While I was sick to the stomach for days on end last week, Native Instruments decided it would be the perfect time to release the details of the newly teased Traktor Mixer that everyone is dying to learn more about. Now that I’m (almost) back to form and playing catchup, I’ll go over a few of the details with you on the brand new 2+2 Traktor Kontrol Z2 mixer, show you the new Ean Golden Demo video, and give you some additional links for more resources until we get our Review unit in the Lab for our notoriously detailed video reviews.

First, We’ll show you the video. Obviously, for a two-channel mixer, most people would have thought that there should have been a true turntablist performance to set off the Traktor Kontrol Z2 marketing scheme, but since scratch DJ’s are already drooling over this unit, NI probably thought it would be in their best interest to show a true controllerist applying their trade to the new hardware to open up the possibilites. The video doesn’t show much in the sense of mixer-performance, but I know for a fact that DJ Craze has one and he’s about to put it through the paces very soon.

Now a few details on the Traktor Kontrol Z2 Mixer…

The Traktor Kontrol Z2 Mixer is a 2+2 channel Mixer (two analog decks (CD or vinyl) plus two digital/remix decks) that has an internal 24-bit soundcard, three easily-replaceable Mini-Innofaders all in a metal-aluminum chassis. The crossfader looks to have reverse and curve controls, but the linefaders do not (unless Traktor includes them in a Map of the software somehow, but that would mean that it wouldn’t work in standalone mixer mode). There’s buttons for Cue Points, effects, and loops which really merge the world of the analog and digital DJ into one device. The Z2 has XLR outputs for high-quality audio, a separate booth output with volume control knob, and a microphone input for performances.

The Kontrol Z2 mixer also has a built in USB-Hub that allows DJ’s to connect more USB devices without plugging them directly into a computer. The Kontrol Z2 is very spacious in layout which makes it easy for performance DJ’s to hit the right button at the right time. Each channel has a three-band EQ and gain knob and two separate rotary volume knobs to control the other two Virtual decks in Traktor.

The New Macro FX condenses complex effects into one single action or button press making a new world of possibilities when it comes to effect application. Theres a new FLUX mode (or SLIP mode for those familiar with the feature on Pioneer’s CDJ’s), where DJ’s will be allowed to scratch or effect a track with loops, rolls, etc. while returning the song to the same place it would have been if you had not done any manipulation at all…

The Kontrol Z2 mixer will come bundled with the latest version of Traktor Scratch PRO 2 (probably version 2.6 when it arrives), along with two Traktor Scratch Timecode Vinyl and two Timecode CD’s for your external decks. The Traktor Kontrol Z2 will be out on November 1st for the price of $900 US. I’ll be sure to get one in the lab as soon as possible so we can let you know how it turns out. Check out the press release and more information at the Native Instruments website link below.

Additional information on TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 is available at:

www.native-instruments.com/z2-dj-mixer

Buy the Traktor Kontrol Z2 at the lowest price on Reverb.com