Does Traktor S3 not work with Traktor Play DJ software?

I recently gave my Traktor S3 to a friend's son who wants to get into DJing. He created a NI account, bought the Traktor Play software, and installed it. I gave him my S3, and transferred the serial number for the hardware from my account to his via the transfer license process.

When plugging the S3 into the power, and USB the device powers up and cycles through the lights for the buttons and then goes into standby. However, when we load the Traktor Play software the S3 controller stays in stand-by mode and doesnt light up. Traktor Play recognises that the S3 is plugged in, as it switches to the soundcard/audio device however the controller stays dormant and doesn't light up and i cannot control the Play software via the controller.

As for triage/resolution:

I have checked the power cable, & the USB cable which are both the original cables and cannot identify issues with them.

I have tried every USB slot on the pc, with no luck, and all the audio drivers are up-to-date along with the firmware for the S3 - i downloaded the updater after the Play software prompted me, and later downloaded direct from NI website.

I have reinstalled the Traktor Play software, and uninstalled via Add/Remove and resinstalled but no luck.

Via drivers and devices i have searched for updates for all the latest updates and windows says they are all updated to the latest version.

I have followed all the steps on the below article, except .3 as the Traktor Play software does not see the controller (See screenshot)

https://support.native-instruments.com/hc/en-us/articles/210275045-My-Traktor-Controller-is-Not-Recognized

Have i missed something incredibly essential or does the S3 not work with Traktor Play?

ND Preferences Screenshot.jpg

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pixel

It looks like the S3 is not being recognized. Simply activate the device yourself as shown in the picture.

Remcol34

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/48793/does-traktor-s3-not-work-with-traktor-play-dj-software

Not sure about Windows, But i see the Traktor is in "Shared mode" ? is there another option where it's not in shared mode? Maybe because of Shared mode it only uses the Audio interface and not the controller itself?

VityaT

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/248231#Comment_248231

WASAPI Shared is not big problem. Pixel is right - it needed to setup S3 in Controller Manager.
And yes, WASAPI Exclusve is better :)

Sam Hook

Hi all,

Thanks for your responses so far. @pixel @VityaT I have attached a photo of what the options are when the Controller Manager menu is open.

We've even unplugged the keyboard and plugged the S3 into that usb slot and the option defaults in. When we click 'Add' it gives the list in the second screenshot but no options to add the S3.

@Remcol34 the exclusive driver and the shared driver don't make any difference, but drivers don't activate the controller. We did swap to the exclusive drive and checked the list on the Controller Manager, clicked Add, but the list is the same in the second screenshot.

Thanks in advance all, it's driving me nits

IMG-20251119-WA0020.jpg

IMG-20251119-WA0017.jpg

pixel

I'll try to install TraktorPlay tomorrow and test whether it works and what TraktorPlay is capable of.
Maybe it won't work with S3 because TraktorPlay only uses 2 decks and 2 channels.

pixel

I have another idea...
Take a look at the TraktorPlay directory (installation location) and search for a folder called (qml) and a folder inside it called (S3).

If there is no qml folder, I don't think S3 will work.

EDIT:

and if you find a folder named (qml).
please share it with us immediately☺️

pixel

Hello, unfortunately I can't help you.
My license isn't sufficient for TraktorPlay, and €50 just to test it is too expensive for me.

pixel

Is the s3 recognized in Device Manager? If a missing driver is displayed, I could isolate it from my end and send it to you so you can test whether it works.
No idea if that will help, but maybe...

maniacintosh81

As you transferred the S3 into your account you should have a Traktor Pro licence. Even if it is Traktor Pro 3 most likely.

VityaT

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/248303#Comment_248303

So when you click Add button under the Device field in Controller Manager you don't see menu with brands?
On your screenshots I see what is usually displayed after clicking on the Device field

VityaT

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/248337#Comment_248337

You can get free 30 days Traktor Play trial on Beatport here https://stream.beatport.com/traktor-play-offer/

Sam Hook

hey everyone,

Again, thanks all for your hasty responses. Updates below:

@pixel - The Traktor S3 driver does appear in the device manager. I have now noticed in the event log of the driver properties for the S3 there is a message saying 'further installation is required' and in the event log it's saying it's not properly installed basically. We deleted the driver, restarted the pc, so it reinstalled it but still gives the same message (see attached screenshot). When we update the driver automatically through Windows, it says the most up-to-date driver is installed = USB 2.0. I am now looking into updating his drivers via the manufacturer (Dell) as I think that might be the issue.. watch this space!

Separately, I have found a QML folder in my Program files > Native Instrument > Traktor Pro 3 > Resources64 > qml. It includes a CSI folder and within that it has a S3 folder. This is on my personal laptop, not the laptop we are discussing in this thread.

device driver event log.jpg

@VityaT - When we click 'Add' all it shows is the DDJ and the Reloop stuff, not even any Traktor options.

thanks again for all the responses, you guys are awesome.

Many thanks,

Sam

ErikMinekus

If it's not listed under the Add menu, it sounds like NI has locked down which devices work with Traktor Play. I still don't understand why anyone would pay 50 euro for this.

Anyway, as @maniacintosh81 mentioned they should have Traktor Pro 3 in their account, since you transferred your license. Hope they can get a refund for Traktor Play.

pixel

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/248351#Comment_248351

Great, thanks for the information...😊 I'll try it out tonight.

Sam Hook

Hey all,

Updated all the outdated drivers via Dell but no luck. The driver event error still says the same so I don't think it's fixed.

Currently looking into getting my S2 (that another friend has borrowed) to be sent to try that instead.

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