120 Comments

1. For the record, I have seen the S8, touched the S8, and signed an NDA specifically about the S8. So there’s very little that I can say about it. I will answer what I can, but I don’t think there’s much I can add to the specifics of this post. You can ask, but you might have to be happy with a stock response.

   • And, to be fair, anyone who talks like they really know how this is going to work is probably making it up.

     • There are tiny Traktorbots inside that power everything. FACT.

       • Ah, the natural conclusion of sync.

         Now all I have to do is make it look sexy.

         • Robots make everything sexy.

           • They already have a robot department, maybe thats what is new for 2015 ….https://www.facebook.com/MostlyRobot

   • So I have a few questions. Feel free to answer what you are allowed to …
     How is the general “feeling” of the unit. Rather like the S2 / S4 / Z1 or rather like the Z2.
     You know… the difference of touching a plastic all in one controller or a proper mixer.
     I have the impression, that the faders on the S2 / S4 mk2 already got way better but the Z2 has a great sturdy and professional feeling when touching the controls / switches / faders. What is your opinion on this new beast?

     So what I have seen in the NV videos the screens are more or less just put on the unit, but don’t seem to be really integrated with the software as one of the key features of serato is the “next to each other” waveform layout + this awesome little sync waveform. How is it with the screens of the S8… do they give more than just a cut-out of the laptop screen? Do they interact with the controls? Can you switch views?

     Will it have a USB hub? The amazon leak said it comes with Traktor Scratch Pro 2… does this mean its DVS ready out of the box (like the Z2)?

     Thank you :-)

2. So all ni gear has been refreshed except the f1. Something else coming maybe?

   As for the s8 are the buttons plastic or the rubber kind?

   • My guess is that the larger pads resemble the F1’s buttons, but they may be Maschine buttons. The transport buttons are probably akin to the X1MK2, though the Kontrol keyboards no longer have the noticable click that I really like out of the X1.

     It actually looks like the smaller buttons are the same material, as opposed to the small buttons on the X1MK2. So, maybe they are getting rid of most of the hard plastic buttons.

     • If they’re Maschine-like buttons that would be awesome!

3. They also ditched the pitch fader.

   • My guess is that encoder on the left/right are going to be multi-use, like they are on the X1MK2.

   • I guess that ditching the jog wheel makes everything fair game and up for evaluation. I suspect that the crossfader was only left on because this is likely to be a mixer too.

4. i’m hoping for a 2 channel version of this. 2 channels controllers like the s4 are too big for me.

5. I’m not one for all-in-one’s to begin with this this is the worst way to go, NI.

   • What’s your preference, then? Were you hoping for modular control?

     • Hoping for? Not hoping for anything. Well, outside of companies like NI, who I really want to support, stopping with this insane addiction creating things they want people to want before they know they want them. The F1 is an example of that. All the hype leading up to it and once people got their hands on them a lot of early adopters sold them and they are rarely seen in the wild.

       NI already makes a fantastic modular controller that I own. The X1 (original and MK2).

       • I love my X1MK2s, and I use them regularly as well.

         I think the F1 is a fantastic controller, it’s remix decks that fall short every single time. I know it’s a strange separation, but I know a lot of people who use the F1 as effects control, or as an addition to their DVS because the controller is so good.

         And good product design/marketing is exactly as you described it. if they only made products people knew they wanted then they would be making technics clones no one would buy.

         • Notice I said “they want people to want” rather than just “they don’t know they want yet”. There is a big difference.

           • I guess? I mean, they want people to want these features, right? And people don’t know whether or not they want these features, so NI wants them to want them (I think that made sense).

             Let me clarify for my own sake: NI wants people to want these new features. People don’t know how these new features help them. NI needs to be a whole lot better at explaining that since that’s been their biggest weakness thus far.

             • Totally agree with you on that point. They really need to stop all this meaningless chat about “future of djing” and “changing the game” and get on with helping people actually make sense of and use their equipment better. It’s actually getting annoying now.

               • Sorry for the delay, was traveling.

                 They have very little incentive to explain it, which is the real problem. I think their goal is to proceed to simplify the whole conversation anyway, make their stuff so simple it doesn’t require an explanation. Eventually Remix Decks will make sense to anyone, they just won’t be any fun anymore.

   • Worst? Not for everyone. But as I told NI, I feel that this will be a slow burner. But it’s definitely in line with the way a large number of DJs are working.

     • “…it’s definitely in line with the way a large number of DJs are working.” I’d like an expansion of this statement. Is sample triggering going “mainstream” for DJs now? Is there anything that the S8 focuses on that will displace the two-deck basic mixing approach that most DJs tend to use? And finally, it seems that the top two controllers – the DDJ-SZ and Kontrol S8 are clearly niche products. Will this trend continue?

       • In short, yes it will continue. Because the “two deck basic mixing approach” you mention was fully covered by the functionality controllers had about 5 years ago.

6. Mark, I don’t know if you can answer this. Are the pot’s nutted to the face plate?

   • While I was able to have a physical play, a screwdriver session wasn’t on the cards.

     • You don’t need a screwdriver to see this, you just have to remove a knob cap. I think he want to know if the knobs are fixed to the faceplate (like the VCI-400) or to the board which is less durable

       • Either way, pulling controls off a prototype unit isn’t good form. That’s a minor detail – the real discussion is about the lack of jogs and pitch.

         • DID YOU MANAGE TO GIVE IT THE SKATEBOARD TEST TELL US HOW IT FARES 8/10 10/10??11ONE

           • I take reviewing seriously. They should have called it the Kontrol SK8.

             • fake, i can see the shadow ;) nice trucks tho’

7. Personally, the S8 doesn’t appeal to me at all!! :(

   Being a Hip-Hop, Funk & Soul DJ, the whole no-platter + extensive remix-deck setup just doesn’t work with the way and the music I spin.

   I can understand why N.I. keep pushing the whole producer/remixer angle of things, but I for one would rather have seen something a bit more “standard”:
   – like a modular Deck controller (think Numark V7 but for Traktor)
   – a Kontrol Z1 mk2 (but with an mini-innofader and timecode-capability)
   – a Kontrol Z2 mk2 (with 2 USB-Soundcards for easier switchovers, line-fadercurves etc)
   – or perhaps even an Z4! ;)

   I absolutely love Traktor and so far N.I. gear has “mostly” had me excited, but right now I feel like Serato (and their hardware partners – Specifically Numark, Rane & Pioneer) seem to be more on the same page with me!

   Yes of course, you could add turntables or CDJs to either side of it (the “timecode buttons” give away the fact the S8 also seems to function as a gianormous Traktor Scratch mixer) but the distance between the decks would be sooooo huge!
   Ever tried juggling with a DJM2000 between two 1210s? ^^

   Most DJs I know, still spin “traditionally” and even thou we all practice hard, use cue points, scratch, toneplay and thus prepare our sets a lot – we all still need to stay flexible and mostly only use 2 Decks with some samples on top!
   Not one of us has really come to terms with the Remix-Decks and the work and staticness that come when trying to combine them with regular top 40s / hip-hop gigs.

   Maybe it’s just me but some of the things N.I. are pushing right now only seem to cater to a very specific type of DJ: the Big Name Ibiza-Club-Jocks who only play 3-4 hours and can prepare their entire set in advance….

   • Yeah, I feel like all this stuff is cool — but only works when everything is perfectly-quantized “techno”…but in my world that’s only a small part of what gets played.

     rs

   • Dude, it’s simple, this is a Z4 on steroids.

   • I understand your complaint. Out of curiosity, though, do you own turntables or CDJs?

     • I do own and like both, but my primary and preferred weapon of choice still are two turntables coupled with an Kontrol z2 and an Kontrol F1 (custom mapping thou – I do not really use it for the remix decks as intended!)

       • Most people don’t use it for remix decks. Most people hate remix decks.

         Regardless, I think that the gap between the decks won’t be that big of an issue, and if it covers all of the workflow and then more of the Z2 and the F1 (custom mappings are always better anyway) then it might be worth it.

   • Funny, I know loads of DJs that don’t use jog wheels.

8. I think NI is going down the wrong path with this,yes loads of djs already use the x1 myself included but I suspect that most use it for convenience and if given a choice 90% would prefer a larger x1 type controller with a jog wheel on each unit!

   • I also like the idea of modularity. We need more controllers with motorized platters or jog wheels. To me real modularity is the freedom to choose whatever I want to use without missing on something else.

     • exactly. a single, modular, easily reprogrammable motorized platter would do much more for the world than all the ‘mini dj rigs’ that have come out these past 5 years.

   • Check out the denon sc2000

9. I like to think of the Screens as being simple “extensions” of the Software. That might be a cool thing to have. I believe it´s a good move for NI, a nice little step ahead without putting to much at the stakes. Either People will love it, or they don´t care.
   Right now i say the unit in general is not a game changer, but that may depend on the Integration of the Software. Only then we will see what the benefits are, if any. It might be a game changer for those who like to prepare their sets well in advance or do Showcases.
   It´s probably not for me, though I would very much like to test it :)
   The lack of jog wheels, hmmm, that´s a tough one somehow.
   The lack of pitch knobs or sliders is No-Go!

   • certainly useful to have the screen on the push/maschine…

10. We absolutely don’t care about any more plastic toys, we have a beast of an iron mixer and those top DJs don’t care either, they are there for business and won’t touch an all-in-one again…till they are paid again to do it…sad seeing gods like Carl Craig being part of the circus as well…

    • Even gods need to top up their pension pot every once in a while…

      • Indeed but that’s even more sad…

11. Hoping to see continued compatability with Traktor dj app. I’d like to see an update include a Traktor/maschine deck (I call it “Traktion” TM). Provide sample packs like the remix decks and integrated like djtechtools new midi fighter twister’s sequencer. The F1 would already serve as a good layout for a maschine inspired live production controller.

12. “Traktor is always one step ahead of what the DJ wants or needs” ….erm… is that a good thing?

    • Yes and no. If a manufacturer is innovative enough to discover cool new ways to DJ that are relevant and interesting then yes. But if it’s a matter of dictating their vision of the future and making hardware to fit regardless of what DJs want, then no.

13. While I’ve considered various other all-in-ones in the past (and have even taken some really good looks at the S4), this does seem rather interesting. A lot of the biggest things I think I would want in an AIO controller seem to be present in this, and the screens are just icing on the cake.

    Depending on price as well as compatability with Traktor Pro as well as DJ, I could easily see myself spending money on this as well as an iPad for a nice mobile setup. I love my STR8-150’s and Kontrol Z2, but if I ever did go out (even just for a friend’s house party or such) I’d much rather carry a significantly lighter setup that’s just as (if not more) powerful than what I currently have.

14. nice to see some faders, front and center!

15. So what’s next, voice activated DJing?

    Without DVS function a crossfader curve makes zero sense.

    • That´s what I thougt at first. But we don´t know yet if it´s possible to use it as a mixer also. And even without DVS functionality, some may use the curve to either blend smoothly or cut, even between button decks?

    • We’re speculating right? It would be INSANE is NI didn’t have a mixer inside with DVS onboard. Especially at the prices we’re seeing. If we assume they do then the crossfader curve makes perfect sense.

    • It makes perfect sense if the S8 is able to be used as a standalone mixer.. and if it has DVS functionality.. which it DOES. Look at the “Traktor/Ext” option buttons above every channel

16. So it is finally out of the back and reactions are as expected. Two things which are clear to me are:
    1. NI hopefully understands now that with a controller that is designed towards a certain niche, you can never accomplish pushing numbers like the S4 did (unless the market got so much bigger). And I believe there recent shift towards full on Technoish marketing shows they understood, that they can’t interest an urban DJ for most of their features anymore.
    2. There is still this push for certain features targeted at those Urban Dj’s like Crossfader curve and possibly the inclusion of Innofaders, but personally I believe this is where it get’s in the way of being a perfect niche controller. It feels to me like an SUV truck, a machine that looks like sthg, but doesn’t fully deliver. Sure this example might be a bit extreme, but I would really like to see some company to have the balls and create a flagship device that really focusses on one niche without distraction.
    I wish them good luck and hope the S8 can push the numbers needed to account for those awefull many years of talks and design changes :)

    • You have to remember that a lot of DJs would spend this much on a mixer. Swap that out with the S8 and you have a lot more functionality, especially if you’re already using TSP2.

      • Well, you know you get what you pay for. Of course there are extremes, with the rates Pioneer charges for their pro mixers, and then the DDJ series which surely received a different margin calculation than e.g. their CDJ series. Tho, still screens, and a lot of buttons cost money and this is usually substituted by product quality. Open a Z2 and open a DJM900 and you’ll know what I mean…

17. I dont want it. Too much buttons, too much effects. Pure distraction. I love my turntables, buy vinyl and discover new stuff with my friends.

18. Oh my god no pitch faders???

    • True story – back in May, based on a Facebook thread, I proposed an April Fools to NI, where a video is made about the new underground Berlin scene of FixCore/FixStep that is based around a fixed BPM, and NI would make a dummy controller without a pitch fader.

      I didn’t expect them to take the suggestion this seriously.

    • O.k. everyone. Look closely at the overhead picture. The Pitch Fader or Tempo control has been relegated to a singly center knob. This gets more interesting by the minute lol!

19. Amazon said in the past ….. 1200$ and with Traktor Pro 2! not 3 !

    • Yes, I understand that, but it is almost certainly going to come with a copy of Traktor Pro 2.7, which will introduce features that will be common in Traktor Pro 3, and will only be available to users of the S8, just like they did with the S4 and sample decks.

20. “for some reason not inviting us”
    Maybe because your page looks like one giant InMusic / Numark advertising?

    • It does right now, but that’s because it’s tradeshow time and companies with new product to launch are happy to pay for advertising. The other 48 weeks of the year, there’s no takeover.

    • Doesn’t look like any press were there. Just a photo/video opportunity for NIs marketing dept.

    • Yeah, that… that makes perfect sense.

21. I don’t get the whole no jogs/pitch fader stuff. If you are a techno/house dj you dont need them (you just hit the sync), if you are hip-hop/etc dj you plug your turntables (wich have very big jogs and pitch faders :D) and you have it all. I am hip-hop/funk/breaks dj I think this controller is brilliant: why do I need 4 pitch fadres…

    • I like to have the Option to pitch manually also because Sync doesn´t always work for me, in terms of accuracy.
      The jog wheel Thing, I can absolutely imagine not using jogs. The design makes sense somehow – I´m just not sure if NI reduces the number of potential “buyers” by not having them.

      • If you look at the pictures, the S8 has a rotary pitch knob.

      • started off using sync and stopped, brushed up on my beatmacthing and it makes me feel like I’m djing now and not being lazy, i only ever mix max 3 tracks, so nothing to crazy that i need sync on so mixing two tracks with sync was getting boring, and making me use eq’s and fx when not needed, now my workflow is so much cleaner, gone off controllers unfortunately and now keep a little x1 incase

    • that works if you can bring that extra gear with you and have time to set that up. if on the other hand you are having to deal weight limit/space limits while travelling you might want a controller with jogs and pitch. it all depends on application

      • Most of the clubs have cdjs and tt, so you don’t need to bring them, but if you are mobile, that does not really work. Maybe NI are going to come up with modular jogs to add to this beast :)

        • Most of the clubs that have CDJs and tts also have a mixer. What’s the point? Why would you bring this at all to a club that already has gear you are going to use (your example)?

          • Because no mixer has the fuctions (and the screens:)) of the s8 :)

            • kind of sad to see djs saying I am mixing techno and don’t need platter or pitch…there are stuff you can do with them while mixing techno too…..they are not there only for beat matching but sometimes mismatching and giving your mix a moving groove….. but NI is run by software heads than djs…..maybe if they had mad a small simple add on platter pitch unit…..

              • Actually, the people I know on the Traktor team are most definitely DJs, and they’ve come from a turntable background too.

22. I mix a lot of house, so being forced to use sync and not having pitch or platter would work fine even if not my preference. But, what about when I want to throw in an hour of Space Disco to my set? There is no way you can sync it because it can’t be properly analyzed by Traktor. Without being able to manually match it up, it won’t work using this as a standalone product. Kind of unfortunate that the platters were taken out in favor of the remix pads.

    Also, what are the approximate dimensions on this thing, is it basically an S4 in size or much larger?

    • I’m sure the pitch will be on an encoder like the X1 Mk2. And you can nudge using the touch strip.

      • What encoder on the X1 MK2? Unless you are talking about the touch strip itself (which, technically, can be considered an encoder) there is no button or dial mapped to the pitch/tempo control on the native MIDI map for the X1 MK2.

        • Holding Sync while simoultaneously turning the encoder will adjust the tempo.

23. All this time and *still* no all-in-one with two lots of 4×4 pads to make proper use of Remix Decks?!

    Other than that, it looks pretty good to me…

    • I was thinking the same thing.

      My guess is, with the screens, you’ll be able to scroll through the pads and utilize two rows at a time, as opposed to how it’s set up now.

      • took the words right out of my mouth.

      • Yeah …and maybe that’s a bit of a neater solution, real estate-wise, but I’ve been hanging-out for something I described for *soooooooooooooooo* long now that anything less was bound to be a disappointment.

        I’m over it now though – and a Kontrol S8 is probably in my immediate future…

        • Yeah, I am in the same boat.

24. I like it but seeing as I have an S4 and an F1 I don’t see a reason to upgrade. The only thing that could sway me away is if Traktor 3 (or whatevs) has some amazing features that the S4 can’t utilize.

25. It would have been very cool if NI designed the s8 like that Pio controller that have a slot for your laptop under the controller :)

    • I thought that was seen as being very unpopular because you can’t access your keyboard.

      • Yes, but they say you don’t need your laptop at all :) but you still have to put it somewhere. I meant a slot for the whole laptop, not just the keyboard :)

        • I now saw your other comment to Greg4422 which answers my comment :D

        • I pretty sure techtools will have a stand like that before launch, lol.

26. this seems like one of those products that nobody actually wants or believes in, but everybody agreed to make, because it felt like the next logical step. I mean, just imagine if they were selling 10″ USB turntables right now, instead. guys would be camping out to drop $1000.
    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. NI is the biggest hindrance to innovation in djing. and NO, I don’t blame their r&d guys. this is the kind of lame nonsense that could only come from some executive. only someone who doesn’t know what they want or need would even consider buying this monstrosity.
    and remember, if you do buy this, part of this cost is going to pay carl craig to be in the video….wouldn’t you rather spend your money on YOUR GEAR, instead of his beach house….juss sayin (they even had to edit him. he says “I’m sure it is…” and then the audio is cut off.) Let us hear what he actually says :)

    • You must be well over 40yrs old, lol

      • here at djworx, we discuss DJ Products, not the viewers. we discourage personally disparaging remarks, and urge insightful or passionate RELEVANT comments about DJing, thank you

        • All you been Doing is flaming other people and the hardware they prefer, if you don’t like kontrol s8, it doesn’t mean it’s a toy, Richie Hawtin is doing extremely well for himself using 2 kontrol x1’s, so stop trolling, and misleading the people.

        • Hey filespnr that comment was meant for john hart, my apologies…

27. Why the screens if this still must be connect to a laptop?

    • It gives access to key features on your controller instead of constantly reaching for or gazing at your laptop. It’s an improved workflow, as well as a better visual performance for the crowd.

      • “Performance” means nothing IMO unless you’re battle scratcher.

        • someones been a bit antsy first the effects now ‘performance’ forgot battle scratching was the only type of djing that required performance

      • It just seems like a major missed opportunity here.

    • Imagine all the “stuff” you could have on your laptop screen if you didn’t have the waveforms on there. Like fullscreen browse all the time. That sounds awesome enough to me.

      • The Traktor waveforms (Spectrum view) is the primary reason I prefer Traktor over other DJ software…I know I’m shallow

28. NI would be better keep focused on software with effects like their rivalry does with izotope. traktor effects just sucks.

    • I thought it was generally accepted that Traktor’s effects were amazing and everyone has been playing catch-up. Am I wrong?

      • @DJWORX:disqus you are correct. Of the most common three DVS programs VDJ effects are terrible, Serato Effects are only valid if you buy one of their expansion packs, adn Traktor gives you a ton out of the box that can be combined to make new effects. Just sayin’ Freeze?

29. This is definitely a step in the direction that I like: whether or not it’s the “right” direction remains to be seen. I currently use an S4 mk1, F1, MidiFighter 3D, along with running Traktor in tandem with Ableton Live and the Ableton Push. This could free up some desk space and streamline my workflow quite a bit! I’m definitely dropping some cash on it!

30. FOR THE RECORD: Dan’s article about needing jog wheels (http://djworx.com/djs-even-want-jog-wheel-anymore/) was written before I’d seem the S8, but published after. I could have pulled it, but it was a conversation worth having, especially given that NI were going to bring out a controller without jog wheels.

31. I keep hearing the screens are not needed and a waste. I strongly disagree. At work I use 3 displays. At home I use 2 on my desktop. I keep certain information on 1 then the rest on the other. The screens on the controller free up real estate on the laptop screen. Instead of wasting it with 4 decks I can now have my entire laptop screen for browsing and loading decks. To me that’s brilliant. I always had to use the space bar to minimize the decks as my library window was so small I could only see 5 or so tracks.

    • Oh me too, at work I use two extra screens, both are 2″ * 4″ and man do they increase my productivity. How do two screens smaller than my phone free up any real estate? If you’re going to the laptop to browse, are your really saying that you can’t spend that 0.000001 of a second the click between views?

32. Why would they put the phones output on the right, knowing dam well every headphone has the cable coming out the left cup, smh… So that headphone cable is gonna go all the way from your left ear to the right headphone output on the unit, and probably get in the way of everything you do.

    • not sure if you’re being sarcastic or that is the most constructive criticism you was able to come up with? a lot of headphones are dual port and i don’t think a coiled cable gets in the way

      • Yea, ok. Let see you talk that fly shit after you’ve had a few drinks, and WTF does sarcasm have to do with anything I said, foolface?

33. I’ve used traktor for the last 7 years, I currently use the s4 mk 1 with f1 and launchpad and have been eagerly awaiting the next product, tbh I feel let down and for the first time I feel serato has the edge on the controller side, losing the platters is a big deal for me as I started with vinyl. Now I’m just waiting to see if numark will be releasing the ns7 mk 3 with screens. Sorry NI you’ve lost my business and I’m sure many others. Though there are millions of dj’s that have never mixed with vinyl that will be over the moon, but my opinion is why use the s8 for traktor when you can get ableton push which will do more than traktor for nearly half the price.

34. I have to agree with the writer “I’d actually be interested in putting aside the laptop, but replacing it with a remote app on my iPad for at least a little extra screen real estate.” The only reason to put a screen on a controller isn’t to get you looking at the crowd (you would be looking at your controller now DUH), it is to try to keep controllers relevant so they have something to sell you other than software. I love tactical feedback BUT a large tablet remote app instead of a controller would be more efficient. I am one of those that held on to his Blackberry for a real keyboard to text for years but the inevitable happened. It is going to happen here too.
    Think about it. NI releases Traktor DJ app to DJ (profits) but they don’t implement an app to remotely control Traktor Pro (loss of controller profits)?

35. I have been a Traktor user since Final Scratch 2, the part I want to see most is this: Can it play direct from USB or iPad HD? If so, leave the box/laptop behind. Does it have 2-4 external inputs that can be used with timecode vinyl or CD? If so, why waste real estate on “tiny toy like platters” when you can have a direct drive motor or CDJ platter? Does it support a USB 2/3 hub for added X series controllers? We shall see what NI had blessed us with, but if these functions are on the S8 it will change everything.