DJ Irv
4:06 PM - 11 October, 2013
I think there are other threads reviewing the Z2 already but, not to rude here we go again.
Looks & Layout
It's pretty and the lay very clean. There are quite few buttons you need to familiarize yourself with on it. Quantize, Snap, Sync, rel/int,. The cue for it is not a fader but rather a push button. I am not a fan of push button cue. I always prefer faders like the 05Pro, Rane 56/57. Over all the layout is beautiful and not cluttered.
Faders
Cross Fader: is a mini innofader and it's awesome for cutting. It's right there with my 57SL but, only time will tell how it will hold up dirt, dust, scratching.
Volume Faders: are a bit stiff and lack curve adjustment but I don't use my line faders scratching.
Filter:
Sounds awesome. You just need to try it as I am not able to describe it all that well. It kills the bass in one direction and treble in the other but, different to the EQ as it keep some frequencies that just give that mellow sound.
EQ:
They work as expected. They kill all bass, treble, mid, and go about +6 in the other direction. I have no complaints here.
Loops Controls:
F-N awesome! It displays the beats bars on the mixer so you know where it's at. It's adjusted by a rotary knob and activated by pushing down on the knob. It works as expected and makes looping a breeze. It's lets me incorporate loops much easier then Scratch Live on 57SL.
Cue Pad:
Big ol' colored buttons. Quick, responsive, and color coated so you know if they are loops, standard cue points, load cue's etc. The Z2 got this right period.
Deck C D
Not much to say here except I only mix on 2 decks and haven't found a reason to use them. If you are spinning with 4 decks you might need an X1 to fully utilize deck C&D. Also that sync feature might come in handy here.
The Sync Button
I don't use it but, A-Trak said it best. If you know how to mix there's no need to prove it all the time. Use it to free up some time do other things with your performance. If you don't like it don't use it. You die hard Scratch Live people don't get emotional everyone has their own opinion on this and thinks everyone else's sucks. Let's respect others.
Quantize and Snap button:
I had to make sure these are always disabled. They make the cue button unresponsive. They are trying to force the cue to release on beat and sometimes I just want to trigger the cues off beat or rapidly.
FX:
They only work in Traktor and they work well. There are quite a few but, I haven't gotten into them yet.
Sound:
This is subject so don't catch feelings folks. It sounds way better than my SL1, 57SL when playing mp3s but, that is to be expected. Playing vinyl there isn't much of a difference and the Z2 sounds good. I like the sound of Z2 more than the SL2 but, I think both sound good.
USB Hub:
It works and has enough power for an LED light i use on it sometime when I DJ clubs. I also keep some super tiny USB sticks on it sometimes.
Rear Layout:
Clean, power switch, standard power cord, auto sensing power supply. Balanced XLR out (MAIN). RCA out (MAIN). 1/4" out (Booth). Mic 1/4" input and AUX RCA. 2 Grounding screws. Kensington Lock port so you can secure it.
Build Quility:
The faceplate marking fade really fast. NI knows of this problems and has been swapping out the faceplates with a new design for those affected. NI is handling support much better than it did in the Final Crash days I will say the mixer itself is Solid and heavy. It looks like it can take some abuse although I am not the abusive type.
Traktor 2.6.4
It works. It has never crashed on me but, i haven't used it out much. It is much much different than spinning in ScratchLive. It can do a lot more than SL can do but, learning Traktor takes patients and time. Traktor allows for remixing things live in way SL just can't but, most of the DJ's on SL don't want these features. I say SL is just simpler and cleaner to use but, Traktor is pretty good once you get used to it.
Vinyl Control:
Traktor control signal tracks better and doesn't drift when there is a lot of noise and vibration but, this has never really bothered me about SL. It only bothers me now that I am used to it not happening at home with Traktor and out with SL. Traktor tracks better and is a bit more responsive when scratching but it's not that big a deal the way i see it.
Value:
I bought my Z2 for $600USD. For the price I paid for it was more than worth it. It gives me a backup to my trusty 57SL. I consider it better than my 57SL in design and sound but, the comparison is not really fare since the 57SL came out a decade ago. I have not used Z2 with the MIDI mapping for SL. I would be interested to see how they work together but, maybe someone else can elaborate.
PSA:
These are mainly opinions. Don't get emotional in a forum. It's not a good look. I like Scratch Live and Rane and use both and have for years. This is only my opinion on Z2 and Traktor.
