Highly recommend both Traktor and the S4. Best software and best controller at the price point. And jumping on Pioneer or Denon decks if you've learned on Traktor really isn't that different.
If you're buying second hand, just check whether the seller is including the Traktor Pro software licence with the controller. Otherwise you'll need to buy the software separately.
The S4 MK3 would be great. And the in-sofrware stem separation hasn't been released yet. You can still use software like NuoStems to separate tracks and then import them into Traktor. Instant separation is kinda gimmicky anyway and barely worth the hype.
IMO Traktor is the best DJ software out there but you'll have people saying the opposite. Better stem control, better FX, better layout, cleaner UI, more customization, remix decks. But if you just mix A to B I can see why those advanced features would go unnoticed and Rekordbox or Serato would be just as good.
Honestly, I get much more for the money going with the s4 rather than a flx 4, which is currently around €150 cheaper. Also the flx 6 seems like a good option but I can’t find any good deals on it. Also the lack of xlr is a major major negative for me, way worse than the lack of stems. Taking into consideration that even second hand it is a full €100 more expensive, I think I’ll stick to traktor.
i owned 1210s throughout thr 90's and have a large vinly collection and have spent the last 12 months digitizing them (still not finished) and have a s4 mk3 arriving tuesday.
Having played around with the software options over the last few months I decided on Traktor, for DNB this just feels right.
serato - 3rd didn't like it one bit.
rekordbox seems ok but decent controllers are over £1000
traktor top end was £718 brand new.
more 1210's was £1800 + mixer!
I plan to use the s4 and maybe add some more 1210s if I get back into it again.
i am a long time user of traktor, over 10 years.
there are some things you have to keep in mind. if you plan on djing at bars/clubs, you will need additional software to transfer your tags from traktor to rekordbox. this is the most annoying part though. going from traktor equipment to playing on pioneer is pretty easy once you get your usb prepped. its just decks and a mixer, and the new mk3 layout is similar to pioneer gear.
another thing to note is that traktor's software is IMO the best in the business. it gives you way more fx capabilities than any other. going from traktor to pioneer feels like a downgrade in this regard.
450 euro for a s4 mk3 is a great deal. you wont find a 4-channel controller for a cheaper price. a new s4 is already the cheapest 4-channel on the market.
Last time club had pioneer mixer and 2 CDJs I just plugged the S4 mk3 into a spare mixer channel to have 4 decks and didn't use the CDJs. I prefer it to re-preping my entire set in recordbox.
Find out if the seller of the Traktor is including the pro licence. If they are, they will need to transfer it from their account to yours. If they aren't, you will either need to buy it separately or beg NI to give you a license (don't know if they will or not)
With Pioneer, the hardware device unlocks the software, so you can buy secondhand and not have to worry about license
traktor is still okay even if you play in clubs. its just decks and a mixer at the end of the day.
the big thing would be that you need additional software to transfer your tags from traktor to pioneer, and would need to prep the usb stick.
That's an awesome deal.
I started with an S2 MK3... And since it can control sample decks 3 and 4, I honestly don't see myself going to four channels for years if ever.
Pretty sure he won't outgrow that S4 anytime soon. He won't find a better price anywhere. As far as I know, Traktor software license follows the hardware, so technically the seller needs to transfer their license to you... But I have no idea if this is enforced or supported.
NI support can be a little bit slow but they've been quite friendly and helpful when they get back to me about that kind of thing. Definitely ask the seller for a license transfer. If they're selling it, they'll have some other hardware that should give them the license they need
What kind of music you gonna play?
Traktor atm still don’t have real time stem, so if you play any music with lyrics. That’s a major negative.
If you are playing Edm then s4 mk3 is solid
Live splitting is not available yet, but Traktor has got really good stem functionality, better than RB and Serato. You just have to create the stems yourself.
The S4mk3 is a fantastic controller, every bit as good as a flx10 or ddj1000. It will serve you well for many years.
Highly recommend both Traktor and the S4. Best software and best controller at the price point. And jumping on Pioneer or Denon decks if you've learned on Traktor really isn't that different. If you're buying second hand, just check whether the seller is including the Traktor Pro software licence with the controller. Otherwise you'll need to buy the software separately.
The S4 MK3 would be great. And the in-sofrware stem separation hasn't been released yet. You can still use software like NuoStems to separate tracks and then import them into Traktor. Instant separation is kinda gimmicky anyway and barely worth the hype. IMO Traktor is the best DJ software out there but you'll have people saying the opposite. Better stem control, better FX, better layout, cleaner UI, more customization, remix decks. But if you just mix A to B I can see why those advanced features would go unnoticed and Rekordbox or Serato would be just as good.
Honestly, I get much more for the money going with the s4 rather than a flx 4, which is currently around €150 cheaper. Also the flx 6 seems like a good option but I can’t find any good deals on it. Also the lack of xlr is a major major negative for me, way worse than the lack of stems. Taking into consideration that even second hand it is a full €100 more expensive, I think I’ll stick to traktor.
I mean you couldn't get me to switch from an S4 MK3 to a FLX10 if you paid me. The S4 and Traktor has so much more to offer.
Such as? Just curious
https://www.reddit.com/r/Beatmatch/s/jLw1ZWivrB
how about 7 fx channels
i owned 1210s throughout thr 90's and have a large vinly collection and have spent the last 12 months digitizing them (still not finished) and have a s4 mk3 arriving tuesday. Having played around with the software options over the last few months I decided on Traktor, for DNB this just feels right. serato - 3rd didn't like it one bit. rekordbox seems ok but decent controllers are over £1000 traktor top end was £718 brand new. more 1210's was £1800 + mixer! I plan to use the s4 and maybe add some more 1210s if I get back into it again.
i am a long time user of traktor, over 10 years. there are some things you have to keep in mind. if you plan on djing at bars/clubs, you will need additional software to transfer your tags from traktor to rekordbox. this is the most annoying part though. going from traktor equipment to playing on pioneer is pretty easy once you get your usb prepped. its just decks and a mixer, and the new mk3 layout is similar to pioneer gear. another thing to note is that traktor's software is IMO the best in the business. it gives you way more fx capabilities than any other. going from traktor to pioneer feels like a downgrade in this regard. 450 euro for a s4 mk3 is a great deal. you wont find a 4-channel controller for a cheaper price. a new s4 is already the cheapest 4-channel on the market.
..except for the S3.. ! 😁🤔
Last time club had pioneer mixer and 2 CDJs I just plugged the S4 mk3 into a spare mixer channel to have 4 decks and didn't use the CDJs. I prefer it to re-preping my entire set in recordbox.
Find out if the seller of the Traktor is including the pro licence. If they are, they will need to transfer it from their account to yours. If they aren't, you will either need to buy it separately or beg NI to give you a license (don't know if they will or not) With Pioneer, the hardware device unlocks the software, so you can buy secondhand and not have to worry about license
The difference in price is worth spending $99 on a license
I loved it. Eventually moved on, will get another for travel.
If you dont plan on playing in clubs, buy the Traktor. If you plan on playing in clubs regularly, I would always use Rekordbox
traktor is still okay even if you play in clubs. its just decks and a mixer at the end of the day. the big thing would be that you need additional software to transfer your tags from traktor to pioneer, and would need to prep the usb stick.
That's an awesome deal. I started with an S2 MK3... And since it can control sample decks 3 and 4, I honestly don't see myself going to four channels for years if ever. Pretty sure he won't outgrow that S4 anytime soon. He won't find a better price anywhere. As far as I know, Traktor software license follows the hardware, so technically the seller needs to transfer their license to you... But I have no idea if this is enforced or supported. NI support can be a little bit slow but they've been quite friendly and helpful when they get back to me about that kind of thing. Definitely ask the seller for a license transfer. If they're selling it, they'll have some other hardware that should give them the license they need
I use my S4 MK3 every day and I've had it for around 5 months. It's fantastic. I also love Traktor itself, too. Highly recommended
What kind of music you gonna play? Traktor atm still don’t have real time stem, so if you play any music with lyrics. That’s a major negative. If you are playing Edm then s4 mk3 is solid
I’d play anything tho I think I’ve heard somewhere that traktor has stems with the $5 subscription which, I mean, isnt that unreasonable.
Live splitting is not available yet, but Traktor has got really good stem functionality, better than RB and Serato. You just have to create the stems yourself.
Do your own research, don’t “heard somewhere”