Improve Vinyl Sound Quality in S4mk3

Muon

I posted a reply on a similar topic recently but it has since been closed so I thought I'd start off a thread.

Basically I bought the S4mk3 a while ago as I don't have room for 2 mixers etc so needed something to work as a controller but also to run my 1210's through.

The quality is really poor though, loud hum on each channel, quiet and generally poor sound quality. It sort of sounds ok if you're just mixing vinyl on it's own but it sounds terrible alongside mp3s. In contrast to this I switched it out for my 15 year old Pioneer DJM200 2 channel to record a vinyl mix and the sound quality was night and day.

Is there anything I can do in between the decks and the S4 to improve this or do I just have to accept I bought the wrong kit? What even is the right kit though? Is there a Pioneer equivalent that doesn't ruin the vinyl sound quality?

Muon

Forgot to say I'm running Traktor 4.1 (not sure if that makes a difference!)

Owner

Unfortunately, as it looks, there isn't much you can do about it. The S4 MKIII is known for causing problems in this regard. There have been a number of threads in this forum describing such problems and, if I don't mind, there is no solution directly on the S4 or in the settings of Traktor that would solve this problem.

What I can suggest in this case is to connect a phono preamp and convert the phono signal into a line signal before you go into the S4 MKIII.

Take a look at this:

https://www.thomannmusic.ch/ld_systems_ppa_2.htm

It should be something like this so that you can convert your phono signal into a line signal properly. Afterwards, you could go into your S4 MKIII from there and just find a setting that works for you to adjust the difference in the gain value and output volume of the S4, for example if you want to record a hybrid mix with digital material and vinyl.

Muon

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/190478#Comment_190478

Ok interesting thanks I suspected there wasn't much to be done with the software etc but that preamp you've posted looks like a cheap method of improving it if it works! I don't really want to have to spend silly money on an entirely new setup just because of this.

Muon

might try and find one with a UK power supply though!

Muon

And also realised I'd need to buy 2 :D

Owner

Yes, I also think that this could be an affordable solution for you. Depending on where you order a phono pre amp, it will probably also come with a UK power plug. The Link I share was more of an example. There are huge differences in the quality and construction of these things. The tests and experience of them vary greatly, I would go for something better/higher quality from the start. But you can order one and see if it does the job for you and then always buy a second one. At Thomann, for example, they are relaxed about returns if you are not satisfied.