It’s something many Traktor users and digital DJing fans have waited a long time for, and today the web is buzzing with rumours – triggered by the above YouTube video, released by Native Instruments – that this new Traktor controller and software combination for Traktor will be released soon. Is digital DJing about to come of age?
Further rumour has it that the 4-deck controller – which looks closest to the Xone:DX dedicated Serato ITCH interface – will retail for as low as US$799, which with an updated version of Traktor would be an absolute bargain for a hardware / software combination of this apparent calibre.
The new software seems to add sample deck capability.
Features that can be deduced from the teaser video include:
- 4-channels, 4-decks
- Built-in soundcard
- The ability to have sample decks
- Effects might be a separate unit, that somehow attaches to the back
- Jogwheels in the same position as the Torq Xponent
- Great LEDs, plethora of controls
- Not very portable – looks like a big unit
This will no doubt be touted by Native Instruments as an all-in-one solution, taking on the high-end Serato ITCH + Vestax / Numark / Allen & Heath products.
The competition
For me it will will live or die on the quality of its construction, the price point and especially the usability of those jogwheels – something Vestax and Numark with their VCI-300 and NS7 have got very, very right.
Good LED feedback, lots of knobs and buttons, but it looks big...
Other competition might come from the American Audio VMS4, which at under US$500 on paper at least seems to offer many of the same features, with the underrated but extremely capable Virtual DJ in tow (albeit the LE version).
Interesting times in the world of DJ controllers, especially for those who prefer Traktor over other DJ software…
What do you think? Heard any more rumours about this controller? Is Traktor going to wipe the floor with Serato ITCH and its dedicated controllers with this Native Instruments release? Join in below and let us know your thoughts.
Now go to:
Traktor Kontrol S4 DJ System Announced
New Denon DN-MC6000 DJ Mixer & Midi Controller Announced
Four New Budget DJ controllers for 2010
Choosing a Digital DJing Controller
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Tags: dj controller, dj controllers, Native Instruments, Traktor
Looks Great!!! Can’t wait for the software!
[ link ]I’m all over wanting to know more about this upcoming unit.
Many have waited a long time for NI to do this, including myself. There’s buzz on the NI DJ Forums as well…
The $799 price point seems fair but I’m hoping the effects are built-in. Exciting times!
[ link ]Are you using some other hardware to control Traktor, DJ Urkel Dee? What is it about the software you’re most looking forward to – the 4 decks, I guess?
[ link ]Yes I’m using the Numark V7′s to control Traktor (99% mapped even platter control to a certain degree), I also picked up a few LPD8′s to control the sampler when the new update arrives:) I’ve always used 4 decks: V7′s A&B and a Kontrol X1 for C&D.
[ link ]Just to correct the article above:
Built-in soundcard
Effects might be a separate unit, that somehow attaches to the back
–
The box that you see sitting behind the unit s not an effects unit. It is the soundcard. This is purely a midi controller by the look of it. The effects are built into the software and controlled by the 4 knobs at either top corner of the unit.
The sampling if done from an external source would be fed into the soundcard.
The soundcard is the Audio 8 from NI.
[ link ]Thanks for your eagle-eyed improvements to our speculating. We are very excited to get our hand on one of these, but figure a wait till at least late autumn. Anone else got any clues on a release date?
[ link ]The new controller DOES have a built in soundcard, as was stated by NI on the Traktor FB page.
The A8 here pictured behind the controller has nothing to do with this set-up. It’s being speculated that it was a fall back option in case the prototype controller was faulty.
[ link ]Had a look and don’t see it mentioned anywhere about it being built in. Anyway, doesn’t matter. Small detail. Will see when its released.
[ link ]Would be nice if it was late Autumn that it was released though. Would be smart for them to release it really soon, with all the students going back and getting big healthy lumps of student loan to spend on new toys, hehehe.
Just to point out that the Audio 8 is there as Dubfire’s souncard for his Maschine. The traktor system shall have an inbuilt sound card. That’s one of the only pieces of information released about it. DJ Tech Tools had an article on it (Ean Golding helped design it) and, NDA aside, was allowed to release certain snippets of information.
[ link ]I’m waiting for this NI’s controller for a long time.
Hope to have it in my hands soon.
Nice tips on DJing @ this site, Phil.
[ link ]Watch out, I’m following you.
Yes I saw the article here http://www.djtechtools.com/2010/07/21/traktor-pro_controller_new/#more-7077
But non of those details about the soundcard built in are actual fact, but only speculation.
[ link ]Looks good, but if you want to advertise something maybe make sure the dj in the advertisement can beatmatch, shouldn’t be hard to do considering traktor beatmatches for you…….
i think their is always a spot for digital software such as traktor but i never think it should become a standalone device for your set…..one big reason……computers tend to crash! even macs.
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