If you haven’t already seen out 4Trak video review you can find it below. But whilst you’re here lets review the 4Trak in a bit more detail. The 4Trak from Numark is a Traktor DJ Controller that allows you to have 4 virtual decks but also comes with a built in fully independent mixer and efx unit. The unit comes bundled with a special 4Trak edition of Tracktor pro which is basically a lighter version of Tracktor 2. So if you already have Traktor installed you can probably ignore it and create your own custom settings.
The controller is made from brushed aluminium and has a nice weight to it. Mobile DJs will soon tire of how heavy it is but for use at home or at a club it is perfect and you know it won’t be moving during an over excited mix. All the faders feel nice and sturdy with some having a stiffer feel to them if that’s something you look out for. The cross fader on the mixer is buttery smooth but we’ll come back to that in more detail shortly. All the knobs are rubberised giving them a nice feel and they are the perfect size with larger hands having no problem using them. The 4Trak is basically an updated NS6 but you won’t find the unit cramped at all and whilst its on the larger side everything feels perfect spaced and not areas are wasted.
The platters use a metal top to simulate vinyl and are a pleasure to use, being nice and smooth. With 3600 ticks of resolution you won’t have to worry about your sounds not being just as smooth. There’s a scratch button for scratch DJs which is a nice touch and will mean non scratches can avoid accidental scratching.
As mentioned it comes with a fully independent built in 4 channel mixer. This means you can use it to control your 4 virtual decks or plug in external sources such as turntables and mp3 players and use it like a regular mixer. As this is a Traktor controller the mixer also handles all of the Traktor software functions too. This is great for DJs who want to mess around with a laptop but also have the flexibility to use some old skool vinyl as well.
The back of the unit has 4 regular inputs, 4 line, 2 phono and 2 mixs and there is also a RCA booth out. The master out has both RCA and balanced XLR giving you more options than most DJs will need. The EFX unit at the top has 4 knobs to control each deck and 4 detented filter knobs to give you total control. The unit is detachable so you don’t have to worry about it fitting into your flight case and is connected with a small USB lead.
Setting up the unit with Traktor takes seconds, with 2 maps coming preloaded and the ability to change your own functions. There is even assignable faders and buttons reserved on the controller to do as you wish with.
Just above the mixer is the file browsing area so you don’t have to juggle a mouse and the controller whilst DJing. A simple dial and click system allows you to browse tracks on Traktor as well as selecting and cueing up. Finally there are vinyl search strips at the top of each deck to place a virtual needle drop on tracks so you can skip to the bit you really want to play in seconds.
Overall the unit is top notch. As an all in one device it does everything and more and the build quality will make sure this expensive piece of tech lasts for many years. If you are after an all in one unit with the ability to expand you won’t go far wrong with the 4Trak and it certainly is one of Numarks best constructed pieces of equipment we’ve had the pleasure to use so far.