The iOS socket and mounting points for an iPad stand indicate the company feels the S2 is going to find favour with DJs using iOS rather than a laptop. As really for us the weak point of this device, if it has one, is the Traktor software itself despite improvements it is too complex and is still missing a few expected modern features like smart playlists and best-in-class beatgridding , we await developments in this area keenly.
Meanwhile, for beginners wanting to give the Traktor world a go, the Kontrol S2 is a great controller, that ought to do well. Click here. Copy Link Copied! Last updated 15 September, Buy now from Amazon. Video Review. Library Browse. Conclusion This is in its own way quite a bold controller. The S4 also comes with full-color LED screens that allow you to accurately see waveform, looping, key, and BPM information, track title, remaining track time, Stems, and Remix deck samples. If I'm to be completely honest, reviewing DJ controllers isn't the easiest task.
The reason being is because not only do you have to learn how to use the controller, you have to know how to use the software as well. I've said on past controller reviews that, while cool and allow for interesting and unique ways of performing, are not for me.
That being said, one of my main judging criteria for reviewing a DJ controller is ease of use when unfamiliar with it and the software it's controlling. I've used Traktor a bit, but not enough to say I'm super comfortable with it. Basic functions on both controllers were easy to learn and understand, whereas the looping took a little bit to figure out.
Of course, you could and should generally read the manuals of your new gear, but I made it a point to see how difficult it was to figure out how to use the features sans manual. The S2 is obviously much easier to get a grasp of since it's much fewer knobs to learn. The S4 took longer, but the controls are much deeper. Both ran seamlessly as advertised by Native Instruments, which was expected. The Haptic Drive on the S4 is a really cool feature.
For an entry-level controller, the Kontrol S2 Mk3 offers a good range of connections. A USB connection will allow you to connect the controller to your laptop.
The other connection point is a dedicated port for iOS devices so you can plug in your iPad. There are no dedicated FX controls at the top of the unit which is common with other controllers. While this is different it does give the unit a more refined and polished look. The FX features are easy and fun to use. The FX section in the center of the mixer is where all the action happens. To activate an FX you simply press one of the 4 buttons. These correspond to whatever FX you have assigned in the software.
With 8 good FX options available you can set your favorites for easy access. One thing to note is that only one FX is active at a time. It would have been nice to be able to layer several FX. For a beginner, this is more than enough to add some variety and interest to your set.
They are fun to use and sound great. Native Instruments continues with the two-knob system for control over loops. One knob sets the loop when pressed. You can then increase and decrease the size of the loop by rotating the knob left or right. The second knob adjusts the position of the loop. This allows you to move forward and back within the track while maintaining a loop. A useful feature that can save you from an awkward transition.
The Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3 is a compact and portable controller. The third-generation Traktor controllers have taken a step in the right direction. After experimenting with no jogwheel controllers this new generation is a return to form for NI. Good build quality and components throughout the controller.
The updated color scheme is also great. The mix between blue and green looks slick and professional. The RGB pads are also color-coded to functions.
The matte finish also helps prevent fingerprints. The Kontrol S2 Mk3 offers a simple yet professional design aesthetic. The Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3 is an attractive controller that backs it up with great build quality. There are plenty of people who are happy with the new generation of controllers from Traktor. While a lot of the praise is for the more expensive models they do share many similarities.
A single Browse push-encoder and Load A and B buttons do the trick. Turning the Browse encoder scrolls through tracks, and pushing it toggles the Browser Layout for a bigger look at your tracks. For a while now, four-deck controllers have been the standard to keep up with the industry trends. More decks allow greater freedom and the potential for sicker sets or worse trainwrecks. But to some extent, the four-deck trend is partially a way to keep the hardware and software iteration cycle chugging along and to justify replacing old models with the new during every specified fiscal quarter.
When the market is fully saturated with four-deck controllers, something else will magically come along. This solution gives you a large part of the functionality that many people want out of third and fourth decks, without the bloat of the extra channel strips.
Their channel strips, including dedicated filter, are intact in the software, so you could parse them out to another controller if necessary. Each Sample Deck has four sample slots for holding one-shots or loops of up to 32 beats. You can load samples from the Track Collection where sample from previous sessions are saved , create a loop and assign it to a Sample button, or create a new sample based on the current loop length by hitting an empty Sample button, either while the Track Deck is playing or stopped.
The lone Samples knob controls the overall volume of all 8 sample slots, which is kind of a drag, but you do still have individual sample volume controls in the software. The filter control for Decks C and D is software-only. Pretty please, NI? In case you were wondering, I was able to make Decks C and D into Track Decks in the software and load songs into them. However, the S2 does not output their audio. Oh yeah, about that microphone. You can use the mic channel whether the S2 is connected to a computer or not.
You get eight of them per track, but only four hardware buttons. Like with the S4, we recommend using a good button or pad grid like the Maschine or the MIDI Fighter with the S2 if you engage in spirited cue point juggling. For instance, the Loop Move encoder moves the active loop or the track playhead forward or backward by the length of the current Loop size, or by 1-beat steps when Shift is held.
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