Designing for the modern DJ: an interview with the Traktor MX2 team

The DJing landscape has transformed in the past few years. Vibrant online communities and a new generation of DJs have altered what it means to mix in the age of streaming. The brand new Traktor MX2 was created for this very moment – to make DJing expressive and intuitive from day one. It’s an all-in-one controller that carries forward the S2’s portable, accessible legacy while embracing today’s creative demands. It was made to make DJs stand out from their very first set.

We spoke with Lead Product Manager Michael Koczynski and Senior Manager, Product Design Rami Naayem, two team members behind the design of the MX2, to learn how it was built to empower both newcomers and seasoned Traktor users, why design choices like underlighting and tactile jog wheels matter, and how accessible performance for everyone became the driving force behind the controller’s development.

Jump to these sections:

• How time and place shaped the MX2’s mission
• Balancing Traktor heritage with next-gen design
• How design changes the DJ experience
• Packing pro features into a portable controller
• Solving pain points with jog wheels, browsing, and FX control

 
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Since the original Traktor S2 controllers were released, DJing has changed dramatically with the rise of streaming services, online platforms, and a new generation of aspiring DJs. How did these shifts in the DJing world directly inform the design and features of the MX2?

Our internal mission for this project was simple: “accessible performance for everyone,” in every sense of the phrase.

The shift to music streaming has been a huge factor. With the integration of Beatport streaming directly into Traktor Pro 4, DJs now have a virtually infinite library at their fingertips. This is incredible, but it also presents a new challenge: how do you stand out? It’s no longer just about track selection. It’s about what you do with the tracks.

That’s why we focused on giving DJs powerful tools like Stem Separation, powered by iZotope’s legendary RX technology. The MX2 is designed to be the perfect instrument for taking any track and instantly putting your unique creative stamp on it.

Furthermore, “accessible performance” means lowering the cognitive barrier to creativity. By using full-colour RGB LEDs across the device, we can communicate complex information instantly. A new user can instantly recognise if an FX unit is in Pattern Player mode, or see which Mixer FX is assigned to each channel, all through a clear language of color. It makes the whole experience more intuitive, allowing for more creative expression, faster.

When you were designing the MX2, how did you approach the challenge of creating a successor that would appeal to existing Traktor users while also attracting a new generation of DJs who might be looking for a more powerful, all-in-one solution?

Our guiding principle was the same mission we mentioned earlier: “accessible performance for everyone.” It was the perfect lens through which to balance heritage and innovation.

For our dedicated Traktor community, we respected the muscle memory they’ve built. We evolved the design language from our recent X1 controller and maintained a logical grid layout that will feel instantly familiar. The chamfered edges are a subtle nod to the iconic SL-1200 that paved the way for DJ tools. We wanted to celebrate the history and look towards shaping the future.

For the new generation, we wanted to create the most inviting and powerful entry point into professional DJing. The “all-in-one” concept was crucial. By integrating features previously reserved for larger, more expensive controllers, we’re giving new DJs a professional toolkit from day one. The MX2 is a creative instrument with an incredibly high ceiling. It’s a product DJs can grow into, not out of.

The new industrial design features a transparent bottom shell and the new functional LED underlighting. What was the inspiration behind this change, and how do you believe this new visual feedback enhances the DJ’s performance and creativity?

It all started with a design challenge: how can we help DJs stay in the flow? The answer was to literally play with light. The translucent, smoky-grey shell was the key to creating an illusion of the controller floating above the surface.

This design choice then created a new opportunity for us to redefine how a controller communicates. The underlighting became a channel for contextual feedback. It’s not just for atmosphere – it’s functional. It pulses green when a loop is active or breathes red when a track is ending. It’s peripheral information that you absorb without looking at your screen, keeping you locked into the mix.

And because we were able to fit full RGB LEDs across the entire device, the future potential is huge. DJs can personalise the lighting colours to match their style, and we have some incredibly cool ideas for other delightful visual experiences that we plan to roll out, making the MX2 a controller that will continue to evolve with its user.

The Traktor MX2 is described as an all-in-one solution with full control over the Traktor Pro DJ software. What were the key decisions you made to balance portability and accessibility with the need to include advanced features like Stems mode and the Pattern Player, which were previously found on larger, more professional models?

We learned from the S2 that while it has been a very portable controller, it could be limiting for users who wanted to push their creativity further without committing to a large, 4-channel flagship device. This is why we decided to include direct, hands-on controls for all of Traktor’s essential performance features on a 2-channel system, while keeping portability in mind.

The footprint of the MX2 is slightly larger than the S2 MK3, but by expanding it just enough, we gave the device much more depth in its functionality.

That balance is only possible because we design the hardware and software as a single, cohesive experience. For us, features like Stems and the Pattern Player are meaningful tools that unlock the ability to sculpt a track into something entirely new.

Our integration work was focused on making these powerful sculpting tools feel immediate and intuitive through the multi-modal performance pads. With a single button press, they transform into a hands-on interface for live remixing. This approach allows us to pack in immense creative power without creating a cluttered or overwhelming device.

What were some of the key pain points you identified for aspiring DJs, and how did the new features – like the improved jog wheels, dedicated browsing controls, and flexible FX routing – directly address those challenges and allow users to build confidence and skills?

One of the main pain points on the S2 MK3 was the limited FX control. Today, FX and the Pattern Player are vital tools for DJs to stand out and give their mix a unique, personal touch. With the MX2, we added full hardware interfaces for both FX units, alongside Mixer FX on each channel. This dramatically extends the creative path for aspiring DJs and gives them much more to explore once they’ve mastered the basics.

Track selection was another area we wanted to improve, since it’s the thing DJs do the most in any set. We completely redesigned the browsing section with new buttons for pre-listening, favouriting, and prep list tagging. DJs can also expand the browser view for faster digging, all without breaking their flow.

Another thing we wanted to address was general confidence when it comes to performance. A major hurdle for aspiring DJs is often not a lack of ideas, but a lack of confidence in experimenting and trying new mixing techniques. The jog wheels have been rebuilt with a precise sensor, ridged edge, and shaped profile to provide a secure, tactile grip. This gives DJs the freedom to attempt tighter scratches or more ambitious techniques, all while knowing the hardware will respond exactly as intended.

Wrapping it all up

Speaking with Michael and Rami offered a look behind the curtain at how we approach hardware: balancing heritage with innovation, solving practical challenges like browsing and FX control, and rethinking design details such as lighting and jog wheels to keep DJs in the flow.

The Traktor MX2 is the next step in our iconic DJ controller line. But it’s also more than that. It’s a statement about where DJing is headed. It’s created to be intuitive from day one, but powerful enough to grow with the DJs that choose it. MX2 lowers the barrier to entry without cutting back on creativity. It turns every set into a chance to stand out.

Its portability and depth, as well as its integration with Traktor Pro 4’s effects and features, make MX2 an invitation to DJs. It asks them to take risks, build confidence, and share their art with the world.

Discover Traktor MX2