Traktor S8 and D2 controller successor

Hi everyone! I have the opportunity to buy a pair of D2s and an S8 but, still on the fence about it. I hope to know if I should keep a lookout for new hardware announced at NAMM sometime in 2021. Should I get it or wait until later in the next year? I want to get my hands on them, but should I wait? Thanks for your time, everyone! Cheers!

PS. I'm waiting out for something that plays STEM files. I really want to use that tech. Next level stuff! Cheers, again!

 

New hardware will not arrive at sooner than 2022-23... if it comes. Only chance could be if Traktor division selling rumours being true and the A&H (or whatever) release something being developed since 2-3 years ago...

 

Mutis, do you think the next version will be Standalone/All-in-one? That'd be nice.

 

If there is even a NAMM in 2021 I highly doubt it will go ahead.

 

The thing is since hardware division was mainly fired and the plan was to outsourcing hardware it will mean “expect long time until new hardware” or “third party development”.
I don’t think Traktor was going to follow the M+ path but who knows... if the numbers go well maybe it could be a chance.
It was stated by Traktor chief that TDJ2 will substitute TP3 in the future (when it gets the proper features) and meanwhile TP3 will get some updates (and it got some in the meantime) going the division the universal app path (in Apple field) and positioning it in the best point at the moment for the Apple silicon arrive.
I stated before that I believe NI wasn’t true aware about Apple silicon shift (or didn’t get seriously the awareness from the people behind iOS apps) and for me the M+ approach will be hard to justify when new Apple silicon macs hit the streets and Arm apps outperform x86 (in fact Djay Pro and DjPlayer are on par with traktor and the second had dvs running on old iPad gen 1) but I’m very optimistic about Apple and disruption technologies and they (Apple) said “two year shift process” so maybe things will land step by step in the future and NI “got a workable roadmap” for that lack of initial awareness (I hope since I love Traktor).

How that influences in hardware development or standalone release?
Well for hardware, and keeping the division for knowhow about universal app developing, should mean third party class compliant devices (until Apple open the option to install dedicated drivers to their new proposals or relax the mfi specification for HID-based devices) being traktor somekind of Djay Pro for this side (third party agreement, plugnplay with layout presets and mappings, etc...) and at the same time getting the best pf DjPlayer (full midi mapping editor with modificators, DVS, Stems...)

I find standalone Traktor+ hardly possible but it could be an option for TP3 (and I suggest it years ago for Serato Scratch Live when it was ditch to SDJ...) but sincerely just grab a 2012 full spec mac mini if you need something special (remix decks? Fx?) from it... or get DjPlayer which has the main features just right now and you have half of Denon Prime for less than half of the price. Attach a twelve mk2 or Denon 3700 or even a turntable with any timecode vinyl, add a dedicated controller for load, cues, etc (like zomo1000) and you are set. You can use it for 4 turntables/decks...

IDK...Is there a need/market for Traktor+?
Since NI ditched S5/D2 it will take the S8 formfactor? Or S4mk3?
S2mk3 get holes for a bracket but never was release (AFAIK)... was it that “standalone for amateurs” also halted on?

I invited the Traktor chief (throught IG) to join the forum and share some info it possible but not sure if read the PM or maybe he isn’t alloweed due NI is “recalibrating route”. Almost he’s still on board and he was who stated the Traktor transition 2 years ago (before layoff...)

Which formfactor you imagine or will love for that desired standalone?
Let’s share thoughts so maybe qe can inspire (or make join) NI devs/moderators on this field...

D-One join us, please...

 

Humm... I think your assessment is reasonable.

I've witnessed 90% of clubs DJ's in real life using Traktor, especially the 'electronic music' crowd but in the last 5 years or so that has changed dramatically, and it's now pretty rare to see anyone using something other than CDJ's or Serato tbh... IDK what happened or how Traktor dropped the ball.. then again I am not in the controller-based DJ segment. I might be biased to what I see here in my country and the events I attend/participate in.

I can't comment much as I am a DVS Serato user and a scratch DJ... NI has completely abandoned this segment since the Traktor Z2 mixer; Rane, Pioneer, and Relloop own the market for a while now. (DJM S9, 72, Elite, etc..) The Z2 had an absolutely amazing price-to-performance ratio, but since it's apparently abandoned I don't really care about Traktor one bit... I doubt it's selling well, competition in the controller industry is very high, most dj companies shifted towards it. I doubt new hardware is being considered and will come out soon then again i never though NI would release a standalone Maschine and they did... It feels a bit like a beta/alpha device so.... idk... anything is possible.

The whole Apple silicon thing doesn't help either because logically this seems like a good time to wait a bit and see how things will develop before releasing HW/SW.

 

And then covid...

 

I just got an S8 and a D2 (brand new for $ 200). I love this setup. I use D2 for loops and oneshots. Absolutely outstanding. I love this combo.

 

Pioneer DDJ kill everything. I am Traktor fan too, but my god when we will get new gear ?
So Pioneer came up with crazy controllers few of them are top class DDJ 1000 is still number 1 - and we got ...0.. not even 1 decent traktor controller. S4mk3 is a joke. It's like not even half of half what other controllers can do.
I not even dare to hope for new controller.
I love traktor but untill they bring something like DDJ 1000 or better i am pass.

 

DDJ not killing everything..its just most popular. Personally I hate recordbox and their system. Im using TRAKTOR almost from its begining of existance and its great soft wich has everything I need to play. And about decent controller...I dont know what you need from controller to be decent...but I totally love my S5 and imo its above "decent".

 

I had S5 and S8 before - sold them both. Try to scratch with your S5
Dot get me wrong i use traktor pro 3.4 and pioneer ddj 1000 with it. I hate recordbox too. For me the best software is traktor, but the best controller is DDJ 1000. I can do whathewer i want with it. The most i love its the PAD controls. If for example traktor has the same PAD controls and keyboard pad i would never switch to pioneer. For that i said DECENT. Even with S5/S8 you cant do what DDJ 1000 offers. + check the effects.

Be honest and check what S5 can do and what DDJ 1000 can do. Also dont mess with mixing too, you can mix with 90s gear. Two decks with pitch controll and one ancient Gemini mixer is needed for a mix.
Just check effects and PAD controlls. Hell the damn DDJ 1000 has 4 different PAD controlls. And on Traktor what we had ?
I LOVE traktor i will even pre-buy anything they offer as controller - i have try every single traktor controller so far. I didnt even miss one.
I start dj work 1989 to this day. Some of so called DJ controller experts didnt even been born yet. So i know what is needed on a DJ controller.

Hope i will still working when Traktor came up with something new.
Kind Regards

 

So its depends on your needs not gear capabilities. I dont need scratch playing only techno music and using loops, sample and 4 channels I dont need even jog wheels because its not comfortable to sync all channels manualy w/o autosync...thats why for me S5 IS still and willbe perfect tool from NI...and decent

 

Ooo yeah Here you are 100% right !
S8 even better. Its a beast really.
First time when i got my S8 i was like .. WoW that thing is huge!
The thing with traktor pro 3.4 i most like is the autosync. It's perfect. Recordbox has some improvements in this but they far away yet. Serato even worst.
Another thing i dont like in traktor is the quantize system. I love to fast QUE repeats on beat's, cappella's, etc, but then sync between tracks just go away.. when quantize is off i am talking about - then jogs came in to play.
When quantize is ON i cannot do fast que repeats. It will be nice if there is a solution to this. Or at least we can set how fast QUE repeats can go.
Recordbox has this function and i can do tons of que repeats with no lost of sync with quantize on.
But even with this i still use traktor pro 3.4

 

I don’t think there will be a successor, new hardware and software in process, but what that looks like I have no idea. With Maschine being standalone, perhaps a hybrid of both? NI is always wanting to push creative boundaries. I hope they keep stems and remix decks though.