Kontrol S4 or Kontrol X1 + good Analog mixer?

Well so basically I have this question, what would be better, a Kontrol S4 or Kontrol X1 + a good Analog mixer? I can't decide on this.

On the second option I would buy an Ecler NUO 4.0 mixer.

 

well what are your aims? Just mixing at home? using DVS? or all controllers?

 

Not just this, I'm doing a DJ course (that I will finish next month), so I'm planning to use this professionally too, in a close future; at clubs, parties, not just at home. I will make some music production with Ableton Live too. And I will not be playing with timecodes.

 

do you really need it to be analog?
the s4 is the equivalent of one or two X1s , an analog mixer, and a soundcard, in a small (well small-ish!) package

if you plan to bring your setup to where you play then get the S4

bringing an analog mixer, a laptop, soundcard, and X1s might be a pain in the ass after awhile! while with the S4 just the S4 + laptop will do (provided they have the sound systems already)

 

Another advantage for the S4 is that you can lay down with it in your bed and make beautiful music together.

Try doing that with at least 3 different pieces of gear.

What I'm trying to say is that with something like and S4 you are able to practise and play anywhere.

 

I've asked myself the very same thing, I was lusting after the S4 when it came out, but I played a gig recently on a vestax tr-1, Audio DJ4 & had recently migrated from a xone64 and X1. I have to say, after long deliberation, I'm going back to a hardware mixer & a X1. Purely personal taste, but I prefer 'gaining' the tracks through an analogue mixer. Just seems more musical to my ears. I really like the S4 and I'm sure it's great, but you have to go with what you love most.
I'm going for a Rane Empath & X1. That'll do me...

 

A&H Mixer and 2 X1 !

 

+1. Nothings beats a XONE92 + 2xX1 setup.

 

true words my friend

 

Nice, I'm really going for an Ecler NUO 4.0 + 2 Kontrol X1

 

What can I add to that? I have all of them; a X1, a Denon X120 and 2x S1200's. But was already playing 100% digital. Then I bought the S4 (got it since 1st december) and Man I love it. Using 4 channels and a preview channel is lovely. Sound quality is the same as my audio2 and the response of the S4 is superb. Really got used to it now (am a mobile dj that plays 4 times a month) and starting with more and more sampling on it. What considering the choice; the weight/size/possibilities beats all others!

I still have my denon X1100, the analoge monstermixer and the X120... But decided to sell these now. So no way back for me!

 

+1 on that as well... and i own an S4. I Don't regret it, but A&H 92 + 2 x1's is still top of the line!

 

allen & heath Xone92 mixer and 2 X1 - the best in my experience

 

All is best....

I had that very same question when it came out.......
I love the s4 for all you get: hardware, software and portability. BUT it all depends on where you play and how much cash you have to spend.

In the end I think that the ideal setup is both audio 4/8 + x1 and the s4 here is why:

for club use Audio4/8+x1 wins for me, its hard to fit the s4 in a crowded dj booth, why would I play internally when most clubs will have HI end mixers? Plus for me its easyer to do back to backs with other djs by playing timecode.

For smaller gigs, partyes, bars, pubs, home, studio, or whenever you know you wont have a mixer then the s4 win for me, its better than any other controller out there super quality, solid software, mad controls.

So basically we all play in small places quite often, where we play for many hours and often do one man shows, but as well we play (sometimes....) in big clubs where we want to use the clubs mixer and TTs!

Personally I have a xone 22 that i bring with me when i play in places that have no mixer (its really small!) plus audio4 and x1, i recently bought 2 cdj101 for better feeling and i find this set up ideal. If I had the money I would definately buy the the s4 but i would never give up on my soundcard and x1.

Merry Xmas!

 

All depends on where you play. In a club setting trying to place a S4 in the booth is not fun & easy. For mobile DJ's that do private parties the S4 might be ideal. But in my opinion the hardware mixer and X1 setup is much more versatile because of the modular approach. I love when gigging abroad all I have to take with me is the X1, my headphones, laptop and soundcard which all fits into my carry-on backpack, instead of hauling around some huge flightcase.

 

I recently was asking myself the same questions you are, and I went for the X1 with an Audio 4 instead of the S4. The portability and ability to plug into almost any DJ booth with relative ease made it the most viable option for me. I also liked being able to interchange mixers whenever I wanted / the funds allowed. I will most likely upgrade to a XONE 62 or 92 in the future and add another X1 if needed.

 

Right, but wouldn't you also need an audio8 to be able to use all 4 channels?
I guess that in the end the S4 alternative would be 2 X1 + 4 channel mixer + audio 8 but you still have no jogs.....

 

One might be better for you, while the other will be better for someone else. Depends on your mixing style.

NUO4.0 is the bomb-diggity; I see someone on DJF selling one for like $400 shipped or something ridiculously low.

 

Indeed. I have a Xone:92 and 2 X1s. But I also have a Xone:2D connected. This provides an awesome soundcard (same as Xone:4d) and extra faders and knobs and jogs etc. It's also dual layer MIDI, so I assign all other less used Traktor functions to the second layer, meaning I never have to touch my laptop or mouse. I did have a 1D along with the 2D at one point (to have 2 wheels), but found with some clever mapping only a 2D and one physical jog sufficient for my needs.

The major benefit of my setup is whenever I need to play out or do a mobile setup, I use the 2 X1s together with my 2D. This way the 2D acts as mixer and the X1s as effects, transport, and 4-band mapped EQ + mapped out Xone Filters. I call it my Xone:soft. And it all still fits in a backpack.

It's awesome!