The Traktor Kontrol S4 MKIII is the third version of Native Instruments' flagship controller for Traktor and leaves nothing to be desired. Reworked to take advantage of the latest features of Traktor Pro, the MKIII's revised look and feel make the controller even more coherent and intuitive than its predecessors. The standout feature of this controller, however, is the large metal jog wheels with Haptic Drive. Cue points and loops that click as the user scrolls past them with the jog wheels offer even greater precision and provide for the first time the feeling of a true vinyl turntable in a controller. The new jog wheels, the mix effect controls, and the two high-resolution displays make the Traktor Kontrol S4 MKIII the most sophisticated Traktor controller from Native Instruments to date.
The new jog wheels with Haptic Drive enable a completely new connection between the DJ and their music. These are motorised and not only respond to nudging, scratching, and backspins but also provide haptic feedback on cue points and loop makers, guaranteeing an unparalleled DJing experience. The RGB LED rings around the wheels, together with the new high-resolution colour displays, provide a clear overview of all the important information about the track being played, so the user doesn't need to keep looking back and forth between the controller and their laptop and can devote their full attention to the former. By adding these new jog wheels, Native Instruments has therefore managed to bring an even better version of the Kontrol S4 to the market.
The Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MKIII serves as a complete command centre for Traktor Pro which, along with its size, makes it both the perfect companion for club gigs and other larger events and a good choice for home setups. With its integrated audio interface (24-bit/48kHz) for four channels, as well as matching master and booth outputs in XLR format, the controller can be easily integrated into any DJ setup. The new functions of Traktor Pro, such as the mix effects, which can now also be operated directly from the controller thanks to the revisions integrated into the MKIII version, further enhance the club feeling of the controller compared to its predecessor. All of this makes the latest incarnation of the Kontrol S4 suitable for all those who want to bring the real club feeling home, as well as for those who prefer a portable setup without making sacrifices in terms of features.
Native Instruments is a Berlin-based company, founded in 1996, which specialises in products for computer-assisted music production. The company develops a wide variety of products: Software solutions such as Komplete, which hosts a huge range of virtual instruments that emulate both acoustic and electronic instruments in hi-fi quality, and Reaktor, which lets you create your own virtual instruments - through to hardware products such as beat-making and DJ controllers. Native Instruments' goal is to inspire and encourage musicians with its innovative products. To this end, more than 500 people are employed at the company's headquarters in Berlin and at other locations including Los Angeles, Toronto, Tokyo, London, Paris, and Shenzhen. Since 2023, the manufacturers Plugin Alliance, iZotope and Brainworx have also been part of Native Instruments.
Whether it's scratching, remixing, or live performance, the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MKIII gives users the freedom of choice: It has never been easier for them to show off their own style in a live set, as the variety of features on the controller offers almost endless possibilities. Countless effect and loop combinations, remixes (thanks to the remix decks), and unique scratches made possible by the new jog wheels with Haptic Drive make every mix an experience that the audience is sure to appreciate. At the same time, the new and revised features of the flagship DJ software Traktor Pro offer even more freedom.