a new benchmark for affordable DJ controllers

 £349 / $449 / €399, native-instruments.com

What did you achieve by 30? Your own place? Steady job? Vaguely acceptable dress sense? If you’re Native Instruments, you built an empire of pro audio tools, pioneered software DJing, and now — just before hitting the big three-o in 2026 — dropped your best-looking and most ambitious controller to date.

Traktor MX2 lands in a two-channel controller market that was coasting until AlphaTheta dialled up the design with the DDJ-FLX4 in 2022, followed by the DDJ-FLX2 in 2024. Numark, Hercules, and Reloop are in the mix, too, attempting that Goldilocks balance of competing on price while pushing innovation. But with AlphaTheta and Native Instruments being home to two dominant DJ software ecosystems, everyone looks at them to set the pace.

But here’s where it gets interesting: MX2 isn’t undercutting anyone. At £349, it’s more expensive than the FLX2 (£159) or FLX4 (around £279). The play? Whilst the FLX series holds your hand with automation and simplified effects, MX2 offers the full toolkit. Traktor Pro 4, stems separation, a step sequencer, 43 studio-grade effects, and 16 performance pads. Creative firepower at a price that won’t require a great deal of saving up.

Traktor MK2 is designed for the darkest booth

Traktor MX2 is light-years away from the Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3. Gone are the clunky metal jog wheels, garish Traktor logos, or indeed any markings. It’s all rather black… and it looks better for it. It may be plastic, but everything feels solid enough not to creak under normal use.

MX2’s size and weight strike a balance between portable and substantial, but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be handled with care if constantly carting it around. Plus, where the Kontrol S2 had slanted grips for grabability, the Traktor MX2 has none — greasy fingers beware.

The matte finish resists fingerprints, while minimal white indicator lines on select knobs provide visual reference points. Knobs and faders feel precise without being stiff, the chunky cue and play buttons are responsive, performance pads have a nice amount of give, and the RGB lighting is bright enough in the dimmest environments.

The touch-sensitive jog wheels felt responsive and smooth, with slightly more tension than the S2 Mk3. The wheels themselves are 1 cm larger at around 15 cm, but then so is the entire unit. Unless you’re DJing in the CBBC Broom Cupboard or preparing for a Tiny Desk concert, this needn’t concern you.

Once alive, the MX2’s illuminated bottom shell steals the show. LEDs glow blue during normal playback, flash red when tracks are running out, and pulse green when a loop is active. The feature debuted on the Z1 MK2 and X1 MK3 compact DJ mixers from where the MX2 gets its design language. Native says credit goes to former designer Johannes Schroth for the brainwave.

Every button can be customised with different LED colours too. You can make it look like a unicorn threw up, or keep it classy. It’s not an aesthetic distraction when assigning colours helps muscle memory.

Traktor MK2 is a creative toolkit demanding respect

Most affordable decks get the basics right, but Native Instruments has loaded Traktor MX2 with a raft of creative tools.

Mixer FX provides the quickest route to crowd-pleasing moments — nine one-knob effects sit in the mixer section with dedicated on/off buttons per channel, while four snapshot buttons instantly switch combinations. Deck FX reveals the MX2’s lofty ambitions where two full units access 43 studio-grade NI effects using the same processors touring Traktor Pro users have trusted for years.

The 16 RGB performance pads unlock four modes. Hotcues does what you’d expect with solid implementation. Stems mode uses Traktor Pro 4’s AI to split tracks into drums, bass, instruments, and vocals in real time. Swap drums from one track with vocals from another, filter out the bass, bring in just the instruments — bada bing.

Pattern Player transforms pads into a 16-step sequencer with eight sample slots and multiple drum kits. A moving light across the steps makes it playful for performance, not hunched programming sessions. Finally, Flux Loops add energy with stuttered loops that automatically return to the track’s natural flow. It’s 2025, not 1995; we shouldn’t still be manually calculating loop points. Hate mail can be directed here.

Browse, load, and perform

A large encoder scrolls and loads. Hold shift to navigate your library tree. The favourites button gives quick access to go-to tracks, while the preparation list button flags tracks on the fly.

A preview player routes to headphones automatically. A view button switches to full-screen mode when tiny text is giving you a headache. Functional customisation extends beyond LED colours — switch pitch fader modes, change mixer effect buttons from toggle to temporary, and to configure preview player behaviour.

Sound quality and software on Traktor MX2

The 24-bit /96 kHz audio interface delivers high-fidelity output. iZotope’s Ozone Maximizer keeps mixes loud and punchy without distortion. Master outputs include RCA and 3.5mm mini-jack for portable speakers. The mic input is a full-size jack with gain control. Headphone outputs cover mini jack and 6.3mm jack. Exactly as you’d expect here.

Traktor Pro 4 is included in full. Not a lite version, not a trial; the full works. Traktor Pro 4 alone costs £129, so you’re essentially getting the controller for £220. A two-month Beatport/Beatsource streaming trial gives immediate access to millions of club-ready tracks.

Should I buy Traktor MX2?

The Traktor MX2 occupies interesting territory. It costs more than entry-level hand-holders but delivers a professional creative toolkit treating you like a DJ who’s capable of independent thought. Native Instruments hasn’t built another budget controller; they’ve built a capable performance instrument that happens to be temptingly priced.

If AlphaTheta’s FLX series is ski school — safe, guided and keeping you on the bunny slope – MX2 throws you on the mountain with proper skis. You might fall off the odd cliff, but that’s how you learn.

At £349, you’re getting full Traktor Pro 4, stems, step sequencer, 40+ effects, 16 pads, and a proper audio interface. Native Instruments is making a bold statement about what accessible yet professional DJ gear should look like in 2025.

Key features

• 2-channel DJ controller
• 24-bit/96 kHz audio interface
• Traktor Pro 4 software included
• 16 RGB performance pads
• 4 pad modes: Hotcues, Stems, Flux Loops, Pattern Player
• Touch-sensitive jog wheels (Turntable and Jog modes)
• Mixer FX (9 one-knob effects)
• Deck FX (40+ studio-grade effects)
• Stem separation and control
• Pattern Player 16-step sequencer
• Backlit bottom shell with visual feedback
• Customisable LED colours
• USB-C connectivity
• Master out: RCA and mini-jack
• Headphone out: mini-jack and 6.3 mm jack
• Mic in: 6.3 mm jack with gain control
• Beatport/Beatsource streaming trial
• Dimensions: 323.1 mm x 511.4 mm x 61.9 mm
• Weight: 2.73kg