![]() Hopefully these are added in a future software update. The touch strip is missing some functionality from the Kontrol X1 MK2 such as touch loop rolls and touch fx control. DJs can technically “scratch” while the track is paused, but for anyone that’s serious about scratching it’s best to connect a turntable. There are LEDs above the touch strips that indicate the phase of each track (orange in the middle when the track is in sync.) The LEDs also indicate the track position while the shift button is held. The functionality is very much the same, DJs can slide their finger across the strip to pitch bend the track, while holding shift lets DJs quickly scrub through the entire track. For finger drumming it can take some getting used to, as many people do prefer the feel of a MPC style drum pad or even the Midi Fighter’s arcade buttons.ĭJs that are familiar with the Kontrol X1 MK2 will recognize the touch strip. Overall the pads feel great, however they are “click style” just like the F1 pads. Having a click helps confirm that the pads have been triggered for things like the remix decks. The pads are a nice size, larger then the Kontrol F1 pads but smaller then the full size Maschine pads. The Kontrol S8 has 8 RGB pads per decks that control a number of functions: remix decks, hot cues, and loops/beat jumps. There are number of controls that are both new, yet familiar. This is a welcome change from the glossy plates used on the Kontrol S2/S4/Z2, which looked nice before turning into a finger print magnet. One thing that DJs will be happy to see is a brushed metal finish for the entire top plate of the Kontrol S8. The controller has a solid weight to it, the faders are very smooth, and the large pads/buttons throughout are a nice touch. Native Instruments has continued to improve the build quality of their hardware over the years and the Kontrol S8 is their most well built controller yet. With all these controls rolled together, the Kontrol S8 becomes the only controller a Traktor DJ would ever need. The screens are very similar to screens found on the Maschine Studio, the touch strip pulled from the Kontrol X1 MK2, and the pads, short faders and knobs borrowed from the Kontrol F1. When looking at the Traktor Kontrol S8, it’s easy to see the influence from other Native Instruments controllers. The Bottom Line: The Traktor Kontrol S8 is the best all in one controller for Traktor.The Bad: Can’t be remapped, no pitch faders, no jogwheels may be deal breaker for some.The Good: Best build quality of any NI controller, screens let you focus on hardware.Price + Availability: $1199, Available in the DJTT store.Have you got a touchstrip controller, and ever tried to scratch on it? Or do you think it’s just a crazy non-starter? Any tips to share? Please do so in the comments. That said though, we’re right in the middle of some scratch training right now on the site, and we also happen to have the Kontrol S8 (and the S5/D2) knocking around, so I twisted our scratch tutor Steve’s arm a bit (a lot) and he finally agreed to have a go… on video. ![]() With the S8, frankly you’re best off just plugging some turntables in and grabbing some Traktor timecode vinyl and doing it that way. Well, of course on the face of it this is going to be nigh-on impossible. “So my question is, is it really possible to scratch using only the touchstrip? Does anyone have a video and/or tutorial to show how to do this (it’d be good for the motivation to see that it’s possible!). Always up for giving things a go, today our intrepid scratch tutor Steve attempts to pull off the impossible by scratching on the Traktor Kontrol S8.ĭigital DJ Tips reader Bleks writes: “I’m by no means a ‘scratch master’, more a ‘scratcher of disaster’! But anyway, I was following your free scratch training with my old controller… until, that is, a few days ago when I bought the wonderful Traktor Kontrol S8 with its nice touchstrip.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |