Audio 4 Announced - Who is getting one?

http://www.native-instruments.com/newreleases/#/en/?content=0

I myself might get one because my usb port on the 8 is getting sluggish...

But wtf ...huge let down for DJ's this year ...I wanted more new stuff...

 

Depends whether you can use it with a software upgrade to scratch, and whether it has a better failure rate than the audio 8 DJ.

As the shop page says:

"Important note: Combining the TRAKTOR PRO software with AUDIO 4 DJ DOES NOT give you timecode control to spin via turntables or CD decks. If you like to use timecoded vinyl or CD please buy"

It stops right at the critical moment. I like the look of the interface. I'm a little disappointed that this was NI's ace in the hole for NAMM though. Ah well, roll on 1.03, and some crucial bug fixes, either way.

 

Pretty hard to say anything as I don't know anything about the bloody thing... the website is just greeting me with the rather unwelcoming "service unavailable"-notice... or it loads the background and starts loading some crappy useless flash interface and stops loading at 30%.

So, before I get to know at least some things about the beast, I'm not deciding one way or another

 

I think NI's "ace-in-the-hole" was Kore 4.

I don't get why everyone's complaining about NAMM. We've had Traktor Pro for what? 4 months? Vestax is releasing a Traktor Pro almost dedicated controller.

THe site, though, won't work for me either.

 

W T F ? ... so where in the HELL are the news for DJ's?

 

Assistant:

Dunno, we'll see when we know more about the audio 4. I'd be more excited if 1.03 let me delete tracks from playlists, mind.

 

Well... Combining TRAKTOR PRO software with AUDIO 8 DJ does not give you timecode control either. You need TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO software for that...

Edit: mind you, my Audio 8 hasn't failed me once, so it's pretty hard to get a "better" failure rate

 

No kidding, sherlock But there is a cheaper upgrade path. It would be a little offputting if you still needed to get an A8 if you wanted to upgrade to scratch, if that makes sense.

 

Makes perfect sense. So the current offering is:

TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO CROSSGRADE
For users of TRAKTOR PRO / TRAKTOR 1, 2 or 3 / FINAL SCRATCH 1 or 2.

Package Comprises: TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO software, AUDIO 8 DJ audio interface, 2 control vinyl records/2 control CDs , 2 Multicore cables, manual
559.00 USD

So my question is...will there also be a TSP Crossgrade offering featuring the Audio4 and for a lesser price?

 

So what's the point having phono/line inputs on Audio4 if you must buy Traktor Scratch Pro to use timecode vinyl/cd?

 

I do wish people would think before posting. You must buy traktor scratch pro ANYWAY as traktor pro doesn't have timecode support in the software. The issue is whether you'll still need to get the audio 8 to use scratch pro- or whether the audio 4 will be blessed too (otherwise it's a much weaker part).

 

Why buy that? You should buy the Rame TTM 57SL that's in the product video. That's a soundcard too ya know...

 

Let's be perfectly clear, chilly, if those Ranes are on you, then yay, they're nice, and you're a generous guy

However, some people just want a little interface that can be packed into a backpack, and plugged into a mixer elsewhere, I guess that's the difference. Different kit for different tasks.

I'm having more problem spotting a reason for the Audio 4 until we know for sure that it works with scratch.

 

My first comment was me being a little embarassed that as a very long NI product owner and loyal supporter, they threw a competitors hardware device in their product video.

And about timecode control, I'm pretty sure it does support it. Whether or not it's for both TS and TSP is a different story.

 

Well, they'd be bloody insane to not allow it to be used with timecode. I'd be happy to get one, knowing there was an upgrade path..

Really hope you're right, if it could be had for a chunk below RRP, it wouldn't be a bad device.

(I'm a little embarassed by the faux sk8 style video, but that's just me- it smacks of embarrassing uncles dancing at weddings)

 

AUDIO 4 DJ (229,-) + TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO Certified Mixer Upgrade (299,-) = 528,-
TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO = 599,-
The difference is only 71,-

 

No such thing as 'only' in this economy.

$71 = a good day at Beatport or Napster.

 

That said, RRP is rarely something that you pay when buying this stuff, so it might be possible to get a bigger discount than you think, especially on hardware. I don't know where that would leave the numbers, we have to wait and see.

The point for me, too, is that I have a use for an audio 4 right now. I might have a use for scratch a year down the line, when I get frustrated with midi control. At that point, I could spend the rest of the money, and not have to pay it all upfront...

I know, I am trying to look on the bright side, sickening, isn't it?

(I also kinda hope the audio 4 has fewer problems than the audio 8, as they seem to die quite a lot..)

 

This is the exact route I would go being an Zero8 owner. But the fact that I could own an A8 for just another $71 is mighty nice. Gives me additional options for those times the my Z8 just cant come out with me.