http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Lh8ZvRzZcPg
It’s been a little less than two years since Native instruments released their 4 Channel DJ Mixer, the Traktor S4, and just today NI has released a video of the newest model. What seems to be any different about this model from the last? Colored lights. If you’ve been following NI’s newest product line, you’re probably noticing a pattern here. After they worked their magic and put 16 RGB LED backlit light pads into their Traktor F1 controller, which they released back in May, they celebrated their awesome looking achievement by getting busy putting the same arrangement of lights into their Maschine units, plus multicolored lights behind 8 of its group select buttons. So when the next traktor arrives, expect lots of lights, in lots of colors.
“LEDS. The future of sound”
On a more serious note, from what I know of Traktors technology, the colored lights on each side of the board appear to be cue buttons for jumping back and fourth between moments of a mix. Also, they’re calling this next version a “2+2 Channel Mixer”, as opposed to the current Traktor S4 bring a “4-Channel Mixer”. I would hope this means that it comes with a whopping two crossfaders instead of just one. This would allow for a whole new style of live multi-track mixing, but from the looks of this video and picture, there is only one main crossfader visible. Perhaps there are more hidden on the sides of the console somewhere. I’m excited to find out.
A close up of the 2nd Gen Maschine unit’s multicolored interface. Oooo pretty lights!
