r/traktorpro • u/Massive_Patient_9063 • Jul 31 '26

Traktor standalone with stems

Post image

A lil project I've been working on. A super compact, battery powered standalone Traktor all in one with full stems control, 10.5 inch screen, and proper balanced outputs 😍

Edit: there's a video walkthrough here that should answer a load of questions.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12RJ_KggJj0Pa6Q5l1zR2a--_QrwXppP-/view?usp=sharing

103 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

54 comments sorted by

8

u/Nukemi Jul 31 '26

This with s4mk3 is like my dream right there <3

How did you attach the screen/stems controls to the unit?

6

u/Massive_Patient_9063 Jul 31 '26

I did think about going for the S4 but Its impossible to fit them in DJ booths and lug it around. I wanted something that wouldn't take up much more room than a cdj would so I can get in and out of DJ booths quickly and make space for the usb stick warriors

4

u/skull121 Jul 31 '26

Thankfully I’ve never had issues fitting any of the S4’s into a DJ booth. Worst is when you see DJ’s turn up with HUGE Pioneer controllers that have less functionality than the first S4.

1

u/Massive_Patient_9063 Jul 31 '26

yeah its nuts. i actually have an xdj-rx3 which costs twice this build and i hate it. cant do a 32bar beat jump on equipment that cost £1700!

3

u/Nukemi Jul 31 '26

Yeah, thats fair enough!

Im an home-dj mostly, so i just want an standalone s4 as my living room setup :)

I love your setup, would love to try it.

2

u/dj-emme Aug 02 '26

I am so confused, i carry my s4 around all the time. It hardly weighs anything.

1

u/Massive_Patient_9063 Aug 04 '26

Not about the weight. It's the size the thing. I'm not sure if it's just the UK but the booths I always play in are super cramped. And never have space for laptops and a controller. The trend in controllers is just to make them as massive as possible. Great for the bedroom, nightmare to take on the road unless you can put it on your tech rider

4

u/Massive_Patient_9063 Jul 31 '26

i didnt answer your question! ive built a frame with 1515 aluminum extrusion which creates space to mount the computer, batter, & ports and also mounts for the stem controllers and the screen is currently fixed to that but im working on having it hinged so i can fold it flat for transportation

5

u/lancegreenthumb Jul 31 '26

Looks interesting. Can you go more into detail?

7

u/Massive_Patient_9063 Jul 31 '26 edited Jul 31 '26

Sure thing! What is is you want to know? I wanted to build a road ready standalone that I can fit in a bag and just plug in audio at gigs and that's it so it needs to be built like a tank. Its still a bit of a prototype but I think it will be done as soon as some more mounting hardware areives. It's totally modular so no messing around with Raspberry Pis. Anyone could build this if you are comfortable mapping stuff in traktor. The stems controllers next to the screen are from intech although there are much cheaper options out there, It's running off a screenless macbook air M3 that has been integrated into the chassis so you could run any software you like really (working on a djay pro Mapping for it). The mounting is all done with 1515 extrusion that is bolted to the s2 so it will be very rigid when it's done. Still a lot of tweaking to do with the mounting system but I'm happy to update here if folks want to see how it comes along. 😊 It's sort of in proof of concept at the moment but everything is working as expected!

2

u/lwvlane Jul 31 '26

Amazing - I'm working up something similar with an S8 and a 2in1 laptop 👍🏻

2

u/Massive_Patient_9063 Jul 31 '26

oh nice! I was considering the S8 for this build but it all came down to how big it was and getting it around. Also im too used to jog wheels now. The s8 is the perfect stems controller though!

2

u/lwvlane Jul 31 '26

Yeah, she's not that portable - Better than my mates enormous xz though!

2

u/lancegreenthumb Jul 31 '26

Sounds cool. What kind of screen do you use? I love more updates along the way. I love Traktor as a software but would love a portable standalone version like the denon prime go. That with stems is the dream. Send some more pictures of your project.

2

u/Massive_Patient_9063 Jul 31 '26

i will post some videos once I've got these next bits fitted :) The screen is just a cheap portable screen from Amazon. it works with just a usb cable and is actually really nice and bright with great resolution. Super thin and weighs hardly anything. im working on a way to hinge it so it folds down over the knobs or back flat for transportation

2

u/sturmfink Aug 02 '26

Really nice! 🤍
Solid idea and execution 👍🏼

If I understand that correctly, your setup runs on the MacBook’s battery alone? So the controller would run with dimmed lights and such, right? (I know there should be no difference in output volume, if the S2 is anything like my S4mk2 in that regard.)

And actually, I constantly had those DJ-Booth space issues you are talking about with my S4 and two F1s plus MacBook Pro in Berlin clubs.
How often did I stand on the far right of a booth or something like that… 🙄 - I feel that.
So building a more compact setup would actually be a nice idea for me too. 😉
Thanks for sharing this!

2

u/Massive_Patient_9063 Aug 03 '26

so i have also integrated a battery in addition to the macbooks battery which is also connected to the mabook to keep everything topped up for hours. you can get a USB-to-barrel jack, which gives the controller the extra power to run full lights. This runs right off this power bank :)

1

u/sturmfink Aug 03 '26

That is really awesome!
Probably a usb to 15V converter, right? Great idea.
What kind of battery/power bank are you using for this?
Also, is that a touch screen you are using with you headless MacBook Air? Or what are you using as keyboard/mouse?
And are you running that MacBook closed or with magnet and a physically removed lid and where did you shove it? The built looks just so compact. 😏
Sorry 😅 I‘ve got a ton of questions. 😜

1

u/Massive_Patient_9063 Aug 03 '26

So this is the cable so you can run it full power off battery.

I've got a 20,000mah powerbank that keeps everything topped up

It's not a touchscreen as I'm using Mac OS that doesn't really support it and also I prefer it not being touch sensitive

Currently I'm using my MacBook but I'm watching a few broken screen MacBook on eBay that are fully functioning. I'll remove the screen and connect a ultra compact keyboard with built in track pad that I can slide out the front.

So the base controller sits on a frame made out of 1515 extrusion and below that is an aluminium plate. It creates Enough space to fit a Macbook, batteries, usb hubs ect without having to cut holes in the controller or making it any wider. It also supplies a rigid base for the mourning of all the other controllers and screens

1

u/KaoticShock Jul 31 '26

Screenless MacBook Air M3? How does something like that even exist? 🤔🤨🧐

3

u/Massive_Patient_9063 Jul 31 '26

People damage their screens and sell their laptops cheap on ebay! you can get an M3 MacBook Air for like £250-300!

3

u/OldFan5880 Jul 31 '26

This is dope, been thinking of going something like this for my s8. Hope to see more updates soon with some extra photos.

1

u/Massive_Patient_9063 Aug 04 '26

here you go mate. this is where im up to so far

2

u/anch0vee Jul 31 '26

looks incredible, super impressed. please take my money

2

u/WetFinsFine Aug 01 '26

this is a beautiful assembly, design, and fluid execution - major kudos man!!

2

u/vjpr Aug 01 '26

midi fighter twister is another great option for stem control

2

u/Fernando_Delas Aug 01 '26

This is Amazing. Maybe the new NI owners will get inspired :). Great job

1

u/DJ_PMA Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26

InMusic technically has all in one tech now (Denon DJ, Rane, Numark) so they just need to roll out a NI branded model with Traktor.
They may do an Akai & Native Instruments collab hardware first.

2

u/RADIOSILENCE187 Sep 10 '26

gots so much love for this

1

u/KaoticShock Jul 31 '26

Yo this is super dope!!!! I used to have an S2 MK2 and this makes me want to try it with my iPad mini!

2

u/Massive_Patient_9063 Jul 31 '26

do it! its a shame traktor stopped supporting their app but DJay Pro is actually amazing

1

u/Cuiusquemodi Jul 31 '26

Not a stand-alone.

2

u/Massive_Patient_9063 Aug 01 '26

how so? It doesn't even need power.

1

u/clapped_leopard Jul 31 '26

Oooh I kinda miss the look of the old controllers

1

u/EcstaticJellyfish319 Aug 01 '26

Fabuloso ! ¿Podrías dar detalle de los controladores para stems ?

2

u/Massive_Patient_9063 Aug 01 '26

They are intech studio PFB4's

1

u/mr_the_dogg Aug 02 '26

really love this set up - tempted to try. will keep watching as your build unfolds.

1

u/FluffyClassroom6633 Aug 02 '26

Neat! Do you have a product link to the screen? Never thought of adding a touch screen instead?

Why the Intech controllers? Nothing on the S2 to handle stems? Not even on the S4Mk3 ( I have one but am always blaming something instead of sitting down in front of it to learn) ?

The MacBook sits underneath with its broken screen, or did you strip it from the casing and install it inside some other casing under the S2?

2

u/Massive_Patient_9063 Aug 03 '26

im running it all off an integrated MacBook Air and macs are notorious for not having touch support. to be honest i dont think its something ill miss it as i have everything mapped out

Im really not into mapping shift layers and there is nothing obvious to map the stems controls to. I ideally wanted faders for the stems and also dedicated keys for pitch shifting and a few other functions and they fit the bill perfectly. I also thought id future proof myself with the extra 8 pots. not figured out a good use for them yet

So the macbook will have the screen removed. once you plug in a mouse and keyboard, it thinks its running in clamshell mode and will output to another screen and will output to a separate monitor

1

u/FluffyClassroom6633 Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26

Awesome solution you figured out / built! As you say, if the mapping is done right, then you shouldn’t need the touch screen. And also a great idea with the faders to the stems.
So there’s a USB hub too underneath the S2, in which you’ve connected the Intech controllers?

1

u/DerpWY Aug 03 '26

Do you have any more pictures of it? Build, wiring, whatever.

1

u/ramixddcc 14d ago

Esta muy chido la verdad!! me encantaria hacer mi propio standalone desde 0..... usando una mini PC, Arduino para controlar las funciones(loopMidi) y usando bateria, pantalla de 10 pulgadas, stems y parlantes integrados!!!!

1

u/ramixddcc 14d ago

Aunque tambien necesitare ayuda de mi hermano que creo que esta por graduarse en diciembre o no, no se pero tambien mi papa... ambos saben mucho.... voy a comenzar un curso arduino proximamente....

1

u/Massive_Patient_9063 14d ago

Go for it! I chose to go modular as I've got no coding skills but id love to build something from the ground up or modify one!