You’ve probably all seen this already as NI’s run of secrecy bad luck continues. The Traktor Kontrol S5 continues NI’s current dalliance with their new Stems format, this time taking the essentials of the Kontrol S8 and condensing it down into a small cheaper unit that has the essence of the S8, but without the bulk or price.
The official words from Berlin:
Native Instruments announces TRAKTOR KONTROL S5 compact all-in-one DJ system
New 4-channel DJ controller provides innovative TRAKTOR technology in a portable, all-in-one format with Stems control
Berlin, September 10, 2015 – Native Instruments today announced TRAKTOR KONTROL S5 – the latest all-in-one DJ system and the next step in the evolution of creative, on-the-go DJing with TRAKTOR. With a compact size and solid construction, TRAKTOR KONTROL S5 puts familiar hardware control, fluid touch-and-see workflow, and Stems* compatibility into a modern DJ experience. TRAKTOR KONTROL S5 builds on hardware design made popular by the revered TRAKTOR KONTROL S4, with innovative modern technology in a portable format made to feel instantly familiar in the hands of any DJ. TRAKTOR KONTROL S5 will be available online and at retailers worldwide on October 1, 2015.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S5 is designed to provide everything DJing demands – modernized by advanced touch-and-see workflow. The mixer section features key controls such as four channels with EQ and Filter controls, and FX assigns. Touch-sensitive controls bring smart views, performance modes, and pop-up panels to life on two full-color displays – touching an effect knob for example, instantly reveals and hides a deck’s FX values. TRAKTOR KONTROL S5’s deck types also switch intelligently to match the track, Stem file, or Remix Set being loaded into the included TRAKTOR PRO 2 software. Live remixing with enhanced Remix Decks workflow is seamless – loops can be captured from a running track to instantly sample, for example. And cueing, nudging, or seeking through tracks is made simple and precise with motion-sensitive touch strips that respond naturally to finger swiping.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S5 becomes the fourth addition to the family of Stems- ready TRAKTOR controllers, integrating powerful, customized control of Stems – the open audio format for creative DJ performance. The Stem View shows Stem files as 4 color-coded, stacked waveforms on the displays. The 16 performance pads map and color-match automatically to each stem when a Stem file is loaded. DJs can mute and unmute different musical elements with the pads or control volume, filter, and effect routing of individual stems, creating spontaneous a cappellas, instrumentals, and mixes that make DJ sets stand out.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S5’s compact build and essential on-board connectivity make the unit ideal for mobile professional use. Built using the same premium standards as TRAKTOR KONTROL S8, TRAKTOR KONTROL S5’s build quality is designed to resist heavy touring. And it measures to the same size as the popular TRAKTOR KONTROL S4, allowing for protected transport with the TRAKTOR KONTROL S4/S5 FLIGHTCASE**. The built-in 24- bit/48kHz audio interface features both XLR and RCA master outputs, plus one ¼ inch booth output to connect the unit to any type of sound system. And the independent stand-alone RCA or ¼ inch AUX channel input can be used to connect a mic, MP3 player, or any additional line-level device.
Pricing and availability
TRAKTOR KONTROL S5 will be available for $799 / 799 € / ¥ 99,800 / £579 / $AU 1094 at the NI Online Shop and at local retailers on October 1, 2015.
Preorder is also available.
FIRST THINGS FIRST
The S5 is a cut down S8, and both are primarily designed for DJs who don’t need jog wheels, or want to get into Stems. This does not however mean that it is a replacement for the S2 or S4 — they are different controllers aimed at different markets, and both of those units are still current devices. I’ve asked for an official statement on NI’s intentions for jog wheels and spinny things in general — we’ll see if one is forthcoming.
The Kontrol S5 is a bit of a conundrum. On one hand, it’s a fully featured four channel controller for people who don’t want jog wheels, but do want more control over Traktor. In this respect, there’s not a lot missing. On the other hand, it’s a Stems controller that at first glance seems to have some essential features missing. If you’re like us here at DJWORX, you’ll have got used to the individual stems controls on the S8 and D2s, and they seem conspicuous by their absence here.
This is however a first knee-jerk reaction. In 24 hours, we’ll have seen it at BPM and had it all explained to us. And on Saturday, we’ll have recorded a full 20 minute demo on our demo stage at BPM 2015. So I’m going to leave it there right now, and continue with BPM prep.
Just to repeat the important details for the hard of reading, TRAKTOR KONTROL S5 will be available for $799 / 799 € / ¥ 99,800 / £579 / $AU 1094 at the NI Online Shop and at local retailers on October 1, 2015.
GALLERY
This is a nice looking controller, I wonder how the volumes work for the individual stems and will we still need the 4 channel mixer for this cheaper costed down variant? I look forward to seeing the videos from BPM and further understanding the workflow.
I got this description sent to me:
Jeez, that’s ugly.
I don’t see why they didn’t make the top knobs endless. I get that doing so would probably not work well if they weren’t touch sensitive, and making them touch sensitive would likely raise the manufacturing cost, but I feel like that would have been an attractive compromise.
Here we go with the “Shift Layer” style of manipulation :-(.
Thanks for the quick answer! I can actually imagine that working pretty well for the reduced price point. So now there are a few fun controllers on the market the novation twitch, this and the korg kaoss.
other than the screens two X1s would still give you more functionality for four deck synced mixing
seems like a less than ideal way to manage stem/remix deck djing (assuming anyone acutally does that…)
who is this aimed at?
It’s interesting but I can’t see any reason to purchase this instead of an S8. Seems like a lot of work by Ni for something that doesn’t fulfill a new niche.
An extra 200 bucks nets you a real mixer, faders for the remix / stem decks, and scratch compatibility. At an 800 dollar price point, idk why anyone wouldnt just spring the extra 200 bucks for the s8.
I think the big reason would be that is’s the same size as the S4. The S8 is not impossible to carry around but this seems like a better form factor and just easier to get in booths, etc.
I just personally cant see myself paying nearly 1000 dollars for a device that offers me no way ( Outside the Denon And Behringer controllers ) of “Spinning” my music.
I know alot of Ean Golden types who play exclusively with x1’s, this would be perfect for them… but as a guy who was inspired to dj by watching Roc Raida at the 96 DMC, it just wont work for me.
The difference is $400. The S8 normally sells for $1200, its just on sale right now for $1000 as a way to get people to buy into stem hardware.
Even when it was brand spanking new, business’s were selling the s8 at around 1000 bucks. Msrp and street price’s fluctuate with supply and demand.
Traktor Scratch Ready? This would be ideal between a pair of turntables
Just looked at the ins and outs…. damn man.
But this is kind of entry level controller, like the s2 (it doesn’t have DVS too).
What more does NI have to do to make folks realize that they are abandoning a certain style of dejaying? Newest products (and product after product) with no jog wheels should be enough. If you want a new 2014+ controller with jog wheels? you wont get it from NI. Instead they tell you to lug around turntables if you want to perform turntable tricks. What? I’m sorry but a controller with no jog wheels doesn’t show any commitment whatsoever. And when you combine that with the fact that they haven’t made a single bit of hardware that can scratch by itself (effectively) or without using some other brands hardware along side it since 2012, tell me that NI isn’t a turntable DJ company. Hasn’t been for quite some time.
If that’s what you genuinely believe, then why not move on? Serato does a heap of jog wheel controllers. And Pioneer just announced a couple as well. Because whether you’re right or wrong, I’m pretty certain that one guy complaining in a comments box isn’t going to make NI do anything.
I already moved on. And it isn’t what I believe, it’s reality. NI isn’t a turntablists brand anymore. That isn’t a belief. I just feel bad that they’ve abandoned me and others like me. In the past I purchased tons of NI stuff (all sold now). When everyone else was using Serato I was using Traktor and loving it. Then something happened at NI. They’ve abandoned the turntable DJ. And why cant one guy complain? I guess i’m the only last few left because every other turntable DJ has long since left traktor. I would love for NI to release stuff for the type of Dejaying that I do. But that appears to be in the past. NI was my favorite brand and to watch them ignore turntable Dejays is really a thing to behold.
Shiftee, Qbert, Craze, A-trak…
The S2 and S4 still scratch just as before — Traktor Scratch in all its guises still scratch. And if you want some of that new stuff, add a D2. That’s what modular is all about. What more could you want those products to do for scratchers that they don’t already?
I can offer counterpoints to everything you say, but it won’t matter. You made your choice Tony, now go be a great DJ and stop getting chewed up by things that you can’t change. Be positive!
S2 and S4 are too old and don’t offer what I would look for in a 2015 controller. Right now I’m looking for a controller that has screens built into the unit. And the S2 and S4 doesn’t have any type of light marker on the jog’s to let you know the Cue position. I could go on but for some reason it seems as though you think the S2 and S4 will forever be competitive, and that NI’s 3 year + old offerings will always be good enough. And please… Counter point how NI isn’t a turntablists brand anymore. How are they a turntablist brand? I don’t see it. And voices do sometimes bring change. :)
buy a z2 w/ inno upgrades, and a pair of d2s to use alongside your TTs?
That sounds like a sweet setup.
Cool setup but two problems
1. thats a 1800 dollar setup just for the mixer and controllers, how cool would it be if the s5 functioned as an internal scratch mixer like the s4 did.
2. Size… sure DMC champs like Shiftee can make it work, but the main thing that has kept me from splurging on an s8 (which is about the same sizeas your proposed setup) is how massive the whole thing is, and a how far away my scatch hand and fader hand are from each other… id also be losing two channels on the mixer.
The size and placement and price of this thing would have made it ideal for my purposes. i would have certainly bought one if i could connect turntables to it.
Sounds like you want a Numark NV
The NV came out a month after I purchased my Reloop TM8 last november. I didn’t know that the NV was even coming out or might have waited. The NV is a nice unit for sure.
Mark I belive Atrak jump ship again. Seen him recently using a SRT Djm-900 with Ddj-sp
Mark, it definitely is not one guy saying this about NI. They are completely abandoning a whole segment that helped make their product. It’s a shame, most of us have moved on to other products or DVS. They seem to be moving toward production style equipment and away from the meat and potatoes of doing which was jog wheels.
Its the Only reason I haven’t purchased a NI controller for DJ work. Love the Maschine Studio.
I can’t take people serious who tell me they want to do ‘turntable tricks’ on jogwheel controllers.
So you don’t take this guy serious?
https://youtu.be/2zLeaAysuvg
I think what happens is many people get a controller with jogs and realize they have only used them a few times, or they already have the ability and prefer to use other equipment. Meanwhile NI is trying hard to put serious controls on the new line up to appeal to a broader market. Not the small handful of people who can post some videos.
I had my s4 from the day of release but ended up using nova for a few effects. I tried scratching but wasnt that good and concentrated more on learning much more. Not to mention the few gigs I did and had people come up and spin the jogs wondering why they could not sound good.
It isn’t a small handful of people. It’s what started Dejaying and record manipulation. Even on youtube the different amount of scratch Dj’s posting videos are in the thousands for sure. What NI is doing seems so be fine. There are more people who cannot scratch then there are people who can scratch. That doesn’t mean that you have to abandon the folks who can scratch and do other turntable tricks.
And when you say “concentrated more on learning much more” what does that mean? Who do you think looks more appealing to watch perform? A scratch DJ doing turntable tricks or a DJ who cant scratch doing much more? IDK. When I see Scratch DJ’s performing they don’t have to jump up and down like the other DJ’s I see that are jumping up and down and pushing buttons. I guess its a style thing but one shouldn’t shut out the other.
Much more just means I didn’t know enough of the basics and other thing I just personally wanted to learn, such as production software, mapping, effects, frequency range and eq settings. Mainly I bought a jog controller but it was years before I could do anything worth listening to.
My first controller was the Xponent by Torq, that just plain didn’t scratch anyway.
I have much respect for scratching and would still buy another jog controller but the main point I was making is that I am sure a lot of beginners as well as many enthusiasts don’t use the jogs as much as they thought they would. The main buyers of the controllers are home users. Only a small percent of the 1000s of buyers are in clubs and I could bet most buyers don’t ever get good enough to scratch, especially since from what I have heard it is even harder with jogs.
But yeah I will probably end up with cdjs or even map to a Behringer jog to get some jog use again.
And this guy
https://youtu.be/aoOpMh5WrFM
People can do the same tricks on jogwheels.
Read and learn.
http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2015/08/scratching-on-controllers-7-myths-busted/
And lets not forget DJ Angelo. But what he’s doing is shit because jog wheels are shit? right? Is that the B.S your trying to push?
https://youtu.be/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74AGy2F54g0_xQ
And none of these guys you just posted uses a controller on stage to scratch and do turntablism tricks. You can do amazing shit with controllers, no question. But talking about TURNtablism with controllers is just not making any sense…
N.I just made the Twitch 2 I’d always dreamed of.
I don’t regret my S8 purchase though.
What about the folks who want a controller with Jog Wheels? What does NI recommend? The S4? lol!
Any idea whether this will work with Traktor iOS? This has XLR outs, so more tempting for iOS use than the S2..
If you read the words in the video, they are responding to the criticisms of the s8. the “best way” to do something means much less than the “best result” NI seems to be digging itself into a hole of “how”
Has NI updated the way to search tracks besides just scrolling?
if I want to search for a track like New Order, can I scroll to an N somewhere then an e then the track list gets smaller as i search ? Or is this still done from laptop? If so does the screen update on the S8/5 to reflect the narrowed results on the laptop?