words: MICK WILSON
TECH
Traktor Kontrol X1
PRICE
£179
CONTACT
native-instruments.com
X MARKS
THE SPOT!
Traktor’s Kontrol X1 controller
hits the bulls-eye…
N
ative Instruments’ Traktor and once the surface has been scratched there
Serato’s Scratch Live software is a greater depth to this product that makes
programmes have it locked when playing with Traktor, et al, a whole new
it comes to the whole Digital experience. As with all hardware controllers,
Vinyl System approach to DJing. There are the aim is to do away with the “email DJ”
others of varying degrees of depth and culture of tapping around on a keyboard.
quality, but these two are often the weapon Using the X1 is quite easy. DJmag tried the
of choice. With this in mind, a whole side straight out of the box, “plug and play” selected be either scrubbed forward or
industry of USB Midi controllers and devices method. It was instantly recognised by the backwards, and for those using internal sync
has sprung up to get the most out of these Traktor software — a big plus in our book. and quantize, it will drop back into the track
bits of software. Secondly, it was easy to get the whole vibe and play it perfectly in time.
Up until now, Native Instruments have and feel of what this box can do without All the buttons have dual and multiple uses
supplied the software and soundcards but having to delve deep into the manual or go that can be accessed by holding down the
never had their own dedicated controller for online for extra guidance. Okay, some of the shift button. The X1 also has the capability of
their own DVS. Whilst they appeared to be more advanced performance features need providing simple, but useful visual feedback.
sitting back and watching other third party to be pointed out, but as with all things, that If the unit is used with an external sync or
VERDICT
companies create hardware controllers for will come with the more time actually spent with the quantize turned off, the beat lights
their software, in reality, Traktor were hard at with the unit. will illuminate to indicate that the track is
BUILD QUALITY 4.0
work in the lab, creating something aimed at out of time with the master track; as it gets
EASE OF USE 4.0
the performance user, designed to put hands-
SIMPLE
worse, the light gets darker. At this stage,
FEATURES 4.0
on control back into DJing. The X1 has a clean, simplistic look. The there are two options: either engage the VALUE FOR MONEY 4.0
front panel gives the user access to all the master sync button, and the tracks will align SOUND QUALITY N/A
COMPACT
features that are commonly found on the automatically, or manually play with the two
The Traktor Kontrol X1 is the result: a compact Traktor software screen. Knobs and buttons beat buttons until the tracks are in sync —
HYPE
unit that slots neatly into any DJ set-up, that correspond to the FX, looping, hot imagine rubbing a fi nger on the platter of a A simple “plug and play”
which can be used in a variety of ways to cue and playback functions are all present. turntable to hold a mix.
controller that offers a lot of
performance for controlling DVS
suit how the DJ plays. This may be a Native Track selection is simple: twist one of the
DJing programs.
Instruments product, but it can also be used two dedicated knobs to scroll up and down The X1 is not designed to take over mixer
in the exact same way for Serato’s software, between tracks, push the button to select duties, and is not a soundcard. It is purely a
or any other software for that matter. one onto the deck, and voila! Holding down controller for directing all the performance
GRIPE
At £179, it's hard to fi nd fault
The X1 has been designed to offer quick, the shift button and rotating either of these features of the Traktor software. It can be
with this controller.
simple control of the DJing software, but knobs will let the play position of the track combined with other USB/Midi soundcard-
type mixer controllers, or if using Native’s
Audio 8 or any equivalent audio interface, can
be hooked up to any conventional mixer — so
A well put together,
set -p options are at the user’s fi ngertips. to-the-point unit that
The X1 has a sturdy build, and should take all
works well and offers a
the knocks and bangs whilst out on the road.
simple but feature-rich
It also comes with Traktor LE — a stripped
option for any digital DJ
set-up.
down, but fully useable version of the main
Traktor software. This device isn’t designed to
be a deck replacement, but it is designed to
offer more performance control to the user. 4/5
110
www.djmag.comw.djmag.com
DJ482.tech_traktor.indd 110 4/1/10 10:56:09
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