Traktor Kontrol X1 Mk3 Review: Is 3 The Magic Number? | Beatsource Tech

Modular controllers have always been a crucial part of the Traktor hardware ecosystem. But it’s now been 10 years since the Kontrol X1 Mk2 hit the market, and so that was well overdue for a refresh.

With the new X1 mk3, Native Instruments have taken the previous template and updated it with new control options, multiple OLED displays, and a bunch of fancy LEDs. Is that enough to make it an essential upgrade? Mojaxx lets you know on the new episode of Beatsource Tech.

Follow Beatsource:

Follow DJcity:

Follow Mojaxx:

0:00 Intro
2:09 Pricing & Basics
3:31 Build
5:11 USB Hub
6:44 Demo: Transport Controls
13:58 Demo: Browsing
15:25 Demo: FX
17:25 Demo: Mixer Mode
19:32 Midi Mapping
20:10 The State of Traktor
21:20 Wrap-Up

[rolandsommer]

As a long time Traktor user (over 10 years) I still think that Traktor is the best software for EDM on the market. Hardware, functionality and layout is still competitive, even if the software has hardly been developed for 4 years. That shows how far the software was back then. I hope that Native Instruments gets the announced features from the roadmap soon times on the road. But I don't think NI can manage to integrate a real-time stems function that is qualitatively appealing. And if they do manage it, the hardware requirements will be enormous. The competitors have only managed this poorly so far.

[leesinthemix]

I'm really digging it

I have 3000s and a 96 at home and with this setup, I now don't need a separate USB hub to power everything, I can just use the X1 for that. It lowers the amount of gear I need to take to private functions and wedding gigs as well, which is always welcome!
Although, the lack of USB C to B cable in the box was a real pain as it meant I had to wait a full two days longer to use it, after it arrived.

One feature I am really digging is being able to turn the hot cue buttons (which I wouldn't use anyway as I have the 3000s) into stutter loop buttons, really awesome!
That fact I now have those at hand, rather than using the touch screens on the 3000s (which means pressing two or three buttons) is a big workflow advantage.

[IgnacioSoltero]

Thanks for the review of the MK3, your videos are always super clear. I was a long time fan of Traktor, still am to a point and still own too much NI gear not to be. I have been using Serato for the past couple years, because the lack of development happening on Traktor. I have been holding my breath on the flexible grid in Traktor, which they should have had when they got the dev team from Torq (after they promised it, damn you Chad!!!!), after that DVS fell apart. Maybe one day, after NI receives more VC money and ask its user based for another $50 upgrade we can finally get many of these super long awaited vaporware promises.

[BarakaDJ]

you said so much, it's hard to add more after such a good video.

I'm using Traktor for more than 12 years and already bought lot of products from NI
I'm also a hard user of X1 MK2, but did NOT tried the MK3 yet.

This MK3 was very expected for few years, and I must say that some points are NOT looking like UPgrades but, DOWNgrades:
- Loosing Touchstrip
- The brightness of the LED buttons looks much weaker on MK3 than MK2's pads
- The brightness of the 5 OLED displays looks limited also
- The brightness of the light-based notifications looks almost invisible
- The ablity to use it outdoor, under a sunny day, MK2 was GOOD, MK3 seems to be a disaster
- The need of AC power to run the beast? why? and why not USB-C powered?
- Pioneer's DJM-S5, Focuscrite's Scarlett, NI's Kontrol S2... they all run with a single USB cable, can't NI do it 2023?
- NI used to update Traktor, adding major new fonctions every time they released a new gear (S4mk1, Z2, F1, S8...) but NO new fonctions and no major update for X1 MK3...
- New device is good, THANK YOU NI Team, but new effects, dynamic grid, live stems... that would be perfect to sync it to new products
- Less compact than previous gens (but better ergonomy)
- 100$ more for...(I agree, amazing) gadgets

I can't say that I don't wanna buy MK3, I believe it's an amazing product globally, and it worth 299$ no question

what do people think?

[leekzo]

You MoJaxx are the Godfather of DJ’n, reviews, and everything in between, your passion, positive energy, and knowledge are next to none. Thank you for this review, I hope to see stems and I think they will be the best of all softwares, good things come to those who wait..and you mentioned they have the best effects, I think this controller will be perfect for stems ….flexible beat grids are long overdue but I tried to switch to the ddj 1000, but I came back to traktor bc I wasn’t loving record box, and so my wish is these next updates let’s hope they deliver, was their any mention of any standalone or more intuitive products to come? And curious what is your main Rig, thank you for all your great vids, keep inspiring and appreciate you!

[jackofalltrades]

They should’ve kept the touchstrip.
Not many people realize how good it is to have one. Needle drop for one is super helpful on a touchstrip

[Atepeye]

I was a very long time user of Traktor and I have 2 X1 mk2, I also love those ones. But my patience with Traktor is over, I was very disappointed with their very low innovation over time and this mk3 for me just confirms that, it is a minimal upgrade. Finally a month ago I switched to Serato, I invested in a Rane Seventy A-Trak with 2 LC6000. It has been very fun and creative times. Stems are really amazing and I really don't miss nothing from Traktor. Maybe I will come back in the future....

[roussiathierrymyears]

I love traktor I don't understant why the touch gone 😢
For me they have really big change to come back . I hope with Z2 +

[JXVI]

This really reminds me why Traktor feels so fun.

[cfbmusicfactory]

I love my X1 MK2 becuse i can make backspins with the Touchfield und hold the Shift Button … this ist perfekt to mix and Play real ❤

[djmiami]

The only reason I can think about why SYNC button is located there is for open format djs as me using Traktor. I do change BPM regularly and I need to, sometimes, deactivate the SYNC button. Being said, I prefer the PLAY, CUE layout in MK2

[MarkCalica]

Thank you for saying “mark” instead of “emkay”. The NI presenter on their site annoyed me when he kept saying emkay. You’re the product expert, say it right.

Now, I’ve also been using the mk2 controller and it’s robust and so easy to use. I started with the MK1 and I’m not sure if it’s worth upgrading to the mk3

[ashleybrownau]

Great review Mojaxx!
Another long time Traktor user (~20’ish years), but the X1 is one of the controllers I never got into. I’ve always been more of an S4 user, currently running S4mk3, 2xD2’s + an F1 and 1 vinyl DVS deck. I get that it’s NI’s most popular modular device though, so makes sense for it to be the first release in the new series and fund ongoing development of the platform through new sales…. I just hope it is not too late—so many frustrated users on the Traktor forums!
Completely agree that they need to make some of the oldest feature requests development priorities asap to retain loyalty though…. flexible beat grids, retina display support and for god’s sake can they hurry up with real-time stems!?! I mean they pioneered Stems as a format, their controllers do Stems control amazingly (especially the D2 or F1) and their parent company bought Izotope who arguably has one of the best Stems algorithms around…. why oh why is it taking so long to incorporate real-time stems into the software!!! And why was pattern player a higher priority than any of the above???!?
Hopefully some of this tech, especially those OLED displays, will trickle into additional new controllers… an S4mk4 with some of those displays for the FX section would be awesome.
One thing that no-one ever talks about though is the challenge of NI’s Traktor business model; the revenue really only comes from new hardware sales, unlike some of the major competitors that have moved to subscriptions to help fund ongoing development. I know VDJ is also one-time purchase, and they are arguably the most innovative DJ software developer, but I can’t help but feel that the future for viable, evolving DJ platforms depends on subscription models to fund development (I’m sure many will hope I’m wrong! 😂)

[NrthM-]

i just go tback into this hobby after approx 12 or more years and it is honestly insane how little things have changed, it seems like the only thing that feels really futuristic is the denon dj media players and the djm v10.
and this mk3 looks even like they went backwards somehow

[tnacrew]

The PATTERN PLAYER focus seemed like such a waste of R&D honestly, I LOVE traktor as a turntablist myself but it's been far too long since we got any love on the hardware side, the Z2 was the only turntablist focused piece of hardware to come out (aside from the interfaces) and it was such a beautiful hit of hardware and so many people wanted to see a MK2 come out of that beauty but only radio silence. I've had my Z2 since release and it gets abused regularly after all these years and still trucking along as smooth as day 1. I've since transitioned over to Serato for my general playing needs but always come back to traktor for my turntablist focused routines and recording cuts into my daw though. Seems like NI has clearly been focusing on the hybrid DJ/producer type of setups and I'm not mad at it, just wish that olive branch for the hiphop DJs was still extended. Even to the bare minimum with revamping the drivers on the z2 to work with newer versions of Mac OS and stuff like that

[DjJeffo]

I’m a Traktor user since 2015. I can’t move over. It’s my preference to RBX, SRT or VDJ. But I have RBX for pioneer use as I’m seem to struggle to connect to the CDJ3000s with my Traktor. I’m gonna stick with Traktor. Hope they do some more upgrades for the software to compete with the other Dj Software.

Great review MoJaxx. And you look well too! 🙏🏼

[cloony]

9:48 the best would be to map the cue to a sync button, the play to the cue button and the sync to the play button 😂 but mapping isn't available currently... Great indepth review as always, as a +10 years Traktor user i always get excited, a bit disappointed in this xase but i guess with this new design language there is more gear on the way, and soon finally live stem separation by izotope, super excited 🎉🎉

[ReboyGTR]

*I feel like add on MIDI controllers are a thing from a bygone era when we didn’t have full on controllers with decks, a mixer and effects all built in into one controller.*
*Back in the day when i had 2 CDJ400’s and a DJM400 linked up to Serato i used to have an X1 for effects since the DJM400 didn’t have a manual filter.*

[JohnUssher-jkqo]

Can’t say why I prefer Traktor to Serato, I just do. Think I prefer the interface layout. Funnily enough the MK2 browse knob thing is the one thing I don’t like about that controller. I missed the dual browse knobs of my Mk1, so happy to see them back on the MK3. Very happy to have the traditional pitch bend buttons too. Hanging out to try the Mk3 which should be soon as my buddy just picked one up. Unless I’m super blown away with it, I’ll probably stick with my Mk2 though for the time being, as I didn’t actually pick it up that long ago. As a whole, the X1 is easily my most favourite Dj controller ever, and I’ll keep supporting them as long as they keep making them.

[yahoodlums]

Your reviews are incredibly good. The overhead camera angles and screenshots from the Traktor software are seamless. Not sure if the upgrades are enough to make me trade in my X1Mk2 for this. I was hoping for a built in audio interface and some new, game changing features but this seems like an incremental hybrid of the MK1/Mk2