Traktor S4 Mk2

Traktor Kontrol S4 MK2

The Kontrol S4 MK2 is one of the most popular DJ controllers. The MK2 has substantial improvements over the previous S4 MK1, including large all-light buttons for easier visibility. We support the S4 MK2 from version Mixxx 2.0 onwards. The MK1 is not supported and can not be supported due to a proprietary communication protocol that Native Instruments invented. The MK2 uses an open standard so the Mixxx mapping is completely functional.

Most of the functions are exactly as they appear on the device and most Traktor users shouldn't have a problem picking up and using the controller right away. While there's a lot of overlap between Mixxx and Traktor, some buttons on the S4 don't quite translate to Mixxx.

Loading the Mapping

To load the S4 mapping:

1. Open the Mixxx Preferences and click on the Controller category in the left-hand list.
2. You should see multiple items listed for the Kontrol S4. Find the Kontrol S4 HID device, not the MIDI device.
3. Click the drop-down list labelled "Load Preset."
4. Look for Traktor Kontrol S4 MK2 and select it.
5. Hit "Apply" at the bottom of the preferences window.

The controller should light up satisfyingly and should be immediately usable.

Mapping Notes

Mixxx does not have remix decks, so the four remix slot buttons have been repurposed. By default, they will launch samples in the sampler decks.

The Loop Size select knob is not fully implemented. Currently, pressing the "Loop Set" knob always creates an 8 bar loop, and turning the knob will change the size of existing loops. This will be fixed in a future update to allow creation of arbitrary-sized loops.

There are some more bonus actions that can be accessed by holding shift and pressing certain buttons.

• Shift + Loop Move will adjust the musical pitch of the track without changing the speed.
• Shift + pressing the Loop Move knob will reset the musical pitch to natural.
• Shift + Loop Size will seek quickly through the track for easy previewing.
• Shift + Load will eject the track.
• Shift + Remix Slot will create a loop of predetermined size.

Note that Mixxx doesn't have the concept of a single "master" deck for sync. Instead, you should push and hold the sync button to "lock" sync on for all decks you want to remain in sync. Or you can push Shift + Sync to lock sync on. See the manual: Master Sync

The Master Volume knob on the S4 controls the built-in hardware volume directly, so we have chosen not to also bind it to the Mixxx software master volume control. Peak display is only generated from software, however. So if you see peaking, it won't help to lower the master volume knob -- adjust the knob in the Mixxx GUI or lower the gain of the playing tracks.

Unused Buttons

• Snap button does nothing (in Mixxx, Quantize does both Quantizing and Snapping)
• Master button does nothing, but lights up when sync is enabled
• Loop recorder knob and buttons do nothing
• FX knob buttons do nothing
• While the Flux button works, the Reset button does nothing

User Configurable Mapping Changes

If you choose, you can edit the controller script and change the Remix Slot buttons to perform loop rolls instead. Also by default, Shift + CUE rewinds the track to the beginning. You can change this to a Reverse Roll, or "Censor" effect instead.

Making these changes is still a little awkward and we will be making controller preferences easier to change in the future. For now you'll have to make a small change to the mapping script file. Don't worry, the actual edit only involves replacing a single word in a text file.

1. Open Mixxx Preferences and select the Kontorl S4 in the side list.
2. You should see a series of tabs at the top of the preferences window, one of which is "Scripts". Select that tab.
3. Select "Traktor-Kontrol-S4-MK2-hid-scripts.js".
4. Click "Open Selected File."
5. Either the file should open in an editor, or you should see a file browser window with that file selected. If you see a file browser, right click the file and select an option to edit it.
6. At the top of the file will be short instructions explaining what to do.

TODO

There are some features we still plan to add to this mapping:

• Loop size readout / selection
• On Air indicator for shoutcast or set recording
• Find uses for other unused buttons
• Microphone volume knob