Review: Traktor Kontrol S2 / S4 / S5 / S8 Controllers Compared

[navlightbringer]

i really love how ergonomic is the traktor s4

[reborn]

That was awesome, I just ordered my Traktor Kontrol S4 MK2 yesterday. It's my first DJ controller and I'm a learn how to use it. Thanks for sharing the difference in each of those hardwares.

[dachiklangmusik]

Finally a perfect overview on these Kontrol series.. ❤🙏

[markotik]

I miss seeing you on dj TechTools videos these days.

By the way - you blew my mind when you mentioned you were the guy who developed the dicers- like wow... it got me into cue points, and eventually into digital dj’ing. You really did change the path my life was heading....

[AliMissaghi]

I have S5 for 5 months now . It's perfect for me. Sync button is on ! Deep house and progressive house

[finitesound]

The S8 with jog wheels would have been great.

[FiSHYD]

I run the same setup as you do Ean, but with some extras ;)

Club mixer

2 X1's
(for when i need 4 track options)

2 F1's
(remix deck [C] filled with one shots and sweeps, and deck [D] acapellas. Also running Tekkens FX mapping on each to control 2 decks per F1)

Fell in love with Tekkens FX mapping and cant part with it, its a huge part of my DJ setup, and having remix decks running as well help to add sweeps, noise, one hits, drums, etc. allowing for better transitions and a fresh sound!

[zchman]

Ive had the S2 for years now and its still holding up great. Its the perfect size and its amazing for beginners, or just someone looking for a controller for mobile gigs.

[MereMortal_veloso]

watching this in 2022 and finding out that the S5 has been discontinued... why lord, why?!?!

[-tom-tronic-]

Great Video Ian, missed your cool Videos :) I have a Question, WHY, if you were involved in the Design of the S4 and i think you re still in Contact with Native Instruments, you didnt tell them the Headphone Volume is too low, and WHY Native Instruments didnt changed it when they did the S4 MK2 ???? It really bothers me alot that the Headphone Output is so low and that you are unable to turn the Lighting up a bit higher with USB only Connection. It cant be too difficult to change the Soundcard Output Design or Technical Specification to give it a little more Volume!? It really sucks :( Greetings from Germany Dude !

[DjangoFlaherty]

I recently mapped an APC40 mk1 to remix decks/stem decks/step sequencer for decks C and D. First time I've been able to access all the creatures they've added in recent years. Amazing software!

[slashv]

Hello and good day Mr. Ean....
Nice video..
I had the Taktor Control S8 for a month and sold it back....everything worked fine...nice controller for Electronic Musique....BUT...
when using the 4 decks together...the sound my gosh distorted sound....for me the quality of the sound card is not to use it with the 4 decks together.
So know I'm using the Allen & Heath PX5 with the D2 Controller....that is what like when using it in quality quality..of course the price...but now at least I'm happy for at least 3-4 years ... and I still have the option to connect drummachines etc....etc.... ;-)
Best Regards from Germany

[akinkunmicook]

Welcome back! Great video! Came to the same conclusion! I've had the s8 for about a year and was my first controller and intro into the laptop/traktor world. After having to wait for NI to confirm I was legal (which took about a day) and let me download the software,  I immediately fell in love with the s8! Mind you, I already had Pioneer cdjs & a pair of technics, so the lack of jogwheels was no real issue! However, like you said the s8 is too big for a bar (or even the plane)!I was scheming on the s4 for mixing old disco classics (because I hate the noise of timecode vinyl) but I hate where the headhone jacks are and now the low output level!I think for small bars, I will just use traktor's dvs as most bars/clubs around me have the pioneer djm 900.When I go back to NYC, I may get another s8.I was thinking of the s5 but with no stand alone functionality, no dvs, no pitch faders it's just too risky for my taste!Because I "learned" (and still learning) on the s8, I never had any issues with the layout.I would like to go modular (if I had it like that) and rock two d2s with the pioneer djm Nexus 900!Great video bro!!

[SteigerMiller]

Great seeing Ean again. And yeah, those old clips are a blast from the past! #jesushair

[FragileFuture]

Not sure what you mean about "no clear way to adjust tempo per track" with the S5 (timestamp 9:55). You can change the tempo for each deck fairly easily (without using sync or the master tempo knob). Tap the bpm button left of each screen, and twist the browse knob (optionally holding shift to change bpm in bigger increments). Not as straight forward as dedicated pitch sliders but I got used to it after a few mins.

Great video though! Nice summary of all the pros and cons across models. I switched to S5 from an S2, and while I do miss the smaller form factor and portability of the S2, I'm very happy with the S5 ^___^

[BennyPeterBjons]

Very good comparison!
I myself is a Traktor S5 owner and love the controller.
I totally agree on the Filter on/off buttons.
Went to a friends house and really missed them when mixing on his S4.
As a techno DJ I couldnt care less for pitch-faders and jogwheels :)

[skymakai]

@13:00, Ean says "I wouldn't take it (the S5) to a huge club..."
Does that have anything to do with the XLR output quality, or is Ean just talking about the headphone output still being too quiet?

[MIRAJADESIGN]

You are an amazing reviewer. Stoked to check out your DJ sets.

[Inferno]

also, ean is probably the figure that got me into djing today... Started with a mixtrack, then bought a midi fighter spectra, and shortly after, a 3D. Then i upgraded to an s4, and finally im on an s5 now. Such great controllers from NI. If anyone has questions lemme know :)

[mikeorozco]

My dream set-up would be a Kontrol S6 (based on an S4 or S5) that would have a USB port for a thumb drive that would allow the next DJ to load their playlist with CUES, remix and Keyboard or other Midi mappings into the host TRAKTOR laptop. Oh and welcome back Ean! it feels like Eons !!!