Traktor Kontrol Z2 DJ-Mixer/Controller

Product Information

Strrretch (Fast)– Can produce some really mad sweeping sounds with a strange human voice quality to them 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.

By replacing your mixer with a Traktor Kontrol Z2, you can continue to DJ exactly as before, but now the whole world of Traktor is only a USB cable into your laptop away. You can mix and match seamlessly from one to the other, and due to the fact that you’ve only changed your mixer, get into DJing with Traktor in a very natural way.

Computer Requirements

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

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 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.The Kontrol sections beside each channel feature Macro FX knobs for instant, one-knob effects control designed for expressive build-ups, break-downs, and more. 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.

Overall they’re a great sounding if often unsubtle bunch, and you’ll soon find your favourites for spicing up builds, breakdowns, mix ins/outs and so on. 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 Of course, nobody is going to buy this to use it simply as a standalone mixer, and the first good thing to say here is that the integration between standalone mixer use and Traktor is absolutely seamless. 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. The flagship TRAKTOR 4-channel mixer software from Native Instruments is the foundation of the TRAKTOR series, offering cutting edge control of your music files. Featuring professional-grade audio quality, instant syncing for beat matching, seamless looping, Hotcue, beatjump tools for remixing on the fly, and a full suite of high-grade effects, TRAKTOR PRO 3 is the top choice of DJs around the world.

Features

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.

Instant plug-and-play setup, with full TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 3 software** and timecode media included Like all good scratch mixers, the Z2 hardware keeps things simple. It offers two channels, fed by either line or phono inputs, both with built in Traktor Scratch decoders (Traktor Scratch Mk2 vinyl and CDs are included), so whether you use CDJs or turntables, you can simply plug them in alongside your laptop (connected via the USB port), and even hook up external drives via the dual-port USB hub. The Traktor Kontrol Z2 is an awesome bit of kit and a stunning entry into the DJ mixer market for NI. There are far too many clever little touches to list here, but one particular favourite is the ability to mix vinyl or CDs as audio while still using Traktor's effects. 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. Macro FX for effortless and expressive sound manipulation with the full arsenal of TRAKTOR effects, controlled by a single knobThe Traktor Kontrol Z2 is an awesome bit of kit and a stunning entry into the DJ mixer market for NI"