Ask me anything: Z1 MK2
Comments
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nice update to a solid bit of kit.
Can you use 2 for 4 deck full control?
Is there any more hardware coming in 2024?
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Hi
Im very excited for the new Z1, its awesome
Are you (The NI team) gonna launch the Traktor Kontrol Z2 MKII coming soon?
I´d like to know 👽️3 -
Hey Scott,
glad to hear that you like the new Z1 MK2. Regarding the button style. With the design update we started following the button design which we introduced on the S4 MK3 with black buttons and lasered out labels. We actually worked with a focus group of visually impaired DJ and learned that reading our small labels (black on white or white on black) can be a challenge. This is why we introduced the individual color coding per button. So that even if a user can not properly read the label of a button, it will be possible to identify the functionality by color.
But if i hear you correctly you mention that the dim state might be too dim actually. I will take this feedback back to the team and lets see what we can do.
And in regards if it is possible to use two Z1 MK2s at the same time. Currently it is not … yet ;) but we are already looking into it.
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Hi,
good questions. To answer the first one. We looked into a 4 channel layout in the beginning but after analysing some usage data we understood that the majority actually mixes with 2 decks most of the time. Also one X1 is focused on two decks so a combo of 1x X1 and 1x Z1 made sense for us. We are now looking into making 2x Z1s functioning as a 4 channel setup as well. So hope to have more news on that soon. Making it a 4 channel version would have also increased its size and especially cost which we didnt want to force on all the DJs who mainly play with 2 decks.
Regarding the second question, i guess you understand that I can not disclose any future plans but lets say that I hear your request loud and clearly ;)
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Yes it is class compliant. I just checked it on my iPad mini. Audio works and MIDI is also being received on the iOS side.
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Sorry, but I don't fully understand your question. Only thing i can comment so far is that we know from users that they do not like having to carry around a power supply for our modular controllers. This is why we worked hard to power all these LEDs, displays and loud audio interface from USB power only. Even on the X1 MK3 with even more displays and more LEDs the power supply is only optional.
Hope that helps. :)
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Does the Traktor Z1 MK2 work with iPad/iPhone?
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Hey Stevan,
more than 1 unit can be detected on OS level but currently within Traktor it is limited to 1 for now. The unit has a Native MIDI mode. So no controller editor is necessary anymore. At the same time this means that lets say two units will be sending the same MIDI controls on the same MIDI channels so if you want to use more than one device in another software you need to make sure that the software is able to assign midi inputs to dedicated units rather than just listening globally to all inputs.
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Hey Patch,
glad you like it. I wish we could just drop a bunch of updated hardware at once but each piece of hardware is actually a lot of work and as you might know timelines are rather long with building hardware, from concept to final product. Releasing hardware one by one also comes with the advantage that we can hear all of the community feedback along the way and work it into the next product in the pipeline.
While I wont be able to share any roadmap details, I think you can already see that we are back in a mode where we deliver hardware more frequently in comparison to being a bit more on the silent side in the past years.
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Being silent isn’t a negative thing per se. It could mean you already released a valid product and you are supporting it, so that users who spent money on it can profit of many years of life together ☺️ without feeling the “need” of a revamped version with a couple of leds underneath.
Specially in the world of hardware/software combos that would be a good practice, since it’s possible to offer new features only working on the software side (and asking for the deserved price of the update). This would lead to a lot less waste of working products (Mother Earth would be grateful)
But this is how business works: create the need, make life difficult with previous (already owned) product and… voilà…
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Hey,
thanks. We are also happy to get out another fresh unit into the market.
While i can not comment on the D2 or further refreshes ;) let me address a couple of the points you made.
The mini jack out is mirroring the RCA out. They share the same signal. And while I agree that having separate booth outs, balanced connectors and mic inputs are great features, they target a slightly different market than we intended with the Z1 and would have also drastically (given the overall low pricepoint) increased the price of the unit. As we think the Z1 is a great first purchase for anybody who wants to get into DJing and start training their mixing skills we really wanted to keep this controller at an accessible price point.
Regarding the FX knob in the EQ section. Yes it works exactly the same like on the S8 when switched to filter mode. Additionally you can switch it to be a filter AND an overlaying effect like a Reverb or Delay which depending on your mixing style and genre can be handy for building tension and add some spice to transitions.
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No adapters needed. Just a regular USB b to USB C cable.
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Happy to hear that. Let us know how you like it when it arrives. Will keep an eye on here :)
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Hey Ondy86,
glad to see your excitement and you nice words about our software. I hope you understand that I can not share any roadmap details. But I hear you. Either way with products like the Z1 and some of our other laptop based controllers we want to provide the best entry levels for DJs within an accessible budget. Hope you gonna give the Z1 MK2 a try if it fits within your setup. Even for experienced DJs it is a great after hour mixer ;)
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Hey Kris,
good question. For our modular controllers we decided to stick with a USB B port on the unit because it provides a way more robust connection than USB C. As the modular controllers are being moved around a lot we want to make sure that this cable does not accidentally disconnect from the unit especially as it has an audio interface built in. Similar for the X1 MK3. There we have the USB hub where lots of users e.g. connect their CDJs to as audio interface.
On the host side we went with a USB A connector as we still see that a lot of users are using Traktor on very old machines and it is way more common to convert a USB A connector via adapter to USB C than the other way around. But I m also not saying this will have to stay this way for ever :)
Hope that gives a little bit of background on the decission.
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