Meh.

This is PERFECT for me. I want to “dj” two channels that are made up of the aggregate of 4 channels on either side in Ableton. Those trigger pads are perfect. At around $500, the price is too. I’ll be picking one of these up as soon as I can.

Looks pretty sweet.. no jog wheels tho? Dunno how that’s gonna work out.

looks real nice i love the 8 pads at the bottom, would be very cool if traktor would have loop roll and the slice thing (even though i know its possible with the beatslicer effect its easier if it isnt an effect) i like the idea there are no jog wheels (coz they are a lil useless anyway.. if u wana scratch u just buy and extra vinyle, the jog wheels are nearly only used for effects and searching songs). However the touch strips seem to be slow or slightly irresponsive (as you can see in the video when the loop sizes are changed by it) kinda like the wii remote in shhoting games :p

Im soo buying this next!

Ean have you played with this yet the touchstrip sounds so foreign seems like it would take sometime to get use to

I like how it has a cavity in the middle that should fit a laptop stand. That’s really convenient.

Perfect for me, as I never use jog wheels. Just my Novation Launchpad and an old UC33e.

Lol, Looks like the hardware version of the max4live plugins i’ve built for Ableton, this’ll sell like nothing else at that price…. Very Cool!

Cheers
D

Gimme now!

Agreed. Meh. I have a VCI100 and a Launchpad. Can do most of that with Traktor or Ableton using that combo. But I have always wanted that Loop roll feature in Traktor. Using the Launchpad as a Monome you can do that and it’s got more features. Still… Good for Serato, finally stepping it up a little, still too little too late.

quite awsome toy :=) well future for this thing looks bright

I miss my jog wheels. :(

I really want to hear the full stony behind this cant wait for it.

This controller is full of win for the simple fact that they used common sense and put in a REPLACEABLE CROSSFADER.

Nice concept. It looks like A&H Xone:DX’s Pitch Knob proved itself. A????nd Touchfaders from Stanton SCS, aaand colored pads from NI Maschine, aaaand FaderFX from DJTT… Am I missing something?

Nice concept. It looks like A&H Xone:DX’s Pitch Knob proved itself. And Touchfaders from Stanton SCS, colored pads from MI Maschine, CueFX from DJTT… Am I missing something?

maybe the elevated design like the pioneer controllers…

Only one FX section for Traktor? Common!
You can add a modifier and use the same buttons, but that’s just annoying. Not fair, Novation!

Looks like a machine controller with faders, not sure if its for me…

This seems pretty solid but I’m wondering how durable those touch strips are…

Awesome! Want!

That touchstrip looks like a neat idea, but when you watch the video, it doesn’t look to be practical, at all.

I dont really like the look of the controller. It looks like its from the 80′s. The fader FX are kinda cool, but you can do that with any controller. I also like their slicer. Overall nice controller, but I wouldnt buy it.

They ought to make a 4 deck version.

This makes you wonder… If ITCH were standalone software would it completely clear the competition. It’s interesting that Serato chooses to leave that much money potentially on the table. I am not sure the licensing fees they get from these deals but I think that many of us would gladly pay $200 – $300 for the software. Hmmm…

Why does this real nice controller have this huge browser section instead of an fx section on B like on A? It would have been better – at least for Traktor. For me a browser section is not important at all. If you really need to scroll through your tracks you can do it on your laptops keyboard incl. loading. Most of the songs I play I have to query anyway. Two mirrored deck zones always make a lot more sense. On the other hand: since it has only two decks it will not do as a replacement of my current gear.

Seems to me Twitch is for deejays that like to mash up music. If you enjoy scratching, then it also has a place for you. I initially thought I would want four channels, but being that Im from the old school (80′s), I only use two channels and see myself ripping up the pads and the touchstrip. Many of you are complaining about Twitch and its functionality, but hey, thats why there are different companies our there that make different kinds of mixers. Choose which one you like and go with it. Ive never used ITCH and currently own TP2. Im willing to try ITCH out and see if I like it. I just wish the release date was not in July. I would like to get my hands on one today. :)

I think this will work perfectly with my Maschine… I can see it now WOOHOO

says on Novation site it’ll come with Traktor mapped overlay. Ian, can you share an image of that overlay (or explanation of .tsi) with your future article? thanks.

A 4 deck mapping may be nice, but I would love to see an actual 4 deck version of this controller. Something like this could easily replace the S4 for me.

Nice but I still prefer VCI 100 + Midifighter

Novation ALMOST got it right.

There needs to be identical FX sections on left and right. They should move the browse somewhere center, and make it smaller and tighter. Stack the beat grid buttons and the shift next to the CUE PLAY, and make more roob for another row of knobs in the FX section.
Wish it had a 4 band EQ, and a dedicated filter knob for both sides.

This controller looks like a great size. Love the 2 deck style with NO JOGS.

But I wont be buying on until I see some of the stuff I mentioned.

Seems like no one can get it right.

I like it… agree that one fx bank is a bit of a fail though… other than that i was medium sold.

Not replacing my vci se arcade anytime soon though.

More fader fx modes in controllers though please :)

props to the guy who made the sketch up. he was dead on.

i dont see it being a big problem. maybe on itch, but not on traktor. quantize and such would help a lot, and if your timing is good, youll only need to nudge the track a little

Despite being an S4 guy myself, I really like the looks of this thing. Large VU meters, 8 hot cues, touch strips that give visual feedback where you are in the track, very appealing design, good form factor, two main outs. Two-channel controller done right imo.

here’s the traktor overlay for this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUuvfcbhrBg

oooooooo man this is so close to being perfect.
they really should have mirrored the effects section but oh well…

im gunna pick one up to use it as a mixer with 2 CDJs on either side of it. Remap it to be completely dedicated to effects, cue point triggers and sample stuff that’ll come with the new Traktor.

CANT WAIT!

sync function has taken over jog wheels..

that slicer feature is awesome!! is there anyway that something like that could be used in traktor? maybe replace the current slicer feature in the deckalized mapping?????? :)

Geez, and I just bought an S4 literally two days ago!

Seems like a legitimate upgrade to the BCD-3000. The price is most certainly right. I can’t wait.

wait until the Reloop Jockey 3 Master Edition comes out in the middle of May, it’s going to leave the VCI 100 and this twitch in the dust

Looks pretty good. Liking the 8 hot cues. Might just buy it but I don’t know yet. Can’t wait to see Ean’s full article!

That is a great idea. I would love to use this with two Denon dn-s300′s

If they are the same material as the ones on the ns7, id say they are pretty durable, but not supper reliable. The touch strips on the numark ns7 seem to be choppy and unresponsive. Mainly because its a resistive touchscreen instead of a compasitive one.

how usefull would this be if i allready own a numark ns7fx? Is it still worth it to buy, mess around with and keep as a backup incase my ns7 fails me. Keep in mind im only a bedroom dj as of now…

Negative Nancy. Why dont you go work for Novation so they can take your special order? I dont think they can hear you crying loud enough…

When I’ve said a year ago that the future controllers would not have any jogwheel you laughed at me people :P
Now it is here!
Well done Novation and Ean!

The S4 has all the fetures you listed except it has jogs. Unless you would rather have an itch controller.

The S4 wont let you down

maybe im missing something here, but whats the point?!

taking out the jogs and adding pads just doesnt seem like a big deal. there are 4deck controllers with basically all the same features, except the pads, that sell for the same price.

vms4 would be my choice of controller for the $400-500range, especially considering that vms4 traktor version is supposed to be hitting stores this month.

agreed, although this looks like a great controller, it doesn’t take anything away from the S4!

It is a complement more than a substitute.

Do it yourself…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHaSLoNxfBY

looks very good!!
what is the name of the download i have to make to use Traktor with it, anybody knows??

Nice controller! As far as I never really got “warm” with Traktor, playing with SSL for about 6 Years now, I love the way Novation and Serato jump on the Controller(ism) train. I can use my existing ScratchLIVE (or better iTunes) Library and just jump over from TCV to Controller without migrating my well built Library (also because NI missed to improve the iTunes functionality in T2 (no covers, etc when not importing to “playlist/T-Library”)). I still love my dicers, I will definately love the Twitch!

Lol thanks for the response, but I have no idea what that means in relation to the comment I made. All I said was that it looked Maschine controller (NI producer tool), with faders and I don’t think it would “mesh” well with my DVS style of DJ’ing….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHaSLoNxfBY

Seems like a winner to me… the most interesting controller in a long while…Compact and robust…DJTT should jump on this like they did with the VCI

It does, but it’s big and bulky. I still use TT’s, and I hope to see a smaller controller, with just the right features that will fit between my deck comfortably.

I can’t see ITCH clearing out Traktor, even if it was untethered from controllers.

I find all the comments about the lack of jogwheels perplexing…. the point of this thing is it has something different…if you want jog wheels there are like 50 controllers out there with them.

It’s just a critique man, I dig Novation a lot, they make quality gear for great prices. If they are interested in selling products like this to people like us, they just might read posts on DJTT.

Seems your simple reply holds more negative weight than I ever intended. To bad no one is hiring to give insults on message boards, if you practiced hard enough you might get a job.

I like the price point. Definitely looks like a nice controller for the money.

The touch strips will make up for the jogwheels. Good thinking. I’m happy as long as I can manually adjust things from the controller.

I would like to see a DJing with ableton controller. APC and launchpad are quite not cutting it.

Oh my god. This is bomb.

It’s like a VCI-100SE without Jog Wheels.

I don’t really use them much. More like. Never.

I never exactly got the Fader FX mode right.

I LOVE it.

Killer!! WOW!!

Great Post. Question; Is there any knowledge on if this can be used as an additional device to a setup (i.e., An NS6 as primary, and this to be used as an effects pad/sampler, mapping for a dedicated deck to be controlled by this device perhaps?). In my mind it should work seamlessly being that they are both itch interfaces, and I would like to still have the ability to use an NS6 for 4-channel mixing and scratching while retaining the slicing and other effects dedicated to this device. Also is there any news regarding a possible itch 2.0 update due around the time this device or the NS6 drops?

The lack of a power supply concerns me.
We all know that MacBook Pro’s can be a little week in how much power they supply over the USB bus. I’d be happier to have the option of an external PSU if i’m driving a soundcard as well as a control surface.

when can we wait the new traktor 2 mapping for the VCI 100?? it’s the only thing I’m waiting to buy it (T2)

Ean, will this fit in the bag you guys just released for the S4?

those pads should be arcade buttons!

It would in the States where Serato is the standard. I am speaking from that perspective.

It’s been here for a but already. When I don’t feel like carrying the xponent I just bring my 2 X1s and audio 4!

Nothing but problems on Novation gear. Return rates (yeah the retail stats) puts them up with the other sh!t (Maudio and Bheringer are the winners).

Livid is so far ahead of Novation. Ean, you are cool in my book. But the last novation USB hardware interface was not worth it’s weight in dog crap.

I would not put that much trust in Novation – they are pumping out gear like crazies and the quality of material and programming is way low for anyone who takes their set seriously.

That is definitely untrue! I play with my Launchpad for over a year now up to 4 times a week. It never let me down. I didn’t have the tiniest problem with it. And I know some guys who can say similar words about their dicers.

That is definitely untrue! I play with my Launchpad for over a year now up to 4 times a week. It never let me down. I didn’t have the tiniest problem with it. And I know some guys who can say similar words about their dicers.

this seem like a keeper, but im skeptical about the soundcard…when it comes to soundcard i trust NI…someone prove me wrong

You could always use turntables ;]

You could always use turntables ;]

I love my dicer. brilliant design and solid engineering.

I love my dicer. brilliant design and solid engineering.

Im in love with the cue pads but yeah that crossfsder doesn’t look like it can handle scratching. I don’t even think it can switch between scratch and mix.

Im in love with the cue pads but yeah that crossfsder doesn’t look like it can handle scratching. I don’t even think it can switch between scratch and mix.

Actually scratch that last comment no love for DVS users at all with this controller :(

Actually scratch that last comment no love for DVS users at all with this controller :(

Actually scratch that last comment no love for DVS users at all with this controller :(

Actually scratch that last comment no love for DVS users at all with this controller :(

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I like how he turn the knob at 3:03 a few times and doesnt get any response from Traktor ^^.
Hope they fix this b4 the thing comes out..

On another note: I want to get a good midi controller but play with 1210 and external mixer. Kontrol X doesnt convince me after I spend some time with it. This thing looked so great until I realized that its a whole unit with mixer :/ They should produce it in chunks->smart marketing + more sales.

I like how he turn the knob at 3:03 a few times and doesnt get any response from Traktor ^^.
Hope they fix this b4 the thing comes out..

On another note: I want to get a good midi controller but play with 1210 and external mixer. Kontrol X doesnt convince me after I spend some time with it. This thing looked so great until I realized that its a whole unit with mixer :/ They should produce it in chunks->smart marketing + more sales.

For 100 dollars more you can get a Maschine from Native Instruments. Ive seen it used with traktor and it was awesome. Hmmm…..

For 100 dollars more you can get a Maschine from Native Instruments. Ive seen it used with traktor and it was awesome. Hmmm…..

better off with cdjs and a novation launchpad

better off with cdjs and a novation launchpad

+1 bye bye jog wheel…guess DJTT nailed that a minute ago! Amazing time to be a Dj/performer!

+1 bye bye jog wheel…guess DJTT nailed that a minute ago! Amazing time to be a Dj/performer!

I always use sync and never jogwheels for track alignment, but I find that jogwheels on my VCI-100 are invaluable for track browsing… much better than using a mouse, much better than anything in fact.

I always use sync and never jogwheels for track alignment, but I find that jogwheels on my VCI-100 are invaluable for track browsing… much better than using a mouse, much better than anything in fact.

No with ITCH

No with ITCH

why? you could always use it with traktor…

why? you could always use it with traktor…

Perhaps you should watch the YouTube video posted below showing how the touchstrip and buttons can be used to beatmatch.

Perhaps you should watch the YouTube video posted below showing how the touchstrip and buttons can be used to beatmatch.

I’ve wanted that slicer effect in a program since I was in utero. Traktor’s beatslicer has prearranged patterns. Looking at it now though, in such a simple way… perhaps starting an 8 bar loop and using beatjump? It wouldn’t work though… Goddamnit! I want that slicer!

So there are actually people believing the Reloop ad campains…?!

So there are actually people believing the Reloop ad campains…?!

So there are actually people believing the Reloop ad campains…?!

So there are actually people believing the Reloop ad campains…?!

So there are actually people believing the Reloop ad campains…?!

2:28 – (Slicer) I want that in Traktor. Cue points are just not enough, sometimes. Sometimes I just want to add a flourish without having to have saved a set of cue-points ahead of time to beat-juggle with.

4:13 – (Loop Roll) I also want that in Traktor. I know I can simulate that by playing two copies of the same track, but it’d be nice not to have to take up two decks in order to do that.

Am I missing something? Can these be done (easily) in Traktor? I watched the video detailing how the Twitch would work with Traktor, and they didn’t show either of these features, nor did they show the jog-strip pinching for modifying loop length. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUuvfcbhrBg

I do like that they include the ability to work with the beat grid from the controller, but that’s hardly necessary when I can do the same thing with my keyboard and mouse — especially when the Slicer and Loop Roll features should be in there. :(

Yeah, I know I’m asking Native Instruments to change their flagship software and add yet more features, but I’m loyal and don’t feel like switching to Itch just to get features that even VirtualDJ has offered since the early 2000s (not hating on VDJ, but I feel like I “grew out” of it many years ago).

Questions:

1) Why are all the level meter segments red? How are you supposed to visually know where clipping is in dark venue? Count the segments? Should be one color (green) for levels up to “0″ and red for clipping – like nearly every other piece of audio gear on the planet.

2) Do the Low/Mid/High EQ controls cut to true zero “OFF” or do they just attenuate those frequency bands?

3) Why are the touchstrips horizontal rather than vertical? This is not natural position for human hands/fingers to pinch/swipe because you have to rotate wrist/arm to get fingers into horizontal movement. Hold your hands out and try it, you’ll see what I mean.

Kudos Novation on separate booth output jacks/control and aluminum control surface – two major things NI failed on with the S4.

Maybe with some hacking…

Maybe with some hacking…

Maybe with some hacking…

dun get me worng. i m juz sayin sync is a easy way out on beat matchin. sync makes everybody a dj

nad jog wheels have taken over vynil >:C lol 

The no response is due to the soft takeover mode being active in traktor, which avoids any horrible noises… They are knobs, not encoders… A bit more research would have been good. A good unit all around.

The no response is due to the soft takeover mode being active in traktor, which avoids any horrible noises… They are knobs, not encoders… A bit more research would have been good. A good unit all around.

The no response is due to the soft takeover mode being active in traktor, which avoids any horrible noises… They are knobs, not encoders… A bit more research would have been good. A good unit all around.

the spundcard’s quality worried me about using it in a professional PA system

the spundcard’s quality worried me about using it in a professional PA system

the spundcard’s quality worried me about using it in a professional PA system

the spundcard’s quality worried me about using it in a professional PA system

isnt Denon mc 6000 much better????
better built, real mixer, 4 channel……..
cost only 100 more!!!!

isnt Denon mc 6000 much better????
better built, real mixer, 4 channel……..
cost only 100 more!!!!

Why the blogs review dont tell the deficient lower twitch output ?

Why the blogs review dont tell the deficient lower twitch output ?

Very true, makes professionals look like idiots :/

I agree with everything JuanSOLO wrote.  Close, but no cigar.

Also:  I have yet to see a controller with “auto fade” buttons on each side of the fader. WTF ???  I guess you could map other buttons, but they should be RIGHT THERE.  I often like to use auto cross-fade, to gain time for setting-up some effect, or whatever. 

I’m also curious how this works with a 4-deck version of Traktor.  Supposedly they offer a mapping, but where are the “fast switchover” controls?

Last:  Why don’t they offer a version without the audio card?  Less money, less weight.  Don’t most DJ’s already have interfaces for their computers?