Of course, nobody is going to buy this to use it simply as a standalone mixer, and the first good thing to say here is that the integration between standalone mixer use and Traktor is absolutely seamless.

Also, if you’re looking to add a scratch system to your existing gear (ie replace your mixer with a Scratch-software enabled mixer so you can DJ with either records/CDs or music files from software), you may want to consider the biggest rival system to Traktor Scratch, namely Serato Scratch Live. 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: Built tough for pro use, TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 features all the power and connectivity needed for even the biggest clubs. The integrated audio interface delivers 24-bits of high-output audio so your sets hit with maximum impact.TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 delivers the reliability and pro sound quality essential for the world’s biggest stages and hottest clubs. TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2’s layout builds on familiar standards for uninterrupted workflow from the start. A spacious control surface with faders, 3-band EQ section and dedicated filter knobs per channel are all right where you need them. Build: Great. Some might be wary of the plastic pots, but there’s an undeniably professional quality to the Kontrol Z2… except the issue with the paint coming off the glossy section of the mixer, which doesn’t really affect anything other than aesthetics, but it’s still a bit naff. The Traktor Kontrol Z2 is an awesome bit of kit and a stunning entry into the DJ mixer market for NI" Instant plug-and-play setup, with full TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 3 software** and timecode media included

In this case you’d be looking at a Rane mixer, of which the Sixty-One is the closest to this. Without even comparing features sets, bear in mind that the Rane Sixty-One costs pretty much double what this does. 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. 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. One-knob Macro FX for effortlessly expressive sound manipulation using the comprehensive array of TRAKTOR effects

The Cyber Season sale is on

Setting up is more convoluted than it could be, but that’s always been my view of setting up Traktor. Native Instruments has a “Service Center” where you have to register yourself and your software, and it’s used to authenticate you as well as provide upgrades and so on, but it adds a layer of complication and I think it could be simpler than it is. For instance, there’s a dialogue at one point that says “Please launch Service Center now”, while the only button on the window says “Restart”. Which is it to be? Stuff like this causes anxiety for users who aren’t sure if they’re doing the right thing. Built-in powered USB hub* for 2 add-on DJ controllers such as TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 or TRAKTOR KONTROL X1

Finally, it’s worth pointing out that you can switch the effects from pre-mixer to post-mixer, something that’s very welcome and that I believe only became possible in Traktor 2.6. 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. Using the Loop encoder and the Shift button, you can easily set loops – turning the encoder decides the loop length, pushing it down turns the loop on or off. The currently selected length is shown on the LED readout.Ergonomically, the Z2 is a tremendous success. Native Instruments should be really proud of what they’ve achieved when it comes to integrating the Z2’s brawn with the Traktor brain, because it looks like the Z2 should do a lot less than it actually does. It’s not the first DVS ‘hub’ mixer, of course, not even close – but to my grubby hands it feels the most streamlined and logical, and when comparing it to other mixers it seems somehow more elegant. Again, as cues, loops can easily be saved; when a loop is active, you press an empty button among the four vertical buttons left and right on the controller to assign it to that button. The button lights green and the loop is stored. To delete it, you hold Shift and press the button again. The Traktor Kontrol Z2 is an awesome bit of kit and a stunning entry into the DJ mixer market for NI. There are far too many clever little touches to list here, but one particular favourite is the ability to mix vinyl or CDs as audio while still using Traktor's effects. Traktor grow over the “hardware as dongle for dvs” model with their dedicated hardware. After openning the dvs compatibility to any audio interface chances of developing a dedicated mixer are probably near to zero. Rumour about selling Traktor to A&H (or behringer) floated before Soundwide adcquisition but with Traktor Plus subs model isn’t clear the future of Traktor (for Soundwide/NI themselves IMHO)