The hardware is good, well built and relatively easy to use, probably comparable to most other suchlike dj controllers of a respectable brand (although I can't compare). Setting up and connecting to a laptop is extremely easy and presents no problems. The lit pads make it possible to work in a dark environment. No comments on the effect as I don't use them. While TRAKTOR PRO 3 is made for our TRAKTOR KONTROL series, it also syncs seamlessly with other DJ equipment and software through MIDI and Ableton Link. Expand your setup with any controller, using TRAKTOR’s modular design, or link directly to Ableton Live to create unique workflows that push your creativity to new heights. Looping is controlled by two encoders per side, and again, it’s simple but powerful. The Loop encoder turns a loop on or off, and turning it halves or doubles its length. Meanwhile, the Move encoder moves the current loop as it’s playing – a feature many DJs, especially techno DJs, love about Traktor. Connectivity: 44.1/48 kHz / 24-bit audio interface, mic input (1/4" / 6.3 mm TRS), headphone out (1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS), 2x stereo main out (line and 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS), USB port, iOS port, 12V DC Powered via USB 2.0 or with optional power supply unit.

Most of the people have said this already, but yeah - why removing the effects knobs, when the MK2 already has it. It can get quite boring using only the mixer FX ( you can use only 1 for each channel). You could use custom mappings for free, which are not ideal or invest in a Kontrol X1 (which is not so cheap) to manage this. Also there is not an IN/OUT buttons for the loops, but you could do a mapping in Traktor for this pretty easily. The unit has a pre-defined Audio setup and a special button in the AUDIO tab of Config to provide that. Alternative Audio setups can be applied in the same window. The flagship TRAKTOR 4-channel mixer software from Native Instruments is the foundation of the TRAKTOR series, offering cutting edge control of your music files. Featuring professional-grade audio quality, instant syncing for beat matching, seamless looping, Hotcue, beatjump tools for remixing on the fly, and a full suite of high-grade effects, TRAKTOR PRO 3 is the top choice of DJs around the world.If you are experiencing problems with your S2 MK2 in TRAKTOR DJ, or if your S2 MK2 is not being recognized by the iOS device, please verify the following: Pro Mixer Layout with redesigned monitoring section and four dedicated slots for Mixer FX plus filters Without any of the above Licenses, the controller will operate for 10 minutes each time you restart VirtualDJ. Pro Mixer Layout with redesigned monitoring section and four dedicated slots for Mixer FX plus filters That means that if the revitalised Traktor platform is to have a hope of keeping and growing its market share, it needs to appeal to the same people whose first taste of DJing is exactly this type of device. That’s what the S2 is clearly designed to do. Let’s see how it shapes up…

The pitch slider is small and beatmatching could be quite hard. Set this in your software to +/- 8% and it will be better. New Mixer FX for instant one-knob FX and filter control on each channel. Choose from eight FX and three filter types to assign to four hardware FX slots If your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 is not lighting up or is not recognized by your computer, please read this hardware troubleshooting guide.And sure, there are no full effects engine controls above each jogwheel as you find on some other DJ gear (including the S4), but that means the unit is far less cluttered – and anyway the new mixer effects which are controlled by the big knob under the EQs sound great and will be more than enough for most people.

Sure the performance pads aren’t huge, but they don’t need to be as they only control a couple of functions. Sure, the pitch faders are short – but they’re also high quality, adjusting easily up to 1/100th of a BPM even when they’re set to +/-20%. The Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3 is the latest 2-channel digital DJ controller that comes with a range of new exciting controls and functions that provides you with a plethora of creative manipulation options so you can create seamless mixes that are sure to amaze your audience. New Mixer FX for instant one-knob FX and filter control on each channel. Choose from eight FX and three filter types to assign to four hardware FX slots There are three different TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 models: The first-generation S2 MK1, the second-generation S2 MK2 (both out of production), and the most recent S2 MK3. View the pictures below to identify your model. MK1Once VirtualDJ 8 is launched, a Login Window will appear. Login with your virtualdj.com account credentials. A Pro Infinity, a Kontrol S2 Plus or a Pro Subscription License is required to fully use the Kontrol S2 New large (14 cm / 5.5'') smooth precision jog wheels with two modes: 1. Jog mode: Classic spin-to-nudge function, as well as scratch capability 2. Beatgrid adjust mode: Use the jog wheel to manually adjust beatgrid in TRAKTOR The unit should be visible in the CONTROLLERS tab of Config and the “factory default” available/selected from the Mappings drop-down list. The factory default Mapping offers the functions described in this Manual, however those can be adjusted to your needs via VDJ Script actions. More about those effects. With no FX Select button pressed, the effects are set to filter. Press any of the four FX Select buttons, and you switch the filter out for other macro/mixer effects – there are actually eight to choose from in the software, and one of them is a long-requested noise effect, which is good to see.

Non-destructive file handling: "Tag writing mode" options have been added for configuring has been added to configure which types of metadata TRAKTOR writes or does not write to audio files. Connectivity: 44.1/48 kHz / 24-bit audio interface, mic input (1/4" / 6.3 mm TRS), headphone out (1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS), 2x stereo main out (line and 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS), USB port, iOS port, 12V DC In February 2019, Native Instruments released the version 3.1.1 update for Traktor Pro 3. Version 3.1.1 brings some new features, improvements, and fixes that make for a smoother workflow. Here's some of the features and improvements:S2 MK1 only: If your controller is not being recognized by your OS X 10.10 (or higher) system, read this article. You can then stop, start, mute and play those samples using the performance pads, by pressing the “Samples” button first, then using the top four pads on each side the play the samples, and the bottom four to mute/enable them. The Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3 is a fun controller to use. It’s partly because the jogwheels just feel “right” (there’s no wobble, they’re a decent size), and partly because it isn’t too cluttered.