'To think of the D2 as a replacement for a single CDJ or vinyl turntable would be missing the point.'īuild quality is, as you'd expect, on a par with the high quality of the S8 or Maschine Studio. It also comes with a power splitter adaptor, allowing multiple units to be powered from the same plug. This is a really smart addition, conserving precious USB real estate for anyone who opts to use a pair of D2s, or use one alongside an existing set-up of controllers and DJ interfaces. Instead, connections are limited to power input, a main USB port for connection with a computer, and a pair of USB hub connections, which allow more Traktor controllers or an interface to be daisy chained from the unit. Naturally, with the interface and mixer gone, there's no audio ins or outs around the back this time. It appears to be aimed squarely at DJs who want to slot the creative elements of the S8's feature set into their existing DJ set-up, allowing them to continue using their existing interface or mixer.ĭesign wise, the D2's top panel is largely indistinguishable from that of the matching section of the S8, other than four small FX Select buttons in the top right corner. The D2 is effectively a single deck from the S8 – doing away with the mixer and interface elements, and offering a single set of the S8's track control, performance, effect and browsing features. Once you take this into account, suddenly you're looking at a DJ set-up that's priced out of the reach of casual users, and certainly isn't the sort of thing you can turn up to a club with and expect to find space for in the booth.Īs such, the arrival of NI's new D2 controller makes a lot of sense. We felt that the S8 was by far at its best with (at least) a pair of turntables or CDJs plugged into it, allowing users to blend classic mixing techniques with Traktor's creative performance features. The problem with the S8, however, is that it requires a pretty significant investment both financially, with a near £1,000 price point, and in terms of space, due to its hefty physical presence.

Its ability to act as a hub for a more traditional DJ set-up built around vinyl and CD decks made it feel like a real step in the right direction too – pointing towards a positive course for NI's DJ line, in which 'digital' and 'analogue' approaches aren't forced to exist in their own walled-off universes. With its combination of flexible and intuitive features, broad connectivity and all-round versatility, it was certainly the most powerful and effective DJ controller we've had the opportunity to use to date.

Native Instruments' flagship DJ device, the Traktor Kontrol S8, really impressed us when we reviewed it at the end of last year.

Traktor d2 price