Traktor Kontrol S4 Tutorial Pt 1/3: Mixer & Decks | Dubspot

Learn more at the Dubspot Blog: bit.ly/dwG7Sk
The Traktor Kontrol S4 is a new hardware and software controller for Native Instruments with a lot of exciting features. In this first part of our series Traktor product specialist DJ Endo walks us through the decks and mixer portion of the controller.
Watch part 2: "Traktor Kontrol S4 Tutorial Pt 2/3: Sample Decks & Effects" • Traktor Kontrol S4 Tut...
Watch part 3: "Traktor Kontrol S4 Tutorial Pt 3/3: Snap, Quantize & Loop Recorder " • Traktor Kontrol S4 Tut...
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[@korbin70x75]

You're a legend lad thank you...I appreciate this is many years after you recorded this video, irrelevant as its helping me now👍👍

[@BounceHeaven]

Hands down the best tutorial I've ever seen. I'm a producer for the UK sending big love to you endo !!!

[@smooth7059]

Have mine in a month. Been reviewing every tutorial I can find to get ready for it. I have my Native Instrument Beat machine, my keyboard and last but not least I'll have the traktor s4. Almost done.

[@DeeJayEndo]

That was a gift from a DJ friend of mine, Richie Santana. Great gift huh? :-)

[@DJMeriMero]

this dude can explain what it's worth. nice videos

[@sesarman]

very well explained, im new at djing and i still get most of it, looks alot simpler than any other controller, and its much better cuz it allowes you to beat mach much quicker as you mentioned

[@Dubstepconcept]

Same here brotha, just got the confirmation email that it has been shipped. Whoop whoop!!!

[@Ignight]

This is legit, thank you for the awesome tut

[@gustavosantaolalla3487]

thx for your reply, have ordered for one for myself, wish you good luck, hope to see you live someday, cheers

[@sotosthe1]

Very Very good tutorial ... congrats .. you already know the points you wanna mention , you dont have any problems expressing yourself and even a begginer will have no problem understanding you !!! :D

[@djgups]

Killed it man...loved it!

[@SixFourMusic]

awesome, cant wait for one

[@aceman989]

get the next 2 vids up. amazing job! cant wait till mine come in!!!

[@CultIslandPoshie]

thanks man. i'm just starting with traktor, but i've used virtual dj. so i understand the concept, but not the software. so this was a really helpful transition.

[@FretFreak02]

Very clear walktrough man! Nice.

[@TONAH]

looking forward for my very own S4 this week :)

[@vanstadam420]

i just picked mine up last week :D

[@DeeJayEndo]

Right now I use the Xone XD2-53 Headpones. I love them!

[@djzarafa8157]

Traktor is the best . i love it

[@swimmer751]

Great video bro - keep it up.

[@MlkePortnoy]

Solid Tutorial!

[@MrLebobo]

Thanks Shawn Pyfrom for this video

[@DJZeikohAndaluzAKA]

Pedazo de Makina, la quieroooooo

[@savertooth123]

Wow this is alot to learn

[@DeeJayEndo]

@garbo196 That means you have multiple instances of the S4 mapping loaded. Go to preferences - controller manager - and click the Device dropdown menu. My guess is you'll see multiple S4 mappings in there. Click on the duplicate mappings, then underneat the device dropdown menu click Edit - Delete. Don't be afraid of deleting the wrong one. Even if you delete them all, when you unplug and plug the S4 back in it will automatically reload the S4 mapping.

[@balot981]

i use to be a serato boy ever since i turn digital. but after buying this product i could say this is 1 hell of a kit. every single cent spend was worth it and now it starts to pay its self. thru gigs and have it rented. it seems to be the preferd kit of the traktor boys here in my town. ^_^

[@DeeJayEndo]

Yes you can use the Novation Zero SIMK2 controller to control Traktor. There are some mappings online as well for it or you can MIDI map the controller yourself as well

[@DeeJayEndo]

@3run4ever848 YES. Its everything you need to control everything in Traktor and the setup is super easy (2 cables + Power adapter).

[@DeeJayEndo]

@bounceheavenofficial Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. More soon! - Endo

[@DeeJayEndo]

@DVillalos Yes more control of the Sample Decks. There is a sample deck mapping for the Kontrol X1 where you can control each sample's volume and filter knobs, as well as mute and retrigger sample slots

[@DeeJayEndo]

Hope to see you on the dance floor sometime! Cheers, and thanks for watching!

[@wigster777]

Excellent thank you I am planning to buy this

[@fluchiano]

thanks deejayEndo for info

[@FreshnessStudio1]

endo you rock

[@MrBlackSheep331]

Just bought one of these today... Come on Mr postman!!! :D

[@jordanwesel5845]

I got into DJing about half of a year ago and I started with a DJ controller made by Vestax called the Typhoon. That was about 300 or so dollars. I would highly suggest purchasing the Mixtrack Pro from Numark. It helps you get started with DJing. It is a quality controller and it can even be used for some basic gigs. Hope that helps.

[@DeeJayEndo]

Yes, it is possible to set a loop to 3, 6 or 9 bars. You need to first set a loop (one of Traktor's default loop lengths), then open Traktor's advanced panel below the decks by clicking the black arrow underneath the Active button and click on the "Loop" tab. You can then choose "loop out" in the dropdown menu and select the length you want to change the loop out point, and make it bigger or smaller until you get the loop length you desire.

[@aerostal1]

Thanks endo great video confirmed that I should get the s4 instead of serato

[@DeeJayEndo]

Yes you can use the Pioneer Nexus CDJs as HID controllers for Traktor and use the S4 as the mixer. It works great. Just plug everything in with USB cables into a Hub (and plug the S4 in direct to the computer). Hit "Link" on the CDJ go to into HID mode and then select your Traktor deck on the CDJ and your ready to rock! The S4 of course will just instantly work as a mixer.

[@DeeJayEndo]

Yes, set a deck to be direct thru by clicking on the black arrow under the deck letter. Also go to preferences - input routing and set the input of that deck to be the input your MP3 player is plugged into. Then the sound will be routed through that deck and you can use Traktor FX over whatever your playing on your MP3 player. Have fun and thanks for watching!

[@DeeJayEndo]

Yes you can play Traktor through your computer speakers. Go to preferences - audio setup and change your soundcard to built in (or ASIO on windows). Also go to preferences - output routing and change your mixer mode to "internal" so you can hear all of the decks.

[@eatshitgoogle]

Very cool.

[@DeeJayEndo]

Good choice!

[@lleeooa65]

@DeeJayEndo Good, thanks! Worked!

[@NEN400]

Good!

[@djomyrd]

buenisimo men

[@fluchiano]

thanks for the info i have a numark ns7 i was going to buy a Traktor Kontrol S4 in the near future i was just wondering if it would be easyer in learning how to use it as the ns7 was easy to learn on . the Traktor Kontrol S4 has 4 decks in witch i was very interested in learning how to use it thanks for info.....you the man

[@louis150792]

HELPFUL

[@DeeJayEndo]

@ThESToNeDSTuDeNT yes you can load as many mappings as you would like into Traktor and use as many controllers together as you want

[@DeeJayEndo]

@jonpaulevans It is USB powered, and also has a power supply. You don't need to use the Power Supply (It works fine with just USB power) but the LED lights are much brighter when you have the controller plugged in with the power supply.

[@DeeJayEndo]

@notoriousosh You can choose which software mixer you want to use in the preferences - Mixer. You can choose between "Classic" which is the classic Traktor mixer, "P600" which is the Pioneer DJM 600, and the "NUO" which is the Ecler NuO4 mixer. If you test the software mixer with the hardware mixer back to back you will be happily surprised with how well they emulated the sound and EQ cut & boost levels. Traktor Pro actually has the 4 band Xone 92 mixer built in to the software mixer.

[@0xbg42]

Good stuff DJ Endo. One minor nitpick, there is no such word called "analyzation". It's simply "analysis".

[@DeeJayEndo]

Air will do the trick. Pro will do the trick better! I use a solid state drive as well. It was expensive but so worth it.

[@watchlp5]

Okay thank you :)

[@DeeJayEndo]

I would suggest getting a Traktor Kontrol S4, and then sign up for our online Digital DJing with Traktor class on Dubspot.com that myself (Endo) and DJ Shiftee teach. This will teach you everything you need to know about DJing and then some!

[@DeeJayEndo]

Exactly (and the Traktor software and a cable to connect to the PA system)

[@DeeJayEndo]

Yes, you can play through your computers built in sound card or listen through the S4

[@DeeJayEndo]

@patsavage1212 Yes you can MIDI map the S4 to control any program that receives MIDI. You just hold the shift button and press "Browse" to go into MIDI mode

[@DeeJayEndo]

Don't get me wrong, I love beatmatching and am a veteran vinyl DJ. When I'm beatmatching I'm much more in tune with every beat of the track. However now I do more 4 deck stuff and live remixing so my style has changed. I still am working the whole time, in fact I'm working harder than ever because I have so many things and ideas happening at the same time.

[@everybodyhertz]

Excellent video, very easy to follow. AA+++++ would be tutored again.

[@DeeJayEndo]

@MrDunztar The setting is in Preferences - Decks. You can customize what you see in the Deck Header.

[@DeeJayEndo]

With the new version of the S4 you can control Traktor DJ on the iPad or iPhone using the S4 or S2! It's pretty amazing if you ask me!

[@tweatification]

haha i dont even remember that. regardless good stuff bro. I did end up eventually getting an S4 btw.

[@DeeJayEndo]

This was a gift from a DJ friend of mine (Richie Santana). If you want a recommendation for good USB Cables, get Oyaide D+ cables. The RCA and USB cables that come with Traktor are garbage. Get pro cables and you will sound pro!

[@PSNzeke12]

Yea I really have to get this I have a lil prob with sync

[@fuzzjohn]

that's some decent hardware.

[@DeeJayEndo]

I would suggest the Traktor Kontrol S4 or S2 over any other all in one DJ controller. Since the hardware was made by the same people who made the software you can be sure that the compatibility will always be optimized.

[@nansteppa]

yup you have 2 addition input in the back. so i got a 1210 and a cdj runing parallel. BOOM!

[@DeeJayEndo]

Go to the Native Instruments website to view the current price. You can order them at any Native Instruments retailer. Most music stores sell it (guitar center / sam ash etc).

[@DeeJayEndo]

@fealmor Double click on the key knob to set it to zero. If you don't see it, turn it on in preferences - Mixer.

[@DeeJayEndo]

First of all I would set your BPM analyzation range to be about 10 B.P.M. above and below the range you DJ at. Change this by going to preferences - file management - BPM Detection - BPM Range. Then in the future your tracks will have a correct BPM value. To fix the ones that are wrong, open the advanced panel by clicking on the grey arrow under the active button in the decks, then go to the Grid panel and click the x2 button. Thanks for watching!

[@DeeJayEndo]

You always want to make sure to be on the latest controller and audio drivers for any controller you use, to make sure any bugs are worked out.

[@Pl4sm0]

thanks for sharing this nice tutorial. Can u please tell me where did u got that green fluorescent usb cable......I really want it ^^

[@DeeJayEndo]

@lleeooa65 You need to assign them on Traktor's mixer section. Click on the number 1 and 2 buttons to assign each deck separately to effects panel 1 or effects panel 2. If you don't see the 1&2 buttons on Traktor's mixer, turn them on by going to preferences - decks and turning on "Filter + Key + Gain + Cue + Balance"

[@naysiploos]

the usb cable you are using seems really good quality! can you please share some information about it? tnks

[@DeeJayEndo]

@SPEEDYDUSTREAM - Have you tried recalibrating your jog wheels? When I got my S4 in the mail one of the jog wheels was loose and didn't work properly I had to re-click it into the grooves (pushing down and to the left), and then recalibrated it, now it works like a charm. I personally prefer the little jog wheels over CDJ's because it requires less effort to scroll through your tracks. Also I think they have a very professional feel to them. Its crazy what I've seen scratch DJ's do with the S4!

[@DeeJayEndo]

@fluchiano If you've installed the S4 software it will install the drivers as well, then it will be plug and play!

[@DeeJayEndo]

Yes, you need to put the S4 into MIDI mode by holding shift and pushing Browse. Then in Reason you would have to turn on the S4 in the MIDI preferences, then you can use the S4 to control reason in MIDI mode. Enjoy!

[@smokingbarrel12]

oi sorry for the late reply been busy and thanks bro!! XD

[@DeeJayEndo]

@fealmor Double click on the "KEY" knob on Traktor's Mixer to reset it to zero. If you don't see the key knob, you can show it by going to preferences / mixer and turn on "filter/cue/KEY/gain/balance"

[@DeeJayEndo]

There isn't a way to adjust the channel faders curve but you can change the crossfader curve in Preferences - Mixer - Crossfader. Change the curve to "Smooth"

[@DeeJayEndo]

@ElMaco97 With the S4 the mapping can't really be changed, you can just add your own layer to the mapping, so the LED's can't be changed (in theory). I'm sure there's a workaround but I wouldn't mess around with it.

[@petequintana]

@lcassidy4 on the top right of the window theres a scroll bar that says essential, extended, browser, and mixer. the most detailed is the mixer layout

[@DeeJayEndo]

@fluchiano You can definitely sync Maschine to the Traktor Kontrol S4. I'll have a video on this soon. You can also use Maschine as a MIDI controller for the S4 software (this is what I do). It all works like a charm :)

[@DeeJayEndo]

@fluchiano You would just install the S4 software, and download and install the update. This will install all the necessary drivers. Then its plug and play!

[@DJWerkz]

Excellent, can you tell me if the DC plug is PIN HOT? I want to get a custom regulated power supply to relace the cheap mains adapter that comes with the S4?

[@DeeJayEndo]

@mettlddomami Yes, you can control the decks with the S4 but still run the sound out of your computers internal speakers

[@DeeJayEndo]

@DjStashE If I use the S4 software, I would use the S4 as a soundcard as there is no external mode with Traktor S4. I just set up Live and S4 on PC. Yes, there is some tweaking that needs to be done. Stay tuned for my video on how to optimize your PC for DJing on the Dubspot youtube channel. As far as NI updates, there should be more info announced in February.

[@akaCrazyskills]

@tommyray17 on the top right hand side u got your fx buttons on display on screen there is a picture of a tape click on it then the record button will appear.

[@meteoroz]

@DeeJayEndo Thanks dude ;)

[@Spinhead71]

@Wi7ardBalls get a pair of 1/4 mini pin to rca adapter cables. you can easily grab them over at radioshack if you live in the states.

[@DeeJayEndo]

The Numark NS7 only has two decks and doesn't have nearly as many features as the S4. Also Native Instruments makes the S4 AND Traktor so you can be sure any software updates will also automatically update the mappings for the hardware so everything stays compatible. With other controllers you would have to wait for the manufacturers or user base to come up with a new mapping. I would just go with the S4 over any other controller.

[@DeeJayEndo]

Yes you can use timecode CDs to control the decks in Traktor, however the best way to go is to use the CDJs in Advanced HID Mode. Be sure to check out my video on using the CDJs as an Advanced HID controller on the Dubspot youtube page, or by clicking on my profile.

[@DeeJayEndo]

The intro is 2 tracks actually. It's Nick Muir, John Digweed - Satellite/Meteor - Maetrik Heavy Remix and Module II - Eggbox

[@nesNYC]

@mettlddomami Make sure you are using the S4's sound card not the computer sound card. The computer sound card will give you this lag. To do this you would use the S4's output directly to your amp and use the S4 as the default sound device.

[@Dubstepconcept]

yep

[@DeeJayEndo]

The best way to find the keys of the tracks is by using a program called Mixed in Key. Traktor actually now has key detection which is automatic but it is not very accurate. Mixed in Key is much more accurate than Traktor's key detection and also the other free alternatives. Check out my videos and blog articles on Harmonic Mixing on Dubspot's Blog and KZbin for more info.

[@shawnbeckett8526]

Endo, what I meant was that the S4 hardware proper is not a mixer in the sense that the Kontrol Z2 is a mixer-viz. one cannot install an S4 in a DJ booth and and plug in CDJs as-is. The computer/Traktor performs the mixing of the audio sources. With the S4, the Traktor software itself is the mixer; S4 merely controls the software mixer and outputs audio via its soundcard. A distinction must be drawn between actual "mixers" (e.g. Z2, DJM-900, even NS6) and "controllers of the software mixer."

[@DeeJayEndo]

@flogbag Its still there. Turn it on in preferences - file management

[@DeeJayEndo]

@johell667 What do you expect? Its a software emulation, not an analog mixer. However I have made feature requests to improve on the internal mixer. Stay tuned! Just a tip though - the lower the latency you can run the software at, the more it feels like a real mixer. - Endo

[@ezan318]

Is there a way to adjust the channel fader (upfaders) curve? I tend to find that the sound comes in a bit too sharp, i would like to have a more gentle and precise progressive behaviour of the sound.