#NATIVE INSTRUMENTS TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 UPGRADE#
#NATIVE INSTRUMENTS TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 PRO#

The headphone and cue section are just beneath this. The layout is simplistic and uncluttered - the shiny mid section looks like the S2 with the track browse and deck load buttons taking up the top slot. The two main fader channels each have a dedicated three-band EQ, and filter knobs. The faders that come with the Z2 are the short throw versions, but DJs wanting to can upgrade/update these to long throw varieties.

#NATIVE INSTRUMENTS TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 UPGRADE#

The buttons and knobs feel like an upgrade from the already decent knobs on the S4, and the faders are class, with Native going for the rather cool-yet-premium Innofader brand. An aircraft-grade aluminium chassis gives the unit a reassuring sturdy feel, the build quality is excellent and the weight of the mixer is just the right side of heavy to promote the feeling of quality. Minimalist, considering how much this one mixer can do. The Z2 looks like a Native product: shiny, black, slick. Lift up the protective polystyrene covering and there it is, in all its beauty.

#NATIVE INSTRUMENTS TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 PRO#

Open up the box, and sitting on top of the packaging are two MKII Traktor timecode vinyl discs and two timecode CDs, the all-important licensing and download documents for installing the new version of Traktor Scratch Pro 2. Unpacking the Z2 is a pleasing experience. It is the ultimate controller, borrowing its steer from the other controllers in the family, the S2 and the S4. Native are aiming this mixer at the heart of the scene by making it a true hybrid to be used by any DJ, whether they employ conventional turntables and CDJ decks or make use of Native’s Traktor. Whilst looking forward into the future but also recognising the essentials of the past, Native have turned their attentions to the humble DJ mixer, with their first foray into this side of the market. Their promotional videos showed the world what could be achieved with digital DJing gear and proved that DJing skills are still essential at any good show. They put performance back into the market place when the scene was on the verge of digital DJing boredom. Their X1 controller was a game changer, followed up by the S4, S2, and F1 controllers - all great products that were intended to make performing and the DJ's life so much easier. Their Traktor software has been one of the industry standards for an age. Native Instruments make cool DJ gear, simple as that.

Native instruments traktor kontrol z2