The channel gain knobs are right at the top of the mixer section, rather than with the EQs, which feels a bit strange to me.The channel FX select buttons are way too small when you’re used to the chunky things on the X1s.There were some issues with layout, though: It doesn’t fit in with existing external gear.

I found it a bit weird that this thing is neither at the same height as the rest of the Kontrol series, nor the height of a mixer. The capacitive knobs are great, and use the screens really well, with effects popping up when you need them. The layout is familiar to most, bar the obvious addition of the remix section. It’s also only relatively recently that I started trying out the remix decks with an F1: I often switch between using a fourth remix deck and a track deck in a set.įirst, this thing is a tank! Built just like all the other Kontrol series, NI finally listened and dumped the silly glossy faceplates, going back to the brushed metal look of the X1 throughout most of it. Quite often, I won’t have to look at the laptop for 20 minutes at a time.

I’m used to having immediate access to all my controls and I’m very comfortable with Traktor, with a very refined playlist-based workflow.

I have to say I’m going to get VERY nitpicky with the details.įirstly, It’s worth repeating that my setup at home incorporates an analogue mixer and two Kontrol X1s, meaning I can DJ ‘Hawtin-style’, using sync and four channels. This is by no means a review, but a few notes based on my brief encounter. Here are my impressions of Native Instruments’ flagship DJ controller. I quickly smuggled it out to take to a friend’s for a night of bangin’ choons on a big sound system. Having been excited in the run up to the release of the Traktor Kontrol S8, I was giddy when Mark told me we’d be getting one in the studio to try out.

Nicecast traktor s8