• Traktor's Big Little Announcement

• Soundcloud's New Discovery Tools

• Meta's Got The Vibes

• Wedding Crate Cheat Codes

Traktor Drops a 2-Channel Controller (wait, what?)

For weeks, Native Instruments had Traktor users holding their collective breath.

The countdown timer. The mysterious “MX2” teaser. The rumors of a flagship revival.

Could it be a standalone? A new Z2? A Traktor Pro 4 collab with AI crate-sorting?

And then they hit us with it:

🥁 The Traktor MX2 — a 2-channel controller aimed at beginners.

Yep. That’s the announcement.

🎧 What Is the Traktor MX2?

The MX2 is an all-in-one, entry-level controller built for plug-and-play DJing with Traktor Pro 3. But despite its modest size, it’s more than just a toy.

Here’s what it’s packing:

• ✅ 2-channel mixer with FX paddles (finally!)

• ✅ Full Traktor Pro 3 integration, no license upgrade needed

• ✅ RGB performance pads for hot cues, loops, samples, and beat jumps

• ✅ Dedicated mixer filters, 3-band EQ

• ✅ Compact layout, perfect for backpack DJs or beginners

• ✅ USB-C powered, no brick required

It also sports a slick, matte-black build that nods to the NI aesthetic — clean, minimal, and functional.

But the real win? Under the hood.

Sound Quality: Still Traktor’s Trump Card

While the MX2 itself is entry-level, Traktor’s sound engine is still top-tier — one of the most respected in the game for tight audio response, surgical EQs, and precise FX chains.

Veteran Traktor users swear by:

• 💥 Advanced beat gridding & sync accuracy

• 🧠 Flexible routing options for FX and stems

• 🎚️ Smooth filter curves and high-headroom mixing

• 🎛️ Creative tools like Freeze Mode, Macro FX, and Remix Decks

So yes, even on a smaller controller like the MX2, you’re still getting access to one of the best-sounding DJ platformsout there. Especially if you run a high-quality interface or soundcard — this thing can punch above its weight.

But Let’s Talk Expectations

Still, there’s no denying: for long-time Traktor fans, this launch felt like watching your favorite festival tease a mystery headliner… only for it to be your cousin’s high school band.

We get it — this wasn’t the revolution many hoped for.

Traktor users have been craving:

• A new S4 or Z2 refresh

• A proper standalone unit

• Better hardware-stem integration

• More modularity (hello, D2 resurrection?)

Instead, the MX2 is a great gateway — but not the gear drop of the decade.

Something Bigger Is Coming…

Buried in NI’s announcement is the real kicker:

The MX2 is just the beginning of a larger Traktor hardware roadmap, with a flagship release expected in 2026.So this isn’t the destination — it’s the warm-up.

Our take? Native Instruments is rebuilding the pipeline, starting with accessible gear to onboard new users, then dropping something serious that can finally go toe-to-toe with the likes of Pioneer, RANE, or Denon DJ.

If the MX2 is for the rookies… the real heat is coming for the vets.

The Takeaway

Traktor didn’t miss — they just played it safe.

The MX2 is a solid entry point, backed by world-class software and a loyal base of DJs who care about detail, audio fidelity, and creative FX.

But if you’re waiting for the return of Traktor hardware dominance — you’re not wrong to feel like the real drop is still in the pipeline.

Traktor’s still the audiophile’s choice — so if you’re chasing pristine sound over flashy jog wheels, even the MX2 can hang. Just don’t expect it to headline your next Boiler Room set.

In last weeks poll we asked “How would you use Sora 2 in your DJ world?” 47% responded “To make cinematic promo videos for gigs & events”

Tonight: Wedding Banger Crate Hackathon w/ Nate Acosta

It’s wedding season madness out there, packed weekends, little sleep, and way too many requests for “one more song”. That’s why we’re bringing in DJ Nate Acosta, one of our top Curators to show you what’s actually working on wedding dance floors right now. You’ll see:

• The wedding bangers filling floors this season

• What songs DJs are dropping that aren’t working anymore

• How to organize your crates so every transition hits

  
  🎥 Live on Twitch + cratehackathon.com

🗓️ Tuesday, 8PM ET / 5PM PT

SoundCloud Wants to Be the New Music TikTok (Again)

SoundCloud just dropped a suite of new social discovery tools — and it’s clear they’re not trying to compete with Spotify anymore. They’re going full social platform for music heads, leaning into comments, recommendations, and personalized connections between creators and listeners.

What’s New?

SoundCloud is testing and rolling out:

• Daily music recommendations based on listening behavior

• “Friend activity” feeds, showing what people you’re connected to are playing

• Comment + repost integration directly in the feed

• A stronger focus on creator-to-listener engagement (think: if Bandcamp and TikTok had a baby)

It’s all in service of helping users discover underground tracks, connect with other listeners, and push artists into new ears — without relying on algorithms alone.

Why It Matters for DJs + Producers

For DJs and tastemakers, this is gold:

• 💡 Dig deeper than the top 100 — discovery just got more personal

• 🧠 Find remixes and edits shared by niche communities

• 🎛️ Engage with fans and get real-time reactions to your mixes or tracks

• 🌀 Build influence beyond just followers — reposts now have power

It also repositions SoundCloud as a place where real music culture still lives, especially for underground, experimental, and independent genres.

The Bigger Play

Let’s not forget — SoundCloud has:

• Fan-powered royalties

• DJ integrations with Serato, Rekordbox, Virtual DJ, etc.

• Its own monetization and artist services

• One of the deepest indie music catalogs on the planet

These new features could signal that SoundCloud wants to be the go-to ecosystem for independent music creators — and they might be getting it right this time.

Meta’s “Vibes” Feed is Here — and It’s 100% AI-Generated

Just when you thought your Reels feed couldn’t get any weirder…

Meta has launched “Vibes”, a brand new feed dedicated entirely to AI-generated videos.

Think of it as a TikTok For You page meets DALL·E, Sora, and GenAI, where the algorithm doesn’t just serve content — it creates it.

🎮 What Is It?

“Vibes” is a new experimental feed inside the Instagram and Facebook universe that curates short-form, AI-generated video content. Users can scroll through a stream of videos that:

• Are 100% AI-created (visuals, captions, often music too)

• Feature quirky, surreal, or hyper-stylized aesthetics

• Use prompts or hashtags like “a vibe,” not just topics

• Feel eerily tailored to your personality, mood, or creative taste

It’s Gen Z surrealism meets deep learning meets late-night YouTube rabbit holes — optimized for short attention spans and long engagement times.

🔊 Why DJs + Creators Should Care

This isn’t just AI for the sake of novelty. It’s a signal of where content discovery is headed, and how the bar is shifting:

• 📈 Algorithms will prioritize vibe over format — expect weirder, more experimental trends to rise

• 🎧 AI music and visuals are blending — great news if you’re producing with Sora, Suno, or Udio

• 📲 Remixes, bootlegs, and edits could find new life inside AI-driven ecosystems

• ⚙️ Prompt-driven content is now a legit strategy: “clubcore,” “neon Tokyo,” “2000s rave nostalgia” are all searchable vibes now

If you’re a DJ posting visuals, a VJ pairing clips with mixes, or a content creator playing with AI tools — this is your playground.

The Bigger Picture

Meta’s move here is less about the tech and more about owning the cultural lane where AI content lives. TikTok may have the trends, but Meta wants to own the weird, dreamy, vibe-forward corner of the internet.

This is also a soft launch of what might become a “for-you-feed” built entirely from AI content, reshaping the creator economy for musicians, producers, and digital artists alike.

And let’s not forget — Meta has the infrastructure to scale this fast.

It’s wedding season madness—packed dance floors, back-to-back weekends, and drunk uncles yelling “one more song”like it’s a threat. These five Cheat Codes will show you exactly what’s working right now—the songs, the strategies, and the crate logic pros are using to own every reception like a mainstage set.

Cheat Code #1: Mid-2000s Hip-Hop Is Losing Its Grip

• Songs like Yeah! and Low are still getting requested—but they’re not hitting the way they used to. Nate reports younger crowds are zoning out unless the track is flipped or mashed.

• TikTok-era Gen Z wants familiar energy, not just familiar songs—they want the vibe of 2004, not the actual tracks.

🎯 Action Step: Replace stale 2000s hits with modern edits, blends, or genre-flipped versions. Drop Yeah! over Jersey Club, or use quick tease intros to keep nostalgia fresh without overstaying its welcome.

Cheat Code #2: “Drunk Girl Country” Is Your Secret Weapon

• Female-led country tracks like Man! I Feel Like a Woman (Shania), Before He Cheats (Carrie Underwood), and Tennessee Orange (Megan Moroney) are crushing right now—especially as pre-dinner or early party momentum builders.

• We calls this the “Cowgirl Reboot”—energy-raising, singalong, high-fidelity country with pop edges.

🎯 Action Step: Build a “Drunk Girl Country” crate and schedule it 1–2 songs before a dance floor transition. You’re not just playing songs—you’re casting roles.

Cheat Code #3: Latin Crossover Crates > “Latin Set”

• DJs who lump all reggaeton, dembow, and cumbia into a 3-song “Latin set” are missing out. The best floors are flowing Bad Bunny into Pepas into Ojitos Lindos—not just checking the cultural box.

• Nate’s transition into “Ella Baila Sola” is getting bigger reactions than any Pitbull throwback.

🎯 Action Step: Split your Latin music into 3–4 crates by vibe or tempo—not language. Think: “Crossover Energy,” “Sexy Mid-Tempo,” “Percussive Party Starters.” Treat it like pop, not a playlist.

Cheat Code #4: Crates by Emotion, Not Just Genre

• Try to rebuild your wedding crates into folders labeled Hype, Swoon, Chaos, and Nostalgia—not Top 40, Hip-Hop, EDM. The emotional read is faster when you’re under pressure.

• This structure makes it easier to jump between moods and read the room in real time.

🎯 Action Step: Reorganize your top crates by emotional impact, not genre. Add emojis if it helps: 💍 (Romance), 💃🏽 (Hype), 🧨 (Chaos), 🕺 (Throwback). You’ll program faster and respond sharper.

Cheat Code #5: “Controlled Chaos” Finales Are Beating Traditional Slow Ends

• DJs ending on slow jams are losing the “last impression” game. Try closing with Firework, Mr. Brightside, or Bohemian Rhapsody—massive singalongs with emotional punch.

• Couples remember how the night ended—not just what song you played.

🎯 Action Step: Replace your last dance crate with 3 “Controlled Chaos” closers. Think songs that create arms-around-shoulders moments, scream-singing, and phones-in-the-air finales. Make it a movie ending.