Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 Review

What would I need to switch back to my main controller? A lot, considering the effort of learning new layouts and interfaces, not to mention the cost of purchasing the new product itself. It's not surprising that many tractor DJs have stuck with their old faithful controllers and skipped the latest updates from Native Instruments.

Well, perhaps we all need to seriously consider updating our gear. The latest Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 brings many new benefits to the table and may be the best DJ controller NI has offered in a long time!

The new S4 at a glance

Overall, the new S4 appears to be a very mature product from Native Instruments. Native has learned from previous controllers and consolidated the best into a single flagship. The S4 honors the legacy of the turntable with high-performance jogwheels that surprisingly work well with the limited weight and compact size - most jogwheels are somewhat larger and heavier.

NI has also performed a radical facelift on this version, completely rethinking layout, design language, and functionality. In almost all cases, the changes seem to be for the better - although they may take some getting used to. The controller also enables the use of remix and stem decks with the limited controls, making sequencing simple for most DJ sets.

And finally: With a major quality upgrade of the sound card and internal audio processors, you will likely notice an improvement in sound quality as well. These and other changes bring this Traktor controller more in line with current industry standards and make it a solid choice for most DJs.

Back to basics

Native Instruments attempted to replace the jogwheel in the S8 and S5 controllers and instead offered more buttons, screens, and space. Apparently, this didn't appeal to everyone. The S4 MK3 features fantastic motorized jogwheels with adjustable tension and - a first - haptic feedback.

The designers have also completely revamped the interface of the new S4, abandoning many of the constructions from previous control units. Instead, the design aims in a bold new "Pro" direction, focusing on mixing, industry-standard workflows, and DJ fundamentals. Most will likely welcome the changes, while control traditionalists may want to stick with their older models.

The jog wheels are the biggest physical and revolutionary thing you'll notice upon first using the brand-new Traktor S4 MK3 . This is a radical update with magnetic technology that provides strong rotation and haptic feedback in a lightweight, portable housing. The jogs are also larger and more pronounced, making scratching on the device significantly more realistic.

Can you scratch on the S4?

• Extremely low latency times after adjusting the buffer ensure precise cuts.
• Drive, resistance, and torque provide an authentic turntable feel - A good feeling!
• The "flutter" on the deck remarkably resembles a direct-drive turntable, making setup instant and intuitive and matching true vinyl feel
• Jog size very comfortable for all-around good scratch feeling
• Jog movement is familiar and easily adjustable quickly
• Overall, an extremely satisfying experience with excellent resolution in fast and slow scratches

Brand New - Haptic Engine

The absolute latest feature in the S4 is the feedback from the Haptic Engine. The new S4 jog wheels can generate dynamic resistance and vibrations that feel like traversing bumps, grooves, or ridges. Very common in the automotive industry, but this is the first time a DJ company has introduced this high-end feature on a controller.

The idea behind it is that one can feel the beat raster and cue points through tactile feedback, rather than relying on the screen or headphones. Opinions about this are mixed. It was a cool experience, but not a feature that will form the basis of my workflow. However, this could change in the future as the underlying technology offers an incredible range of potentials waiting to be unlocked.

One thing the Haptic Engine executed perfectly was the fantastic emulation of the turntable. It was the best experience I've ever had on a jog wheel. Mainly because of the haptic system, all the sensations one is accustomed to on the turntable feel almost identical on a 5" jog wheel, including backspins, quick releases, and excellent torque control. Holding down the jog or TT button, one can move the jog wheel and increase or decrease the "tightness" of the wheel. This process was very intuitive, and the resulting performance felt significantly better than almost all other wheels (e.g., CDJs) that use mechanical resistance mechanisms to achieve the same effect more roughly.

Revision of the Audio Interface

You immediately notice that the sound seems louder and clearer than with previous S5/S4/S8 controllers. The Traktor team reported that there is indeed an updated DAC (Digital to Analog Converter), a high-end model with output levels comparable to CDJs. It's a 24-bit, 114db Cirrus Logic DAC. This is the first controller from Native Instruments with this particular audio card, and its features really shine.

The headphone outputs also sounded louder, which was welcome since even the S5 and S8 controllers (the loudest of their kind) occasionally got lost in noisy clubs.

In addition to the sound card, Traktor Pro 3's internal mixing has also been updated. All mixing on Traktor controllers occurs within the computer (digital summing), so NI has released an update to the mixing algorithm in the new software version, which delivers a broad, crystal-clear sound.

Buttons, Faders, Pads, and Knobs

The faders are the same Inverted-Fader technology as the large S5/S8 controllers (which is a big improvement over previous S4 and S2s). These faders significantly reduce dust and dirt that enter standard fader configurations, thus preventing failures over time. It was common with the original S4 MK1 for one or two faders to start jittering and ghosting over time. This didn't happen with my own S5s, and testing the new S4 MK3, the faders felt really, really nice.

The contacts of these faders are on the bottom of the fader, not on the top (as is standard in conventional DJ devices). This gives them a much better chance of surviving toxic sugary drinks and coffee spills.

The buttons and knobs have also received a nice update, making them look more professional. Industry-standard cue and play buttons are now much larger and feel great, with a playable "clicky" performance that feels familiar to anyone using CDJs. Eight rubber cue pad buttons are slightly smaller but still very playable, and the spacing is actually more finger-friendly than the larger predecessor versions. All knobs are now recessed, with an alignment in the gain and EQ area that feels more like a classic mixer.

Overall, the updates to mixer layout/distance, components, and styling of this controller make it look much more like Pioneer DJ devices, and in terms of feel, it greets the ubiquitous DJM-900NXS/2 mixer.

Mixer FX

Traktor is known for its diverse, deep FX sections with detailed controls that offer highly expressive sound palettes. However, many DJs seem not to truly appreciate or need the depth of this engine, preferring instead quick "turn and go" effects. NI has responded with a new Mixer FX effect engine, separate from the standard 4 FX banks. These are simple delay, reverb, and bitcrusher effects combined with a low-pass or high-pass filter on a single control in the mixer section, providing quick access to key effects here.

Simply turn the knob left or right, and you instantly get an effect that sounds very pleasing. The classic left/right filter is also available, but DJs can also assign their own choice among nine different mixer effects to one of the four preset buttons and assign them to different decks each.

Display Updates

This feels like a small but important practical update that makes the controller much more user-friendly. There are now small RGB screens displaying important information about the deck. Instead of the large screens largely duplicating the laptop, these provide just enough information without taking up much space.

In the current version, they show the waveform in full length, which I found relatively pointless, but the team told me that a tighter waveform view might also be possible in the future as it may be customizable.

Improved Level and Master Section

It may seem simple, but clear, useful level indicators are crucial for anyone DJing outside of their apartment. Previous control points were largely lacking in this section, and the new S4 MK3 offers simple yet much-needed updates.

• The individual channel meters are much clearer and more visible and look better
• The master meters now have full mixer size and are much more practical than previous versions
• The new "Master" section with easily accessible booth, headphone, and master levels

Should I Upgrade?

This is a very personal question, but there are clear groups who could benefit greatly from upgrading to the new S4.

Who the Upgrade Is Worth It For

• Current owners of the S4 MK1/MK2 will receive some very welcome hardware, sound quality, and performance enhancements with this new controller
• Anyone using Traktor who wants to scratch on jogwheels with a real vinyl feeling without using actual vinyl
• Owners of the S5/S8 who want to use jogwheels to manually beatmatch
• Owners of the S2/S4/S5 who want better Stem + Remix Deck control without additional add-on controllers. The implementation is definitely more usable
• Anyone desiring better sounding results comparable to CDJs but needing Traktor hardware

Who the Upgrade Is Not Worth It For

• Owners of the S5/S8 controllers who don't need jogwheels or pitch faders
• Anyone who absolutely loves their existing button layout and doesn't want to learn a new workflow
• If you travel a lot for shows, especially by plane, the controller might be too large for most backpacks and your shoulders

The Traktor Kontrol S4 MK3 is available HERE in the shop.