The Reloop Jockey 3 Remix; We think it’s potentially the best new Traktor controller to come along since Native’s own (very different) Kontrol F1. (Click to enlarge.)
Not everyone wants to take the Traktor 2.x/Kontrol F1 DJing path. It’s awesome and it’s pushing boundaries and all that, but it’s not the only way to go. And furthermore, a side effect of Native Instruments tying Traktor Pro 2′s Remix Decks into its own Kontrol F1 hardware has been to stifle creativity in the third-party Traktor controller field. When did you last see an interesting new Traktor controller?
So it’s good, then, that we now have the Reloop Jockey 3 Remix. Because while we’ve not had chance to see it or test it yet, from the press release and video, it looks like the best new Traktor controller for ages.
The original Jockey 3
The Jockey 3 was always a great Traktor controller. Hi-res jogwheels that were better mapped than most, great sound quality, all-metal construction, standalone mixer functionality. It ticked lots of boxes.
Some DJs just want to mash the hell out of what they’ve got on the decks…
Where it maybe fell down was in its release timing – coming just as Traktor 2.x was turning people’s heads in another direction. Who wanted a two-channel, “standard” four-deck Traktor controller with all that Remix Deck goodness going on? As usual, software seemed to be leaving hardware behind.
But as I say, it turns out that in fact, not all DJs are interested in deconstructing and reconstructing their tracks on the fly from stems via the F1/Remix Decks route. Some just want to mash the hell out of what they’ve got on the decks. And that’s the philosophy behind the Reloop Jockey 3 Remix, which looks to be just this type of performance DJ’s dream.
What’s new in the Jockey 3 Remix
So the Reloop Jockey 3 Remix is pretty similar looking to the original Jockey 3, one of the main differences being multi-colour buttons above each deck to control new firmware functions.
New firmware mappings and multi-coloured buttons give a host of out-of-the-box controllerism features. (Click to enlarge.)
These functions include beatjump, a slicer (it’s in the video, though not in the spec for what I could see), access to sample decks without switching away from your playing track decks, and dedicated sampler volume controls.
Moving to “Remix mode” (note: not “Remix Decks” mode), the unit can give you single-button FX combos for custom goodness, using jogwheels, pitch and line faders as modulators. There is independent roll and mash, and instant loading of FX presets. This stuff is where controllerists are really going to have fun, and represents real innovation in an off-the-shelf Traktor controller.
One way of looking at it is an alternative take on the Kontrol S2‘s “2+2″ idea, another controller to compare it to for out-of-the-box controllerism would be the Novation Twitch. We’ll reserve our final judgement on it until we’ve had a chance to get it on the workshop for a proper roadtest, but we suspect Reloop has a winner on its hands here.
• See DJ Angelo’s Reloop Jockey 3 Remix demo video on YouTube.
Do you like the look of this? Are you a fan of the whole Remix Decks idea, or would you rather see innovation in other areas? Are you an original Jockey 3 owner? What do you think of these changes? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Now go to:
Review & Video: Reloop Jockey 3 Controller
Reloop RHP-10 Flash Black DJ Headphones Review & Video
Reloop Tape USB Mixtape Recorder Review & Video
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Tags: Jockey 3 Remix, reloop, traktor pro
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I’m interested in this special version of Traktor probably LE or something similar with old sample decks.
[ link ]It’s Traktor 2 LE, but I’ve not actually seen it yet so can’t report on features etc.
[ link ]Glad I sold the jockey 2 master edition 2 years ago.
[ link ]Now I’ve got the xone dx programmed in Traktor, much better handling for me.
I’m wondering of this new reloop can perform better.
must say, I like the multi colour leds
Frank
Looks interesting and the video is certainly impressive, but I still don’t think I’ll go for this – the overall footprint just seems too small to try to pull of some of the great features without accidentally hitting something else by mistake, and the fact the pads are above the jog wheel seems like a disaster waiting to happen if you catch the jog wheel by mistake. Or maybe I’m just too clumsy
[ link ]Posted the same comment on YouTube?
[ link ]Wait a minute… In the video, how is he using the old sample decks? Those were phased out when they added the remix decks, weren’t they? Is he using a rolled back version or something?
I want the old sample decks back, my s4 is gimped without them :-/
[ link ]Wow man, I totally agree with you about the sample decks. I’d love if Traktor had an option to swith back and forth between sample/remix capabilities for us guys that don’t need the remix deck.
[ link ]There is an option, in traktor settings go to deck preferences and switch C and D to “small” and you will have sample decks
[ link ]They’re there still; the first four slots on the Remix Decks can be midi mapped (they ARE the old sample decks).
[ link ]Shure the old sample decks were very much usefull!
[ link ]That’s a comercial strategy of course since user will feel the need to buy the F1 to get full functions on Traktor.
n
That’s a good option but kind of small for me. I like big and space between controls in a midi controller.
I was going to buy the previous Jockey3 Master but now this came out I am wondering
[ link ]when will be available and how much will it cost?
I doubt it’ll cost more than the original but no word on availability as yet. I’d say not long though (hardware is basically identical).
[ link ]Remixing?
[ link ]You do that in a DAW-environment…for hours and days…not live in 3 minutes.
Surely they put constantly new features to a controller, make a nice video (with some weeks preparation ahead for DJ Angelo) of it for marketing, crossing fingers that people will buy it.
Nice toy for bedroom dj’s in spare-time or techno dj’s want to add some sample, reverb or flange layersounds.
I’d say you’re being a little harsh, it’s no more a toy than any DJ controller, and “Remix” is a marketing title – this is a competent DJ controller which is perfectly capable of being put to serious use.
[ link ]For the guys missing there sample decks if you click in the grey area above the remix decks it flicks through all the different views of the remix decks. The old sample decks are one of these views.
[ link ]Any idea when this baby will be up for a review?
[ link ]We’ve asked, so we’ll just have to wait and see
[ link ]Hello everybody,
I have a Macbook pro and I use traktor pro 2. I am hesitating between the reloop jockey 3 remix and the mixtrack pro 2. I am not using scratching a lot. I simply play with loops, cues, and Eqs. I am currently using a Xone K2 but I miss the crossfader. What is your recommendation ?
I’ve also just been offered an ipad so I wonder if, with some tricks, it could be possible to use one of the 2 controllers on the ipad. I guess yes for the mixtrack pro but for the reloop…?
[ link ]Thanks in advance for your reply.
The Jockey 3 is far better built than the Mixtrack Pro 2 if that helps.
[ link ]It’s been nearly a month , no news yet for review?
[ link ]I can’t wait!
We only got our review model last week, then flew to Musikmesse! We’ll get it done ASAP. Meanwhile, watch out for a demo video…
[ link ]What makes more sense for a full fledged user of Traktor pro 2. This or the Traktor S4?
[ link ]Hello, this controller has 4 track decks or the other 2 are only sample decks?
and there is a possibility to switchen there?
greetz
Toni
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