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DJ Tech Reviews

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3

A compact, discontinued two-deck Traktor controller with big jogs; effects are simplified and the iPad app is gone.

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3 at an angle

Photos: Native Instruments

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5 of 5 professional reviews recommend it5.0/5 from 1 Guitar Center owners
Best for
A used first or backup controller for Traktor Pro on a laptop.
Skip it if
You want full effects units, a 1/4" headphone jack or iPad DJing.

The Internet’s Opinion

From 5 professional reviews: a fair amount of evidence.

All five professional reviews recommend it as an easy way into Traktor, praising the large jog wheels, the included Traktor Pro 3 and a layout that tames the software. The reservations are the simplified Mixer FX, the 1/8" headphone output and short pitch faders, and its iPad role now rests on Traktor DJ 2, which Native Instruments has discontinued.

5 recommend0 mixed0 avoid

What people praise

  • Large jog wheels that feel accurate for the price
  • Full Traktor Pro 3 included
  • Simple layout makes Traktor approachable for beginners
Show 2 more
  • Runs on USB power from a laptop
  • Works with an iPad as well as a laptop

What to know first

  • One-knob Mixer FX instead of full effects controls
  • Only a 1/8" headphone output
  • Short pitch faders
Show 1 more
  • iPad use depends on Traktor DJ 2Still present

Owner ratings, as the retailers publish them

See the 5 reviews behind this

5 professional reviews (5 recommend, 0 mixed, 0 avoid); no owner reviews read (Guitar Center lists one review under 20 words; Thomann no longer lists it)Compiled 2026-10-12How this is compiled

Prices

Before you buy

Released
September 2018
Status
Discontinued
Replaced by
Native Instruments Traktor MX2

Works with

  • Traktor ProIncluded at launch

    Shipped with the full version of Traktor Pro 3 and is mapped for it out of the box Digital DJ Tips, checked 2026-10-12

  • Traktor DJ 2 (iPad, iPhone)Discontinued app

    The iOS port worked with Traktor DJ 2, but Native Instruments has discontinued the app; existing installs still run but are no longer maintained Manufacturer spec sheet (Native Instruments), checked 2026-10-12

  • MixxxFree

    Mixxx, the free open-source DJ software, documents a mapping for the S2 MK3 Mixxx, checked 2026-10-12

  • Microphone1/4" input

    A 1/4" TRS mic input with its own gain on the rear and an on/off button on the top panel Manufacturer spec sheet (Native Instruments (S2 MK3 manual)), checked 2026-10-12

You’ll also need

  • A laptopNot standalone

    It controls Traktor on a computer, which also powers it over USB Manufacturer spec sheet (Native Instruments (S2 MK3 manual)), checked 2026-10-12

  • Headphones with a 1/8" plugOr an adapter

    The headphone output is a 1/8" (3.5 mm) socket Manufacturer spec sheet (Native Instruments (S2 MK3 manual)), checked 2026-10-12

  • Native Instruments power supplySold separately

    Optional; it is bought separately from Native Instruments Manufacturer spec sheet (Native Instruments (S2 MK3 manual)), checked 2026-10-12

Key specs

Channels
2
Decks
2 track decks; pads also trigger samples in Remix Decks C and D
Software
Traktor Pro 3 (full version included at launch)
Standalone
No (controller with audio interface for Traktor on a computer)
Outputs
Main: RCA and 1/8" (3.5 mm) TRS; headphones 1/8" (3.5 mm)
Performance pads
8 RGB pads per deck (Hotcues or Samples mode)
All 14 specifications
Weight
2.4 kg
Power
USB bus power; optional Native Instruments power supply sold separately
EQ
3-band EQ plus gain per channel
Effects
Mixer FX: one knob per channel, four pre-selected Mixer FX combined with a filter
Inputs
1 x mic (1/4" TRS) with gain
Audio interface
24-bit, 44.1/48 kHz; main out DNR 90 dB
USB
USB to computer; iOS port
Dimensions (W x D x H)
486 x 265 x 59 mm

14 of 14 figures sourced; hover one for its source

Our take

Dex JonesWritten from the sources on this page, not from a loan unit.

All five professional reviews recommend it as the easy way into Traktor: big, accurate jog wheels, full Traktor Pro 3 in the box and a layout that tames the software. Three find the one-knob Mixer FX too simple, and two flag the 1/8" headphone jack and short pitch faders. It is discontinued and Traktor DJ 2 is no longer maintained, so buy one used for a laptop, or look at the Traktor MX2.

What it is

Status, October 2026: discontinued. Native Instruments' two-channel Traktor controller is now the Traktor MX2, launched in October 2025.

What it is

The Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3 is a two-channel DJ controller with a built-in audio interface from Native Instruments, made for Traktor Pro 3 (Native Instruments manual). It launched in September 2018 alongside Traktor Pro 3 and the Kontrol S4 MK3, and came with the full version of Traktor Pro 3.

Its two decks control Traktor's Decks A and B, while Decks C and D run as Remix Decks whose first four sample cells the pads trigger. Each deck has a jog wheel, eight RGB pads for Hotcues or Samples, Flux and Reverse buttons, and a Grid button for adjusting beatgrids. Each mixer channel has gain, a three-band EQ and one Mixer FX knob that combines a filter with one of four preselected Mixer FX.

The audio interface runs at 24-bit and 44.1 or 48 kHz. The main output comes on RCA and on a 3.5 mm TRS jack, headphones plug into a 3.5 mm jack, and a 1/4" mic input has its own gain control on the rear. It runs on USB bus power from the computer; a Native Instruments power supply is optional and sold separately. A rear iOS port worked with the Traktor DJ 2 app, which Native Instruments has since discontinued. The free Mixxx software documents a mapping for it.

It measures 486 x 265 x 59 mm, and a USB cable is included.

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