Hello my scratch lovelies! This is part 1 of a 2 part series this week.
I recently received this question:
Hey Shorte
I began Djing 3 months ago and bought me the traktor kontrol s4.
Now i want to learn scratching but i think scratching w/ the tk is different than with normal truntables.
Do you know some tutorials for the tk ?
Or is Scratching the same like with turntables? Thank You
A question I have been asked also about CDJs, so I thought I we could take a closer look. I don’t want to get into a discussion here about vinyl vs digital, instead simply help those who are not going down the vinyl route but who have some interest in scratching. Respect all forms I say!
Rather than just talk about it theoretically, let’s take a look at some videos and let you be the judge:
Example 1: DJ Promote
A great angle that shows you what is possible (the scratching starts at 0:30, ignore the button pushing at the beginning!)
What did you think? Could you tell the difference? Let’s move on the the next example…
Example 2: Scratch session trying out the Traktor S4 with Happee*, Bakspin, Rayted R, Philly, Dynamix, Clenz
World renowned scratch DJs put the Traktor S4 through its paces. Listen with your eyes closed. Can you tell the difference?
Sounds great to me!
*NOTE – STAY TUNED: Exclusive interview with DJ Happee on his experience of scratching with Traktor S4, to break things down further for you. Coming later this week.
Part 1 Conclusion
So, it’s totally possible to scratch with a midi controller like the S4! I have never used Traktor Kontrol S4 myself so I have enlisted the help of DJ Happee to answer some questions about his experience scratching on the S4 so you can get real direct knowledge. This will be coming up in part 2, to be posted later this week.
With that said, I have used the Vestax VCI 400, so with that in mind I can offer you some thoughts based on my experience and knowledge of the differences between scratching with vinyl and with midi controllers:
- It is totally possible to scratch with Traktor S4 or any other midi controller with platters.
- It will have a completely different feel to scratching with vinyl.
- The platters don’t spin around, which you need to adjust to, but these guys are managing ok! – Try scratching with your turntable motor off and you may have some idea of what it feels like. Not a great idea but some idea!
- Smaller platters present a challenge for some techniques especially for thumb drags etc, as you have less surface area.
- The built in crossfader is not as high quality as those found in dedicated scratch mixers.
- Truly great portable solution
- Very affordable
- Opens up possibilities with triggering loops etc.
What are your thoughts? Have you tried scratching on the S4? Please let us know in the comments below, or even share your videos!
Happy Scratching! 😀
– Short-E