Traktor Kontrol X2

So about the recent news of new "Traktor Hardware", I really liked the sneak peak teaser picture I saw on Twitter, and just thought of sharing the news and my thoughts incase others haven't spotted it.

The picture from the official @Traktor Twitter account can be found here.

Based on a mockup by someone at the DjTechTools forum, and the picture above, I came up with this mockup.

That's what it should look like roughly. And I took the liberty of naming it Kontrol X2 since it's the second piece of hardware in the Traktor controller family.

Anyways, what are your thoughts about this guys ? I guess this is going to allow us to use the 2 sample decks on Traktor as well as allow us to beat juggle through cue points. Perhaps give us to the option to choose between a sample mode and a cue point mode.

I can't figure out why the 4x4 pads are coloured though. Any ideas on that ?

 

Interesting not a bad mockup...
More interesting though, is what do you think it does?

 

its definatley a good addition to add the faders... thats all the X1 was missing in my eyes oh and maybe a built in coffee maker ..!

 

OK so given the pictures emerging what are your thoughts on the pads? How would you see yourself using them given the current software? What additions to the software would you want see in order to more effectively use the pads?

Phil

 

You could let us drag and drop hotcues/samples to the pads in an on screen mimic of the pad layout possibly..?

 

I personally use an Akai LPD8 with my Traktor set up to control the sample decks C & D with the knobs assigned to control their volumes. So I wouldn't really like it if this new piece of hardware was for the same use. Although I doubt it will be strictly for such a use.

I just can't get my head around why the pads are coloured in 5 different colours. It seems like it has a Maschine thing going on.

The only thing I can think of for now is that each row is for 1 deck, with 4 pads per deck that can be assigned to cue points, and you can colour code them according to prefrence in order to easily beat-juggle a pattern (something like how a midi-fighter works).

Could you perhaps give us a hint, Phill ?

 

I would like to see them like the pad section of machine. many dj's are using machine plus traktor but sometimes you dont need all the production features machine. but if the pads can be used to create beats and run like a sequencer would be steller

 

I haven't seen the software so I actually don't know what-all the features are.

Personally I wanna be able to go mental doing cut-ups, so either 1 column per deck or the ability to drop some crazy loops and jumps on a deck would be the way forward. Getting all Jeremy Ellis on tracks inside Traktor would be awesome.

Phil

 

So how about this then...?
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGxd1Cm2_Sc"]NI provide a better look into the future...[/ame]

 

the question remains will it work with traktor2 ( an update )or is the going to be new software needed to be purchased. or go the serato route with it only being available with that specific controller?

 

Yeah you have to expect that it will provide some level of support for existing software but new software functionality will be needed to drive the whole package to its full potential.

You can certainly do a lot to drive a deck of samplers with a couple of X1's. I expect to able to do a lot more with the new controller and software together.

Phil

 

will it be like the introduction of the X1?
remember the X1 only supportet in 1.2.4 or later?
i think the new controller will come with an update but really wonder if it will be a major release (3.X)or a major update (2.2.X)
we will see

 

Anyone know a release date?

 

Nope don't know yet. I expect the best you will get for now is 2012. We may be able to nail down to something like summer 2012, but I suspect we maybe a ways away from that yet.

 

right but i guess the question is will it still be traktor. or another software? and if it is a traktor update is it an expensive one? ( we already have to pay for a new controller. then a new program on top of that? )will you need 2 for full capabilities? can it play nice with just one and an x1... those are the things i wonder

 

i still like my X1 layout better, and the extra knobs

 

And here is an update to the mockup after the video came out.

 

Thats cus the X1 is and will always be totally bitchin'

I think people are missing something here. This is not a replacement for the X1.
Its another Kontroller to suit certain needs.

Note that in the video, which I will confirm to you is a 100% live performance, there is an X1.

X1 plus "thingy"... not sell the X1 to buy the new "thingy"...?

 

Going to be some kind of upgrade like the SSL Bridge - which allows you to control Ableton clips using the controller....and all of the usual Traktor functions will still be controlled by X1.

 

Based on what I'm seeing it will be targeted to drive Traktor. The rest of the details I have no answer for. They will come over time.