Older MacBook Pro and Traktor Pro 4

O-LEE

After many years with

Traktor Pro 3 and TRAKTOR S4 MK3

with a

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15'', mid 2014), 2.5 GHz quad-core Intel Core I7, 16GB 1600 MHz DDR3, MacOS Big Sur

I would like to start with Traktor Pro 4 in the future. Obviously my current MacBook is no longer sufficient for this (MacOS, processor, etc.).

Which MacBook model should be considered as the minimum requirement here (MacOS, processor, RAM, etc.)?

For cost reasons, I would like to get a MacBook Pro 16'' (2019). But I'm not sure whether that will even work in terms of the possible MacOS and the possible processor. Does it even have to be a MacBook with M1 or M2, etc.?

I have already bought the Traktor Pro 4 update. Unfortunately, that was a mistake. At least as long as I still have the old MacBook Pro (2014).

I have already bought the Traktor Pro 4 update. Unfortunately, that was a mistake. At least as long as I still have the old MacBook Pro (2014). Because the installation of Native Access 3 doesn't work because of MacOS 11 (BigSur).

ilove1981

I was in the same boat as you and in order to jump onto TP4 I purchased a very respectable Late 2019 MacBook Pro 2.4 i9. Make sure you get at least 16Gb but get a 32Gb machine if you can. It will sort you out for TP4 for now. In the future, we're all going to need M? processors for their AI capabilities, but for value for money, a nice top spec 2019 will look after you for a while.

ilove1981

I agree, the S4Mk3 mic input is poor. By routing it through deck D and managing gain you can get a respectable volume but it will never be as loud as a mic going through a separate external mixer. I do exactly the same as you with a little RCF F 6X which does the job perfectly, and also allows me to have a separate audio input (iPad) in case of emergencies.

A 2019 MacBook Pro will be considerably cheaper and get you started. The model I mentioned above has worked out really well for several gigs now and can handle Stem creation without any impact to playing audio. I rarely risk preparing Stems during a gig but it's good to know I can and time-wise, it's pretty quick (4 minute song is usually under two minutes). You'll need some new USB-C to USB-B cables though :-)

ilove1981

I was in the same boat as you and in order to jump onto TP4 I purchased a very respectable Late 2019 MacBook Pro 2.4 i9. Make sure you get at least 16Gb but get a 32Gb machine if you can. It will sort you out for TP4 for now. In the future, we're all going to need M? processors for their AI capabilities, but for value for money, a nice top spec 2019 will look after you for a while.

O-LEE

Hi ilove1981,

Thank you for your answer.

I may have to get a well-equipped 2019 model as a temporary solution. I'm also curious to see whether Native will launch a TTRAKTOR KONTROL s4 MK4 so that, for example, the 4 Sem-tracks can be accessed without additional hardware ;-)

What is really bad about the MK3, for example, is the "microphone input". I, for example, always have to connect a small external mixer for the microphone because a directly connected microphone is amplified extremely poorly.

ilove1981

I agree, the S4Mk3 mic input is poor. By routing it through deck D and managing gain you can get a respectable volume but it will never be as loud as a mic going through a separate external mixer. I do exactly the same as you with a little RCF F 6X which does the job perfectly, and also allows me to have a separate audio input (iPad) in case of emergencies.

A 2019 MacBook Pro will be considerably cheaper and get you started. The model I mentioned above has worked out really well for several gigs now and can handle Stem creation without any impact to playing audio. I rarely risk preparing Stems during a gig but it's good to know I can and time-wise, it's pretty quick (4 minute song is usually under two minutes). You'll need some new USB-C to USB-B cables though :-)

Esamo

Is the MacBook Pro 2015 with the following specifications compatible with Tractor 4 software?

2015 (mjlt2)

CPU Intel 2.5Ghz

15.4"

RAM 16

Gpu AMD Radeon R9 m370x

Esamo

Is the MacBook Pro 2015 with the following specifications compatible with Tractor 4 software?

2015 (mjlt2)

CPU Intel 2.5Ghz

15.4"

RAM 16

Gpu AMD Radeon R9 m370x

maniacintosh81

As of now Traktor Pro 4 requires at least macOS 12 Monterey. This is the latest version of macOS supported by 2015 MacBooks.

This means that MacBook is compatible with Traktor Pro 4 now. But as Apple itself doesn‘t support macOS 12 Monterey anymore I expect that NI will end support for macOS 12 soon. Maybe Traktor Pro 4.1.1 is already the last version running on macOS 12.

If you already have this MacBook you‘ll be fine for now. If you want to buy it now for Traktor I would suggest to get a newer model.

Another solution can be to install newer macOS versions with help of OCLP.

O-LEE

Hello everyone, thank you for your answers and opinions. I have already thought about a ProBook 2019. However, I have had a very long and good experience with my "old" ProBook 2014 (> 10 Years!). What I mean by that is that I buy hardware for a "longer" time. So I am considering getting a MacBook 2021 with M1 in the future so that I can work longer without changing. In any case, it is clear (for me) that the MacBook should have at least 32GB.

On the subject of microphones, I can only hope that Native takes the signals of the many DJs seriously and gets the issue under control in the future. It really shouldn't be a problem to build a decent microphone amplifier into the MK. Any cheap little mixer can do that!