Traktor Geekery Thread

[ttauri]

So as not to hijack other threads further...

um, yeah... Traktor stuff...


Well, here's my hotkey setup (there's a few shift+key and control+key ones as well, but mostly for non-performance things, like setting beatgrids):

http://jumpsturdy.com/graphics/tkeys.jpg

Peece,
T. Tauri

[Count Cookula]

I'd send you mine if i had a template to do it with, very different from your set up

[Fred Litmustest]

any of you using midi controllers with Traktor?
If so which ones?

[misterharrison]

Interesting, TT.

If I knew how to create that blank keyboard thingy (very clever) I'd post mine, which, like CC's, is a bit different.

I notice you don't have a Loop Out (Active/Out) button set - is that because you can use the Loop In button for the same function? Also another button I use quite regularly is the Sync Set one, which I use when beat grids don't quite match up: get them in time in the headphones and then press Sync Set, then when you cue the incoming track from the start again it remembers that the grids were slightly out and compensates (just for that mix, of course, it leaves the grid alone). I also have a Deck Unload button set: I used to occasionally (when drunk!) load tracks into the wrong deck - hey presto, music stops. So now I've got into the habit of pressing Deck Unload every time I finish a mix to prevent that happening - I guess mentally it also feels more like taking a record off the turntable.

Other thoughts: why do you feel the need to have Cue/Pause and Cue/Play if you also have a Play/Pause button? I can't work out why Cue/Play even exists! I'd also be interested in seeing your beatgrid setting hotkeys - I'm working on some myself at the moment, including Open BPM Edit buttons for each deck. Are there BPM+/- buttons you can set within that window? Also Round and Lock?

Finally, any chance of pointing me (us, CC!) towards that blank keyboard so we can post our own Hotkeys?!

:cool:

[misterharrison]

any of you using midi controllers with Traktor?
If so which ones?

I use the M-Audio Trigger Finger:
http://www.americanmusical.com/images/d/p31958d.jpg

Not specially designed for Traktor but good enough for the basics.
4 Faders: 2 x pitch faders (+ 2 x deck volume when mixing internally)
8 Pots: 2 sets of 3 EQs and 1 Gain (again, only used when mixing internally)
16 Pads: 2 sets of Cue/Pause, Play/Pause, Pitch Bend Up, Pitch Bend Down, Sync Set, Sync and Headphone Cue when mixing internally or Loop In and Loop Out when mixing externally.

It's also nice for programming in Logic, and it's much easier to input percussive rhythms than on a piano-style keyboard!

:cool:

[Rotter3*]

I'm using this and it is truly ACE!

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k46/rotter3/feena_dj_controller1.jpg

[misterharrison]

Finally, any chance of pointing me (us, CC!) towards that blank keyboard so we can post our own Hotkeys?!

Found one! Google Images is quite handy!
Off to fiddle with it...

[Count Cookula]

Still want my hot keys MH?

[misterharrison]

Still want my hot keys MH?

Absolutely, Michael. I'm just getting my one ready to post in a similar way to TT's. I found a blank keyboard here: http://www.mrhicks.net/images/blankkeyboard.JPG

It would be interesting to see if the .tks files from versions 2 and 3 are compatible, too.

[Count Cookula]

PM me your e-mail and I'l send it, I'll try and have a go at the keyboard thing next week

[Count Cookula]

Hmm just looked at the layout, don't know how to use that, let me know if you figure it out. It's also missing the arrow keys which I use for L & R deck play and list up and down

[misterharrison]

PM me your e-mail and I'l send it, I'll try and have a go at the keyboard thing next week
You've already got it, mate! Email on its way to you...

Hmm just looked at the layout, don't know how to use that, let me know if you figure it out. It's also missing the arrow keys which I use for L & R deck play and list up and down
I use the arrows for the same thing as TT.
I just stuck the image into word and then slapped some text boxes on top. Then I used OS X's nifty "save picture of selected area as file" (shift+apple+4), to create...

[misterharrison]

http://idisk.mac.com/misterharrison-Public/images/hotkeys.jpg

As you can see, I've got one key left unassigned.
Any ideas?

[Fred Litmustest]

I'm using this and it is truly ACE!

...

I got one of them too! It is aceness incarnate! :-D

[Fred Litmustest]

ooh and how do you guys remember what all the keys do on your keyboard setups? Looks very complicated to me

[Count Cookula]

ooh and how do you guys remember what all the keys do on your keyboard setups? Looks very complicated to me

I've got the keypad layout tattoed on the back of my hands

[misterharrison]

I've got the keypad layout tattoed on the back of my hands
Nice.

I've got one of those little mini-screens that comes down in front of one of my eyes from my control-helmet.

Actually, I've got each deck's controls displayed as in the image above (except written by hand) taped on my laptop either side of the trackpad.

[Count Cookula]

Nice.

I've got one of those little mini-screens that comes down in front of one of my eyes from my control-helmet.

Actually, I've got each deck's controls displayed as in the image above (except written by hand) taped on my laptop either side of the trackpad.

I've got a photographic memory... or is pornographic? It's definitely one or the other.

[ttauri]

I notice you don't have a Loop Out (Active/Out) button set - is that because you can use the Loop In button for the same function?

In most cases. In 2.6 it worked perfectly for me. In 3, sometimes it doesn't (the problem is when I move playback outside of the loop, then loop-in won't toggle the loop off anymore--almost always only a problem when I'm practicing at home and want a do-over of a blend).

I have shift+loop-in assigned to the out though, if I need it.

Also another button I use quite regularly is the Sync Set one
I really liked that control--alas gone in T3.

I also have a Deck Unload button set:
Like that idea.

Other thoughts: why do you feel the need to have Cue/Pause and Cue/Play if you also have a Play/Pause button? I can't work out why Cue/Play even exists!

I have play/pause set so it plays only til I let go of the key, just use it for moving the playback point to the first bar or other little adjustments of where I want main playback to begin from. Then I use cue/play to keep triggering playback from that point. I tend to get ready for letting a track roll by triggering it for a beat or two, like: and a 1 (press c/p), and a 2 (press c/p) and go (press c/p and let track play). Also works great for manual loops: set in-point, then keep returning to it every 4 bars or whatever by pressing cue/play.

I'd also be interested in seeing your beatgrid setting hotkeys
I finally had the idea of setting beatgrid hotkeys in T3, so hafta go back and check in 2.6 to see how they translate.

Mine are:
CMD+G - set grid point
CMD+D & CMD+F - move grid marker forward or backward (mainly cause if I have snap-to-beat on, Traktor always places the marker so it loses the transient, so I inevitably have to move it back a touch)
CMD+W & CMD+E - tempo up/down. (shift+ for finer control)
CMD+R - round

(all set to focus deck)

Peece,
T. Tauri

[Fred Litmustest]

you could combine the 2 key memorising ideas and have it tattooed on to your eyeballs ....

[misterharrison]

I have shift+loop-in assigned to the out though, if I need it.
Nice idea.

I have play/pause set so it plays only til I let go of the key, just use it for moving the playback point to the first bar or other little adjustments of where I want main playback to begin from. Then I use cue/play to keep triggering playback from that point. I tend to get ready for letting a track roll by triggering it for a beat or two, like: and a 1 (press c/p), and a 2 (press c/p) and go (press c/p and let track play). Also works great for manual loops: set in-point, then keep returning to it every 4 bars or whatever by pressing cue/play.

Funny, mine are kind of the other way around:

Cue/Pause to play only as long as the key is held down, always from the cue-point. Nice to use to play samples percussively, especially 80s-style vocal snippets.

Play/Pause to play and, er, pause! I use it to find where I want to play from, pause it there, use Cue/Pause to cue it up just beforehand just like you described, and then Play/Pause to play it again.

CMD+G - set grid point
I have this set too - see image above.
CMD+D & CMD+F - move grid marker forward or backward (mainly cause if I have snap-to-beat on, Traktor always places the marker so it loses the transient, so I inevitably have to move it back a touch)
What are these called in the list of options in the hotkeys setup page? They would be really handy! At the moment I have to: turn snap off, then manually with the mouse holding shift down move the track back a touch, then check to see if it's caught the transient, then set the beat marker and finally turn snap back on again! What a hassle! I hope your way is possible in 2.6!

CMD+W & CMD+E - tempo up/down. (shift+ for finer control)
CMD+R - round

I'm using these too, but they won't work when the BPM Edit window is open, which is really annoying.

(all set to focus deck)

This terrifies me. I could never work out which deck was in focus, so I always have one for each deck!

[Marius Circus]

Think I tried asking this question in the other thread, but can't remember getting an answer to it.

What are the nudge buttons called within in the hotkeys setup? The one doing the equal of holding or pushing the turntable platter. Can't seem to find them. And: is it really possible assigning them to a key/midi button with good result? I seem to remember FK complaining about this on Deep Space regarding an older version of Traktor. Apparently, it wasn't possible setting it up in a way that you could hold the button down for as long as you wanted the nudge button held down, you had to push it a second time to let go.

M

[misterharrison]

What are the nudge buttons called within in the hotkeys setup?
In version 2.6 I use "Deck Pitch Bend Up" and "Deck Pitch Bend Down".

And: is it really possible assigning them to a key/midi button with good result?
Depends what you call a good result! Obviously it doesn't feel the same as doing it on a turntable which feels so directly tactile. But then I've always found the equivalent jog-wheels on CD decks impossible to use. I've found a way to set up some of the pads on my Trigger Finger to respond to pressure so the harder I press them, the more they slow down or speed up the deck, and with some practice I now feel quite comfortable using them. I guess it's just something you have to re-learn.
:cool:

[Marius Circus]

In version 2.6 I use "Deck Pitch Bend Up" and "Deck Pitch Bend Down".

Pitch bend, of course... :oops:


Depends what you call a good result! Obviously it doesn't feel the same as doing it on a turntable which feels so directly tactile. :cool:

I realize that. I'm happy to get it to work like the pitch bend buttons on regular dj cd-players, which I much prefer to jog wheels. The problem with jog wheels is they never feel the same from model to model.

M

[Marius Circus]

http://jumpsturdy.com/graphics/tkeys.jpg



The only thing I don't get about this setup Jeff, is the logic behind the second top row (play and pause controls and so on). Why on earth haven't you made them the same for deck A & B?

M

[ttauri]

The only thing I don't get about this setup Jeff, is the logic behind the second top row (play and pause controls and so on). Why on earth haven't you made them the same for deck A & B?

Few reasons:
- sideways pinky movement seems a little more uncomfortable to me than index finger movement.
- Easier to drop my index & forefingers to the pitch bend keys without moving my hand this way.

Peece,
T. Tauri

[ttauri]

I hope your way is possible in 2.6!
Unfortunately, guess it's not. :confused:

This terrifies me. I could never work out which deck was in focus, so I always have one for each deck!

Since I only do the beatgridding 'offline', typically only using one deck anyway. Should probably just set them to A deck...

Peece,
T. Tauri

[misterharrison]

Just spotted these:
http://eks.fi/img/paneelikuva2.jpg

From here:
http://eks.fi/index.php?page=xp10

They look like they could be ideal for operating Traktor's decks when mixing externally. Built-in audio-outs, too. I read that if you have 2 you can set up an aggregate soundcard in OS X's Audio Midi Setup so that Traktor can use them both (Traktor can only recognise one soundcard at a time).

Anyone seen them/used them etc?

[misterharrison]

Oh, and TTauri, I just downloaded the Boom Recorder software after spotting your recommendation on the Traktor forums - looks pretty sweet. Are you still using it for your rips? I'm used to using Logic to record my vinyl (yeah, overkill, I know :rolleyes: ), but I might give Boom Recorder a go. All my other tracks are recorded as AIFFs - will Traktor mind if I suddenly start shoving Broadcast WAVs into it?

EDIT: Just tried it - recorded fine, but then I still had to import the file into Logic to normalise it. Might as well just stick to recording with Logic too!

[ttauri]

Oh, and TTauri, I just downloaded the Boom Recorder software after spotting your recommendation on the Traktor forums - looks pretty sweet. Are you still using it for your rips? I'm used to using Logic to record my vinyl (yeah, overkill, I know :rolleyes: ), but I might give Boom Recorder a go. All my other tracks are recorded as AIFFs - will Traktor mind if I suddenly start shoving Broadcast WAVs into it?

EDIT: Just tried it - recorded fine, but then I still had to import the file into Logic to normalise it. Might as well just stick to recording with Logic too!

Yeah, just switched to Boom Recorder from Peak. The way I record is to do a whole bunch of records, and then do processing afterwards as I get the time, so it isn't all that important for me to have the recording and processing stuff reside in the same program. Obviously BR has a very limited set of features, but I've had some problems with Peak glitching recently, and this is supposed to be ultra-robust (designed for film location work, where that's obviously a high priority). Certainly seems to be. Tried recording while surfing the web & e-mailing etc, routed T2.6 into it (out my hardware mixer, then back in to BR) to record a mix*, and it recorded flawlessly.

Only had it a few days, but for simple recording with a very well-tuned set of features for the task, find it very recommendable for $20 IMHO.

Peece,
T. Tauri

*T3 really maxes out the processor on my 1.67ghz laptop, though, and unsurprisingly, BR couldn't run at the same time very well.

[misterharrison]

Mmm, I really like its meters, but I like to record, top'n'tail and normalise all in one go, so I think I'll stick with Logic - better the devil you know and all that.

BTW, just stumbled on something called the X-Keys Pro:
http://www.xkeys.com/pigraphics/grxkeys/xp576.jpg
http://www.xkeys.com/xkeys/xkpro.php

All the buttons are completely programmable - handy.

Here's one in someone's Traktor setup:
http://www.fuchs-research.net/files/traktor2_faderfox.jpg

[misterharrison]

New A&H Xone2D controller & audio interface:
http://www.sonicstate.com/news/shownews.cfm?newsid=4366

Apparently there's a Xone1D in the pipeline too (according to the A&H website) - same as the 2D minus the audio interface.

Interesting...

[Marius Circus]

How bloody excellent is this idea?

http://www.mackie.com/products/satellite/splash.html

A sound card with a docking station? I'm amazed no one's thought of it before. I bloody hate having to disconnect/re-connect my soundcard prior to and following gigs.

No idea what the quality of it is like though.

/M

[misterharrison]

I did look at that before getting the Fireface 400.

The only problem for using it with Traktor is that the Satellite "Pod" only has one stereo out, making it a no-no if you want to use Traktor with an external mixer.

http://www.mackie.com//products/satellite/images/EYE_podMed.jpg

[Marius Circus]

Yeah, I noticed that as well. The idea is excellent though. Hope someone else picks up on it.

On the other hand, if I'm gonna buy another sound card, I could just use my old one for gigs... :rolleyes:

/M

[sundayjam]

I looked at this as well before settling for the m-audi firewire410 - which in all honesty has been a great buy. That coupled with the nuo4.

[misterharrison]

Denon DN-HS5500

http://www.denondj.com/dnhs5500/hs5500_quick_scratch_demo.wmv


Sends midi, can be loaded with it's own CD drive or Hard-drive.
But it's a bit big.
:confused:

[Dirty Harry]

So as not to hijack other threads further...

um, yeah... Traktor stuff...


Well, here's my hotkey setup (there's a few shift+key and control+key ones as well, but mostly for non-performance things, like setting beatgrids):

http://jumpsturdy.com/graphics/tkeys.jpg

Peece,
T. Tauri

i need to get around to setting all mine up. i have a few but need to look at it again.

fx through your midi controller/keys?

[ttauri]

fx through your midi controller/keys?

Yeah, mostly. I have effect on/off mapped to a key combo (ctrl+key), as well as previous/next effect, even though I only ever use the reverb. I really need four more buttons on my MIDI keyboard to really map it right tho.

Peece,
T. Tauri

[LordMuck]

So as not to hijack other threads further...

um, yeah... Traktor stuff...


Well, here's my hotkey setup (there's a few shift+key and control+key ones as well, but mostly for non-performance things, like setting beatgrids):

http://jumpsturdy.com/graphics/tkeys.jpg

Peece,
T. Tauri

My hotkey seyup:

C = Deck A Play/Pause
X= Deck A Load Selected
M = Deck B Play/Pause
, = Deck B Load Selected

I really do need to to do some more work on this...

Having said that, it got me through a gig last night (supplementing my vinyl).

[misterharrison]

My hotkey seyup:

C = Deck A Play/Pause
X= Deck A Load Selected
M = Deck B Play/Pause
, = Deck B Load Selected

I really do need to to do some more work on this...

Having said that, it got me through a gig last night (supplementing my vinyl).

mnml !!

[Marius Circus]

This weekend, I beat gridded/set beat markers for about 1500 tracks.

It's been nice knowing you all. I'm off to the nearest mental institution...

[misterharrison]

This weekend, I beat gridded/set beat markers for about 1500 tracks.

It's been nice knowing you all. I'm off to the nearest mental institution...
I know how you feel.
Now back up your collection because :shithappe !

[Marius Circus]

He,he! Yeah, I'm on it as I type. I've done backups already a good few times this weekend. Not doing this one more time...

[misterharrison]

Have you lot seen this software (Mac-only, I think) for ripping vinyl?
http://www.channld.com/pure-vinyl.html

Quite pricey ($200 I think) but it takes a completely different (and unusual) approach. Basically you plug the turntable straight into your soundcard's Mic inputs (obviously you'll need two!), use the soundcard's preamps to boost the signal and then the software applies the RIAA eq curve. I'm guessing the signal is more direct and the RIAA is probably adjustable. Depends on your soundcard's preamps, I suppose.
:confused:

[steve_m]

NI are doing Traktor 3 DJ Studio for 99 euros at the moment!:)
I've taken the plunge and am officially Traktor'd up.
1st gig next Thursday, wish me luck.

[ttauri]

\ I'm guessing the signal is more direct and the RIAA is probably adjustable. Depends on your soundcard's preamps, I suppose.

Maybe not such a good idea, see Paul Gold's reply at the bottom of this thread:
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/mastering-forum/65772-would-work-vinyl.html
(and Paul definitely knows what he's talking about)

Peece,
T. Tauri

[misterharrison]

I see. Thanks for the heads-up.
TBH I gave up on it a while back.

Actually I found a beaten-up old Bozak in a 2nd-hand store here and it sounds lush. Probably not very 'transparent' but if it makes everything sound so good then I don't think I mind! :p

[misterharrison]

Who is Paul Gold, btw?

[ttauri]

Who is Paul Gold, btw?

Vinyl mastering engineer here in Brooklyn, knows his isht.

Cool about the Bozak... 'Sounds good' is a much better yardstick than 'transparent' any day.

Peece,
T. Tauri

[Marius Circus]

This weekend I had my first encounter with a punter who believed that since I was playing off a laptop, I must surely have recorded the whole thing at home in advance. Yeah sure mate, I have nothing better to do with my time than spend 6 hours recording a mix... My mixing was apparently so tight, it couldn't possibly be done by a human. I concidered thanking him for the compliment, but figured out he had to be really drunk to think that well of my mixing, so ended up telling him to go fekk himself instead.

[Count Cookula]

I've had that one before. People used to think the Earth was flat too Marius.