Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S3 Review

[@MDWORMS]

I wish pioneer had something comparable.. there seems to be a gap in their price range and the cheaper controllers are all 2 channel :(

[@lustforlow-end6022]

“Mixing Goodness!” Haha!

[@Noah-Lach]

I really miss those FX controls. If the old, much smaller S2 mk2 had them, why do they have to be absent on the S3 (and the S2 mk3 for that matter)?

[@julhannen]

good question, this thing disturbs my heart

[@chrisf5475]

To force people to get the S4…. And they are trying to attract pioneer users to moved to an effects layout that will be more familiar to them instead of focusing on existing Traktor users

[@guysmiley1769]

First actively spinning wheel? How have you not ever heard of the Numark NS7 line? They're the first [and best imo].

[@thematrix6080]

Exactly what I was thinking

[@XGuiltyGEARX]

Late to the party but I think he means the first of the NI Traktor Kontrols to do it, which would be correct.

[@ClectaSkiMusic]

Good review, Happy Holidays

[@RealDJblaze]

Thanks and happy holidays to you too!

[@liamjones246]

Its worth noting that the traktor s3 is stuck with 8 piss poor effects. The traktor software has a total of 43 effects that can only be used with the mk2 or s4, money plot... I nearly returned the controller, but after months of headaches i have now learnt how to map the effects units onto my preferred controls on the S3. Its not convenient but its worth it to save another 700$ for the s4. Something everyone needs to be cautious about

[@7jacqueline9]

How did you do it? Is there a tutorial how to map the effects?

[@liamjones246]

@@7jacqueline9 I didn’t. The decks are sitting in the dust . Not worth it

[@liamjones246]

@@7jacqueline9 I don’t even know why I said I did it 😂 I was in the process it was going well but I couldn’t finalise it

[@MrPepePlay.]

Hola 👋 una pregunta entre este Traktor S3 y el Roland DJ-707M cuál pueden recomendar para comprar ? Apartando el tema del software que sé que son distintos ... quiero saber cuál equipo es de mejor calidad en cuanto a Hardware Calidad Duranilidad (Pad Knobs, Fathers, etc.) gracias de antemano por su ayuda Saludos 🤗

[@ClevelandTerry]

$650 seems high for the offering. I would have thought $499

[@RealDJblaze]

My thoughts exactly!

[@jaytendo5281]

$200 is too much for this crap

[@nuurnwui]

You got it. Now on sale

[@MaseratiHolla]

It’s on sale now, I might cop it

[@liamjones246]

its a marketing scheme dont worry, its never on shelf for that price, always on sale

[@keithlee4963]

It’s on sale for $450

[@keffinp31]

where lol its $549 on their website

[@FarebrothaChronicle]

The crossfader is crap. I am on my third unit because the crossfader over a short amount of time will allow bleed over from the other deck (basically audio can be heard from the other channel when the crossfader is to sharp and positioned either to the extreme left or right). Jog wheels are stiff, you really have adjusted your style to accommodate the jog wheel tension especially when scratching. This unit needs a tension control but, to get that you must buy the S4.

[@Heksix]

I think 500 would be a better price than almost 700 bucks. It may be good as a midrange but again it’s much of a stretch at 700.

[@loveabundantly]

Thank you!!! 🙏🏾

[@benmiles00]

Given this review came out 4-5 years ago and the previous generation 5 years before that, can we expect some new controllers this year from Traktor? I'd like to know as I'm looking at upgrading. But if they are about to bring out new ones, probably with the same buttons as the X1 then I should probably wait.

[@kareem_the_dream]

Not sure how soon, but I think they will make new controllers soon. The X1 is new so all others may follow soon.

[@benmiles00]

@@kareem_the_dream It's been out for a few years though and seems to have preceded the controllers by two so I assume they will be out soon. But if it's not for a year or more I may as well get an S3 or S4 now.

[@tylerkepple640]

​​​@@benmiles00well their product line-up has gotten a little wonky due to some devices getting new versions when others didn't. So they have the S4 Mk3 and its brethren deck controllers that came out with TSP3. Now Traktor 4 is out and the only new hardware is the X1 Mk3 that seems to be the only hardware released alongside TSP4. Really what they should do is align their product line, whatever Mk version it is should line up with whatever Traktor version because odds are the hardware features tie into the software. I was so pissed when TSP3 came out and i had the S4 Mk2 because there were a bunch of new software features my controller couldn't access without trying to do a bunch of custom mapping. Although there are a lot of great improvements on the mk3 deck controllers that make them worth buying, now i have to wonder if i will be wanting for new hardware for tsp4 which if so, might just get the X1 Mk3. But in the meantime X1 mk2 i have can suffice but if there were any new features on the mk3 then i might get interested. So far all i can tell is they just fancied up the mk2, usb ports, led light cues, and some mini screens. Looks cool but I don't know that it really offers much more i would need, the usb hub isn't that much of a draw foe me but it might be for some depending on their setup.

[@tylerkepple640]

And PS to my own comment right now i am using a S4 Mk3 with TSP4 and so far I'm not missing new features on it, but maybe i haven't discovered them yet. Then again if they release a s4 mk4 then they would probably show me what i am missing out on ha ha

[@benmiles00]

@@tylerkepple640 Thanks mate. That's a lot of helpful information. Yeah if all they release is the new X1 that's not a product I want to choose as my next controller. I'm not that competent. Maybe the Mk4 is on the way with the new style of paddle FX. But I haven't heard a thing either. I prefer DJUCED with my Hercules Inpulse 500 but the warranty service is friggin appalling. So I guess it's Pioneer or I take the risk with a Traktor unit who also have sh1t warranty in Australia apparently.

[@marquee005]

BIGGAVELI!!! MAX B!!! OWW!! OWW!!! OWWW!!!

[@kareem_the_dream]

WORD man, he supposed to be free by now! Free the Wave King!!!

[@Djelectrox820]

Really cool

[@LTrepresenter]

Are the jog wheels like the s2mk2 or more like the new mk3

[@RealDJblaze]

The Jog wheels are like the new S4 MK3 but without the actively spinning motor inside...

[@LTrepresenter]

@@RealDJblaze so it's pretty much the same feelings as jog mode on the s4mk3 ..hmmm

[@dr.hazeblaze9216]

Can someone tell me what speakers he has? The ones with yellow on it? Ive been seeing many people with the same ones, any good?

[@RealDJblaze]

Those are OK... they are the Hercules Monitor 5 new edition... Most people have the KRK which are a bit better overall. They have the yellow in them too...

[@PeresD]

I got a pair of yellow carbon fibre fentons woofers from Amazon and swapped them out myself.

[@RudeTortuga]

The fact that cue/play arent "rubber" but plastic is the no-go point for me. Shame, it looks nice tho.

[@shaylan1776]

What would you say is better this or the Pioneer DDJ-400 Overall

[@RealDJblaze]

DDJ-400!

[@dexxnik]

@@RealDJblaze ???

[@MarkouTrifonOfficialChannel]

Hey man...congratz for your work!pls tell me if you can , is worth it to buy now s3 at 2021???is traktror alive???

[@kareem_the_dream]

Thanks! It's still relevant if you want to use traktor but I personally made the switch to Serato because they had so much more innovation with the hardware.

[@MarkouTrifonOfficialChannel]

@@kareem_the_dream my problem is money...i dont have more than 500euros for controller and i dont like ddj 400 and s2 mk3!can you pls tell me your opininion for a good controller under 500 euros?or my only solution is s3

[@kareem_the_dream]

@@MarkouTrifonOfficialChannel If you need 4 channels then this may be it. There is also the Hercules Inpulse 500...

[@MarkouTrifonOfficialChannel]

@@kareem_the_dream what do you think about ddj flx6?most people say doesnt worth the money!what do you think?

[@kareem_the_dream]

@@MarkouTrifonOfficialChannel Definitely not worth the money and that's why I decided not to even review the device. It's like a blown up DDJ-SB3 with bigger jogs. I would get the Hercules Inpulse over that...

[@bigpapaatish1053]

Any controller give away? Need one for home use

[@Bertiemang]

How has it held up? I'm looking for a cheaper (

[@kareem_the_dream]

This thing is built pretty solid. Still kicking.

[@Bertiemang]

@@kareem_the_dream I'm deciding between the S3 and a DDJSR2. Any input? It's just to be a backup.

[@kareem_the_dream]

@@Bertiemang S3 if you want to use Traktor and the DDJ-SR2 if you want to use Serato. Choose the software first then controller second. Good Luck!

[@nakorn4214]

Hi bro that's brilliant experience thanks. I have one question. Windows or mac which one the best to use with traktor s3?

[@kareem_the_dream]

Thanks! I use Windows for everything and all my reviews on this channel have always been on Windows machines!

[@nakorn4214]

@@kareem_the_dream Mine Dell windows 10 Pro 64-bit And I bought the traktor s3 maybe few weeks ago and I did installed traktor pro version 3.4.2 256 it worked only a week then stop working. You have any idea can I make back it to work or fix it please thanks🙏🙏. I'm really need it to work. And some of my friends said because of my windows drivers that's why it doesn't work. Its true? And they said I need to to buy mac instead

[@kareem_the_dream]

@@nakorn4214 Mine still works so not sure what the issue is there. Maybe you should try to uninstall and re install the software from scratch. Remove the drivers and re install them as well.

[@ciscoxdeejay8177]

Hi does anyone use the traktor s3? could anyone tell me how to set it up? because a video tutorial I can not find! thanks !!!

[@palmonix]

I bought a new S3 to replace my old controller ... master and headphones volumes simple don't work for a DJ who wants to play outside the bedroom. My old behringer one output is miles away from this one. I will return mine. In your opinion what is the best options to replace it? Many thanks in advance

[@djurich1]

They have the same problem with all MK3 series. I dont know why they can't fix that. Many many negative points for NI...

[@yicorocks]

How can master and headphone volumes don't work. I mean does it mean it's broken or missing feature? I want to buy this controller as a begginer then move it out to play at parties, events and such. So what I understand from your text is I can't hear other tracks while playing another one?

[@yicorocks]

As far as I know you should plug it into a power supply to get full volume and stuff.

[@4bnormal]

Does Traktor Kontrol s3 work with Serato?

[@RealDJblaze]

No it does not...

[@djwyll]

Can you use cdjs in Hid mode alongside this unit !?

[@RealDJblaze]

Yes you can if Traktor supports it...

[@jaynaik5897]

Traktor S3 or Inpulse 500?

[@kareem_the_dream]

Inpulse if you want to use Serato!

[@valeria252012]

has s3 different sound quality from s4?

[@kareem_the_dream]

Digital file playback should sound the same or very similar...

[@DeeJayDLS]

Ddj 400 vs traktor s3?

[@jaytendo5281]

damn had one and the entire thing is junk....sorry, but had the fader bleeding less than a week scratching with it, thanks @Traktor, as i went with the rane 12's and 72....nuff said

[@sacchus]

ok.... who cares about the S3... let's talk about your Nautilus!!!

[@jgirling6890]

Rip off!

[@sprig6043]

Real djs use records or CDjs

[@orlandosramirez478]

Real records ? Or TIMECODE s

[@liamjones246]

Actually real DJs dont use anything. Equipment is provided at the club, many dont own club gear as theyre playing out of the house part/full time

[@wedfrest]

There’s always one…