Is S8 a good enough standalone DJ midi Controller still?

Hi. I haven't DJd for about 25 years, but have a newfound love of Tech House. I have a decent deal being offered, approx 350usd, for an S8. Would you recommend it still and can I get away with using just the S8 and a laptop with Traktor? I was thinking I may not need any jog wheels if I can nudge with the inbuilt sliders? And that mod everyone talks about, is that necessary? If I get good enough to play clubs, not hard as local DJ in our small town is terrible, will the S8 be reliable enough? ... Also, would you stay away from learning a controller (S8) that hasn't had FW updates etc for so many years.... Would you recommend spending the extra money and learning something that may have a little more longevity? But from what I've read it still works fine in Traktor Pro 4?

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maniacintosh81

First: Traktor Kontrol S8 is still fully supported with Traktor Pro 4 and is in general a good controller. Many users love it and would love to get an Mk2 of it. If it is still in good shape there is no reason to not buy a used S8.

But you already recognized yourself that the S8 is special in some ways. This has its advantages and also disadvantages. S8 features really great controls for working with stems, its screens are big plus too and it gives you access to almost all deck functions of Traktor including its FX banks. But the lack of jogs makes it unusual. If I had a S8 I imagine I would use it primarily with Sync. I use my D2s (essentially the deck part of a S8 without mixer) with my 1210s and Traktor Scratch which pretty much work as my jogs.

Wouldn't bother firmware updates at all. The S8 works and there is no real need to fix anything in firmware. But on reliability you have to keep in mind that any S8 is years old tech. All units have many years behind them. And you can never really know how much knobs and faders got used (and maybe misused) in the past. Therefore it is always more likely to break as a brand new S4 Mk3 for example. In general a S8 is ready to go to the club if needed. It features all you really need. And as written if it is in good shape and you take good care of it it still can be a good controller for many years.

Komikill

Thank you for the reply, I really appreciate it.... So using it primarily for Sync, is that a normal thing to do. So is that the alternative to just adjusting BPM by ear and nudging if required like on a turntable platter... So I just have to beatwarp all my intended tracks before a set? Doesn't sound too difficult.🤔

maniacintosh81

I said it is what I would do most likely with a S8. But as S8 also has no pitch faders to adjust the track tempo easily - which doesn't mean that you cannot adjust tempo with it. S8 is tailored to use remix decks and stems. You can say it is build to go a step further in ways of creativity and doesn't focus on beatmixing so much anymore. You still can adjust tempo with it manually (press a button and then turn a knob to do so) and cue in with the cue button or nudge using the touch strip. But it is not the classic backcueing like with jogs or turntables.

Traktor usually analyzes any track - if not done before upon first loading into a deck at latest. But it is a good practice to prepare your tracks before playing them. Sometimes the algorithm doesn't make it right and you have to adjust the beatgrid. But for me with electronic music this happens really not often.

If you want to practice more classic ways of mixing S8 maybe isn't the best solution for you. In that case a S4 can be the better solution. Especially if someday you really play at a club and consider using CDJs and DJM installed at the venue. I own a S4 Mk3 for mobile usage and I really like it for its active platters as I am used to play with timecode on my 1210s at home. All this should not bring you away from a S8 as these are questions of personal taste and mixing style. It is definitely not for everyone but it is a great controller. And many users of this community really miss a successor to it.

Sûlherokhh

I have no trouble controlling my track's tempo/phase without jogwheels using touchstrip, sync and bpm controls with the browse knob using my D2's. It's just a matter of practice/convenience. All points mentioned concerning second hand gear is valid. You may be lucky and get a device that has not been used much. Half the gear i own is second hand as well and taking good care of it keeps it in shape. :)

Komikill

Looks to be in Mint condition... Thanks guys. I'm going to snatch it up.

maniacintosh81

Finger’s crossed that all is as described. Have fun with your S8 and many great mixes. :-)

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