Is it legal?

The Scratch and Timecode Kit is not an upgrade. It has no requirements, and does not link to any pre-existing software or hardware. It is TSP2 along with the vinyls and CDs.

The old discontinued timecode kit was an upgrade. The new one is not.

 

I'm talking about Z2 and the TSP2 that came with it, The OP bought the mixer from a seller who runs a DJ school and sold the mixer separately. That is not legit. Z2 and software needs to be sold together.

 

The OP said he also bought the Software and Timecode Kit separately and claims that it doesn't work without the Z2 being registered. Which doesn't make sense as the kit is also intended for those using 3rd party Traktor mixers.

 

My guess is because the Z2 is bundled with the software and having a timecode kit breaks the bundle.

But when I had TSP2 with my Audio 8 DJ and then bought the Z2 it worked fine. I did activate the Z2 so it is confusing in a way. I'm sure if I sold my Z2 same thing would happen to the buyer because the software is still in my name.

 

I haven't seen any evidence to show that hardware is explicitly tied to software. If a friend has their own copy of Traktor Pro 2 installed, I could for example connect connect my own S4 to their laptop and play just fine.

The Software + Timecode kit can be installed just by itself. You can then plug in a Z2 and it should work, as long as the drivers are installed.

 

Playing is just fine but activating it in your own account then that where the problem begins. I can also plug my Z2 to my friends laptop who has TSP2 (the one I gave TSP2) but if I sold him my Z2 without the software he'll probably end uplike the OP.

 

Exactly. Playing is just fine. End of thread..

 

Aren't we talking about activating and not just playing?
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The Z2 is not in the list of scratch certified mixers

There's the requirement.
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But surely the Z2 when activated should work with the timecode kit. This is confusing the hell out of me.

 

Okay just to clear this up once and for all. The Z2 is not a scratch certified mixer therefore the timecode kit will work but without the timecode feature

And I am right in saying that the seller who sold the OP the Z2 with no software has broken the NI licensing agreement and shouldn't have sold the Z2 without the software. And that the OP needs a scratch certified mixer in order to fully utilize the timecode kit otherwise (according to the mod) the timecode will not work until the OP gets one of this qualifying products:
- AUDIO 4 DJ
- AUDIO 8 DJ
- TRAKTOR AUDIO 6
- TRAKTOR AUDIO 10
- TRAKTOR KONTROL S4
- "TRAKTOR SCRATCH Certified Mixer"

Credit goes to Count Zero for giving me the info.

 

Hey,

Just to fix things up, the timecode kit will indeed work with the Z2.

I have spoken to NI and the seller and the seller is willing to take back the mixer and a full refund. I take it he's afraid NI will stop selling reduced price gear to him if he continues with this.

 

Just because it's not on the list it doesn't mean it's not certified. The Pioneer DJM-T1 is also missing from the list yet is designed to work specifically with Traktor Scratch.

The Z2 is obviously Scratch Certified...

As for the kit, it will install whether you have the correct hardware or not. But the timecode functionality will only work with the list of hardware you mentioned. (including certified devices that are not on "the list"...)

The only check Traktor makes to decide whether or not to allow timecode is the name of the audio device connected. It does not check your online account for registered hardware.

 

I'm just quoting what the mod told me and he did say qualified hardware will work with timecode and just looked at the list of qualified mixers.
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That's good to hear. At least the seller knows now that the Z2 came with bundled software and cannot be sold separately.

To the OP, what are your plans now since you're returning the mixer and having bought the timecode kit?

 

I don't know.

I mean, everything is working fine and it will just cost extra to return it and buy a new one.

What would you recommend?

 

The Z2 is cheap considering you get the software+mixer+timecode vinyls\CDs in one package. That's one of the reasons I bought it myself.

When you start looking at buying a scratch certified mixer and then you will need an audio interface with some models (not sure which ones have them and which ones haven't), you'll end up spending more money.

Some people might recommend the S4 but I'm not really into controllers. I like the old school setup. I did have CDJs before and they were pretty good but Pioneers are expensive so I will not recommend them unless you have a big budget.

So have 2 choices IMO.

1- Pay the extra and get a NEW Z2 from a proper DJ store (preferably a store that you can walk into) and just accept that you lost some money.

2- Save up and get a new setup. New mixer with or without an audio interface but preferably with an audio interface so you don't have to buy an audio interface (up to you which one) that will work with your timecode kit.

Option 2 will definitely cost more money but it's your decision. I assume you have decks already so option 1 would be the best out of the two. You can also resell your timecode kit if you decide to get a new Z2 as you won't need it because the Z2 comes with the timecode vinyls\CDs. But be mindful that not all countries sell the Z2 with timecode media (I think Netherlands is one of them) so find out first if the Z2 you plan to buy has the vinyls\CDs included.

 

Yeah thats correct.

Unfortunately not. My life kinda got kicked in the teeth and it took a year to sort out but it's all good now.

It's good to be back. Cheers man, I appreciate the nice words.