Traktor Kontrol Z2 DJ-Mixer/Controller

Product Information

Plug & Play: Full version of TRAKTOR PRO 3 software, two timecode records & two timecode CDs included

Integrate multiple TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 and X1 controllers with plug-and-play simplicity thanks to the Z2’s USB hub, freeing up additional ports on your laptop. TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 puts our most advanced DJ controller in the body of a professional 2+2 channel mixer – TRAKTOR SCRATCH included. Deliveries will be made subject to the terms and conditions of the courier company. djkit.com will not be held responsible for late deliveries. Build: Great. Some might be wary of the plastic pots, but there’s an undeniably professional quality to the Kontrol Z2… except the issue with the paint coming off the glossy section of the mixer, which doesn’t really affect anything other than aesthetics, but it’s still a bit naff. TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2’s layout builds on familiar standards for uninterrupted workflow from the start. A spacious control surface with faders, 3-band EQ section and dedicated filter knobs per channel are all right where you need them.DarkMatter– A noise effect, with compression adding a rhythmic quality to the distortion it introduces Also, if you’re looking to add a scratch system to your existing gear (ie replace your mixer with a Scratch-software enabled mixer so you can DJ with either records/CDs or music files from software), you may want to consider the biggest rival system to Traktor Scratch, namely Serato Scratch Live. Finally, it’s worth pointing out that you can switch the effects from pre-mixer to post-mixer, something that’s very welcome and that I believe only became possible in Traktor 2.6. But here’s what I see to be the biggest potential group of users: people who already own some old-style DJ gear. Maybe you have a couple of turntables and an analogue mixer, or two old CDJs and the same.

One-knob Macro FX for effortlessly expressive sound manipulation using the comprehensive array of TRAKTOR effects

The Cyber Season sale is on

Ergonomically, the Z2 is a tremendous success. Native Instruments should be really proud of what they’ve achieved when it comes to integrating the Z2’s brawn with the Traktor brain, because it looks like the Z2 should do a lot less than it actually does. It’s not the first DVS ‘hub’ mixer, of course, not even close – but to my grubby hands it feels the most streamlined and logical, and when comparing it to other mixers it seems somehow more elegant. Traktor grow over the “hardware as dongle for dvs” model with their dedicated hardware. After openning the dvs compatibility to any audio interface chances of developing a dedicated mixer are probably near to zero. Rumour about selling Traktor to A&H (or behringer) floated before Soundwide adcquisition but with Traktor Plus subs model isn’t clear the future of Traktor (for Soundwide/NI themselves IMHO) Taking cues from recent NI hardware, the Kontrol Z2 features NI’s beautiful coloured button technology and two LED displays good for two characters each, lending svelte good looks and industrial style rugged demeanour respectively. Things are pretty much the same as they’ve been for a few years when it comes to the feel of Native Instruments hardware, so excuse me for not reinventing the wheel yet again when going into how things feel; perhaps look at my recent Kontrol F1 review for a more in depth description of the feel of the various knobs and buttons (although faders warrant a section below). The faders are made by Innofader, and feel great, the crossfader being loose without being in any way rattly, and the upfaders slightly less loose. All faders stop at their furthest reach without any kind of metal-on-metal noise, rather hitting home in a pleasingly dampened way, a bit like an Audi door thudding shut. I liked them. Setting up The 48KHz audio interface is blazingly fast, and after speaking with many other scratch DJs there seems to be a general consensus – and as this is anecdotal please take it as such with the knowledge that we’re all prone to persuading ourselves things are true from time to time – that the Kontrol Z2’s method of controlling Traktor’s internal mixer actually makes scratching with DVS feel tighter as the small amount of latency added to the fader puts cutting more in sync with the software translated record movements. Feel

Pro XLR outputs, a booth output and 24-bit sound quality mean your sets hit with maximum impact. Precision knobs, buttons, multi-colored cue point controls and Innofaders™ give you ultra-accurate control of your sets. Whether spinning vinyl, CDJs, playing digital files, or using TRAKTOR SCRATCH timecode control, switching formats is just a push of a button away – lightning-fast, uninterrupted creative flow. And the heavy metal chassis means your busy schedule won’t take its toll on your new tool of choice. In this case you’d be looking at a Rane mixer, of which the Sixty-One is the closest to this. Without even comparing features sets, bear in mind that the Rane Sixty-One costs pretty much double what this does. I really liked the Traktor Kontrol Z2. It looked on unboxing like it could have been a complex beast, and while it is indeed an advanced piece of kit, everything has been designed for performance in mind. It’s not trying to control every function of Traktor – just the stuff that you’re likely to use most of the time to put killer DJ sets together. Basically, having cues, loops and filters right there at your fingertips is very, very handy, never mind anything else. If you have no gear and you’re coming to Traktor and digital DJing afresh, it’s probably best to go for a DJ controller with everything in one box. This’ll be fine for home, parties, bars etc, and some people even use theirs in clubs (depending on the part of the world, club itself, prevailing DJ culture etc).Mix with the best of both analogue and digital worlds. TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 excels as a standalone club mixer alongside turntables and CDJs, and also as the hub of an advanced controller-based setup. While TRAKTOR PRO 3 is made for our TRAKTOR KONTROL series, it also syncs seamlessly with other DJ equipment and software through MIDI and Ableton Link. Expand your setup with any controller, using TRAKTOR’s modular design, or link directly to Ableton Live to create unique workflows that push your creativity to new heights. Instant plug-and-play setup, with full TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 3 software** and timecode media included

Whether on the road, installed into a DJ booth at a club, or comfortably forming an integral part of your studio hub, the professional-grade aluminum chassis of the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 delivers a rugged design with all the power and connectivity you need. Featuring a 24-bit audio interface, pro XLR and RCA outputs, knobs, buttons, and Innofaders™, alongside TRAKTOR Mode buttons for seamless switching, this premium 2+2 channel mixer is performance ready and built to last. Look at Rane and legacy drivers drama (part blame on inMusic adcquisition part on AS transition and no money for old hardware updates…) Or connect multiple TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 and X1 controllers thanks to the Z2’s USB hub: Freeing up additional ports on your laptop, and expanding performance possibilities.Combining a traditional DJmixer with a high-quality sound card and tight integration with the included Traktor Scratch software, the Traktor Kontrol Z2 DJ Mixer gives you ultimate flexibility when it comes to mixing analogue and computer-based DJing techniques. Built-in powered USB hub* for 2 add-on DJ controllers such as TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 or TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 If there’s any really impressive innovation build wise it’s the magnetic faceplates first seen on Maschine MK2 a couple of months ago. Unless you’re told you would have have absolutely no idea that the faceplate lifts off the mixer in three parts (centre and each strip down the side) and when the inevitable replacement colours come out there’s going to be some totally unnecessary but nonetheless gorgeous customisation going on. Ins and Outs Just bear in mind you’re not likely to see many clubs installing it (I’ll bet they’ll continue to go for Pioneer or Allen & Heath mixers, as they always have done). At a basic level, though, mixers are mixers – if you can use this one, you can use any. Setting up is more convoluted than it could be, but that’s always been my view of setting up Traktor. Native Instruments has a “Service Center” where you have to register yourself and your software, and it’s used to authenticate you as well as provide upgrades and so on, but it adds a layer of complication and I think it could be simpler than it is. For instance, there’s a dialogue at one point that says “Please launch Service Center now”, while the only button on the window says “Restart”. Which is it to be? Stuff like this causes anxiety for users who aren’t sure if they’re doing the right thing.