Traktor S4 or Pioneer Ddj-T1 or Numark NS6

Coming from a Pioneer back ground the DDJ-T1 will feel very familiar to you, particularly in terms of layout. It is a bit on the large size but light weight and the jogs have the same feel as Pioneers entry level CDJ’s. The S4 is a nice unit (personally I don’t like the feel of it’s jogs) but it does offer the tightest integration between software and hardware. I can’t comment on the NS6 because I havn’t had a chance to use one but I would also consider having a look at the Denon MC-6000 which is also a quality unit. Just reading back I’ve probably confused you more than helped !!

I found that when I was searching, I read so many reviews that in the end I ended up getting more confused. In relation to the Denon, I’ve had a play on it and have to say it is a well built, high quality unit. If you have any questions about it the go to guy on the forum with anything Denon is DJ Hessler, so give him a shout if you have any questions.

Are you planning on seeing and trying them out before you buy ? Also how important are the jogs to you ? If you’re going to use them a lot and not just for cueing etc then that could change everything again and you might want to consider the Vestax VCI-400, although sounds like you’ve had a bad experience with Vestax and the crossfader looks the same as the 300. That opens up another can of worms in terms of do you want a controller that allows you to do a lot of customising and mapping or do you just want plug and play ?

Let us know how you get on and what your final choice is, good luck !!

Well in relation to the jogs I can safely say that the DDJ has a more realistic “feel” than the S4. It basically is the same as a CDJ 350, so they’re not going to be the greatest you’ve experienced. I’d say the Denon is better in that regard to both of them but from everything I’ve read the VCI-400 is superior yet again.

Hopefully when Phil comes across this thread he’ll be able to give you more feedback as he is the only person I know that has tried all of these controllers. If he doesn’t, then seeing as though you won’t be able to try before you buy, then I think its worth giving Phil a shout directly and explain your situation and ask for his recommendation. I’m sure he’ll be only too happy to point you in the right direction.

Hmmm…. scratch on the S4 Jogs or the NS6/4Trak jogs?

Clue TheKing, post: 14028, member: 1383 wrote: ok so dj promote jus convinced me that for creativty with traktor the s4 is the unit!! Well i have up until the end of feb to decide so more confusion comin up as iv seen that there new controllers coming out soon ie ns4, gemini mixstation etc hope NI throw us an s4-2 with bigger jog wheels lol thank u guys for ur words…
@eros wats ur comment on a traktor s4 + kontrol x1?

In term of creativity, now I’m guessing you’re going to be running TP2, if you’re going to be firing off heaps of loops and samples then with the DDJ-T1 you’re going to have to download their mapping which allows you to use the C & D Decks as sample decks then use the needle search strip, whereas the S4 already comes with 4 samples buttons on each side. Again with the Denon you will have to map the “Cue” buttons for that purpose. It’s not that hard to do.

BUT, if you’re into mapping and want a controller that gives you heaps of buttons to assign so that you can basically map the thing out the way you want AND it gives you good jogs then I would say the VCI-400 is the way to go. If you have a look under the “Effects” section on each deck you have 12 assignable buttons (4 of which you will probably use as Cues) and the rest you can have as samples and loops, you can go creative crazy on the thing.

Now in terms of which controller is best for scratching, this is a tough one to answer because it’s all about feel which is a totally subjective thing. I like the S4 but is it the best for scratching ? I would say probably not. Same with the DDJ-T1. Also note that the DDJ-T1 does not work as a stand alone mixer so you can’t connect any CDJ’s or turntables to it.

Now here’s the bit where you are going to hate me cause I’m going to make you more confused. You commented that you want a “proper vinyl like jogs” and that means motorized platters. Had a chat to a mate who is a scratch head and his feeling is that the best scratch controller is the Numark NS7 only problem there is that it is 2 channel, Serato & a big unit. Numark also make the 4TRAK which is a 4 channel Traktor controller , but I don’t know anyone who uses it and how good it is for scratching. I don’t think it has motorized plates like the NS7. Phil has made an awesome controller guide that lists all these things. I think it’s well worth a look.

As for S4 + X1 , there’s no advantage to gain by adding an X1 because everything that an X1 does you can already do on the S4. I only use and X1 if I’m using an external mixer like a DJM 800.

4 trak doesn’t have moving platters, they have a led ring around the outside of the platter to let you know the track position, in terms of a controller for scratching the ns6 is the best due to the flawless intigration with itch, if numark do the same with traktor i would definately say that is the one to go for, as the s4 is poorly built in comparisson and has a shelf life as long as the warranty, the numark will last well beyond that.

P.S. the jogs on the pioneer are pressure sensitive not touch sensitive, so you have to physically push the top of it to enable scratching, it’s okay if you are a mix dj who occasionally does baby scratches and transforms, but if you want to get more involved in scratching electronic touch sensitive ones will enable you to put less pressure on the jog so there is less friction therefore you can scratch much faster.

still waiting to get one, for what i do it will dominate anything else on the market from the looks of things, but using the jogs off the vci 100 mk2, probably not as ideal for scratching, so the ns6 or the 4 trak would be better in your case. but from all the reviews the vci 400 screams quality… and you can stick an innofader or five in there if needed.