Native Instruments TRAKTOR KONTROL S3: affordable four-channel controller for TRAKTOR DJ 2 and TRAKTOR PRO 3

Grigory Liadov

Native Instruments TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 controls four decks in TRAKTOR PRO 3. This recent addition sits between the two-deck TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 MK3 and the more advanced TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK3. The smaller S2 MK3 handles only two decks. S4 MK3 adds almost everything the manufacturer could offer, including displays and motorized jogs. It is excellent, but the gap between these two models was large. S3 fills that gap with a strong balance of features that should satisfy demanding TRAKTOR PRO 3 users.

Compared with S4 MK3, S3 has conventional jogs, no turntable inputs, and no standalone mixer mode. Its price, almost half as much, more than makes up for these differences. In our view, S3 is a timely addition. The TRAKTOR range has long needed an intermediate model like this.

Who is S3 for? First, it is a good replacement for aging early-generation KONTROL S4 controllers. If the new S4's motorized jogs and features seem unnecessary, S3 is a suitable alternative. It also suits users who have reached the limits of two-deck controllers and want more creative possibilities.

Like other complete TRAKTOR controllers, S3 has a built-in 24-bit/48 kHz audio interface with quality converters. It can feed powerful sound systems without concern about sound quality. A full TRAKTOR PRO 3 license is included, so users can start immediately. One purchase consideration is the lack of Windows 7 support. At the time of this review, requirements are Windows 10 version 1803, or macOS 10.12, 10.13, 10.14, or 10.15.

Large, comfortable jogs are a key feature of the new Native Instruments controllers. Their diameter is an impressive 14 cm. Metal touch-sensitive tops combine with side grip grooves. Unlike S2, S3 has lighting that rotates around the jog during playback. This is useful for scratching and cue-point work and also warns when a track is nearing its end.

The new jogs are a pleasure to use. Compared with earlier generations, they have more inertia and feel more comfortable and predictable. Their size gives more precise control, from small tempo adjustments to complex scratching. Touch sensitivity also helps in different modes.

A knob to the right of each jog browses and loads tracks. Earlier controllers used one shared library encoder. The new generation has separate knobs and button sections for the left and right deck pairs.

Turning the knob browses the collection; pressing it loads a track. VIEW expands the browser to fill the software window. The plus button adds the selected track to the temporary Preparation playlist. The star button browses favorite playlists. Holding the top button with the play icon previews the selected track. The knob then moves quickly through the track, making important sections easy to check.

FLUX and REV sit above and to the left of the jog. FLUX lets normal playback resume at the position it would have reached during jog, loop, or cue-point actions. The track effectively continues in the background, then returns to that position when the action ends. This preserves the track's timing. Reverse playback runs only while REV is held. FLUX activates automatically during reverse, so normal playback resumes afterward at the correct position.

GRID and JOG buttons sit below and to the left of the jog. Hold GRID to make precise beatgrid adjustments with the wheel. Editing works during playback if the track is not locked. JOG disables the touch surface. The slightly recessed buttons help prevent accidental presses.

Large CUE and PLAY buttons sit one above the other on the left. As noted earlier, deck controls have been redesigned around familiar DJ equipment conventions. This makes switching between a controller and common standalone players easier, leaving more attention for the performance.

Backlit pads control hot cues. An additional SAMPLES mode handles the top four slots of Remix decks. The bottom pad row selects a slot, while the top row starts sample playback.

Familiar MOVE and LOOP knobs above the pads step through the track and activate or resize loops. Deck selection and SHIFT buttons are also located here.

KEYLOCK keeps the musical key unchanged when playback speed changes. The tempo fader has more travel than the two-channel S2 MK3, but is still less comfortable than the flagship S4 MK3 fader. It feels closer to the first-generation controller faders.

The mixer looks very different from the previous four-channel S4 MK2. Channels are grouped like a full DJ mixer, with the master section and effects separated. The control order is conventional: gain at the top, then a three-band equalizer and filter/effect knob. Channel volume faders and the crossfader sit below.

The effects section deserves attention as a major TRAKTOR PRO 3 addition. New effects and a simpler control method make processing easier and more useful. Eight club-grade effects are available: Reverb, Dual Delay, Dotted Delay, Flanger, Time Gater, Noise, Crush, and Barber Pole. Four are assigned to selector buttons. One filter knob sets effect depth. At center, the effect is absent; either extreme gives maximum intensity. Filtering works alongside the effect. All effects sound excellent and are useful in practice. To use filtering alone, press FILTER. The same knobs then control conventional filters.

The previous effects knobs are absent. Only the flagship S4 MK3 retains them.

The controller accepts a microphone or an extra line-level device through RCA inputs. EXT selects the external input. Channel D handles this signal, with equalization and the available effects.

Channel level meters now sit beside the equalizers. They are larger, easier to see, and more convenient. The same applies to the output meters.

CUE monitoring buttons remain above the faders. Fader sizes and resistance are unchanged, so they feel similar to earlier NI controllers.

Headphone sockets sit on the lower edge of the case, with both mini-jack and 1/4-inch TRS connections. The XLR/TRS combo microphone input has also moved here. All level controls now sit on the top panel in the mixer section. Other connections are on the rear.

Balanced XLR line outputs are duplicated on RCA. A separate TRS Booth output feeds monitor speakers. There is also an RCA line input for another source, a USB port for the TRAKTOR DJ 2 iOS app, and a USB computer connection. Computer use needs no power adapter: USB bus power is sufficient. Mobile devices require the supplied 15 V adapter.

Conclusions

TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 is an interesting controller. As noted at the start, the range has long needed an intermediate model. In our view, S3 provides the essential functions for comfortable four-deck work. It combines reliability, simplicity, and convenience in a practical working tool. We particularly like the large jogs and familiar control layout shared by recent Native Instruments controllers. The convenient new effects controls and bright jog lighting are further benefits, both for operation and visual appeal.

Note. This is an adapted machine translation into English. It follows the “In simple terms” approach. Read the original article at https://prosound.ixbt.com/dj/ni-traktor-s3.shtml.