Native Instruments Traktor Scratch X1 Controller Announcement

It’s been a long time coming but the team at Native Instruments has finally announced tits first official control surface for Traktor Scratch – the Traktor Kontrol X1. The X1 gives Traktor DJs hands-on control over the most desirable (dare I say necessary) features of Traktor Scratch & Traktor Scratch Pro. As the X1 has been designed in-house by Native Instruments, users can take comfort in the knowledge that the X1 includes a raft of features tailored specifically with advanced Traktor usages in mind.

The controls provided by the X1 can be loosely divided into four sections for effects, browsing, looping and transport controls.

The effects' section provides 8 knobs and 8 buttons matched to the virtual knobs on Traktor Pro’s two DSP effects units. The buttons are backlit with feedback and labeled in accordance with the two Traktor virtual effects units making control easy and obvious.

The browser section gives you two push button encoders assigned to decks A & B (C & D if you add a second X1) that allow you to browse your track-list and select desired tracks for play on the relevant decks. The shift button allows you to swap the function of the encoders over to seek/scroll so you can quickly navigate through your digital .wav display using the X1.

The loop control section features buttons from dropping loop points in & out and a further two encoders for adjusting the quantize length of auto-cue drops. The Hot-cue buttons allow these rotaries to launch and navigate the hot cue selections. The shift key allows you to use the encoders to shift the loop position throughout the track.

The transport controls include beat-jump forward and back, cue and cup buttons, track play and track sync buttons. You can shift swap these buttons into alternate functions, which include tempo bend, jump to track start, jump to next cue, tap tempo and key-lock on/off.

We are inviting customers to place a $50 deposit to be one of the first to receive the new Native Instruments Kontrol X1. We expect the product will sell for $299 however at the time of delivery we will charge you the lowest advertised price.

Traktor Kontrol X1 will be available February 1st, 2010.

Thanks

Matt