Integrate multiple TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 and X1 controllers with plug-and-play simplicity thanks to the Z2’s USB hub, freeing up additional ports on your laptop. Of course, nobody is going to buy this to use it simply as a standalone mixer, and the first good thing to say here is that the integration between standalone mixer use and Traktor is absolutely seamless.

DarkMatter– A noise effect, with compression adding a rhythmic quality to the distortion it introduces Like all good scratch mixers, the Z2 hardware keeps things simple. It offers two channels, fed by either line or phono inputs, both with built in Traktor Scratch decoders (Traktor Scratch Mk2 vinyl and CDs are included), so whether you use CDJs or turntables, you can simply plug them in alongside your laptop (connected via the USB port), and even hook up external drives via the dual-port USB hub. One-knob Macro FX for effortlessly expressive sound manipulation using the comprehensive array of TRAKTOR effects In February 2019, Native Instruments released the version 3.1.1 update for Traktor Pro 3. Version 3.1.1 brings some new features, improvements, and fixes that make for a smoother workflow. Here's some of the features and improvements:The 48KHz audio interface is blazingly fast, and after speaking with many other scratch DJs there seems to be a general consensus – and as this is anecdotal please take it as such with the knowledge that we’re all prone to persuading ourselves things are true from time to time – that the Kontrol Z2’s method of controlling Traktor’s internal mixer actually makes scratching with DVS feel tighter as the small amount of latency added to the fader puts cutting more in sync with the software translated record movements. Feel This cookie stores user-like settings for the chat system provider, which are required for our online chat service. Trusted Shops Nowadays the safest bet is Pioneer or Numark but at the same time AS transition is showing how wrong was x86 dependency on djing field with apps like Djay Pro getting all the features at the palm of your hand meanwhile desktop can follow the development of drivers and only Vdj catching the wave… OK, so having got to the point where we’re all working, something simple to start with: The standalone mixer. Just bear in mind you’re not likely to see many clubs installing it (I’ll bet they’ll continue to go for Pioneer or Allen & Heath mixers, as they always have done). At a basic level, though, mixers are mixers – if you can use this one, you can use any.

Non-destructive file handling: "Tag writing mode" options have been added for configuring has been added to configure which types of metadata TRAKTOR writes or does not write to audio files. By replacing your mixer with a Traktor Kontrol Z2, you can continue to DJ exactly as before, but now the whole world of Traktor is only a USB cable into your laptop away. You can mix and match seamlessly from one to the other, and due to the fact that you’ve only changed your mixer, get into DJing with Traktor in a very natural way. Whether or not ultimately it is worth your while owning a Traktor Kontrol Z2 will depend on where you are in your DJing career / hobby, and what gear you already have. Ergonomically, the Z2 is a tremendous success. Native Instruments should be really proud of what they’ve achieved when it comes to integrating the Z2’s brawn with the Traktor brain, because it looks like the Z2 should do a lot less than it actually does. It’s not the first DVS ‘hub’ mixer, of course, not even close – but to my grubby hands it feels the most streamlined and logical, and when comparing it to other mixers it seems somehow more elegant.Taking cues from recent NI hardware, the Kontrol Z2 features NI’s beautiful coloured button technology and two LED displays good for two characters each, lending svelte good looks and industrial style rugged demeanour respectively. Things are pretty much the same as they’ve been for a few years when it comes to the feel of Native Instruments hardware, so excuse me for not reinventing the wheel yet again when going into how things feel; perhaps look at my recent Kontrol F1 review for a more in depth description of the feel of the various knobs and buttons (although faders warrant a section below). Whether on the road, installed into a DJ booth at a club, or comfortably forming an integral part of your studio hub, the professional-grade aluminum chassis of the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 delivers a rugged design with all the power and connectivity you need. Featuring a 24-bit audio interface, pro XLR and RCA outputs, knobs, buttons, and Innofaders™, alongside TRAKTOR Mode buttons for seamless switching, this premium 2+2 channel mixer is performance ready and built to last. TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 puts our most advanced DJ controller in the body of a professional 2+2 channel mixer – TRAKTOR SCRATCH included. If you have no gear and you’re coming to Traktor and digital DJing afresh, it’s probably best to go for a DJ controller with everything in one box. This’ll be fine for home, parties, bars etc, and some people even use theirs in clubs (depending on the part of the world, club itself, prevailing DJ culture etc).

In this case you’d be looking at a Rane mixer, of which the Sixty-One is the closest to this. Without even comparing features sets, bear in mind that the Rane Sixty-One costs pretty much double what this does. The Z2 hardware functions as a Traktor-centric MIDI controller, audio interface, scratch decoder and conventional analogue DJ mixer" For the price, this is actually a really good way to “go digital”, because firstly, you’re not ditching your existing equipment, and secondly, a full scratch system with a decent hardware mixer plus pro DJ software for the price Native Instruments is asking for the Kontrol Z2 is actually pretty good value (as I say, just look at the Serato prices if you don’t believe me here).Setting up is more convoluted than it could be, but that’s always been my view of setting up Traktor. Native Instruments has a “Service Center” where you have to register yourself and your software, and it’s used to authenticate you as well as provide upgrades and so on, but it adds a layer of complication and I think it could be simpler than it is. For instance, there’s a dialogue at one point that says “Please launch Service Center now”, while the only button on the window says “Restart”. Which is it to be? Stuff like this causes anxiety for users who aren’t sure if they’re doing the right thing. Combining a traditional DJmixer with a high-quality sound card and tight integration with the included Traktor Scratch software, the Traktor Kontrol Z2 DJ Mixer gives you ultimate flexibility when it comes to mixing analogue and computer-based DJing techniques.