Native Instruments Traktor LE 2, Traktor Scratch Audio 6 Instruction Manual

MANUAL

Disclaimer

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.

Mac, macOS, GarageBand, Logic, iTunes and iPod are registered trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Windows, Windows Vista and DirectSound are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners and use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

Document authored by: Native Instruments GmbH

Software version: 2.11 (10/2016)

Special thanks to the Beta Test Team, who were invaluable not just in tracking down bugs, but in making this a better product.

Contact

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH

Schlesische Str. 29-30

D-10997 Berlin

Germany

www.native-instruments.de

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS North America, Inc.

6725 Sunset Boulevard 5th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90028 USA www.native-instruments.com

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS K.K.

YO Building 3F

Jingumae 6-7-15, Shibuya-ku,

Tokyo 150-0001

Japan

www.native-instruments.co.jp

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS UK Limited

18 Phipp Street London EC2A 4NU UK

www.native-instruments.co.uk

© NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH, 2017. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1 Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR! ............................................................................				18
	1.1	What’s new in TRAKTOR 2.11 ......................................................................................................		19
	1.2	TRAKTOR Documentation Overview .............................................................................................		20
		1.2.1	In This Manual ...........................................................................................................	21
		1.2.2	Other Documentation .................................................................................................	21
		1.2.3	Recommended Reading Order ...................................................................................	22
	1.3	System Requirements and Compatibility ....................................................................................		22
2 Upgrading (from TRAKTOR PRO, TRAKTOR LE, and TRAKTOR ME) ..................................				23
	2.1	Backup	.......................................................................................................................................	23
	2.2	Installation .................................................................................................................................		23
	2.3	Importing ...................................................................................................................Your Data		24
3	TRAKTOR's Setup ...........................................................................................Wizard			25
4 The User Interface ....................................................................................(Overview)				33
	4.1	The Big ...........................................................................................................................Picture		34
	4.2	Interface .....................................................................................................................Elements		35
		4.2.1 ................................................................................................	Application Menu Bar	35
		4.2.2 .......................................................................................................................	Header	36
		4.2.3 ...........................................................................................................	Global Section	38
		4.2.4 .........................................................................................................................	Decks	42
		4.2.5 ..........................................................................................................................	Mixer	46
		4.2.6 .....................................................................................................................	Browser	47
5	The Browser ..............................................................................................................			50
	5.1	The Track ...................................................................................................................Collection		50
	5.2	Importing .............................................................................................................Music Folders		51
	5.3	Tracks Managed .........................................................................................................by iTunes		53

TRAKTOR - Manual - 4

			Table of Contents
	5.3.1	Playing Tracks Managed by iTunes ............................................................................	54
	5.3.2	Importing a Selection of Tracks from iTunes ..............................................................	54
	5.3.3	Importing iTunes Playlists .........................................................................................	54
5.4	Track Search ...............................................................................................................................		55
	5.4.1	Filtering Playlists .......................................................................................................	55
	5.4.2	Refining a Search ......................................................................................................	56
	5.4.3	Searching for Similar Tracks .....................................................................................	56
	5.4.4	Search in Playlists .....................................................................................................	56
5.5	Working with the Track Collection and Playlists .........................................................................		57
	5.5.1	Creating a Playlist .....................................................................................................	57
	5.5.2	Adding Tracks to Playlists .........................................................................................	58
	5.5.3	Showing Tracks in Collection .....................................................................................	58
	5.5.4	Deleting Tracks ..........................................................................................................	58
	5.5.5	Sorting Playlists ........................................................................................................	59
	5.5.6	Organizing Playlists in Folders ..................................................................................	60
	5.5.7	Track Collection Subfolders .......................................................................................	60
	5.5.8	Favorites ....................................................................................................................	61
	5.5.9	Preparation Playlists .................................................................................................	62
	5.5.10	Exporting Playlists .....................................................................................................	62
	5.5.11	Importing Playlists ....................................................................................................	62
	5.5.12	Printing Playlists .......................................................................................................	63
	5.5.13	More Playlist Functions ..............................................................................................	64
	5.5.14	History Playlist ...........................................................................................................	64
5.6	Editing Track Meta Data .............................................................................................................		65
	5.6.1	Editing Track Properties via Inline Editing .................................................................	66
	5.6.2	Editing Track Properties via the Edit Dialog ..............................................................	66

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			Table of Contents
5.7	Track Icons .................................................................................................................................		67
5.8	The Preview Player ......................................................................................................................		68
5.9	Cover Art	.....................................................................................................................................	68
	5.9.1 ..........................................................................................................	Show Cover Art	69
	5.9.2 .......................................................................................................	Editing Cover Art	69
5.10	Collection ..............................................................................................................Maintenance		70
	5.10.1 .....................................................................................................	Consistency Check	70
	5.10.2 .....................................................................................................................	Analysis	72
	5.10.3 ..........................................................................................................	Analyze (Async)	73
	5.10.4 .........................................................................................................	Data Directories	75
	5.10.5 ....................................................................................	Other Maintenance Functions	76
5.11	Working with ..............................................................................................................Audio CDs		76
	5.11.1 ......................................................................................................................	CD Text	76
	5.11.2 ............................................................................................	Audio CDs and Favorites	76
	5.11.3 .....................................................................................................................	Eject CD	77
5.12	Working with .............................................................................................Digital Audio Players		77
6 The Decks .................................................................................................................			78
6.1	Deck Flavor ............................................................................................................Descriptions		78
	6.1.1 .................................................................................................................	Track Deck	81
	6.1.2 ................................................................................................................	Remix Deck	83
	6.1.3 .................................................................................................................	Stem Deck	89
	..........................................................................................	6.1.3.1 DAW Stem View	91
	6.1.4 ..................................................................................................................	Live Input	92
6.2	Loading Tracks, ...............................................................................Stem Files, and Remix Sets		92
6.3	The Deck .......................................................................................................................Heading		93
	6.3.1 ................................................................................................................	Deck Focus	93

TRAKTOR - Manual - 6

			Table of Contents
	6.3.2	Deck Flavor ................................................................................................................	93
	6.3.3	Playback Mode ...........................................................................................................	93
	6.3.4	Flux Mode ..................................................................................................................	94
	6.3.5	Deck Layout ...............................................................................................................	95
	6.3.6	TRAKTOR Informer: Deck Header Warning Messages .................................................	95
	6.3.7	Deck Audio Drag and Drop .........................................................................................	96
6.4	The Waveform Display and the Stripe View .................................................................................		97
6.5	The Transport Controls ...............................................................................................................		98
6.6	Loop Controls ..............................................................................................................................		100
6.7	Tempo Controls ...........................................................................................................................		101
	6.7.1	Manual Tempo Controls .............................................................................................	102
	6.7.2	Phase Meter ...............................................................................................................	103
	6.7.3	Beat Syncing .............................................................................................................	103
6.8	The Advanced Panel ...................................................................................................................		105
	6.8.1	BeatJump and Loop Move (MOVE Panel) ....................................................................	106
	6.8.2	Cue Point and Loop Management Panel (CUE Panel) .................................................	112
	6.8.3	Cue Point Types .........................................................................................................	114
	6.8.4	Deleting a Stored Cue Point or Loop ...........................................................................	117
	6.8.5	Hotcue Mapping ........................................................................................................	117
	6.8.6	Beatgrid Panel (GRID) ...............................................................................................	118
6.9	Freeze Mode and Slicer Mode ......................................................................................................		125
7 The Internal Mixer & the Crossfader ...........................................................................			128
7.1	Channel Faders ..........................................................................................................................		128
7.2	Crossfader ..................................................................................................................................		128
7.3	Equalizer	....................................................................................................................................	129
7.4	FILTER, KEY .....................................................................................................and Effect Insert		132

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			Table of Contents
7.5	Headphone Controls ...................................................................................................................		134
7.6	The Internal Mixer in External Mixer Mode ...................................................................................		135
8 Using TRAKTOR with an External Mixer .......................................................................			136
8.1	Requirements .............................................................................................................................		136
	8.1.1	The Mixer ...................................................................................................................	136
	8.1.2	Audio Device ..............................................................................................................	136
8.2	Hardware Setup ..........................................................................................................................		137
8.3	Software Setup ...........................................................................................................................		137
9 Using the Header and Global Sections ........................................................................			139
9.1	Header	........................................................................................................................................	139
	9.1.1 ...........................................................................................................	TRAKTOR Logo	139
	9.1.2 .......................................................................................................	Status Indicators	139
	9.1.3 ..........................................................................................................	Layout Selector	140
	9.1.4 ...........................................................................................................	Utility Buttons	141
9.2	The Global ......................................................................................................................Section		142
	9.2.1 .............................................................................................................	Master Panel	143
	9.2.2 .....................................................................................................	The Loop Recorder	144
	9.2.3 ....................................................................................................	Master Clock Panel	145
	9.2.4 .........................................................................................................	MIDI Clock Send	146
9.3	Effect Panels ..............................................................................................................................		147
	9.3.1 ...............................................................................................................	Group Mode	148
	9.3.2 ...............................................................................................................	Single Mode	149
	9.3.3 .................................................................................................	Audio Recorder Panel	151
	9.3.4 .............................................................................................................	Broadcasting	152
10 Mouse Control ..........................................................................for Faders and Knobs			153
10.1	Basic Controls ............................................................................................................................		153

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			Table of Contents
10.2	Advanced Control .......................................................................................................................		154
11 Control via Keyboard & MIDI Hotkeys .........................................................................			155
11.1	Keyboard Hotkeys ........................................................................................................................		155
11.2	MIDI Hotkeys ...............................................................................................................................		156
12 Setting Up TRAKTOR SCRATCH ...................................................................................			158
12.1	The Turntable Setup ...................................................................................................................		158
	12.1.1	Making Connections for Turntables ...........................................................................	158
	12.1.2	Test Drive TRAKTOR SCRATCH with Turntables ..........................................................	158
	12.1.3	The Control Zones on Vinyl .........................................................................................	159
12.2	CD Player Setup ..........................................................................................................................		160
	12.2.1	Making connections ...................................................................................................	160
	12.2.2	Test Drive TRAKTOR SCRATCH with CD Players ..........................................................	160
	12.2.3	The Control Zones on CD ............................................................................................	161
12.3	Mixed Setup ................................................................................................................................		161
12.4	Enabling the Decks .....................................................................................................................		162
12.5	Calibration .................................................................................................................................		162
12.6	Tracking Modes ..........................................................................................................................		163
	12.6.1	Absolute Tracking Mode .............................................................................................	163
	12.6.2	Relative Tracking Mode .............................................................................................	164
	12.6.3	Internal Playback Mode .............................................................................................	164
12.7	Timecode Preferences .................................................................................................................		165
12.8	TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2 Troubleshooting ................................................................................		166
	12.8.1	Calibration Troubleshooting ......................................................................................	166
	12.8.2	Audio Troubleshooting ...............................................................................................	180
13 Preferences		..............................................................................................................	181
13.1	The Preferences .............................................................................................................Window		181

TRAKTOR - Manual - 9

			Table of Contents
13.2	Audio Setup ................................................................................................................................		183
	13.2.1	Audio Device ..............................................................................................................	183
	13.2.2	Phono / Line ...............................................................................................................	183
	13.2.3	Routing ......................................................................................................................	184
	13.2.4	Built-in Soundcard (only Windows) ............................................................................	184
	13.2.5	Multi-Core .................................................................................................................	184
13.3	Output Routing ...........................................................................................................................		184
13.4	Input Routing .............................................................................................................................		185
13.5	MIDI Clock	..................................................................................................................................	186
13.6	Timecode Setup ..........................................................................................................................		186
13.7	Loading ......................................................................................................................................		187
13.8	Transport ....................................................................................................................................		189
13.9	Decks Layout ..............................................................................................................................		193
13.10	Track Decks ................................................................................................................................		194
13.11	Remix Decks ...............................................................................................................................		195
13.12	Mixer ...........................................................................................................................................		197
13.13	Global Settings ...........................................................................................................................		198
13.14	Effects ........................................................................................................................................		200
13.15	Mix Recorder ...............................................................................................................................		201
13.16	Loop Recorder .............................................................................................................................		202
13.17	Broadcasting ..............................................................................................................................		202
13.18	Browser Details ..........................................................................................................................		204
13.19	Layout Manager ..........................................................................................................................		205
13.20	File Management ........................................................................................................................		205
13.21	Analyze Options ..........................................................................................................................		207
13.22	Controller Manager .....................................................................................................................		209

TRAKTOR - Manual - 10

			Table of Contents
	13.22.1	Overview ....................................................................................................................	210
	13.22.2	Device Setup ..............................................................................................................	210
	13.22.3	Assignment Table ......................................................................................................	212
	13.22.4	Device Mapping .........................................................................................................	213
	13.22.5	Mapping Details ........................................................................................................	214
	13.22.6	Available Controller Types .........................................................................................	215
14 Advanced Operation of TRAKTOR ................................................................................			218
14.1	TRAKTOR Profiles ........................................................................................................................		218
	14.1.1	The TRAKTOR Root folder ...........................................................................................	218
	14.1.2	The Recordings folder ................................................................................................	219
	14.1.3	Complete Backup ......................................................................................................	219
	14.1.4	Restoring TRAKTOR from a Backup ............................................................................	220
	14.1.5	Creating a portable version of TRAKTOR ....................................................................	220
	14.1.6	Automatic Collection Backup (Security Backup) ........................................................	221
	14.1.7	Repairing a Corrupted Collection ...............................................................................	222
14.2	Syncing via MIDI Clock ...............................................................................................................		222
	14.2.1	TRAKTOR as Tempo Source (MIDI Clock send) ............................................................	222
	14.2.2	Syncing TRAKTOR to an external MIDI Clock Signal (External Sync) ...........................	223
	14.2.3	Syncing two versions of TRAKTOR ..............................................................................	224
14.3	Synchronization using Ableton Link ............................................................................................		224
	14.3.1	Connecting to a Network ............................................................................................	224
	14.3.2	Joining and Leaving a Link Session ...........................................................................	225
	14.3.3	Synchronizing TRAKTOR Decks to the Link Timeline ...................................................	226
14.4	Broadcasting ..............................................................................................................................		229
	14.4.1	Streaming Protocol ....................................................................................................	229
	14.4.2	Configuring TRAKTOR ................................................................................................	230

TRAKTOR - Manual - 11

			Table of Contents
	14.4.3	Starting the Broadcast ..............................................................................................	231
	14.4.4	How to setup a microphone for your Broadcast ..........................................................	231
14.5	The Effects in Detail ...................................................................................................................		232
	14.5.1	Introduction ...............................................................................................................	232
	14.5.2	FX Panel Modes .........................................................................................................	232
	14.5.3	Common Parameters .................................................................................................	234
	14.5.4	Delay .........................................................................................................................	235
	14.5.5	Reverb .......................................................................................................................	236
	14.5.6	Flanger ......................................................................................................................	237
	14.5.7	Flanger Pulse .............................................................................................................	238
	14.5.8	Flanger Flux ...............................................................................................................	238
	14.5.9	Gater .........................................................................................................................	239
	14.5.10	Beatmasher 2 ............................................................................................................	240
	14.5.11	Delay T3 .....................................................................................................................	241
	14.5.12	Filter LFO ...................................................................................................................	242
	14.5.13	Filter Pulse ................................................................................................................	243
	14.5.14	Filter ..........................................................................................................................	243
	14.5.15	Filter:92 LFO ..............................................................................................................	245
	14.5.16	Filter:92 Pulse ...........................................................................................................	245
	14.5.17	Filter:92 .....................................................................................................................	246
	14.5.18	Phaser .......................................................................................................................	247
	14.5.19	Phaser Pulse ..............................................................................................................	248
	14.5.20	Phaser Flux ................................................................................................................	249
	14.5.21	Reverse Grain ............................................................................................................	249
	14.5.22	Turntable FX ..............................................................................................................	250
	14.5.23	Iceverb .......................................................................................................................	251

TRAKTOR - Manual - 12

			Table of Contents
	14.5.24	Reverb T3 ..................................................................................................................	251
	14.5.25	Ring Modulator ..........................................................................................................	252
	14.5.26	Digital LoFi ................................................................................................................	252
	14.5.27	Mulholland Drive .......................................................................................................	253
	14.5.28	Transpose Stretch ......................................................................................................	254
	14.5.29	BeatSlicer Buffer .......................................................................................................	255
	14.5.30	Formant Filter ............................................................................................................	256
	14.5.31	Peak Filter .................................................................................................................	256
	14.5.32	Tape Delay .................................................................................................................	257
	14.5.33	Ramp Delay ...............................................................................................................	257
	14.5.34	Auto Bouncer .............................................................................................................	259
	14.5.35	Bouncer .....................................................................................................................	259
15 Tutorials ...................................................................................................................			261
15.1	Prerequisites ..............................................................................................................................		261
15.2	Goals of the Following Chapters .................................................................................................		262
15.3	Playing Your First Track ..............................................................................................................		263
	15.3.1	Quick Loading a Track ...............................................................................................	263
	15.3.2	Playing the Track .......................................................................................................	265
	15.3.3	If You Don’t Hear the Track ........................................................................................	266
15.4	Mixing In a Second Track ............................................................................................................		268
	15.4.1	Pre-listening a Second Track in the Preview Player ...................................................	268
	15.4.2	Loading and Playing the Second Track ......................................................................	270
	15.4.3	Using Headphones to Prepare the Mix .......................................................................	270
	15.4.4	Synchronizing the Second Track ................................................................................	271
	15.4.5	Setting a Cue Point as Starting Point ........................................................................	272
	15.4.6	Snapping to the Beats ...............................................................................................	275

TRAKTOR - Manual - 13

			Table of Contents
	15.4.7	Sticking to the Beats .................................................................................................	275
	15.4.8	Interlude: In Case the Left Track Is Over… ...............................................................	276
	15.4.9	Mixing In the Track by Using the Channel EQ and Filter ............................................	276
	15.4.10	Manual Beat-matching .............................................................................................	278
15.5	Adjusting Levels .........................................................................................................................		280
	15.5.1	The Theory… .............................................................................................................	281
	15.5.2	…and the Practice ....................................................................................................	281
15.6	Looping and Cueing ....................................................................................................................		283
	15.6.1	Playing with Loops .....................................................................................................	284
	15.6.2	Using Hotcues ...........................................................................................................	287
15.7	Adding FX	...................................................................................................................................	289
	15.7.1	Assigning a Deck to an FX Unit ..................................................................................	290
	15.7.2	Group Mode ...............................................................................................................	291
	15.7.3	Getting the FX Unit Ready ..........................................................................................	291
	15.7.4	Controlling the FX Unit ..............................................................................................	292
	15.7.5	Single Mode ...............................................................................................................	293
	15.7.6	Storing a Snapshot ....................................................................................................	293
15.8	Using the Remix Decks in Your Mix .............................................................................................		294
	15.8.1	Loading a Sample from the Collection .......................................................................	295
	15.8.2	Triggering the Sample ...............................................................................................	296
	15.8.3	Capturing a Sample from a Track ..............................................................................	298
	15.8.4	More Sample Controls ................................................................................................	299
	15.8.5	Saving A Remix Set ....................................................................................................	302
15.9	Using the STEM Decks in Your Mix ..............................................................................................		302
	15.9.1	Loading a Stem File from the Collection ....................................................................	303
	15.9.2	Playing back the Stem File ........................................................................................	304

TRAKTOR - Manual - 14

				Table of Contents
		15.9.3	Adjusting or Cutting Volumes of Stem Parts ..............................................................	305
		15.9.4	Applying FILTER to Stem Parts ...................................................................................	305
		15.9.5	Applying FX SEND to Stem Parts ................................................................................	306
	15.10	Using the Loop Recorder .............................................................................................................		306
		15.10.1	Choosing a Source .....................................................................................................	307
		15.10.2	Recording a Loop .......................................................................................................	308
		15.10.3	Overdubbing ..............................................................................................................	309
		15.10.4	Further Uses of the Recorded Loop ............................................................................	310
	15.11	Synchronization ..........................................................................................................................		310
		15.11.1	Introduction ...............................................................................................................	310
		15.11.2	The Tempo Master .....................................................................................................	311
		15.11.3	The Beatgrid ..............................................................................................................	316
		15.11.4	Other Useful Tools for Synching .................................................................................	317
	15.12	Harmonic Mixing ........................................................................................................................		319
16	Troubleshooting		........................................................................................................	323
	16.1	TRAKTOR Won’t Start ..................................................................................................................		323
	16.2	Latency Issues ............................................................................................................................		323
	16.3	TRAKTOR Crashes .......................................................................................................................		324
	16.4	Updates ......................................................................................................................................		324
17	Getting Help ..............................................................................................................			325
	17.1	Knowledge Base .........................................................................................................................		325
	17.2	Technical Support .......................................................................................................................		325
	17.3	Registration Support ..................................................................................................................		326
	17.4	User Forum .................................................................................................................................		326
18	Appendix—Common Setups .......................................................................................			327
	18.1	TRAKTOR with an On-board Sound Card and Fallback ................................................................		327

TRAKTOR - Manual - 15

				Table of Contents
	18.2	TRAKTOR with an External Audio Interface .................................................................................		328
	18.3	TRAKTOR with an External Mixer .................................................................................................		329
	18.4	TRAKTOR with a Controller ..........................................................................................................		330
		18.4.1	Controllers with Mixer Controls (and optionally a Built - In Audio Interface) ...............	332
		18.4.2	Controllers without Mixer Controls .............................................................................	334
	18.5	TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 with TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2 ...............................................................		334
	18.6	Adding a Microphone ..................................................................................................................		335
		18.6.1	Using Your Microphone with the Loop Recorder .........................................................	335
		18.6.2	Using Your Microphone as a Live Input and with TRAKTOR FX ...................................	336
	18.7	Recording Setup .........................................................................................................................		337
		18.7.1	Recording from the Internal Source ...........................................................................	337
		18.7.2	Recording from an External Source ............................................................................	338
19	Default Keyboard Mappings .......................................................................................			341
	19.1	Transport	....................................................................................................................................	342
	19.2	Remix Decks ...............................................................................................................................		342
	19.3	Cue & Loop .................................................................................................................................		343
	19.4	Favorites ...............................................................................................................& Navigation		344
	19.5	Loop Recorder .............................................................................................................................		344
	19.6	Zoom & Layout ............................................................................................................................		345
	19.7	Scratch Modes ............................................................................................................................		345
20	Assignable MIDI ...........................................................................................Controls			346
	20.1	Deck Common .............................................................................................................................		347
	20.2	Track Deck ..................................................................................................................................		350
	20.3	Remix Deck .................................................................................................................................		353
	20.4	Mixer ...........................................................................................................................................		356
	20.5	FX Unit ........................................................................................................................................		359

TRAKTOR - Manual - 16

		Table of Contents
20.6	Browser ......................................................................................................................................	360
20.7	Preview Player ............................................................................................................................	363
20.8	Loop Recorder .............................................................................................................................	364
20.9	Audio Recorder ...........................................................................................................................	364
20.10	Master Clock ...............................................................................................................................	365
20.11	Global .........................................................................................................................................	366
20.12	Layout .........................................................................................................................................	366
20.13	Modifier ......................................................................................................................................	367
Index	........................................................................................................................	368

TRAKTOR - Manual - 17

Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR!

1Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR!

TRAKTOR is the most powerful and versatile DJ software on the market. With TRAKTOR, you can mix your tracks traditionally as well as combine your tracks and loops in a non-linear way using it as a powerful live remixing tool. In this manual, you will find everything there is to know about TRAKTOR. For information on how to use NI TRAKTOR KONTROL controllers (TRAKTOR KONTROL S4, S2, X1, F1) with TRAKTOR, or for further information on TRAKTOR's audio interfaces and their configuration, please consult the relevant documents from TRAKTOR's documentation depository, which you can access from the Help menu in TRAKTOR's application menu bar.

Differences Between Versions

TRAKTOR Light Edition 2 and TRAKTOR Manufacturer Edition 2 are limited in certain features compared to the full TRAKTOR (SCRATCH) PRO 2 version. The differences will be documented at the appropriate places in this manual.

Your TRAKTOR version is a Manufacturer Edition 2 version if you obtained it as part of one of the following bundled products:

▪Pioneer DDJ-T1 (Traktor Pioneer DDJ-T1 Edition)

▪Numark 4TRAK (Traktor Numark 4TRAK Edition)

▪Velocity MIDI Station (Traktor Velocity MIDI Station Edition)

Pet Names for Software and Hardware

Throughout the documentation, we will refer to the TRAKTOR (SCRATCH) PRO 2 software simply as “TRAKTOR.”

TRAKTOR Manufacturer Edition 2 will hereinafter be referred to as "TRAKTOR ME 2" or simply "ME 2." TRAKTOR Light Edition 2 will hereinafter be referred to as "TRAKTOR LE 2" or simply "LE 2."

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:

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Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR!

What’s new in TRAKTOR 2.11

The speech bubble icon indicates a useful tip that may often help you to solve a task more efficiently.

The exclamation mark icon highlights important information that is essential for the given context.

The red cross icon warns you of serious issues and potential risks that require your full attention.

Furthermore, the following formatting is used:

▪Text appearing in (drop-down) menus (such as Open…, Save as… etc.) in the software and paths to locations on your hard disk or other storage devices is printed in italics.

▪Text appearing elsewhere (labels of buttons, controls, text next to checkboxes etc.) in the software is printed in blue. Whenever you see this formatting applied, you will find the same text appearing somewhere on the screen.

▪Important names and concepts are printed in bold.

▪References to keys on your computer’s keyboard you’ll find put in square brackets (e.g., “Press [Shift] + [Enter]”).

►Single instructions are introduced by this play button type arrow.

→Results of actions are introduced by this smaller arrow.

1.1What’s new in TRAKTOR 2.11

This section provides a quick overview of some substantial changes of the TRAKTOR 2.11 software.

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Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR!

TRAKTOR Documentation Overview

Ableton Link Integration

TRAKTOR can now sync to other desktop and iOS applications supporting via Ableton Link. The synchronization works for applications running on the same computer or for applications on devices sharing the same local network. For more information on syncing TRAKTOR via Ableton Link, refer to section ↑14.3, Synchronization using Ableton Link.

Step Sequencer Mode for Remix Decks

TRAKTOR now features the Remix Deck based Step Sequencer Mode for one-shots and samples to use on TRAKTOR KONTROL S8, D2, and F1 controllers. All essential controls are assignable to MIDI controllers. For more information on using Step Sequencer Mode on the S8, D2, or F1 controller, refer to the respective manual. For an overview of the assignable MIDI controls in TRAKTOR, refer to section ↑20.3, Remix Deck.

Pioneer CDJ-2000 NXS2 HID Integration

TRAKTOR now fully supports up to four Pioneer CDJ-2000 Nexus 2 players automatically mapped to the main deck controls via HID.

Pioneer DJM-900 NXS2 Scratch Certification

The Pioneer DJM-900 Nexus 2 is now Scratch Certified and will automatically configure its audio channels when connected.

Allen & Heath PX5 Certification

The Allen & Heath PX5 is now Scratch Certified and will automatically configure its audio channels when connected.

1.2TRAKTOR Documentation Overview

TRAKTOR provides you with many information sources. Find an overview of the available documents and a short description of their content in this chapter.

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Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR!

TRAKTOR Documentation Overview

1.2.1In This Manual

This manual covers all elements of TRAKTOR in detail. Everything there is to know about TRAKTOR you will find in here.

1.2.2Other Documentation

These are the additional documents available to help you acquaint yourself with TRAKTOR (find also a recommended reading order in ↑1.2.3, Recommended Reading Order).

The Setup Guide

The Setup Guide will guide you through the software (and hardware where appropriate) installation of TRAKTOR from the very beginning to the first sound coming through your speakers. This should be your first stop in learning TRAKTOR. The Setup Guide is available on the TRAKTOR registration page. Find a link to the registration page on the registration flyer, which is included in your TRAKTOR product box.

The Getting Started Guide

After having read the Setup Guide and followed its instructions, TRAKTOR should be up and running. The next step is to read the Getting Started guide. The Getting Started guide gives you a practical approach to TRAKTOR.

The Keyboard Shortcut Overview Card

A keyboard shortcut overview card is included in the product box. It provides quick access to the dedicated keyboard mappings for the TRAKTOR software.

The Video Tutorials

The Native Instruments website provides you with a bunch of video tutorials that give you a hands-on approach to many sides of the TRAKTOR workflow. Find them here:

http://www.native-instruments.com/videos

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Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR!

TRAKTOR Documentation Overview

1.2.3Recommended Reading Order

The documentation items should be read in the following order:

1.Setup Guide relating to your TRAKTOR product.

2.TRAKTOR Getting Started guide and video tutorials.

3.TRAKTOR Manual.

The whole documentation is available via the Open Manual... entry from the Help drop-down menu in TRAKTOR.

1.3System Requirements and Compatibility

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

http://www.native-instruments.com/traktor-pro-2/specifications

Please note that meeting the system requirements does not guarantee running all TRAKTOR features hassle-free. You might be forced to tweak your system following Native Instruments’ tuning tips for audio computers. You can find these tuning tips in the Knowledge Base—see ↑17.1, Knowledge Base for more information.

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Upgrading (from TRAKTOR PRO, TRAKTOR LE, and TRAKTOR ME)

Backup

2Upgrading (from TRAKTOR PRO, TRAKTOR LE, and TRAKTOR ME)

When upgrading from one of the aforementioned versions, you will need to import your user data and mappings. This is a straightforward process assisted by the TRAKTOR software; however, there are a few things to be observed when upgrading. See the following sections for more info.

2.1Backup

Before installing TRAKTOR over your previous version, backup the following folders and files:

▪your TRAKTOR folder, per default found in [User]\My Documents\Native Instruments\Traktor (Windows) and User:Documents:Native Instruments:Traktor (Mac OS X)

▪your Music folders as defined in Preferences > Data Location > Music Folders

▪any other data that is not stored in the aforementioned places because you have chosen another location for them.

At this point, it is a good idea to remove all unnecessary files from your TRAKTOR folder, e.g,. mappings for controllers you don’t use anymore, etc.

2.2Installation

Follow the instructions from the Setup Guide carefully.

As a general rule: start with the software installation before you install the hardware (TRAKTOR AUDIO 6/10, TRAKTOR KONTROL X1, TRAKTOR KONTROL S4, etc.)!

The installation creates a new User Folder in [User]\My Documents\Native Instruments\Traktor 2.x.x (Windows) and User:Documents:Native Instruments:Traktor 2.x.x (Mac OS X). Also, your previous TRAKTOR version will not be uninstalled. This means that from now on you’ll always be able to easily return to the last version if needed.

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Upgrading (from TRAKTOR PRO, TRAKTOR LE, and TRAKTOR ME)

Importing Your Data

2.3Importing Your Data

▪When you start TRAKTOR for the first time, the Setup Wizard greets you with some simple questions regarding your setup. This will adjust TRAKTOR’s look and Preferences accordingly. Read more about the Setup Wizard in ↑3, TRAKTOR's Setup Wizard.

▪Next, TRAKTOR will ask if you want to import your previous data by copying the existing user content to a new folder in your user folder. Your previous data will not be altered if you copy it to the new default folder.

Importing Your MIDI and Hotkey Mappings

For TRAKTOR, the mapping system has been changed. While some mappings created with previous versions of TRAKTOR may still work, others will not be imported correctly.

We recommend double-checking your imported mappings before you use them in a live situation.

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TRAKTOR's Setup Wizard

3TRAKTOR's Setup Wizard

The Setup Wizard lets you configure TRAKTOR in a few simple steps. It also is a convenient way to restart with a fresh out-of-the-box setup. The Setup Wizard does two things:

▪It lets you choose from a few basic audio, MIDI, and general setup configurations and automatically sets the available options accordingly.

▪It resets all other TRAKTOR settings to their default values.

Depending on the version of TRAKTOR software you have (e.g., LE 2, ME 2), the Setup Wizard may not offer all shown screens or selections.

You can start the Setup Wizard in two ways:

►Select Start Setup Wizard in the Help menu of the Application Menu Bar (to see this bar, Fullscreen mode must be deactivated).

►Or click the Setup Wizard button at the bottom left corner of the Preferences window.

Exemplary Setup

Let's walk you through an exemplary configuration using the Setup Wizard:

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TRAKTOR's Setup Wizard

1.On the welcome screen, click Next to confirm you have connected any TRAKTOR controllers to your computer via USB (if you are using any).

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TRAKTOR's Setup Wizard

2.Select whether or not you want to use TRAKTOR with a MIDI controller and proceed with Next. If you are using one of NI's "KONTROL" models (S4, S2, F1, X1, etc.), select No here as TRAKTOR is already pre-configured for use with these.

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TRAKTOR's Setup Wizard

3.If you previously selected to use TRAKTOR with a controller, choose the controller manufacturer and model from the drop-down lists and confirm with Next.

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TRAKTOR's Setup Wizard

4.In case your TRAKTOR version is TRAKTOR PRO, ME, or LE, select whether you want to use an external DJ mixer or TRAKTOR's internal software mixer in your setup. Confirm with Next. In case of TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO, this screen is skipped and external mixing is auto-selected.

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TRAKTOR's Setup Wizard

5.Select a basic setup for your Decks (how many Decks and what Deck Flavors to use). This can later be easily changed from within the software. The available options can vary, depending on your TRAKTOR version.

6.The last screen of the Setup Wizard sums up your selection of options. Below you see a summary screen with an exemplary configuration of TRAKTOR with: four Decks (two Track Decks and two Remix Decks); an external DJ mixer; a German keyboard layout (derived

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