The Traktor Trifecta – Native Instruments announce Traktor Pro 3, Traktor S4 MK3 and Traktor S2 MK3

Those Berlin Beat Boffins have been busy! Native Instruments have today announced Traktor Pro 3 along with the latest incarnations of Traktor controllers; the Traktor S2 MK3 and Traktor S4 MK3. NI didn’t just make slight alterations – having gathered a mass of user feedback and collaborated with true midi controller heads around the entire Traktor hemisphere – from hobby level to the biggest professionals. Once they took this valuable input to the drawing board, they made improvements across the entire range. With this new trio out on the street, its never been easier to customise your performance.

Traktor Pro 3 – brace yourselves, this is gonna be good.

Traktor Pro 3 is the new software included when you buy a Traktor S4 mk3 and Traktor S2 mk3. Its the most stable version Native Instruments have released for the DJ world. The new Elastique 3 time-stretching engine delivers clearer sound reproduction on wider pitch adjustments especially with samples and loops. This, combined with the redesigned user interface for a fresher and easier way to read whilst performing, make it a serious software weapon. Traktor Pro 3’s workflow is so incredibly intuitive and completely in keeping for those who have come to know and love the previous version. 

Brand New Features in Traktor Pro 3?

There are several brand new features have been added to Traktor Pro 3. First of these is MIXER FX; a single knob control for effects and filter that can be assigned to each mixer channel making it an incredibly useful tool for buildups, mixes and transitions. Native Instruments have also made changes to audio routing in Traktor Pro 3 – a new mode has been developed and included which allows DJ’s using an external mixer to route pure, unprocessed audio directly from Traktor Pro 3 completely bypassing the mixer within the software. A full feature set will be announced on September 25th; who knows there may also be compatibility for Linux operating systems to come? Wishful thinking perhaps….

Even after 20 years of club conquering development, you can buy Traktor Pro 3 for just £89. If you already own Traktor 2.5 you can upgrade to Traktor Pro 3 for just £44.

Traktor Kontrol S4 mk3 – I’m so Haptic its here! Motorized jog wheels

In a world first, the new Traktor S4 mk3 for Traktor Pro 3 includes haptic drive technology. These high-torque motorised platters provide haptic feedback in three user selectable modes: Jog Mode, Turntable Mode and Beatgrid Adjust Mode. What does this mean? Traktor Pro 3 users can now *feel* cue points and loops when scrolling through tracks and can decide to enable turntable mode for a very intuitive, natural beat matching experience, like stalling the platters on real turntables, for example. This is tech that can be expanded on at a later date, opening a wider world to DJs that wish to interact with their music on a deeper level.

Other New Features on Traktor Kontrol S4 mk3

These new jog wheels aren’t just Haptic – they are bigger! The 5.5 inch spinning platters have those three modes mentioned above, but ultimately the extra size and altered platter design make them a joy to use. The platters are surrounded by an LED ring which aids visualisation of deck rotation and deck selection; far clearer than the previous S4 mk2. One significant addition that you will notice straight away is the beautiful colour screen! This high-resolution display can display track ID, Tempo with key, transport data, waveform of the track, loop length as well as loop and stem information. For this new Traktor Pro 3 controller NI have changed their buttons, too! The Play/Cue are now solid as opposed to rubberised for a greater feeling of instant control. The S4 mk3 also has a total of 16 full RGB pads for triggering hot cues, loops or samples within Traktor Pro 3. Library browse has also undergone massive improvement with more navigation controls to hop between playlists and crates.

We took an exclusive look at the Kontrol S4 mk3 in this video;

DJ anywhere with the Traktor Kontrol S2 mk3

Native Instruments have created a small chunk of dynamite in the Traktor S2 mk3. Its condensed form still manages to pack a big bunch of features in a small form factor. The Traktor S2 mk3 has been aligned for users of Traktor Pro 3, which is included when you buy. This controller uses the same size jog wheels as its bigger brother, the Kontrol S4 mk3, and maintains the design profile and layout that users of both Traktor 2.5 and Traktor 3 will certainly appreciate. The Traktor Kontrol S2 mk3 is also iOS compatible and works with Traktor DJ for Apple mobile devices. The S2 also shares the same new play/cue buttons as the S4 mk3, akin to the CDJ style of buttons. 16 backlit RGB pads are onboard for triggering loops, hot cues and samples. Traktor Pro 3 is also included when you buy a Traktor Kontrol S2 mk3, saving £89 instantly. 

Watch this video for a quick run down on the Traktor S2 mk3;

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