Native Instruments Launches the Traktor Kontrol S3
Native Instruments has just announced the brand-new Traktor Kontrol S3 DJ controller, which is said to sit between the Traktor Kontrol S2 and S4.
From its features to its price, the Traktor Kontrol S3 (649 USD) is positioned between the brand's two hit products: the Traktor Kontrol S2 (the S3 costs 310 USD more) and the Traktor Kontrol S4 (the S3 costs 350 USD less).
While the S2 has only 2 channels, the S3 has 4. Some features of the S4 are missing from this model, though, in particular the dedicated effects section.
Traktor Kontrol S3 features:
- 4 channels with 2 large decks
- A full set of performance pads, large jogwheels (5.5″ / 14 cm) with lighting that shows when a track is ending, and FX buttons (as on other Kontrol products)
- iOS compatibility (it's not yet clear what it will do)
- Decent input/output connections, plus a licensed copy of Traktor Pro 3 included
What's missing (compared with the S4 MK3):
- Jogwheels without haptic feedback
- FX controls above each deck
- Screens showing the waveform, loops, time remaining, track browsing, etc.; short pitch faders
With the Traktor Kontrol S3, Native Instruments is clearly targeting DJs who want a more advanced controller with more features than the S2, at a more affordable price than the S4 MK3 already on the market. What's more, while rival Pioneer DJ keeps launching mid-range products, NI has only two flagship DJ controllers, which limits its competitiveness more than ever.
Source: Loop Central
