Traktor Pro 2.5 – one version to rule them all

April 2, 2012 By 38 Comments


As Native Instruments’ portfolio of Traktor products has expanded, so has the confusion. Traktor LE, Pro, Duo, Scratch… it’s all a bit of a mess. So NI have taken this new landmark v2.5 to do a bit of spring cleaning in the product range. Common sense has prevailed, and the whole mixed up range has been rationalised. There’s now just a single version of Traktor. Rejoice.

First, the official words:

Native Instruments Announces TRAKTOR REMIXED

Comprehensive revision of TRAKTOR range introduces free updates, new price structure and special offers

Berlin, April 2nd, 2012 – Native Instruments today announced TRAKTOR REMIXED – a comprehensive revision of the TRAKTOR range to coincide with the imminent arrival of TRAKTOR PRO 2.5. Due for release on May 30th – the same day as the TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 add-on controller – TRAKTOR PRO 2.5 is the catalyst for many important changes in the TRAKTOR portfolio that aim to simplify the TRAKTOR product range for DJs.

Free updates for TRAKTOR PRO 2 and TRAKTOR DUO 2 users

All users of TRAKTOR PRO 2 and TRAKTOR DUO 2 will receive a free update to the latest PRO 2.5 software as soon as it is available. The updated software version introduces the innovative Remix DecksTM, which allow DJs to creatively remix and rearrange tracks before and during their actual performance. As of today, users of TRAKTOR DUO 2 and TRAKTOR SCRATCH DUO 2 will receive a free upgrade to TRAKTOR PRO 2.

TRAKTOR PRO 2 software comes free with every TRAKTOR hardware

From today onwards, every TRAKTOR hardware item will automatically come with the latest full TRAKTOR PRO 2 version free of charge, which can then be comfortably updated to PRO 2.5 on its release. This applies to all TRAKTOR audio interfaces, controllers and scratch systems and is especially attractive to new customers. TRAKTOR PRO 2 previously retailed for $229/199 EUR and is now available with the TRAKTOR AUDIO 2 interface, for instance, for just $119/99 EUR.*

Special upgrade offer for old TRAKTOR versions

Users still running pre-PRO 2 versions of TRAKTOR software can upgrade to the latest version, thanks to a time-limited offer. Owners of software- only versions (TRAKTOR 1 to 3, TRAKTOR PRO and TRAKTOR DUO), as well as DJs using TRAKTOR SCRATCH, TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO or TRAKTOR SCRATCH DUO, can update to the latest version for $44,50/39,50 EUR until April 30th 2012.

Changes to audio interfaces and scratch systems

The audio interfaces TRAKTOR AUDIO 10 and TRAKTOR AUDIO 6 are now exclusively available with their respective digital vinyl systems. TRAKTOR SCRATCH A10 (renamed from TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2), features the 10-channel interface, and is now available at the new price of $559/449 EUR. Similarly, TRAKTOR SCRATCH A6 (previously called TRAKTOR SCRATCH DUO 2), contains the 6-channel TRAKTOR AUDIO 6 and can now be purchased for $339/229 EUR.**

New pricing for other products

This “remix” of the TRAKTOR range also means permanent new price points for a number of products. The TRAKTOR PRO 2 software can now be purchased at the NI Online Shop for $89/79 EUR (previously $229/199 EUR), while TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 now costs $559/499 EUR.

Further product information and press material

Additional information on TRAKTOR REMIXED is available at

www.native-instruments.com/traktorremixed

So just to clarify a few things:

  • • Traktor Pro 2.5 comes in at the cheaper price of $89/€79
  • • Any Traktor branded hardware gets the full 4 deck version of Traktor Pro 2.5
  • • You’ll get a free upgrade if you own any version of Traktor Pro 2 or DUO  2
  • • You can upgrade from just about any pre-Pro 2 version for $44.50/€39.50 before 30th April.
  • • Audio 6 and Audio 10 are sold only with Traktor Scratch Pro.

And this is the newly rationalised  Traktor product range:

Traktor Pro 2.5 – £65/$89/€79
Traktor Audio 2 – £84/$119/€99
Traktor Scratch A6 – £253/$339/€299
Traktor Scratch A10 – £423/$599/€499
Traktor Kontrol F1 – £211/$279/€249
Traktor Kontrol S2 – £423/$599/€499
Traktor Kontrol S4   £762/$999/€899

UPDATE 2: Euro prices for A6 and A10 corrected.

It’s worth mentioning as ever, for those who actually read the whole story, that these prices are recommended retail prices. The actual street price is likely to be cheaper.

At last, the mess of different versions is sorted into a single unified product with different hardware differentiating it. At this price point, it makes little sense for NI to even bother with LE or 2 deck versions anymore. While I don’t know this for a fact, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if future non-NI controllers didn’t come with the full Traktor Pro 2. And if they don’t, they really should NI.

UPDATE: One small caveat here that I need to clarify – Traktor Pro and Traktor Scratch Pro are still different versions it seems. So that’s two versions rather than one to rule them all.

Given the free upgrades, super cheap retro upgrade and price slashing, it would appear that NI are gagging for you to have the very latest version of Traktor installed. It makes sense really, given that NI are pinning a lot on the new remix deck method of working. And it makes development and importantly product support a whole lot easier too.

I’m sure I speak for everyone when I make the following suggestion – go one step further and lose the service centre. The whole online method of validation is just annoying and frankly unhelpful. Need to reinstall but not online? Exactly.

Life just got a lot easier and cheaper for buyers. One version of software simplifies that decision, leaving hardware as the deciding factor. Happy? Inclined to make that purchase now? Let us know.

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  • GroovinDJ

    Cool!

    For that money, it’s a “why the hell not?” purchase rather than a “I’m not so sure I should” one.

  • shishdisma

    What the Hell? This doesn’t make any sense. It’s like Native have completely given up on massive software margins, and are trying to push hardware as much as possible. Also. If you were planning on picking up an A10 (one of the most veratile and clear sound cards out there), I guess they’re raising the price by $200 and cramming in extremely niche software (who really owns and regularly uses 4 turntables?).

    • http://www.djworx.com Mark Settle

      Perhaps the A10 doesn’t sell in the same quantities on it’s own. Maybe the quantities it sells in its own doesn’t warrant the individual treatment. I suspect that NI treat the Audio 6 and 10 as interfaces for their DJ products, rather than interfaces in their own right.

      You may claim it makes no sense, but NI aren’t stupid – they’re a successful business. Ultimately, this is about making life easier for them from a development and support point of view , and increasing their market share.

      • Gavintech

        And this change in lineup is more flexible and affordable than anything Serato/Rane have going with Scratch Live and hardware. Even if you can’t get the TA10 without buying Traktor Scratch A10 it is still less than anything comparable in the Scratch Live line (and pretty much the same as SL2, which is more like The TA6/Traktor Scratch A6 than the TA10).

        My only question is, if/when I ever need to replace my TA6 will I have to buy the who scratch setup again or will they have a deal for those of us who already bought the interface (and in my case bought Traktor Pro 2 on top of it)? Hopefully this TA6 lasts forever and I never have to find out!

  • direkt

    Hmmm… so Numark’s 4TRAK is or isn’t TRAKTOR hardware?

    • http://www.djworx.com Mark Settle

      It’s Traktor compatible. It’s not an NI product;.

  • whitewulfe

    One question I have that didn’t quite seem to be answered by the press release… Will Traktor Pro 2.5, now that it’s four products combined into one… Still have scratch capability? As well, will it still be compatible with the older Audio 4 and 8 models?

    • https://www.google.com/profiles/115528987305679234385 James Wilson

      Don’t worry there’s still of course scratch capability. Audio 4 and 8 should still work as well. Really what NI have done is just streamline the “look” of their product line.

      • whitewulfe

        Ah, good to know, since I haven’t updated to v2 yet from TSP, and so hearing it’s only $45 USD to upgrade is pretty much music to my ears.

  • DJNODROG

    Makes sense to give up the software to sell hardware. Anyone have a pirated Kontrol S4?

  • Gavintech

    Just to clarify, does this mean that if I have Traktor Pro 2 and a Traktor Audio 6 when I get the free upgrade Traktor 2.5 will have Scratch/timecode unlocked?

    • http://www.djworx.com Mark Settle

      [b]UPDATE[/b]: Apparently it won’t. So there isn’t one version after all – there is Traktor, and there is Traktor Scratch. There goes the whole story then. :(

      • Gavintech

        It would be nice if they had a more affordable upgrade path for those of us that already bought both a TA6 or TA10 AND Traktor Pro 2 int he last year. If I already bought the software and the hardware why should I have to pay the sale upgrade cost of someone that bought the hardware but now is getting the software for free?

        Maybe for those people that already had a registered Traktor interface, mixer, or controller AND a registered copy of Traktor Pro 2 (both registered before Jan 1st 2012) the upgrade could be $59 (USD) instead of $119???

        I’ve not had good luck with NI service of late, “service” has been a misnomer with dealing with NI in my recent experience, but that would be a bit of customer service that would be more than fair to current customers, not just new ones…

        • http://www.djworx.com Mark Settle

          Sadly, NI’s somewhat messy product range offerings in recent times will mean that not everyone will be happy.

          NI’s after sales has always been an issue. It’s great that they keep pushing things forward and adding cool new features, but should things not work, the customer wants to know that help is there and will be swift. It’s something that they really need to address rather than ignore.

          We can only hope that this new version will be rock solid and fix nagging issues. The way that NI are pushing for everyone to upgrade will help them narrow down issues because hopefully most people will upgrade to v2.5.

          • https://www.google.com/profiles/102464862545895828316 Serjoka

            I completely agree with you Mark. I’m also fine with Traktor software and updates, with all of they offers but definitively NI lack of support is embarassing. They should improve both Customer Support and have a couple of moderators on their forum, becuase if you get into trouble with coupon codes, purchases or sofware issue better to ask God for a miracle.

        • DJQA

          The upgrade to what, exactly? They’ve already announced that Traktor 2.5 will be a free upgrade to all existing Traktor 2 users, regardless of version.

        • Jared Helfer

          It says in the release, though, if you have a registered version of TPro2 then 2.5 is free. Not sure what the issue is.

  • lupzdut

    Too late NI, after years of staying faithful to your software/hardware line I am finally fed up with all the unresolved bugs. Specially in the Traktor versions of late. I am switching to Serato. Although for controllerists, this move by NI will probably make much more sense.

    • http://www.djworx.com Mark Settle

      Perhaps you could give the free v2.5 a go first? You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain. If it still crashes, then move.

      • lupzdut

        Yes the free upgrade makes that a no brainer but it has been my experience with past versions of Traktor that they fix something in one update and then mess up another thing in the next. At this stage, unfortunately, I can’t afford to lose any time taking chances. I am a man of patience when it comes to DJ software and working out the kinks but I can’t state the same for my employers. They need my software to work yesterday.

        • http://www.djworx.com Mark Settle

          It’s your choice. The move to Scratch Live is hard – cue points and crates to recreate and all those tracks to reanalyse. That said, you can get on with that right way really.

          I suppose that your current NI installation can get the upgrade treatment, and you can try it out anyway. If it works, great. If not, you’ve moved to Scratch Live anyway. Nothing lost except the time to move your music to SSL. And the cost of it too.

          • lupzdut

            I had to double check my address bar. For a moment, I thought I was in the Native Instruments forum.

          • http://www.djworx.com Mark Settle

            Just trying to offer sound advice. I’d offer exactly the same advice if someone was looking to jump to Traktor, when an all new version was coming that could fix their issues. I have no axe to grind either way.

  • https://www.google.com/profiles/106626077523276105076 Saqib Rasul

    What about Traktor Scratch Certified Mixers? If I understand the website correctly the Software for such mixers is now 99 EUR/119 USD. Correct?

    • Johbremat

      I couldn’t even find that much information!

      Any hope of you posting a link? Got an A8DJ that could have the dust blown of it…

    • http://twitter.com/dee_jay_ivan DeeJayIvan

      would definitely be interested in an answer to this, fired off an email inquiry to NI about it with no response yet.

  • https://www.google.com/profiles/102464862545895828316 Serjoka

    I think you forgot to mention about Traktor Kontrol X1 new price.

    I also Noticed: “If you currently use TRAKTOR PRO 2 or DUO 2, you’ll automatically receive a free update*”

    And what about Traktor Scratch Pro 2 and Scratch Duo 2 users? Do they get a free upgrade to Traktor Scratch A10/A6 ?

    • stephen parker

      X1 is the same price as previously, the difference being that it now includes Traktor Pro 2 software.

      If you currently have Traktor Scratch Pro 2.x you’ll receive free updates up to and including 2.5 on release on 30th May. If you have Traktor Scratch Duo 2.x you’ll get a free update to Traktor Pro 2.x (check service centre) and then onto Traktor Pro 2.5 on release.

      • https://www.google.com/profiles/102464862545895828316 Serjoka

        Thanx Stephen for your clarification!

  • Johbremat

    Am I wrong that they’ve taken down the TS certified pricing?

  • davendiva

    I have an audio2 dj which is currently unregistered with NI, does this mean I will get a free copy of TP2 if I registered it now?

    • http://www.djworx.com Mark Settle

      I doubt it. I imagine TP2 is bundled in the box.

  • screwzoo

    i bought the regular scratch duo not duo 2, off ebay today will this be upgraded?

  • fifedawg1906

    Word up….the Service Center is a fu—-ing pain in the arse. And I don’t know if it even really works. I have Maschine, Komplete 8 and everytime I’m in SC it tells me i need to download updates; like it never knows that I just downloaded them the last time I was online. Crazy!!
    Traktor Pro 2 is dope though….I will definitely upgrade on 5/31. Thanks for the info….Peace! :D

  • dj jase graham

    how do i get traktor pro 2.5v work with the audio 4 interface box -via my cdj 350 decks and a pioneer 350 mixer….?

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