Other softwareĪlthough designed for their own software, the Z1 has a MIDI layer for use with other software. IPad DJs do get an extra feature in Traktor DJ that those without the Z1 will miss… Along with the three FX available on each deck, you can also use the channel filter knobs. There’s also no curve adjustment options. For the scratchier among you, you’re stuck with the fader curve Native Instruments give you. Those of us that like to use channel faders are stuck as there’s no way of disabling it. For one, there are no options for the crossfader. Since Traktor DJ is considerably more cut down than Traktor Pro 2, there are a couple of features you might miss. On the plus side to this, it means the Z1 keeps your iDevice charged up while you play. This is definitely a limitation on Apple’s side, rather than NI’s, and is not something that’s going to change. It all works very similarly to the app’s bigger brother, except for the fact you will need a free plug socket to power the controller. You can be blasting out tunes within seconds of hooking everything up. The Z1 is literally plug ‘n’ play with Traktor DJ. I blasted through two hours on this mixer/controller and never felt limited by the hardware. I have to admit that the idea of just using this and an X1 didn’t appeal before I gave it a go, but DJing with them was great fun. The latest version of Traktor Pro has a whole new section of the options for the Z1, much like for the X1. It makes full use of all the features, and all the visual feedback works perfectly. Ins and OutsĪs you can imagine from a controller made by the same company as their software, the Z1 is completely plug and play with the latest version of Traktor (2.6.2). This is not a loud audio interface and needs the volume whacked up to get some decent output (although the gains seem to sit happily below 12 o’clock before the red lights blink. One area that seems to have suffered for the sakes of price/portability is the volume output. Go too loud and it flickers angrily red at you, making it clear when you’re running the sound too hot. There are two good-sized, bright channel meters, one for each channel. If you like to keep your gear as new, you’re gonna have a bad time.Īlthough not an Innofader or anything, the crossfader feels smooth (though falls short of how I imagine a hot knife might cut through butter) but is unfortunately soldered to the main board, meaning no chance of a fancier replacement. The polished front panel suffers from the same smudge issues as all the other Kontrol hardware. The knobs, button and faders all feel rubbery and cozy between the fingers with good resistance. The whole surface is HID/MIDI apart from the cue and master volume faders.Īs previously mentioned, the Z1 is exactly the same size as the rest of the range, and has the same build quality. It’s a standard layout, apart from the two large filter knobs half-way up. If you’ve ever used a two-channel mixer you’ll feel at home with this unit. There’s also a card with serial numbers for the hardware and Traktor LE 2. The box comes with a power supply, a standard USB cable and a short cable to plug the USB port into an iPad or iPhone/iPod Touch. If you’ve ever picked up or used the rest of the range, you know what to expect. Apart from that, the Z1 is solid and compact. Removing this from the box, I was a bit dismayed to see that NI insisted on revisiting the glossy surface finish they hinted at with the S controller range and deployed with gusto on the Z2 scratch mixer. The Kontrol Z1 has the same form-factor as the rest of the family, the Kontrol X1 and Kontrol F1.Įssentially, the range is designed to give you access to the complete feature-set of Traktor Pro 2 when using two decks and two sample decks. In a NutshellĪ very compact, two channel no-frills mixer designed especially for Native Instruments’ range of DJ software, Traktor Pro 2 for computers and Traktor DJ for iOS devices. For iOS, I had the latest version of Traktor DJ running on an iPad 2. For Traktor Pro I used Traktor Scratch Pro 2.6.2 on OS X, with an X1. I tested this unit plugged into a Xone:62 using the following setups. The Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol Z1 is the latest offering in their “1” range, from the X1 deck controller to the F1 remix deck units and now this to sit alongside them. Their hardware and software are tailored specifically for each other, and provide a solid platform for DJs at a very reasonable price. It’s clear that NI are getting smart about their product range. I’ve watched the software and company grow all the way from Traktor DJ Studio 2 to the powerhouse it is now. I want to get something out of the way early in this review… I’ve been a long time Traktor user. Link: Traktor Kontrol Z1 - Price: $199/€189/£169 Introduction
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