pots like on my recently acquired k2 in addition to an aluminum top plate for the mixer area. NI kinda missed the mark IMO placing the plastic under the mixer area which is used the most heavily ( mine is all dust scratched to shit from twisting knobs, and yes i do have a decksaver and dust the thing regularly), but hey at the end of the day i can complain. still love the huge thing to death and thankful due to the extended warranty i purchased from the shop i bought it at, i should be able to send it in for warranty and have these i |
| Loyce Mekonen 17.01.2013 | My only personal gripe with the S2 and S4 controllers are the plastic knobs and the fact that they get loose... I had to switch from FX unit 1 FX unit 2 as to stop killing the Dry/wet knob, and I consider myself to be quite delicate with my gear. I don't know if the issue has been addressed or if it will be in the future, but I'm sure that little detail is one of the most common. The quality of the transport buttons is also sketchy. The film covering them has started to peel off after a year of regular use (a few days a week), and while it's definitely not something important, it does put me off somewhat. Taking all that in consideration, I still consider myself an NI fanboy as I love their gear as it is. So well thought of and spaced out layout. |
| Geri Jarra 17.01.2013 | Its plastic, but its light. Its the perfect alternative to Techs and a mixer. The S4 imo was meant for the mobile DJ who was tired of hulling 3 50lb flight cases around. Plus I have beat on my S4 quite a bit and it hasn't failed me yet. I agree they should come out with a sturdier more solid all-in-one 4ch controller, which Im sure they will, but there will always be a market for reliable, nicely integrated light and portable controllers. If you carry your controller to and from the bars every weekend like I do the 'cheap plastic feel' really comes in handy |
| Malka Wickerham 17.01.2013 | I thought the same about the build quality. Same thing with CDJ's. The price and marketing lead us to believe that these things are beasts. Technology inside is pretty nice though. I thought the CDJ felt like a piece of junk until I turned it on and started using it. S4 as well. It is very functional. My brother chose the Denon MC6000 instead of S4 and I believe he made a wise choice. That thing is a beast. Dudes need metal. Chicks too. |
| nayit ruiz jaramillo 16.01.2013 | I totally agree, that my VCI 100 went to hell and back and the S4 would not have taken the stick i gave the VCI (i miss my VCI100). Strange that you need to recalibrate so much. I rarely do it. I dunno, I hear great reports and bad reports about the S4 its as though some are made with care and some are made by monkeys, which obviously they arent but there is some disparity. I certainly wasnt flaming you for your thoughts though, they are totally valid. I was just adding some balance. I believe if NI make a more sturdy controller we can expect the price to reflect it. The trade off? Well im not so tough on my stuff so im happy with the plastic. |
| Charissa Paganucci 16.01.2013 | valid points Karlos, yet when i've had to recalibrate my faders almost weekly and deal with bleed issues because I'm using it for what it was built for, it certainly doesn't offer up much faith in using it long term on my end. I've seen entry level VCI's go through hell and back without missing a beat (pun intended)... yet, to your post you are correct...the S4 doesn't "suck"...however to me, the subjective opinionated user...I feel as tho the layout/materials and build quality are quite lackluster for a piece of gear set at it's price point when placed in comparison to other available. |
| nayit ruiz jaramillo 16.01.2013 | I believe saying that its sucks is misleading, especially to those that dont have one. Your gripe is with the materials used. The build quality is fine. It's not made of metal. For the materials used it is made well. You dont say a Banana is made badly because you can crush it. It quality is exactly what it should be for what its made from. To say its sucks also denies the fact that it does exactly what it should with the software. Being tailor made for the software makes it the perfect Traktor controller for many users (not all). Basically your saying that you DJ with more force than what the S4 can take which is understandable to a degree cus ive seen some very heavy handed DJ's. I believe maybe you should have gone for a more sturdy unit if your liable to break the S4. I'd question the need for a controller that can be "thrown around" etc (a point made somewhere in this thread). Stuff needs to be made well but I dont believe manufacturers should sell more expensive kit just cus people cant take a bit of obvious care when setting up. Accidents will happen but I dont need my stuff bombproof. For me, well I have what i'd consider a 'normal' touch (whatever that is) and my S4 has been gigged 4 times a week (not including home use) since before the S4 became retail as I was on the testing team for it so its probably the most used S4 in the world and its still going strong but then Im not a manic knob twisting, fader slamming teenager (Im not saying you are) Im just saying im not. |
| Erich Vallabhaneni 16.01.2013 | An S4MKII would make my year, I love mine so much already |
| Kellie Myrum 16.01.2013 | Only thing I like is about S2/4 is jogwheel. Would rip it off and install it as adjust for my evening
lamp S4mk2 expected: -metal pots -RGB -'flux on' button and center click on FX unit knobs for macro FX (or at least for one fourth knob) -possibility to map faders as button type commands!!! -decent price... |
| Charissa Paganucci 16.01.2013 | buddy of mine said good things will be released after NAMM, and I anticipate a furry of cheap S4's (like the one I just sold) to be replaced with the latest flavor. industry needs something bulky and solid that can be tossed across the room with nary any damage. |
| Philip Degener 16.01.2013 | agree w you 100%, s4 feels like a toy. fortunately NI seem to be improving build quality with each new product so hopefully the s4 replacement will continue the trend. |
| Alphonso Deitchman 16.01.2013 | Agreed, it's the best Traktor controller only because NI lock down things like jog wheel integration and timecode. I don't see why they didn't use the super smooth metal pots from Maschine, or the nice clicky buttons from the X1. The headphone socket has been acting up on my last two S4s, yet my Audio 2 DJ is working great. And the small round buttons for FX assign/Load are just awful. Hope they release some decent update to the S2/4 this year, otherwise I'll stick to X1/CDJ+mixer from now on. |
| Harley Zitka 16.01.2013 | It's not for everyone, but the majority that have used one love it. |
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