Native Instruments announces the availability form May 30th of this year of Traktor Kontrol F1 “the definitive and only hardware for controlling Traktor‘s powerful Remix Decks, with 16 stylish, multi-colored pads to fire loops and one-shot samples and the full version of the flagship software Traktor Pro 2.5.”
Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 hardware is optimized to provide dedicated hands-on control of an entire Remix Deck with access to the 64 loops and samples which can be loaded, arranged and mixed via the hardware. The pads in the bottom third of the controller trigger 16 loops or samples. You can load up to 64 audio clips into a Remix Deck – use the rotary encoder to page between groups of 16. Communication with the software works seamlessly both ways – change the color of a pad via the hardware and the software will follow suit instantly and vice versa – so you can always see exactly what’s going on.
Here’s a brief rundown of the controller hardware and its different, intuitively laid-out sections.
1. Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 | Mixer Section
Four high resolution potentiometers and four 45 mm faders make up the mixer section. This section allows for intuitive sonic control with a dedicated filter per Remix Deck slot, plus a convenient fader to control volume.
2. Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 | Global Section
This section lets you load entire Remix Setsâ„¢ effortlessly from the hardware. Browse and load individual sounds and samples from TRAKTOR’s browser, then use the push encoder to switch through 4 pages of 16 pads. Use the ‘Capture’ button to capture loops live from running track decks.
3. Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 | Remix Section
With sixteen multi-colored pads, this section is where you trigger loops and samples on the fly. Engage the Shift button to access advanced functions like Punch mode and FX assignments. The smaller pads at the bottom of the matrix stop or mute a slot.
For more information or specs check the official site of Native Instruments.
Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1  will be available from stores worldwide and the NI Online Shop from May 30, 2012. The announced price is $279 / 249 € / ¥26,800.