®
Torq User Guide
Version 2.0
Legal Notices
This guide is copyrighted ©2011 by Avid Technology, Inc., with all rights
reserved. Under copyright laws, this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in
part without the written consent of Avid Technology, Inc.
Avid, the Avid logo, Pro Tools M-Audio, Torq, Conectiv, and Traq Morph are either
trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. iTunes and iPod are
registered trademarks of Apple, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are
the property of their respective owners.
Product features, specifications, system requirements, and availability are
subject to change without notice.
Guide Part Number 9329-65034-00 REV B 02/11
Documentation Feedback
We are always looking for ways to improve our documentation. If you have
comments, corrections, or suggestions regarding our documentation, email us
at techpubs@avid.com.
Chapter 1. Introduction to Torq 2.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Torq 2.0 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Using Torq 2.0 With Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
System Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Product Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 2. Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Chapter 3. Torq 2.0 Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Setup Assistant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Chapter 4. Accessing Your Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
The Browser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
File List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Chapter 5. The Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Four Deck Mode vs. Two Deck Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Deck Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Loading Songs onto the Decks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Transport Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Markers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Control (Deck Mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Master/Sync . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Speed Slider (SPEED) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Effects (FX) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Chapter 6. Waveform Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Information Shown on the Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Chapter 7. The Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Mixer Architecture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
PFL/Headphone Cue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Hide Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Crossfader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Traq Morph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Main Out Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Contentsiii
Chapter 8. Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Built-In Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
VST Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Chapter 9. Sampler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Signal Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Sampler Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Chapter 10. Snapshots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Snapshot List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Creating a Snapshot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Masking a Snapshot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Using Snapshots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Duplicate Snapshot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Swapping Snapshots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Delete Snapshot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Momentary vs. Latching Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Polyphonic Snapshots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Chapter 11. Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Automatic Tempo and Phase Detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Phase Grid Manipulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Auto Master Deck Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Chapter 12. Torq Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Audio Preferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
MIDI Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
External Preferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
VST Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Behavior Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Locations Preferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
GUI Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Chapter 13. Rewire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Master Tempo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Audio Routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Chapter 14. External and MIDI Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
External Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
External Control Calibration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Resolving Playback Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
MIDI Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Contentsiv
Chapter 15. MIDI Platter Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
MIDI Platter Control Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
MIDI Platter Control Mode and Auto Sync . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Appendix A. Key Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Browser Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Deck Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Appendix B. Torq Vinyl Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Technical Information and Tips on Torq's Vinyl Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Appendix C. Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Warranty Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Contentsv
Chapter 1: Introduction to Torq 2.0
Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of Torq®. Torq software combines traditional DJ tools with features normally found in advanced audio production applications, such as sampling and VST effects to mix your music
on Mac OS X and Windows platforms.
To help you achieve the best results, this user guide explains how to setup and configure Torq as well as how
to use the extensive features found within the application.
Torq 2.0 Features
•Four Decks
• Optional Two Deck Mode
• Traq Morph offering four new Crossfader algorithms
• Standalone functionality without hardware
• Compatibility with M3, AIFF, WAV, WMA, AAC, and CD Audio
• Built in effects and signal processors
• Support for third party VST plug-ins
• 18 individual samplers for looping and loading samples onto any of the four decks
• Rewire Support for host applications such as Pro Tools
• Support for Torq Xponent
• Support for up to four external control surfaces
• Deck Switch for controlling four decks with qualified two-deck hardware
• MIDI Platter Control for resuming playback of paused songs in perfect sync
• MIDI control assignment MIDI Learn
Each qualified hardware product works with Torq in a different manner. Refer to the documentation provided with your controller for manufacturer specific information.
Refer to www.avid.com/torqFAQ for a current list of qualified hardware, the latest news and updates.
® and qualified third party hardware
® and other qualified DAW’s
Torq 2.0 User Guide
1
Chapter 1: Introduction to Torq 2.0
Using Torq 2.0 With Windows
Screensaver and Power Options
To avoid system crashes and unexpected errors, Windows user should change or disable the display and power
options via the control panel, as described below:
Further information about how to locate and change the options mentioned in this section can be accessed
by clicking on the Help menu within a Windows Explorer window.
Screen Saver
Double click on the Display icon in the Control Panel, and choose the appropriate option to disable the screen
saver.
Power Options
Double click on the Power options icon in the Control Panel. Once the new window has opened, disable all
options that hibernates or put your computer to sleep, as well as any option which turns off or dims the monitor or display.
You will also need to disable all disable all options that allow the hard drive to automatically turn off. If available you should also disable the USB Selective Suspend option as well.
ClearType Font Usage in Windows XP
In order to offer the best appearance on LCD displays, Torq uses ClearType fonts when displaying text in various parts of the program. However, this option is disabled by default in Windows XP SP3. If the text or icons
in the Torq interface appear jagged or blurry please go to http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/tuner/step1.aspx for details on how to resolve the issue.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users should not experience this issue because ClearType fonts are enabled by
default.
This is a system-wide change, which may affect the fonts used in other applications on your computer.
System Requirements
Avid® can only assure compatibility and provide support for hardware and software it has tested and approved.
For complete system requirements and a list of qualified third-party hardware, visit www.avid.com/torqFAQ.
Torq 2.0 User Guide
2
Chapter 1: Introduction to Torq 2.0
Product Registration
Please register your product online at http://www.avid.com/US/support/register-product/torq-2. By doing so,
you become eligible to receive the following:
• Technical support information
• Software update and upgrade notices
• Hardware warranty information
Conventions Used in This Guide
The following symbols are used to highlight important information:
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the most from your system.
Important Notices include information that could affect your data or the performance of your system.
Shortcuts show you useful keyboard or mouse shortcuts.
Cross References point to related sections in this guide.
Torq 2.0 User Guide
3
Chapter 1: Introduction to Torq 2.0
Chapter 2: Software Installation
Installation
The following directions are for installing the Torq software onto your computer. Please follow the installation
instructions provided with your hardware device before launching Torq.
Windows 7, Vista, and Windows XP
To install Torq on a Windows computer:
1 Place the Torq disc in your CD/DVD drive.
2 Windows will automatically launch the install screen. (If you are using Windows Vista or XP, and see an Au-
toplay dialog window, click “Run autorun.exe” to launch the installer.)
If the install screen fails to launch, you can manually start it by clicking on Start > Computer > Torq Disk. If
you are using Windows XP, “Computer” will be labeled “My Computer” in this step.
If you have purchased Torq as a download, locate the zipped installer on your desktop and open it by double
clicking the icon; then locate the installer icon and launch it by double clicking the icon.
3 Choose your Setup Language, click “Next” and follow the on-screen instructions
4 When Torq is finished installing, choose “Finish.”
5 Close the installer screen.
6 Install and connect your qualified hardware. Refer to the documentation provided with your devices.
7 Double-click the Torq application icon to launch the program.
Macintosh OS X
To install Torq on a Mac:
1 Place the Torq disc in your CD/DVD drive.
2 Double-click the Torq CD icon on your desktop. This will display the contents of the CD.
3 Double-click the installer icon.
If you have purchased Torq as a download, open the downloaded DMG file on your desktop by double clicking it, then locate the installer and launch it by double clicking the icon.
4 Follow the on-screen instructions.
5 When installation has completed, select “Close.”
6 A Torq icon will be placed in the Dock.
7 Install and connect your qualified hardware. Refer to the documentation provided with your devices.
8 Click the icon to launch the program.
Torq 2.0 User Guide
4
Chapter 2: Software Installation
Activation
Internet Activation
Once you have completed the software installation, Torq must be activated and authorized using the Avid Activation Tool. This tool can also be used to activate Torq to run as a 30 day trial version.
The 30 day trial period cannot be extended. Torq must be activated and authorized using the Avid Activation Tool if you wish to continue using the application at the end of the trial period. If you deactivate
Torq during the 30 day trial period, the application will still launch for the remainder trial. However, as
the trial cannot be extended you will need to complete the activation and authorization process
There are two methods of activating Torq as described below:
Automatic Activation
This option lets you register Torq over the Internet.
To activate Torq automatically:
1 Choose Internet Activation and click “Next.”.
Internet Activation
Torq 2.0 User Guide
5
Chapter 2: Software Installation
2 . Enter your serial number and System ID in the respective text boxes. Your serial number and system iden-
Next
tification number are located inside the enclosed Torq 2.0 Quick Setup Guide. If you purchased Torq online,
you received your serial number and system identification number from Avid by e-mail. You can also view
your serial number and system identification number by logging in to your support account.
Serial Number and System ID Entered
Torq 2.0 serial numbers start with the letter “J” and contain only CAPITAL letters. System ID numbers
contain only numbers, no letters. If copying and pasting these to Torq, make sure there are no spaces at
the beginning or end.
3 Click “Next” and Torq will connect to the Internet and activate automatically.
4 When you see the Activated screen, your copy of Torq is activated and ready to use. Click “Finish,” and Torq
will continue to launch.
If you have a large number of VST plug-ins installed on your computer, the initial launch of Torq may
take a couple of minutes while the application scans the VST folder.
Activated Screen
Torq 2.0 User Guide
6
Chapter 2: Software Installation
Manual Activation
Manual Activation
Serial Number /System ID
This option lets you activate Torq without an Internet connection.
To activate Torq manually:
1 Choose Manual Activation and click “Next.”
Manual Activation
2 Enter your serial number and System ID in the respective text boxes. Your serial number and system iden-
tification number are located inside the enclosed Torq 2.0 Quick Setup Guide. If you purchased Torq online,
you received your serial number and system identification number from Avid by e-mail. You can also view
your serial number and system identification number by logging in to your support account.
Serial Number an System ID Entered
Torq 2.0 serial numbers start with the letter “J” and contain only CAPITAL letters. System ID numbers
contain only numbers, no letters. If copying and pasting these to Torq, make sure there are no spaces at
the beginning or end.
3 Retrieve and Enter an Activation Key. You can retrieve an Activation Key using another computer's Internet
connection, or by contacting Avid Customer Support. To retrieve an Activation Key you will need your Serial
Number, System ID, and Your machine ID.
To retrieve an Activation Key:
Torq 2.0 User Guide
7
Chapter 2: Software Installation
• To activate using another computer's Internet connection, go to http://activate.avid.com and enter your
Activation Key
JJJJJ-BBBBB-CCCCC-DDDDD-EEEEE
012345012345
11111- 22 222 -3 33 33 -4 444 4- 55 55 5
Torq 2 Serial Number, System ID, and Your machine ID, and then click “Activate”
– or –
• Go to http://www.avid.com/US/support/support-contact#maudio and provide your Torq 2 Serial Number, System ID, and Your machine ID and a support rep will be able to issue an Activation Key
Be sure to select your country or region from the dropdown if you are outside of the US. Activation Keys
can be provided by phone or online support.
4 Enter the Activation Key in the last line of the Manual Activation window. You can type it in, or copy the
entire Activation Key from a text file and paste it into the first text box and it automatically fills the rest of the
text boxes.
Torq 2.0 Activation Keys start with the letter “L” and contain only CAPITAL letters.
Manual Activation Key Entered
5 Click “Next.”
6 When you see the Activated screen, your copy of Torq is activated and ready to use. Click “Finish” and Torq
will continue to launch.
If you have a large number of VST plug-ins installed on your computer, the initial launch of Torq may
take a couple of minutes while the application scans the VST folder.
Activated Screen
Torq 2.0 User Guide
8
Chapter 2: Software Installation
30-day Trial Activation
Trail Version
If you would like to demo Torq before purchasing, you can activate a 30 day trial version of Torq. The 30 day
trial period cannot be extended, and Torq must be activated and authorized if you wish to continue using the
application. If you deactivate Torq during the 30 day trial period, the application will still launch for the remainder trial. However, as the trial cannot be extended you will need to complete the activation and authorization process.
To activate Torq for the 30-day trial period:
1 Choose Trial Version and click “Next.”
Trial Activation
An Internet Connection is NOT required for Trial Activation.
2 When you see the “Activated” screen, your 30 day trial of Torq is activate and ready to use. Click “Finish”
and the application will continue to launch.
At any time during the 30-day trial period, you can choose to purchase a copy of Torq and use the Activation
tool to activate it by clicking the Licensing button in Torq. If you choose not to purchase the software, Torq
will deactivate when the trial expires.
If you have a large number of VST plug-ins installed on your computer, the initial launch of Torq may
take a couple of minutes while the application scans the VST folder.
Torq 2.0 User Guide
9
Chapter 2: Software Installation
Deactivating Torq
If you want to run Torq on another system, you first must deactivate your software license before you can activate it on a second system. Deactivation occurs while Torq is running, but the deactivation process automatically saves all open bins and the current project.
You must be connected to the Internet to deactivate your software.
To deactivate Torq:
1 While the program is running, click on the Preferences icon in the Toolbar at the top of the Torq interface.
Torq Preferences Icon
2 Click the Licensing button in the lower left of the Torq Preferences screen.
Torq Preferences
Torq 2.0 User Guide
10
Chapter 2: Software Installation
3 When the Deactivate screen appears, click “Next” to complete the deactivation process.
Deactivate Screen
Torq 2.0 User Guide
11
Chapter 2: Software Installation
Chapter 3: Torq 2.0 Configuration
Setup Assistant
Once you have completed the installation and activation process, the Torq Setup Assistant will launch, allowing you optimize the of the program to work on your system with qualified hardware. The Setup Assistant lets
you use two methods of configuring Torq.
Manual Setup
This method guides you through a detailed set of options for more sophisticated hardware configurations.
To Manually Setup Torq:
1 Choose Manual Setup, then click “Next.”
Setup Assistant - Manual Setup
2 Click the pop-up menu on the Audio Device Setup screen and choose the audio device you wish to use from
the list of available options, then click “Next”.
Setup Assistant - Audio Device Setup
Torq 2.0 User Guide
12
Chapter 3: Torq 2.0 Configuration
3 When the Mixer Mode screen appears, choose one of the two Mixer modes. If you are going to use an ex-
ternal hardware mixer with Torq, proceed to step 11 under “External Mixer Mode” on page 16, otherwise proceed to step 4.
Internal Mixer Mode
Setup Assistant - Internal Mixer Mode
Choosing Internal Mixer Mode lets you mix all of the Decks within Torq using a hardware controller, such as
Torq Xponent, any other qualified third-party controller, or your mouse. While Torq is set to Internal Mixer
Mode, the internal mixer will be visible on-screen, and all hardware controller movements will be reflected in
the application.
4 Select Internal Mixer Mode, then click “Next.”
Deck Mode
By default Torq 2.0 is set to run in Four Deck Mode which provides four Decks in the Torq interface. However
you also have the option of using the program in the more traditional Two Deck Mode, with two on-screen
Deck.
Refer to “Four Deck Mode vs. Two Deck Mode” on page 35 for more information.
Setup Assistant - Deck Mode
5 Choose the Deck Mode you wish to use, then click “Next.”
Torq 2.0 User Guide
13
Chapter 3: Torq 2.0 Configuration
6 When the MIDI Device Setup screen appears, choose a MIDI device from the available options, then click
“Next.”
Setup Assistant - MIDI Device Setup
If Your MIDI Device is Not Listed
If you do not see a listing for the MIDI device you want to use, click the “Refresh Device List” button. A Warning screen will appear asking you to co nfir m that you w ant Tor q to s can for the missing MIDI Device. Read the
screen very carefully, then click “Yes” if you still want to refresh the device list. Once the process has completed, and your device appears, click “Next.”
Setup Assistant - Refresh Device List Warning
Torq 2.0 User Guide
14
Chapter 3: Torq 2.0 Configuration
7 Torq preselects the most common location for your music folder based on your operating system. If the
folder path displayed on the Music Library Setup screen is correct, click “Next.”
If the preselected location is incorrect, click the Browse button to the left of the folder path and navigate
to the proper location on your system. Once you have found the folder, click on it once, then click “Open”
(Mac) or “OK” (Windows). When that window closes, click “Next” on the Music Library Setup screen.
Setup Assistant - Music Library Setup
8 If you have iTunes installed on your computer, Torq will preselect the default location of your iTunes library
based on your operating system. If the folder path displayed on the iTunes Library Setup screen is correct, click
“Next.”
If the preselected location is incorrect, click the Browse button to the left of the folder path and navigate
to the proper location on your system. Once you have found the folder, click on it once, then click “Open”
(Mac) or “OK” (Windows). When that window closes, click “Next” on the iTunes Library Setup screen.
Setup Assistant - iTunes Library Setup
Torq 2.0 User Guide
15
Chapter 3: Torq 2.0 Configuration
9 Review the information displayed on the Summary screen, then click “Next” if all the information listed is
correct.
If any of the information is incorrect, click “Previous” to go back to the appropriate page, or click the
“Gear” icon to open the Torq Preferences (see “Torq Preferences” on page 101) to change the settings.
Setup Assistant - Summary
10 Click Finish on the Enjoy screen.
Setup Assistant - Enjoy
External Mixer Mode
Choosing External Mixer Mode lets you mix you songs with a hardware mixer and an audio device with at
least two stereo outputs. However the on-screen mixer will be hidden.
For more information about External Mixer Mode Preferences, refer to “External” on page 112 and “External Mixer Mode Channel Assignments” on page 116.
11 Choose External Mixer Mode, and click “Next.”
12 When the Deck Mode screen appears choose the number of Torq Decks you want to use, and click “Next.”.l
13 When the MIDI Device Setup screen appears, choose a MIDI device from the available options, then click
“Next.”
Torq 2.0 User Guide
16
Chapter 3: Torq 2.0 Configuration
If Your MIDI Device is Not Listed
If you do not see a listing for the MIDI device you want to use, click the “Refresh Device List” button. A Warning screen will appear asking you to co nfir m that you w ant Tor q to s can for the missing MIDI Device. Read the
screen very carefully, then click “Yes” if you still want to refresh the device list. Once the process has completed, and your device appears, click “Next.”
Setup Assistant - Refresh Device List Warning
14 Torq preselects the most common location for your music folder based on your operating system. If the
folder path displayed on the Music Library Setup screen is correct, click “Next.”
If the preselected location is incorrect, click the Browse button to the left of the folder path and navigate
to the proper location on your system. Once you have found the folder, click on it once, then click “Open”
(Mac) or “OK” (Windows). When that window closes, click “Next” on the Music Library Setup screen.
Setup Assistant - Music Library Setup
Torq 2.0 User Guide
17
Chapter 3: Torq 2.0 Configuration
15 If you have iTunes installed on your computer, Torq will preselect the default location of your iTunes li-
brary based on your operating system. If the folder path displayed on the iTunes Library Setup screen is correct, click “Next.”
If the preselected location is incorrect, click the Browse button to the left of the folder path and navigate
to the proper location on your system. Once you have found the folder, click on it once, then click “Open”
(Mac) or “OK” (Windows). When that window closes, click “Next” on the iTunes Library Setup screen.
Setup Assistant - iTunes Library Setup
16 Review the information displayed on the Summary screen, then click “Next” if all the information listed
is correct.
If any of the information is incorrect, click “Previous” to go back to the appropriate page, or click the
“Gear” icon to open the Torq Preferences (see “Torq Preferences” on page 101) to change the settings.
Setup Assistant - Summary
Torq 2.0 User Guide
18
Chapter 3: Torq 2.0 Configuration
17 Click Finish on the Enjoy screen.
Setup Assistant - Music Library Setup
Torq 2.0 User Guide
19
Chapter 3: Torq 2.0 Configuration
Chapter 4: Accessing Your Music
This chapter covers locating and organizing your music using the Browser and Database, as well as creating
Playlists which let you quickly access and load songs onto any of the four Decks during your performances.
The Browser
Tor q Bro wse r
The Browser is located in the lower section of the Torq interface. The first column on the left of the Browser
is the Index, which is used for navigating your system when locating and loading songs onto the decks.
The Index contains folder headings for Snapshots, Database, and Files. The Files category contains all internal
and connected external hard drives (such as “C:” or “Macintosh HD”) and CD’s in your computers optical
drive. The other standard headings are for your local Music folder (“Music” on Mac and “My Music” in Windows), the Desktop, iTunes, Crates, Playlists and any connected media players such as an iPod.
Clicking any of the headings will display its contents in the File List on the right side of the Browsers. Clicking
the plus (+) sign to the left of any heading reveals the subfolders below it, and the plus sign changes to a minus
(-) sign. Clicking the minus sign to the left of any folder hide its subfolders.
Clicking on a folder that containing compatible audio files (“.aif,” “wav,” or mp3) displays the songs in the
File List on the right hand side of the Browser. However the File List will be empty if Torq cannot identify any
“playable” files within a folder.
Once you have located a song you can either preview it in your headphones before using it in a mix, or you
can load it onto a deck.
Torq offers a number of useful preset Key Commands for working within the Browser. These can be found
in Appendix A, listed under “Browser Commands” on page 152.
Refer to “File List” on page 31, for more information about the File List features including Song Preview.
Torq 2.0 User Guide
20
Chapter 4: Accessing Your Music
Snapshots
Creating Snapshots lets you save multiple movements, such as button presses and knob adjustments, into a
macro that can be triggered by a single keystroke. Torq manages a collection of Snapshots which can be recalled interchangeably, even in rapid succession. Snapshots can even be layered together to create massive
changes in your mix.
Refer to Chapter 10, “Snapshots” for more information about creating and using Snapshots
Database
Database
The Database is a collection of folders located throughout your computer system (including external drives).
This is feature lets you quickly and efficiently locate and organize your music collection. Once a folder is
added to the Database, the songs it contains will be listed in the File List whenever you click on the Database
heading. If you have multiple folders assigned to the Database, all the files in all folders will be listed simultaneously in the File List. Therefore, to use the Database efficiently, you’ll only want to assign folders that contain music you’d like to spin.
Adding Folders to Database
To add a music folder to the Database:
1 Locate the folder you want to add to the Database.
2 Right-click (CTRL-click on Mac) on the folder.
3 Choose “Add to database” from the pop-up menu.
4 The folder will then be assigned to the Database (you can click the “+” in front of Database to see this new
folder listed beneath it).
You can stop this process at any time while it is running by right-click (CTRL-click on Mac) on the folder,
and choosing “Stop Addition to DB.”
Now, when you click on Database, the contents of the folder you just assigned will be listed in the File List.
Torq 2.0 User Guide
21
Chapter 4: Accessing Your Music
Adding Multiple Folders
You may find that one folder will contain many folders that you’d like to add to the Database. A great example
of this is when your music is automatically sorted by a program like Apple iTunes. Typically, there will be a
folder for each artist in your collection, and each of these folders will contain individual folders for each album by that artist. Therefore, if you want to add all the music by this particular artist to the Database, you actually need to add all of the individual album folders.
To add folders, including their subfolders, to the Database:
1 Locate the folder containing the sub-folders you want to add.
2 Right-click (CTRL-click on Mac) the folder and select “Add folder to Database Recursively.” Torq will auto-
matically add the folder, along with all its sub-folders, to the Database.
You can stop this process at any time while it is running by right-click (CTRL-click on Mac) on the folder,
and choosing “Stop Addition to DB.”
Adding Folders from Your OS
If you’d prefer, you can add folders to the Database by dragging them from your operating system into the
Torq Browser. You can do this using either Explorer for Windows or Finder for Mac.
To add folders from your OS:
1 Find your desired folders using the tools of your operating system (Explorer or Finder).
2 Click and drag the folder from the operating system onto the Database.
3 Release the mouse button and the folder will be added to the Database.
4 You can also include the subfolders by holding the Ctrl key (Alt key on Mac) while dragging the folder into
the Database.
Searching Specific Database Folders
Clicking on the Database heading will display every song contained in the Database in the File List to the right
of the Index.
If you would like to confine your search to only a particular folder within the Database:
1 Click the (+) in front of the Database heading. The list will expand to show all of the folders contained in
the Database.
2 Click on one of the folders. The File List will be updated to only show the songs contained in that specific
folder.
Torq 2.0 User Guide
22
Chapter 4: Accessing Your Music
Removing Folders from Database
There are two ways to remove folders from the Database. You can either search through the folders currently
listed within the Database and remove them, or you can locate the original folders on your hard drives to remove them.
To remove folders directly from the Database:
1 Click the plus sign next to the Database. This will drop down a list of all folders assigned to the Database.
2 When you have found the folder you want to delete, right-click it.
3 Choose “Remove” from the pop-up menu. The folder will then be removed from the Database while the
original audio files will still remain on your hard drives.
To remove folders from the Browser:
1 Go to the “Files” listing in within the Index and locate the original folder on your computer.
2 Right-click the folder.
3 Click “Remove” to remove this folder only. If the folder contains sub-folders that are part of the Database,
they will remain in the Database.
4 To remove the folder and all its subfolders, click “Remove from Database Recursively.”
Files (Hard Drives and CD’s)
Torq can also search any internal or external hard drive on your computer including any CD’s found in the
optical drive. Clicking the plus sign (+)to the left of the Files category reveals a listing of all drives and CD’s
on the system. Clicking the plus sign (+) to the left of a drive or any or its subfolders reveals its contents immediately below it. When you click on a subfolder containing audio files (“.mp3,” “.wav,” or “.aif”), the file
list on the right side of the Browser window. You can explore the contains and add folders from any drive to
the Database using the methods described earlier.
Crates
The Crates feature lets you manually create collections of song to use in your mixes, in a similar way to how
a DJ would select vinyl records or CD’s to take out to a performance.
Creating New Crates
To create a new Crate:
1 Right-click (CTRL-click on Mac) on the Crates heading in the Index and choose “Create Crate” from the
pop-up menu.
2 A new Crate called “Empty Crate” will appear below the Crates heading.
3 If there is already an “Empty Crate” in the list, a number will be appended to the name to differentiate it
from the other(s). For example “Empty Crate (1).”
Torq 2.0 User Guide
23
Chapter 4: Accessing Your Music
Renaming a Crate
To create a new Crate:
1 Right-click (CTRL-click on Mac) on a Crate in the Index and choose “Rename” from the pop-up menu.
2 Enter a new name for the Crate.
Adding Songs to Crates
Torq give you the choice of either adding songs to an existing Crate, or adding them to a new, previously
non-existent Crate.
To add songs to an existing Crate:
1 Navigate to the folder containing the song or multiple songs you want to add.
2 Click the song or multiple songs you want to add.
You can use the usual methods of selecting multiple songs provided by your operating system.
3 Right-click (CTRL-click on Mac) on the song or any of the multiple songs that are highlighted.
4 Choose “Add to Crates” from the pop-up menu.
5 Choose the name of an existing crate.
The song or multiple songs are be added to the Crate, and will be visible when it is accessed.
To add songs to a new Crate:
1 Navigate to the folder containing the song, or multiple songs you want to add.
2 Click the song, or multiple songs you want to add.
You can use the usual methods of selecting multiple songs provided by your operating system.
3 Right-click (CTRL-click on Mac) on the song or any of the multiple songs that are highlighted.
4 Choose “* Add to new crate” from the pop-up menu.
A Crate called “New Crate” is created containing the song or songs, and its name will be highlighted allowing
you to rename it.
Removing Songs from a Crate
To remove songs from a Playlist:
1 Right-click (CTRL-click on Mac) the song, or multiple songs you wish to delete.
You can use the usual methods of selecting multiple songs provided by your operating system.
2 Select “Remove file(s)” from the pop-up menu.
3 Torq will remove the song from the Crate, but it will not be deleted from your computer.
Torq 2.0 User Guide
24
Chapter 4: Accessing Your Music
Reordering Songs in a Crate
The change the order in which your songs are appear in a Crate:
1 Click and drag the song up or down in the list.
2 If you drag the song on top of another existing song, releasing the mouse button will cause the song to be
inserted above the song in the Crate.
Deleting a Crate
To delete a Create:
1 Right-click (CTRL-click on Mac) on the Crate and choose “Remove” from the pop-up menu.
2 The Crate will be removed from the Crates list.
If the Crate you are deleting contains songs, and also resides inside another Crate (as a sub-crate), a dialog
box will appear asking if you want to “move the songs in the sub-crate into the parent crate.” You choices
are “Yes,” “No,” or “Cancel.”
Duplicating a Crate
If you want to create a new Crate based on an existing Crate, you can create duplicate, and then add songs to
the new one if you want to.
To duplicate a Crate:
1 Right-click (CTRL-click on Mac) the Playlist you would like to duplicate and choose “Duplicate” from the
pop-up menu.
2 A duplicate of the selected playlist will be created and displayed underneath it.
3 A number will be added to the name of the Playlist to differentiate it from the original. For example “Crate
1.” This duplicate Crate can be renamed using the method described above.
Torq 2.0 User Guide
25
Chapter 4: Accessing Your Music
Loading...