Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol Z1 User Manual

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.

“Native Instruments”, “NI” and associated logos are (registered) trademarks of Native Instruments GmbH.

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Document authored by: Native Instruments GmbH

Disclaimer

Software version: 2.6.2 (06/2013)

Special thanks 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. 29-30 D-10997 Berlin Germany

www.native-instruments.de

USA

Native Instruments North America, Inc. 6725 Sunset Boulevard 5th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90028 USA

www.native-instruments.com

Japan

Native Instruments KK YO Building 3F Jingumae 6-7-15, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001 Japan

www.native-instruments.co.jp

Contact

Table of Contents

1 Welcome to the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1! ......................................................................

1.1 Document Conventions ............................................................................................................... 6

1.2 Naming Convention .................................................................................................................... 7

1.3 The TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 Documentation at a Glance .............................................................. 7

1.3.1 The Setup Guide ........................................................................................................ 7

1.3.2 The TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 Manual ............................................................................ 7

1.3.3 The TRAKTOR Manual ................................................................................................ 8

2 System and Power Requirements ................................................................................

2.1 Power Requirements ................................................................................................................... 9

2.2 Software System Requirements .................................................................................................. 9

3 Using the Z1 with TRAKTOR .......................................................................................

3.1 Key Z1 Functions Using TRAKTOR ............................................................................................... 10

3.1.1 Deck Volume Controls and Crossfader ....................................................................... 11

3.1.2 Adjusting Channel Gain ............................................................................................. 11

3.1.3 Headphone Cueing .................................................................................................... 12

3.1.4 Filter Mode ................................................................................................................. 13

3.1.5 Triggering Deck Playback or Pause in TRAKTOR ......................................................... 14

3.1.6 Using the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 as a MIDI Controller ............................................... 14

3.1.7 Using Additional Controllers ...................................................................................... 14

4 Using the Z1 with TRAKTOR DJ ...................................................................................

4.1 Key Z1 Functions Using TRAKTOR DJ ........................................................................................... 15

4.1.1 Deck Volume Controls and Crossfader ....................................................................... 16

4.1.2 Adjusting Channel Gain ............................................................................................. 16

4.1.3 Headphone Cueing .................................................................................................... 16

4.1.4 FILTER | FX Modes ...................................................................................................... 17

4.1.5 Filter Mode ................................................................................................................. 18

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Table of Contents

4.1.6 FX Mode ..................................................................................................................... 18

4.1.7 Triggering Deck Playback or Pause in TRAKTOR DJ .................................................... 19

5 TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 Hardware Reference ................................................................

5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 20

5.2 Rear Panel .................................................................................................................................. 20

5.3 Front Panel ................................................................................................................................. 23

5.4 Top Panel ....................................................................................................................................24

5.2.1 DC Power ................................................................................................................... 21

5.2.2 USB Connection ......................................................................................................... 21

5.2.3 OUTPUT Section ......................................................................................................... 22

5.2.4 Kensington Lock Port ................................................................................................. 22

5.4.1 MAIN Knob ................................................................................................................. 25

5.4.2 GAIN Knobs ................................................................................................................ 25

5.4.3 EQ (HI, MID, LOW) ..................................................................................................... 25

5.4.4 Filter Knobs ............................................................................................................... 27

5.4.5 Mode button .............................................................................................................. 27

5.4.6 Headphone and Cue Control Area .............................................................................. 28

5.4.7 Volume Faders and Crossfader .................................................................................. 29

5.4.8 Level Meters .............................................................................................................. 30

6 Appendix ..................................................................................................................

6.1 The Z1's Preferences in TRAKTOR ............................................................................................... 31

6.1.1 Restore Default ......................................................................................................... 32

6.1.2 Calibration ................................................................................................................ 32

6.1.3 LEDs .......................................................................................................................... 32

6.1.4 MIDI Mode .................................................................................................................. 33

Index ........................................................................................................................

TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 - Manual - 5

Welcome to the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1!

Document Conventions

1 Welcome to the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1!

Thank you for purchasing the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1.

The TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 is a fully integrated TRAKTOR mixer controller and audio interface, giving you hands-on control over the mixing experience when using either the TRAKTOR software on your computer or the TRAKTOR DJ app on an iOS device. The controller is both a professional and portable solution for your DJ requirements.

The purpose of this TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 manual is to achieve the following:

▪ Provide you with the required information to get your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 up and run-

ning with TRAKTOR.

▪ Explain how the key features of the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 operate when using either

the TRAKTOR software, or the TRAKTOR DJ application.

▪ Help you understand the function of each component on the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 de-

vice.

1.1 Document Conventions

This document uses particular formatting to point out special facts and to warn you of potential issues. The icons introducing the following notes let you see what kind of information can be expected:

Whenever this exclamation mark icon appears, you should read the corresponding note carefully and follow the instructions and hints given there if applicable.

This light bulb icon indicates that a note contains useful extra information. This information may often help you to solve a task more efficiently, but does not necessarily apply to the setup or operating systems you are using; however, it's always worth a look.

Furthermore, the following formatting is used:

▪ Text appearing in (drop-down) menus (such as Open…, Save as…) and paths to locations

on your hard drive or other storage devices is printed in italics.

TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 - Manual - 6

Welcome to the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1!

Naming Convention

▪ Text referring to elements appearing on the screen (labels of buttons, controls, text next

to checkboxes, etc.) is printed in light blue. Whenever you see this formatting applied, you will find the same text appearing on your computer screen.

▪ Text referring to elements printed on hardware is formatted orange. Whenever you see this

formatting applied, you will find the same text appearing on the hardware.

▪ Important names and concepts are printed in bold.

Single instructions are introduced by this play button type arrow.

►

Results of actions are introduced by this smaller arrow.

→

1.2 Naming Convention

In this manual, we often refer to the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 also as the "KONTROL Z1," or simply the "Z1." Likewise, the included TRAKTOR LE2 software will most often just be referred to as "TRAKTOR."

1.3 The TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 Documentation at a Glance

1.3.1 The Setup Guide

The TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 Setup Guide is available on the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 registration page of the Native Instruments website www.native-instruments.com/go-z1. It will guide you through the software and hardware installation of your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1. This should be your first step before going any further.

1.3.2 The TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 Manual

After reading the Setup Guide and following its instructions, you should be ready to go. The next step is to read this document, the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 Manual. The Manual will teach you how to use your Z1 in combination with the TRAKTOR software options. A general hardware reference (↑5, TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 Hardware Reference) also provides an explanation for each and every element on the device.

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Welcome to the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1!

The TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 Documentation at a Glance

1.3.3 The TRAKTOR Manual

For in-depth information on all features provided by the TRAKTOR software, please refer to the TRAKTOR Manual. You can access the TRAKTOR Manual via the Open Manual… entry from the Help menu in the TRAKTOR software.

TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 - Manual - 8

System and Power Requirements

Power Requirements

2 System and Power Requirements

2.1 Power Requirements

When using the Z1 with your computer, the device will be powered by the standard USB connection. In the scenario of using the Z1 with your iOS device, the included 15V/1.2A power adaptor is required to power the mixer.

2.2 Software System Requirements

For the minimum system requirements your computer needs to meet, see the TRAKTOR specifications section of the Native Instruments website:

http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/traktor/dj-software/traktor-pro-2/specifications/.

To check the compatibility with several operating systems, please have a look at: http://

www.native-instruments.com/compatibility.

TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 - Manual - 9

Using the Z1 with TRAKTOR

Key Z1 Functions Using TRAKTOR

3 Using the Z1 with TRAKTOR

In this chapter, we will describe how the Z1's key functions operate when using TRAKTOR. For more information on getting the Z1 up and running with TRAKTOR software on a computer, refer to the Setup Guide. For information on using the Z1 with TRAKTOR DJ on an iOS device, refer to section ↑4, Using the Z1 with TRAKTOR DJ.

Refer to the TRAKTOR Manual in case you are uncertain about specific TRAKTOR functionality.

The Z1 is a two-channel mixer controller. Therefore, some of the control possibilities are limited to only Decks A and B and are not available for Decks C and D.

A Word about TRAKTOR…

If you are not already a proficient TRAKTOR user, you might want to refer to the TRAKTOR Manual as you read this chapter. If you are completely new to TRAKTOR, it is a good idea to work through some of the tutorials in the TRAKTOR Manual, or the TRAKTOR Getting Started guide—they can be an enjoyable way to quickly learn how to use TRAKTOR effectively!

We assume that you have a basic understanding of many TRAKTOR concepts such as Decks, Deck Flavors and configurations, looping, cue points, and so on. In addition, you should understand how TRAKTOR's mixer and effects (FX) work.

Of course, you can operate the Z1 without using TRAKTOR's rich feature set. But you will certainly be rewarded for taking a little time to learn more about the TRAKTOR software so that you can get the most out of the Z1 as well.

3.1 Key Z1 Functions Using TRAKTOR

Although you are no doubt eager to get straight into mixing with the Z1, we recommend taking a few minutes to familiarize yourself with how the Z1's key functions operate when you are using TRAKTOR.

TRAKTOR KONTROL Z1 - Manual - 10

Using the Z1 with TRAKTOR

Key Z1 Functions Using TRAKTOR

3.1.1 Deck Volume Controls and Crossfader

The Z1 is essentially a two-channel mixer controller. The two channel faders control the volume of Decks A and B in the TRAKTOR software. The crossfader allows you switch between the output of Deck A and Deck B. Therefore, If the crossfader is all the way to the left, you will only hear Deck A (if the volume fader of A is turned up). If it is all the way to the right, you will hear Deck B (if its volume control is turned up). Following the tutorial ↑3.1.3, Headphone Cue-

ing, you'll also notice how the corresponding features operate simultaneously within the TRAK-

TOR software.

3.1.2 Adjusting Channel Gain

The channel GAIN knob is located at the top of the Z1's channel filter and EQ sections.

Note that you can only adjust the gain for channels A and B using the Z1.

The channel GAIN knob can be operated in two viewing modes: User-Gain level and Auto-Gain level. In User-Gain level viewing mode, turning the GAIN knob on the controller simultaneously moves the GAIN knob in the TRAKTOR software.

Here's what the two modes display:

▪ User-Gain level: This is the default mode within TRAKTOR. A blue indicator ring around

the knob indicates that you are in this viewing mode. Turning the GAIN knob on the Z1 will change the mixer channel gain, which has a range of −inf to +12dB.

User-Gain level is not stored in your song file.

▪ Auto-Gain level: Clicking the button next to the label activates Auto-Gain level viewing

mode, the label then displays AUTO. When on, the knob shows the Auto-Gain level stored with your song file during track analysis (upon importing the track to the Library). Changing the Auto-Gain level on the software will also write this new Auto-Gain setting to the song file. However, turning the GAIN knob on the Z1, will still alter the User-Gain level, not the Auto-Gain level.

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