Native Instruments Traktor DJ Studio 3.0 Operation Manual

Document

OPERATION MANUAL
The information in this document is subject to change without
notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of NATIVE
INSTRUMENTS GmbH. The software described by this document
is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other
media. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or
otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior
written permission by NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH, hereinafter
referred to as NATIVE INSTRUMENTS. All product and company
names are ™ or &reg; trademarks of their respective owners.
Furthermore, the fact that you are reading this text means you are
the owner of a legal version rather than an illegal, pirated copy. It
is only through the loyalty and honesty of people like yourself that
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH can continue to develop and create
innovative audio software. On behalf of the entire company, thank
you very much.
Written and revised by:
Irmgard Bauer, Friedemann Becker, Robert Kotok (Version 3)
Other valuable input from:
PhilL, Hobbes, Quartz, AudioRapture and all TRAKTOR Forum
Users!
Special thanks go to the beta test team, who were invaluable not just
in tracking down bugs, but in making this a better product!
Germany
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH
Schlesische Str. 28
D-10997 Berlin
Germany
[email protected]
www.native-instruments.de
USA
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS North America, Inc.
5631 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
USA
[email protected]
www.native-instruments.com
&copy; Native Instruments GmbH, 2007. All rights reserved.
1. Welcome Words
Dear Customer,
Thank you for choosing TRAKTOR 3!
As a legal owner of this software you contribute to the maintenance of the software
and to the creation of future updates.
Since spring 2007 TRAKTOR 3 has a new brother called TRAKTOR Scratch.
Version TRAKTOR 3.3 merges both worlds by connecting the intuitiveness of
turntable controlled playback with the powerful sync and loop tools for which
TRAKTOR is known.
This happens after 8 years of TRAKTOR history, initiated by a group of three
developers in 1999. In these years, the software has grown to a serious project
that covers a large variety of user profiles from dance to hip hop and from bedroom
to main floor.
We wish you a great and successful time when driving TRAKTOR 3!
Friedemann Becker
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 2. System Requirements
For latest system requirements, compatibility and support of the latest operating
systems please see our website at:
http://www.native-instruments.com/traktor3
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 3. Installation
This chapter explains you in an easy step-by-step explanation how to install
TRAKTOR 3 on your computer.
3.1 Start – The Splash Screen
Insert the TRAKTOR 3 CD in the CD-drive of your computer.
► On a PC, double-click on “My Computer” then double-click on the TRAKOR 3
CD Icon to open the content of the CD. Double-Click Traktor_3_Installation_
Menu.
► On a Mac, the TRAKTOR 3 CD icon will be displayed on the desktop. Click on
it to open the content of the CD. Click on Traktor_3_Installation_Menu.
This starts the TRAKTOR 3 Splash Screen that lets you choose between different
possible actions. Follow the forthcoming chapters to make the right decisions
regarding the needed installations for your package and the right order of these
installations.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 3.2 Windows XP Installation
This section describes the installation and the uninstall processes on a Windows
PC.
3.2.1 Installing TRAKTOR 3
► On the Splash Screen, choose Install TRAKTOR 3.
► A dialog opens that welcomes you to the installation of TRAKTOR 3. Click on
Next to proceed.
► In the next window, you are prompted to agree to the license agreement. Click
on I Accept to proceed.
► The next window lets you choose an installation folder. Click Next to proceed
with the default installation folder.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – ► In the next screen you can choose a program group where the TRAKTOR 3 icon
will be added to. You should leave it in the default path and proceed with
Next.
► Now the installation is running. At the end of this process, a dialog asks you
whether you want to see the Welcome.pdf, create a shortcut on the desktop,
start TRAKTOR 3 now and/ or start the NI Service Center Setup. Choose
the options you want, and then click on Finish to finish the installation.
!
Please always refer to
the Readme file on the
installation CD as it contains last
minute information not available
in the printed manual.
3.2.2 Uninstalling TRAKTOR 3
To uninstall TRAKTOR 3 from your computer, use the following steps:
► Open C:\Program Files\Native Instruments\Traktor DJ Studio 3.
► Double-click the Unwise tool to begin un-installation.
► Choose Automatic from the following dialog.
3.2.3 Installing NI SERVICE CENTER
► On the Splash Screen, choose Install NI Service Center.
► A dialog opens that welcomes you to the installation of NI Service Center. Click
on Next to proceed.
► In the next window, you are prompted to agree to the license agreement. Click
on I Accept to proceed.
► The next window lets you choose an installation folder. Click Next to proceed
with the default installation folder.
► On the next screen you can choose a program group where the TRAKTOR
Scratch icon will be added to. You should leave it in the default path and
proceed with Next.
► Now the installation is running. At the end of this process, a dialog asks you
whether you want to start the Service Center now, open the Readme or
create a shortcut on the desktop. Choose the options you want, and then click
on Finish to finish the installation.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 3.3 Mac OS X Installation
This section describes the installation and the uninstall processes on a Macintosh
computer.
3.3.1 Installing TRAKTOR 3
► On the Splash Screen, choose Install TRAKTOR 3.
► The next screen shows the license agreement. Click on Continue to proceed.
► In the next window you can choose an installation destination. Click Continue
to proceed with the default path.
► In the next window you can choose the installation type. Click on Install to
proceed.
► When the installation is finished a new window informs you that you can complete the installation process by clicking on Quit.
!
Please always refer to
the Readme file on the
installation CD as it contains last
minute information not available
in the printed manual.
3.3.2 Uninstalling TRAKTOR 3
To uninstall TRAKTOR 3 from your computer, please delete the following files
manually:
/Applications/Traktor DJ Studio 3/Library/Preferences/com.native-instruments.TraktorDJStudio3.
plist
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 3.3.3 Installing NI SERVICE CENTER
► On the Splash Screen, choose Install NI Service Center.
► The next screen shows the license agreement. Click on Continue to proceed.
► In the next window you can choose an installation destination. Click Continue
to proceed with the default path.
► The next window lets you install the Flash Player that is needed for the
SERVICE CENTER. Click on Install to proceed.
► After the installation, the window closes an you are back to the splash
screen.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 10
4. First Steps with TRAKTOR
This chapter helps you a lot if you are a first time user. It covers the start of the
software, the registration and the audio setup. After this chapter you are able to
dive into the funky features of TRAKTOR!
4.1 Starting the Software
► Mac OS X: Go to “Macintosh HD” &gt; “Applications” &gt; “Traktor DJ Studio 3”
and double-click on the TRAKTOR DJ Studio 3 program icon.
► Windows: Go to “Start” &gt; “All Programs” &gt; “Native Instruments” &gt; “Traktor DJ
Studio 3” and click the TRAKTOR DJ Studio 3 program icon.
4.2 Registration and Product Authorization
A registration and product authorization of TRAKTOR 3 is mandatory. This chapter
guides you through the registration process.
Before continuing further in this manual, you should first install NI Service
Center on your computer. A step-by-step installation guide is provided within
the separate Setup Guide booklet included in your TRAKTOR package. If you did
not install the NI SERVICE CENTER right away from the Splash Screen, you will
find information about how to install the application on your hard drive and a stepby-step introduction to the Service Center application in this Setup Guide.
You can use the Service Center to register and activate your copy of TRAKTOR
via the Internet. The Service Center also includes an Update Manager that helps
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 11
you download the most recent version of TRAKTOR. You should check regularly
for updates to TRAKTOR for best performance and compatibility with other audio
applications.
4.2.1 Demo Mode
When you start TRAKTOR for the first time, you will see the following screen:
► Choose Activate to start the NI Service Center right away. Consult the Setup
Guide for more information about the NI Service Center and activating
TRAKTOR. Note that you have to restart TRAKTOR to change from Demo Mode
into Full Mode.
► Click on Buy to purchase a copy of TRAKTOR in the NI online shop or at a
dealer in your area. Your standard internet browser will be opened and the
Native Instruments website will open.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 12
► Choose Run Demo to run TRAKTOR in Demo Mode. You can see whether you
are in Demo Mode from the Demo Mode graphic in the TRAKTOR Header. Once
you have decided to purchase a product, all you need do is unlock the demo
version by entering a valid serial number – it then instantly becomes the full
version.
The Demo Mode has the following restrictions:
► Audio processing stops after 30 minutes
► Audio recording disabled
► Native Mix Recording disabled
► Fixed broadcasting stream name
4.3 Audio Setup
It is recommended to use TRAKTOR 3 with a multi-channel audio interface so
that you can pre-listen to a track in your headphones before bringing it into the
main mix.
However, you can also use your built-in soundcard and run TRAKTOR 3, but without
the ability to pre-listen (or Cue) tracks.
Multiple audio interfaces are not supported.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 13
4.3.1 Setting up a Multi-Channel Sound Card
►
►
►
►
Click on the Preferences button to open the Preferences window.
In the Preferences menu, double-click on Audio Setup in the tree on the left.
Click on Soundcard.
Click the arrow to drop down the Audio Device menu and select the sound card
you want to use.
► Windows sound cards often come with different types of drivers. TRAKTOR 3
requires a fast response of the audio signal, and you should therefore use the
ASIO drivers that come with your sound card (if available).
► For Mac OS X, simply select the name of your soundcard.
4.3.2 Configuring the Outputs of a Multi-Channel Sound Card
► Open “Preferences” &gt; “Audio Setup” &gt; “Output Routing”
► Make sure Mixer Mode is set to Internal.
Monitor Outputs
The Monitor Outputs are used to pre-listen to a track by headphones. They are
controlled by the PhVol (Phones Volume) and PhMix (Phones Mix) knobs in the
internal mixer of TRAKTOR 3.
► Click the arrow next to Monitor Left (Mono) and choose Output 1 of your sound
card.
► Click the arrow next to Monitor Right and choose Output 2 of your sound
card.
► You can now monitor or pre-listen to tracks through the outputs 1 and 2 of your
sound card.
► Click on Mono, if you want to merge both channels into one channel.
It is useful to assign Outputs 1
and 2 for monitoring, as many
sound cards with headphones
connectors identify them as
Outputs 1 and 2.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 14
Master Outputs
The Master Output is an output pair directed at the audience. It is controlled by the
Channel Faders and the Crossfader in the internal mixer of TRAKTOR 3.
► Click the arrow next to Master Left (Mono) and choose Output 3 of your sound
card.
► Click the arrow next to Master Right and choose Output 4 of your sound
card.
► The Master Outputs of TRAKTOR are now routed through outputs 3 and 4 of
your sound card.
Booth Outputs
The Booth Output is an additional output pair directed to the DJ booth.
In large rooms, the sound can be reflected and delayed, making exact beatmatching
imprecise or impossible at all. Extra booth boxes help you mix tighter.
The Booth Output Volume is controlled by the Booth panel in the Details section. If
you don’t see the Booth panel, read more on page 5.4.4 (Details Section).
► Click the arrow next to Booth Left (Mono) and choose Output 5 of your sound
card.
► Click the arrow next to Booth Right and choose Output 6 of your sound card.
► The Master Outputs of TRAKTOR are now routed through outputs 5 and 6 of
your sound card.
► Click on Mono, if you want to merge both channels into one channel.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 15
Record Outputs
The Record Output is an additional output pair you can use for the recording
function of TRAKTOR 3. It is controlled by the Audio Recorder panel in the Details
section. If you don’t see the Audio Recorder panel, read more on page 5.4.4 (Details
Section).
► Click the arrow next to Record Left (Mono) and choose Output 7 of your sound
card.
► Click the arrow next to Record Right and choose Output 8 of your sound card.
► The Master Outputs of TRAKTOR are now routed through outputs 7 and 8 of
your sound card.
4.3.3 Verifying the Audio Setup
To verify the correct setup of your output channels, play one of the included Demo
Tracks:
► In the Tree Window on the left, double-click on Playlist/ Mixes, then double-click
on Demo Tracks to open the Demo Playlist.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on a Demo Track in the List Window and choose Load Track in
Deck A. This will load the track in Deck A, and the track Waveform will be displayed.
► Click the Play button underneath Deck A. You should hear output from your
speakers.
► If the Waveform does not scroll from right to left after you press the Play button,
your Audio Setup is incorrect - refer to the following paragraph and verify your
built-in sound card settings.
► If the Waveform does scroll from left to right, but you hear no sound on your
built-in speakers, you may have accidentally moved a knob or fader in the
mixer and turned down the volume.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 16
4.4 Test Drive TRAKTOR 3
Now that the sound card is configured and TRAKTOR is up and running, let’s have
a little fun by doing a quick mix. For this, we use the Demo Tracks that come with
TRAKTOR 3.
The Decks are your virtual turntables, and they behave just like any DJ turntable
available on the market. This means that you can not only play back, stop, scroll
forward and backward through your tracks, but you can also change the tempo of
a track. This makes it possible to match the tempo of two titles and then mix from
one to the other just like you would with two turntables and a mixer!
4.4.1 Test Driving on the Included Demo Tracks
We start by loading tracks in Deck A and B and letting them play.
► Click and hold on the first Demo Track in the List Window and drag it into Deck
A. The selected track will load into Deck A and the track Waveform will appear
in the Deck Waveform Display.
► Click and hold on the second Demo Track in the List Window and drag it into
Deck B. The track Waveform will appear in the Waveform display of Deck B.
► Make sure the Crossfader on the mixer is all the way to the left, so that only
the track playing in Deck A will be heard.
► Click the Play button underneath Deck A.
► The track in Deck A will begin playing and the track tempo will be displayed in
the file info section in the upper part of the deck along with other useful information.
► Underneath Deck B, click the Play button. The Demo Track in Deck B will begin
to play, but you won’t hear it in the main mix.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 17
The two tracks will most likely have different tempos and you will need to synchronize
their tempo and beat. You can observe current beat offset in the Phase Meter above
the waveforms of both decks.
► Click the Sync button above Deck B.
► The tempo of the track in Deck B now matches the tempo of Deck A.
► Click, hold and drag the Crossfader slowly to the right.
► You will hear the track from Deck B slowly blend in with the track in Deck A,
eventually becoming the main audible track.
4.4.2 Test Driving on Your own Music
You now have learned enough to make a few mixes with the included tracks.
As you probably already have a collection of music files on your hard drive, you
might want to test drive TRAKTOR 3 with your own music. Nothing is simpler
than that.
► Open a window of the Mac Finder or the Windows Explorer containing the tracks
that you want to play.
► Click and hold one of your tracks and drag it from the external window to the
TRAKTOR 3 window and into Deck A.
► After a short loading time you see the Waveform of your track building up in the
display.
► Click and hold one of your tracks and drag it form the external window to the
TRAKTOR 3 window and into Deck B.
► Play and mix the tracks as you have learned in the previous section.
%
You may not be able to
use the Sync function
with your own tracks as their
tempo has to be analyzed in order
for this function to work properly.
Read more about the import and
the BPM detection of TRAKTOR
3 on page 54 (Beatgrids).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 18
5. User Interface
5.1 Features and Terminology
Before we dive into the wealth of features and options, let’s get an overview about
the most important elements of TRAKTORs interface and where to find the most
basic features!
5.1.1 Application Menu
!
The Application Menu is
not visible in Fullscreen
mode, therefore all File and View
options can be reached directly
from the TRAKTOR graphical user
interface. However, the Help
menu can only be accessed from
the Application Menu.
The Application Menu gives access to basic functions and information about the software.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 19
File
► Preferences: Opens the Preferences window.
► Audio Setup: Opens the Soundcard sub-menu of the Preferences.
► MIDI Setup: Opens the MIDI Interfaces sub-menu of the Preferences.
► Exit: Closes the program. If there is audio on the Master Output playing, you
will have to confirm the closing after a warning message.
View
► Layouts: Choose from 10 different layouts that can be customized, renamed
and saved to your convenience.
► Configure Layouts: Check and uncheck different options and see how the GUI
changes. Find a detailed description on page 5.4.3 (Layouts).
► Fullscreen: Switches to Fullscreen Mode. Read more about Fullscreen Mode in
chapter 5.4.7 (Miscellaneous Display Options).
Help
► Launch Service Center: Opens the NI Service Center, where you can down-
load updates and register your products. Read more about the NI Service
Center in the separate Setup Guide installed in the NI Service Center
program folder.
► Open Manual: Opens the TRAKTOR 3 user manual.
► Visit TRAKTOR 3 on the web: Opens the TRAKTOR 3 website on the Native
Instruments website.
► About TRAKTOR 3: Opens the About window. It contains valuable information
about the software such as the exact version number, the serial number and
the license type as well as the credits. You can close it by clicking on it.
%
You can also open the
About window by clicking on the TRAKTOR 3 logo.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 20
5.1.2 Header
The Header of TRAKTOR 3 is located directly beneath the Application Menu. The elements
contained in the Header give access to basic functions of the application.
TRAKTOR Logo
Clicking on the TRAKTOR 3 Logo opens the About window. It contains valuable
information about the software such as the version number, the serial number and
the license type as well as the credits. You can close it by clicking on it.
%
You can also open the
About window in the
Help section of the Application
Menu.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 21
System Monitor
In the middle of the Header you’ll see several displays that give you valuable
information about the status of your system:
► MIDI: This displays the status of the connected device (green: a midi device is
connected and working; grey: no device is connected or a device is not working
properly).
► AUDIO: This displays the status of your sound card. A green LED means, the
selected sound card is connected, a red LED means, the selected sound card
is not connected.
► CPU: Indicates how much of the CPU-Capacity is available in TRAKTORs internal audio engine. It gives you information about how stressed your system
is, and how much headroom you have until you reach the capacity limit. If the
bar is fully lit, you most likely will experience audio dropouts.
► Master: Displays the Master Output Level.
► Bat: Gives you quick information about how much power your battery has left;
useful if you’re working in Fullscreen Mode.
► Rec: If you are recording it turns green. If the input is clipping it turns red.
Reduce the recording gain if the input is clipping.
Clock
This displays the time depending on your computers time; useful if you are working
in Fullscreen Mode.
Layout Selector
This drop-down menu is used to switch between different screen L ayouts in
TRAKTOR 3. Read more about L ayouts in chapter 5.4.3 (Layouts).
Preferences Button
This button opens the Preferences dialog, which allows you to configure TRAKTOR
3 to your personal needs. Read more in chapter 19 (Preferences).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 22
Tooltips/ Console
This button toggles the Tooltips/ Console window on and off.
In Tooltip Mode it displays information about a particular feature and is especially
useful for the new user. Hover your mouse arrow over any control feature of the
TRAKTOR interface to get information about a feature. In Console Mode it displays
software status information. Different to the other panels, you can open and close
the Tooltips individually via the Tooltip button in the Header. Click on the small
C in the upper right corner of the Tooltip panel to switch between Tooltips and
Console Mode.
Fullscreen Button
Use this button to switch to Fullscreen Mode. Read more about how to configure
Fullscreen Mode in chapter 5.4.7 (Miscellaneous Display Options).
NI Logo
Clicking on the NI Logo opens the About window, like clicking on the TRAKTOR
logo.
5.1.3 Details Section
The Details Section is the part directly underneath the Header.
This window is fully customizable and used to display the messages window as well
as many different Panels controlling TRAKTOR 3.
Find a detailed explanation of all D etails Panels in chapter 5.4.4 (Details
Section).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 23
5.1.4 Decks
The Decks have a header showing File Info, Phase Meter, Pitch Bend Buttons, Master, Slave
and Sync Buttons, a detailed waveform, a graphical track overview (Stripe) and a few playback
control buttons underneath. They are referred to as Deck A and C for the left decks and Deck
B and D for the right decks.
Read a detailed explanation of all Deck features in chapter 9 (Controlling the
Decks).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 24
5.1.5 Browser
The Track Browser of TRAKTOR 3
On the left you see the Browser Tree Window, which contains – top down – the
Search Window and the Undo Buttons, the Preview Player, the Browser Tree and the
Browser Buttons as well as the Status Bar and the Progress Bar.
On the right you see the List Window with the customizable Browser Columns and
the Favorites.
All detailed information about the Browser can be found in chapter 6 (Using the
Track Browser).
5.2 Knob and Fader Control
Although each knob and slider in TRAKTOR has its own unique purpose, their
behavior is generally the same. You can control each knob or slider with your mouse
or by using a MIDI controller or keyboard shortcuts – called Hotkeys, explained later
in chapter 14 (MIDI and Hotkeys).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 25
5.2.1 Knob and Fader Control
All knobs and faders in TRAKTOR are either controlled by dragging the mouse, by
using the mouse wheel or by clicking the small Plus and Minus buttons next to the
knob. Dragging the mouse is a good way to make dynamic changes, whereas the
Plus and Minus buttons allow more subtle changes and are better suited to set a
knob to a specific value. Using the scroll wheel can be used for very fine adjustments
or for changing the parameter by steps.
5.2.2 Basic Control
Mouse Drag
► Hold your mouse arrow over a knob, then click, hold and drag the mouse up or
down. This will move to the knob clockwise or counter-clockwise.
► Click, hold and drag a knob horizontally. The knob will adjust within a finer
range.
► Double-Click on the knob to return it to its default setting.
5.2.3 Advanced Control
Besides the standard mouse click functions explained above, TRAKTOR 3 offers
advanced functions utilizing Plus and Minus buttons, the mouse wheel and the
right mouse button. If you have a track pad or mouse without a second button, you
can utilize these functions by pressing and holding the Ctrl key of your computer
keyboard while clicking.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 26
Plus and Minus Buttons and Mouse Wheel
► Each click on the Plus (+) button next to a knob moves the value of the knob
incrementally up.
► Each click on the Minus (-) button next to a knob moves the value of the knob
incrementally down.
► Turning the mouse wheel will adjust the parameter by one increment for each
step of the wheel.
Sensitivities
TRAKTOR 3 offers five sensitivities for the incremental control of parameters:
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on the Plus button to open a menu of five sensitivity options:
min, fine, default, coarse, switch.
► Select one of the options.
► Click the Plus and Minus buttons or use the mouse wheel to see how the behavior of the knob has changed.
► The small bar of dots below the knob – only visible, when you hover over the
control – change accordingly.
► One single dot remains if you have chosen min, the full bar of 9 dots appears,
if you have chosen switch.
Right-/ Ctrl-Click Functions
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click + hold and drag a knob. A Ghost Pointer will appear in red,
although the knob itself will not move.
► Keep holding the right mouse button, then left-click and hold. This will bring
the knob to the value of the Ghost Pointer.
► Keep holding the right mouse button and let go the left mouse button. The
knob will return to its last position and the red Ghost Pointer remains visible.
► If you want the knob to stay at the value of the Ghost Pointer, simply release
the right mouse button after the knob has reached the value of the Ghost
Pointer. The red Ghost Pointer will disappear, and you can depress the left
mouse button as well.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 27
5.3 Mouse Modes
The mouse can be used to Cue, Play and Pause a track. There are 3 available Mouse
Control Modes: Snap, CD and Vinyl. You can switch between Mouse Modes by pushing
the respective button in the Mode Details Panel. If you can’t find the Mode panel,
refer to the L ayout chapter for learning how to insert the Mode panel into one of
your Detail views.
If you intend to often switch between Mouse Modes, make sure that the Mode panel
is included on each of your Details pages. If you intend to use only one Mouse Mode
you can remove the Mode panel from all your Details pages.
5.3.1 Snap Mode (Waveform)
In this mode the mouse pointer will snap to either Beats, Cue Points or Beatgrid
lines.
► Hold your mouse pointer over the Waveform. Red Snap points appear at each
Beat and Cue Point.
► Click and hold. This snaps the cursor to the nearest Beat and plays the track
as long as you hold the button. This is the same as Cue / Pause.
► Release the button to return to the last Cue Point.
► To avoid returning, press the right mouse button before releasing the left one
to switch to permanent playback.
► Clicking on the Waveform with right-/ ctrl-click cues the song to the target but
starts playback only when you release the mouse button.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 28
5.3.2 Snap Mode (Stripe)
► Select Snap from the Mode Details Panel.
► Hold your mouse pointer over the Stripe Waveform.
► When moving the mouse back and forth, small, red Snap points will appear
along the Stripe Waveform.
► Click to move the cursor to the Snap point in the Stripe Waveform.
5.3.3 CD Mode (Waveform)
This triggers a stutter loop known from pitchable CD-players while clicking and
holding the Waveform.
► Click and hold on the Waveform.
► The Deck will play a short, consistent loop as long as you hold the mouse button.
► While holding the button pressed you can adjust the position of the loop by
horizontally dragging the Waveform.
► To set a Cue Point right before a Beat, move the loop as close as you can towards the beat coming from the right side until you hear the very first millisecond of the beat entering the loop. Release the left mouse button and the track
will pause exactly before the beat.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click and hold the Waveform, then release the mouse button to start
playback.
5.3.4 CD Mode/ Vinyl Mode (Stripe)
► Select either CD or Vinyl from the Mode module.
► Click and hold anywhere on the Stripe Waveform.
► Move the mouse backward or forward. This will navigate through the Stripe
Waveform similar to moving a slider.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 29
5.3.5 Vinyl Mode
In this mode the Waveform can be manipulated like a vinyl record and the mouse
pointer won’t snap to beats in the Waveform.
► Click and hold the track Waveform. This is like putting your hand on a vinyl
record to pause playback.
► While holding the mouse button, move the mouse backward and forward. This
moves the Waveform similar to scratching a vinyl record.
► Release the mouse button. The track will begin playing from the point at which
you release it.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on the Waveform to start and stop playback.
5.4 Adjusting the Look of TRAKTOR
Whether you would like to take advantage of advanced features or simply wish to
perform basic mixing, the TRAKTOR interface can be adjusted for your specific
needs.
5.4.1 Scalability
The TRAKTOR interface can be scaled to the size of your liking:
► Click + hold and drag the bottom-right corner of the TRAKTOR window. This
will expand and/ or contract the TRAKTOR interface while simultaneously resizing all TRAKTOR sections.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 30
5.4.2 Waveform Zoom
Each Deck offers the ability to zoom in or out on a track Waveform. Zooming in on
a Waveform can be helpful in finding a more accurate Cue Point. Zooming out will
give you a broader view of the Waveform.
► Click the Plus (+) sign button in the upper corner of the main Deck Waveform
display. This zooms in on the track Waveform.
► Now click the Equal (=) sign. This zooms to TRAKTORs default view of the track
Waveform.
► Now click the Minus (-) sign. This zooms out, giving a broader view of the track
Waveform.
%
Waveform Zoom can also
be performed with the
scroll wheel of your mouse. Hold
the mouse over the Waveform and
scroll up or down to zoom in or
out.
5.4.3 Layouts
A Layout is the way in which you have the TRAKTOR interface configured. Customize
your L ayouts to create a working environment for specific tasks that fits your needs
or use one of the 10 different sample L ayouts that are already preconfigured.
Switching between Layouts
► Click on the L ayout Selector for opening the drop-down menu showing the
available L ayouts.
► Select one of the available L ayouts and observe the changes in the interface.
► The 10 L ayouts are optimized for typical situations.
Customizing a Layout
► Switch to the L ayout that you intend to customize.
► Unlock the selected L ayout by opening the drop-down menu a second time and
un-checking the option Lock current Layout of the bottom of the list.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click anywhere on the TRAKTOR Header to open a menu that shows
the currently visible sections in the active L ayout.
► Visible sections are checked, invisible sections are un-checked.
%
You can always minimize
or maximize the Decks
by double-clicking on the Header
of one of the Decks (where the
letters A and B are located).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 31
► Proceed to customize your L ayout by checking and un-checking the different
sections.
► When you are done, right-click on the L ayout box and check the option Lock
current Layout.
The available options are:
► Show Details: Opens and closes the Details section. Useful if you are working
with four decks and have not much space on your screen left, e.g. for the
browser.
► Show Messages: Opens and closes the Tooltips/ Console box. Keep it open when
you’re a TRAKTOR 3 newbie, close it if you’re already familiar with TRAKTOR
3 and use the spare place for another panel.
► Show Browser: Opens and closes the TRAKTOR 3 browser. If you manage your
tracks outside the TRAKTOR 3 browser, e.g. in iTunes, you might want to close
the TRAKTOR 3 browser.
► Show Progressbar: Opens and closes the analyzation Progress Bar in the lower left corner.
► Show Favorites: Opens and closes the Favorites playlists.
► Show Browser Button Controls: Shows and hides buttons for several playlist
and track related functions. Find a detailed description of the Browser Buttons
in chapter 6.3.4 (Browser Buttons).
► Minimize/ Maximize Deck A &amp; B: As well as a double-click on the deck headline
this option minimizes and maximizes the view of your deck, removing the Stripe
and leaving more room for the browser.
► Minimize/ Maximize Deck C &amp; D: As well as a double-click on the deck headline
this option minimizes and maximizes the view of your deck, removing the Stripe
and leaving more room for the browser.
► Hide and Mute Deck C &amp; D: If you only use 2 decks, especially because you
have a low-end computer, check this option to save memory.
► Show Pitch Fader: Turns the Pitch Fader on and off.
%
All these options can be
reached from the
Application Menu as well.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 32
► Show Mixer FX Controls: Shows and hides a selection of effect knobs and but►
►
►
►
tons for the channel effects. Learn more about the Channel Effects in chapter
12 (Effects).
Show Mixer EQ Controls: Shows and hides the EQ controls. Choose from 4
different EQ emulations. Learn more about the EQ controls in chapter 11.1.1
(EQing the Mix).
Show Mixer Channel Controls: Shows and hides the typical channel controls
like the Channel Fader, Cue button and Gain control.
Show Mixer Master Controls: Shows and hides the Master C ontrols like
Crossfader, the PhMix and PhVol knobs as well as controls for the Master
Effect.
Lock Current Layout: Locks and unlocks the current L ayout to make changes
permanent.
Changing the Name of a Layout
► Double-Click inside the L ayout box.
► A cursor appears allowing you to edit the current name.
► Enter a new name for the L ayout.
► Confirm with the Enter key of your computer keyboard.
5.4.4 Details Section
The Details Section has four individual pages. TRAKTOR is preconfigured for screens
having a width of 1024 pixels. On many current screens the Details Section will
therefore be only partly filled.
As for the L ayouts, the panels loaded into the 4 available Details pages are an
example of how you can configure the interface. After spending some time with
TRAKTOR, you will want to change the pre-selected panels to fit your personal
needs and your style of DJing. Here is the description of how to customize the
Details Section:
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 33
Arranging, Deleting and Inserting Panels from the Details Section
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on a panel in the Details section. This will drop down a selection menu.
► Choose Close this Panel to remove the panel from the current Details page.
► Choose Make First to move the panel all the way to the left-most side of the
Details section.
► Choose Make Last to move the panel all the way to the right-most side of the
Details section.
► Choose Move Left to move the panel to the left.
► Choose Move Right to move the panel to the right.
► Choose one of the available panels to insert the panel to the right of the other
panels into the page.
Available Panels
► Page: Select here one of the four Details Pages.
► Mode: Select here the Mouse Mode for the Waveform navigation.
► Decks: Here you can focus any of the Decks and change the Crossfader assignment.
► Cue Edit: Set, save and rename Cue Points, delete them or navigate between
them.
► Cue List: Direct access to the first six Cue Points of a track for easier navigation.
► BeatJump: Performs BeatJumps forward and backward depending on the jump
size.
► BPM: Tempo adjustment functions like setting a Beatmarker and establishing
►
►
►
►
a Beatgrid.
Channel: Channel related functions and channel input selection.
Master: Master audio section for controlling main mixer functions
Loop Set: Sets Loops either manually or with beat accurate length.
Loop Slct: Handles navigation between Loops.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 34
► Loop Move: Moves the current Loop forward and backward depending on a
chosen step-size.
► Loop Start: Resizes the current Loop by moving the Loop Start Point depending
on the step-size.
► Loop End: Resizes the current Loop by moving the Loop End Point depending
on the step-size.
► Track Info: Contains customizable displays for the track infos. Read more about
the Track Info in chapter 5.4.5 (Deck Info).
► Audio Recorder: Record audio from the internal mix, microphone or external
mixer sum.
► Native Mix Recorder: Plays back and records Native Mix Files.
► Clock: Contains all controls for the Master Clock.
► Key: Contains controls for changing the Key of your tracks and performing time
stretching.
► Channel Effect: Switch between TRAKTORs Channel Effects and adjust
them.
► Master Effect: Switch between TRAKTORs Master Effects and adjust them.
► Tracking: Find here SCRATCH related information, like the calibration status
and the assignment of the decks. Click on the circle to switch from Scope to
Sticker View.
► Booth: Contains controls for a monitor speaker system.
Separators/ Growing Separators
Separators are a visual help to organize panels into groups. To insert a Separator,
do the following:
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on the panel to the right of the desired Separator position.
► Select Separator from the context menu
► To remove a Separator right-/ ctrl-click on it and choose Close this panel.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 35
Growing Separators are helpful to build your details view symmetrical and equally
spaced. The Growing Separators are especially useful if you’re assigning panels to
Deck A and B – this way you can e.g. adjust the panels for Deck A on the left side
and for Deck B on the right side.
To insert a Growing Separator, do the following:
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on the panel to the right of the desired Growing Separator
position.
► Select Growing Separator from the context menu
► To remove a Growing Separator right-/ ctrl-click on it and choose Close this
panel.
%
The width of a Growing
Separator depends on
the number of panels you made
visible in the Details section.
Linking the selection of the Details pages to Layouts
Locked L ayouts recall the Details page they have been used with. If you prefer to
switch L ayouts and Details pages independently, unlock your L ayouts. When using
unlocked L ayouts the Details page will remain unchanged while you switch from
one L ayout to the other.
5.4.5 Deck Info Options
► Open “Preferences” &gt; “Appearance” &gt; “Deck Info Options”.
► In this Preference menu you can choose the information you want to have
displayed in the Deck Heading.
► There are two rows with three columns each available, or in other words, you
have six fields you can customize to your liking.
Click on the downwards pointing arrow to choose between one of the 19 available
fields:
► Title: Displays the tracks’ title.
► Artist: Displays the tracks’ artist name.
► Release: Displays the tracks’ album name.
► Mix: Displays the remix name.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 36
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
Label: Displays the Label name where the track was released.
Cat. No.: Displays the Beatport catalogue number.
Genre: Displays the musical genre.
Total Time: Displays the whole track time in minutes and seconds.
Bitrate: Displays the bitrate of a track in kbps.
Track BPM: Displays the original BPM of a track.
Gain: Displays the Gain of a track depending on the value chosen with the Gain
knob.
Elapsed Time: Displays the already expired track time in minutes and seconds.
Remaining Time: Displays the remaining track time in minutes and seconds.
Beats: Counts the beats beginning with 1.1 at the origin of the Beatmarker.
Beats to Cue: Displays the beats remaining until the end of the track.
BPM: Displays the actual BPM depending on the current pitch.
Tempo: Displays the actual tempo of the track in percent depending on the
actual pitch.
Key: Displays the actual Key of a track depending of the value chosen in the
Key panel.
Off: Turns the respective Deck Info Field off.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 37
5.4.6 Wave Display Options
The Waveform of a track can be customized in the following section of the
preferences: Open &quot;Preferences&quot; &gt; &quot;Appearance&quot; &gt; &quot;Wave Display Options&quot;.
Highlight Beatmarkers
With this option checked, the small white lines on every beat get highlighted.
► Load a track in Deck A.
► Move the Preferences window beneath the Deck.
► Check the option Highlight Beatmarkers.
► Click on Apply.
► Observe that the white, vertical lines on every beat are now brighter than before.
Show Minute-Markers
With this option checked, every minute will be marked with a small, vertical, white
line in the overall waveform (Stripe), giving you a visual hint of how long your track
will go on.
► Load a track in Deck A.
► Move the Preferences window beneath the Deck.
► Check the option Show Minute-Markers.
► Click on Apply.
► Observe that the white, vertical lines every minute of the track in the overall
waveform (Stripe).
Channels
This option changes the appearance of the waveform.
► Load a track into a Deck.
► Move the Preferences window beneath the Deck.
► Beats uses a single color to display the beats of the track.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 38
► Beats and Highs uses two color shades to display beats and highs. The lighter,
semi-transparent shade represents the highs, the solid color the beats.
► Beats and Envelope displays the beats and their envelopes to give a better impression of the rhythmic structure of a track.
► Press Apply to preview the change.
Colors
It is possible to select a color scheme for the Waveforms that fits your personal taste
and working environment. When using TRAKTOR in daylight or with reflections
on the screen it makes sense to use the highest contrast between Waveform and
background, whereas it might be easier for the eyes if you use a more subdued
color variation if you are working in a dark DJ booth or at home.
► Load a track into a Deck.
► Move the Preferences window beneath the Deck.
► Choose Yellow, Blue or Brown as color.
► Press Apply to preview the change.
Track End Warning Time
By setting a Track End Warning Time, TRAKTOR will flash the Waveform Stripe up
to 60 seconds before a Deck stops playing. This is very helpful preventing a track
running out unnoticed.
► Open Preferences &gt; Wave Display Options.
► Set the desired amount of seconds by moving the slider next to Track End
Warning Time.
► Click Apply to apply the changes.
Stripe View
This is a TRAKTOR Scratch Preference, explained in chapter 18.2 (TRAKTOR
Scratch Preferences).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 39
Play Marker Position
This slider adjusts the position of the vertical, red line called Playmarker. This is
where your track starts to play from.
► Load a track into a Deck.
► Move the Preferences window beneath the Deck.
► Move the slider to a different value.
► Click Apply to preview the result.
Show Phase Meter
With the option Show Phase Meter unchecked, the Phase Meter will not be visible.
If you check this option you will see the Phase Meter appear above the Waveform.
5.4.7 Miscellaneous Display Options
Other adjustable settings of TRAKTORs appearance can be found in &quot;Preferences&quot;
&gt; &quot;Appearance&quot; &gt; &quot;Miscellaneous&quot;.
Fullscreen Mode
You can use the scale method to stretch TRAKTOR to fit your whole screen or you
can use Fullscreen mode. The advantage of using Fullscreen mode is that nothing
on your computer screen will be visible (or controllable) other than the TRAKTOR
interface. For instance: If using a Mac, the dock will not be visible. If using Windows,
the taskbar and start menu will not be visible.
► Click the Fullscreen button located at the top of the TRAKTOR interface to enter
and exit Fullscreen mode. This will fill your entire screen with the TRAKTOR interface.
%
This looks great if you’re
performing live!
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 40
► If your screen resolution is higher than 1024x768, the controls of TRAKTOR
may seem too small for you. In this case you can select 1024x768 in the
TRAKTOR Preferences menu. With this selected, Fullscreen mode will fill your
screen with the TRAKTOR interface at 1024x768 resolution, making the controls larger and more visible.
► On the same Preferences page you can also set Fullscreen mode to default by
selecting the option Switch to Fullscreen on Startup.
Show value when over control
With this option checked, hovering with your mouse over a control displays the
current value, if it’s not checked you can only see the name of the button, e.g.
Amt for amount.
► Check the option Show value when over control.
► Click on Apply.
► Hover over control buttons like the effect knobs and see the difference.
Font Size
You can customize the Font Size used in the Browser Tree and the List Window.
► Open “Preferences” &gt; “Appearance” &gt; “Miscellaneous”.
► Click on Font Size to choose between the font sizes from Small to Huge.
► Click Apply to preview the change.
► Finally click OK to close the Preferences menu.
Hide Beatport
With this option checked, all Beatport related things are taken away from the GUI.
This means the Beatport Find More button as well as the Beatport shop.
► Check the option Hide Beatport.
► Click on Apply.
► Look at the List Window of the track browser to see the difference.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 41
Reset hidden dialogs
Whenever a dialog in TRAKTOR opens, e.g. if you try to delete a track, you can
put a checkmark in the field Do not show again. If you do so you won’t see this
dialog again.
► Use the option Reset hidden dialogs whenever you want to reset this, so that all
security dialogs show up again.
5.4.8 Customizing the List Window of the Browser
The content of the List Window can be sorted by any of the visible columns. Click
on a header to invert the sorting sequence of the column.
You can hide and show 27 attributes of a track:
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on a headline of the List Window.
► Check an attribute that you would like to have represented as column in the
List Window.
► Uncheck those attributes that you want to hide.
► Repeat this action until you have configured the headlines you want to be visible.
► To change the size of a column, drag the line next to it.
► To change the relative position of a column, click + hold and drag it horizontally.
► Observe the red line indicating where the column will be inserted when releasing the mouse button.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 42
6. Using the Track Browser
Whether you are at home, in the studio or DJing at a live gig, the Track Browser
is designed to help manage your songs, giving you the easiest, quickest access to
your songs, Playlists and Favorites.
6.1 Preparing the Set
6.1.1 Compatible Music File Formats
TRAKTOR supports the following music file formats:
► MP3
► AAC (M4A)
► WAV
► AIFF
► WMA
► FLAC
► OGG Vorbis
Find more information about the supported music file formats, especially about
the TRAKTOR support of ID3 tags on the following website:
http://www.native-instruments.com/traktor3filetype
Read more about ID3-tags in chapter 6.3.3 (Writing Track Properties into Music
Files - ID3 Tags).
$
You have to ins t all
Quicktime or iTunes to
be able to use A AC files in
TRAKTOR.
$
You have to ins t all
Windows Media Player
to be able to use WMA files in
TRAKTOR.
$
Music files that are
DRM-protected cannot
be played back in TRAKTOR. This
affects e.g. AAC-tracks bought in
the iTunes store.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 43
6.1.2 Importing your Tracks
Managing your tracks in the TRAKTOR Collection represents a huge advantage
compared to simply organizing your tracks in folders. The Track C ollection is a
file that categorizes and provides references to the music files on your computer,
making them easily accessible through various browser features. Importing a track
into your Collection does not actually copy the music file - instead it adds the file
to the Track Collection list making it easily manageable and searchable. Each row
in your Collection references a track on your hard drive and contains information
about the track such as its location (File Path) on your computer and standard ID3
tag properties such as Artist, Title, Album, etc. However, the TRAKTOR Collection
allows for even more specific information such as BPM (beats per minute), original
song Key, personal Rating and more.
If you have organized your music in a set of special folders like “My Music”, it
is advisable to reveal these directories to TRAKTOR. Hereafter you can use the
function Import Music Folders to synchronize TRAKTOR with recently added tracks
or with a changed folder structure within this set of folders.
Specify your Music Folders
► Open “Preferences” &gt; “Browser Preferences” &gt; “Data Location”.
► Click Add on the bottom of the right window.
► Browse to your Music Folders.
► Confirm with OK.
► Repeat to add all of your Music Folders.
!
Subfolders are automatically included in the
scan. You don’t need to add subfolders to this list.
Import your Music Folders
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on the Collection icon in the Browser Tree.
► Choose Import Music Folders from the menu.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 44
TRAKTOR offers other alternative methods to import single tracks or a special folder
that is not part of your conventional Music Folder structure:
► Drag and drop a track or a folder from your Mac Finder or Windows Explorer
onto the Collection icon in the TRAKTOR Browser Tree.
► Drag and drop a track or a folder from the tree structure below the TRAKTOR
Explorer icon representing all drives connected to your computer onto the
Collection icon.
► In the same manner you can right-/ ctrl-click on a subfolder of the TRAKTOR
Explorer icon or on a track listed in the window on the right side and choose
Add to Collection from the menu.
► Any track that is played in a Deck or added to the Current Playlist is also
added to the Collection.
Collection Structure
Within the Collection, the tracks are detached from their physical location on the
hard drive and can be represented in several independent and overlapping ways.
► Underneath the Collection icon, you can see the tracks grouped by Artists,
Releases, L abels or Genres. A number indicates the current number of tracks
within this category.
► A track can be contemporarily listed in several Playlists. Playlists represent a
personalized sorting method often related to the circumstances for playing
these particular tracks. They can be seen as your virtual record crates.
► Search results are a further way of displaying your Collection. Read more about
the Search function in chapter 6.2 (Searching for tracks).
► Finally in the List Window on the right, tracks can be sorted by various criteria,
such as BPM, Release Dates or Ratings, giving an additional value to search
results.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 45
6.1.3 Data Location
As you will learn, TRAKTOR has functions that create and reference certain file
types. These file types are stored in their own default directories. However, you can
change the directory paths by using the Data Location Preferences menu.
► Open “Preferences” &gt; “Browser Preferences” &gt; “Data Location”.
You can change the directory path for the following file types by clicking on the
button with the exclamation mark (!) after the current path:
► Collection: the file path TRAKTOR follows for loading and storing Collection
information.
► Playlists: the file path TRAKTOR follows for Playlists. Read more about
Playlists in chapter 6.4 (Working with the Collection and Playlists).
► Recordings: the file path in which TRAKTOR stores the recordings you make in
audio format.
► iTunes: the file path to your iTunes library (this path has to be identical with the
settings in your iTunes).
► Beatport: the file path in which TRAKTOR physically stores all songs downloaded from Beatport through the TRAKTOR interface.
► Music: Here you can specify the location of folders and hard drives to be
scanned for supported music files during the Music Folders Import.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 46
6.1.4 Analysis
The analysis scans the entire track and returns the following information:
► BPM Estimate: The BPM Estimate is more or less accurate according to the type
of music. Read more about verifying the BPM Estimate and about how to create
a Beatgrid in chapter 9.5 (Beatgrids).
► Gain Value: each track has a perceived loudness, based on its musical properties of the track and on the involved mastering techniques. The Gain Value
established during the analysis is a very accurate estimation of the optimal
setting of the channel Gain knob to match the loudness of a track to 0dB. To
use this gain estimation when loading a track into a Deck, enable the Auto Gain
function, available in the Master Details panel.
► Stripe: The small representation of the Waveform underneath the wave display
is created by the analysis process. If the Stripe of a track is missing it has most
likely not yet been analyzed.
Auto Analysis
► Open “Preferences” &gt; “Browser Preferences” &gt; “Collection Preferences” for
options on automatic track analyzation.
► Read more about the A nalyze options in chapter 19.3.2 (Collection
Preferences).
6.2 Searching for tracks
One of the quickest ways to find a specific track is to use the Search function.
Rather than browsing through folders, you can type a key word into the Search field
and let TRAKTOR search your Collection.
%
To make use of the
Search function, the
tracks need to be imported into
the Collection.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 47
6.2.1 Simple Search
► Click in the Search field.
► Type anything related to the track you are searching for in the Search field such
as Track Name, Artist Name, Album Name, etc. Hit the Enter key on your
computer keyboard. TRAKTOR will search your entire Collection and display
all matching files in the List Window.
► Entering more than one word will return the tracks containing all these
words.
6.2.2 Refine
A search completed with the Enter key of your keyboard searches the whole
C ollection. You can refine a search to a specific subset of the C ollection by
completing the search with the selection of one category in the Refine menu.
► Type a word into the Search field.
► Click the Refine button behind the Search field and choose a field from the
drop-down menu.
The available options reflect the relevant Browser Columns.
► Playlist: Searches within the currently displayed Playlist only. This option can
also be used for refining a search by searching only within a search result.
► All: Searches the whole Collection.
► Artists: Tries to match the search string with the Artist fields only.
► Same for Title, Genre, etc.
%
A search for BPM gives
back tracks with similar
values, which means a range of +/2.5 BPM of the entered value.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 48
6.2.3 Search Operators
These are the available operators for advanced searches:
► &amp; (and)
► | (or)
► = (equal; if you search for attributes with decimal values the operator range is
used automatically also)
► &lt;&gt; (unequal)
► &gt; (greater than)
► &lt; (less than)
► ~ ( a range of +/- 2,5)
► “...” (phrases, use this for an exact search phrase)
Example:
The following search
$TITLE=Chicken &amp; $TITLE &lt;&gt; Dance &amp; $GENRE=Breakbeat &amp; $ARTIST &lt;&gt; “ChickenLips” |
$ARTIST=Vee
translates to:
► Show me all tracks that contain “Chicken” in the title
► Don’t include tracks that contain “Dance” in the title as well
► These tracks must have a genre of “Breakbeat”
► The artist must NOT be “Chicken Lips” or contain “Vee”
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 49
6.2.4 Magnifying Glass
In the List Window, you will notice a small Magnifying Glass in many of the track
property fields. This is used to search tracks in your collection with the same entry
in that field.
► In the List Window, click the Magnifying Glass next to an Artist Name.
► TRAKTOR will search your entire collection for tracks of the same Artist.
6.2.5 Beatport “Find More” Button
In the List Window, you will notice a small downwards pointing arrow in many of
the track property fields. This is the Find More button, used to search tracks within
the Beatport store that have the same entry in that field. Read more about the Find
More button in chapter 8.2 (Beatport “Find More” Button).
%
Clicking the Magnifying
Glass next to a BPM
value gives back tracks with similar BPM values, which means a
range of +/- 2.5 BPM.
6.2.6 Search History
During a TRAKTOR session, the Search function recalls each search expression you
have searched for in a temporary list.
► Type in a few search expressions and confirm with the Enter key of your computer keyboard.
► Repeat this a few times.
► Click the small downwards-pointing arrow left to the Search Field to see the list
of your search expressions.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 50
6.2.7 Track Icons
It is especially important to keep an overview of your set with one look when you
are performing in front of an audience.
The Icon column gives valuable information about the history of a track and can
be sorted to align the tracks in their historical sequence. Here is a list of each Icon
and its meaning.
► A Diamond shows that the track is listed in the Current Playlist but hasn’t been
played yet. This is modeled after the common habit of vinyl DJs who place the
records they want to play in the near future at a 45 degree angle in their
crate.
► The letters A, B, C and B identify the tracks currently loaded into the Decks.
► A Check Mark means that the track had been played in one of the two Decks.
► An Exclamation Mark identifies tracks not found at the files’ previous location.
A reason for this could be that a storage medium is unavailable, the location
of the track has been changed or the track has been renamed.
► The right-pointing Arrow indicates that this is the next track in the current
playlist.
Sorting by this column orders the tracks as follows:
► Already played tracks on top.
► Currently playing tracks in the center.
► Queued tracks waiting in the Current Playlist to be played underneath.
► Non queued tracks below.
► Missing tracks at the bottom.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 51
6.2.8 Consistency Check Report
The Consistency Check Report provides an overview of the current state of your Track
Collection, providing options to help you in managing it.
► In the Tree Window, right-/ ctrl-click on the Track Collection and select Check
Consistency from the menu.
► Once TRAKTOR has checked consistency, the Consistency Check Report will
appear showing the totals of its findings.
Show Overview/ Missing Tracks/ Tracks to Analyze
The Consistency Check Report gives you information about the following:
► Total Tracks: The total number of tracks in your Collection.
► Tracks Missing: The total number of tracks that have been deleted from your
hard drive or moved from their original location.
► Tracks Not Analyzed: The total number of tracks that have not been analyzed.
► Tracks Missing Stripe: The total number of tracks that have been imported and
analyzed but their Overview Waveform (Stripe) has been moved or deleted.
► Total Tracks To Analyze: The total sum of Tracks Missing Stripe and Tracks Not
Analyzed. This is the total amount of tracks you need to analyze.
Relocate Missing Tracks
The Consistency Check Report allows you also to relocate the references to tracks
that are missing from your Collection.
► Click the Reloc. Missing Tracks button.
► A standard operating system dialog window will appear.
► Use this to browse your hard drive for the folder in which your missing tracks
were moved.
► To find multiple tracks in different folders, choose the top level folder in which
they are stored. You can even choose your main hard drive folder.
!
Relocating tracks in a
folder that contains
many subfolders can be a lengthy
process. Don’t hesitate to interrupt relocation - this will not damage your Collection consistency.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 52
Remove Missing Tracks
► If you no longer want these missing tracks to be referenced in your Collection,
delete their references by clicking the Rem. Missing Tracks button.
Analyze Tracks
► If you have tracks in the Collection not analyzed yet, you can analyze these
now by clicking on the Analyze Tracks button. Read more about TRAKTORs
Analyzation in chapter 19.3.2 (Collection Preferences).
Show Consistency Check on Startup
The Consistency Check Report can be set to display each time you open TRAKTOR.
Please be aware that this function could be unpractical if you are using TRAKTOR
whilst performing live and you want keep the startup time to a minimum.
► Go to “Preferences” &gt; “Browser Preferences” &gt; “Collection Preferences”.
► Put a check in the box labeled Show Consistency Check Report on Startup and
choose OK.
► The Consistency Check Report will now open each time you start TRAKTOR.
6.3 Editing tracks
Whether you are performing live or working in the studio, TRAKTOR gives you the
tools to keep your Track Collection completely organized.
Each track in your Collection has track properties (“tags”) such as Song Title, Artist
Name, Album Name, etc. TRAKTOR allows you to edit and add Track Properties with
two methods.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 53
6.3.1 Editing Track Properties via Inline Editing
►
►
►
►
►
►
In the List Window, click on a track to highlight the track.
Click again in the field you want to edit, e.g. the Artist Name.
A cursor will be placed inside the property field.
Edit the Artist Name.
Click once in another property field to edit its contents.
Hit the Enter key on your keyboard to exit Inline Editing mode.
%
Alternatively, you can
triple-click on a tracks’
property to place the cursor directly inside the property field.
Press the Enter key of your keyboard to leave Inline Editing
Mode.
6.3.2 Editing Track Properties via the Edit Dialog
Not all properties of a track are visible in the List Window. To get access to all
available properties of a track, use the Edit Dialog. This dialog also allows to
contemporarily editing a selection of tracks, as described in the next section.
Edit Dialog
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 54
Editing a Single Track
► Select a track in the List Window by clicking it.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on the selected track and choose Edit from the pop-up menu
or use the respective Browser Button.
► The List Window turns into the track Edit Dialog.
► Edit the desired information for your track.
► Use the drop-down menu next to a track property to select a property already
stored in your Track Collection.
► At the bottom of the dialog you find a button called Restore to undo any
changes you have made. To apply the changes, click the button labeled Apply
or use the respective Browser Button.
► When you are done either confirm with OK or abort by pressing Cancel. Of
course you can use the respective Browser Buttons here as well.
Editing a Selection of Tracks
► If you want to edit all tracks of an Album or of a Playlist, select them and
►
►
►
►
►
choose Edit from the context menu, (just as you did for editing a single track)
or use the respective Browser Button.
In the Edit Dialog you will notice that most of the checkboxes beneath the attributes are unchecked and most of the fields void.
At the bottom of the Edit Dialog you will notice 3 new buttons called Previous,
Select All and Next. The buttons are used to browse your selection of tracks.
The checkboxes indicate which of the attributes have the same value among
the selected tracks. At the same time they indicate that the field will be written
into the Collection properties when applying the changes.
If you want to change an attribute globally for all selected tracks (for example
the way to write an Artist Name), edit the Artist field, make sure that the box
beneath is checked and press the Apply button.
If you want to edit the tracks of your selection one by one, use the Previous
and Next buttons at the bottom of the dialog to step through the list.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 55
► Clicking Restore will undo your changes.
► Clicking OK will confirm all your changes.
6.3.3 Writing Track Properties into Music Files - ID3 Tags
As described in the introduction, the TRAKTOR Collection is a database containing
references to the physical location of your tracks as well as all attribute information
about them. Many music file formats, such as MP3, allow you to store information
about the track in the file itself. This is done by special text tags embedded at the
beginning or at the end of the music portion of the file.
TRAKTOR does not need these kinds of tags because all relevant information is
stored in the Collection file, but as soon as you move a track to another computer
the attributes of the track get detached from the music file itself.
It can therefore be useful to additionally write the properties into the track itself.
Not all file types support this kind of embedded information, for instance AIFF and
WAV files do not support it.
Other file types support a proprietary format of tags, such as FLAC that TRAKTOR
does not fully support yet. ID3v2, which is the name for the most common type of
embedded tags used in MP3 files, is fully supported by TRAKTOR. More file types
will be supported with future updates.
Find a complete list with all supported file formats here:
http://www.native-instruments.com/traktor3filetype
Writing Collection attributes into file tags should be used for:
► Transferring tracks to other computers
► Backup of the information contained in the Collection
Reading tags from files is automatically done when importing tracks into the
Collection or when browsing tracks in the TRAKTOR E xplorer. Manually triggering
the readout of tags from the files is mainly used for restoring unwanted changes
made in the TRAKTOR C ollection or if you changed track properties of a track
outside of TRAKTOR, i.e. with another application.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 56
6.3.4 Browser Buttons
Even though all functions that can be applied to tracks or selections of tracks are
available in the context menu - accessed by right-/ ctrl-clicking on the selected
tracks - the most important functions have been provided also as buttons in a
special section between the Browser Tree and the List Window, called Browser
Buttons.
The Browser Buttons are not always the same - the functions of the buttons change
according to the currently selected view in the List Window.
► Edit: Clicking on the Edit Button opens the Track Edit Dialog for the selected
set of tracks as described above.
► Analyze: Clicking on the Analyze Button triggers the analysis of the selected
track(s). The analysis scans the entire track and returns several pieces of information about it. Read more about Analyzation in chapter 19.3.2 (Collection
Preferences).
► Delete: Clicking on Delete will remove the selected track from your Track
Collection or Playlist. To remove more than one track, select multiple tracks in
the List Window and click the Delete button.
!
This will remove the
track from the Playlist
only. It will not delete the track
from your hard drive!
Edit Browser Buttons
The following Browser Buttons can only be accessed after clicking the Edit button
or choosing Edit from the context menu:
► Confirm Editing: Confirms all editing changes and returns to the playlist view.
► Cancel Editing: Clicking on the Cancel Button cancels the editing operation. All
changes made after the last Apply action are discarded.
► Restore Metadata: Aborts current changes and restores track attributes from
the Collection. This is especially useful if you accidentally deleted entries in
one of the attributes’ fields.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 57
► Read Metadata: Clicking on the Read Metadata Button imports the metadata of
the selected music files into the Collection.
► Write Metadata: Clicking on the Write Button writes metadata information into
music files. Choose from 3 writing modes in “Preferences” &gt; “Browser
Preference” &gt; “Collection Preferences”.
► Apply: The editing changes are applied and stored in the Collection.
$
Not all file types are supported by these operations. Find a complete list with all
supported file formats here:
http://www.native-instruments.
com/traktor3filetype
Beatport Browser Buttons
The Beatport Browser Buttons can only be accessed from the Beatport icon.
Read more about the Beatport Browser Buttons in chapter 8.1 (Beatport Browser
Buttons).
6.3.5 Other Track Options
► Relocate: Opens a dialog in which you can navigate to the folder containing the
missing track(s). Very useful, if you e.g. restructured your Music Folder.
► Search in Playlists: Searches the selected track(s) in all playlists and returns
a list with all playlists containing the selected track(s).
► Add to Playlist as Next: Adds the selected track(s) as next to the Current
Playlist.
► Add to Playlist at End: Adds the selected track(s) at the end of the Current
Playlist.
► Reset Played: Clicking Reset Played will reset the Display Icon next to any track
that has been played. It will then appear as not played. This can be used if you
want to replay a track later in your set, avoiding confusion of it being marked
as having already been played.
► Show in Explorer/ Finder: By right-/ ctrl-clicking on a track you can choose
Show in Explorer/ Finder from the context menu. This will display the track in
the Windows Explorer or Mac Finder, according to your operating system.
!
The played state of your
tracks will be reset automatically after every session, i.e.
closing and re-opening TRAKTOR
will reset the played state.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 58
6.3.6 Deleting Tracks from your Hard Drive
The TRAKTOR Browser has no features allowing the physical deleting of tracks
from your hard drive.
6.4 Working with the Collection and Playlists
6.4.1 New Collection Format
TRAKTOR 3.3 uses an updated Collection format. When starting TRAKTOR 3.3 for
the first time after the update, you will be informed that importing your old Collection
will make it incompatible to former versions of TRAKTOR. Please confirm the import
by clicking OK or cancel it by clicking on Cancel.
After importing the Collection it is written in the new format.
Older TRAKTOR versions can open Collections that are newer than the ones they
use. If such a Collection is opened, the data not known to that TRAKTOR version
is lost.
This is the current scenario for the TRAKTOR family:
► TRAKTOR DJ Studio 2.x uses NML-version 7
► TRAKTOR Scratch 1.0 uses NML-version 8
► TRAKTOR DJ Studio 3.2 uses NML-version 8
► TRAKTOR Scratch 1.1 uses NML-version 9
► TRAKTOR 3.3 uses NML-version 9
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 59
6.4.2 Playlists
Playlists are an alternative way of organizing your Collection. Instead of creating
tags for tracks and retrieving them via search strings, you can create groups of
tracks inside your Collection by creating Playlists. These can be seen as virtual
record crates, but contrary to a physical track contained on a vinyl record, a virtual
track can be contained in as many Playlists as you want and you won’t have to put
it back into the shelf. A Playlist can be shuffled or ordered in any way you like.
Further advantages are saving and loading as well as exporting a playlist to transfer
it to another computer.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on the Playlist folder icon in the Browser Tree.
► Choose Create Playlist from the context menu.
► Type the name of your Playlist in the following window.
► Choose OK.
► Your new Playlist will appear as a subfolder under the Playlist folder.
6.4.3 Playlist Options
By right-/ ctrl-clicking on a playlist you find the following options in the popup
menu:
► Lock/ unlock the playlist: Lock and unlock your Playlist.
► Analyze: Analyze the tracks contained in the selected playlist.
► Relocate: Relocate the tracks contained in the selected playlist.
► Save: Save the selected playlist.
► Rename: Rename the selected playlist.
► Clear: Remove all tracks from the selected playlist.
► Delete: Delete the selected playlist. This will not actually delete the tracks from
your track Collection, it will only delete the playlist file.
► Reset Played State: This removes all track icons (played, cued etc.) from the
icon column in the track browser.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 60
► Add to Collection: This adds all tracks contained in the playlist to the
Collection.
► Read File Tags (Async): This reads out the ID3 tags of the contained tracks.
This is going on in the background and does not affect the performance.
► Write File Tags (Async): This writes ID3 tags to the contained tracks, depend-
►
►
►
►
ing on the setting in “Preferences” &gt; “Browser Preferences” &gt; “Collection
Preferences” &gt; “ID3 Tag Mode”. This is going on in the background and does
not affect the performance.
Add to Playlist as Next: This places all tracks contained in the playlist as next
in the current playlist.
Add to Playlist at End: This places all tracks contained in the selected playlist
at the end of the Current Playlist.
Export Webpage: This exports the tracks contained in the selected playlist
along with the playlist file (playlist_name.nml) to a place of your destination.
This way you can transport a playlist to another TRAKTOR computer without
losing data.
Export Printable: This exports a HTML-file containing a list with the tracks of
the selected playlist with customizable columns.
6.4.4 Locked Playlists
Lock/ Unlock a Playlist by right-/ ctrl-clicking on a Playlist and choosing Lock/
Unlock. A locked playlist has a Lock Icon next to it.
Sorting your Playlist
Click on the headline of a Browser Column to sort the Playlist by this column. Click
another time on the headline to invert the sorting.
!
Sorting and rearranging
a Locked Playlist is only
momentary and will not be saved!
If you click on another folder in
the Browser Tree and then again
on the Locked Playlist, it will show
you the Locked Playlist in its
original status. If you want to
change the order of a Locked
Playlist permanently, you have to
unlock it beforehand!
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 61
Rearranging Playlists by Drag &amp; Drop
Click-hold and drag a track in the Playlist up or down and observe the red line that
shows where the track will drop when you release the mouse button.
Adding one or more Tracks to a Playlist
Simply select one or more tracks in the Track Collection and drag it on the Playlist
name in the Browser Tree. A security question will ask you for confirmation to
prevent from unwanted changes.
Deleting Tracks from a Playlist
Deleting one or more tracks from a Locked Playlist is not possible. If you want to
delete one or more tracks from a Locked Playlist, you have to unlock it beforehand
by right-/ ctrl-clicking on the playlist name and choosing Lock/ Unlock.
6.4.5 Unlocked Playlists
Lock/ Unlock a Playlist by right-/ ctrl-clicking on a Playlist and choosing Lock/
Unlock. An unlocked Playlist shows no Lock Icon.
Sorting your Playlist
Click on the headline of a Browser Column to sort the Playlist by this column. Click
another time on the headline to invert the sorting.
Rearranging Playlists by Drag &amp; Drop
Click-hold and drag a track in the Playlist up or down and observe the red line that
shows where the track will drop when you release the mouse button.
!
Sorting and rearranging
an Unlocked Playlist is
permanent. If you want to maintain a certain order permanently,
you have to Lock the Playlist.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 62
Adding one or more Tracks to a Playlist
Simply select one or more tracks in the Track Collection and drag it on the Playlist
name in the Browser Tree.
Deleting Tracks from a Playlist
Select one or more tracks you want to delete from the Playlist and choose Delete
– either via right-/ctrl-clicking on them and choosing Delete or by clicking on the
Delete Browser Button. A security question will ask you for confirmation to prevent
from unwanted changes.
6.4.6 Favorites
Favorites Window
The Favorites window is a navigational tool and is located at the bottom of the
interface. If you do not see the Favorites, right-/ ctrl-click on the Header and choose
Show Favorites.
Three of the Favorites are pre-assigned:
► F1: Current Playlist
► F2: Track Collection
► F9: Audio Recording
%
You can assign any of
the file browser folders
or a playlist to a Favorite Playlist
(F1 – F10).
!
Some computer keyboards require you to
hold down the Function (fn) key in
order to use the F Keys.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 63
Do the following to create and use a Favorites folder:
► Click the Playlists folder to browse its contents.
► Click on the Demo Content folder to expose the Demo Playlist.
► Click, hold and drag the Demo Playlist name on top of the F3 Favorite icon.
► F3 will now display the Demo Playlist icon.
► From now on, you can access this folder at any time by pressing the F3 key on
your computer keyboard or by clicking on the Favorite icon with the mouse.
► The contents of the Demo Playlist will then appear in the List Window.
6.4.7 History Playlist
!
Dragging another playlist
on an already assigned
favorite will replace the favorite
playlist with the new playlist.
!
Shift-dragging another
playlist on an already
assigned favorite will merge the
content of the favorite playlist
with the content of the shiftdragged playlist.
The History Playlist is a special Playlist that gives you information about what
tracks you played during a gig.
It has a timestamp and will be created after every session you make, so that every
time you close TRAKTOR you will find the history of what you have done the next
time you open TRAKTOR.
It is very useful, if you have to handout a Playlist of the actual played tracks of an
evening or just to review, what you were doing last night.
► In the Tree Window, double-click on the Playlist folder and then another doubleclick on the History folder.
► If this was not the first time you opened TRAKTOR, you will see several Playlists
with a timestamp at the beginning for every session you made with
TRAKTOR.
► History Playlists are locked by default.
If you are already working with TRAKTOR several months, this list can become very
large, often containing Playlists with only a few tracks.
It’s a good habit to rename History Playlists of successful evenings, which makes
finding them way easier than only with the timestamp name.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 64
You can do everything you’re used to do with Playlists, including deleting a Playlist,
but for the History Playlists this little trick might suit you better:
► In the Windows Explorer/ Mac Finder, navigate to your ”Traktor3” folder and
open the “Playlists” folder, and in there the “History Folder”.
► You will see the list of all your History Playlists.
► As a rule of thumb, every track in a list equals around 1 kb. This means, all
Playlists with 5 or below kb will have most likely not more than 4-6 tracks
contained in them.
► And usually they can be deleted, making browsing in the History Playlists more
convenient.
%
Another useful tip for
organizing your Playlists
can be found in chapter 20.5
(Organizing Playlists).
6.4.8 Current Playlist
The Current Playlist is a special Playlist in which you find tracks that were played
recently or you plan to play in near future.
► Whenever you play a track it will be placed automatically in the Current
Playlist.
► If you found some tracks you want to play not as next track, but in the near
future, drag-and-drop them onto the Current Playlist for quicker access.
► Drag the tracks in the Current Playlist in the desired order, see a red line indicating, where the track will drop in.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on the Current Playlist and choose Clear to remove all tracks
from the Current Playlist.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 65
6.4.9 Track Collection
The Track C ollection is a special Playlist that contains every imported track,
regardless of the folder structure of your hard drive.
This makes it sometimes easier to search for tracks or get a general overview while
browsing for tracks you want to put in a Playlist.
The Track Collection is the heart of TRAKTOR, containing every song of yours in
its database, making it easy to search – and to find!
6.4.10 iTunes Import
TRAKTOR allows you to import your iTunes library as well as individual iTunes
playlists.
In TRAKTOR 3.3, the way of the iTunes import is slightly changed.
The file path to your iTunes library chosen in &quot;Preferences&quot; &gt; &quot;Browser Preferences&quot;
&gt; &quot;Data Location&quot; used to point to the folder of your iTunes library.
Now you have to point TRAKTOR exactly to the exact iTunes library file, usually
named iTunes Music Library.xml.
And all you have to do now is to click on the iTunes icon in the Tree Window of the
Browser!
%
This change was implemented, because the library files of iTunes versions prior
version 4.9 were named differently.
Another reason for this change was
that now you can rename your
iTunes library file and still make it
usable in TRAKTOR by pointing it to
the exact file instead of a folder.
6.4.11Connecting your iPod
TRAKTOR allows you to not only play non-DRM protected tracks from your iPod,
but also from playlists stored on your iPod.
Start TRAKTOR, and plug your iPod into your computer. TRAKTOR will then
recognize your iPod and display the iPod icon in the browser tree - this may take
up to 10 seconds.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 66
When first selecting the iPod, the message Loading will appear to let you know that
TRAKTOR is reading the track and playlist information. The word Queued next to
an iPod playlist means that it will be read next.
When finished, you will be able to select any non-DRM protected track to play as
you normally would from your hard disk drive.
$
Plugging and un-plugging the iPod while tacks
are playing may cause the audio
to stop briefly. Take extreme care
not to unplug the iPod when playing a track from it!
6.5 Working with Audio CDs
6.5.1 CD Text
Up to now, tracks of an Audio CD were displayed like Track01, Track02, etc.
But now, if you insert an Audio CD that shows CD-text, you will be able to see this
data in TRAKTOR, e.g. the correct Track Title or the Artist Name.
!
Not all commercial Audio
CDs show these additional info texts.
6.5.2 Audio CDs and Favorites
► If you drag the Audio CD Icon onto a Favorite, this Favorite keeps assigned to
the Audio CD drive, even if you remove a CD.
► If you do not have an Audio CD loaded in your CD drive, the Favorite will be
displayed with a Missing icon, shown as Red Cross.
6.5.3 Eject CD
You can eject a CD also from within TRAKTOR.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on the Audio CD icon to eject the CD.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 67
7. Backup and Transfer of your Collection
7.1 TRAKTOR File Formats and the Traktor3 Folder
TRAKTOR creates the following file types on your hard drive:
► *.nml = all playlists have this extension, the Collection, the History playlists
and user-created playlists
► *.tks = extension for keyboard or midi hotkey settings
► *.nmx = extension for native mix recordings
► *.wav = extension for the audio file created from the audio recorder
► *.xml = extension for the settings files. Here are your Preferences settings and
the chosen file paths saved.
► *.log = extension of the log-files that get created when opening TRAKTOR.
If you are using the default paths of TRAKTOR, you will find all TRAKTOR files
in the folder
My Documents\Traktor3 (PC)
or
HD/[User]/Traktor3 (Mac).
You can change the default paths in &quot;Preferences&quot; &gt; &quot;Browser Preferences&quot; &gt; &quot;Data
Location&quot;.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 68
7.2 Complete Backup
The easiest way to backup your whole TRAKTOR data is to use the default paths for
the &quot;Traktor3&quot; folder and save the whole folder somewhere else as backup.
If you re-install your operating system and then TRAKTOR, just copy your backed
up &quot;Traktor3&quot; folder to the default folder before starting TRAKTOR the first time.
If you choose to point TRAKTORs file paths to another location, e.g. because
you want to store all your data on a second partition or an external hard disk for
security reasons, it’s the easiest to organize the TRAKTOR files in a folder called
&quot;Traktor3&quot;and a file structure like in the default folder.
It’s important to know that even if you changed all paths to another destination, the
*.log and the *.xml files get saved always to the default Traktor3 folder anyways,
so you have to copy these manually from time to time as backup to the folder you
store all other TRAKTOR files in and obviously before you re-install your operating
system.
If you have re-installed your operating system and TRAKTOR, copy the *.log and
*.xml files to the default TRAKTOR folder before you start TRAKTOR the first
time.
If the drive letter of your customized location didn’t change, you should find
everything as it was before the re-install.
If the drive letter of your customized location did change, you will find all tracks with
an exclamation mark (!) that indicates that the links are broken. Use the Relocate
function to find these files again. Read more about the Relocate feature in chapter
6.2.8 (Consistency Check Report).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 69
7.3 Automatic Backup (Security Backup)
Each time you change something in your Collection and close TRAKTOR, a backup
of your Collection is created in the folder &quot;Backups&quot; contained in your &quot;Traktor3&quot;
folder. If you delete or partly ruin your Track C ollection by mistake proceed as
follows:
► In TRAKTORs Tree Window, open the E xplorer and navigate to your
&quot;Traktor3&quot;folder, found in your “User folder” (Mac) or in “My Documents”
(PC).
► Click on the “Backup” folder.
► Click on one of the most recent backups and verify the integrity of the
Collection.
► If the backup seems to be corrupt, check an earlier backup.
► If you have found an integer backup, drag and drop the folder onto the
Collection icon to import the backup into the current Collection.
A corrupted C ollection might cause TRAKTOR to crash during start-up. If you
suspect this might be the case do the following:
► Close TRAKTOR.
► Make a backup of the file collection.nml found in the folder “user” &gt; “Traktor3”
(Mac), “My Documents” &gt; “Traktor3” (PC) before deleting it.
► Restart TRAKTOR with an empty Collection.
► Import the backup of the Collection as described above.
!
TRAKTOR only saves 10
backups, after which it
replaces the oldest backup with
the second oldest one. You should
therefore make a manual backup
of the current status of the
Collection by copying such a
backup file to a separate folder,
not accessed by TRAKTOR.
%
The file Tr ak to r DJ
Studio 3 Settings.xml
contains your layout settings and
is saved always to your Traktor3
folder. Backup this file as well!
!
Altho ugh T R AK TO R
gives you the choice to
store your Track Collection and
Playlists in different directories, it
is best to keep these files organized in the default manner, as
this makes it much easier to track
down problems.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 70
8. Beatport™ - Online Dance Music
Store™
Up until recently it was difficult to purchase new tracks in MP3 format for DJs
working with TRAKTOR. Cutting-edge club music has been predominantly released
on vinyl, and recording tracks from a 12” to hard disk is a time-consuming process.
However, more and more labels are distributing their music in the digital domain
and it’s finally possible to buy music in digital format at the same time that it is
released on vinyl. Sometimes, certain tracks are even available earlier as MP3 or
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 71
there is additional content available for download that didn’t make it to the vinyl
release.
In order to give TRAKTOR users a quick and easy way to purchase new tracks,
Native Instruments joined forces with Beatport. Beatport is the first authentic digital
music store designed to service the evolution of the digital music culture, redefining
how DJs and enthusiasts acquire their music. Beatport.com allows users to access
the world of club music through secure, legal, hi-speed, high quality downloads
in MP3, MP4 and WAV formats on a pay-per-download basis. With hundreds of
labels and thousands of users worldwide, Beatport is recognized as the leader in
online digital dance music.
To access the store, simply select the path Beatport in the Tree Window. Your
computer will now access the Beatport server and download information that is
being displayed in the List Window. In order to navigate the interface, just click the
relevant buttons and links. If you have not been a member of Beatport until now,
simply click the button labeled First Time? Start Here! and follow the instructions
on the screen.
There are a lot of advantages when buying your music through the Beatport store
integrated in TRAKTOR:
► It is possible to preview any track available in the store through the integrated
Preview Player of TRAKTOR.
► While previewing a track, you can see the actual Waveform in the Preview Player
and browse the track by moving the cursor through.
► It is possible, to enter a search string in the TRAKTOR Search Field to search
Beatport.
► You can search for tracks with the same Title, from the same L abel or Artist
with the Find More button (Read more about the Find More button in chapter
6.3.4 (Browser Buttons).
► It is possible to transfer multiple files with the help of a download manager.
► All tracks you have bought through the store interface are added to a playlist
called Purchased Tracks.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 72
► Any track you have purchased is saved automatically in your TRAKTOR Track
Collection.
► Purchased tracks contain extensive metadata, so there is hardly any need to
edit their tags.
► Interrupted transfers can be resumed at any time.
!
Please keep in mind that
you need to be connected to the internet in order to use
the Beatport store. For further
information on registration, please
TRAKTOR 3.3 disposes of an improved Beatport integration.
In the Browser Tree, you can find now two new subfolders: Purchased Tracks and
Downloads.
Purchased Tracks is a playlist file. Whenever you buy a track from Beatport, a
reference to this track is placed in the Purchased Tracks playlist.
The new File Structure Mode feature also applies to the Purchased Tracks playlist.
Find more info about the File Structure Mode feature in chapter 19.3.2 (Collection
Preferences).
The folder Downloads shows your current downloads and their download progress.
8.1 Beatport Browser Buttons
The following Browser Buttons can only be accessed from the Beatport icon. If you
don’t see the Beatport icon in the Tree Window, uncheck Hide Beatport in Preferences
&gt; Appearance &gt; Miscellaneous:
► Buy Previewed Track: Buy the track currently loaded into the preview deck.
► Check Downloads: Checks your download queue for uncompleted downloads.
► Refresh Beatport: Refreshes the Beatport shop. Use after connection problems.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 73
8.2 Beatport “Find More” Button
In the List Window, you will notice a small downwards pointing arrow in many of the
track property fields. This is the Find More button, used to search tracks within the
Beatport store that have the same entry in that field.
► In the List Window, click the Find More Button next to an Artist Name.
► TRAKTOR will search the Beatport store for tracks of the same Artist.
!
If you don’t see the Find
More button, turn on the
Beatport store in Preferences &gt;
Appearance &gt; Miscellaneous by
unchecking the box Hide
Beatport.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 74
9. Controlling the Decks
This chapter addresses the general deck behavior, including the tempo controls
and the very interesting chapter about Cue Points.
9.1 Deck Controls
► In Internal Mode, click and hold the track Waveform. This is like putting your
hand on a vinyl record to pause playback.
► While holding the mouse button, move the mouse backward and forward. This
moves the Waveform similar to scratching a vinyl record.
► Release the mouse button. The track will begin playing from the point at which
you release it.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on the Waveform to start and stop playback.
9.1.1 Play
► Hit on the Play button to start and stop the playback of the track.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 75
9.1.2 Cue/ Play
► The Cue /Play button only appears when you are in Airplane Mode, which means
that you have chosen your built-in or onboard sound card in the Preferences.
► Clicking with the left mouse button on the Cue / Play button lets the track jump
back to the last Cue Point immediately and continuing from there the playback.
► Clicking and holding the Cue / Play button with the right mouse button lets the
track jump back to the previous Cue Point and stop there until you release the
right mouse button again.
9.1.3 Cue/ Pause
► The Cue /Pause button only appears when you are in Airplane Mode, which means
that you have chosen your built-in or onboard sound card in the Preferences.
► Clicking on Cue / Pause while the track is running lets the track jump back to
the previous Cue Point and stop there.
► If you click a second time on the Cue / Pause button and hold it, the Play button
lits as well and the track begins to play again from the Cue Point – until you
release the mouse button again, then it snaps back again to the previous Cue
Point.
► If you are clicking and holding the left mouse button and then additionally
pressing the right mouse button, the track will continue to play if you release
both mouse buttons.
► If you press the right mouse button while the track is running, it jumps back
to the previous Cue Point and continues with the playback when you release
the mouse button.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 76
9.1.4 Deck Loop
► If you click on Deck Loop button an instant Loop gets created with the amount
beats that are displayed.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on the Deck Loop button to define the Loop Length.
9.1.5 Set Cue
► Clicking on this button creates a Floating Cue Point as a visual reference or to
make use of the Cue / Play and Cue / Pause buttons.
Opposite to Cue Points set with the Cue Edit Panel the Floating Cue Point will not
be stored. The next time you hit Set Cue or you stop the track, a new Floating Cue
Point is generated.
Read more about Cue Points in chapter 9.3 (Cue Points).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 77
9.2 Tempo Controls
This chapter explains the software tempo controls in TRAKTOR.
9.2.1 Pitch Fader
By moving the Pitch Fader up or down, you can speed up or slow down the tempo
of the track. The Pitch Fader has just the same functionality as a pitch fader on
any standard DJ record player or pitchable CD player.
► Load and play a track in Deck A.
► To slow down the tempo, click + hold and drag upward on the Pitch Fader.
► Double-Click the Pitch Fader to reset it to 0%.
► Use the +/- buttons to change the tempo in steps.
► Use the scroll wheel of your mouse to move the Pitch Fader up or down in steps
as well.
► You can assign different sensitivities to the Pitch Fader by right-/ ctrl-clicking
on the + button.
Advanced Pitch Fader functionality
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click + hold and drag the Pitch Fader up (or down).
► While holding the right mouse button, click and hold the left mouse button.
This will temporarily slow down the tempo (or quicken it).
► This is a special method for pitch bending.
%
To hide and show the
Pitch Fader, right-/ ctrlclick on the Header and choose
Show Pitch Fader
9.2.2 Pitch Bend Buttons
Next to the Phase Meter you will find two buttons with arrows pointing to the left
and the right. These are the Pitch Bend Buttons.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 78
The Pitch Bend Buttons are used if two tracks are running with the same tempo,
but their phase is shifted slightly; this corresponds to a soft touching of the vinyl
to slow down or fasten to tracks that go slightly out of sync.
► Click on the button with the left pointing arrows to slow down the track a bit
and click on the button with the right pointing arrows to fasten the track a bit.
The tempo change is only momentary. If you let go the mouse button, the track
continues in its normal tempo.
► You can assign these also to (MIDI) Hotkeys.
%
Right-/ Ctrl-Click on the
Pitch Bend Buttons for
more subtle changes!
9.2.3 Pitch Range
The Pitch Range defines how far you can pitch the tempo up and/ or down.
TRAKTOR allows you to adjust the Pitch Range by plus or minus 8%, 35%, 50% or
100%. Choosing a Pitch Range of +/- 100% will give you the largest possible Pitch
Range, allowing you to slow a track all the way down to a complete stop. Choosing
+/-35% will only allow you to slow a track down, or speed it up by 35%.
► Click on “Preferences” &gt; “Deck Preferences” &gt; “Transport”.
► Click on one of the Pitch Range buttons and choose OK.
9.2.4 Fine Pitch Range
The Fine Pitch is a second controller not represented on the interface. It is only
controllable via MIDI. The option Fine Pitch Range determines the range of this
parameter.
► Open Preferences &gt; Deck Preferences &gt; Transport.
► Click + hold and drag the Fine Pitch Range slider to the right to rise the Fine
Pitch Range up to +/- 12 BPM or to the left to bring the value down.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 79
9.2.5 Phase Meter
Two tracks can have the same tempo, but still sound silly together, because the
Phase is shifted. The phase is represented in the horizontal Phase Meter left from
the Pitch Bend Buttons.
► If two tracks’ phases are synchronized, the meter stays in the middle.
► If one tracks’ phase is shifted aback, a yellow stripe is seen on the left side of
the middle position.
► If a tracks’ phase is shifted forward, a yellow stripe is seen on the right side of
the middle position.
There are several ways to manipulate the phase:
► Shift the Phase by clicking on it, holding and dragging it with the mouse.
► Shift the Phase by using the scroll wheel of your mouse.
► Reset the Phase by double-clicking on it.
%
You should use Beatgrids
to get reliable results!
%
If you don’t like the
Phase Meter, you can
turn it off (and back on) in
Preferences &gt; Appearance &gt; Wave
Display Options.
9.2.6 Tap Button
If you think, TRAKTORs automatic tempo detection has estimated a wrong BPM
value, you can easily correct this with the Tap button. It is shown in the Decks as
Tap. Clicking on it in time will change the tempo, obeying the following logic:
► Tap 4-7 times to the rhythm of the beat to consolidate the automatically detected BPM value with the tempo of your tapping.
► Tap over 8 times to enter the BPM manually based on the tempo of your tapping.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 80
9.2.7 Sync Button
Use the Sync button as a quick way to match the tempo of two tracks without having
to make Pitch Bend adjustments. To use this function with the best result, it is
recommended to establish Beatgrids for the tracks that are being synced. Only then
the tempo and phase of each track will match 100%.
► Load and play a track in each Deck.
► Because the track tempos do not match, the Phase Meters will jump back and
forth.
► Click the Sync button above the Waveform of Deck B.
► The tempo of Deck B now matches that of Deck A.
► The Sync offset meters will stay centered.
9.2.8 Master &amp; Slaves
A Deck synchronizes to the opposite deck by default, so if you press the Sync button
of Deck A, it will use the tempo of Deck B as a reference and vice versa. When you
want to synchronize Decks that are not opposite each other, it’s possible to do this
by assigning them to Master and Slave states:
► Load and play a track in Deck A.
► Load and play a track in Deck C.
► Because the track tempos do not match, the Phase Meters will jump back and
forth.
► Set the status of Deck A to Master.
► Set the status of Deck C to Slave.
► When you press the Sync button on Deck C, it synchronizes to the Master Deck
because Deck C has the status of a Slave Deck.
%
If Deck C is not visible,
make it visible by right-/
ctrl-clicking the Header and unchecking the option Hide Deck C
and D.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 81
9.2.9 Master Clock
Once you are more familiar with TRAKTOR, you will want to synchronize the tempo
of more than two decks. According to the example above, you can set all decks to
Slave and the Master Clock to be the Master.
► Load and play a track in Deck A.
► Click the Slave button above Deck A.
► Insert the Clock panel into the current Details page.
► Adjust the speed of the Master Clock to a value close to the original tempo of
the track loaded into Deck A.
► Click the Master button in the Clock Panel.
► Change the tempo of the Master Clock and observe the tempo of Deck A changing accordingly.
%
The Master Clock has
also a small representation in the central mixer part when
playing with 4 decks.
9.2.10 Key Lock
With TRAKTOR it’s possible to change the tempo of a track while keeping its original
pitch. When you play a vocal track at a higher tempo, the voice will often sound
unnatural. To avoid this, you can lock the Key of this track so that tempo changes
do not affect it (also called Master Tempo).
► Click the Key Lock button beneath the Pitch Fader or on the Lock button in the
Key panel.
► Drag the Pitch Fader slowly upwards. You will hear the track in Deck B lower its
tempo. However, its Key will remain the same.
Key Changes
► Open Page 2 of the Details and click on Lock in the Key panel to activate Key
Lock.
► Turn the Key knob counter-clockwise to lower the key.
► Turn the Key knob clockwise to raise the key.
► This enables you to mix tracks harmonically. A 0.50 step equals a semi-tone.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 82
Time Stretching Quality
The TRAKTOR Key Lock function uses “Time Stretching” as its method of effect.
There are three types of “Time Stretching”, each with its own sound quality and
requirement for processor power.
► Open TRAKTOR “Preferences” &gt; “Deck Preferences” &gt; “Sound &amp; Mixer”.
► Next to Time Stretch Quality, select Non-Adaptive. This will sound less natural
but will use much less CPU. It is the best mode for computers with slower
processors.
► Selecting PSOLA will sound more natural, using more CPU. This mode is
recommended for medium fast processors.
► Selecting Phase Voc. will give the highest quality sound. This mode is recommended for very fast processors, since it is using far more CPU.
9.3 Cue Points (Regular)
9.3.1 Floating Cue Point
Each time a Deck is stopped it sets a floating (momentary) Cue Point. When playback
resumes, the Cue Point remains at the last point of interruption. The Cue / Pause
and the Cue / Play button in the Cue Edit Panel can be used to skip back to the last
floating Cue Point during playback.
During playback you can press Set Cue underneath the Waveform at any time to
move the Floating Cue Point to the current position.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 83
9.3.2 Storing Cue Points
TRAKTOR can store up to 10 Cue Points per track. You can store the current
Floating Cue Point in the Cue Edit panel in the Details section:
This panel offers all functions needed to manage the Cue Points of a track:
► A drop-down box with a list of all Cue Points stored for this track.
► Two buttons to cue to the previous and to the next Cue Point.
► A drop-down box to assign a special function to a Cue Point.
► A Cue / Play and a Cue / Pause button for test-playing your Cue Points.
► A Lock button to store and to remove the current Cue Point.
9.3.4 Locking a Cue Point
► If you want to recall a Cue Point for later use, you have to use the Lock button
to store it.
► To remove a Cue Point from the list of permanent Cue Points, select it and release the lit Lock button.
%
Whenever you select a
Cue Point from the Cue
Edit Panel, it gets locked by default (except the Floating Cue
Point, obviously).
9.3.5 Naming Your Cue Points
After you have locked a Cue Point, you can name it. This way it is easy to find it
in the Cue List panel.
► Skip to the Cue Point by selecting it from the list in the upper drop-down
box.
► Double-Click on the display to place the text cursor in the name field.
► Type the new name and confirm with Enter.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 84
9.3.6 Jumping between Cue Points
In TRAKTOR you have several options for jumping to Cue Points:
► Click on the C ue Point symbol in the Stripe Window or in the Waveform
Window.
► Use the Backward Cue and Forward Cue buttons in the Cue Edit panel (or the
respective Hotkey).
► Select an entry of the upper drop-down menu of the Cue Edit panel.
► Click one of the 6 buttons in the Cue List details panel.
9.4 Cue Points (Special)
While regular Cue Points help establish points in a track from which to play or cue,
there are three other types of Cue Points you can set, each with their own special
function.
Assigning a different type to a Cue Point is done by selecting the desired type in
the drop-down box in the Cue Edit details panel.
► Select a Cue Point by skipping to it.
► In the Cue Edit details panel, click on the Cue Type display above the Lock button.
► Select a new Type for the current Cue Point.
The next chapters describe the available Cue Points and their special functions
more detailed.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 85
9.4.1 Load Cue Point
A Deck Load Cue Point causes a track to automatically cue to this point when it is
loaded into a Deck, saving you from the need to manually cue your track to this
Cue Point.
If you want to make use of the Load Cue Points, turn this option on: &quot;Preferences&quot;
&gt; &quot;Deck Preferences&quot; &gt; &quot;Loading&quot; &gt; &quot;Advanced&quot; &gt; &quot;Cue to Marker when loading
Track&quot;.
9.4.2 Fade In/ Fade Out Cue Points
The Fade In and Fade Out Cue Points are used to automate the Cue / Play of a track.
For this to work, you must set a Fade In Cue Point in one Deck and a Fade Out Cue
Point in the other.
Additionally, you have to turn this option on: &quot;Preferences&quot; &gt; &quot;Deck Preferences&quot; &gt;
&quot;Transport&quot; &gt; &quot;Synchronize&quot; &gt; &quot;Use Fade In and Out Markers&quot;.
► Load a track into Deck A.
► Scroll towards the end of the track and set a Cue Point.
► From the Cue Edit panel, drop-down the Cue Type menu and select Out from
the menu.
► A red Fade Out Cue Point will appear in the Waveform display.
► Now load a track into Deck B.
► Set a Cue Point at the beginning of the track.
► From the Cue Edit panel, drop-down the Cue Type menu and select In from the
menu.
► A red Fade In Cue Point will appear in the Waveform display.
► Click + hold and drag the Crossfader all the way to the left.
► In Deck A, scroll backward through the track before the Fade Out Cue Point and
click the Play button.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 86
► When the Fade Out Cue Point in Deck A crosses the Track Position Marker
(vertical red line), the track in Deck B will automatically begin playing from its
Fade In Cue Point.
► Click + hold and drag the Crossfader slowly to the right to mix the two tracks.
9.4.3 Grid Cue Point
A Beatgrid is defined by a Beatmarker. This is a special Cue Point from which a
regularly spaced grid of reference lines is created, used to synchronize tracks. The
following section explains Beatmarkers and Beatgrids en detail.
9.5 Beatgrids and the BPM Panel
The tempo detection of TRAKTOR simplifies beatmatching, giving you more time
to express your creativity. But although TRAKTORs tempo detection is very precise,
Beatmarker and Beatgrid are still important tools to synchronize your music in
TRAKTOR. The analysis of a track produces a BPM estimation that is not sufficiently
precise enough to guarantee synchronous playback of two tracks over the duration
of several minutes.
Tracks that have a correct Beatgrid don’t go out of sync in the mix – ever. Tracks
with a Beatgrid loop perfectly, will let you mix on obscure intros, and will enable
you to get busy on the other features that TRAKTOR has to offer. Before we talk
about setting them, it’s useful to understand a bit about them.
When TRAKTOR analyses a track, it “finds” beats in the Waveform (the little white
lines on the beats). The problem is that these “sensed” beats are not always an
even distance apart (like in Hip-Hop or Breakbeat). This means that when you
try to synchronize two tracks, TRAKTOR tries to lay one “sensed” beat on top of
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 87
one in the other track, causing the Phase Meter to jump around as it tries to mash
things together.
Setting a Beatgrid fixes this by placing a tempo structure on a track that supersedes
the actual beats. This means that a regular pattern is used, stopping the Phase
Meters from jumping around and ruining the mix. The grid represents quarter
notes or beats.
The following sections give you a step-by-step explanation to this very powerful
tool. Although it may sound somewhat complicated, if you’re reading this chapter
the first time, it’s definitely worth the time and you will very soon get very fast at
setting Beatgrids!
9.5.1 First: Choosing a BPM Range
You can find this general setting in the Preferences. Use this to limit the possible
BPM range to a value that fits your musical style, e.g. if you’re a Hiphop DJ, you
will most likely choose a range between 70 and 120 BPM, if you’re a Techno DJ,
you’ll choose limits more in between 110 and 160 BPM.
► Open “Preferences” &gt; “Browser Preferences” &gt; “BPM Ranges”.
► Ideally, choose a range without doubling a value, e.g. choose a minimum of 80
BPM and a maximum of 159 BPM.
%
A quick BPM range for a
specific track can be
chosen in the BPM panel. Click
on the downwards pointing arrow
next to the BPM value and choose
a BPM range.
9.5.2 Second: Analyzing your track tempo
If your tracks are not analyzed already, analyze now your track tempo. The
analyzation gives back an estimated BPM value as well as several other values and
builds the overall waveform (Stripe).
Read more about analyzation in chapter 6.1.4 (Analysis).
► Select one (or more) track(s) and click on the Analyze button or choose Analyze
via right-/ ctrl-clicking and choosing Analyze.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 88
9.5.3 Third: Setting the Gridmarker (Grid Cue Point/ Beatmarker)
► Load a track into Deck A.
► Click on the small Plus (+) button in the waveform to switch to the largest
possible zoom.
► Let the track play and wait for the first beat in the track.
► Place a Floating Cue Point exactly right before the beat by dragging the Waveform
(in Internal Mode with the mouse) exactly there
► Audition the position of the Floating Cue Point by pushing and holding the Cue /
Pause button in the Cue Edit panel.
► If you are satisfied with the location of the Cue Point, transform it into a
Gridmarker. Use the dropdown menu Type in the Cue Edit panel and choose
Grid.
► If the Gridmarker is a bit too far before or behind the beat, you can correct its
position with the two buttons above the BPM digits.
9.5.4 Forth: Adjusting the Grid (visibly)
► Skip to the Gridmarker and play the track.
► Observe the drift of the white, vertical lines relatively to the beats of the
track.
► Correct any kind of emerging offset with the buttons underneath the BPM
display in the BPM details panel. The white, vertical lines should align with the
beat of your track. Use the both buttons beneath the BPM field to raise and
lower the BPM value and to align the Grid lines with the visualization of the
beats in the Waveform.
► Click on the left-pointing arrow to raise the BPM which has the effect that the
grid spaces will be smaller. Click on the right-pointing arrow to lower the BPM
which has the effect that the grid spaces will be bigger. Right-Click on these
buttons for bigger steps.
!
Be very careful during
this procedure as you
can easily skip one beat when
aligning the Grid. Although
TRAKTORs tempo detection is
very precise, use at least 3 points
in a track to observe the drift.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 89
► When the Grid lines and the beats of the track run perfectly in time, you can
fast forward through the track to preview the drift later on in the track.
► The further away you get from the Gridmarker, the more precise the tempo
value has to be for the G rid lines to stay aligned with the beats in the
Waveform.
► When you have reached the end of the track and it still is aligned perfectly with
the Grid lines, you can be sure that the Beatgrid is precise. Any mix using this
track will run smooth for its entire duration.
%
Left- Clicking on the
BPM plus or minus buttons changes the BPM by plus/
minus 0.01 BPM. Right-Clicking
on the BPM plus or minus buttons
changes the BPM by plus/ minus
0.1 BPM!
Example Pictures
The Grid runs out of sync with the beats soon, the Beatgrid is too tight. Lower the BPM value
with the right arrow button below the BPM display in the BPM panel.
The Grid runs out of sync with the beats soon, the Beatgrid is too wide. Raise the BPM value
with the left arrow button below the BPM display in the BPM panel.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 90
The Beatgrid lies perfectly on the beats. Scroll forward in the track to see if a drift starts later.
Use at least 3 points in the track to check if the Beatgrid is still in sync!
9.5.5 Forth: Adjusting the Grid (audibly)
► Skip to the Gridmarker and play the track.
► Turn on the Tick button in the BPM details panel to make the grid lines audible
►
►
►
►
►
►
as ticks added to the track.
Observe the drift of the tick relatively to the beats of the track.
Correct any kind of emerging offset with the buttons underneath the BPM
digits in the BPM details panel. The tick should align with the beat of your
track. Use the both buttons beneath the BPM field to raise and lower the BPM
value.
Click on the left-pointing arrow to raise the BPM which has the effect that the
tick will be faster. Click on the right-pointing arrow to lower the BPM which has
the effect that the tick will be slower. Right-Click on these buttons for bigger
steps.
When the tick and the beats of the track run perfectly in time, you can fast
forward through the track to preview the drift later on in the track.
The further away you get from the Gridmarker, the more precise the tempo
value has to be for the tick to stay aligned with the beats in the Waveform.
When you have reached the end of the track and it still is aligned perfectly with
the tick, you can be sure that the Beatgrid is precise. Any mix using this track
will run smooth for its entire duration.
!
Be very careful during
this procedure as you
can easily skip one beat when
aligning the tick. Although
TRAKTORs tempo detection is
very precise, use at least 3 points
in a track to observe the drift.
%
Left- Clicking on the
BPM plus or minus buttons changes the BPM by plus/
minus 0.01 BPM. Right-Clicking
on the BPM plus or minus buttons
changes the BPM by plus/ minus
0.1 BPM!
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 91
9.5.6 Difficult tracks and easy solutions
x2 and :2 Buttons
Sometimes the TRAKTOR BPM analyzer cannot distinguish between a 170 BPM
Drum’n’Bass track and a 85 BPM Hip-Hop track.
In these cases, you can double or divide the BPM by two very easily with the x2
and :2 buttons.
Tap Button
If you have the feeling that you or the TRAKTOR analyzer have messed it up and
the BPM does not correspond to a correct value, you have the following possibilities
to solve the situation:
► Click on the arrow beneath the BPM value in the BPM details panel and select
Restore to reload the BPM value stored in the Collection for this track.
► Select a BPM-Range by clicking on the downwards pointing arrow next to the
BPM value and choosing one of the offered options to transform the automatically generated BPM value into the selected interval.
► Tap 4-7 times to the rhythm of the beat to transform the automatically detected BPM value into a value close to the tempo of your tapping.
► Tap over 8 times to enter the BPM manually based on the tempo of your tapping.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 92
Beatless Intros and tracks with different tempi
Sometimes you might have tracks that come with a beatless intro that irritates and
influences TRAKTORs BPM detection. For these you can generate a Local BPM
value by just one click, giving you a very precise tempo at a certain point, e.g. when
the bass drum of the track starts.
► In the overall waveform (Stripe), click on the part where you want to get the
tempo from.
► In the BPM panel, click on the downwards pointing arrow and choose Local
BPM.
► You’ll get a very precise tempo value back for this part of the track.
Setting a Beatgrid for Tracks recorded from Vinyl
Since a turntable’s tempo always fluctuates a little bit, a vinyl-ripped track may
drift over the time, making it impossible to set a perfectly aligned Beatgrid over
the whole track.
While the drift on a professional direct-driven turntable may only be small and
negligible, the drift on a belt-driven turntable may be unacceptable.
However, in this case it is recommended to establish several Gridmarker during the
track.
► Set a new Gridmarker on a beat that has not aligned to the white, vertical Grid
lines
► See how the phase of the tempo is being restarted.
► This helps only to create a Beatgrid for tracks that have a drifting, but not an
unsteady tempo. For tracks with unsteady tempi, please read chapter 20.4
(Beatgridding Tracks with unsteady Tempo).
!
You can only assign one
BPM value to a track in
TRAKTOR. Setting several Grid
Points do not help, if your track
has 2 different tempi, e.g. a value
of 110 BPM in the beginning and
120 in the end.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 93
9.5.7 Other BPM panel options
To access other BPM panel options, click on the downwards pointing arrow next
to the BPM figure.
► Restore: If you think that your tapping has been less precise than TRAKTORs
BPM detection, click on Restore to restore the BPM value, TRAKTOR detected
during the analysis.
► Round: Click on Round to round the BPM value to a whole number.
► Local BPM: This analyzes the track tempo only nearby the Playmarker. Use
this, if your track has a varying tempo or different tempi (e.g. a beatless intro).
Click on a part of the track where you want to know the BPM and choose Local
BPM to generate a very precise BPM value for this area.
► Exact BPM: This analyzes the whole track. Use this, if your track has a constant
tempo.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 94
10.Advanced Playback Functions
The following chapters will give you the ammunition to expand your creativity.
Load your tracks, experiment with the following features and fire up your tracks
with some hot new moves!
10.1 BeatJump
The BeatJump feature allows you to jump through the track in sections of beats. You
can specify how many beats forward or backward you want to jump.
This can be useful for scrolling through a track, but also has an added effect of
remixing when performed while the track is playing.
► Load and play a track in Deck A.
► You’ll find the BeatJump panel on Details Page 2.
► Listen to the beat of the track and click the 1/2 &gt; button on-beat. This will
move the song forward 1/2 beat.
► Now click the &lt; 4 button. This will move the song backward 4 whole beats.
► Using the BeatJump buttons on-beat can give the effect of Beat Juggling, allowing you to remix the beat on-the-fly.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 95
10.1.1Customize the Jump Length
By default, the four BeatJump buttons are set for 1, 4, and 16 beats. TRAKTOR lets
you customize the length of any of the three BeatJump button pairs.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click the button labeled 1&gt;.
► A menu will appear with length selections. Select 1/4.
► The BeatJump buttons will now be labeled 1/4. This allows your track to jump
1/4th of a beat.
10.1.2Two Button Mouse control
The BeatJump button offers a special functionality for dual button mice and for dual
button track pads. The left row of the BeatJump buttons can be right-/ ctrl-clicked
to achieve a jump in the opposite direction. With this feature you can beat juggle
with your two finger tips.
10.2Duplicate Deck
This feature allows you live remixing like you never could before with TRAKTOR you can create an instant, exact and synchronized copy of a track that even copies
the Loops that were in the original tracks!
It’s as easy as loading a track:
► Load a track in Deck A and let the track run.
► Click and hold on the Header of the deck, that’s where you see the File Info
and the letter of the deck - here the big A.
► Now hold and drag the mouse onto Deck B.
► Both tracks are now running in exactly in the same position and synchronized.
► Of course you can duplicate the track from any Deck in any Deck – e.g. from
Deck B to Deck D, or Deck A to Deck C etc.
%
If you don’t want to use
the mouse, you can assign the respective Hotkeys in
Add -&gt; Deck &gt; Load Tracks &gt;
Deck duplicate Deck A or B in the
Hotkey &amp; MIDI Setup section of
the Preferences. Read more about
Hotkeys in chapter 14 (MIDI and
Hotkeys).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 96
10.3 Loops
TRAKTOR has the ability to set points in a track that will loop sections of the track
seamlessly. You can adjust the Loop Length even while the Loop is running.
10.3.1 Looping From the Deck
Deck A with an active 4-beat Loop
►
►
►
►
Load and play a track in Deck A.
Click the Loop button. Your track will begin looping.
If the Loop button is set to 4, your track will loop 4 beats.
To change the loop length, right-/ ctrl-click the Loop button underneath the
deck and choose a different loop length number from the drop-down menu.
► The Loop will automatically change length and continue looping.
► Click the Loop button again to continue playing the track.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 97
10.3.2 Looping From the Details Section
These are the available Loop panels.
► Click on one of the 4 Length buttons to select a loop length.
► Click on the Set/ In button to set the loop. This makes it automatically active.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on the lit Loop button and choose a different loop length
number from the drop-down menu.
%
► The Loop will automatically change length and continue looping.
► Click on the lit Active button to leave the Loop.
You can additionally use
the Snap to quantize the
loop borders to the beats of the
track.
Setting a free Loop without predefined length
► Make sure that none of the Length buttons in the Loop Set panel is lit.
► Click the Set/ In button to set the starting point of the loop.
► Click the Active button to set the ending point of the loop and to make it ac-
%
tive.
► Click on the lit Active button a second time to leave the loop.
Snap Button
If you have set your manual Loop a little bit off beat, the Loop Set panel offers a
Snap button that will quantize the loop to the nearest beat or Beatgrid line.
► Set a 4 beat Loop anywhere in the track.
► If the Loop is off-beat, click the Snap button.
► The Loop will snap (or quantize) to the nearest beat.
If you want your loops to
quantize right when you
set them, leave the Snap button
enabled. Your loop will then automatically quantize when you set
it.
%
It is helpful to use the
decks in Snap mode
when setting a free Loop by only
using the Set/ In and Active buttons.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 98
Reloop
Reloop instantly jumps back to the start point of the current Loop.
10.3.3 Resizing the Loop
After you have established a Loop, you can change its length in the Loop Set, Loop
Start and Loop End panels.
Loop Set
► With a track playing in Deck A, set a 4 beat Loop.
► Click one of the 4 Length buttons in the Loop Set panel to instantly change the
length of the Loop.
► To change the predefined length assigned to these buttons, right-/ ctrl-click
the button and choose a new length value from the drop-down menu.
Loop Start
► With a track playing in Deck A, set a 4 beat Loop.
► Click a blank area of the Details Section and choose Loop Start from the dropdown menu.
► The Loop Start module will appear with buttons that allow you to adjust the
►
►
►
►
start point either forward or backward. Each button is labeled with the amount
it will move, shown in beats.
Click a Forward button. The Loop Start point will move forward.
Click the corresponding backward button. The Loop Start point will move backward.
To change the predefined length of a Forward and Backward button pair, right/ ctrl-click the Forward button and choose a new length number from the
drop-down menu.
To change the Loop Start point in finer increments, use the Continuous (Cont)
buttons.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 99
Loop End
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click a blank area of the Details Section and choose Loop End from
the drop-down menu.
► The Loop End panel will appear with buttons that allow you to adjust the end
►
►
►
►
point either forward or backward. Each button is labeled with the amount it
will move, shown in beats.
Click a Forward button. The Loop End point will move forward.
Click the corresponding Backward button. The Loop End point will move backward.
To change the predefined length of a Forward and Backward button pair, right/ ctrl-click the Forward button and choose a new length number from the
drop-down menu.
To change the Loop End point in finer increments, use the Continuous (Cont)
buttons.
!
Leaving the Snap button
(in the Loop Set module)
enabled while resizing a Loop can
block or modify resizing because
the new size may be smaller than
the Beatgrid.
10.3.4 Loop Move
Once you have established a clean Loop, you can move the entire Loop forward or
backward.
► Play a track in Deck A and set a 4 beat Loop.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click a blank area of the Details Section and choose Loop Move from
the drop-down menu.
► The Loop Move module will appear with buttons that enable you to move the
entire Loop forward or backward.
► Click the forward button labeled Loop.
► This will move the Loop forward by the amount it was set to. For instance, if
you set a 4 beat Loop, this would move the Loop forward 4 beats.
► When the track marker reaches the Loop Start point, the track will begin looping again.
!
Leaving the Snap button
(in the Loop Set panel)
enabled while moving a Loop can
block or modify the step size because the increments may be
smaller than the Beatgrid.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 100
► Now click the backward Loop button.
► The entire Loop will move backwards 4 beats and begin looping from the start
point.
10.3.5 Storing of Loops
TRAKTOR allows you to store up to 10 Loops in one track. You can then cue from
each Loop Start point or jump between Loops on-the-fly. This works by using the
Loop Set and Loop Select panels together in the Details Section.
► Open the Loop Set panel by right-/ ctrl-clicking in the details section and choosing Loop Set.
► Set a Loop and click the Lock button in the Loop Set panel to store the Loop.
► Now disable the Loop by clicking the Active button and allow the track to
play.
► Set another Loop later in the track.
► Click the Lock button again to store the second Loop.
► You have now stored two Loops within the track. Both will be displayed as green
colored brackets in the Waveform display and the Stripe.
Activating a Stored Loop
By default, stored loops are not activated. In playback, the cursor passes a stored
Loop without starting looped playback. To switch into looped playback when entering
a stored Loop, press the Active button. This will not set a Loop but activate looped
playback for the next stored Loop the cursor will pass.
► Skip to a position shortly before the first of the two stored loops.
► Observe, how the cursor passes the stored Loop without starting looped playback.
► Skip to a position shortly before the second of the stored loops.
► Press the Active button in the Loop Set details panel.
► Observe, how once the cursor passes the start point of the stored Loop, the
track switches into is looped playback.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 101
Stepping through Stored Loops (Loop Select)
► Play the track from the first Loop.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click the Jump button in the Loop Select module.
► Clicking on the Loop Selection buttons (forward/ backward) will now instantly
perform a jump to the previous or next loop.
Delete a Loop
If you want to discard a stored loop, jump to it and release the Lock button in the
Loop Set details panel.
10.3.6 Loop Preferences
Preferences for looping can be found by clicking TRAKTOR &quot;Preferences&quot; &gt; &quot;Deck
Preferences&quot; &gt; &quot;Transport&quot;.
► Seamless Looping: Makes a short crossfade between Loop End to Loop Start for
avoiding clicks. When setting a loop in a quiet part directly before a beat, in
seamless mode a small portion of the beat might blend into the loop.
► Loop Autodetect Size: TRAKTOR will automatically loop the loaded track, if its
length is below a certain value. The length of this detection has a range of
0-60 seconds, adjustable with the horizontal slider. If you have set the track
Loop Autodetect Size to 30 seconds, any track shorter than 30 seconds in
length will automatically loop.
%
If you don’t want to jump
to the previous or next
next loop, but for example from a
first to a third loop in the track,
deselect the Jump button by
clicking on it. Then use the Loop
Selection buttons to select a loop
first – the selected loop will have
green lines above the brackets –
now click on the jump button.
This toggles a direct jump to the
selected loop!
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 102
11.Controlling the Mix
11.1 Mixer Controls
11.1.1Master Strip
The Master Strip contains the main mixer controls: the master volume knob (Master),
the headphones volume knob (PhVol), a knob to control the mix in the headphones
(PhMix) and the Crossfader.
The use of the Crossfader is explained in detail in chapter 11.2.2 (Crossfading).
The PhVol knob allows you to adjust the headphones level and the PhMix knob lets
you mix the cued signal with the master signal in your headphones. The functions
of the PhVol and the PhMix knobs are explained in detail in chapter 11.2.1 (Prelistening to a Track).
It contains also the controls for the Master Effects that we will discuss separately
in chapter 12 (Effects).
The knobs and the Crossfader have all the advanced functionality described in
chapter 5.2 (Knob and Fader Control).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 103
11.1.2Channel Strip
The Channel Strip contains the Channel Volume Fader, the Channel Gain knob, the
Cue button and the Deck / E xternal switch.
► If you cannot see the Channel Strip, open it by right-/ ctrl-clicking on the Header
and choosing Show Mixer Channel Controls.
Deck/ External Switch
This feature enables you to implement other external devices, such as turntables
or CD-players.
► Click on the downward pointing arrow in the Channel Strip and choose the
entry E xternal
► Open “Preferences” &gt; “Audio Setup” &gt; “Input Routing” to use the various
inputs of your sound card for playing from an external device. The Volume
Meters to the right of the input selections will display signal level if signal is
present.
Cue Button
With this button you are able to prelisten to a track that is not playing in the main
mix. Chapter 11.2.1 (Pre-listening to a Track) describes how this is done.
Click on the Cue button to activate it. It is lit blue when active.
Gain Knob
With this knob you are able to adjust the gain of a track independently from
the master gain. Chapter 11.2.5 (Gain (Manual Adjusting)) describes how this is
done.
The knob has all the advanced functionality described in chapter 5.2.1 (Knob and
Fader Control).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 104
Channel Fader
With this fader you are able to adjust the channel volume. Its Channel Level Meters
help you to adjust the volume of the running track with the next track. Chapter
11.2.5 (Gain (Manual Adjusting)) describes how this is done.
The fader has all the advanced functionality described in chapter 5.2.1 (Knob and
Fader Control).
11.1.3EQ Strip
An important tool in mixing is the Equalizer. Traktor 3 offers 4 different types
of EQs, each modeled after today’s top DJ mixers.
► On the EQ Strip, click the downward pointing arrow and select a EQ Type from
the drop down menu.
► If you cannot see the EQ Strip, open it by right-/ ctrl-clicking on the Header and
choosing Show Mixer EQ Controls.
► The EQ knobs have all the advanced functionality described in chapter 5.2
(Knob and Fader Control).
Classic
The Classic Equalizer is the standard, classic TRAKTOR 3 LE 3-Band EQ. It offers
controls for adjusting the Low, Mid and High range frequencies of each deck via
virtual knobs.
Each knob controls its frequency band by +12/ -24 db. It also offers a Kill button
which cuts the low frequency entirely when activated. If you only want to cut the
low frequencies for a short duration only, click and hold the Kill button with the
right mouse button.
Another knob lets you adjust the Balance (Bal) from left to right. Use this for
interesting spacious effects.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 105
P600
The P600 is a standard club DJ mixer EQ with 3 bands (low, mid and high). Each
band offers a range of +12/ -26 dB. Like the Classic EQ, the P600 offers a Kill
button which cuts the low frequency entirely when activated. If you only want to
cut the low frequencies for a short duration, click and hold the Kill button with
the right mouse button.
Another knob lets you adjust the Balance (Bal) from left to right. Use this for
interesting spacious effects.
Nuo4
Nuo4 is an emulation of the EQ found on the Ecler Nuo4 four channel DJ mixer. It
offers 3-band equalization (low, mid, high). The adjustment range for low and mid
frequencies is +10/ -30 dB and for high frequencies +10/ -25 dB. It also offers a
Kill button that will cut the low frequency when activated. If you only want to cut
the low frequencies for a short duration, click and hold the Kill button with the
right mouse button.
Another knob lets you adjust the Balance (Bal) from left to right. Use this for
interesting spacious effects.
Xone:92
Xone:92 is an emulation of the EQ found on the Allen &amp; Heath Xone:92 DJ mixer.
It is unique that it offers 4-band EQ controls (low, mid-low, mid-high and high).
The high and low bands have infinite attenuation (total kill) with a sharp 12 dB/
oct roll-off. The mid bands offer -30 dB of cut.
Another knob lets you adjust the Balance (Bal) from left to right. Use this for
interesting spacious effects.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 106
11.1.4FX Strip
► Click on the downwards pointing arrow and choose the effect you want to
use.
► If you cannot see the FX Strip, open it by right-/ ctrl-clicking on the Header and
choosing Show Mixer FX Controls.
► The EQ knobs have all the advanced functionality described in chapter 5.2
(Knob and Fader Control).
► The effects itself are described in detail in chapter 12 (Effects).
11.2 Common DJ Use Cases
This chapter describes the most common DJ use cases with TRAKTOR.
11.2.1Pre-listening to a Track
One of the most important things as a DJ is the ability to pre-listen to a track that
is not audible to the audience yet.
There are several ways to pre-listen to a track in TRAKTOR:
► If using TRAKTORs Internal Mixer, you can use the headphones output of your
sound card and pre-listen to a track in the opposite Deck.
► If using TRAKTORs Internal Mixer, you can also use the headphones output of
your sound card to pre-listen to a track in the Preview Deck.
► If using an external mixer, you will use the cue button or switch on your external hardware mixer to pre-listen the opposite Deck.
!
To achieve this you need
a multi-channel sound
card. Please read chapter 4.3
(Audio Setup) to learn how to
setup a multi-channel sound
card.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 107
Cueing/ Pre-listening to a Track in the opposite Deck
Cueing (or previewing) a track with the TRAKTOR 3 mixer works the same as with
most hardware DJ mixers. When a Cue button is active, the deck signal is sent to the
Monitor Outputs. You can configure the outputs of your sound card in &quot;Preferences&quot;
&gt; &quot;Audio Setup&quot; &gt; &quot;Output Routing&quot;.
► Load and play a track in Deck A and move the Crossfader all the way to the
left.
► Load and play a track in Deck B and click the Cue button above the Channel
Fader of Deck B. You will hear the track in Deck B through your headphones.
► Click + hold and drag the PhMix Knob all the way counter-clockwise. This will
only allow the cued track to be heard through the headphones.
► Dragging the PhMix Knob all the way clockwise will only allow the main mix to
be heard through the headphones.
► Centring the PhMix Knob will mix both signals in your headphones.
Cueing/ Pre-listening to a Track via the Preview Deck
This can be done while none or all Decks are playing. Sound from the Preview Player
will be heard through the Monitor Outputs. You can configure the outputs of your
sound card in &quot;Preferences&quot; &gt; &quot;Audio Setup&quot; &gt; &quot;Output Routing&quot;.
► Load a track into the Preview Deck by clicking the Pre-listen icon in the List
Window or using drag-and-drop.
► The Preview Deck will display the Waveform of the track.
► Scroll through the track by dragging the red slider through the Waveform.
► Press the Play button to the right of the player to pause and restart playback.
► Unload a track from the Preview Deck by clicking again on the Pre-listen icon.
► If you like the track, load it into a Deck A by right-/ ctrl-clicking the track title
in the List Window and selecting Load to Deck A from the menu.
► Click a second time on the Pre-listen Icon in the track line of the track that is
loaded into the Preview Deck to unload the track from the Preview Deck.
%
To hear tracks played in
the Preview Deck over
your headphones, make sure that
your headphones are connected to
the Monitor Outputs of your sound
card and the PhVol knobs in the
Mixer Strip is in center position.
%
If you don’t see the column with the Pre-listen
Icon, Right- / C trl- Click the
Headline of the List Window and
make sure that the column Prelisten is checked.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 108
► Click-Hold on the title of the Preview Deck, then drag the track in Deck A or B
to load it into Deck A or B.
► Load a new track in the Preview Deck to replace the current track in the Preview
Deck with a new track.
11.2.2 Crossfading
Crossfading means to make a transition between two tracks.
Dragged to left side, only Deck A is audible. Dragged to the right side, only Deck B
is audible. Every position in between mixes both decks, meaning that tracks in both
decks are audible.
The characteristic of a crossfader is that the more you drag it to the center, the
more of the opposite track will be audible until both tracks are running with 100%
of its volume in the center.
%
It’s always a good idea
to use the EQs during a
transition to avoid clipping that
can happen easily when two
tracks play together with full volume.
Manual Crossfade
The TRAKTOR 3 Crossfader is a standard fader and offers the advanced fader
functionality described in chapter 5.2 (Knob and Fader Control).
► Click + hold and drag the Crossfader to the right, focusing Deck B.
► Load and play a track in Deck A and Deck B. Because the Crossfader is faded
to the right, you will hear only the track in Deck B through the main mix.
► Now click + hold and drag the Crossfader slowly to the left. The track in Deck
A will slowly mix with the track in Deck B.
► When the Crossfader is all the way to the left, only the track in Deck A will be
audible.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 109
Fader Curve
The TRAKTOR 3 C rossfader C urve can be adjusted. The C urve affects the
Crossfaders’ transition.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click in a blank area of the Details Section and choose Master to
open the Master panel.
► The Fader Curve adjustment is located just above the Balance knob and labeled
CFCur.
► Click + hold and drag the Curve left or right.
► With the Curve all the way to the right, the Crossfader will cut in and out more
sharply. This is better for DJs who want to perform scratches and need the
crossfader to behave like an on/ off switch.
► With the Curve all the way to the left, the crossfader will mix in more slowly.
This is more appropriate if you want to use the Crossfader to make long smooth
blends between two tracks.
Incremental Buttons
The Crossfader can be incrementally moved left or right with the far left and
right arrow buttons below it. The mouse wheel can be used for the incremental
changes.
► Click the far left arrow button underneath the Crossfader.
► The Crossfader will move incrementally to the left.
Automatic Crossfade
Crossfading can also be automated by using the small arrow Autofade buttons
below the Crossfader.
► With tracks loaded in both decks, move the Crossfader to the right, focussing
Deck B.
► Click the inner left arrow button beneath the Crossfader. The Crossfader will
automatically fade to the left.
► You can adjust the Auto Crossfade time in Preferences &gt; Deck Preferences &gt;
Sound &amp; Mixer.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 110
11.2.3 Mixing with Channel Volume faders
For mixing without the Crossfader, it is possible to assign each channel to either
the left or the right side.
► Open the Decks panel with the colored buttons representing the four decks by
right-/ ctrl-clicking on the Details Section.
► Underneath each button is a pair of smaller arrow buttons representing both
sides of the Crossfader.
► Uncheck the lit button to decouple a deck from the Crossfader. The volume of
this deck is now exclusively controlled with the volume fader on the channel
itself.
11.2.4 Punch (Channel Panel)
The Channel Strip also allows you to Punch in a track from an opposite deck without
the use of the Crossfader. This means the audio from a deck that is not focused
can be punched in and out of the main mix, allowing it to be heard only as long as
the Punch button is held down. This is extremely useful if you only want to bring
in single elements of another track while it is running in Sync such as punching
in the snare drum.
► Load and play a track in both decks.
► Move the Crossfader to Deck A.
► Open the Channel panel by right-/ ctrl-clicking on the Details Section and choosing Channel.
► Focus Deck B, then click the Right Arrow button. This sets the Channel panel
to control Deck B.
► Click and hold the Punch button in the Channel panel. The track in Deck B will
be audible in the main mix for as long as you hold Punch.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 111
11.2.5 Gain (Manual Adjusting)
Before mixing in a track, you need to calibrate the channel volume so that when the
fader is set to the maximum its level is matching that of the other decks.
► Open the Demo Playlist by double-clicking on the Playlist folder in the Browser
Tree, opening the Demo Folder by double-clicking on it and then clicking on
Demo.
► Load the track Traktor Demo 1 by dragging it on Deck A.
► Load the track Traktor Demo 1 by dragging it on Deck B.
► Drag the Crossfader all to the left.
► On Deck A, click on the Play button.
► You will see the white channel gain meters flashing up and down.
► Drag the Gain button down and observe the changes in the channel gain meters.
► Click the Play button of Deck B.
► Click the Cue button above the Channel Volume fader.
► A pair of blue level meters appears in the Channel Fader. They represent the
Master level and offer a visual reference to adjust the Gain of the channel so
that it matches the volume of the master once the channel fader is open all
the way.
► Turn the Channel Gain knob of Deck B to approximately match the intensities of
the white channel and the blue master signal.
► You can now be sure that the new track will not appear too loud or too quiet
when the Channel Volume Fader is set to maximum.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 112
11.2.6 Gain (Auto-Gain)
To avoid the manual adjustment of the gain for each track, TRAKTOR 3 offers
an Autogain function which adjusts the gain for you. While analyzing a track, the
perceived loudness is calculated and this value can be used as a setting for the Gain
knob. This way, the track will sound as loud as any other track whose Gain level is
set to the calculated value. Autogain only works with analyzed tacks and when it is
activated in the Master Details panel.
► Insert the Master panel or into the current Details Page by right-/ ctrl-clicking
on the details section and choosing Master.
► Activate Autogain for all decks by clicking the button called Gain.
► Load an analyzed track into Deck A.
► Observe the Gain knob in the mixer changing position to compensate the perceived loudness of the loaded track.
11.2.7EQing the Mix
By using the Equalizer, it’s possible to shape the sound of a track and make the
mix sound smoother.
► Load two tracks in Deck A and B.
► Put the Crossfader to the left to hear only Deck A playing.
► Click and drag the knob labeled Low in the Channel Mixer EQ of Deck A all the
way to the left
► Now, the bass of the running track will be cut and you can only hear the mid
and high frequencies
► Click and drag the knob labeled High in the Channel Mixer EQ of Deck B all the
way to the left.
► This kills the high frequencies of the track playing in Deck B.
► Click, hold and drag the Crossfader slowly to the left. Stop when you have
reached the middle of the Crossfader.
► The two tracks are now playing together in the mix, however, the result sounds
smoother than before because the low and the high registers of both tracks are
not clashing anymore.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 113
11.2.8 Using an External Mixer
TRAKTOR 3 allows you to use an external mixer rather than the internal
TRAKTOR 3 mixer. This method requires a sound card with an equal amount of
stereo outputs as the number of decks you want to use.
► Open “Preferences” &gt; “Audio Setup” &gt; “Output Routing”.
► Click the button labeled External.
► Your Output Routing will then provide choices for routing outputs for Decks A
and B.
► Choose an output pair for each deck by clicking the arrow next to each output
channel selection and selecting an output from the drop-down menu.
► Connect the output pair for Deck A of your sound card physically with the respective inputs of your DJ mixer, e.g. Line 1.
► Connect the output pair for Deck B of your sound card physically with the respective inputs of your DJ mixer, e.g. Line 2.
!
If you use External Mixer
Mode, the Mixer Strip is
disabled and therefore made invisible.
Preview Channel
In External Mixer Mode the Preview Deck in the Browser has its own pair of outputs
in the Output assignment page. You can route the Preview Deck to a third channel
of your external mixer, using an additional pair of outputs of your sound card.
Of course you can also prelisten to the next track on the opposite deck by using
the Headphones Out and Cue buttons of your hardware mixer.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 114
12.Effects
TRAKTOR 3 offers six different effects that can be applied to each of the four decks
as well as the master signal. It is important to understand how these effects work in
order to use them intuitively. Especially in time-sensitive situations such as playing
in front of an audience, you will only use the functions you feel most comfortable
working with. Therefore, please take your time and make yourself familiar with each
effect so that you can be truly creative in your application!
12.1 Choosing a Channel Effect
There are two ways, in which the parameters of the Channel Effect can be viewed
and manipulated:
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click the Header and select Show Mixer FX Controls from the dropdown menu.
► Click on the small downwards pointing arrow and choose one of the available
options.
► Select the panel Channel Effect from the Details Section.
► Click on the small downwards pointing arrow and choose one of the available
options.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 115
12.2Choosing a Master Effect
The Master Effect can be accessed in a similar way:
► Master Effect controls are visible in the Mixer Master Controls in the center of
the mixer.
► Click on the small downwards pointing arrow and choose one of the available
options.
► Select the panel Master Effect from the details section.
► Click on the small downwards pointing arrow and choose one of the available
options.
%
The Mixer Strip shows
only a selection of the
available parameters. If you want
full control over all aspects of the
effect, please use the respective
panels in the Details Section.
12.3PreEQ
The TRAKTOR 3 you can preview a track on your headphones before the EQs. To
do this, press the button labeled PreEQ in the Mixer Channel controls section. This
means, if you e.g. turned down the bass of the previewed track, you can preview
the track with full bass when pressing the PreEQ button.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 116
12.4Detailed Description of all available Effects
12.4.1 F: 92 LP
The F:92 LP is a low pass filter, progressively cutting off high frequencies.
► On: This button switches the effect on and off. Use it to punch in the effect
that you have previously adjusted.
► Amt: This knob controls the amount of the filtered signal in relation to the original
signal. Fully counter-clockwise position represents 100% of the original signal.
Fully clockwise position represents 100% of the filtered signal.
► Q/L: This knob controls the Resonance (Q) giving more color to the movement
and the amount of the low frequency oscillator (LFO). Resonance means an
enhancement of the frequencies nearby the cutoff frequency. All other frequencies are attenuated. This brings more color into the sound. Fully counter-clockwise position represents minimal filter color. Center position represents maximum filter color but zero LFO amount. Fully clockwise position represents
maximum filter color with maximum LFO amount.
► Frq: This knob controls the cutoff frequency of the filter.
► Spd: This button controls the amount of LFO that is modulating the filter cutoff.
The shape of the LFO is a sine wave, and it is generating positive and negative
values. This means that the filter cutoff will modulate above and below the
cutoff frequency.
► Tap: With this button you can adjust the tempo at which the LFO is running.
The tapped tempo refers to the center position of the Spd knob. Although this
button is not reflected in the graphical user interface you can assign it to a
keyboard or MIDI Hotkey.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 117
12.4.2 F: 92 BP
The F:92 BP is a band pass filter, passing just a band of the frequencies.
► On: This button switches the effect on and off. Use it to punch in the effect
that you have previously adjusted.
► Amt: This knob controls the amount of the filtered signal in relation to the
original signal. Fully counter-clockwise position represents 100% of the original signal. Fully clockwise position represents 100% of the filtered signal.
► Q/L: This knob controls the Resonance (Q) giving more color to the movement
and the amount of the low frequency oscillator (LFO). Resonance means an
enhancement of the frequencies nearby the cutoff frequency. All other frequencies are attenuated. This brings more color into the sound. Fully counter-clockwise position represents minimal filter color. Center position represents maximum filter color but zero LFO amount. Fully clockwise position represents
maximum filter color with maximum LFO amount.
► Frq: This knob controls the cutoff frequency of the filter.
► Spd: This button controls the amount of LFO that is modulating the filter cutoff.
The shape of the LFO is a sine wave, and it is generating positive and negative
values. This means that the filter cutoff will modulate above and below the
cutoff frequency.
► Tap: With this button you can adjust the tempo at which the LFO is running.
The tapped tempo refers to the center position of the Spd knob. Although this
button is not reflected in the graphical user interface you can assign it to a
keyboard or MIDI Hotkey.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 118
12.4.3 F: 92 HP
The F:92 HP is a high pass filter, progressively cutting off low frequencies.
► On: This button switches the effect on and off. Use it to punch in the effect
that you have previously adjusted.
► Amt: This knob controls the amount of the filtered signal in relation to the
original signal. Fully counter-clockwise position represents 100% of the original signal. Fully clockwise position represents 100% of the filtered signal.
► Q/L: This knob controls the Resonance (Q) giving more color to the movement
and the amount of the low frequency oscillator (LFO). Resonance means an
enhancement of the frequencies nearby the cutoff frequency. All other frequencies are attenuated. This brings more color into the sound. Fully counter-clockwise position represents minimal filter color. Center position represents maximum filter color but zero LFO amount. Fully clockwise position represents
maximum filter color with maximum LFO amount.
► Frq: This knob controls the cutoff frequency of the filter.
► Spd: This button controls the amount of LFO that is modulating the filter cutoff.
The shape of the LFO is a sine wave, and it is generating positive and negative
values. This means that the filter cutoff will modulate above and below the
cutoff frequency.
► Tap: With this button you can adjust the tempo at which the LFO is running.
The tapped tempo refers to the center position of the Spd knob. Although this
button is not reflected in the graphical user interface you can assign it to a
keyboard or MIDI Hotkey.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 119
12.4.4 F: T2 L/H
► On: This button switches the effect on and off. Use it to punch in the effect
that you have previously adjusted.
► Amt: This knob controls the amount of the processed signal and works as dry/
wet control. Turned to 0% lets through a completely unprocessed signal, turned
to 100% lets through only the processed signal.
► Q: This knob controls the Resonance. Resonance means an enhancement of
the frequencies nearby the cutoff frequency. All other frequencies are attenuated. This brings more color into the sound.
► Low: This knob controls the lower cutoff-frequency.
► High: This knob controls the higher cutoff-frequency.
12.4.5 F: T2 L/W
► On: This button switches the effect on and off. Use it to punch in the effect
that you have previously adjusted.
► Amt: This knob controls the amount of the processed signal and works as dry/
wet control. Turned to 0% lets through a completely unprocessed signal, turned
to 100% lets through only the processed signal.
► Q: This knob controls the Resonance. Resonance means an enhancement of
the frequencies nearby the cutoff frequency. All other frequencies are attenuated. This brings more color into the sound.
► Low: This knob controls the lower cutoff-frequency.
► Wid: This knob controls the width of the frequency band.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 120
12.4.6 Delay
► On: This button switches the effect on and off. Use it to punch in the effect
that you have previously adjusted.
► Amt: This knob controls the amount of the processed signal and works as dry/
wet control. Turned to 0% lets through a completely unprocessed signal, turned
to 100% lets through only the processed signal.
► Fdb: This knob controls the feedback; that means how much of the original
signal is returned into the delay. Turn it counter-clockwise for short delays and
clockwise for long delays.
► Freq: This knob controls the filter in the feedback loop. With this knob you can
control the color of the delay. Turned counter-clockwise, the high frequencies
are damped. In center position there is no damping at all. Turned clockwise
the lower frequencies are damped.
► Tap: Click in time on this button to adjust the effect tempo.
12.4.7 Reverb
► On: This button switches the effect on and off. Use it to punch in the effect
that you have previously adjusted.
► Amt: This knob controls the amount of the processed signal and works as dry/
wet control. Turned to 0% lets through a completely unprocessed signal, turned
to 100% lets through only the processed signal.
► High: This knob controls the higher cutoff-frequency.
► Low: This knob controls the lower cutoff-frequency.
► Size: With this button you can define the size of the reverberation room. If you
drag the knob completely counter-clockwise, the reverberation is on its shortest value representing a small room and if you set the value to 100% the reverberation is at its maximum value representing a huge room.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 121
12.4.8 Flanger
► On: This button switches the effect on and off. Use it to punch in the effect
that you have previously adjusted.
► Amt: This knob controls the amount of the processed signal and works as dry/
wet control. Turned to 0% lets through a completely unprocessed signal, turned
to 100% lets through only the processed signal.
► Dpt: With this button you can control the speed of the LFO.
► Mid: Define with this button the frequency that is being modulated with the
amount set by Dpt.
► Tap: Click in time on this button to adjust the suspension frequency.
12.4.9 Beatmasher
► On: This button switches the effect on and off. Use it to punch in the effect
that you have previously adjusted.
► Amt: This knob controls the amount of the processed signal and works as dry/
wet control. Turned to 0% lets through a completely unprocessed signal, turned
to 100% lets through only the processed signal.
► Length: defines the length of the loop that is recorded in the buffer.
► Gate: This button works in two different modes. If you move it from the centre
towards the maximum value, it works as threshold, progressively muting sections of the recorded loop until only one 16th of the recorded loop is audible
at 100%. If Gate is in the centre position, it plays the recorded loop exactly as
defined by the Length knob. When moved from the centre towards minimum
value, the original signal is being mixed into the recorded loop, resulting in a
100% unaffected or dry signal at the minimum position and a 100% processed
or wet signal at the center position.
► Tap: Click in time on this button to adjust the effect tempo.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 122
13.Recording
13.1 Audio Recording
By using the Audio Recording feature it is possible to record your TRAKTOR set in
real time. You can also record external sources connected to the soundcard such
as vinyl records or a microphone in case you are performing together with a vocalist.
It’s even possible to use a recorded audio file and play it back in a deck just as you
do with the tracks from your Collection!
13.1.1Input Configuration
TRAKTOR 3 allows you to record from an external device (e.g. your hardware mixer
or a turntable) or from the Internal Master output of TRAKTOR 3. The selection of
the recording input is made in &quot;Preferences&quot; &gt; &quot;Recording&quot;.
Internal Configuration
► In “Preferences” &gt; “Recording” click on Internal as Recording Source.
► If you want to record your DJ set, play back a track and verify the right connection by opening the Audio Recorder panel in the Details Section. If everything is
setup properly, you will see the Recording Level Meter flash with the music.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 123
External Configuration
► In “Preferences” &gt; “Recording” click on Extern as Recording Source.
► If you want to record your DJ set, connect the record output of your hardware
mixer to the input of your sound card you want to use.
► In TRAKTORs Input Routing, select the channel (A, B, C, or D) that you have
connected to the recording signal.
► Play back a track and verify the right connection by opening the Audio Recorder
panel in the Details Section. If everything is setup properly, you will see the
Recording Level Meter flash with the music.
13.1.2Adjusting the Input Level
Once you have selected your input device and chosen your input channels, you
should test your input signal level. This requires the use of the Audio Recorder
panel in the Details Section.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on a blank area of the Details Section and choose Audio
Recorder.
► Play a track from any of your input sources.
► Your input level will be displayed in the level meters of the Audio Recorder
panel.
► Use the Gain knob for adjusting the recording level – the meter range should
show peaks in the upper third.
► To avoid distortion or clipping, make sure the level doesn’t reach the maximum
amount at the top of the meter range.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 124
13.1.3Recording your Input Signal
► Open the Audio Recorder folder icon in the Tree Window.
► Click on the Record button in the Audio Recorder panel.
► TRAKTOR 3 will begin recording your input signal. The file size of your recording
and time elapsed will be displayed in the Display Window of the Audio Recorder
panel.
► The recording will appear as track in the Audio Recorder folder and will have a
time-stamp in its name.
► Click on the Record button in the Audio Recorder panel to stop recording.
► You can instantly drag the recording into a deck and play it.
13.1.4Cut &amp; Continue
While recording, you can separate the recording into individual *.wav files. If you
are recording your mix as audio, this allows you to separate your recording at points
you determine on-the-fly.
► During recording, click the Cut button in the Audio Recorder panel.
► The recording will cut at this point and begin a new *.wav file.
► Click on the Audio Recordings folder in the Tree Window to display the *.wav
files.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 125
13.1.5Split at file size
Another way to separate your recording is by utilizing the Split at File Size preference.
This allows you to specify a file size (in megabytes) at which the recording will be
separated. This function is extremely useful in cutting down your recordings into
CD-size sections that can later be burned without any problem.
► Open TRAKTOR “Preferences” &gt; “Recording”.
► Click the arrow to drop down the Split at File Size menu and choose a file
size.
► Each time the Audio Recording reaches this file size, it will be split into a separate audio file.
13.1.6Delete
If you are not satisfied with your Audio Recording, you can delete it.
► Click on the Audio Recordings folder icon in the Track Browser.
► Select the recording you wish to delete.
► Click on the Delete button in the Audio Recorder panel. You can also click the
Delete button next to the List Window.
► A menu will pop up asking you to confirm.
► Choose OK.
► The recording will disappear from the List Window.
13.1.7Editing Properties of the Recording
Track properties for the Audio Recording can be edited just like any track in your
Collection, either inline in the List Window, by using the Edit button or through the
Edit context menu option. Additionally there is a shortcut to the Edit dialog of the
currently recording track in the Audio Recorder panel, called Edit.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 126
13.2Native Mix Recording
As you have learned, TRAKTOR 3 allows you to record your mix as an audio file
using the Audio Recorder panel. However, TRAKTOR offers a second, more advanced
way to record your mix called Native Mix Recording. This records a control file that
contains all fader, knob or button actions you performed during the mix. Native Mix
Recording is proprietary to TRAKTOR, meaning it can only be played back with
TRAKTOR 3 or the TRAKTOR Player software and only together with the tracks
that have been used during the mix. During playback, TRAKTOR will load the same
tracks in the order you mixed them as well as reproduce all fader, knob and button
actions performed. This accurately reproduces your mix.
Unlike audio recording, Native Mix Recording results in a file that is far smaller than
a recorded audio file. Native Mix Recording allows you to stop the recording at any
time, then seamlessly resume it later on. The Native Mix Recorder will take care
of loading the correct tracks at the correct point, re-syncing them and setting all
controls exactly where they were so that you can resume the mix perfectly.
At any time during your Native Mix Recording, you can store markers that create
points in the mix. This allows you to skip forward or backward precisely to the stored
points in the mix, then resume Mix Recording.
The big benefit of recording your mixes in the Native Mix format is that you can
easily correct any mistake that has happened during the mix. If you have ever tried
to record an one-hour mix where things went well until the last record and you had
to re-do everything again, then you will know how useful this feature is!
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 127
13.2.1 Recording your mix
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
Create a Playlist of tracks you would like to mix and record.
Load a track in Deck A.
Move the Crossfader to the left, focusing Deck A.
Load a track in Deck B.
Click the red Record button in the Native Mix Recorder panel to start recording.
Recording will begin and the record time will start counting in the Mix Recorder
display window. This window will also show the size of the recording in kilobytes.
Begin your mix.
Match the track tempos and move the Crossfader slowly to the right, mixing in
the track in Deck B.
Adjust the Gain knob to match volume levels.
Adjust the EQ if necessary.
Use effects if you like to.
Move the Crossfader all the way to the right, mixing out of the track in Deck A
and into Deck B.
13.2.2 Seamlessly Interrupting and Resuming the Mix
Don’t hesitate to press the Record button to stop recording at any time during your
mix. This gives you more time to think about your next transition or to pull new
tracks into the playlist.
To resume recording, simply re-press the Record button. TRAKTOR will slightly
wind back, configure all decks, knobs and buttons as they have been shortly before
the interruption and hand over control to you at the exact point in the mix where
it had been interrupted.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 128
13.2.3 Seamlessly Redoing a Transition
Seamlessly resuming the mix is not only possible at the end of the mix, but from
any earlier point in the mix. Proceed as follows:
► Using the Seek buttons in the Native Mix Recorder panel wind back a point in
the mix about half a minute before the failed transition.
► Press Play to start playback of the mix.
► Press Record to seamlessly enable recording mode.
► For taking over full control of the mix, turn off the Play button, leaving only the
Record button lit and redo your transition.
► You can repeat this procedure as many times as you need.
!
You can resume a transition in the middle of
your mix file, but all following
mixes have to be re-done as
well!
13.2.4 Setting Additional Cue-Markers
Cue Markers are used in a Mix Recording to establish points of reference from which
you can cue. It is possible to seek to, resume or overdub the mix from this point.
By default TRAKTOR 3 sets a marker each time you load a new track into a deck.
If you want to add additional markers, proceed as follows:
► Click the Play button in the Native Mix Recorder panel.
► Listen for a spot in the mix you would like a marker to be placed.
► Click the Set button in the Native Mix Recorder panel.
► Let the mix play, click the Set button again to set another marker.
13.2.5 Skip and Seek Buttons
The Skip and Seek buttons in the Native Mix Recorder are used to navigate through
your recorded mix as you would do on a CD player. The Skip buttons skip to the
next or to the previous marker in the mix. Use these buttons to find a specific point
in your mix, then play the mix, overdub it or to delete an unwanted marker.
%
To seek through the Mix
Recording in larger increments, hold down the Shift key
of your computer keyboard while
clicking the Seek buttons.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 129
13.2.6 Fix the Mix with Overdub
If you hear something in the mix you do not like, the Native Mix Recorder offers an
Overdub feature that allows you to fix it.
► Click on the Mix Recording folder icon.
► Click Play Mix to play back the recorded mix.
► Just before you reach the point in the mix that you would like to fix, click the
Record button.
► Make whatever adjustments you need to make. For example, raise the gain
knob for Deck B.
► The Dub button will activate.
► When you are done, click the Record button again.
► Press the Play Mix button to play back the Mix Recording and listen to your
fixes.
%
When stopping your
Overdub, all parameters
that were changed during the
overdub will skip back to their
pre-recorded values in order to
match the re s t of the mix.
Therefore, it is not advisable to
overdub more than one parameter
at a time.
13.2.7 Saving, Loading and Discarding a Mix recording
Save
If you are in the middle of recording, you can save it without interrupting the mix.
While recording, click the Save and C ontinue button in the Native Mix Recorder
panel.
Save As
Once you have completed your mix recording, you can save it and work on it
later.
► Click the Save As button in the Native Mix Recorder panel.
► A standard operating system dialog box will appear. Choose a name for the mix
and choose a folder on your hard drive in which to store the mix. By default,
“Traktor3” &gt; “Playlists” &gt; “Mixes will be selected”.
► Click Save.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 130
Load
When you are ready to work on the mix again, you can load it from the Native Mix
Recorder.
► Click the Load button in the Native Mix Recorder panel.
► A standard operating system dialog box will appear.
► Browse your hard drive for the Native Mix Recording file.
► When you have found it, select it and choose Open.
Cut
If you have found a better point to start the mix, you can discard the recording
up to this point.
► Seek to the position in the mix that should be the new starting point.
► Press the Cut button in the Native Mix Recorder panel.
New
To completely erase a mix from memory press the New button.
13.2.8 Writing the Mix Recording as Audio
To make a Native Mix audible without TRAKTOR 3 it has to be converted into an
audio file.
► Click the Write button in the Native Mix Recorder panel.
► The Start Mix Export window will appear.
► By default, the main TRAKTOR 3 folder will be selected. Click the Browse
button to select a different file path.
► Type a name for the mix in the following text field and choose Save.
► Click the Start button.
%
If you would like your
mix to be tracked, put a
check in the box labeled Cut
Tracks On Fade In. Your mix will
then be rendered as separate audio tracks, each cut at the time
you faded them in and out of the
mix with the Crossfader.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 131
The Mix E xport window will appear and displays the following:
► File: Displays the file name.
► Track: Displays the number of tracks in the mix that have been written.
► Time: Displays the amount of time in the mix that has been written.
► Writing: Shows the amount of time left in the writing process via a progress
bar.
► The Master section has a Volume slider that can be used to adjust the volume
of the mix while it is writing. You can also choose to Limit the output signal so
that the mix volume does not overload and clip.
► When exporting has finished the audio file(s) will be saved in the folder you
chose.
13.2.9 Exchanging Native Mixes with Other Traktor Users
To playback a Native Mix you need 3 components:
► The Native Mix file (*.nmx)
► The audio files of the tracks used in the mix
► TRAKTOR 3.
If you want to share a Native Mix with somebody else, you have to give him the Mix
File and all the tracks that have been used for the mix. You can create a copy of
this set of files in the following manner:
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click on the Mix Recordings icon in the Tree Window.
► From the context menu choose the option Export.
► A dialog will ask you for the location of the Mix File and for the path where the
files should be exported.
► After successful export, it is useful to create a ZIP archive of the folder containing all the tracks and the Mix File before sending it out.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 132
14.MIDI and Hotkeys
14.1 Controlling TRAKTOR with MIDI and Hotkeys
Virtually every feature of the TRAKTOR interface is capable of being controlled
by MIDI or by Hotkeys (keyboard shortcuts). The reaction of TRAKTOR can be
customized in a large variety of modes.
These settings can become very complex and they can therefore be saved in a
preset file and shared with other users. This file can be stored and loaded with the
Load and Save buttons in the Hotkey or MIDI Setup page of the Preferences.
TRAKTOR comes with a default set of assignments for Hotkeys documented in
chapter 24 (Hotkeys). It is called TDS3Keyboard.tks and can be found in the
Traktor3 folder.
The following section describes how to customize this preset and how to create
your own MIDI and Hotkey presets.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 133
14.2 Keyboard Hotkeys
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
Open TRAKTOR Preferences &gt; Hotkey &amp; MIDI Setup &gt; Hotkey Setup.
Click the Add button and select Deck &gt; View &gt; Deck Select Focus.
Drop down the Controller Attribute menu and select Deck A.
Click the Learn button.
Press the desired key on your computer keyboard, e.g. y. The letter y will appear
in the controller window next to the Learn button as well in the list under the
Assigned column.
Choose OK.
Now you can select Deck A as focus deck when you press the key y.
To un-assign this key, click the Reset button next to the Learn button.
To entirely remove the option from the list press Delete.
14.2.1 Changing an Existing Hotkey Assignment
Most likely you don’t like certain assignments of the default Hotkeys. In this case
you can change the configuration as you like.
► Open TRAKTOR Preferences &gt; Hotkey &amp; MIDI Setup &gt; Hotkey Setup and scroll
through the list.
► You can sort the list by the assigned Hotkeys to find a specific control.
► Select the control and change the settings in the details underneath the list.
► To assign another key, press the L earn button and then press the new
Hotkey.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 134
14.3Midi Hotkeys
14.3.1 MIDI Device Status Inquiry
This function lets TRAKTOR automatically move all knobs and faders to the position
of the MIDI device after startup.
To make use of this feature the MIDI device needs to support the MIDI Device Status
Inquiry function. If you are not sure if your MIDI device supports this, please read
the manual of your MIDI device or contact the manufacturer.
14.3.2 Configuring your MIDI Setup for External Device Control
Before you can configure TRAKTOR to use it with your MIDI interface, you will
need to install the drivers that came with it first. MIDI device driver installation is
different for every device.
Please read the manual of your MIDI device for the correct installation
procedure.
14.3.3 Activate your device
After you have installed the drivers for your MIDI device, the interface will appear
within the MIDI section of the Preferences. You must activate the device before you
can assign any parameters.
► Open TRAKTOR “Preferences” &gt; “Hotkey &amp; MIDI Setup” &gt; “MIDI Interfaces”.
Your MIDI device should be displayed.
► Under the Active column, double-click the field next to the device name. This
puts an X in the Active box, making the MIDI interface active.
!
If your MIDI device does
not appear in the list,
you may need to restart TRAKTOR
in order for it to be recognized.
When doing so, make sure your
MIDI device is attached to your
computer and powered on.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 135
14.3.4 Select a MIDI Channel
TRAKTOR gives you the option to choose one of 16 MIDI channels or to accept
MIDI messages from all channels.
► Open TRAKTOR “Preferences” &gt; “Hotkey &amp; MIDI Setup” &gt; “MIDI Setup”.
► By default the Channel will be set to OMNI. This means TRAKTOR will accept
all incoming MIDI control messages from any channel, therefore you do not
need to worry about what channel your MIDI device is transmitting on.
► Choose Lock OMNI if you do not want to change the MIDI channel.
► If you want TRAKTOR to accept messages from a specific MIDI channel, click
the arrow next to Channel and select a MIDI channel from the drop down
menu.
14.3.5 Assigning MIDI Knobs and Buttons to TRAKTOR
To assign functions to MIDI controllers use the TRAKTOR &quot;Preferences&quot; &gt; &quot;Hotkey
&amp; MIDI Setup&quot; &gt; &quot;MIDI Setup&quot; page.
► Select a control just as you did in the Hotkey setup preferences.
► To assign a specific MIDI knob or button, press the Learn button and send
MIDI data by moving the knob or button that you want to assign.
► If the MIDI-connection to your controller is correct, you will see the type of
MIDI signal received by TRAKTOR in the window beneath the Learn button.
► If nothing happens verify your MIDI Setup (see section above).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 136
14.4Managing your MIDI and Hotkey Files
14.4.1 Duplicate
If you are adding similar controls, such as Deck select Focus an easier method is
Duplicate. This will add a duplicate control, identical to the currently selected
control.
► Click on a control in the control list window.
► Click the Duplicate button.
► Another identical control will appear in the window.
► Click Controller Attributes and select another channel type (e.g. Deck B).
14.4.2 Delete
%
You can assign the same
(MIDI) Hotkey to more
than one function, which can be
useful in special situations, but
may be unwanted for other situations. However, if you assign the
same (MIDI) Hotkey to more than
one function, both lines are lit in
red.
If you don’t want a control in your list, you can delete it.
► Click on a control in the control list window.
► Click the Delete button.
► The control will be deleted from the list.
14.4.3 Reset
By clicking the Reset button at the top of the settings Preferences window, TRAKTOR
will immediately clear the control list.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 137
14.4.4 MIDI/ Hotkey Pages
The Hotkey Setup and MIDI Setup have more than one page. The drop-down menu
above the table containing the list of assigned controllers shows the currently
selected page (1-3).
Switching from or to another MIDI/ Hotkey Page changes all assigned keys and MIDI
triggers - it’s like loading a totally new assignment file with the difference that the
switch is seamless and can be triggered with a Hotkey or a MIDI command itself.
The controllers for switching pages are found in Add &gt; Pages &gt; MIDI/ Hotkeys.
MIDI and Hotkey Pages have one major purpose: Allowing you to implement any key
as modifier between two functionalities for a knob or button.
You could for example assign Default sensitivity for Key changes to a (MIDI)
Hotkey and switch to Fine sensitivity when you additionally press the key F on our
keyboard.
► Select Page#1 from the drop-down menu and assign Hotkeys to “Add” &gt; “Deck
Tempo” &gt; “Deck Key”. Add a Hotkey for increasing and one for decreasing the
value via the Duplicate button and choosing the respective Control Type (Inc
and Dec)
► Select Page#2 from the drop down menu and assign the same Hotkeys to Deck
Key. Now, set the Control Type to Fine via the respective dropdown field.
► Now define a hotkey for switching between MIDI Pages 1 and 2 and assign it
to the letter F.
14.4.5 Controller Types
► Direct is used to control parameters within a definable range via faders or
knobs.
► Inc &amp; Dec are used to control parameters within a range via buttons or keys on
your keyboard by stepwise incrementing and decrementing the value of the
parameter.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 138
► Reset is used to set a value at which a button or key resets to (e.g. the pitch
fader resets to the middle position).
► Toggle is used to control buttons with an On/ Off state, e.g. the Play/ Pause
button.
► Hold is used to control buttons that shall be On only as long as you press the
button, e.g. the Cue / Pause button.
► Trigger is used for controls that shall initiate an action, e.g. the Deck Load
Selected control.
► Previous &amp; Next are used for controls with which you can scroll through a list,
e.g. the Browser List Window.
► Output is used for MIDI Out, e.g. to get LED’s blinking.
► Set Default is used similar to the Reset type.
► Up &amp; Down is used e.g. for the Pitch Bend control.
14.4.6 Direct Mode for specific Hotkeys
This is a very innovative extension of the current hotkeys for range controls such
as filter knobs or the Key knob. The idea behind it is to give DJs without additional
controllers a way to control TRAKTOR effectively and comfortably – it enables you
to turn a knob up and down without the need to hover over that specific control or
to click with the mouse.
► In the Hotkey Setup assign an additional Hotkey to a parameter.
► Select Direct as Control Type.
► Back in the application, you can now press this new Hotkey with one hand and
with the other you can instantly change the parameter by moving the mouse or
by using the touch pad.
%
This way you can very
quickly control several
parameters- particularly handy
when it comes to controlling effects.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 139
14.4.7 MIDI Control Types
Analog Fader/ Knob control has a mechanical range corresponding to the range of
the parameter.
Rotary (7Fh;01h) has no mechanical range (endless knob) and controls the
parameter via small increments and decrements.
Rotary (3Fh;41h) is a special type of rotary encoder sending values smaller or higher
than the neutral position 40h.
Button is something with an on/ off state, i.e. something you can turn on.
Rotary Sensitivity
The Rotary Sensitivity slider determines how far the controller moves per one click
of the Rotary Encoder. If you have an endless knob, this will give it a fixed value for
high and low.
► Select a control in the MIDI controller list window.
► Click the arrow next to Control Type and select Direct from the drop-down
menu.
► Click the arrow next to Mode and select either Rotary or Rotary (signed).
► You now have control over the Rotary Sensitivity slider.
%
For adapting to various
mechanical layouts, the
direction of motion for Direct controllers can be inverted with the
Invert button.
%
The acceleration and
sensitivity of rotary encoders can be configured just like
a mouse. The mouse wheel and
the ball below a mechanical
mouse are basically the same as
a rotary encoder.
Rotary Acceleration
The Rotary Acceleration slider determines how the controller behaves when the
knob is turned at higher speeds.
► Select a control in the MIDI controller list window.
► Click the arrow next to Control Type and select Direct from the drop-down
menu.
► Click the arrow next to Mode and select either Rotary or Rotary (signed).
► You now have control over the Rotary Acceleration slider
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 140
14.4.8 Soft Takeover
By default, the virtual knobs and sliders of TRAKTOR will pick up at the position of
the corresponding knob or slider of your MIDI controller. By selecting Soft Takeover,
this works inversely: The knob or slider of your MIDI controller will pick up where
the knob or slider of TRAKTOR left off.
14.4.9 Incremental and Decremental Controllers
Controllers working incrementally like repeated clicks of buttons have another set
of options:
Auto Repeat
With Auto Repeat enabled, a triggered function, such as an Increment or Decrement
can be automatically repeated when the key or button is held down.
Resolution
A Step Size is the distance how far up or down a controller moves. The Resolution
menu allows you to increase or decrease the Step Size of your incremental or
decremental controls.
► Use the arrow next to Resolution to drop-down the menu.
► Select a Step Size from the menu.
► These Step Sizes are the same available for the knobs on the software interface.
Refer to chapter 5.2.3 (Advanced Control) to learn more about knob and fader
sensitivities.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 141
14.4.10 Save your Controller Settings
Once you have completed a controllers’ configuration, you can save it as a TRAKTOR
configuration file. This file can then be copied to another computer and loaded
into TRAKTOR.
Save
Save allows you to save your settings as one file on your hard drive.
► Click the Save button.
► A standard operating system dialogue box will appear.
► Type your desired name for the Hotkey file.
► Click the Browse button to search for a folder in which you would like to store
the file.
► Choose Save. TRAKTOR will save your file with the extension *.tks.
Load
► If you would like to load your Hotkey file, click the Load button.
► Browse your hard drive for the Hotkey file.
► Select the file and choose Open.
Reset
By clicking the Reset button at the top, TRAKTOR will immediately clear the
controller list.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 142
15.Synchronizing external Hardware and
Software
TRAKTOR 3 allows you to send a tempo signal to other computers and/ or MIDI
devices through the use of MIDI Clock.
15.1 MIDI-Clock
Currently, TRAKTOR 3 can only send MIDI-Clock, it will not receive it. Connect
the MIDI output of your interface to the MIDI input of your external module or
MIDI device.
► Open TRAKTOR “Preferences” &gt; “External Sync” &gt; “MIDI Clock”.
► Drop down the Interface menu and select your MIDI interface.
► Put a check mark in the box labeled Send MIDI Clock.
► Use the MIDI Clock Time Offset slider to compensate for any latency.
► Choose OK.
► Insert the Clock panel into the Details section.
► Click the Send button.
► MIDI-Clock will then be sent to the output of your MIDI device.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 143
15.2Controlling TRAKTOR 3 with Open Sound Control
(OSC)
Open Sound Control (OSC) is an open protocol for communication between multiple
computers over Ethernet. The OSC implementation within TRAKTOR transmits event
data, allowing you to control other devices with the controls of TRAKTOR 3.
15.2.1 Open Sound Control (OSC) preferences
► Open TRAKTOR “Preferences” &gt; “External Sync” &gt; “Open Sound Control”
(OSC).
► Put a check mark in the box labeled Activate Local IP. This enables OSC.
► The Local IP Address of your computer will be recognized automatically and
displayed in the window next to Activate Local IP.
The following are descriptions of the OSC options. Click to put a check mark in the
box next to an option to activate it.
Port
This is the sub-network identifier. When other OSC clients scan your network, this
is how their system identifies yours. You can change this number, however only
certain ports are scanned. It is generally best to use a number between 10,000
and 10,015.
Local Identifier
This is the name other OSC clients use to identify you. This can be any name you like.
When changing the name of the Local Identifier, make sure to click the Apply button
next to the Local Identifier box. This confirms the change.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 144
Tempo Sync Master
This will send the Master Clock signal to other clients on the network.
Tempo Sync Source
This will make TRAKTOR 3 the Sync Slave. Use the drop-down menu next to Tempo
Sync Source to select the master source from which TRAKTOR will receive sync
information.
Send Controls to
This will allow TRAKTOR to send OSC control data to other clients. Use the dropdown menu next to Send Controls to select the client.
Receive Controls
This will allow TRAKTOR to receive control data via OSC.
15.2.2 Detailed OSC Options
The Detailed OSC Options menu holds synchronization setting options that need
to be configured in order for TRAKTOR 3 to know what to do with your OSC
configuration.
The following are descriptions of the Detailed OSC Options. Click to put a check
mark in the box next to an option to activate it.
► Open TRAKTOR “Preferences” &gt; “External Sync” &gt; “Detailed OSC Options”.
► Select Clock Sync (Master) for TRAKTOR to send an OSC clock signal to other
OSC clients in the member list (explained later). OSC clock works exactly like
MIDI clock.
► The LED to the right of the Clock Sync checkbox will illuminate when a synchronization signal is sent.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 145
► Select Time Sync (Master) for TRAKTOR to be the Master. The client will con►
►
►
►
stantly scan the Master (TRAKTOR) for the time stamp, comparing the received
time with its own and adjusting it when necessary.
The LED to the right of the Time Sync checkbox will illuminate when a synchronization signal is received or sent.
When Clock Sync (Master) and Time Clock (Master) are unselected, you can use
the Sync Master menu to synchronize to an OSC master. Select Clock Sync to
synchronize to Clock Sync signals or select another OSC member to Time Sync
with.
Sync Messages: This window reports status and synchronization errors.
Time Offset (ms): This window adds a time offset to each OSC message sent to
all clients. 1000 ms (milliseconds) equals one second. Therefore, when entering 1000 ms, each message will be received by the client one second later.
This applies only to clients that are in Time Sync mode.
15.2.3 OSC Member List
The OSC Member List is a list of OSC clients that TRAKTOR 3 is connected to. Each
entry can be edited manually.
► Press Scan to automatically locate all clients within the same sub-network.
► Select an entry and click the Edit button.
► Edit information for the client in the info fields.
► When you are finished with your changes, press the Apply button.
► The new information will appear in the Member List.
► If you want to delete the connection, click to select the client in the list and
press the Delete button.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 146
15.2.4 OSC Monitor
The OSC Monitor allows you to monitor all OSC activity through a small information
window. This window displays all received OSC messages. Select between Monitor
Options to set the display behavior.
OSC Message: This field is used for sending text messages to other OSC clients on
the network. Select a client in the Member List, type your message and hit the Enter
key on your computer keyboard. The message will be received by the OSC client.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 147
16.Broadcasting
The Broadcasting feature allows you to host an internet radio show directly out of
the TRAKTOR 3 software. Basically everything that is audible from the Master Out
will be streamed to the internet and listeners all over the world are able to tune in
and listen to your show in real time.
16.1.1Hosting an internet radio show with TRAKTOR 3
To use this feature, you need access to a computer running an Icecast server. It
is recommended that this computer has an internet connection with at least 128
kb/ s upstream transfer rate. The available bandwidth is being shared among the
listeners, so if you choose to broadcast your show at 64 Mb/ s quality the bandwidth
is just enough for two listeners.
16.1.2Basics
TRAKTOR 3 uses a streaming protocol called Icecast. Essentially, the TRAKTOR
3 software contains an Icecast client which can send data to an Icecast server. It
is then possible to access this server through the internet and listen to the audio
that is being streamed from the TRAKTOR 3 software.
%
To learn more about this
streaming protocol and
how to setup a server, please refer
to the official Icecast homepage
(http://www.icecast.org)
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 148
16.1.3Configuring TRAKTOR 3
Before getting started, it is important to configure TRAKTOR 3 so that the local
client can connect to the server and the metadata of the radio stream contains
the correct information:
► Open TRAKTOR “Preferences” &gt; “Broadcasting”.
► Adjust the proxy setting according to your current internet configuration. If you
are not using a proxy, simply check Use direct connection.
► Next, input the address of the Icecast server you want to connect to. This can
be either a hostname or an IP-address
► Specify the port where the server can be reached. Most servers use the default
setting of 8000.
► Input the mount path and password. This information can be obtained from
the host of the Icecast server and permits only authorized clients to stream
data from there.
► Choose the streaming format and quality. Keep in mind that with a higher bitrate, more bandwidth is used for every single stream. Therefore, fewer slots
are available and fewer listeners can tune in at the same time.
► Finally, you can specify the client Metadata setting. This information helps to
tag your audio stream. Be specific in your description; the easier it is to identify the musical content of your stream, the more likely listeners will tune in!
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 149
Once the necessary configurations have been done, you can start your live stream.
To do this, open the Audio Recorder panel in the Details Section.
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click a blank area of the Details Section.
► Choose the Audio Recorder panel.
► Click the Broadcast tower symbol.
► If the symbol starts flashing, the connection with the Icecast server could not
be established. Please go through the configuration process once more and
make sure that the data you received from the server has been inputted correctly.
► If the symbol is highlighted, you are connected to the server and can now start
your broadcast!
!
Even though it is possible to run an Icecast
server and the TRAKTOR 3 application on one computer at the
same time, the CPU usage will
increase and when using powerhungry features like Key Lock it
might result in a sluggish performance. Therefore it is recommended to use two computers.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 150
17.Autoplay
TRAKTOR 3 offers an Autoplay function where all the tracks of a playlist are
played back with automatic crossfades. To understand how TRAKTOR 3 behaves
in Autoplay mode you have to be aware of the following limitations:
► Autoplay only uses tracks from the Current Playlist. If you want play another
playlist in Autoplay mode, you have to copy the tracks to the Current Playlist
first.
► Autoplay only supports 2 Decks on the same level.
► To start Autoplay one deck has to be selected and playing on the Master output.
► Autoplay follows the order of the Current Playlist.
► The time for a transition in Autoplay mode is defined in Preferences &gt; Deck
Preferences &gt; Sound &amp; Mixer.
17.1.1Playing a Playlist in Autoplay Mode
► Clear the Current Playlist by double-clicking it to select all tracks and then
pressing the Delete button.
► Drag-and-Drop the Playlist to be played in Autoplay mode into the Current
►
►
►
►
►
Playlist.
Put the tracks into the desired order.
Load the first track into Deck A.
Start playing Deck A and pull up the volume on Channel A.
In the Master panel click on Play to enable Autoplay mode.
You will observe the Channel Faders and the Crossfader adjust to Autoplay
mode.
%
The Play button in the
Master Details does not
start or stop playback of any deck.
One of the decks supporting
Autoplay must be already playing
to switch on Autoplay mode
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 151
► TRAKTOR 3 will load the next track from the Current Playlist into Deck B and
when the track in Deck A ends it will blend in the track in Deck B.
► To restart playback at the top when Autoplay has reached the bottom of a
playlist, check the option Autoplay Loops Playlist in “Preferences” &gt; “Browser
Preferences” &gt; “Collection Preferences”.
17.1.2Switching to Autoplay during a manual DJ Mix
You don’t always need to play the whole playlist when using Autoplay. Also during
a normal DJ set you can seamlessly switch into Autoplay if you need a break. You
can seamlessly resume as well. Before switching to Autoplay during a DJ set, please
check the following settings:
► Sort the Current Playlist by icon to put the already played tracks to the top.
► Is the Gain button in the Master details lit (Autogain)?
► Is the currently playing deck selected?
► Is the track to be loaded after the next, correctly enqueued as next track?
► Is the Channel Fader of the playing track all the way up?
► Is no other deck playing?
► Under these circumstances, switching to Autoplay will be seamless. The
Crossfader is centered and the Channel Faders of all not playing decks are
pulled down.
► To resume manual control, simply turn off the Play button in the Master Details
panel.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 152
17.1.3Rearranging the Playlist during Autoplay
During Autoplay you can insert or append tracks to the Current Playlist or even
loading tracks directly into decks.
► During Autoplay, browse to another Playlist and drag-and-drop a track into the
waiting deck: This will insert the new track before the previously loaded track
into the Current Playlist and play it next.
► Dropping a track from another Playlist into the currently playing deck will trigger the transition to the opposite deck and insert the new track into the playlist after the next track. The inserted track will not instantly start playing, but
will be played after the next song.
► During Autoplay, drag-and-drop a new song from another Playlist into the
Current Playlist. The song will be inserted into the Current Playlist at that
position.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 153
18.TRAKTOR Scratch functionality
TRAKTOR 3.3 is the first TRAKTOR version that is compatible with TRAKTOR
Scratch.
► Find in this chapter all related options and menus.
► Find a general description of TRAKTOR Scratch’s functionality in your
TRAKTOR Scratch manual.
18.1 Scratch Panel (Tracking)
18.1.1Open the Tracking Panel
►
►
►
►
Right-/ Ctrl-Click on the Details section.
Choose Tracking.
Click on the downwards pointing arrow and choose In Channel A for Deck A.
Open another Tracking Panel and choose In Channel B for Deck B.
18.1.2Assign an input to a channel
► On the Tracking Panel In Channel A click on the button labeled A to assign Deck
A to In Channel A.
► On the Tracking Panel In Channel B click on the button labeled B to assign Deck
B to In Channel B.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 154
18.2TRAKTOR Scratch Preferences
Here is a list of TRAKTOR Preferences that are specific to the TRAKTOR Scratch
functionality.
18.2.1 Audio Setup &gt; Tracking
Timecode Inputs
The C ontrol Signal figures give you a basic idea of the quality of the C ontrol
Signal.
Record Speed
You can choose the start position of the tracking here. This is useful if:
► You want to sticker your record with a lead-in sticker.
► The beginning of your control record is worn out or scratched.
Track Start Position
Put a checkmark in the 45 RPM handling mode if you prefer this over 33 RPM.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 155
18.2.2 Deck Preferences &gt; Loading
Load next track on Record Flip
With this option checked, you can load the next track of any Playlist by flipping
the record.
Playlist Scrolling
With this option, you can enable Playlist Scrolling. If you drop the needle into the
Scrolling zone of the Control Record or skip to Track #3 on your Control CD, You
should see in the List Window how you scroll through your playlist backwards and
forwards according to the movement of the record/ CD.
Whenever you stop the movement, the respective track will be loaded into the deck
you are scrolling in.
18.2.3 Deck Preferences &gt; Transport
Switch to Absolute Mode on Lead-In
When you place the needle in the Lead -In of the Control Vinyl or skip to the first
track of the Control CD, the tracking mode switches to Absolute Mode.
Switch to Absolute Mode after Loading
When loading a track, the tracking mode always switches to Absolute Mode.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 156
18.2.4 Appearance &gt; Wave Display Options
Fit to Record
The length of the overview waveform (Stripe) matches the length of your Control
Vinyl.
Fit to Track
The length of the overview waveform (Stripe) matches the length of the track that
is loaded.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 157
18.3Using 4 Decks
It is possible to switch the Deck Assignment seamlessly, which allows you to control
every Deck via Control Signal. Although one Control Signal source is possible, we
describe here the more common case of setups.
For single turntable mode continue reading in chapter 20.8 (Single Turntable
Mode).
18.3.1 Using 4 Decks with 2 Turntables or CD-Players
► To achieve this, you need a 4-Channel Mixer.
► Connect your 2 turntables or CD-players as usual.
► Connect additionally Out 5|6 of your AUDIO 8 DJ with a third input of your
hardware mixer.
► Connect additionally Out 7|8 of your AUDIO 8 DJ with a fourth input of your
hardware mixer.
► Open two Tracking Panels and assign Deck A to panel In Channel A and Deck B
to panel In Channel B.
► Load and play tracks in Deck A, B, C and D.
► To control Deck C via the Control Records (Control CDs), just click in panel In
Channel A on the button C to switch the assignment.
► To control Deck D via the Control Records (Control CDs), just click in panel In
Channel B on the button D to switch the assignment.
► The switch of the input assignment is seamless and can be controlled via the
Hotkeys you find in the Add &gt; Deck &gt; Scratch menu.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 158
18.3.2 Using 4 Decks with 4 Turntables
► To achieve this, you need a 4-Channel Mixer.
► Also, the additional turntables need to output line level – either they have a
level switch as some modern turntables have, or you need phono preamps for
these, since the In 5|6 and In 7|8 do not have built-in phono preamps as In 1|2
and In 3|4 have.
► To have the full TRAKTOR Scratch functionality, you should use another pair
of Multicore Cables. You can also use normal RCAs, but without the ability to
play normal vinyl on these decks.
► If you use Multicore Cables, plug the RCAs called AUDIO 8 DJ Input into IN
5|6 and the RCAs called AUDIO 8 DJ Output into Out 5|6 to connect Deck C.
For Deck D, Plug the RCAs called AUDIO 8 DJ Input into IN 7|8 and the RCAs
called AUDIO 8 DJ Output into Out 7|8.
► If you do not use Multicore Cables, plug one turntable into IN 5|6 and connect
OUT 5|6 with your mixer to connect Deck C. For Deck D, plug the other turntable into IN 7|8 and connect OUT 7|8 with your mixer.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 159
18.3.3 Using 4 Decks with 4 CD-Players or 2 Turntables and 2 CDPlayers
► To achieve this, you need a 4-Channel Mixer.
► Connect the first two turntables or CD-players as usual.
► To have the full TRAKTOR Scratch functionality, you should use another pair
of Multicore Cables. You can also use normal RCAs, but without the ability to
play normal CDs on these decks.
► If you use Multicore Cables, plug the RCAs called AUDIO 8 DJ Input into IN
5|6 and the RCAs called AUDIO 8 DJ Output into Out 5|6 to connect Deck C.
For Deck D, Plug the RCAs called AUDIO 8 DJ Input into IN 7|8 and the RCAs
called AUDIO 8 DJ Output into Out 7|8.
► If you do not use Multicore Cables, plug one CD-player into IN 5|6 and connect
OUT 5|6 with your mixer to connect Deck C. For Deck D, plug the other CDplayer into IN 7|8 and connect OUT 7|8 with your mixer.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 160
19.Preferences
This section gives an overview of each option found in the TRAKTOR 3 Preferences
menu. Each preference in this section appears in the order in which it is displayed
in the main Preferences menu window.
19.1 Audio Setup
19.1.1Soundcard
► Audio Device: Please choose your audio device. If no audio device is not con-
nected, all channels get routed automatically to your onboard (built-in) soundcard.
► Sample Rate: Choose a sample rate according to the soundcard. Note, that
higher sample rates stress your computer more. The standard is 44.1 kHz.
► Audio L atency: Open your soundcard’s control panel and choose a latency value.
Lower values stress your computer more and a setting too low can lead to
audio dropouts and other unwanted behavior. Read more about latency in
chapter 21.1 (What is Latency?).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 161
19.1.2Output Routing
Mixer Mode
Choose Internal to route the Main output signal of TRAKTOR 3 to the recording
inputs.
Choose E xternal to route the inputs of your soundcard to the TRAKTOR 3 record
feature or if using TRAKTOR 3 with an external DJ mixer.
Monitor
Choose an output pair to prelisten to your tracks.
Master
Choose an output pair for the master output.
Booth
Choose an output pair for additional booth speakers.
Booth outputs are used to route the Master output of TRAKTOR 3 to booth
monitors.
Record
Choose an output pair for the Recording output.
The Recording outputs are used to send the Master output signal from TRAKTOR
3 to a separate mixer input or recording device for recording your mix.
Mono
Click this to merge the channels for mono mode.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 162
19.1.3Input Routing
In Channel A - D
Use this menu to configure TRAKTOR 3 to use the various inputs of your sound
card for playing from an external device. The Volume Meters to the right of the input
selections will display signal level if signal is present.
Swap Input Channel
Click on the respective buttons to swap the channels A and B or C and D.
19.1.4Tracking
This submenu is about TRAKTOR Scratch Preferences.
Timecode Inputs
The C ontrol Signal figures give you a basic idea of the quality of the C ontrol
Signal.
Record Speed
Put a checkmark in the 45 RPM handling mode if you prefer this over 33 RPM.
Track Start Position
You can choose the start position of the tracking here. This is useful if:
► You want to sticker your record with a lead-in sticker.
► The beginning of your control record is worn out or scratched.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 163
19.2Deck Preferences
19.2.1 Loading
Security
► No Loading Track while Deck is playing: Secures you from accidentally loading a
track into a deck that is playing in the main mix.
► Stop Deck at End of Track: Stops the playback of a deck when a track is at its
end.
Reset Controls
► Reset Deck Controls when Loading Track: Resets all deck controls to their default
value when a track is loaded.
when Loading Track: Resets all mixer controls to their
default value when a track is loaded.
► Reset Mixer Controls
Advanced
► Auto Load next Track: This enables TRAKTOR to automatically load the next
track from the Current Playlist.
► Cue to Marker when Loading Track: With this enabled, a track will automatically cue to an established Load Marker when it is loaded.
Scratch
► Load next Track on Record Flip: With this option checked, you can load the next
track of any Playlist.
► Playlist Scrolling: With this option, you can enable Playlist Scrolling. Read
more about P laylist S crolling in chapter 18.2.2 (Deck Preferences &gt;
Loading).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 164
19.2.2 Transport
Synchronize
► Synchro Start: Automatically triggers a Tempo Sync when loading a track or when
starting playback.
► Use Fade In and Fade Out Markers: This option allows the use of Fade In and
Fade Out markers for automatic crossfading between tracks.
Loops
► Seamless Looping: Softens the volume on the beginning and the end of a loop
to make it sound more seamless, without pops or clicks in audio.
► Loop Autodetect Size: Use this slider to adjust the size beneath which a track
is automatically detected as loop and therefore will be looped automatically.
An automatically detected loop will show the green loop bars at the beginning
and the end.
Pitch
► Pitch Range: Determines the range of tempo control in the Decks.
► Fine Pitch Range: Determines the range of an additional pitch controller available only via MIDI. This second pitch controller can be used in combination
with the Deck pitch control. By setting the range to +/- 8% or less you can
control the speed of a deck very precisely with MIDI fader increments.
Scratch Mode
► Switch to Absolute Mode in Lead-In: When you place the needle in the Lead-In
of the Control Vinyl or skip to the first track of the Control CD, the tracking
mode switches to Absolute Mode.
► Switch to Absolute Mode after Loading: When loading a track, the tracking mode
always switches to Absolute Mode.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 165
Cache
You will notice the blinking, yellow bars beneath and below the Stripe. Everything
you see in this range will be cached, allowing seamless loops and jumping through
the track. The yellow bars stop blinking when the whole track is cached.
Choose how many megabytes per track and deck shall be cached, but choose
carefully:
► Choosing 256 MB for Deck A &amp; B means that with tracks loaded in both decks
your computer needs 512 MB of your RAM only for handling the two decks.
► The display below shows how much RAM is left with your current adjustment.
$
This setting is very dependant of your system’s
tech specs. The higher the Cache
setting, the higher the stress for
your computer. When choosing a
setting leave always enough headroom for the actual RAM of your
computer, especially if you’re having audio dropouts or other performance issues.
19.2.3 Sound &amp; Mixer
Time Stretch Quality
This adjusts the quality of time stretching used when using the K ey L ock
function.
► Use Non Adaptive with a slower processor.
► Use PSOLA with a medium processor.
► Use Phase Vocoder with a fast processor.
Mixer
► Auto Crossfade Time: This slider adjusts the amount of time it will take for the
auto crossfade feature to crossfade between tracks.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 166
19.3Browser Preferences
19.3.1 Data Location
This menu contains the locations of various file types used in TRAKTOR 3 LE.
► Click on the button (…!) next to a file type to change the location of the folder.
► Click on Add to add a music folder. You can choose multiple music folders.
► Click on Delete or Change to delete or change your music folder(s).
Read more about TRAKTORs dif-
19.3.2 Collection Preferences
%
► Import Music Folders at Startup: With this selected, each time TRAKTOR is
►
►
►
►
started, it will automatically import all tracks in your Music Folder that have
not already been imported.
Determine track-time automatically (before analysis): With this option checked
TRAKTOR estimates the track-time before exactly analyzing it.
Perform Automatic Background Analysis on Collection Load/ Import: Performs an
automatic analysis of all tracks of the Collection not yet analyzed when imported.
Perform Automatic Background Analysis when Loading into Deck: This option triggers the analysis only when loading a track into a deck. By analyzing the tracks
on demand you don’t run into the CPU problems you may encounter with a
permanent background analysis.
Show Consistency Check Report on Startup: With this selected, the Consistency
Check Report will be displayed each time you start TRAKTOR. This report displays
information about your Track Collection and gives options to manage it.
ferent file types in chapter 7.1
(TRAKTOR File Formats and the
Traktor3 Folder).
Analysis is a process
generating high CPU
load. Due to lower prioritization of
the analysis process there is no
risk of slowdowns for TRAKTOR
itself, but when using additional
s of t w are contemp o r arily to
TRAKTOR, you may note that this
software performs slower than
usual.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 167
► ID3 Tag Mode: This selects how the ID3 tag is written to a song file: Standard
will write industry standard ID3 tag properties such as Artist, Song Title, Album
name, etc. E xtended Tags will write standard ID3 tags as well as TRAKTOR ID3
tags such as Record L abel, BPM, Remixer, Producer, Key, etc. E xtended Tags &amp;
Stripe will write standard and TRAKTOR ID3 tags and will store the Stripe
(Overview Waveform) data in the track file.
► Ignore Cued Tracks in History: With this selected, tracks that have been cued
(but not played) will not appear in the History (located under Playlists in the
Browser Tree).
► Autoplay loops Playlist: This option affects the Autoplay Mode. With this option
checked, TRAKTOR 3 will repeat the Current Playlist from the beginning, when
the end of the list is reached.
► File Structure Mode: The File Structure Mode is relevant for exporting Playlists.
Read more in the next section.
File Structure Mode
The File Structure Mode is relevant for exporting Playlists.
Depending on the chosen mode, tracks will be stored on your hard disk differently
when you export a Playlist:
► Flat: All files will be stored in one folder.
► Artist: All files will be stored in an artist folder, then in a release sub-folder
► L abel: All files will be stored in a label folder, then in a release sub-folder
This applies also to the special playlist Purchased Tracks that is part of the integrated
Beatport store.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 168
19.3.3 BPM Ranges
► Analyze BPM Range: Dial in the minimum and maximum values of beats per
minute (BPM) your tracks usually have to help TRAKTORs BPM-analyzation
finding the appropriate value when analyzing. It’s advisable to keep the range
small and to avoid the doubling of a value (e.g. 80 - 159 BPM is better than
80 – 161 BPM). The lowest possible value you can enter is 40 BPM, whereas
the highest possible value is 250 BPM.
19.3.4 Live Settings
► Allow Inline Editing in List Window: With this option unchecked, Inline Editing
of a tracks’ tag in the browser is not allowed to prevent from unwanted changes during a live set. Check this option if you’re preparing tracks at home for
faster access to the tags.
19.4Recording
19.4.1 Recording Source
► Source: Choose internal to record TRAKTORs Master Output and choose external to record an external audio source like a turntable or a microphone.
► Extern Recording Input: Select the input channel of TRAKTOR 3 receiving the
external audio.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 169
19.4.2 Directory
This determines the file path in which your audio recordings are stored.
19.4.3 Prefix
This determines the prefix of the filename of each recording.
19.4.4 Split at File Size
With a file size selected, your audio recordings will be split each time the file size
is reached. With no file size selected, the recording will be a continuous file.
!
Be aware that a file recorded as wav can become very large, so splitting the
file might be a good option!
19.5Broadcasting
19.5.1 Proxy Settings
If connecting to the internet through a Proxy, use this section to configure TRAKTOR
3 to use your Proxy settings.
19.5.2 Icecast Server Settings
Use this menu to configure TRAKTOR 3 to use your Shoutcast/ Icecast server.
19.5.3 Icecast Metadata Settings
Use this menu to configure metadata for your broadcasting stream.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 170
19.6Hotkey and MIDI Setup
For detailed instructions in configuring these preferences, please use the
instructions found in chapter 14 (MIDI and Hotkeys).
19.6.1 Hotkey Setup
This menu is used to configure the various keys of your computer keyboard to assign
it to the control features of TRAKTOR. Add a control, click Learn and press a key
on your keyboard to assign it to the control feature.
► See, how the available Controller Attributes change depending on the desired
control and how different settings change the behavior of the controls.
► You can add controls and assign them to a specific deck or to the focus
deck.
► Load and Save settings and share them with other users.
19.6.2 MIDI Interfaces
MIDI In/ MIDI Out
On certain controllers, MIDI-Out-Ports are named differently than the MIDI-In-Ports.
On these controllers you could not use TRAKTORs MIDI-Out feature, e.g. to light
the LEDs on the respective controller.
Therefore the MIDI-In-Ports and MIDI-Out-Ports are specified in their own list. It
does work as follows:
► If TRAKTOR detects a MIDI device, it will show up here.
► If the device has driver problems, the list will be empty.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 171
► If you have more than one MIDI device connected, all devices will show up in
the list and you can choose the one you want to have active.
► To mark a MIDI device as active, double-click in the respective line. This will
put an X in the active column, marking this MIDI device as active.
19.6.3 MIDI Setup
Use this menu to assign the various controllers of your MIDI device to control
features of TRAKTOR. Add a control, click Learn and move a knob/ fader/ button
on your MIDI-Controller to assign it to the control feature.
► See, how the available Controller Attributes change depending on the desired
control and how different settings change the behavior of the controls.
► You can add controls and assign them to a specific deck or to the focus
deck.
► Load and Save settings and share them with other users.
19.7 Appearance
19.7.1Deck info Options
This menu is used to configure the way in which file information is displayed above
each deck waveform in the Deck Heading.
You can customize the both rows with three options each for your needs with 19
different values!
Read more about the Deck Info Options in chapter 5.4.5 (Deck Info Options).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 172
19.7.2Wave Display Options
► Highlight Beatmarkers: With this selected, the Beatgrid will be brighter and more
visible.
► Show Minute Markers: Shows a white line for each minute on the Stripe
Window.
► Channels: This configures how the waveform looks. Beats will display the beats
►
►
►
►
►
of the track only. Beats and Highs will display the beats of the track along with
the detected highs in the track. Beats and Envelope will display the beats of the
track along with the detected envelopes in the track.
Colors: You can choose from 3 waveform colors.
Track End Warning Time: This slider adjusts the amount of warning time
TRAKTOR gives when the end of a track is approaching. The warning is displayed as a flashing red transparency over the deck waveform.
Stripe View: This applies to TRAKTOR Scratch mode - choose between two
display options. Read more about this in chapter 18.2 (TRAKTOR Scratch
Preferences).
Play-Marker Position: Determine how far to the left or to the right the PlayMarker shall be displayed.
Phase Meter: With the option Show Phase Meter unchecked, the Phase Meter
will not be visible. If you check this option you will see the Phase Meter appear
above the Waveform.
19.7.3Miscellaneous
► Switch to Fullscreen on Startup: With this selected, TRAKTOR will open in full
screen mode (filling your entire computer screen) each time it is started.
► Fullscreen Mode: Options for TRAKTOR to fill your entire screen at the resolution your computer is set to (Desktop) or at 1024x768 resolution.
► Show value when over Control: With this option checked, knobs like Gain, Master
Volume or the Effects’ knobs show their actual value when hovering over it.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 173
► Font Size: Choose a font size from the drop down menu. Font sizes range from
small to huge. Click Apply. The font size for the Browser will be changed accordingly.
► Hide Beatport: This option hides the Beatport icon from the Browser Tree and
the Find More button in the Browser.
► Reset Hidden Dialogs: resets all dialogs that have been hidden by clicking on
the Don’t Show This Again checkbox.
19.8External Sync
19.8.1 MIDI Clock
► MIDI Interface: Select a MIDI interface to which TRAKTOR 3 will send MIDI
clock.
► Send Midi Clock: Select this for TRAKTOR 3 to send MIDI clock.
► MIDI Clocktime Offset: Use this slider to adjust the MIDI clock offset.
19.8.2 Open Sound Control (OSC)
Use this menu to configure TRAKTOR 3 for Open Sound Control (OSC).
19.8.3 Detailed OSC Options
Use this menu to configure the detailed OSC information. Read more on page 90
(Synchronizing external Hardware and Software).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 174
19.8.4 Open Sound Control
► Activate Local IP: This enables OSC. The Local IP Address of your computer
►
►
►
►
►
will be recognized automatically and displayed in the window next to Activate
Local IP.
Local Identifier: This is the name other OSC clients use to identify you. This
can be any name you like. When changing the name of the Local Identifier,
make sure to click the Apply button next to the Local Identifier box. This confirms the change.
Tempo Sync Master: This will send the Master Clock signal to other clients on
the network.
Tempo Sync Source: This will make TRAKTOR 3 the Sync Slave. Use the dropdown menu next to Tempo Sync Source to select the master source from which
TRAKTOR will receive sync information.
Send Controls to: This will allow TRAKTOR to send OSC control data to other
clients. Use the drop-down menu next to Send Controls to select the client.
Receive Controls: This will allow TRAKTOR to receive control data via OSC.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 175
20.Tips &amp; Tricks
20.1Recording a Microphone
20.1.1Recording the pure Microphone Signal
► Go to “Preferences” &gt; “Input Routing” and assign the Mic In to a Deck, e.g.
Channel D.
► Go to “Preferences” &gt; “Recording”: Click E xtern and choose the respective
channel, here Channel D.
20.1.2 Grinding in the Microphone Signal and recording the sum
► Go to “Preferences” &gt; “Input Routing” and assign the Mic In to a Deck, e.g.
Channel D.
► Go to “Preferences” &gt; “Recording”: Click Internal.
► Click on the downwards pointing arrow above the channel controls and choose
External from the dropdown menu. The waveform display will be grayed out
and you can mix in the microphone signal through TRAKTOR 3’s effects, EQs
and mixer and finally record it in the sum.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 176
20.2Vinyl Brake Effect
20.2.1 Variation I
To simulate a turntable-like brake effect, do the following:
► Go to “Preferences” &gt; “Deck Preferences” &gt; “Transport”.
► Choose a pitch range of +/-100%.
► Slow down the Pitch Fader to a full stop.
20.2.2 Variation II
►
►
►
►
►
►
►
Go to &quot;Preferences&quot; &gt; &quot;Hotkey &amp; MIDI Setup&quot; &gt; &quot;Hotkey Setup&quot;.
Add a new control for &quot;Deck&quot; &gt; &quot;Tempo&quot; &gt; &quot;Deck Pitch Bend&quot;.
Set the Control Type to Down.
Choose Switch from the Sensitivity dropdown menu.
Click Learn and assign the desired key of your keyboard.
Play a track and press your new Hotkey.
This does not actually stop the track, the track will continue to play if you let
go the key, so you still have to click on the Play button to stop the deck completely!
This alternative solution was
found out by forums user markymoon.
20.3Playing in Reverse
Sometimes you might want to play a track in reverse as an additional effect.
Although TRAKTOR itself does not have this feature graphically represented by a
knob, you can assign a Hotkey.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 177
20.3.1 Variation I
► Open “Preferences” &gt; “Hotkey &amp; MIDI Setup” &gt; “Hotkey Setup”.
► Add a new control for “Deck” &gt; “Transport” &gt; “Deck Reverse”.
► Start the playback of a track and see how the playback reverses.
20.3.2 Variation II
►
►
►
►
►
►
Go to “Preferences” &gt; “Hotkey &amp; MIDI Setup” &gt; “Hotkey Setup”.
Add a new control for “Deck” &gt; “Tempo” &gt; “Deck Pitch Bend”.
Set the Control Type to Down.
Choose Switch from the Sensitivity dropdown menu.
Click Learn and assign the desired key of your keyboard.
Use your new Hotkey on a stopped deck.
!
This method can only be
used on a running deck,
this does not work on a stopped
deck!
!
This method can only be
used on a stopped deck,
this does not work on a running
deck!
20.4Beatgridding Tracks with unsteady Tempo
TRAKTORs Beatgrid supports only a single tempo in a track. Adding additional
Gridmarkers will only restart the phase. This is useful for tracks that drift, like tracks
that were recorded from a turntable.
If you have tracks with variable tempo you have two options:
20.4.1 Use Ableton Live
► “Fix” the tempo variation by “Warp Marking” the track.
► Export it as a flattened audio file.
► Reimport into TRAKTOR and add the Beatgrid to it.
!
Consult the respective
manual on details regarding the warp feature of
Ableton Live.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 178
20.4.2 Use Loops for mixing in and out
► Set a Beatmarker and adjust the tempo at a place of the track you likely mix it
in. Don’t worry, the Beatgrid needs to align only a few bars.
► Set a Loop there, most likely not with 32 beats, but 8 or 16 beats and save the
loop (Lock).
► Write the current tempo in the Comment field (or even better: set a Cue Point at
the beginning of a Loop and name it after the bpm value)
► Change the Beatmarker to a Floating Cue Point (Unlock)
► Set a new Beatmarker at the end of the track or where you most likely want to
mix out.
Adjust the tempo.
Set a new Loop.
Save the Loop.
Write the current tempo in the Comment2 field of the Browser (or the Cue Point
name field).
► Delete the Beatmarker.
►
►
►
►
This way you can have e.g. a perfect 115 bpm loop in the beginning and a 123
bpm loop at the end, which you can use for a perfectly beat matched transition!
This tip was shared by forums
user native_girl.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 179
20.5Organizing Playlists
Per default, there is only one level under the Playlist folder besides the pre-installed
Demo, History, iTunes and Mixes folders. If you use Playlists a lot you will soon find
this a bit limiting.
So if you want to categorize your Playlists into a deeper hierarchy, do as follows:
► Close TRAKTOR.
► Open the Windows Explorer or, respectively, the Mac Finder.
► Navigate to the folder My Documents/Traktor3/Playlists for Windows or HD/
[User]/Traktor3 for Mac.
► Add new directories depending on your operating system.
► Move Playlists into desired folders and organize them in the new directories to
your liking.
► Open TRAKTOR again and see these new directories appear under the Playlists
directory.
This tip was shared by forum user
electric surge.
20.6Synchronize the Auto Crossfade with the BPM of
your mix
Imagine you want to tweak a transition between two tracks with effects. Obviously
impossible with only two hands and a mouse, so you’d most likely use the Auto
Crossfade to have your hands free for the effects’ controls.
But why not do the Auto Crossfade synchronized with the tempo of the tracks for
a more subtle result?
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 180
Here’s how it works:
► Load two tracks in Deck A and B and synchronize the BPM.
► Divide the beats per minute by 60 and you’ll have the number of beats per
second.
► Multiply this figure by the number of beats you want the crossfade to last.
► Enter this number into the Auto Crossfade Time field found in “Preferences” &gt;
“Deck Preferences” &gt; “Sound &amp; Mixer” &gt; “Mixer” and confirm with Apply.
► Hit the Autofade Button below the Crossfader and enjoy a smoother transition!
Example: When your current mix is running at 174 BPM, this number has to be
divided by 60 which amounts to 2,9 beats per second. For an 8-bar crossfade, the
correct crossfade time would be 23,2 seconds (2.9 * 8).
%
makes you look extracool when you whip out
a pocket calculator during your
show!
This trick was shared by
DJ Kabuki.
20.7Using the Beatmasher in Musical Values
The Beatmasher is a unique effect that essentially samples the signal arriving at its
input and stores it in a buffer. There it can be looped, transformed – and mashed
up!
The Length knob only offers a value in terms of percentage. There is, however, a
little trick that allows you to step through the timing in musical values.
► Right/ Ctrl-Click the small Plus symbol underneath the Length button.
► Select Coarse from the drop-down menu.
► Change the value in increments that relate more directly to the tempo of the
deck, either by positioning the mouse pointer over the Length Button and moving it up and down or via clicking the + and – symbols.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 181
► If the Length Button is at the very minimum, the audio material played back
from the buffer is exactly 1/32nd note long.
► The next increments represent 1/16th, 2/16th, 3/16th, 1/8th (at the center
position), 3/8ths, 2/4, 3/4 and finally one whole bar at the maximum value to
the very right.
This leads to more satisfying results when using the Beatmasher!
20.8Single Turntable Mode
20.8.1 Variation I
This method makes use of two hotkeys that can be assigned to a key of your
computer keyboard or a midi controller. If you don’t know how to setup Hotkeys,
please read chapter 14 (MIDI and Hotkeys).
In this example, the turntable is connected to the IN 1|2 on the AUDIO 8 DJ. If
you’re using a TRAKTOR Scratch Certified mixer, connect the turntable to the
inputs of the left deck.
Set up the following Hotkeys:
► Assign Deck to Left Scratch Control with controller attribute Deck A
► Assign Deck to Left Scratch Control with controller attribute Deck B
With these two hotkeys you can switch back the control signal from deck to deck.
If Deck A is playing in Absolute / Relative Mode and you switch with the hotkey to
control Deck B, Deck A automatically switches playback to Internal Mode.
This tip was shared by Betatester
Jorge M.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 182
20.8.2 Variation II
This method utilizes the Duplicate Deck feature in a creative way.
► Load a track into Deck A (in Absolute / Relative Mode).
► Duplicate Deck A into Deck B (playing in Internal Mode).
► Crossfade to Deck B.
► Load new track into Deck A.
► Perform your transition and crossfade to Deck A.
► Duplicate Deck A (Absolute / Relative Mode) into Deck B (Internal Mode).
► Crossfade to Deck B.
► Load new track into Deck A.
► Repeat the steps as described in the sentences before.
This tip was shared by Betatester
Slawomir.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 183
21.Troubleshooting
TRAKTOR is a complex piece of software and it is more than natural that you need
to make a sound check after turning on TRAKTOR, as you would do on a regular DJ
setup. The addition of a soundcard and a computer to the traditional setup makes
the sound check even more complex as more components can be misconnected
or wrongly set. This chapter provides a guide to troubleshoot the most common
problems when starting up TRAKTOR.
21.1 What is Latency?
As with any digital device (including hardware signal processors) that converts audio
to data and back again, a computer adds a certain amount of delay (“latency”)
when processing audio signals. Fortunately, with today’s computers and low-latency
sound card drivers, this delay can be so small that you cannot hear it (as example:
3 milliseconds is about the same delay caused by moving your head one meter
further away from a speaker). However, typical computers are generally not set up
for low latency; attempting to play in real time with the AUDIO 8 DJ will probably
prove unsatisfying due to the delay.
Any computer-based audio system has some delay between the audio input and
output. As a result, if you are playing a MIDI keyboard through the AUDIO 8 DJ, you
may hear an annoying delay between the time you hit a key and the time you hear
the sound. It is easy to understand that this latency has to be kept to a minimum
in order to make instruments and DJ applications playable. Even the most powerful
computer can only do a certain number of calculations per second; generating and
processing sounds demands a lot from a computer, so it is important to minimize
any computer-based delays.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 184
Fortunately, three main factors make delays virtually insignificant, assuming you
have a suitable computer setup.
► Today’s multi-gigahertz computers allow very low latencies.
► The AUDIO 8 DJ includes drivers optimized for low latency.
► The AUDIO 8 DJ has been optimized to work as efficiently as possible.
21.1.1How Low Can You Go?
1.5 ms of latency approaches the theoretical minimum, because it will always take
some time to convert a human action into something digital and then to convert the
digital action back to analog sound. However, note that ultra-low latency settings
(or higher sampling rates) make your computer work harder, which can affect the
performance. So, here are some tips on living with latency.
21.1.2About Samples and Buffers
Audio cannot be handled continuously by a computer, but has to wait its turn while
other operations are being carried out. As a result, sound cards create a “buffer,”
which can hold a certain number of samples, where data can be stored and released
as needed to create a smooth flow of data. An analogy would be if you had a hose
that does not deliver water continuously, but in bursts. So you use a holding tank to
store the water coming in from the hose and have a valve in the tank that releases
a steady amount of water in a smooth, continuous flow.
If the tank (buffer) is large, then you can store more water in case the hose goes dry
for a bit. But it will take longer to fill the bucket, which is equivalent to latency. A
smaller tank takes less time to fill, but the hose needs to deliver water on a pretty
continuous basis.
All ASIO audio interfaces and sound cards include a control panel in which you
can adjust the latency. This may be given as the number of samples per buffer or
just milliseconds.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 185
21.1.3Warning: Different Types of ASIO
It is extremely important to use the ASIO driver written for the AUDIO 8 DJ. There
are also generic ASIO drivers, typically called (for Windows) ASIO DirectX Full
Duplex Driver or ASIO Multimedia Driver. If you’re not sure which one to use, try
them all, and choose the one with the lowest latency. There should be an obvious,
dramatic difference when you use the correct AUDIO 8 DJ driver.
21.2Using TRAKTOR with a laptop
21.2.1 Check the laptop’s latency
First you should check if your computer can handle real-time audio processing
without audio dropouts. Dropouts can be caused by certain components in your
computer. A software utility that can check your computer’s suitability for audio
processing is available at:
www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml.
There is no software installation required, just launch the tool after downloading.
With your audio interface disconnected, the tool will report if your laptop can handle
real-time audio streaming without audio dropouts.
In case your computer is unable to handle glitch free audio processing, the tool
will show you red latency bars and report this in the box on the bottom. Run it with
both settings – audio interface connected and disconnected – to find out about
your computer’s capacities.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 186
21.2.2 Avoid Shared Memory
In general it is not recommended to use laptops with shared-memory graphic cards
for audio applications. A shared-memory graphic card accesses the same memory
as the CPU. Other graphic cards have their own, dedicated memory, so that the
main memory is reserved for other tasks (like audio processing). You will need
memory and processing power available for your audio project.
21.2.3 Avoid battery usage
It is not recommended to run the laptop on its battery, as the computer might slow
the clock rate of the CPU down.
21.2.4 Disable devices
First, disconnect additional hardware (printers, scanners etc.) that you do not need
while you are working with your audio interface. Thus, the computer does not need
to handle devices that are currently not being used.
Besides that, laptops often are equipped with built-in devices that tend to disturb
audio processing. An example is a wireless LAN card. In case you experience
serious dropouts, you might need to disable these devices while working with your
audio interface.
Disable devices in Windows XP
Right-click on “My Computer” &gt; “Properties” &gt; “Hardware” &gt; “Device Manager”
to open the device manager. Double-click on a device to bring up its properties
dialog. On the bottom of this pane you can disable the device via the drop-down
menu. Deactivate it and hit OK. You should see a red cross over the device, which
means that it has been deactivated.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 187
Common built-in devices are: network adapters, wireless LAN cards, Bluetooth
ports, infrared ports, printer ports etc. Try to disable the network adapter and
wireless LAN card first, as they are the most common problem causing devices in
audio processing.
Make sure that you do not disable devices that are indispensable for your laptop
to work properly!
Here is a list of devices that you should not deactivate: System timer, Keyboard,
System CMOS/ real time clock, Microsoft ACPI-Compliant System, Numeric data
processor, Primary IDE Channel, Secondary IDE Channel, Graphics Controller, Ultra
ATA Storage Controllers.
Disable devices on Macintosh OS X
If you have a wireless LAN card installed and Bluetooth running, turn them off while
you are using the AUDIO 8 DJ (you can turn this off in the top OS X menu bar).
21.3Audio pops, clicks and/ or distortion!
21.3.1Check your system specs
If your system does not meet the requirements, you may experience pops, clicks
and/ or distortion in audio playback.
For latest system requirements, compatibility and support of the latest operating
systems please see our website at:
http://www.native-instruments.com/audio8dj
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 188
21.3.2 Raise the audio latency
► Open the control panel of your audio interface.
► Choose a preset with higher latency or, if using user defined settings, raise the
USB and Audio latency.
► Keep raising the latency until you do not encounter any more pops/ clicks and/
or distorts.
21.3.3 Test with the built-in soundcard
► Disconnect your audio interface.
► Connect your speaker setup to the built-in (onboard) sound card of your computer.
► Play back a track in your standard playback application, e.g. iTunes or Windows
Media Player.
► If playback is fine with your built-in (onboard) sound card, there may be an IRQ
conflict (Windows only) present on the slot or port your sound card is connected to; or you may need to physically move your sound card to another USB
port.
21.3.4 Physically re-configure the Audio Interface
PCI
If your sound card connects to the motherboard of your computer via PCI bus:
► Shutdown your system and unplug it from power.
► Open your computer and physically move the sound card to another PCI slot
in your system.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 189
FireWire
► If your sound card connects via FireWire, connect it to another FireWire port
on your computer.
► If this does not work you may need to purchase another FireWire card (PCI for
desktop computers or PCMCIA for laptops).
USB
► If your sound card connects via USB, connect it to another USB port on your
computer.
► Try all USB ports on your computer until you find one that works best.
Check your IRQs (Windows only)
IRQ stands for Interrupt Request. This is the way in which Windows allocates
resources to the various devices and ports in your system. If your AUDIO 8 DJ is
on a port that shares an IRQ with other devices, you may have an IRQ conflict. This
means your sound card is not receiving the resources it needs to function properly.
Here is how you detect an IRQ conflict.
► Open “Start &gt; Run” and type the word “msinfo32” and press OK.
► Your system information window will appear.
► Click the Plus (+) sign next to Hardware.
► Click on IRQs.
► Your IRQs will be displayed in the window to the right.
► Your USB port will show up as USB universal host controller in the list.
► If the IRQ number listed next to any of these ports is sharing with other devices in your system, you may have an IRQ conflict. In this case, physically
connect the AUDIO 8 DJ to another USB port.
► If this does not work, and your computer is a desktop, you may be able to change
the IRQ allocation from within the system BIOS (depending on your motherboard). However, with most laptops it is not possible to change IRQ allocation.
You may need to reinstall your operating system for a better IRQ configuration.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 190
21.4TRAKTOR Troubleshooting
Find here a collection of issues and questions you most likely never have.
21.4.1 TRAKTOR crashes
In case of a crash, please contact the NATIVE INSTRUMENTS technical support
team and send them your crashlog. You will find the crashlog in the following
folders:
► PC: C:\Documents and Settings\[USER]\Local Settings\Application Data\Native
Instruments\Crashlogs
► Mac: [USER]/Library/Logs/CrashReporter/Traktor DJ Studio 3.crash.log
21.4.2 TRAKTOR won’t start (or crashes upon start):
Check the systems requirements for TRAKTOR. The minimum requirements are
the very least you can get by with, and are often not enough for advanced use (i.e.
Key L ock, Effects). Updating your RAM configuration may save you a lot of
trouble.
► Make sure you have the most recent TRAKTOR version.
► Make sure that you have not clicked on an outdated application alias/ shortcut.
► Try to restart your computer. Disconnect any audio interfaces and computer
peripherals like printers, scanners and the like.
► If nothing helps, contact the support and send them your crashlog.
%
For PC users: Please
note that some soundcards may not be able to achieve
a comfortable latency. If this is
the case you may want to try the
generic ASIO4ALL driver.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 191
21.4.3 Tracks load but won’t play!
If your waveforms are not moving regardless of pressing Play, most likely something
is wrong with your Soundcard Setup.
Check the Selected Audio Device:
► Open TRAKTOR Preferences &gt; Audio Setup &gt; Soundcard.
► Make sure you have selected the correct soundcard. The Audio Device drop down
list shows all soundcards that have been installed on your computer. If your
audio interface does not appear in the list, it is probably not correctly installed
or not correctly connected. Verify the mechanical connections and check the
correct installation of the soundcard as described further below.
► You may need to deselect and re-select your soundcard.
► If this does not work, try to select your audio interface, confirm with OK and
then close and re-open TRAKTOR.
Check the Audio/ Midi Setup in Mac OS X
To check the correct installation of your soundcard on a Mac, do the following:
► Open “Macintosh HD” &gt; “Applications” &gt; “Utilities” &gt; “Audio Midi Setup” and
click the “Audio Devices” tab.
► For “Default Input”, drop-down the menu and make sure your soundcard is
displayed in the list. If it is not, you may need to reinstall the drivers for your
sound card.
Check the Output Routing
You may have selected the correct soundcard but not assigned any of its
outputs.
► Open TRAKTOR “Preferences” &gt; “Audio Setup” &gt; “Output Routing”.
► Make sure you have selected the right Mixer Mode. Internal will mix the signal
internally and output the mix on the Master Output and the pre-listening signal
at the Monitor Output. External will output each deck individually on a separate
channel for being mixed in an external mixer.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 192
► Verify if the section for Monitor and Master (or Deck A and Deck B in External
Mixer Mode) show valid outputs of the connected soundcard.
► You may need to deselect and re-select the outputs to reinitialize the assignment.
► If this does not work, make the correct assignment, confirm with OK and then
close and re-open TRAKTOR 3.
Check the Audio Control Panel in Windows
To check the correct installation of your soundcard on a Windows computer do
the following:
► Open “Start” &gt; “Control Panel” &gt; “Sounds and Audio Devices” &gt; “Audio”.
► For “Sound Playback” &gt; “Default Device”, drop down the menu and make sure
your soundcard is displayed in the list. If it is not, you may need to reinstall
the drivers for your soundcard.
Check the Audio/ Midi Setup in Mac OS X
To check the correct installation of your soundcard on a Mac do the following:
► Open “Macintosh HD” &gt; “Applications” &gt; “Utilities” &gt; “Audio Midi Setup” and
click the “Audio Devices” tab.
► For “Default Input”, drop-down the menu and make sure your soundcard is
displayed in the list. If it is not, you may need to reinstall the drivers for your
sound card.
21.4.4 Decks play but there is no Sound!
Most likely when the decks are playing everything is fine with the soundcard drivers
and selection but something may be wrong either in the settings of the internal
mixer or in the way you connected your soundcard to your speaker system or
headphones.
► Look at the Master Details Panel and verify that the Master Level Meter is
showing an output signal.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 193
21.4.5 No Master Level Activity
If the Master Level Meter shows no output activity:
► Verify if the Master Volume knob is all the way up.
► If so, check if the Channel Level Meter of the playing track is showing any
activity?
► If no, is there an effect engaged on that channel that might mute the signal?
► If no, is the Equalizer set to neutral position?
► If no, is the channel set to External Input in the channel header - if so, switch
back to Deck Input with the drop down menu above the Cue and PreFX button.
If the Deck Level Meter does show activity, check the following settings:
► Is the Channel Fader all the wax up?
► Is the Channel Gain knob in neutral position?
► Is the Crossfader in neutral (central) position?
► Is the PhMix knob (Phones Mix) knob set to neutral position (centered)?
If after verifying all this you can still not obtain any Master Level activity, you
should contact support.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 194
21.4.6 Decks play, Master Level Flashes, but no Sound!
Re-Verify your Soundcard Output Routing
► Open TRAKTOR “Preferences” &gt; “Audio Setup” &gt; “Output Routing”.
► Make sure you have selected the right Mixer Mode. Internal will mix the signal
internally and output the mix on the Master Output and the pre-listening signal
at the Monitor Output. External will output each deck individually on a separate
channel for being mixed in an external mixer.
► Make sure you have connected the outputs to the Monitor Output when using
your built-in soundcard. With this setting the PhMix knob in the Mixer allows
you to hear a mix of all available TRAKTOR 3’s signals in your headphones,
including the Preview Deck.
Test your Speaker Setup
At this point you have tested almost any possible routing error in TRAKTOR itself.
You now have to verify your external connections including your amplifier and
loudspeakers.
A good way to test the external connections is to momentarily disconnect the audio
cables from your soundcard. You should hear a popping sound or a buzz as you
unplug the cables if everything is set up correctly in the signal path after the
soundcard.
If this test gives positive result you should test your audio setup with another
standard music software installed on your computer.
$
Before unplugging the
cables verify if you have
turned the volume of your amplifier and speakers safely down, as
hot-unplugging cables can cause
damage to your amplifier and
speaker system.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 195
Test your Soundcard on Mac OS X
► Open “Macintosh HD” &gt; “Applications” &gt; “Utilities” &gt; “Audio Midi Setup” and
click the “Audio Devices” tab.
► For “Default Input”, “Output” and “System Output”, drop down each menu
and select your audio device.
► Open iTunes and play back an audio file or song.
► If you do not hear sound, your speaker setup is not configured properly.
Test your Soundcard on Windows
► Open “Start” &gt; “Control Panel” &gt; “Sounds and Audio Devices” &gt; “Audio”.
► For “Sound Playback” &gt; “Default Device”, drop down the menu and select your
soundcard (audio device).
► Open the Windows Media Player and load and play a song.
► If you do not hear sound, your speaker setup is not configured properly.
21.4.7 The Waveforms (or other Graphics) Pause or Stutter!
If the graphics of TRAKTOR pause or stutter, follow the same instructions above
to check your system specs, raise the audio latency and test with the built-in
sound card.
Lower your Cache settings and use a lower Key Lock quality. Also refer to the next
chapter for optimizing your computer.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 196
21.4.8 I get no Response from my MIDI-Controller
Activate Controller
► Open TRAKTOR “Preferences” &gt; “Hotkey &amp; MIDI Setup” &gt; “MIDI
Interfaces”.
► Make sure there is an X in the active column next to your MIDI device. If there
is not, double-click to put an X in the box.
► If your MIDI device does not appear in the list, it may not be correctly connected or installed or it may have been plugged in after startup of TRAKTOR.
You should restart TRAKTOR.
► Click on MIDI Setup and use Learn to configure your controller.
Check your Device Manager (Windows)
If your device does not appear in the Interfaces list even after restarting, check
your MIDI configuration.
► Open “Start”, then right-/ ctrl-click “My Computer”, choose “Properties” &gt;
“Hardware” &gt; “Device Manager”.
► Click the “Plus (+)” sign next to “Sound, Video and Game Controllers”.
► Your MIDI device should be listed here.
► If there is a yellow exclamation mark (!), question mark (?) or if it is not listed
at all, you may need to reinstall the drivers for your MIDI device or consult its
manual for further trouble shooting.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 197
Test MIDI Setup on Mac OS X
► Open “Macintosh HD” &gt; “Applications” &gt; “Utilities” &gt; “Audio Midi Setup” and
click the “MIDI Devices tab”.
Your MIDI device should be in the list.
Click on the “Test Setup” button.
Click on the “MIDI device” icon.
Press a key or move a control on your MIDI controller. You should hear a small
sound.
► If your MIDI device appears in the list as is grayed out, or if it does not show
up at all, you may need to reinstall the drivers for your MIDI device or consult
its manual for further trouble shooting.
►
►
►
►
21.4.9 My Crossfader doesn’t work – I hear Deck A (B, C, D) playing
on both sides!
Very likely you decoupled the assignment of the crossfader accidentally.
► Open the Decks panel in the Details Section.
► Assign the small leftward pointing arrows to Deck A and C.
► Assign the small rightward pointing arrows to Deck B and D.
► Do the opposite for a “Hamster Switch” like found on most hardware mixers.
21.4.10 My Recording sounds too slow and pitched down
Check that the sample rate of your soundcard matches the sample rate chosen in
the software, e.g. 44.1 kHz.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 198
21.4.11 I cannot see the Mixer Strip!
Most likely you have accidentally chosen E xternal Mixer Mode.
► Open Preferences &gt; Audio Setup &gt; Output Routing and choose Internal as Mixer
Mode.
21.4.12 The Details Pages switch themselves like bewitched!
Somehow your Settings file got screwed.
► Open your Traktor3 folder and delete the file Traktor DJ Studio 3 Settings.
xml.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 199
22.Optimizing your computer
The following chapter collects an amount of “tuning” tips that help to increase the
performance of your computer. While faster computers may not need any of these
tips, they can be essential for a satisfying use of the AUDIO 8 DJ on a computer
with technical specifications on the lower end of the system requirements.
22.1Windows XP optimization
This chapter collects tips for tweaking the performance of a Windows PC.
22.1.1Processor Scheduling
►
►
►
►
►
Open “Start” &gt; “Control Panel” and double-click “System”.
Choose “Advanced”.
Under “Performance” choose “Settings”.
Choose the “Advanced” tab.
Under “Processor Scheduling” select “Background Services”.
22.2.1 Visual Effects
► Open “Start” &gt; “Settings” &gt; “Control Panel” and double-click “System”.
► Choose “Advanced” &gt; “Visual Effects” tab.
► Choose “Adjust for best performance”.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 200
22.2.2 Turn off desktop background image
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click “Desktop” &gt; “Properties” &gt; “Desktop”.
► At the top of the list under “Background”, choose “None”.
22.2.3 Disable Screen Saver
► Right-/ Ctrl-Click “Desktop” &gt; “Properties” &gt; “Screen Saver” tab.
► Drop down the “Screen Saver” menu and choose “None”.
22.2.4 Disable Fast User Switching
► Choose “Start” &gt; “Settings” &gt; “Control Panel” &gt; “User Accounts”.
► Click on “Change the Way Users log On or Off” and unselect “Use Fast User
Switching”.
22.2.5 Switch off Power Schemes
►
►
►
►
Choose “Start” &gt; “Control Panel” &gt; “Power Options”.
Set “Power Schemes” to “Always On”.
Drop down the menu for “Turn off Monitor” and select “Never”.
Drop down the menu for “Turn off hard discs” and select “Never”.
22.2.6 Turn off Hibernation
► Open “Start” &gt; “Control Panel” and double-click “Power Options”.
► Choose the “Hibernate” tab and unselect “Enable Hibernation”.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 201
22.2.7 Disable system sounds
► Open “Start” &gt; “Control Panel” and double-click “Sounds and Audio
Devices”.
► Choose the “Sounds” tab.
► Drop down the sound scheme menu and select “None”.
22.2.8 Disable System Restore
► Open “Start” &gt; “Control Panel” &gt; “System”.
► Click on the “System Restore” tab.
► Select “Turn off System Restore on all Drives”.
22.3Macintosh Optimization
This chapter collects tips for tweaking the performance of a Macintosh computer.
22.3.1 Log off additional users
If you have set up multiple user accounts on your computer, make sure your user
account is the only one logged in by logging off any additional users.
22.3.2 Turn off the screen saver
►
►
►
►
►
Open “System Preferences” &gt; “Energy Saver”.
Click on “Show Details” to display the energy saver details.
Click on “Sleep”.
Set the slider for “Put the computer to sleep when inactive” to “Never”.
Set the slider for “Put the display to sleep when inactive” to “Never”.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 202
22.3.3 Do NOT put hard drive(s) to sleep
►
►
►
►
Open “System Preferences” &gt; “Energy Saver”.
Click on “Show Details” to display the energy saver details.
Click on “Sleep”.
Uncheck “Put the hard disk(s) to sleep when possible”.
22.3.4 Make the desktop static
►
►
►
►
Open “System Preferences” &gt; “Desktop &amp; Screen Saver”.
Choose the “Desktop” tab.
Choose an image for your background.
Unselect “Change Picture”.
22.3.5 Lock the Dock
► Open “System Preferences &gt; Dock”.
► Drop down the menu next to “Minimizing Using” and select “Scale Effect”.
► Unselect “Animate opening applications” and “Automatically hide and show
the Dock”.
22.3.6 Dismantle Dashboard (10.4 Tiger and above)
Search the internet for OS X Dashboard kill applications. There are several to
choose from. Some are simple applications that you double-click to stop and start
the Dashboard, others are lines of code to be pasted into the Terminal.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 203
22.3.7 Turn off Sharing
► Open “System Preferences” &gt; “Sharing”.
► Click on the “Services” tab.
► Unselect “Personal File Sharing” and “Internet Sharing” (or “Personal Web
Sharing”).
22.3.8 Shut down all other applications
► If you have any other applications running, shut them down while using your
audio application.
► More tips on optimizing your operating system can be found on:
www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=niosxtut
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 204
23.Getting Help
If you cannot find the reason for a problem, Native Instruments provides
extensive help to registered users.
23.1 Readme/ Knowledge Base/ Online Support
23.1.1Readme
Always consult the Readme file found on the installation CD. It contains important
information and all last minute changes that were not available at the time of
writing this manual.
23.1.2 Knowledge Base
You can access the “Knowledge Base” at
www.native-instruments.com/knowledgebase.
To search the “Knowledge Base” you have to login with your user account first.
You can find more information about the registration in chapter 4.2 (Registration
and Product Authorization).
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 205
23.1.3 Online Support
You can reach the Online Support via
http://www.native-instruments.com/productsupport.
To contact our support team, you need to login with your user account. You can find
more information about the registration in chapter 4.2 (Registration and Product
Authorization).
The following form will ask you for all information about your hardware and software
environment, to better facilitate the information to our support team. The entries
you make are furnished with cookies, so they should automatically be reproduced
when you enter a second support request.
In your communication with the support team keep in mind that you should offer
as much information as possible about your hardware, your operating system and
the software you are running to give the possibility to help you.
In your description, you should mention:
► How to reproduce the problem
► What you have already done to try to fix the problem
► A description of your setup, including all hardware and software involved
► The exact model and technical specifications of your computer
23.2 Forum
In the Native Instruments “User Forum” you can discuss directly with other
users and with experts from Native Instruments that moderate the forum.
The TRAKTOR Forum’s address is:
http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=105
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 206
23.3 Updates
Whenever you encounter problems, you should also check if you have the latest
software installed. Click on the TRAKTOR logo to display the version number.
Updates are released regularly to fix known problems and to constantly improve
the software.
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 207
24.Hotkeys
TRAKTOR 3 has over 500 assignable functions. The most important of them for
a live context have been assigned to keys on your computer keyboard. The file
containing this preset is named: TDS3Keyboard.tks:
Focus / Layouts
Deck Focus Next / Previous
Tab / Shift + Tab
Deck Toggle to Last Focus
Ctrl + Tab
Window Layout #1-#10
Numeric 1-10
Toggle to Last Layouts
Ctrl + Numeric 1
Details Page #1-#4
Shift + Numeric 1-4
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 208
Browsing
Browser List Select Up/Down
Arrow Up + Down
Browser List Select All
Ctrl + A
Browser List Delete Selection
Del
Browser Favorites Select 1-10
F1-F10
Browser Favorites Select Next/Previous
Shift + Arrow Down / Up
Browser Search
Q
Load Deck A
Shift + Arrow Left
Load Deck B
Shift + Arrow Right
Load Deck C
Ctrl + Arrow Left
Load Deck D
Ctrl + Arrow Right
Browser Load Selected Track into Deck
L
Unload Track from Focused Deck
U
Loading
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 209
Playback
Deck Play/Pause
Space
Cue/Pause
Shift + Space
Cue/Play
Ctrl + Space
Deck Cue Set
Shift + Enter
Deck Tempo Sync
T
X-Fader
Arrow Left + Right
Loop Set/In
I
Loop Active/Out
O
Sync
Loop
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 210
Index
Symbols
*.log.................................................................... 68
*.nml................................................................... 68
*.nmx.................................................................. 68
*.tks.................................................................... 68
*.wav................................................................... 68
*.xml................................................................... 68
A
About TRAKTOR 3............................................... 20
Active (Loop)........................................................ 98
Add............................................................ 171, 172
Add to Collection.................................................. 61
Add to Playlist as Next.................................... 58, 61
Add to Playlist at End...................................... 58, 61
Adjusting the Grid........................................... 89, 91
Advanced........................................................... 164
Advanced Control................................................. 26
Allow Inline Editing in List Window....................... 169
Analysis............................................................... 47
Analyze...........................................................57, 60
Analyze BPM Range............................................ 169
Analyzing your track tempo.................................... 88
Application Menu................................................. 19
Apply.................................................................. 58
Arrow.................................................................. 51
Artist................................................................. 168
AUDIO................................................................. 22
Audio Device.......................................................161
Audio Latency.....................................................161
Audio pops, clicks and/ or distortion..................... 188
Audio Setup..................................................20, 161
Multi-Channel-Soundcard.................................. 14
Output Routing............................................... 162
Auto Analysis....................................................... 47
Auto Crossfade Time........................................... 166
Auto Load next Track.......................................... 164
Automatic Backup................................................ 70
Autoplay.............................................................151
Autoplay loops Playlist........................................ 168
Auto Repeat........................................................141
B
Backup................................................................ 69
Backup and Transfer of your Collection................... 68
Bal.................................................................... 105
Basic Control....................................................... 26
Bat:..................................................................... 22
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 211
Battery Usage.................................................... 187
Beatgrid.............................................................. 87
Beatgrid for Tracks recorded from Viny................... 93
BeatJump............................................................ 95
Beatmasher....................................................... 122
Beatmatching....................................................... 81
Beatport........................................................ 46, 71
Downloads........................................................ 73
Purchased Tracks.............................................. 73
Beatport &quot;Find More&quot; Button............................ 50, 74
Beatport Browser Buttons..................................... 73
BPM Estimate...................................................... 47
BPM Range.......................................................... 88
BPM Ranges...................................................... 169
Broadcasting...................................................... 148
Browser............................................................... 43
Browser Buttons............................................. 25, 57
Browser Columns.................................................. 25
Browser Preferences
Data Location................................................. 167
Browser Tree........................................................ 25
Browser Tree Window............................................ 25
Button, Preferences.............................................. 22
Buy Previewed Track............................................. 73
C
Cache................................................................ 166
Cancel Editing...................................................... 57
CD-players......................................................... 104
Channel Fader.................................................... 104
Channel Faders...................................................111
Channels..................................................... 38, 173
Channel Strip..................................................... 104
Check Downloads................................................. 73
Check Mark.......................................................... 51
Classic Equalizer................................................ 105
Clear................................................................... 60
Clock................................................................... 22
coarse................................................................. 27
Collection...................................................... 44, 46
Collection Format.............................................. 59
Collection Preferences........................................ 167
Colors...........................................................39, 173
Compatible Music File Formats.............................. 43
Confirm Editing.................................................... 57
Consistency Check Report..................................... 52
Console Mode...................................................... 23
Controller Attributes..................................... 171, 172
Controller Types.................................................. 138
CPU.................................................................... 22
Crossfade
Automatic........................................................110
Incremental.....................................................110
Crossfader..................................................103, 109
Crossfading........................................................ 109
Cue/ Pause.......................................................... 76
Cue/ Play............................................................. 76
Cue button......................................................... 104
Cueing............................................................... 108
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 212
Cue Points
Jumping........................................................... 85
Locking............................................................ 84
Naming............................................................ 84
Regular............................................................ 83
Special............................................................. 85
Storing............................................................. 84
Cue to Marker when Loading Track....................... 164
Current Playlist..................................................... 65
D
Data Location....................................................... 46
Deck/ External switch......................................... 104
Deck A................................................................ 24
Deck B................................................................ 24
Decks.................................................................. 24
default................................................................. 27
Delay................................................................. 121
Delete....................................................57, 60, 137
Deleting Tracks..................................................... 59
Details Section............................................... 23, 33
Determine track-time automatically...................... 167
Diamond.............................................................. 51
Difficult tracks and easy solutions.......................... 92
Direct................................................................ 138
Direct Mode for specific Hotkeys.......................... 139
Directory.............................................................170
Duplicate........................................................... 137
Duplicate Deck..................................................... 96
E
Edit..................................................................... 57
Edit Dialog........................................................... 54
Editing
Selection of Tracks............................................ 55
Single Track...................................................... 55
Editing tracks....................................................... 53
EQs....................................................................113
EQ Strip............................................................. 105
Equalizer....................................................105, 113
Exclamation Mark................................................. 51
Exit..................................................................... 20
Export Printable................................................... 61
Export Webpage................................................... 61
external devices.................................................. 104
External Mixer.....................................................114
F
F\
92 BP.............................................................118
92 HP.............................................................119
T2 L/H.................................... 117, 118, 119, 120
T2 L/W......................................................... 120
Favorites........................................................ 25, 63
File Info............................................................... 24
File Info Options................................................... 36
File Structure Mode...................................... 73, 168
fine..................................................................... 27
Fit to Record...................................................... 157
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 213
Fit to Track........................................................ 157
Flanger.............................................................. 122
Flat................................................................... 168
Floating Cue Point................................................ 83
Font Size............................................................174
Forum............................................................... 206
Fullscreen...................................................... 20, 40
Fullscreen Button................................................. 23
Fullscreen Mode................................................. 173
G
Gain...........................................................104, 112
Gain knob.......................................................... 104
Gain Value........................................................... 47
General Deck Behavior.......................................... 75
Ghost Pointer....................................................... 27
Grid Cue Point...................................................... 87
H
Header................................................................ 21
Help............................................................ 20, 205
Hide Beatport............................................... 41, 174
High.................................................................. 105
Highlight Beatmarkers................................... 38, 173
History Playlist..................................................... 64
Hold.................................................................. 139
Hotkey Pages..................................................... 138
Hotkeys............................................................. 133
Change.......................................................... 134
Default Settings.............................................. 208
Manage.......................................................... 137
MIDI &amp; Key Commands.................................... 133
Save.............................................................. 142
I
Icons................................................................... 51
ID3 Tag Mode.................................................... 168
ID3 Tags.............................................................. 56
Ignore Cued Tracks in History.............................. 168
Importing your Tracks........................................... 44
Import Music Folders............................................ 44
Import Music Folders at Startup........................... 167
Inc &amp; Dec.......................................................... 138
Inc and Dec........................................................141
Inline Editing........................................................ 54
Installing TRAKTOR 3
Mac................................................................... 7
iPod.................................................................... 66
iTunes................................................................. 46
iTunes Import....................................................... 66
K
Key..................................................................... 82
Key-Commands
Hotkeys.......................................................... 133
Keyboard Hotkeys............................................... 134
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 214
Kill.................................................................... 105
Knob and Fader Control........................................ 25
Knowledge Base................................................. 205
Resize.............................................................. 99
Save...............................................................101
Low................................................................... 105
L
M
Label................................................................. 168
Latency............................................................. 184
Launch Service Center.......................................... 20
Layouts......................................................... 20, 31
Learn................................................. 134, 171, 172
Line Faders.........................................................111
List Window......................................................... 25
Costumize........................................................ 42
Live Settings...................................................... 169
Load................................................................. 142
Load Cue Point..................................................... 86
Load next Track on Record Flip............................ 164
Lock/ unlock........................................................ 60
Locked Playlist
Adding Tracks................................................... 62
Deleting Tracks................................................. 62
Rearranging...................................................... 62
Sorting............................................................. 61
Loop Autodetect Size...................................102, 165
Loop Button......................................................... 77
Loop Preferences................................................ 102
Loops...........................................................97, 165
Move.............................................................. 100
Navigation.......................................................101
Macintosh Optimization....................................... 202
Magnifying Glass.................................................. 50
Manual Crossfade............................................... 109
Master..................................................22, 103, 162
Master Strip....................................................... 103
Mid................................................................... 105
MIDI.................................................................... 22
Activate.......................................................... 135
Assign............................................................ 136
Channel......................................................... 136
Hotkeys.......................................................... 133
MIDI Control Types............................................. 140
MIDI Device Status Inquiry.................................. 135
MIDI Hotkeys
Manage.......................................................... 137
MIDI In/ MIDI Out................................................171
MIDI Pages........................................................ 138
MIDI Setup.......................................................... 20
min..................................................................... 27
Miscellaneous Display Options............................... 40
Missing Tracks..................................................... 52
Mixer Mode........................................................ 162
Monitor.............................................................. 162
Mono................................................................. 162
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 215
Mouse Modes....................................................... 28
Mouse Wheel....................................................... 27
Music.................................................................. 46
Music Folder........................................................ 44
N
Native Mix Export............................................... 132
NI Logo............................................................... 23
No Loading Track while Deck is playing................. 164
Non-Adaptive....................................................... 83
Non Adaptive..................................................... 166
No Response from MIDI-Controller....................... 197
O
oggle................................................................. 139
Online Support................................................... 206
Open Manual....................................................... 20
Optimizing your Computer................................... 200
Organizing Playlists............................................. 180
OSC.................................................................. 144
Output............................................................... 139
P
Perform Automatic Background Analysis on Collection
Load/ Import...................................................... 167
Perform Automatic Background Analysis when Loading
into Deck........................................................... 167
Phase Meter......................................24, 78, 80, 173
Phase Vocoder.............................................. 83, 166
PhMix................................................................ 103
PhVol................................................................ 103
Pitch........................................................... 78, 165
Pitch Bend........................................................... 81
Pitch Bend Buttons.............................................. 78
Pitch Range......................................................... 79
Play..................................................................... 75
Play-Marker........................................................ 173
Play-Marker Position........................................... 173
Playing in Reverse.............................................. 177
Playlist
Locking/Unlocking............................................. 61
Playlist Options.................................................... 60
Playlists......................................................... 46, 59
Play Marker Position............................................. 40
Plus and Minus Buttons........................................ 27
Pre-listening...................................................... 108
Preferences...................................................20, 161
Appearance.....................................................172
Broadcasting...................................................170
Deck Preferences............................................ 164
External Sync..................................................174
Hotkey &amp; MIDI Setup........................................171
Hotkey and MIDI Setup.....................................171
Prefix.................................................................170
Preview.............................................................. 108
Preview Channel..................................................114
Preview Player.............................................. 25, 108
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 216
Previous &amp; Next.................................................. 139
Progress Bar........................................................ 25
PSOLA........................................................ 83, 166
Q
Quick Search....................................................... 48
R
rack End Warning Time....................................... 173
Raise the audio latency....................................... 189
Read File Tags (Async).......................................... 61
Readme............................................................. 205
Read Metadata..................................................... 58
Rec..................................................................... 22
Recording.......................................................... 169
Audio............................................................. 123
Internal/ External............................................ 123
Native Mix Recording....................................... 127
Recordings........................................................... 46
Record Speed.................................................... 163
Refine................................................................. 48
Refresh Beatport.................................................. 73
register................................................................ 11
Registration and Product Authorization................... 11
Relocate........................................................ 58, 60
Relocate Missing Tracks........................................ 52
Rename............................................................... 60
Reset................................................. 137, 139, 142
Reset Controls.................................................... 164
Reset Deck Controls when Loading Track.............. 164
Reset Hidden Dialogs...........................................174
Reset hidden dialogs............................................. 42
Reset Mixer Controls when Loading Track............. 164
Reset Played........................................................ 58
Reset Played State............................................... 60
Resolution..........................................................141
Restore................................................................ 92
Restore Metadata................................................. 57
Reverb............................................................... 121
Right-/ Ctrl-Click Functions.................................... 27
Rotary Acceleration............................................. 140
Rotary Sensitivity................................................ 140
S
Sample Rate.......................................................161
Samples and Buffers.......................................... 185
Save............................................................ 60, 142
Scalability............................................................ 30
SCRATCH............................................................ 35
Scratch Mode..............................................164, 165
Seamless Looping........................................102, 165
Search................................................................. 47
Search History..................................................... 50
Search in Playlists................................................ 58
Search Window..................................................... 25
Security............................................................. 164
Selector, Layout................................................... 22
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 217
Sensitivities......................................................... 27
Service Center...................................................... 11
Set/ In (Loop)....................................................... 98
Set Cue............................................................... 77
Set Default........................................................ 139
Settings...................................................... 171, 172
Setting the Gridmarker.......................................... 89
Setup Guide......................................................... 11
Shared Memory.................................................. 187
Show Consistency Check on Startup....................... 53
Show Consistency Check Report on Startup.......... 167
Show in Explorer/ Finder....................................... 58
Show Minute-Markers........................................... 38
Show Minute Markers.......................................... 173
Show Overview..................................................... 52
Show Phase Meter........................................ 40, 173
Show value when over Control.............................. 173
Show value when over control................................ 41
Snap (Loop)......................................................... 98
Soft Takeover......................................................141
Software
Starting............................................................ 11
Sorting
Unlocked Playlist.............................................. 62
Sound &amp; Mixer................................................... 166
Soundcard..........................................................161
Split at File Size..................................................170
Status Bar........................................................... 25
Stop Deck at End of Track................................... 164
Stripe............................................................ 24, 47
Support............................................................. 205
switch................................................................. 27
Switch to Absolute Mode after Loading................. 165
Switch to Absolute Mode in Lead-In..................... 165
Switch to Fullscreen on Startup.......................41, 173
Sync.................................................................... 81
external Hard- &amp; Software................................ 143
System Monitor.................................................... 22
T
Test Drive
Demo Tracks..................................................... 17
Your Own Music................................................ 18
Test your Soundcard on Mac OS X........................ 196
Test your Soundcard on Windows......................... 196
Test your Speaker Setup...................................... 195
Timecode Inputs................................................. 163
Time Stretching Quality......................................... 83
Tips &amp; Tricks.......................................................176
Tooltip Mode........................................................ 23
Tooltips/ Console.................................................. 23
Total Tracks......................................................... 52
Total Tracks To Analyze......................................... 52
Track Collection.................................................... 66
Track End Warning Time........................................ 39
Tracking............................................................. 163
Track Options....................................................... 58
Tracks Missing..................................................... 52
Tracks Missing Stripe............................................ 52
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 218
Tracks Not Analyzed............................................. 52
Track Start Position............................................ 163
Tracks to Analyse.................................................. 53
TRAKTOR File Formats................................. 68, 167
Traktor Folder....................................................... 68
Trigger............................................................... 139
Troubleshooting.................................................. 184
turntables.......................................................... 104
W
Wave Display Options............................................ 38
Waveforms Stutter.............................................. 196
Windows XP Optimization.................................... 200
Write File Tags (Async).......................................... 61
Write Metadata..................................................... 58
U
Undo Buttons....................................................... 25
Unlocked Playlist
Adding Tracks................................................... 63
Deleting tracks.................................................. 63
Rearrange......................................................... 62
Unlocked Playlists................................................ 62
Up &amp; Down........................................................ 139
Updates............................................................. 207
updates............................................................... 12
Use Cases.......................................................... 107
Using the AUDIO 8 DJ with a Laptop.................... 186
Using the Beatmasher in Musical Values............... 181
V
Visit TRAKTOR 3 on the web................................. 20
Volume Fader..................................................... 104
TRAKTOR 3.3 – 219
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