The Mixer. Native Instruments TRAKTOR KONTROL S8
Below you will find brief information for DJ controller TRAKTOR KONTROL S8. The TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 provides a direct tactile interface to TRAKTOR PRO's features and allows you to achieve more with the controller hardware so you have to do less on your computer screen. Whether you intend to perform and remix live with TRAKTOR, use S8 as a stand-alone mixer with turntables or CD decks or a combination of both; S8 has you covered! S8 enables performance in various live situations, combining the power of computer-based DJing with the immediacy and flow you need to focus on your audience.
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Hardware Reference
The Mixer
4.4
The Mixer
This is a brief overview of the mixer's layout, its function and operation. After that, the detailed hardware reference explains each and every component found in S8's mixer section. The 4channel mixer sits at the center of both, S8, as well as TRAKTOR's software interface. When connected to TRAKTOR, the knobs in S8's mixer section control the corresponding knobs on the software mixer.
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Hardware Reference
The Mixer
S8's Mixer
Callout
(1)
(2)
Description
Mixer Channels A, B, C, D
Mixer Main Section
Link to section providing further information
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Hardware Reference
The Mixer
S8's mixer comes with its own audio processor, which allows it to be used as a stand-alone mixer with 3-band EQ and HP/LP Filter per Channel. The Decks and FX Units, on the other hand, are tied to TRAKTOR software features and don't work in stand-alone operation.
Let's take a quick look at the mixer's key hardware controls and their software equivalents.
4.4.1
Mixer Channel
All mixer channels are laid out identically. Let's have a look at one of them.
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The Mixer
Mixer Channel Details
From top to bottom, a mixer channel consists of the following controls:
Number Description
(1)
(2)
(3)
GAIN knob
TRAKTOR button
FX Assign buttons
Links leading to section with further information
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(6)
(7)
(8)
Number Description
(4)
Input level meter
(5) EQ ( HI , MID , LOW ) knobs
FILTER button and FILTER knob
CUE button
Channel fader
Links leading to section with further information
4.4.1.7, FILTER Button and FILTER Knob
4.4.1.1 GAIN Knob
The GAIN knob controls the level a channel receives from the corresponding Deck or audio input.
GAIN Encoder
►
Adjust the levels of tracks you want to mix or cross-fade between by turning the tracks'
GAIN knobs in order to avoid differences in loudness when mixing.
GAIN is applied after the INPUT and conversion to digital. So if you connect a turntable or any other external device and your channel level meter is constantly moving beyond the four orange segments with the GAIN knob in center position, dial back that device's output level until only the loudest passages reach the orange range of the Input level meter.
4.4.1.2 TRAKTOR Button
Use this button bearing the TRAKTOR logo to switch a channel between TRAKTOR and Direct
Thru mode.
TRAKTOR Button
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Direct Thru mode allows you to use S8 as a stand-alone 4 channel mixer to mix turntables, CD-
Players and other sources, apply EQ and Filter to each channel and route them to the outputs.
"
TRAKTOR Button
TRAKTOR mode
"
S8 Channel TRAKTOR Deck
Connected to TRAKTOR Track Deck
Remix Deck
Audio source
TRAKTOR Deck
TRAKTOR Deck
"
Direct Thru mode
"
Thru mode
Live Input
Direct Thru
External source
External source
If you're using the S8 without a computer connected, as a stand-alone mixer, the TRAKTOR buttons are off.
A detailed look at using the S8 as a stand-alone DJ mixer in Thru mode is provided in chapter
.
4.4.1.3 FX Assign Buttons
Each channel offers two FX Assign buttons which activate routing through TRAKTOR's FX
Units. Press the left one to route the channel to FX Unit 1, the right one to route to FX Unit 2.
FX Assign Buttons
These assignments aren't mutually exclusive, so you can send signal to either one or both FX
Units at the same time.
If you activate both FX assign buttons, your track will first run through FX1, then FX2.
TRAKTOR's FX only work if a channel is set to TRAKTOR mode. If you need to run an external device through TRAKTOR's FX, set it to TRAKTOR mode and choose the Live Input Deck flavor.
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Hardware Reference
The Mixer
Assigning FX Units 3 and 4
TRAKTOR supports up to 4 FX Units. Activate the two additional FX Units in TRAKTOR's preferences: Preferences > Effects > FX Unit Routing > 4 FX Units.
To assign a channel to FX Unit 3 or 4:
►
Press SHIFT + FX assign button. The left button assigns to FX Unit 3, the right one to FX
Unit 4.
►
Control FX Units 3 and 4 via S8's Performance knobs and buttons.
4.4.1.4 EQ Knobs
Each channel sports a 3-band EQ section: HI , MID and LOW knobs allow you to restore the tonal balance between different tracks by increasing or decreasing the corresponding frequency band's volume.
EQ Section
At the center position, the knobs have a detent, marking the position where the EQ doesn't change the frequency balance.
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Hardware Reference
The Mixer
S8's internal EQ sounds identical to the Z ISO which is the default in the TRAKTOR software.
TRAKTOR PROvides you with various types of EQ, each of them with its own “personality.”
You can choose the EQ type in Preferences > Mixer > EQ Selection.
4.4.1.5 Channel Fader
The channel fader controls the channel’s level being sent to the Crossfader and MAIN OUT .
Channel Fader
Use the fader to smoothly fade a channel into your mix.
A channel's fader setting doesn't affect its volume in the CUE - use the GAIN knob to balance its relative level and then pull the faders up to fade in.
4.4.1.6 Channel Meter
Use the channel meter's visual feedback to set up the optimal signal level. If your source is a
TRAKTOR Deck, simply adjust the GAIN knob.
If you connect external turntables or CD Players, use their volume knobs to set the correct channel level. If S8's input starts clipping, lowering GAIN will make the channel quieter, but it won't resolve clipping at the input.
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The Mixer
Increase level so that you get a steady movement of the blue segments and so that the loudest passages of your track just barely push the level meter into the orange range. Don't worry, the
MAIN output has massive reserves to drive the P.A. even if you don't push the input as hard as you can.
4.4.1.7 FILTER Button and FILTER Knob
The FILTER button is an on/off switch for the on-board dual-mode filter.
FILTER Section
To activate it, press the FILTER button. Then turn the FILTER knob to adjust the filter frequency.
►
Turn the knob to the left of the center position to activate a low-pass filter, which gradually attenuates more and more of the high frequencies.
►
Turn the knob to the right to remove low frequencies.
Even if the FILTER button is engaged, when the FILTER knob is in its center position, no filter is applied.
TRAKTOR provides you with different types of dual-mode filters. You can choose the filter type in the Preferences>Mixer>Filter Selection.
4.4.1.8 CUE Button
Press the CUE button to send the channel’s signal to the cue channel in order to audition it over your headphones.
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Hardware Reference
The Mixer
CUE Button
The channel fader doesn't affect the channel volume in the CUE. So please keep it down until you're ready to fade the channel into your MAIN mix.
For a practical tutorial on using headphone controls in the mix, please refer to section
Using Headphones to Prepare the Mix .
4.4.2
Mixer Main Section
This chapter gives a brief overview of the Mixer's Main section first and then an explanation of every control element.
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Mixer Main Section Elements
Number Description
(1)
(2)
Crossfader
CUE VOL knob
(3)
(4)
CUE MIX knob
TEMPO encoder
Links leading to section with further information
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Number Description
(5) BOOTH knob
(6) GLOBAL section
(7)
(8)
MIC assignment buttons
MAIN knob
Links leading to section with further information
4.4.2.1 Crossfader
The Crossfader controls the mix between the channel(s) assigned to its left and right side via the Crossfader Assign Switches on S8's front panel.
The Crossfader
Adjust the cross-fading behavior to fit your performance via the XF CURVE knob:
The XF CURVE knob located at the front panel.
• Smooth transitions and mixing tracks: Turn XF CURVE all the way to the left. The cross-fading works gradually, which means that with the Crossfader in its center position, the left and right sides are mixed equally.
• Scratching and Effects: Turn XF CURVE all the way to the right. The Crossfader works almost like a switch at its left and right ends.
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Hardware Reference
The Mixer
4.4.2.2 CUE VOL Knob
The CUE VOL knob adjusts the volume of the headphone output.
The CUE VOL Knob
S8's high power headphone amps deliver enough volume even in loud environments. Please be careful and start with a low setting.
4.4.2.3 CUE MIX Knob
The CUE MIX knob determines whether you hear the MAIN mix only, the CUE channel only, or a mix of both signals in your headphones.
CUE MIX Knob
Pre-hear a new track in your CUE and raise the channel's GAIN until the mix of both tracks sounds good when the CUE MIX is in center position. That way, when you actually mix it in to the MAIN , you can be certain that it blends well.
4.4.2.4 TEMPO Encoder
The central TEMPO knob controls TRAKTOR's Tempo Master in BPM . All synced Decks automatically follow tempo changes.
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The Mixer
TEMPO Encoder
The TEMPO encoder changes tempo in increments of .01 BPM. Hold SHIFT to change in increments of 1 BPM.
A shortcut provides tempo control functionality via the Deck's display.
Please note: you can only set an individual tempo for un-synced Decks. If you adjust a synced Deck's tempo, the Tempo Master's BPM change along with it.
So for behavior similar to using a dedicated Tempo slider, make sure the Deck isn't synced.
1.
Press Display Button 1 to open the BPM pop-up.
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The Mixer
2.
Turn the BROWSE knob to adjust MASTER tempo in .01 BPM increments. To adjust in full
BPM steps, hold SHIFT while turning the knob.
→ The Track/Remix content playback speed is adjusted.
If you need to manually sync a Deck to an external source like a turntable, use the tempo ad-
justment in combination with the Deck's touch strip as described in section
Note that for Decks which are either set as the MASTER Deck or are synced to MASTER, S8 displays MASTER CLOCK BPM . If the Deck in focus is not in sync with TRAKTOR's Master
Clock, the BPM overlay shows the Track Deck's or Remix Deck's individual BPM .
The BPM overlay can only be accessed on Track- or Remix Decks.
4.4.2.5 BOOTH Knob
The BOOTH knob allows you to send the MAIN signal to a second set of loudspeakers via the
BOOTH OUT connectors and control their volume independently of the volume set by the VOL-
UME knob. One common use is to have your own monitor speakers on stage, so you can control their volume independently from the venue's P.A. system.
BOOTH Knob
The BOOTH knob works the same regardless of whether the mixer is being used in TRAK-
TOR mode, with a mixed setup, or as a stand-alone mixer.
4.4.2.6 GLOBAL Section
Snap and Quantize modes can be enabled/disabled directly from the S8 by pressing the corresponding buttons S and Q buttons in the GLOBAL section.
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The Mixer
GLOBAL Section
These S8 controls only affect TRAKTOR's Decks.
Snap Button
The Snap button, labeled S , allows you to activate/deactivate Snap mode. With Snap mode active, every Cue Point or Loop Point you set will snap to the closest beat.
Quantize Button
The Quantize Button, labeled Q , allows you to activate/deactivate Quantize mode. With Quantize active, all skip actions within a track (Hotcues, Beatjumps, etc.) are beat-accurate.
If you trigger a jump before a beat, TRAKTOR delays the action so that the effect occurs on the beat. This way, your track always stays in sync, allowing a perfect real-time remixing.
4.4.2.7 MIC 1 and 2 Buttons
S8 features MIC 1 and 2 inputs which allow you to connect dynamic microphones and route them through TRAKTOR's effects and mixer by means of Live Input Decks.
MIC 1 and 2 Buttons
The MIC inputs are assigned to Deck C and D by default.
MIC inputs can only be activated on Decks which are currently not playing back, as they are switched to Live Input mode in the process.
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Hardware Reference
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►
Press a MIC ( 1 or 2 ) button to activate the connected microphone. The MIC button and the assigned channel's TRAKTOR button light up bright green when enabled.
►
If the microphone can't be assigned to the channel you select, the TRAKTOR and MIC buttons flash alternately.
Changing the channel assignment
1.
Check the assignment by holding the MIC 1 / 2 button. The assigned channel's TRAKTOR button lights up bright green. All channels you can assign the MIC to are marked dim green.
2.
Hold the MIC 1 button.
3.
Press another channel's TRAKTOR button to assign the microphone to it.
→ If the assignment is successful, the newly assigned channel's TRAKTOR button lights bright green.
For more information on connecting a microphone and setting up your S8 accordingly, refer to section
.
4.4.2.8 MAIN Knob
The MAIN knob controls the overall output level of your mix going to S8's MAIN OUT s.
MAIN Knob
The LED meters to the left and right show the output level. If the MAIN knob is turned left
(towards its minimum value), the associated main level meters will go down, too.
Adjust the MAIN knob so that the loudest passages of your performance stay in the upper part of the blue area without exceeding the orange LEDs
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Key features
- Intuitive tactile interface
- Direct hardware control
- Stand-alone mixer functionality
- Performance in live situations
- Integration with turntables and CD decks