Head to head
Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3 vs. Mixtrack Platinum FX
Both are DJ controllers in the same price bracket (€200 to €350) — which is why you genuinely hesitate between them. Here is what our register says about both, side by side, including what speaks against them.
Native Instruments
Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3
€200 to €350
Two channels, large jog wheels, Traktor layout — no longer available new, second-hand the compact entry point for Traktor.
For
- Maps one to one onto Traktor Pro
- Large jog wheels, clear layout
- Compact and light, fits in a backpack
Against
- Only makes sense with Traktor — the wrong choice for rekordbox or Serato
- No club layout: mixer section and buttons are NI's own
- No longer available new — Native Instruments no longer lists the S range
Numark
Mixtrack Platinum FX
€200 to €350
Two decks for Serato DJ Lite with displays in the jog wheels and FX paddles — Numark's entry-level classic.
For
- Jog wheel displays show BPM and position
- Four decks via layer switching
- Serato DJ Lite included, Pro as an upgrade
Against
- Plastic housing, lighter than the Pioneer class
- No club layout — moving to CDJs takes some adjustment
Where it says “Ad” we earn a commission if you buy through the link — on the other routes we earn nothing. Either way you pay the same price, and it changes nothing about our recommendation. How we handle this
The key facts side by side
| Feature | Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3 | Mixtrack Platinum FX |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Native Instruments | Numark |
| Price bracket | €200 to €350 | €200 to €350 |
| Our classification | Entry level | Entry level |
| Meant for | Nothing yet, Laptop only, Controller setup | Nothing yet, Laptop only, Controller setup |
Technical specifications from the manuals
Every value taken word for word from that device’s manufacturer manual, with the PDF page. A dash means there is no clear value in the manual — not that the device lacks it.
| Feature | Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3 | Mixtrack Platinum FX |
|---|---|---|
| Channels | 2 mixer channels (A and B)p. 18 | 2 decks (Deck 1: layer 1/3, Deck 2: layer 2/4)p. 4 |
| Pads | no clear value in the manual | upper row with modes Cue, Auto Loop, Fader Cuts, Samplep. 6 |
| Jog wheel | no clear value in the manual | capacitive, touch-sensitivep. 4 |
| Outputs | MAIN OUT (RCA) or 3.5 mm jackp. 11 | Master (RCA)p. 5 |
| Headphone output | PHONES OUT (front panel)p. 20 | 1/4" (6.35 mm) and 1/8" (3.5 mm)p. 5 |
| Microphone input | MIC (6.3 mm jack)p. 20 | 1/4" (6.35 mm), for dynamic microphonesp. 5 |
| USB | USB (to a USB 2.0 port on the computer)p. 10 | no clear value in the manual |
| Audio resolution | 24-bit / 48 kHzp. 5 | 24-bit, 44.1 kHzp. 31 |
| Power supply | Socket for optional Native Instruments power supplyp. 20 | USB bus powerp. 31 |
| Dimensions | no clear value in the manual | 53.6 × 24.6 × 5.1 cm (W × D × H)p. 31 |
| Weight | no clear value in the manual | 2.4 kg (5.35 lbs)p. 31 |
Sources: Traktor Kontrol S2 MK3: TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 MK3 — Handbuch (Native Instruments) · Mixtrack Platinum FX: Mixtrack Platinum FX — User Guide v1.2 (Numark (inMusic))
Where they differ
- Different manufacturers, so different software ecosystems, spare parts and control logic. If you already own gear from one brand, that is a reason in itself.
We deliberately crown no winner here. What we can back up is above; anything else would be a claim, and there are plenty of those on this question already.
More comparisons: DJ controllers
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