TECH
Traktor Kontrol X1 MK2
words: LUKE PEPPER
EVOLUTION OF
Native Instruments’ updated version of
Traktor Kontrol X1 MK2 is an evolution of its
uber-popular Traktor controller...
N
ative Instruments have a knack of creating
fantastically user-friendly products that
manage to tick all the right boxes for
DJs, especially on the all-important build
quality and value for money fronts. In recent times their
compact range of controllers — which include the F1,
Z1 and the X1 — have received a whole lot of love
from the DJ community, and here in the DJ Mag
Tech department the only time our F1 and Z1
are not connected to our in-house DJ booth
is when they are out on the road with us at
gigs. So the news that Native Instruments
have released their Traktor Kontrol X1
MK2 will be of great interest to many
DJs the world over, not least to
all of us here at DJ Mag HQ who
have been very keen to get our
grubby mitts on this shiny new
compact controller.
This new MK2 version of the Traktor
Kontrol X1 is an evolutionary upgrade of the
original. It sticks to the same general layout but
adds some very tasty new features into the mix.
The size of the X1 MK2 remains exactly the same as
the original version, which will be welcome news to
those upgrading because their stands and cases are
compatible with this new version.
Setting up the Traktor Kontrol X1 MK2 is a breeze as
everything is plug and play, and as long as the latest
update to Traktor is installed, the controller will work as
soon as it is plugged into a computer — with the least
amount of fuss. Of course, this controller is fully MIDIcompatible, so extra functions can be mapped to the
buttons on the control surface within Traktor, as well
as the possibility of using the X1 with any other MIDIcompatible software.
The top section of the control surface which is
dedicated to FX control has changed little from the
original version, with the same four back-lit buttons
and four knobs. However, some of the functions
have changed, with a new Mode control added that
switches effect control from single to triple control
modes. Located just below the FX control section is a
completely redesigned track browsing and loop control
section that has some lovely new features that are
bound to excite NI a?cionados, in the form of two loop
length displays and a touch-sensitive strip controller
that has been put to use in some very clever ways. Some
stereotypes exist for a reason, and in typically ef?cient
German style, NI have taken the two browser/load
encoders found on the original X1 and combined them
into an uber-ef?cient one-knob arrangement with
a new touch-sensitive rotary encoder. This changes
Traktor’s display mode to browsing when touched.
Two new arrow buttons below the encoder allow
tracks to be loaded into the corresponding left and
236 djmag.com
VERDICT
BUILD QUALITY
EASE OF USE
FEATURES
VALUE FOR MONEY
SOUND QUALITY
8.5
8.5
9.0
8.0
N/A
HYPE
Killer new features include
LED displays for loop length,
hot cues that now have
multi-coloured LED back-lit
buttons and a fantastic
multi-function touchsensitive strip controller.
right decks. Thanks to this innovative combination of
controls in one knob, the resulting space left over from
the original X1’s control surface has been used to place
the loop length displays.
The two LED displays which show the current loop
length come as a most welcome addition to the X1’s
arsenal and are each situ