How to Use a Microphone with the TRAKTOR KONTROL S4

In this configuration, the microphone signal is sent through TRAKTOR's Aux channel and is therefore not processed through TRAKTOR's Mixer, Decks, or FX.

1. Connect your microphone to the MIC D input located at the front side of the S4 MK3, or the MIC C input located at the backside of the device. In our example, we will be using the MIC D input.
   
   

   Note: On a TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK1, the MIC Input is a 1/4" inch located on the back of the device. Additionally, make sure that the USB/THRU switch on the rear panel of the device is set to USB.

2. Go to the TRAKTOR Preferences > Input Routing and make sure that the Input Aux channel is set to the microphone input. The microphone input channels are different for the TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK1, MK2 and MK3 models.
   • TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK1: Select 3: In Ch D Left and 4: In Ch D Right for Input Aux L(Mono) and R.
   • TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK2: Select 5: Mic In (Mono) and 6: Mic In (Mono) for Input Aux L(Mono) and R.
   • TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK3: Select 7: D-L Line/Mic (Front) and 8: D-R Line/Mic (Front) for Input Aux L(Mono) and R.
   In the example below, we are using the S4 MK3, therefore we have selected the inputs called 7: D-L Line/Mic (Front) and 8: D-R Line/Mic (Front) as shown below.
   
   

   Note: The TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK3 shares its rear microphone input (MIC C) with the Input Channel C and the front microphone input (MIC D) with the Input Channel D  input. For this reason, it is not possible to use both the MIC and Input Channels at the same time.

3. Press and hold one of the SHIFT buttons and the corresponding EXT button on the Deck the microphone was plugged into (in this example, it's the MIC D input, so Deck D). This will enable the microphone pre-amp.
4. Adjust the GAIN knob next to the EXT button while speaking into the microphone until you reach the desired level. The level meters next to the channel selection will provide a visual indication of the signal level. When you have finished, you can close the Preferences.
   
5. Adjust the AUX knob located in the panel below Deck D and attain the desired volume level in your mix.
   
   

   Note: The Input Channel D on the rear panel of the TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK1 is equipped with a THRU/USB switch. Set the switch to THRU in order to bypass the software and send the input signal (MIC or IN 3/4 (RCA stereo)) straight to the MAIN output. In THRU mode you can only use the GAIN knob next to the THRU/USB switch to adjust the gain level of the microphone input.

In this configuration, the microphone signal is routed into a Live Input Deck so the signal can be processed by the Mixer and FX components.

1. Connect your microphone to the MIC D input located at the front side of the S4 MK3, or the MIC C input located at the backside of the device. In our example, we will be using the MIC D input.
   
   

   Note: On a TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK1, the MIC Input is a 1/4" inch located on the back of the device. Additionally, make sure that the USB/THRU switch on the rear panel of the device is set to USB.

2. In the TRAKTOR main screen, choose a Deck that you will not use for playback of your tracks. This will be your Live Input Deck.
3. Click on the letter of the Deck and choose Live Input from the drop-down menu. In our example, we are choosing Deck D as Live Input Deck. On the S4 MK3, you can also press and hold one of the SHIFT buttons and the corresponding EXT button on the Deck the microphone was plugged into (in this example, it's the MIC D input, so Deck D). This will enable the microphone pre-amp and automatically change the Deck to a Live Input deck.
   
4. Open the TRAKTOR Preferences > Input Routing panel and make sure that the microphone input is set to the Input Deck *Deck letter* corresponding to the inputs which the microphone is connected to. The microphone input channels are different for TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK1, MK2 and MK3 models (our routing example below applies for Deck D):
   • TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK1: Select 3: In Ch D Left and 4: In Ch D Right for Input Deck C L (Mono) and R.
   • TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK2: Select 5: Mic In (Mono) and 6: Mic In (Mono) for Input Deck C L (Mono) and R.
   • TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK3: Select 7: D-L Line/Mic (Front) and 8: D-R Line/Mic (Front) for Input Aux L(Mono) and R.
   In the example below, we have selected the microphone input for the TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK3, 7: D-L Line/Mic (Front), and 8: D-R Line/Mic (Front).
   
   

   Note: The TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 MK3 shares its rear microphone input (MIC C) with the Input Channel C and the front microphone input (MIC D) with the Input Channel D  input. For this reason, it is not possible to use both the MIC and Input Channels at the same time.

5. Adjust the GAIN knob next to the EXT button while speaking into the microphone until you reach the desired level. The level meters next to the channel selection will provide a visual indication of the signal level. When you have finished, you can close the Preferences.
   
6. Raise the Deck volume fader for the audio signal to become audible through the MAIN output. In Live Input mode, you can use the TRAKTOR Mixer (i.e. Volume Fader, EQ, Gain, Filter, etc.) as well as the FX Units to adjust the volume level and modify the original signal.
   
   

   Note: If you cannot see the volume fader or any other mixer components of Deck D, go to Preferences > Mixer and enable all options EQ + Fader, Filter + Key + Gain + Cue + Balance, and Crossfader. Additionally, go to Preferences > Decks Layout and set the Size C & D drop-down option to Full.