How to use everything in TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 (Part 4: Expert Tips) | Native Instruments

Learn how to use everything in TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 and TRAKTOR software. In part 4 of this series, TRAKTOR pro Mike Henderson, aka ENDO, shows expert tips while using TRAKTOR to level up your DJ skills, including how to use remix decks and turntables, recording your sets, using stems, and more. By the end of this series, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to create incredible DJ sets using TRAKTOR PRO software and the TRAKTOR S4.
Discover TRAKTOR KONTROL S4: www.native-instruments.com/en...
Learn more about TRAKTOR in the complete user manual: www.native-instruments.com/en...
Browse all versions of TRAKTOR and TRAKTOR gear: www.native-instruments.com/en...
Discover TRAKTOR Pro Plus: www.native-instruments.com/en...
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:21 Remix Decks
14:11 S4 Turntables
30:44 Recording your sets
40:24 Stems
51:20 Deck Mode
56:18 S4 + Microphone
57:53 Outro
Tracklist:
Chiapet - Westworld (Medieval Funk Mix)
www.beatport.com/track/westwo...
Sharam, Bengle - The Rain (New York Extended Mix)
www.beatport.com/track/the-ra...
Blazej Malinowski - Unpredictability
innertension.bandcamp.com/alb...
Funkily - Quivver
www.beatport.com/track/funkil...
Lopezhouse - Motorstellar
www.beatport.com/track/motors...
Dubfire ft. Miss Kittin - Exit
www.beatport.com/track/exit-o...
Sharam - HEAVi
www.beatport.com/track/heavi-...
Rosper - Restricted
www.beatport.com/track/restri...
Hc Kurtz - Bauta
www.beatport.com/track/bauta/...
Rosper - Only one is there
www.beatport.com/track/only-o...
Aubrey Fry, Four Candles - Tyrant (Four Candles Remix)
www.beatport.com/release/dyst...
#NativeInstruments #traktor #djcontroller #dj
Subscribe to our KZbin channel
kzbin.info...
Follow us on:
Instagram: / nativeinstruments
Facebook: / nativeinstruments
For more than 25 years, Native Instruments has been at the heart of musical innovation. We’ve created communities, pushed technological boundaries, and opened new creative horizons for amateurs and professionals alike. Today, driven by our mission to make music creation more inclusive and accessible, NI’s hardware, software, and services including MASCHINE, TRAKTOR, and KOMPLETE bundles, provide fully-integrated solutions for musicians, producers, and DJs of all genres and levels of experience.
For more info, visit our website: www.native-instruments.com/?u...

[@terrydunlin]

These tutorials really have been gold to me, I was sort of losing interest in my set up because I didn’t really know how to use its features and these videos have given me a whole new lease of life! S4 mk3 user for three years after converting to digital from vinyl. Thank you Endo, brilliantly communicated! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@DeeJayEndo]

This is music to my ears! So glad you liked the series, and thank you for watching!

[@yeah-I-know]

that series of videos is pure gold, something that should have been released on launch of this controller. Thank you!

[@LorneAshley]

So good to see some TRAKTOR content again!

[@viper9711]

An absolutely fantastic video series. After a few years of trips to Engine+Serato, I'm "back home" with the S4MK3 and Traktor. The software seems to be making slow progress - something I sorely miss 1. Soundswitch Lighting Support (would definitely bring a lot of new customers from the mobile DJ circle) 2. Stems 3. Tidal support 3. Flexible beat grids The display mods and Pad FX Mode from Aleix etc. significantly improve the device! Please continue to support the developers

[@Quais32]

Thanks for these tutorials. This thing has been so much fun someone should call the cops. I've been spending 10 hours a day breathlessly dj'ing because this controller is so much fun. I learned on technics back in the day and until recently I didn't even know how advanced this technology has become. I have an Akai MPC Live 2 and all sorts of other fun stuff but I am glued to the S4 MK3.

[@theconstantins]

this was one of the best tutorial i've ever encountered. youre very good at explaining things! thank you for all your effort. Just bought the S4 and im amazed by it! Keep it up!

[@psyh0x]

too bad s4mk4 is comin very soon

[@Carmai7]

Yeah! Get in there!

[@technoaddict555]

Quality as always dj endo

[@senseiblu]

I appreciate you so much man, just picked this controller up for a crazy good price, and ready to start mixing, been wanting to get into it for so long and now i finally can, you are awesome for these tutorials!!

[@seregaforever07]

по какой цене у вас он продается там? и ты из какой страны. Очень интересно. Я тоже себе заказал его, примерно за 820$ не новый

[@przemysawhillenberg7009]

I see you like Polish techno (B.Malinowski, Deas) - just love it!!! they are true masters at this :)

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

It was a great idea to do this tutorials, well done NI 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@athinagorask]

I've watched the whole series, so insightful! Thank you so much!

[@GeraX302]

Great videos....u da best for mastering the S4, appreciated !!!

[@RiccardoFiorini]

Thanks for the great tips! I can finally use my S4 at full power 😎

[@djwayloop3224]

Gold. I was not using many effects. No stems or remix decks. I do have a mic in deck C. I also need to use me F1 controller. Let's go. Keep on dropping the bass.

[@daveyk1212121]

Thanks for all these S4 videos. The explanation of the features of timecode vinyl was really insightful.

[@user-or2rm2ms8b]

great video congrats.Your explanations for a person who is neither American, English, nor Australian,etc are perfect. You speak very clearly and very well. Thank you very much for this video.

[@marcpuzicha9674]

❤ Thank you very much for your great and detailed videos for the S4mk3. I understood everything well, even though my English is not the best, and you're providing me with the user manual for this fantastic mixer. Keep it up! 👍🏻

[@scobi.hughes]

This has been a brilliant series, Mike is a natural at this and I'd love to see more of him. I use a Xone K2 and Traktor F1 as hardware but after watching this I'm going to get myself a S4.

[@NativeInstruments]

Go for it! 🔥

[@abeltje57]

Thanks a lot for the series! I'll will have to see it more than once to learn all the features of traktor...

[@unitedsimplydabest]

It's awesome to see these new videos!

[@bboymac84]

Wow Mike !! Always great seeing you. I miss using traktor. I’d love to join the traktor DJ team! 😁💪🏽

[@JordanFrancis-wm6ue]

all of this is gold. Thank you

[@UpstairsAtErics]

Compliments for this tutorial, finally I understand what I bought on an impulse :) The one thing I still don't get is the whole grid thing......I guess just have to watch it again. We want more.....

[@DeeJayEndo]

Thank you for watching! You would just hold the grid button down, and you'll hear the metronome in your headphones. Then use the jog wheels to move the grid forwards or backward if it's needed (most of the time the grids are pretty spot on though relative to each other - except for that little bug where every beatgrid is equally off by 3-4 clicks from where the human ear hears it but that's a conversation for another day). Basically I tell people beatgrid everything or beatgrid nothing because manual grids don't sync properly to human grids - as of now.

[@heidichatbot1943]

thanks a lot ENDO, that was a great tutorial. Really really helpful!

[@djstanhistalkingdrums5553]

Hi Endo. Thank you for your demo, i loved it. Wonderfullly explained about Tracktor s4. I appreciate your work, thank you very much. Regards Dj Stan & his talking drums. Delhi, India.

[@rogerdjezddefreese1135]

ENDO IS GREAT TEACHER

[@DeeJayEndo]

Thank you! 🙏

[@HilbertSpacersson]

Very hepful videos Mike!

[@marcberghoefer]

I learned a lot.... THANK'S for that!

[@solmkhan1]

Thanks for the in depth series. I'm on a z1/x1/f1 setup...waiting for an update to the s5 🙏 🙏 🙏

[@renechang2406]

There are definitely a bunch of possibilities with this. Once has to just do the prep work and practice around to see what works. Those 64 slots are like stems basically.

[@gmc8102]

Amazing thank you for this soooo good Xx

[@DJWIKKI]

The S4m3 will be perfect once we get elastic beatgrids and Stems separation.

[@NativeInstruments]

On our roadmap bit.ly/traktorq3 🤘

[@DJWIKKI]

Will it be this year? Lol

[@djmkl]

Regarding manual looping - looping songs that were not made on a grid . Soul, Disco, Loft, Garage, Rock classics etc. The S4 MK2 had those in and out that I use to punch in on the fly. To lock in the timing of a loop most of those records wasn’t as simple as dropping a cue marker on the one. The in / out were excluded on the S4 MK3. I’ve been on Traktor before NI made controllers and have had all the S4’s S2’s and now the S3 including my daily driver the S4 MK3. I learned much more than I knew watching the series. Hope you will do a video on lopping songs made by bands and before sequencers. Thanks

[@DeeJayEndo]

I do miss those manual In / Out looping buttons as well. I know this isn't an ideal solution, but if you delete the grid markers for those tracks, the white lines will represent transients and not beats, and if snap is on, it will then snap to the transients (assuming there is a transient detected). Again, maybe not ideal, but could be food for thought or strike up some ideas. Glad you liked the series!

[@IcemanTheDj]

Ok, nice video series! I hope that Traktor will become a great dj software again. My setup right now is an S4 mk3 and 2 x F1 (one on the left and one on the right). Minimum very needed upgrades for traktor to compete again are in my opinion: real time stems and some usable macro fx (something simple for average user who don't have studio experience to know how to setup a complex effect), and ofcourse some minor ajustements like flikering browser, retina support, elastic beatgrid, maybe an upgraded browser...

[@NativeInstruments]

All on our roadmap! Thank you so much for the support 💪

[@IcemanTheDj]

​ @NativeInstruments I know your roadmap... the new one is not very different from the one that was 6 months ago! The progress is so slow... 😟For example M1 support was anounced at the beggining of 2023 but come out on the half of the year, not to mention that M1 was out almost 3 years ago! In this rithm you'll fall back. I just hope that there in the backgroud you prepare a great surprise along with Izotope! Pioneer got Serato and gonna be very powerfull. Denon works hard, altho they don't have so many years in dj sofware as NI. So... I and many others still hoping but, don't know how much hope there is!

[@NativeInstruments]

It is though! Can't share much but that "Update" in our new roadmap means something exciting is on the horizon. And we think you're gonna like it.

[@samuelkuntz5520]

Lets freaking go!!!

[@DJMizzy]

My s4 mk3 just arrived today. Sad to see it’s not fully compatible with virtual dj but it’s okay because maybe it’s time I learn a new software. Thanks for tutorials. Excited to watch them each and learn traktor. Stems is very much my most desired feature

[@terrydunlin]

Yes! ❤

[@peeweeprimero1285]

Brilliant tutorial. I saw their updated road map and the stem separation is coming. Also, improving the browser and waveform etc. I still use Traktor for DVS though. Traktor DVS is still king imho.. I hope they allow the 3rd party hardware to properly work on their software, like what they made to the CDJ 3000 that they improved the jogwheel response. I have a Pioneer DDJ controllers (RB & SR) and I can't properly use it in traktor because of the jogwheel response. Please NI, work for this one and traktor will be a KING again. Thank you!

[@NativeInstruments]

Thanks for the feedback. We'll definitely pass it along to our team 🙏

[@peeweeprimero1285]

@@NativeInstruments Yes please! Thank you.

[@pogodrummer]

Cool video series, binged through it. I have several gripes tho. Stems is a totally inelegant solution compared to the real-time stem separation Serato, RBox, Engine and vDJ offer. It's a dead standard that requires massive investment on the part of the artist to release, as well as storage space on the DJ's computer. It's about time NI poured some actual work into the dinosaur that Traktor itself has become. The S4 Mk3 has had several bugs left unsolved since its launch. The software doesn't even support HiDPI rendering for god's sake. And I know NI has a roadmap. But they've delayed and delayed their updates to it, and features such as elastic beatgrids that have been requested for ages now are still in the "research" phase, according to NI.

[@NativeInstruments]

Appreciate your patience as we work through all the requested features! Please note that there are many things under the hood we're working on on top of what's on the roadmap as well. Speaking of which, an update is coming soon. ✌️

[@djloomy]

Esperando ansiosamente el Kontrol s8 MK2...

[@enhncr]

stems are the future

[@cageybee303]

Great video series, very useful - some timecode tips that I wasn't aware of. Although I notice that the S4 unit used here doesn't have the noisy phono channel that many of us have on our units...

[@DeeJayEndo]

Are your turntables grounded? You need to ground them to the metal grounds on the S4, otherwise they will make a noisy hum.

[@user-ws9rw7rz4p]

the best controller but would love for them to make a mk4 as this mk3 is like 6+ years old now. I hope they do

[@OLatency]

you need to launch a jog wheel controller like the x1, but with a big jog wheel. Nobody has this and will be a killer, for the ones that uses a mixer but dont want to spend too much money on cdj or xjd

[@MrLeeCox]

They just need to provide proper mapping for the Denon lc600.

[@scobi.hughes]

I was thinking this also, would be great if NI next hardware Traktor release was their own version of the Denon LC6000

[@MrLeeCox]

@@scobi.hughes Man, that would be sweet. Or something like the opus quad, without the silly angles. If you can put tractkor in an iPad, I'm sure it can go in a standalone!

[@juanpedrocortina3982]

bravooo olé olé olé

[@dr.bootie]

How do you delete a sample from a slot within a remix deck? Great tutorial btw!

[@doro56]

Hello, I was wondering when you will make a software for a virtual arranger similar to Kontakt where I can assign the instruments and also read the yamaha sty rhythms etc. Greetings from Panama

[@RonnyTekk]

YES!!!! The flex button is the best part of this video. I also loved the stems portion. How do we get the stems from songs we have?

[@NativeInstruments]

You can use a Stem Creator tool here: www.stems-music.com

[@HumphreyBogart22]

Would've liked a bit more on the microphone section. E.g. is there a 'talkover' function to lower the volume of tracks when you want to talk on the mic? Can you record vocals on the mic?

[@DjEDGain]

When we will ever get the loop in/out much needed feature?

[@slimoosha3648]

Absolutley fantastic but we need stems on the fly pls pls pls pls pls

[@essywafaee5670]

Hey mate ON DECK C OR D HOW TO SET BPM ON each song when u load many songs

[@freddyluvless1063]

I have 2 Traktor D2 and I’m able to just hit a pad in remix to save a loop. How can I do it now on S4 mk3 ? I’m ok programming functions.. if instructed!

[@salvadorsalvador4735]

Hi is there any way to remap the remix deck pads so they can behave different for example press pad= play sample press pad again= stops playing sample is there any way to remap the pads?

[@TheJorgeSampaio]

Can I add an extra turntable to S4 that is not a timecoded vinil?

[@nikolatesla3874]

These were cool features.. ten years ago

[@NativeInstruments]

Still are 😉

[@koh9894]

If you are looping an adjusted STEM, does dragging it to a stem deck move all the tracks in the stem or just what you're playing? I need to try that.

[@DeeJayEndo]

If you're looping a STEM deck (just like a regular deck), it will copy all of the transport controls (speed, position, play state, loop size) but it actually doesn't copy the volume, filter, and FX send controls.

[@djmasterchef]

Cant sync keeps turning red had s4mk2 but mk3 cant figure out

[@LiamBranch]

I now have a Pioneer XDJ but mixing was a lot more fun on my Traktor S4 MK1. I'm thinking about going back to Traktor but what is the soundcard like in the S4 MK3, it wasn't very good in the MK1, really had to crank it up to get any decent sound out of my speakers.

[@DeeJayEndo]

The soundcard of the S4 is Pro quality. Definitely can be used in the best / biggest clubs and has a high output. If you want even more output (in the headphones) plug in the power adapter.

[@LiamBranch]

My S4 was always plugged into mains power. Changing to the XDJ RX which is now a bit of a dinosaur, the difference in volume is night and day, I only need to go half volume on the master and my ears are hurting after a couple of hours. Any recordings I did on the S4 were also quiet, a few mashups I recorded I really had to crank the gains and EQ for it to match the volume of a standard MP3.@@DeeJayEndo

[@jvb8379]

one question: how can the preview button be programmed like to work on the S4 mk2: on/off so you don't have to keep pushing

[@DeeJayEndo]

You should be able to map it that way. Although I like it in hold mode. :)

[@Alextelefoon]

I dont have front and rear microphone selection in my settings. Is that because i have a s4 mk2?

[@NativeInstruments]

Hi! That's correct. The MK2 only has a rear panel mic input.

[@krismelendres3266]

I just wish there will be a Timecode that is in real time so I can use my Xdj 1000 mk2 without a delay,

[@rogerdjezddefreese1135]

Anyone know why the S8 Is gone ? By far my Favorite mixer of all times

[@BfreshEntertainment]

this is nice and all i have a question where are the souncards now? i dont use controllers ive always been turntables i had the audio 8 first then it went bad as a guest spilled a drink on it so i purchased an audio 10 back in 2014 itsb fine now but as i looked over the websiten i see no soundcards for my turntables. please explain whats next for djs like myself. i will never use a controller.

[@DeeJayEndo]

Most club mixers have soundcards built into them now, so just download the driver for every mixer you would encounter on the road and then you can just plug into the mixer and set the outputs for each deck in the preferences (only the first time you plug into that model of mixer).

[@BfreshEntertainment]

@@DeeJayEndo Im aware of that i use two different setups both with turntables one with the Z2 mixer the other with NI audio 10 soundcard and behringer ddm4000 which i have almost everything midi mapped as i need it. but if the soundcard goes out ..😞

[@DeeJayEndo]

@@BfreshEntertainment I haven't had any issues with any industry standard mixer's soundcards going out. If possible, telling the club to update their firmware or updating it yourself if you have time is not a bad idea. Or carry a backup USB drive just in case.

[@latinobazaar]

Please help: when will Traktor Stems work from a normal mp3 file and in real time? I load a track and I am immediately able to use STEMs by pressing the applicable button. My NV controller with a Hercules Starlight 2-channel controller that has been mapped just to control STEMS.

[@DeeJayEndo]

You can use NUO-STEMS to create your own stems files.

[@koh9894]

I know I'm showing "rookie" with this question.. but where can I get popular sound effects like air horns and explosions, etc... ??

[@NativeInstruments]

Any services where you could get samples from should have air horns!

[@RonnyTekk]

My stem creator is failing at export. What do I do? I am using Mac OS monterey.

[@NativeInstruments]

Hey, sorry to hear about this! Feel free to reach out to our Traktor support team directly so we can help with troubleshooting your problems: bit.ly/n1trakt

[@RedHunterOfficial]

One thing i think native instrument should improve is that stop putting samples in the instrument as its the main focus. You guys did a really good job at making the stradivari violin cello etc. The articlurion, and various button at the end of the keyboard for non midi user is really good. I noticed alot of your old vst consisted of too much sampling thats actually counterproductive to the user. And the sample is going to usee by everyone, no more creativity. I think native instrument should implement more articularion button at the end of the keyboard and ditch the samples

[@dtwistrewind7361]

Is he using the old s4, as i was under the impression that the s4 mk3 has motorized platters, seems odd if he is not using the the newer controller?

[@djdommenjay]

He is using the new one (s4 mk3)

[@DeeJayEndo]

I use the new S4, but I don't use the TT mode (Motorized mode) since I use the Cue button a lot, and the S4 doesn't behave properly when you use Cue in Motorized jog wheel mode. It doesn't stop and start like it should. I'm guessing the reason they did that is to not burn out the motor. So I use Jog mode instead.

[@StevanDjumic]

The only difference is that it is not possible to copy Stem Track into the Sample Cell. All other Track Deck features should be the same. I was also surprised to see that hitting a pad doesn't copy\trigger\mute like it is the case with MK1 and MK2.

[@DeeJayEndo]

You caught that too huh? Haha. It was a track deck, not a stem deck but I know what you mean. I was scratching my head on this one too.

[@Pffeffii]

The only things i miss in traktor are recommendations for songs that fit the best in your mix and more native support for Controllers.

[@NativeInstruments]

Thanks for the feedback 🙏

[@DeanFreud]

Moldovers Remix Deck is from 2012... I think that says everything!

[@DeeJayEndo]

I agree. It says Moldover is a creative genius who thought of using the Remix Decks in a way that nobody else ever has. Using the Remix Decks cells to play guitar solos and arranging the cells harmonically so you can play chords across the rows. I hope more do the same…

[@DeanFreud]

@@DeeJayEndo absolutely, he’s so great but NI does not come with any innovative things in the past years. Denon DJ is showing now Stems without any extra software in a Standalone DJ Player and Traktor doesn’t even have Streaming or any really improved workflow since Years. Pioneer DJ acquired Serato and I can only imagine what will come. Even a real bridge between Traktor and Machine is anywhere near and people want this for over a decade now!

[@DeanFreud]

@@DeeJayEndo and I say this with a year in my eye. I still play shows with Traktor and my Vestax VCI 400 and a Launchpad for instand FX.

[@DeeJayEndo]

@@DeanFreud All I can say at this point is "keep the faith"

[@lukapogo]

@@DeanFreud Maschine is effectively dead because of the internal restructuring around the sale, AFAIK

[@Endo9001]

these are some nice tutorials and all, but what gave NI the intention for it like almost 5 years after release of this piece of hardware? is there anything new going on that makes NI decide to give the old flagship a kind of revive with this tutorials?

[@NativeInstruments]

Better late than never 😃

[@Endo9001]

​@@NativeInstruments yeah sure. as a long time traktor user (since tp2 audio a6 days) I would really appreciate more transparency, when it comes to new projects. no matter if software or hardware related. every now and then when checking your tp3 roadmap its exciting to see stuff but it feels like you are the apple product under the android DJs if you know what I mean. having good intentions but like almost always late. I still use my s4 mk3 till these days since its still a good device. (could be even better when I decide to upgrade my 2012 mbp) but honestly thinking of switching just because I dont know what you might provide with your next gen hardware. Is there even something in dev rn? because when i see you are pushing tutorials for an 'old' device like the s4 it seems like you want to promote it further for your next software update. at least thats what I see. If I missed out on informations you already published then im sorry. please keep up the good work on SW and HW but also please be more open to your users.

[@NativeInstruments]

We strive to maintain transparency regarding the products we develop, but please understand that certain details cannot be disclosed due to competitive reasons. Having said that, the "update" in our new roadmap is something you won't wanna miss: bit.ly/traktorq3

[@deejayclavines6043]

i love traktor!!! but please NI keep traktor alive and kicking.. introduce something new in the dj world..

[@NativeInstruments]

Stay tuned for more to come in 2023, we think you'll like what you'll see. 😉

[@YILO]

Please a new Dj Controller 👍🏽❤️

[@DJAllenDash]

I mean why not real time stems like serato

[@funky8breaksouljah]

When a new mixer?

[@NativeInstruments]

All we can say is...keep eye out 🤐

[@daflux7]

pls new controller with big motorized jogs and big screen. i saved money 4 native instruments pls

[@unrestrictedvibes6982]

As much as I have been a traktor for life user. And i'm talking about Dj'ing over thousands of events... I think Traktor is becoming absolete compared to Serato. =( From the software to the hardware!

[@apolonioiiibalboa5003]

make a 2 channel s4 mk3 better for hiphop dj

[@DeeJayEndo]

Have you seen the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2?

[@apolonioiiibalboa5003]

@@DeeJayEndo its better have a two channel with spinning jogwheel compact dj controller put in the backpack on the go.

[@sarcasticdevil7429]

when you say you are going to put FX only on the vocals.....why did you touch master and B cue....?@ approx 47.40 start watching it would go till 48.....and also at 48.27 your hands went blank what to do? please dont teach this....if you not sure....why to touch things that you dont want to move? Starts 48.48....why????????

[@DeeJayEndo]

It's called DJing, and using the tools available to remix your tracks live.

[@djterry78]

We need New Professional Traktor Hardware like a Rane Four !

[@rogerdjezddefreese1135]

Thats Wayyy Harder than S8

[@DeeJayEndo]

S8 and D2 were made for stems

[@mauradass]

awesoooooomeeeeeeeeee thanks a lot incredible really!!!! thanks Native Instruments THANKSSSSSS ENDOOOOOOOO 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@Q-432hz]

9:39 Ok now that's brilliant,I'm going to try that now 🎉dance 🩰

[@DeeJayEndo]

This is how Danny Tenaglia DJs. Most of his set is of homemade loops he made with the Remix Decks. Felix Da Housecat also used to DJ this way but he’d take the loops he made with the Remix Decks and play them in the track decks since they are saved as wav files.