Traktor Kontrol S8: Feature Overview + First Look
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- Опубліковано 12 жов 2014
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Learn more about the controller here:djtechtools.com/2014/10/13/tra...
2024 and mine is still rockin'! Got a Rane 12 on each side of it, running VDJ to map those middle faders to individual stems. Guess everyone complaining about no jog wheels never thought to just add two turntables? 😂 This thing is a beast!
Reading this comments tells you a great deal about the way DJ'ing is progressing. I keep hearing the same complaints over and over from people who are unwilling to move on from previous methods of DJ'ing. I can understand that people feel a need to preserve skills such as beat matching etc. Personally I really feel that controllers have the possibility to be way more musical than other forms of DJ gear. In the right hands controllers can let you manipulate tracks on a deeper level, they allow for the art of improvisation and they allow the user to explore more sonic territory than previously possible. For me I don't want to be known for my impressive ability to perfectly align two records manually, I want to be known for creating a unique live experience where I can creatively control what is happening and how the music is conveyed to the audience. I want to be free to focus on giving the audience something they can't experience at home. This is only my opinion though so if you think otherwise that's cool too.
I've been using tracktor for 5 years at least, and in all that time I haven't felt the need of use a jogwheel... NEVER. In fact, I feel very comfortable mixin' without it. Is that really bad you can't scratch in a party? Of course not. You can say what ever you want, but tracktor is far better dj software than any other, in many ways... and this controller it's a perfect complement for it. This will be my next purchase for shure. :)
Great overview, thanks dude! :)
Had mine for well over a year now and I'm still in love with it. Use it nearly every single day.
As a producer I find this setup really intuitive, when I want to play a live show now I can export some loops from my song and load them into my remix deck, this is going to bring a whole new dynamic to live electronic performances.
The most fun part about watching reviews on new innovative DJ gear is the comments where DJs reply stupidly about how its not the right tool because it makes mixing too easy or has too many options. Its like listening to a guy with a screwdriver praise how awesome it is to a guy with a power drill. Mind-numbing.... The internet gives everyone a voice and boy do DJs want to be heard :)
Garrett Trott well thing is mate u can grab one of these and be able to mix right out of the box - people who play records or learned on vinyl because it was the only way at the time, had to spend hours a day for months just learning how to match beats, which, take it from me is fkn frustrating for a long time until you get it. So of course people are butt hurt when there’s DJ’s who never had to learn to mix properly and use the sync button when they play out and think they’re carl cox on the decks. Anyway, DJ stands for disk jockey sooooo if u ain’t jockeying disks are u really a DJ or just a manual iPod shuffle with nice transitions? JS
Tecnically all DJ's are "just a manual iPod shuffle with nice transitions".
Well, 8 dont like it lowering the entrybarriers and thus spawning lots of shit DJs.
Thanks Ian... so good to hear someone supporting the no cogwheels phase for digi djing...
Awesome video! I was up in the air between this and the Pioneer DDJ SX2 and you just sold me on the S8. Thanks!
From The Oxford English Dictionary:
A Disc Jockey or "DJ" is a person who introduces and plays recorded music, especially on radio or at a disco.
This definition does not change whether you use a controller or cdjs, or vinyl to play live. Therefore, the argument for or against anyone using one or the other is invalid as long as they are performing the same basic function, none of this "real DJing" malarky.
Carl Cox uses an s8 and two cdjs, would you say he isn't a real dj? He himself states that he "know(s) how to mix two songs together very well" but he wants to further his horizons.
I suggest you use whatever works for you, and don't criticise other people's choices if they work for them, that will make us all better DJs in the long run.
Thank you.
Well said!!!!
That was a homerun mate, well said!
Carl Cox also can mix on 3 vinyl players. This is a tool for DJs who throw in lots of stuff and are "creative". I like the oldschool mixing style more so its not really for me.
based af tbh
This looks like such a cool musical interface! I've been dj'ing on and off since 2004 both casually and professionally and the last setup I had was hybrid (2x techs and cdj800, xone 4D traktor and ableton)...it was kind of overkill and I wasn't maximizing it and most importantly I couldn't settle on a fun/intuitive way to get beyond running samples on top of beatmatching. Ultimately I moved on to other things.
Several years later now it looks like the technology has moved along and the S8 looks like exactly the tool that could be both fun and useful in creating music! Hope to pick one of these up soon :), thanks for the great review, well articulated Ean
5:50 ..... just blows my mind....diging in the effects..... for trance - ambient etc. 🙂
The feature I miss the most on the S8 which my old S4 had was the ability to use a rotary knob in the middle of the S4 which allowed you to quickly scroll through a playlist and if you pressed it in allowed you to hear the track in headphones as well as quickly scroll through it, also I seem to remember somebody saying something about the ability to alter the loop start on the fly, I do love the remix feature though and the ability to manually beat grid much more easily. Thanks for the vid :)
I've enjoyed watching this overview, Traktor Kontrol is a neat set.
Excellent review and overview Ean, you did a great job on this one.
Music is now being remixed this just enhances the possibilities. Respect!! When design a concept see if people will support it, till then respect!!!
Great review! answered any questions iI had on the S8!
great review, really terrific. Your shows are awesome! Thanks!!
I love the design! I feel like jog wheels are honestly a thing of the past at this point. They just take up space and if you really wanna do some scratching you'd be much better off with timecode vinyl than using a little toy wheel on your controller. I also absolutely LOVE the screens on the controller. That's gonna let us really get into the mix and hopefully make everyone stop thinking that you're on fucking Facebook the whole time! Build quality looks fantastic as well and I would love to pick one of these up when I get the cash!
+1 for mentioning Timecoded vinyls for scratching. I too have mapped those tiny Jog wheels for FX modulation and kill (touch sensitive) and never missed scratching! The nudge still works.
I totally agree with you. I know is out of production now (2023), but im looking for one s8 right now to use with turntables as well.
Absolutely amazing intro to the s8 functionality it is a big help specially with effects and pitch and filter of remix sets and I can use deck b and d on the one channel ty.
Thank you. This was very informative!
so you killed beatmatching.Good job NI,you will be respected accordingly
Great review
Great explanation very professional.
Great! Thanks for this cool Overview!!!
Seems a lot like the excellent Novation Twitch with a few bells and whistles. I guess if you factor in the built in Traktor A10 and Kontrollers its good value.
It seems native instruments has learned a lot from the novation twitch, which is a good thing! If I ever find myself looking to upgrade I think I'll go for this.
You have such a calm voice.
This and one Turntable for me would be so dope!
A few weeks ago I picked up a Denon DJ Prime Go because I still couldn't afford a second hand S8, don't get me wrong I will still get one some day and I know I will enjoy the music from it all the same.
Looks awesome! Maybe I should start djing now... ;-) This tool looks like it could be a lot of fun playing around with it.
so much win, just ordered mine and I can't wait. A little disappointed the form factor is larger though, I don't know how anyone is going to be able to travel with this. The S4 allowed you to fit it in an overhead compartment on a plane.
Can you expand on the capabilities of using the S8 with the laptop turned off, if this really true or partially closed like in the Video? How does the S8 work with the iPad like the S4 MKII?
Still, I can't wait! Any word on cases / bags?
Good review Hugh Jackman!
Awesome review!!!!
Question about the remix deck: do you actually need to load up the tracks (eg: bass, kick, snare, hihat, synth, etc) individually to manipulate them (cut them or add effects to)?
Great Explaination and Demo. I'm An Old School Dee Jay ( Mixing And Remixing With Vynils & Turntables) And I Can Tell That Now We Are Not Anymore Afraid To Get Into The Digital World. Thanks To Show Us The Emprovement. Ilike The FAct You Can Add Turntables Cause In Case Crash Out Of The Divices
love this!!!thanks
State of the art review, thanks!
Very cool.. The individual FX send returns per voice is very cool. Is that actually a function of a new Traktor update?
LOVE MY S8!! just about done beat mapping my library, creating remix sets and learning this thing better
i should get one? :D
+Juan Sevilla I had some issues with it freezing recently so I am not so crazy about it anymore. Is definitely not the computer since I have the most recent MacBook Pro
+TONAH i have an ddjsx2 and wanted a change, thats why
It is a cool tool, I just haven't seen a collection of really good videos showing all that you can do with it. Reason is that people more than likely would like to spend all that energy making better tracks than getting good at something that might be an outdated brick in 3 years
+TONAH my idea is to use this with turntables im still deciding what to so
Tech House DJs will love this thing.
Love it djtechtools
I would love to see an S8 MK2 with actual platters, you could get a lot of expressive effect manipulation by using them
nice job thank you
perfect tutorial . thanx
good job ...bput it cust a lot money maybe i can wait 2 years for the price it can be down thank you for support
what are some other compact dj controllers(without jog wheels) besides the S8 and Notvation's Twitch controller?
Good Job on the introduction video. I heard you mention new feature that you had unlock. That sound very interesting hope you can show that later. The only thing That I'm a bit sad about is that Native_Instrument may not as of yet invest in improving on their library. Making it smart or some thing similar to what the Serato or Engine have. I love to see what the new feature you talk about are. I have to say even thought I'm a Traktor user and own nothing but Traktor gear for the most, the Serato Flip mode and slicer are some thing I would enjoy on the traktor gear.
love it - would love to purchase through you guys, but as i'm UK based i cant (can i?) shame as would love to support and also get the bonus bit you throw in.
Was almost considering selling my Xone 4D to get one of these but after watching that i've realised that i already have FAR MORE control on my 4D that i could ever get on the S8 plus i also have jog wheels... It looks nice though, i'll give them that...
this was a super detailed video. Loved it, so thank you! I felt like the information presented was appropriate (not excessive, but definitely well covered) and it was done at a level that I could understand! (subscribing now!)
small question: why is the video edited to have us not being looked at ? It was weird, I was like, wait I want to be in in the other camera! :)
Awesome controller, really took it to the next level. It would be also great if they had added 2x USB ports like on the Z2 mixer. Still it's a great controller!
Going to be playing my own shows in a year or so, so I better get this and learn how to use it lol
Awesome video. Looks like a solid controller, but I think I'll wait for another Traktor-based controller with better screens and actual jog wheels.
This is next level ... Waiting on a serato competitor .
Im curious about, what you would say if you compare it with the ddj sz from pioneer ?
this is perfect, this s8 with technics what a setup. im glad it hasnt got the jog wheels i will use it as a mixer/effects and use my decks to beat match
I have a little doubt .
When carry on the button to load the songs appears the name of the song , artist, BPM and key . I wonder if it is possible to show the comment bar in the D2 display or S8 .
Gotta have it.
Nerd question: Any idea if the mixer sums all the tracks separately through the analog mixer? Or just outputs everything through one output? IE is the mixer just controlling traktor's on screen faders?
Looks like a ton o' fun BUT....how does it sound compared with the other NI audio interfaces etc? Apparently the same Cirrus guts as before but can you do an actual comparison for us? Thanks
How do you scroll threw tracks to set cue points? I do it with my jog wheels on the controller I have now but I'm confused on how that works on this controller.
Was hoping for a good Ean overview :) Looks very cool, but im gonna stick to transitioning from my S4 to an X1+Mixer set up.
wait so if you used the s8 with 2 vinyl mixers on the sides do you need a laptop?
ok, i miss the jog wheels, this controller-s amazing. but i miss my joggy joggy wheels. Well there's still people who can feel really confortable with this and make awesome music. Cheers
what tracks are you playing...deciding on whether to go with this or ddjsx2... I am coming from novation twitch so I don't miss the jog wheels....not sure about traktor...always had serato
The grip is that you still need to carry around your laptop..... One is there only one fully integrated DJ controller one the market, the now ageing Stanton SCS.4DJ ?
Personally I just got a second hand S4 MK1 with x2 F1's controllers and a flight case for a more than reasonable price and I am personally glad I got it before this was announced. An S4 has the jogwheels and tempo faders which is more hands on and would get you use to working with other controllers and even cdjs. And the F1 controllers are essentially launch pad grids for the remix decks with the possibility to map 64 loops and samples split on to its 4 pages. So in total that's 128 loop and sample slots at my disposal. With a price drop to be potentially expected for the S4, I reckon they are still the better use, this controller still needs a laptop regardless of the lcd screens.
This is a great video Ean, I have been interested in this since i seen the amazon leaks. I wasn't sure how browsing for tracks would work. It seems that those screens would still be big enough to be able to see your tracks and playlists and not have to have your laptop open which i like a lot. As far as the pitch bend or tempo fader in the traditional sense being gone. From what i am understanding it isnt gone its just now the same fader style tempo fader you would use the touch strip for that now which would be fine for me. So the estimated price is going to be about 1200$ from what i am seeing.
Do you think I should master the S4 before moving to this or do you think a semi-beginner is capable?
New drinking game! Have a shot everytime Ean says "super cool" haha
i need to use input audio usb soundcard to broadcast on mixify but i dont no sure if can be direct from Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S8 it can be done to use on mixify thank you for help and support
How do you ! or can you ! keep the Loop at a set 2 - 4 - 8 etc ... when i introduce Loop it goes to the lowest setting & i have to adjust to 2 - 4- 8 etc everytime
I'm not really interested in the f1 remix features but could I use and x1 and use it as two extra decks and have 4 decks in total
What are advantages of the traktor software over something like serato or virtual dj?
Amazing as usual! What is the name of the track at the very end of the video please?
I'd like to see a modular set up of this. Separate out the elements, I'd personally love a X1/F1 with screen controller beside my DB2..F/X Control?! This would be perfect.
I can't decide guys, please help me... Would you prefer this one over the Numark NV???
No audio out on the mixer? or is that just for your demo set up
holy shit this thing is amazing!
I'm looking for a first mixer, something I can contantly learn, and grow into. Whilst many people might think to start with something entry level, why keep upgrading, and having to get used to new mixers, when you can set a foundation to become more and more familiar with. I have children also, and I hope at least one of them will take interest in DJing, so they can DJ their s hool events, and one day be pro club DJs, or even well paid sound engineers. The S8 is our future, and doesn't suck as much as the S5.
Song at 0:25 : Nick Warren - Devil's Elbow (Max Cooper Remix)
I Like this Kontrol a lot but can u also connect an iPad to it?. It would be cool to use the remix decks on the s8 and have big wave forms on the ipad. I also noticed that the wave forms on the s8 are just the same as the ones that are in the software for the iPad. Maybe in the future N.I will work on making a more pro software for the iPad. Laptops sometimes are to risky to take to certain gigs. Other then that I think its amazing
it is possible broadcast in the mixify with Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S8 thank you for support and help
The S8 looks great i just wish that the screens were at a tilt so that i wont have to keep looking over the controller, also i have never actually had a need for jog wheels. The jog wheels are always in the way taking up space. If those of you need something to scratch with then just add onto the controller. I think that the s8 is at a great price right now and i hope on getting one for myself when they come out.
Could I use this with an x1 mrk 2 and still be able to use 4 deck control?
I wonder if there coming out with a machine mk3
WILL THIS BE EASIER TO CONNECT TO LOGIC PRO X AND RECORD INTO IT?@DJ Tech
Geniale, Traktor Kontrol S8 I Like.....
buddy, you are a little sweaty today. Get that funk on.
Pioneer DDJ-SZ takes my vote. Was open to this until I saw no jog wheels.
Hey guys, I want to buy a new controller. Which I should buy the DDJ SX 2 or the Kontrol S8? Answer please!
So Traktor Kontrol S8 allows to control DVS turntables without Traktor Audio A6 or A10 interface ?
hopefully ni brings out a controller with larger platters soon i dont me buying this right now
do we have an idea on the price range of this beauty and when will it be released?
Should i buy the S8 in 2021 or the s4 mk3 ? Or should i wait for the next gen ... im so confused
Can you set it up with your laptop and forget it during the mix? The screens look good enough to do everything you need without looking at your laptop and for that, I would like that, it would give it the feel of an all-in-one unit even though it isn't.
Very, very nice! :)
Now that the S8 is out, will there be an update to Traktor Pro? say Traktor Pro 3.xxx or something. And what to expect with the update?
So we've seen the numark and the N.I. approach to controllers with screens, but where's pioneers?
Is this like the Traktor S4 and have to beatgrid tracks so they will actually loop properly???