#Traktor kontrol s4 mk2 master light on full#
#Traktor kontrol s4 mk2 master light on software#

Rather than replicate a full DJ setup, with two or more players and a mixer, this controller is designed specifically to replace a single vinyl turntable.

Best DJ controllers: Product guideĪs is probably evident from looking at it, the Rane Twelve is somewhat different from many of the controllers on this list. Traktor heads, meanwhile, are well served by the 3rd gen version of Native Instruments’ Traktor Kontrol S4 with its ‘haptic’ jog wheels.įor scratch DJs, at the affordable end, Pioneer’s new REV-1 is commendable, while the pricier Rane Twelve MkII offers the closest you’ll get to a real turntable in controller form. If rekordbox isn’t your thing, it’s worth giving a nod to the Denon MC8000 for Serato users. This cut-down Pioneer device still captures much of the CDJ workflow but at a more convenient and attainable price. That said, it’s a sizable device and probably too expensive – and unnecessary – for a lot of at-home setups, in which case the smaller and affordable Pioneer DDJ-400 is an excellent choice. All tracks prepared in rekordbox are ready to be loaded onto a USB and taken out to a club too – meaning this is probably the closest compatibility you’ll find between home controller setup and DJ booth. Its meaty, pressure-sensitive jog wheels have the heft of mixing on one of the brand’s industry-standard CDJs, and the mixer section is effectively a trimmed-down DJM-900. In fact, the 1000 is the closest thing we’ve found to condensing a club CDJ setup down into controller form.

#Traktor kontrol s4 mk2 master light on software#

That said, for our money Pioneer DJ’s flagship DDJ-1000 and the company’s rekordbox software are the perfect pairing. Head to the bottom of the page for more buying advice on choosing the right controller for you.Īt the risk of sounding like we’re hedging our bets, the best DJ controller ultimately comes down to what sort of DJ you are and what software you’d like to use. Here though, we’re focusing on units designed primarily as controllers and specifically with DJs in mind. Many standalone ‘players’ can also be used to control DJ software, and numerous non-DJ-specific MIDI devices can be used, in one way or another, to mix with. Now, the lines around what counts as a ‘DJ controller’ are blurring a little. Whether you’re after something to replicate the feel of traditional turntables, mixers, and CDJs, or a modern pad device designed for sample triggering and effects manipulation, the best DJ controllers in this guide offer skin-tight integration with your preferred mixing software of choice, so you can properly get hands-on and expressive with your library or tracks. Some are designed for use with just desktop machines, while others can be used with your mobile device. There are controllers specifically designed to take advantage of the latest features of rekordbox, Serato, Traktor, or Virtual DJ, and others that will work with a multitude of applications. From so-called ‘battle’ devices – aimed at scratch DJs and turntablists – to complex rigs that emulate the functionality of top-end club setups. Even just within the realm of the best DJ controllers, there’s no shortage of variety.