Hi everyone, what do you think—when will something new for Traktor come out? Maybe the MX4 at last, or something else? There haven't been any updates in a long time, and no news regarding the merger with inMusic.
no news regarding the merger with inMusic.
inMusic shares more about the positive future for Native Instruments
( https://www.inmusicbrands.com/press/a-conversation-with-jack-o-donnell/ )
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Is mx4 expected to be released by the end of 2026?
Latest official news set release to spring 2026. That's right. It's obviously been postponed but without any official notice.
And, in the meantime, isn't there a preview specification of the product somewhere, so we can understand how it will be made?
No, nothing at all. Just like all previous releases. The info and the device all drop at the same time.
It would be nice if InMusic gave us SOMETHING here around the hardware side. In the video, Jack O’Donnell didn't really say (or not say) NI would have NEW hardware for Traktor. He highlighted NI had the hardware already planned for Kontrol and Maschine, "we're just going to execute their plans"… the MX4 was way beyond a planned prototype if it was supposed to be out in Spring 2026. He then says "what we don't have is a desktop DJ… and that's what Traktor is all about". Then says "We'll put it into Rane. We'll put it into Denon DJ. We'll put it in all the brands that we have. And of course into Traktor hardware too." and that is only sliver of info we get. Then wraps up with "…and now we have a desktop". You can clearly tell he's geeking about the Traktor Pro software - not hardware. And it doesn't help Denon hasn't had new hardware in 3+ years.
So, according to these ideas, what should we expect?
I want to be optimistic while factual. Realistically they keep the hardware tightly sealed so I'm not expecting a spec sheet to ever be shared. NI never really had booths or anything at NAMM (National Association of Music Merchant), so not showing anything earlier this year isn't that big of a deal. Denon has ruled those conventions in the past… they had nothing to show in 2026 and all their hardware rumored to be out of production. Numark is in a current phase of pushing toys, not prosumer grade hardware. That leaves Rane. I think we will see Trakor Pro support with the Rane System One and/or Rane One MKII before a new 4-channel all-in-one from NI.
Edit: Probably could count on Rane Performer too.
It should be smart to support some of the inMusic products alongside even some of the competence (AlphaTheta) so Traktor being the hub into the full ecosystem. Also releasing dedicated hardware to keep the “close integration” as Native Instruments ever advertised so probably MX4 hitting the market alongside (or close release) to Rane/Numark/Denon native support. Note the use of itallic in the previous sentence.
Since motorized platters seemed out of equation for in-house NI developments (stated by the team before the acquisition) maybe the idea to open the HID to these controllers could give some fresh air to Traktor (and make happy Dj Quartz). Plugin any inMusic controller with screen and see Traktor getting control (as some AlphaTheta does with Djay Pro) could be an amazing sales point. InMusic could hire the team behind DjMirror (or maybe just their own).
Finally if inMusic releases a Denon Prime Go+ Traktor edition with audio inputs for DVS (and maybe the mx2/4 formfactor) it will sale like hotcakes IMO. Obviously a full Traktor experience not the coitus interruptus M+ was.
All of these will take some time but will be more profitable than ”the next more of the same controller” MX4 pointed at. NI was on “surviving mode” but now could enter the “restoring the King mode” with inMusic help (and proper founding) without damaging the actual inMusic strategy (in fact it could be a win win situation also win for the user base).
Jm2c
"We'll put it into Rane. We'll put it into Denon DJ. We'll put it in all the brands that we have
To put the license bundled with their midi controller HW?
Plugin any inMusic controller with screen and see Traktor getting control (as some AlphaTheta does with Djay Pro) could be an amazing sales point
That's the dream for me, for sure. The difference I see and reading tea leaves from the interview with Jack, for inMusic's hardware, Engine DJ is the standalone OS and Traktor is the "desktop". This should be similar to how I understand the no-longer-produced Denon Prime 4+ works - Engine DJ is standalone mode, but you plugin and get some basic on-screen support when using a laptop with Serato.
Only inMusic knows, but that's my guess.
Now, pessimist time... Denon used to say something along the lines of "we don't need to push new hardware constantly cause we can push major updates over Engine DJ". Engine DJ was born under Denon pre-acquisition then inMusic moved Engine DJ into it's own business vertical in 2021, last Denon hardware was ~2023 minus different color editions. Engine DJ and Traktor is now the software for inMusic - covering on device OS and laptop/desktop. Rane and Numark are the only ones putting out hardware consistently in the last 3 years. Numark is for beginners and introduction to hobbyists. Rane is the prosumer grade. Here's to hoping we get new Denon and NI gear, but from a business standpoint, it makes a lot of sense to let Numark and Rane handle hardware and Traktor/EngineDJ be the software. That keeps hardware headcount lean and profits high. Edit: I did some further digging and it looks like denondj.com was last updated around 2024. The "community" link on their site goes to enginedj.com where you find content on Numark, Rane, old Denon Hardware etc. 2024 also was the year that Laidback Luke, their poster child, quit Denon.
Honestly, NI getting Traktor to be hardware-ready (including screen support) for the existing InMusic line of controllers would be the better move. The only exception I can think of is if the mx4 is already in production. Otherwise, why add a controller to the lineup that probably won’t do anything more than the existing lineup can already handle?
Maybe if inMusic releases a Traktor+…
An Mx as Denon go/Mixstream pro alternative… with Traktor (EngineOS) as standalone.
The pieces are there since long ago and hopefully the people at charge is listening and doing their jobs…
