Traktor controllers: Where are you going?

Top selling DJ controllers in 2016 are:
1. DDJ-SB2
2. DDJ-SX2
3. DDJ-SR
4. Mixtrack Pro 3
5. Party Mix
6. DDJ-SZ
7. MixDeck Express
8. XDJ-RX
9. Mixtrack 3
10. Traktor Kontrol S4 MK2

Some of them are cheap and simple, some of them are expensive. And except S4, they are all desgned for Serato. Let's be honest: 10th place for S4 is a huge disappointment, but also can tell us something interesting. S4 (MK1) is almost 6 years old, and MK2 is 3 years old - no big difference between them, right? So, the best selling Traktor controller is in fact 6 years old! Where is S8? Maybe S5? Why people don't wanna buy them? It is not a mystery!
Dear NI, I really love my S2+X1+F1, and I am sure I will love my next Traktor controller - but you are going in the wrong direction. I know your strategy was a big investment, but you will sooner or later change that direction - the sooner, the cheaper will be for the company. Wake up, not only because of us, but because of you.

 

Agreed just like they will be forced to update traktor software to reflect the real world rather than keep the software the same as it was 10 years ago .

 

Well, Traktor Pro is today very advanced and great software with stems, step sequencer, etc.
Problem is not the software, the real problem are all-in-one controllers. X1, F1, or even D2 are great controllers for those who need them.
But it is a real shame that old S4 is in fact better (and cheaper) controller than S5.

 

sad NI was never able to further improve and update the S4.

 

True, and that was wrong decision. The proof of that is the list in my first post.

 

No wonder they're slowly but surely losing market share. They're doing great as far as their music production division is concerned, but I think they've officially called it quits when it comes to DJ products. I just received my Pioneer DJM S9 and I'm amazed at the tight implementation of hardware/software with Serato DJ - Ni are starting to show their German stubbornness lol

 

an outdated browser is a software problem .

 

Explain me more please.
What means outdated browser? Browsing with browse button?

 

S4 is better than the S5? As a person who has owned an original S4, then the mk2, and now the S5, I've found the S5 to be the best of the bunch for mobile use, even when playing a variety of genres and bpm's from party music, R&B, commercial cheese etc ...
Having the screens means that I'm not always looking at the MacBook for track selection or where I'm at in a track and although I'm not a person who uses Stems or the Sequencer, it works great for light remix deck use but more importantly having all 8 coloured cues and the ease of loops/jumps is where it shines for my workflow.
Missing the jog wheels you say? not really, I'm fine with the touch strips as they do the same job (and I don't scratch well ... and I'd rather use vinyl if I try, lol), Relying on sync for open format mixing? No, it's not hard to change the bpm of either the track that's playing or the next track, in-fact it's better because you're not stuck to the finite pitch slider percentage, instead you're changing the actual bpm of the track and can do your own transitions with massive bpm swings ...

As someone else mentioned the browser is due for an update, I know that smart playlists are available in iTunes but having them native in Traktor, and the ability to do multiple condition searches would be great.

 

That is your opinion and your preferences - I cannot disagree with you, my preferences are different.
But the fact is that S4 is better selling controler than S5, and let's be realistic - S4 is 6 years old.
Why is S5 not on that list? It is not expensive. It looks great. Screens are sexy, bright and sharp.
What do you think, what can be the reason?

 

i am not saying the software is no good just extremely outdated .

 

I much prefer jog wheels for open format DJ'ing. I'm happy with touch strips but I'm just more at home with jog wheels. The S4 changed everything for me. An updated S4 with screens is my hope for the future.

I think we're all agreed that the browser is past it's sell by date.
The argument that iTunes does Smart Playlists it better is redundant now (as I'm sure you agree). DJs are turning away from iTunes in there droves.
NI must implement Smart Playlists - it's not even up for debate in my opinion.

Jog wheels... it's that simple. It's an undeniable truth that most DJs prefer jog wheels even if they barely use them they just like to know they are there. Plus, the S4 came along at a time when there were way fewer options. Pioneer have flooded the market and that has affected sales of probably every hardware company.

 

I think the Traktor Z2 is the best mixer I've ever owned. I think the D2 is so much fun. It's just a matter of when they decide to put out something, it's no doubt in my mind something is in the pipeline. What? I don't know...

 

But of course: jog wheels and pitch control slider. We all know that.
And yes, S4 MK III with screens: I'd buy one tomorrow.

 

Can you elaborate that a bit?
I think Traktor Pro is the most advance DJ software and that is quite opposite to your opinion.
Few days ago, I read about CDJ-2000NXS2 and lastest firmware update: now it is 2, 4, 8 and 16 BEAT JUMP added.
Now?
I use 1/32 - 32 beat jump on Traktor how much.... 6 years? More?

So, what are you missing in Traktor software? What will you add?

 

This is cool
http://djtechtools.com/2017/04/05/routine-interview-performing-live-traktors-step-sequencer/

Uses the D2 and the F1.
I don't disagree that NI needs to update the software and keep a current jogwheel controller available.

 

Really? I found it dull.

Why use 1 deck to play good music, when you can use 4 to play soulless, insipid, rubbish.

This is everything that's wrong with Traktor.

 

You can hardly blame Traktor for people playing music you don't like. What an odd remark.
You can still play with 2 decks the traditional way (as I do). Nothing has been removed by the implementation of the sequencer.

 

NI have spent the entire development cycle of Traktor Pro 2 on gimmicks that suck the soul out of DJing. Tools that make everything sound static, sterile and lifeless. All the while, the core interface of Traktor has been pretty much untouched, and is years out of date. So, yes, this is everything that's wrong with Traktor.

 

Well just don't use those gimmicks. Traktor at its heart is the same as it always was... or is it that you want new gimmicks, just not the ones that NI have developed?
One mans beloved new feature is another mans folly I guess.

If you mean the browser then I agree - I've been more than clear on that point for years and years.
I don't care for a new UI. I'd just be looking at a different representation of the same thing but I can see why people are eager for a new UI. People like to see things change - it's seen as progress even if it actually isn't.