Comparing S5 and S8

I have a S8, but wondering if I should downgrade to an S5. So trying to compare them and see what I might gain og lose in the trade.

From what I see in the photos:
- The S5 drops the input button under the gain knobs. Maybe replaced by the green AUX button in the middel.
- The FX select is gone. Maybe forcing you to do it on the laptop.
- The Capture/Edit buttons are gone. Again forcing you to do prep work on the laptop.
- And I am embarrassed to say (ha ha) I did NOT notice until right now the four STEM faders are gone!! What the hell?? I must assume you some how assign the mixer to a deck and control the stems that way. Not sure I want to downgrade now.....

What else do you guys see? Or have read?





JTP

 

Phil has the answer to how to control STEMS:



JTP

 

Phil! Good to see NI at the BPM trade show. In the past they were missing at most of these type of trade shows.

 

Id keep the s8 my friend. In terms it would be like buttering bread with a spoon. Gets job done but it's lumpy in areas.... Know what i mean!?...

My first reason is that the S8 is a stand alone unit (if you ever needed it to be) where as s5 is software dependant. No scratch pro to toy with either.

Stick with your original choice dude. It will get some awesome future updates I'm sure. Prob get traktor pro 3 free and users with s5 d2 would have to pay a small surcharge... hmm that be nice to know what price plans NI have on and when releasing tp3. Tb discussed.

A trade in will lose in both cost and functionality.

 

Well, I don't see why should I buy S5 instead S4 and spend 200$ more.
Confusing stem feature? Nice screens? Not enough!
S4+F1 (it is a price for S5) is a way better combination for me.

 

New on the forums here..

I'm looking at upgrading to either one of these controllers but due to a limited amount of desk space I'm leaning towards the s5. I mainly mix dnb and run dvs on turntables with an audio 6 + an X1 mk2.

My question is can I use my audio 6 for the two turntables alongside the s5? Is it possible to route dvs control to a midi controller?

I know the s5 doesn't have inputs for any sort of dvs and that the s8 does, but surely if I've got a soundcard capable of handling those two decks I can use them as say decks C and D.

 

I wouldn't recommend DVS with a controller like the S5 - that has no standalone inputs - I see maybe a way to use the DVS-Vinyl to control the decks and send the deck-output as internal to the S5, but I wouldn't to that.
Go for a good mixer and use by-side-controllers (like Traktor X1/F1 etc.). If you need a small mixer, I love the Ecler Nuo 2.0 (just 370x165x80mm)
Or even better go for a traktor-cratch certefied mixer (DJM850 or Traktor Z2 and some others) - an have your audio 6 as a backup-system or to use in a club with their mixer.
If you need/like the display/stemsfunc. and want to work with turntables, I would recommend to take a good look at the D2!
If you don't need/use the DVS with vinyl (to scratch), skip DVS! Also if you work with CDJ's, use the HID-functionallity with the CDJ-soundcard (the Wolfson DAC is one of the best!!!) or maybe use the internal soundcard of the clubmixer.
Keep your DVS-(Vinyl and CD-)System as backup - in case they don't have kept the CDJ's-Firmware updated in a club. NEVER "mess around"/updating the firmware on units in a club (even if you know, what you are doing) - it's rude and a absolutely no go - the same goes for (unasked) unplugging their mixer to use yours or make space for your too "big" controller (like the S5).

 

The reason I want to keep my turntables is because controllers are frowned upon in the dnb scene here in the UK. Nearly all of the old selectas spin vinyl or dvs because of the roots of it, even though there's practically no scratching involved.

Cdjs are sick but picking up a pair with HID mode I'll end up paying out my arse for them. I want four track control but don't wanna fork out for a djm850.

It's basically to sit in my bedroom, and I've only got a limited space! I'm not too focused on playing out much yet, I've done a few gigs but it wasn't dnb, and it wasn't my scene. Where I live house music (the kinda where smashed girls call every track "deep") and charts is the preferred night out as long as you've got a button up shirt on and your hair slicked back!

Although I love the look of a the s5 and the screens are pretty, I'm probably going to go with the tried and trusted s4. dnb mixing in general doesn't require effects to build drops or transition songs, it's all about selection and double drops!

Props to the last bit, I didn't know cdjs even had firmware!

Gutted they didn't just throw 2 inputs on the back of the s5 though

 

Can't you assign shift functions via a script to do a soft-takeover of the channel strips to control the volumes of each of the stems on each side? I mean, yeah... it's a work-around, but if you're not constantly controlling the stems volumes, this might be a good solution. I'm interested in getting one of these two controllers this "Black Friday/Cyber Monday" as well.

 

Unsure of a "script", but they are not mappable other than using midi mode. The S8 has a work around to assign some functions to the knobs and faders though.

https://support.native-instruments....OL-S8-D2-Default-Mapping-Using-MIDI-Controls-

 

So far I'm loving the S5 (had it for 3 days).
I'm still getting a hang of all the features and combos, and everything is pretty cool
I've noticed that it can't alter effects or alter the volume of the channels on a remix deck, but that's no biggie for me because I haven't really used remix before and I was only experimenting. There is always the mouse on screen if I need it for a work around, or if I really start to use remix decks add a D2 to the setup.

 

I think the best options for an ultimate traktor setup are:

1. S8
2. Z2 with D2 controller(s) - if you actually intend to use the remix/stem decks as intended.
3. Z2, turntables, Maschine controller(s)

I owned the S4 once upon a time, and it was a nice "in the box" solution, but eventually I missed my turntables.

If you are still on timecode, the S4 and S5 will leave something to be desired. I have the S8 with my old 1210s set up & it's a fantastic setup. That said, the Z2 is a superior "traditional battle mixer", if you will...
It also has the 2 port USB hub on the back, which doesn't seem that significant, but for my setup with multiple controllers (and sometimes multiple sound cards), that would be HUGE.

I won't be selling my S8, but when the Z2 hits the big sale this fall I will be picking it up - strictly to run alongside my Maschine controllers with my turntables plugged in to scratch samples.

If the budget is NOT an issue, the pair of D2s alongside the Z2 is a more comprehensive setup with better components that can be edited based on your needs that day. Does that make sense? You get a superior DJ mixer to the S8, but retain 100% of the live-remix capabilities of the S8 when both D2 units are plugged in. You do lose the dedicated faders on the other two channels on the Z2, but if you are strictly using the 3rd and 4th deck for remix cells or sequencing, perhaps those controls would be alright to lose.

For heavy electronic Live PA style sets I go to the S8 because the remix/stem functionality is AMAZING on that controller. If I'm just playing a standard set, sometimes it's really nice to have a 2 channel battle mixer and some decks to muck around on. With the S8 it's definitely possible, but the controller is really wide & the crossfader is not as nice. And, since it's one box, you lug the entire thing around whether or not you plan to use the fancy extras. So, if you want to practice your sweet, sweet battle skills - it's a bit awkward.

Perhaps NI will release the Z4 mixer this winter... Aside from the higher price tag, you'd have the best of both worlds.

Now if NI would allow us to access the "virtual channels" inside of the S8, or open a "maschine deck" inside of Traktor, this conversation could go a few different ways.

 

Hello everyone, I am currently a beginner who has had some experience djing before, I would've liked to start djing/producing as a hobby and would like to get advice on what dj controller to get. The Kontrol s8 or Kontrol s5? As well as if I'll be able to use a dj controller and midi controller for this hobby.