Manual
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Document authored by: Native Instruments GmbH
Software version: 2.7 (11/2014)
Special thanks to the Beta Test Team, who were invaluable not just in tracking down bugs, but
in making this a better product.
Disclaimer
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© NATIVE INSTRUMENTS GmbH, 2014. All rights reserved.
Contact
Table of Contents
1 Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR KONTROL S8! ........................................................
12
1.1 Where to Start ............................................................................................................................. 12
1.2 Manual Conventions .................................................................................................................. 14
2 Using Your S8—Getting Started .................................................................................
18
2.1 Overview of TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 ............................................................................................. 19
2.2 Enabling Decks ...........................................................................................................................20
2.3 Browsing with Your S8 ................................................................................................................ 23
2.3.1 Browse using Regular Interactions ............................................................................ 23
2.3.2 Browse using Touch Interactions ............................................................................... 25
2.4 Switching Deck Focus ................................................................................................................. 26
2.5 Switching Deck View and Zooming ............................................................................................. 29
2.6 Playing Your First Track .............................................................................................................. 32
2.6.1 Loading a Track ......................................................................................................... 34
2.6.2 Playing the Track ....................................................................................................... 36
2.6.3 If You Don’t Hear the Track ........................................................................................ 39
2.7 Mixing In a Second Track ............................................................................................................ 42
2.7.1 Loading a Second Track ............................................................................................. 44
2.7.2 Playing the Second Track ........................................................................................... 46
2.7.3 Using Headphones to Prepare the Mix ....................................................................... 47
2.7.4 Synchronizing the Second Track ................................................................................ 49
2.7.5 Interlude: In case the Left Track has finished ............................................................ 51
2.7.6 Mixing In the Track by Using the Channel EQ and Filter ............................................ 51
2.8 Adjusting Levels ......................................................................................................................... 56
2.8.1 The Theory ................................................................................................................. 56
2.8.2 The Practice ............................................................................................................... 56
2.9 Using Cue Points ........................................................................................................................ 59
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TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 4
2.9.1 Setting and Deleting Cue Points (HotCues) ............................................................... 60
2.9.2 Aligning Tracks using HotCues .................................................................................. 62
2.10 Adjusting Tempo ......................................................................................................................... 63
2.10.1 Global Tempo Adjustments ........................................................................................ 63
2.10.2 Deck-specific tempo adjustments ............................................................................. 66
2.11 Using Keylock ............................................................................................................................. 68
3 Using Your S8—Getting Advanced .............................................................................
73
3.1 Using Touch Strip ....................................................................................................................... 73
3.1.1 Using the Touch Strip to Seek .................................................................................... 73
3.1.2 Using the Touch Strip to Nudge/Pitchbend ................................................................ 78
3.1.3 Using the Touch Strip to Scratch ............................................................................... 80
3.2 Playing with Loops in HOTCUE Mode ........................................................................................... 83
3.2.1 Engaging and Disengaging a Loop ............................................................................ 84
3.2.2 Moving a Loop ........................................................................................................... 87
3.2.3 Storing a Loop ........................................................................................................... 88
3.3 Playing with Loops in LOOP Mode ............................................................................................... 89
3.3.1 Looping with Auto-Loop sizes .................................................................................... 90
3.3.2 Beat-jumping ............................................................................................................ 91
3.4 Using FREEZE Mode .................................................................................................................... 92
3.4.1 Engaging Freeze mode on a track .............................................................................. 94
3.4.2 Adjusting the Freeze Slice sizes ................................................................................. 96
3.4.3 Engaging Freeze Mode on an Active Loop–Slicer Mode .............................................. 97
3.5 Using FLUX Mode ........................................................................................................................ 101
3.6 Remixing with Remix Decks ........................................................................................................ 102
3.6.1 Loading a Remix Set .................................................................................................. 103
3.6.2 Triggering Samples ................................................................................................... 105
3.6.3 Triggering Samples using Different Quantize Sizes ................................................... 110
3.6.4 Adjusting Levels and using Filters of Remix Slots ..................................................... 112
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TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 5
3.6.5 Using the Touch Strip on a Remix Deck ..................................................................... 112
3.7 Capturing Samples from Track Decks (Using Remix Mode) ........................................................ 113
3.8 Adding FX ................................................................................................................................... 120
3.8.1 Assigning Decks to the FX Units ................................................................................ 120
3.8.2 Setting up an FX Unit to Group FX Mode .................................................................... 121
3.8.3 Changing FX in the Group FX ..................................................................................... 124
3.8.4 Setting up an FX Unit to Single FX Mode .................................................................... 126
3.8.5 Storing a Snapshot .................................................................................................... 131
3.8.6 Routing FX ................................................................................................................. 132
3.8.7 Using Four FX Units ................................................................................................... 132
3.9 Using Performance Modes on Remix Decks ................................................................................. 133
3.9.1 Selecting and applying an Performance Mode ........................................................... 134
3.9.2 Using Performance Mode Pitch .................................................................................. 135
3.9.3 Using Performance Mode Filter .................................................................................. 136
3.9.4 Using Performance Mode FX SEND ............................................................................. 137
3.9.5 Using Performance Mode FX ...................................................................................... 139
3.9.5.1 Changing SINGLE FX in Performance Mode ................................................140
3.9.5.2 Changing GROUP FX in Performance Mode ................................................143
3.10 Working with Beatgrids .............................................................................................................. 146
3.10.1 Checking a Beatgrid .................................................................................................. 146
3.10.2 Correcting a Beatgrid Manually ................................................................................. 148
3.10.3 Additional Help Actions ............................................................................................. 151
4 Hardware Reference ..................................................................................................
154
4.1 Overview of the Controller ........................................................................................................... 154
4.1.1 Top View .................................................................................................................... 155
4.1.2 Rear Panel ................................................................................................................. 156
4.1.3 Front Panel ................................................................................................................ 156
4.1.4 LED States ................................................................................................................. 156
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TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 6
4.1.5 Identical Decks .......................................................................................................... 157
4.1.6 FX Units ..................................................................................................................... 160
4.1.7 Mixer .......................................................................................................................... 160
4.1.8 Rear Panel ................................................................................................................. 162
4.1.9 Front Panel ................................................................................................................ 163
4.2 The Deck ..................................................................................................................................... 164
4.2.1 DECK Button .............................................................................................................. 164
4.2.2 FLUX Button ............................................................................................................... 164
4.2.3 Mode Select Buttons .................................................................................................. 165
4.2.3.1 HOTCUE Button ..........................................................................................167
4.2.3.2 LOOP Button ..............................................................................................167
4.2.3.3 FREEZE Button ..........................................................................................169
4.2.3.4 REMIX Button ............................................................................................171
4.2.4 Loop Encoder ............................................................................................................. 172
4.2.5 EDIT Button ............................................................................................................... 172
4.2.6 CAPTURE Button ........................................................................................................ 173
4.2.7 Display Area .............................................................................................................. 173
4.2.7.1 S8's Deck View ..........................................................................................175
4.2.7.2 View Button ...............................................................................................178
4.2.7.3 Display Buttons .........................................................................................179
4.2.7.4 Settings Button .........................................................................................181
4.2.7.5 Performance Mode Button .........................................................................183
4.2.7.6 BROWSE Encoder .......................................................................................183
4.2.7.7 BACK Button ..............................................................................................184
4.2.8 Performance Controls ................................................................................................ 184
4.2.9 Slot Volume Faders .................................................................................................... 186
4.2.10 Pads .......................................................................................................................... 187
4.2.11 Touch Strip ................................................................................................................ 189
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TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 7
4.2.11.1 Touch Strip LEDs .......................................................................................189
4.2.11.2 Touch Strip Functions ................................................................................190
4.2.11.3 Customization Options ..............................................................................193
4.2.12 Transport Controls ..................................................................................................... 195
4.3 The FX Unit ................................................................................................................................. 197
4.3.1 FX Unit Overview ........................................................................................................ 198
4.3.2 FX SELECT Button ...................................................................................................... 200
4.3.3 FX Unit Assignment ................................................................................................... 201
4.3.4 Using Four FX Units ................................................................................................... 201
4.4 The Mixer .................................................................................................................................... 205
4.4.1 Mixer Channel ............................................................................................................ 207
4.4.1.1 GAIN Knob ..................................................................................................209
4.4.1.2 TRAKTOR Button ........................................................................................210
4.4.1.3 FX Assign Buttons .....................................................................................210
4.4.1.4 EQ Knobs ...................................................................................................211
4.4.1.5 Channel Fader ...........................................................................................212
4.4.1.6 Channel Meter ...........................................................................................213
4.4.1.7 FILTER Button and FILTER Knob .................................................................213
4.4.1.8 CUE Button ................................................................................................214
4.4.2 Mixer Main Section .................................................................................................... 215
4.4.2.1 Crossfader .................................................................................................216
4.4.2.2 CUE VOL Knob ............................................................................................217
4.4.2.3 CUE MIX Knob ............................................................................................217
4.4.2.4 TEMPO Encoder ..........................................................................................218
4.4.2.5 BOOTH Knob ..............................................................................................219
4.4.2.6 GLOBAL Section .........................................................................................220
4.4.2.7 MIC 1 and 2 Buttons ..................................................................................221
4.4.2.8 MAIN Knob .................................................................................................222
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TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 8
4.5 The Rear Panel ........................................................................................................................... 222
4.5.1 MAIN OUT ................................................................................................................... 223
4.5.2 BOOTH OUT ................................................................................................................ 224
4.5.3 External INPUTs ......................................................................................................... 224
4.5.4 MIC Input Section ...................................................................................................... 225
4.5.5 Kensington Lock Slot ................................................................................................. 226
4.5.6 MIDI Connectors ........................................................................................................ 226
4.5.7 USB Connector ........................................................................................................... 226
4.5.8 POWER Section .......................................................................................................... 227
4.6 The Front Panel ........................................................................................................................... 228
4.6.1 Crossfader Assign Switches ...................................................................................... 228
4.6.2 PHONES Section ......................................................................................................... 229
4.6.3 Crossfader Curve Knob .............................................................................................. 229
5 Common Setups ........................................................................................................
231
5.1 Connecting Turntables ............................................................................................................... 231
5.2 Connecting CD Players ............................................................................................................... 234
5.3 Integrating External Audio Sources in your TRAKTOR Workflow ................................................... 235
5.4 Integrating External Sources as TIMECODE Controls .................................................................. 235
5.4.1 Final Preparations with Turntables ............................................................................ 235
5.4.2 Final Preparations with CD Players ............................................................................ 237
5.4.3 Successful Calibration .............................................................................................. 238
5.5 Using Your S8 as a Stand-alone DJ Mixer ................................................................................... 240
5.6 Connecting Microphones ............................................................................................................ 241
5.6.1 Checking Microphone Assignments ........................................................................... 242
5.6.2 Assigning a Microphone to another Channel ............................................................. 242
5.6.3 Switching between Live Input and Direct Thru ........................................................... 243
5.6.4 Activating a MIC Input ............................................................................................... 244
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TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 9
6 S8 Preferences .........................................................................................................
245
6.1 Restore Default ........................................................................................................................... 246
6.2 Touch Controls ............................................................................................................................ 246
6.3 Touchstrip .................................................................................................................................. 247
6.4 Calibrate .................................................................................................................................... 247
6.5 LEDs ........................................................................................................................................... 248
6.6 Loop Mode Sizes ......................................................................................................................... 248
7 The S8 Audio Interface and Control Panel ...................................................................
249
7.1 Settings on Mac OS X ................................................................................................................. 249
7.2 Settings on Windows: The Control Panel ..................................................................................... 249
7.2.1 Opening the Control Panel ......................................................................................... 250
7.2.2 Audio Settings Pane .................................................................................................. 250
7.2.3 Diagnostics Pane ....................................................................................................... 252
7.3 Using the S8 Audio Interface with Other Music Applications ...................................................... 255
7.4 Setting up S8 as your Default Audio Interface ............................................................................ 255
7.4.1 Windows .................................................................................................................... 255
7.4.2 Mac OS X ................................................................................................................... 255
8 Troubleshooting - Getting Help ...................................................................................
257
8.1 Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................................... 257
8.1.1 TRAKTOR Won’t Start ................................................................................................. 257
8.1.2 TRAKTOR Crashes ...................................................................................................... 257
8.1.3 TRAKTOR Has Performance Issues ............................................................................. 258
8.1.4 Updates ..................................................................................................................... 259
8.2 Getting Help ............................................................................................................................... 259
8.2.1 Knowledge Base ........................................................................................................ 259
8.2.2 Technical Support ...................................................................................................... 260
8.2.3 Registration Support ................................................................................................. 260
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TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 10
8.2.4 User Forum ................................................................................................................ 261
9 Technical Specification .............................................................................................
262
Table of Contents
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 11
1 Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR KONTROL S8!
Thank you for choosing TRAKTOR KONTROL S8.
What is TRAKTOR KONTROL S8?
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 provides a direct tactile interface to TRAKTOR PRO's features and allows you to achieve more with the controller hardware so you have to do less on your computer
screen.
Whether you intend to perform and remix live with TRAKTOR, use S8 as a stand-alone mixer
with turntables or CD decks or a combination of both; S8 has you covered!
S8 enables performance in various live situations, combining the power of computer-based
DJing with the immediacy and flow you need to focus on your audience.
1.1 Where to Start
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 provides you with many information sources. These are intended to be
read in the following sequence to ensure easy access for users of all skill levels:
▪ TRAKTOR 2 Getting Started
▪ TRAKTOR 2 Manual
▪ TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 Manual (this document)
Your First Stop: Getting Started
This document guides you through configuration of TRAKTOR to work with a hardware controller by means of the Setup Wizard, as well as importing music into your Track Collection. Afterwards, it introduces you to TRAKTOR's basic concepts and workflows and provides helps you
set up your system correctly.
Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR KONTROL S8!
Where to Start
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 12
TRAKTOR PRO Manual
The Manual helps you learn all of the workflows which make TRAKTOR a unique DJing solution. In addition to learning to use TRAKTOR's core features, this document gives advice on
working in various configurations; from using TRAKTOR in the most basic setup on its own to
integrating turntables, external DJ mixers and audio interfaces, as well as the SCRATCH extension.
Access the TRAKTOR manual via TRAKTOR PRO's Help menu. The 'Open Manual...' entry
will open the Documentation sub-folder inside TRAKTOR's application folder.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 Manual
The S8 Manual picks up where controlling TRAKTOR features from the S8 are concerned. A
detailed tutorial section guides you through accessing the basics like loading tracks, mixing,
setting cue points, looping and using Remix Decks from S8.
Next, a comprehensive Hardware Reference details each and every component you will encounter on the TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 controller. The later chapters of this manual provide
additional information on solving common issues, and the device's full technical specification.
Controller Editor Manual
Besides using S8 with the dedicated TRAKTOR software, you can also use it as a powerful and
highly versatile MIDI controller with any other MIDI-capable application or device. This is
made possible by the Controller Editor software, an application which allows you to assign
MIDI controller messages to S8's pads, knobs, faders and encoders. The is usually automatically installed during TRAKTOR's installation. For more information on this, please refer to the
Controller Editor Manual available as a PDF file in the Documentation subfolder of the Controller Editor installation folder on your hard disk.
Other Online Resources
If you are experiencing problems related to your Native Instruments product that the supplied
documentation does not cover, there are several ways of getting help:
▪ Knowledge Base
▪ User Forum
▪ Technical Support
Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR KONTROL S8!
Where to Start
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 13
▪ Registration Support
You will find more information on these in chapter ↑8.1, Troubleshooting and ↑8.2, Getting
Help.
1.2 Manual Conventions
This section introduces you to the signage and text highlighting used in this manual. This manual uses particular formatting to point out special facts and to warn you of potential issues.
The icons introducing these notes let you see what kind of information is to 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 system 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… etc.) and paths to loca-
tions on your hard drive or other storage devices is printed in italics.
▪ Text appearing elsewhere (labels of buttons, controls, text next to checkboxes etc.) is
printed in blue. Whenever you see this formatting applied, you will find the same text appearing somewhere on the screen.
▪ Text appearing on displays of the S8 controller is printed in light grey. Whenever you see
this formatting applied, you will find the same text on a controller display.
▪ Text appearing on labels of the hardware controller is printed in orange. Whenever you see
this formatting applied, you will find the same text on the controller.
▪ 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.
Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR KONTROL S8!
Manual Conventions
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 14
→
Results of actions are introduced by this smaller arrow.
Naming Conventions
Throughout the documentation, we will refer to the TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 hardware controller either as the controller or simply S8.
The TRAKTOR 2 software and TRAKTOR SCRATCH will be referred to as TRAKTOR.
Button Combinations and Shortcuts on Your Controller
Most instructions will use the “+” sign to indicate buttons (or buttons and pads) that must be
pressed simultaneously, starting with the button indicated first. E.g., an instruction such as:
“Press SHIFT + PLAY”
means:
1. Press and hold SHIFT.
2. While holding SHIFT, press PLAY and release it.
3. Release SHIFT.
FX Knobs and Buttons
Above each of the Displays, there's a row of FX knobs and FX buttons which aren't labeled.
Similarly, the knobs below the display are unlabeled, the buttons are all labeled ON. To differentiate them, we'll refer to them as FX knobs 1-4 and FX buttons 1-4 for the elements above the
display and Performance knobs 1-4 and Performance buttons 1-4 beneath the display.
Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR KONTROL S8!
Manual Conventions
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 15
Numbering scheme for FX and Performance controls
Display Buttons
On each side of a display, there are two buttons marked by a square icon. To differentiate
them from each other, we'll refer to them as depicted here:
Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR KONTROL S8!
Manual Conventions
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 16
Numbering scheme for Display Buttons
Pads
1. Each Deck comes with 4 multi color pads. Where necessary, we'll refer to them in this
order:
Numbering of the Pads in the PERFORMANCE section
Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR KONTROL S8!
Manual Conventions
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 17
2 Using Your S8—Getting Started
This section will guide you through the most common tasks you will encounter during your
work with TRAKTOR KONTROL S8. Most of the tutorials included are workflow-oriented. They
start with the simplest tasks and progressively lead you to more complex operation, helping you
to become familiar with TRAKTOR KONTROL S8.
The tutorials presented here make use of the included demo tracks, which were automatically
copied to your hard disk during the TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 installation procedure. Therefore,
you can follow these tutorials even if you haven't imported your own music.
Although the S8 can be used as a stand-alone mixer, the tutorials here focus on using the device as the integrated controller for the TRAKTOR software on your computer. By the end of
this chapter you will be equipped with the fundamental knowledge to enjoy using your TRAKTOR KONTROL S8, and begin to uncover the creative opportunities it presents to your DJ sessions.
General Prerequisites
We assume here that your TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 system is already up and running. If that's
not the case, please follow the instructions in the separate Setup Guide and return to this
chapter when you are ready.
In case you already changed some settings in TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 before you start with
these tutorials, we strongly recommend you to reset your TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 system to
the factory settings by doing the following:
1. In the TRAKTOR software, click the Help menu in the menu bar at the top of your screen
(on Mac OS X) or at the top of the window (on Windows), and select Help > Start Setup
Wizard.
2. In the window that opens, click Finish at the bottom right corner without selecting anything else.
→
Your TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 is now reset to the factory settings.
The tutorials presented here assume that TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 is in its default factory
state. If it’s not the case, we cannot guarantee that you will experience what is described here,
and as a result you might find it difficult to follow the instructions.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 18
2.1 Overview of TRAKTOR KONTROL S8
This section briefly introduces S8’s main areas. The image below illustrates which areas of the
S8 control the respective areas in the TRAKTOR software.
Hardware Controller and Software side by side.
(1) Decks: S8 features two identically equipped Deck sections at the far left and right of the
unit. These give you hardware control over the software Decks in the TRAKTOR PRO software.
Active TRAKTOR Decks always work in one of the Deck modes, as either Track Deck, Remix
Deck or Live Input. The left hardware Deck section controls TRAKTOR's Decks A and C, the
right Deck section controls Decks B and D.
(2) FX Units: FX Units allow you to creatively process a track, ranging anywhere from just adding reverb for a build-up to completely messing up a beat with stutter effects. For that purpose, the TRAKTOR software offers a great selection of high-quality FX. These can easily be
configured from S8 and be controlled by the FX controls. The left FX Unit on the S8 will be
referred to as FX Unit 1 throughout this document, and the right FX Unit will be referred to as
FX Unit 2.
(3) Mixer: The 4-channel mixer is situated in the center of S8, and TRAKTOR's software interface. When connected to TRAKTOR, the knobs in S8's mixer section control the corresponding
knobs on the software mixer.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Overview of TRAKTOR KONTROL S8
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 19
2.2 Enabling Decks
By default, the Decks on your TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 are enabled after you start the TRAKTOR software for the first time. If, however, the Decks are not enabled (in Direct Thru mode),
proceed as follows to enable the Decks.
The following images show disabled Decks:
Deck A in Direct Thru mode
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Enabling Decks
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 20
Deck C in Direct Thru mode
To enable the Decks:
►
Push the TRAKTOR buttons of each Deck.
→
The TRAKTOR buttons light up in orange indicating the Deck is now in TRAKTOR mode.
The displays read No Track Loaded indicating the corresponding Decks are enabled.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Enabling Decks
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 21
The following images show enabled Decks:
Deck A enabled as Track Deck
Deck C enabled as Remix Deck
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Enabling Decks
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 22
2.3 Browsing with Your S8
The first tutorial will explain how to browse through TRAKTOR's music library and load tracks
into Decks. The following section explains both—browse using regular interactions and browse
using touch interactions.
It is not possible to open the Browser on the two Decks on the S8 simultaneously.
BROWSE Encoder, BACK Button, and Display section
2.3.1 Browse using Regular Interactions
To open the Browser:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Browsing with Your S8
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 23
►
Push the BROWSE encoder. The Browser will be displayed in the respective display.
To scroll through the music folders:
►
Rotate the BROWSE encoder. The selected entry will be highlighted in blue. The Browser
View shows your current location in the folder structure at the top of the display, e.g.
BROWSER>PLAYLIST>DEMO TRACKS.
To open folders and load tracks:
►
Press the BROWSE encoder to open a folder.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Browsing with Your S8
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 24
►
Press the BROWSE encoder to load a track.
To return to the previous folder:
►
Press the BACK button.
To exit the Browser:
►
Press the VIEW button. The display will return to Track view.
2.3.2 Browse using Touch Interactions
In addition to regular interactions with TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 you can perform touch interactions. However, to use touch interactions when browsing the touch sensitivity for the BROWSE
encoder has to be enabled:
1. Open the TRAKTOR Preferences.
2. Select the tab TRAKTOR KONTROL S8.
3. Enable the Touch Control Auto Open Browser on Touch.
→
The touch sensitivity is now enabled on the BROWSE encoder.
With touch sensitivity enabled the following touch interactions can be performed:
To open the Browser:
►
Touch the BROWSE encoder. The Browser will be displayed in the respective display.
To exit the Browser:
►
Release the BROWSE encoder or stop interacting in the Browser. The display will return
to Track view.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Browsing with Your S8
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 25
2.4 Switching Deck Focus
Although you can mix four TRAKTOR Decks with the S8, it is only possible to have the focus
on two of the Decks simultaneously. To access the two other Decks, you can quickly switch the
Deck focus by the following action:
►
Press a DECK button to toggle the Deck Focus between Deck A and Deck C respectively
Deck B and Deck D.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Switching Deck Focus
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 26
▪ If the Deck focus is on Deck A or Deck B the DECK buttons, the Mode Select Buttons and
the LED ring around the LOOP encoder will be lit in blue.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Switching Deck Focus
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 27
▪ If the Deck Focus is on Deck C or Deck D the DECK buttons, the Mode Select Buttons
and the LED ring around the LOOP encoder will be lit in white.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Switching Deck Focus
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 28
2.5 Switching Deck View and Zooming
By default the display shows only the Deck focused. This is also called Single View. Additionally, you can switch to Spilt View to show both Decks together in the display. Deck A and Deck C
respectively Deck B and Deck D. Initially the display focused on one Deck has the following
appearance:
[Image]
►
Press the View button located in the top-right corner of the display area to toggle Deck
View between Single View and Split View.
→
The display now shows both Decks in Split View.
The focused Deck always acquires the majority of space in the display.
Split View with focus on Deck A.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Switching Deck View and Zooming
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 29
Split View with focus on Deck C.
Changing Deck View does not alter the assignment of the Deck Unit's controls in any way.
Zooming
To get a more precise view of the waveform at the current Playhead position you can zoom in
or out of the waveform.
To zoom into the waveform:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Switching Deck View and Zooming
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 30
►
Press Display button 3 as often until you reach the desired zoom level.
To zoom out of the waveform:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Switching Deck View and Zooming
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 31
►
Press Display button 4 as often until you reach the desired zoom level.
2.6 Playing Your First Track
In this tutorial you will learn how to load and play a track, how to check the audio outputs and
how to quickly troubleshoot your system if no music can be heard. Before you proceed ensure
the following prerequisites are met:
Prerequisites
We assume you read the tutorials above and your S8 is in the following state:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Playing Your First Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 32
▪ The left Deck is focused on Track Deck A.
▪ The Channel A Crossfader Assign switch is set to the left position.
▪ The Crossfader is all way to the left.
▪ On channel A the channel fader is set to minimum, the EQ knobs, the GAIN knob, and
the Filter knob are set to center position.
▪ The MAIN knob is set to minimum.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Playing Your First Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 33
2.6.1 Loading a Track
Let’s load the track “Techno 1” from the included demo tracks on to Deck A.
Since Deck A is in the top-left part of the TRAKTOR window, we will use the left Deck on your
S8. You can check this by looking at the left Deck’s display: you should see a blue indicator
reading A:
The Deck Display with DECK A indicator.
While looking at the left Deck's display reading No Track Loaded. Push Browse Knob, do the following:
1. Press the BROWSE encoder of the left Deck to open the Browser.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Playing Your First Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 34
2. Navigate to the folder FAVORITES > Demo Tracks.
3. Scroll to track Techno 1.
4. Press the BROWSE encoder to load the track into Deck A.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Playing Your First Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 35
→
The track is loaded. Its waveform and info appear in the display.
2.6.2 Playing the Track
Once the track is loaded:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Playing Your First Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 36
1. Press the PLAY button at the bottom of the left Deck. The PLAY button lights up.
The waveform starts moving in the display. The track is assigned to MASTER.
2. Gradually raise the channel A fader to maximum position.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Playing Your First Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 37
3. Gradually turn the MAIN knob clockwise.
→
You will hear some audio coming through your speakers. If not, please check the following section.
Each Deck Has Its Own Channel
The audio playing on each Deck can be further shaped by the controls on the corresponding
channel of the Mixer. Since the track is loaded on Deck A, you can control its sound on channel A:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Playing Your First Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 38
The Channel A.
2.6.3
If You Don’t Hear the Track
If the track is playing on the Deck but the audio coming through your amplification system is
not loud enough, or if there is no sound at all, check the following:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Playing Your First Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 39
▪ At the bottom of your S8, verify that the Crossfader is moved all the way to the left:
▪ Above, the channel fader should be raised on channel A:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Playing Your First Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 40
▪ The channel meter should show some activity. If not, check that the HI, MID, and LOW
knobs on channel A are set to the center position.
▪ At the top of the channel, adjust the input level by turning the GAIN knob.
▪ At the top center of the Mixer, the MAIN knob should be turned at least part of the way to
the right. You should see the MAIN meters going up and down:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Playing Your First Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 41
▪ If not, at the top center of the TRAKTOR window, check that the MAIN knob is raised:
If you see some activity on the MAIN meters of your S8 but don’t hear any sound, then doublecheck the connection starting with the cable going from the S8’s Main Outputs to your PA.
2.7 Mixing In a Second Track
Now that you have learned how to quickly load and play tracks using the TRAKTOR KONTROL S8, let’s see how to mix in a second track on Deck B. On the way, you will learn a few
basic mixing tasks that every digital DJ needs to know: how to cue tracks, synchronize tracks,
start the playback at the right position, and mix the tracks together using the Crossfader.
Prerequisites
We assume here that you already followed the instructions in the previous tutorials and the
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 is in the following state:
▪ The track “Techno 1” is loaded on Deck A. The track is playing and audible.
▪ The right Deck is focused on Track Deck B.
▪ The Channel B Crossfader Assign switch is set to the right position.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Mixing In a Second Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 42
▪ The Crossfader is all way to the left.
▪ On channel B the channel fader is set to minimum, the EQ knobs, and the GAIN knob are
set to center position.
▪ The CUE VOL knob and the CUE MIX knob are set to minimum.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Mixing In a Second Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 43
2.7.1 Loading a Second Track
We will choose the track “Techno 2” and load it on the right Deck B, as we did on left Deck A
in the previous tutorial.
Track Deck B empty
While looking at the right Deck display reading "No Track Loaded, Touch Browse Knob", do the following:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Mixing In a Second Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 44
1. Press the BROWSE encoder of the right Deck to open the Browser. The Browser will show
up at the position where it was before.
2. Scroll to track Techno 2.
3. Press the BROWSE encoder to load the track on Deck B.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Mixing In a Second Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 45
→
The track is loaded. Its waveform and info appear in the display.
2.7.2 Playing the Second Track
►
Press the PLAY button on the right Deck to start the playback.
→
The track “Techno 2” starts playing. The PLAY button lights up and the waveform in the
display starts moving.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Mixing In a Second Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 46
You don’t hear anything from Deck B through the speakers yet because the Crossfader on the
S8 is all the way to the left.
To mix in the track “Techno 2” on Deck B:
►
Slowly move the Crossfader from left to the right.
→
You should hear the track on Deck B fade in, whereas the track on Deck A progressively
fades out as you move the Crossfader further to the right.
Obviously, the mix is not satisfying at all. Before mixing in the second track, we first have to
beat-match it to the track playing on Deck A as described in the following section. So for now:
►
Pull the Crossfader all the way back to the left.
If you still don’t hear any sound coming from Deck B even with the Crossfader all the way
to the right, check the few troubleshooting guidelines in section ↑2.6.3, If You Don’t Hear
the Track above.
2.7.3 Using Headphones to Prepare the Mix
From now on, let’s get used to preparing the mix with headphones until the next track on Deck
B is ready to be mixed in.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Mixing In a Second Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 47
The CUE button on channel B.
1. Put on your headphones.
2. On your S8, press the CUE button on channel B. The button lights up, indicating that
Deck B is now sent to the CUE channel.
3. Gradually raise the CUE VOL knob.
→
You will hear now to hear the cued track in your headphones.
Adjusting the balance between the cued track and main mix
At any time, use the Cue controls nearby to adjust the balance between the cued track (in this
case Deck B) and the main mix (in this case Deck A) in your headphones:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Mixing In a Second Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 48
►
Turn the CUE MIX knob counterclockwise when you want to concentrate on the cued
track; turn it clockwise when you want to hear more of the main mix.
→
You are now ready to work on the track playing on Deck B without interfering with the
main mix sent to your audience.
Regardless of the mix that you’re hearing in your headphones, the main mix is still controlled
by the Crossfader and channel faders.
2.7.4 Synchronizing the Second Track
Before mixing in the track playing on Deck B, we will use TRAKTOR’s automatic Sync feature
to adjust its tempo to that of Deck A. Since Deck A was started at first it is assigned to MASTER. The Deck started afterwards will synchronize as soon you perform the following action:
►
Press the SYNC button on the right Deck to synchronize its tempo and phase with those
of Deck A.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Mixing In a Second Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 49
→
The SYNC button lights up and the display of Deck B displays SYNC. Now the two tracks
are in perfect sync.
Cue the Track
►
Slowly turn the CUE MIX knob clockwise.
→
You will hear the second track come into the mix in sync with Deck A.
Note that you should always adjust the tempo of the track that is not audible to the audience!
Mixing In the Second Track
When your track is ready for mixing:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Mixing In a Second Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 50
►
Bring the Crossfader over from Deck A and slowly mix in the track in Deck B.
→
You just did your first mix with TRAKTOR KONTROL S8.
2.7.5 Interlude: In case the Left Track has finished
The track “Techno 1” on Deck A has been playing since we started with the tutorials, and it
might happen that the playback reaches the end of the track. In this case, just do the following:
►
On the left Deck, press Pad 1 to skip back to the beginning of the track.
You can then resume from where you left off.
2.7.6 Mixing In the Track by Using the Channel EQ and Filter
Besides simply using the Crossfader or channel volume faders to mix tracks, you can use
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8’s EQs and filters to make the mixes smoother and more interesting.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Mixing In a Second Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 51
The EQ and FILTER knobs on channel B.
Prerequisites
We assume here that you have already followed the instructions in the previous tutorials and
the
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 is in the following state:
▪ The track “Techno 1” is loaded on Deck A. The track is playing and audible.
▪ The track “Techno 2” is loaded on Deck B. The track is playing and audible.
▪ Both tracks are synched.
▪ The Crossfader is all the way to the left.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Mixing In a Second Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 52
▪ On channel B the channel fader is set to minimum, the EQ knobs, the GAIN knob, and
the Filter knob are set to center position.
To prepare the cued track with EQ or Filter:
1. Put on your Headphones.
2. Enable CUE on channel B.
3. Press the Filter button on Deck B.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Mixing In a Second Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 53
4. Turn any of the EQ or FILTER knobs on channel B to hear the effect on the cued track.
The EQs and filters are excellent tools for making adjustments to tracks before mixing them in
so that you get the smoothest transition possible. The most common technique is to filter the
bass line out of the incoming track—having 2 bass lines running simultaneously rarely sounds
good.
We will now carry out a first version of the mix “for real.” Thus, turn the CUE MIX knob
fully clockwise to hear the main mix in your headphones (or put off your phones and listen
to your mix coming through your amplification system).
Do the following:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Mixing In a Second Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 54
1. With the Crossfader still on the left, turn down the LOW knob on channel B to take the
bass out of the track on Deck B.
2. Progressively mix in channel B by gradually moving the Crossfader from the left to the
center position.
3. When both tracks are running together and you want to bring the bass back in, gradually
decrease the bass amount of channel A while simultaneously increasing that of channel
B.
4. Complete the transition by gradually moving the Crossfader all the way to the right.
→
You did your first mix using EQs and filters of your TRAKTOR KONTROL S8.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Mixing In a Second Track
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 55
2.8 Adjusting Levels
Before going any further, we would like you to be aware of how important it is to have your mix
at the right level. Here we provide a few simple hints in order to get the best sound out of your
mix.
Even if this section might look a bit technical, please take the time to read these few pages, as
it could be helpful, especially in a live situation!
2.8.1 The Theory
By mixing, you blend together signals coming from different sources (and possibly process
them on the way).
The basic rule is: you need to ensure that no signal is clipping, while simultaneously trying to
use the full dynamic range available. To keep it short, there are two reasons behind this:
▪ By using the full dynamic range available, you keep the noise level low relative to your
mix. As a result, all the details of your music are better rendered.
▪ When a signal is clipping, it is not getting louder, just the quality of the sound is being
degraded. The loud parts (typically the beats) are cut, which both reduces the dynamic
range and introduces distortion in your mix. The speakers will suffer from this—and so
will your audience! (Also, be prepared for some angered sound technician or club owner
coming down on you.)
Hence, you should always make sure that your signals stay at levels that satisfy these two requirements.
2.8.2 The Practice
To assist you in adjusting levels, the Mixer of your S8 is equipped with various level meters
and controls. Each level meter consists of a bar of blue LEDs indicating the signal level, along
with an orange LED at the top indicating the clipping.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Adjusting Levels
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 56
A channel meter clipping
Ensure that the displayed levels go high enough in the blue areas but don’t reach the orange
LEDs, or only rarely. Letting your levels go “in the red” (or orange in this case) and using signal clipping to let your mix sound dirtier is definitely not recommended: to do this, make use
of the great FX selection of TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 instead!
Checking the Level on Each Channel
Each channel on the Mixer provides you with a vertical channel meter next to the fader. This
meter shows you the pre-fader level of the signal on that channel, i.e. the level of the signal
before it is adjusted by the channel fader. To adjust this level, use the GAIN knob at the very
top of the channel:
The GAIN knob sits at the top of each channel
►
Adjust the channel’s GAIN knob so that the level displayed on the channel meter stays in
the upper part of the blue area without reaching the orange clipping LED.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Adjusting Levels
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 57
Note that the channel’s EQ and filter settings also affect the signal level, as well as the possible FX Unit(s) it is assigned to. Hence, when modifying any of these, you might need to readjust the GAIN knob accordingly.
Of course, the artistic side of your tracks should not be overlooked: for tracks with a variable
average level over time (e.g. a track starting with a soft intro), you should consider the loudest
parts of the track when adjusting the channel level.
Matching Levels Between Channels
Moreover, in order to avoid any level jump when crossfading between two channels, the average channel levels should match:
►
Before mixing in a cued channel, adjust its GAIN knob so that its channel meter activity
roughly matches that of the channel currently on air.
TRAKTOR already does this for you by automatically setting the level for each newly loaded
track to a satisfying value. This so-called “Autogain” feature relies on the gain values extracted from your tracks. Nevertheless, depending on the particular EQ, filter and FX applied to the cued track, you might have to double-check the level consistency before you
mix in the track. Moreover, what is important here is the average level of the specific part
of the track that you’re about to mix in.
Checking the Main Level
The signals coming from all channels are mixed together according to the relative levels set by
the channel faders and by the Crossfader. This mix is then sent from TRAKTOR’s main output
to the Main section:
The Main section on your S8
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Adjusting Levels
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 58
In this section, the MAIN LEVEL meters show you the (left and right) overall level of your mix
before it is adjusted by the MAIN knob. These meters actually mirror the MAIN meter in the
Header of the TRAKTOR software. To adjust this level, use the MAIN knob right below in
TRAKTOR’s Master panel:
The MAIN meter and knob in TRAKTOR
►
Adjust the MAIN knob in TRAKTOR’s Master panel so that the values on your S8’s MAIN
LEVEL meters stay in the upper part of the blue areas without reaching the orange clipping LEDs.
By default, a limiter is enabled on TRAKTOR’s main output. With this limiter enabled, the
MAIN LEVEL meters’ clipping LEDs will cease to indicate clipping, but instead indicate when
the limiter kicks in. While the limiter virtually cancels any distortion that might occur, the resulting contraction of the dynamic range, cannot be undone. Therefore, even with the limiter
enabled, ensure that the clipping LEDs don’t light up too often!
When the orange clipping LEDs light up, turning down the MAIN knob on your S8 is of no use:
indeed, changing the level of the already distorted signal coming from TRAKTOR will not repair
it!
Should the level stay low on the MAIN LEVEL meters, check also the channel faders—they
are probably set too low as well!
2.9 Using Cue Points
The previous tutorials introduced you to the basics of mixing two tracks with the S8. This tutorial will explain how to work with so called HotCues for jumping directly to certain points within a track. HotCues can be assigned to the pads when the Track Deck is in HOTCUE mode.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Using Cue Points
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 59
On a Track Deck in HOTCUE mode, pad 1 always represents the Start Cue Point that will be
assigned automatically as soon a track is loaded. The remaining pads can be assigned with further HotCues as explained in the following section.
Pad 1 as Start Cue Point.
Prerequisites
We assume here that you already followed the instructions in the previous tutorials (see ↑2.2,
Enabling Decks). TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 is in the following state:
▪ The track “Techno 1” is loaded on Deck A.
▪ The Deck A is set to HOTCUE mode (default state).
2.9.1 Setting and Deleting Cue Points (HotCues)
To set Cue Points within a track:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Using Cue Points
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 60
►
On the left Deck, whether or not the track is playing, simply press one of the unlit pads
on a downbeat—let’s say pad 2. The pad lights up in blue.
→
You have just stored a Cue Point that you can return to simply by pressing the same pad
again.
►
In the display a CuePoint will be highlighted by a blue indicator and the pad number. You
can store up to eight CuePoints per track.
The highlighted CuePoint in the display.
To delete a Cue Point:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Using Cue Points
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 61
►
On the respective Deck press SHIFT + the pad assigned with a Cue Point.
→
The Cue point is deleted and the pad is unlit.
Snapping to the Beats
You don’t have to worry about dropping a HotCue directly on a beat: by default, TRAKTOR will
make sure this happens automatically. This is because the so-called Snap mode is on, as you
can see by the lit S button located in the top-mid on the S8:
The S button on the Mixer.
With Snap mode on, any HotCue you set in the track will snap to the closest beat, thus ensuring that you get directly to that beat next time that you jump to that point.
2.9.2 Aligning Tracks using HotCues
Aligning both tracks is straightforward:
1. Make sure that Deck B is playing.
2. When you hear a downbeat in the other track, press the pad with the HotCue you just
used to store the downbeat position.
→
The playback position on Deck B jumps to the stored Cue Point, and the playback continues from there. Both tracks now are perfectly aligned and ready to be mixed.
Sticking to the Beats
Again, you do not have to worry about pressing the pads with HotCues exactly on the beat: by
default, TRAKTOR will make sure that the beats of both tracks are synchronized and that the
jump does not ruin the beat matching. This is because the so-called Quantize mode is on, as
you can see by the lit Q button located in the top-mid on the S8.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Using Cue Points
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 62
The Q button on the Mixer.
With Quantize mode on, whenever you jump through the track (e.g. by pressing a pad with a
HotCue on it), the playback jumps to the nearest position that preserves the beat matching,
thus ensuring that the current sync does not get lost when you jump through the track.
2.10 Adjusting Tempo
In this tutorial you will learn how to adjust the tempo of a track and the global tempo. The S8
does not contain any tempo faders that you might expect of a conventional DJ controller. Instead, the S8 offers a new approach to controlling the tempo of your mixes described in the
following section.
Prerequisites
We assume here that you have already followed the instructions in the previous tutorials and
the
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 is in the following state:
▪ The track “Techno 1” is loaded on Deck A and stopped.
▪ The track “Techno 2” is loaded on Deck B and stopped.
▪ The tracks are not in sync.
2.10.1 Global Tempo Adjustments
Global tempo adjustments are made using the TEMPO encoder located in the center of the S8.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Adjusting Tempo
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 63
The TEMPO encoder on the S8
Turning the TEMPO encoder will adjust the tempo of the assigned MASTER deck, along with any
other decks that have their SYNC buttons active. You can adjust the tempo in whole steps or in
decimal steps.
Adjusting the Global Tempo
1.
Press the PLAY button on Deck A. The Deck will be assigned to MASTER.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Adjusting Tempo
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 64
2. Turn the TEMPO encoder clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the tempo of TRAKTOR's Master Clock in decimal steps.
3. Press any SHIFT button and turn the TEMPO encoder clockwise or counterclockwise to increase or decrease the tempo of TRAKTOR's Master Clock in whole steps.
4. Release the Deck's SHIFT button.
→
The global tempo has changed.
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Adjusting Tempo
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 65
2.10.2 Deck-specific tempo adjustments
Deck-specific tempo adjustments can be made by using BPM mode which will be enabled on
the Decks and the BROWSE encoders:
Adjusting the Deck-specific Tempo
1. On a Deck press the Display Button 2.
The BPM mode window will pop up in the display.
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Adjusting Tempo
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 66
2. Turn the Deck's BROWSE encoder clockwise to increase the tempo; turn the Deck's
BROWSE encoder counterclockwise to decrease the tempo.
3. Hold the Deck's SHIFT button + turn the Deck's BROWSE encoder clockwise to increase
the tempo in whole steps; turn the Deck's BROWSE encoder counterclockwise to decrease
the tempo in whole steps.
4. Press the Display Button 2 again or press the View Button to exit BMP mode.
→
The deck-specific tempo has changed.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Adjusting Tempo
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 67
In this scenario, the BROWSE encoder is used in exactly the same manner as the TEMPO encoder in making tempo adjustments. If the Deck is also assigned as the MASTER Deck, tempo
adjustments made with the BROWSE encoder will also be made to any other Decks that have
their SYNC buttons activated.
In the scenarios where you are not using deck synchronization, you can use this method to
manually dial in a deck's BPM, e.g. mixing a TRAKTOR deck with an external audio source.
2.11 Using Keylock
When synchronizing tracks, you alter their tempo, and consequently their pitch (or key). For
small tempo adjustments, this is not really an issue; but when the tempo is changed more significantly, the resulting pitch might sound unsuitable: kick sounds would lose their power, vocals would sound unrealistic, etc. To avoid this, TRAKTOR provides the Keylock feature that
uncouples the tone and the tempo of a track. With the TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 you can to apply the Keylock to a focused Deck by the following actions:
Prerequisites
We assume here that you already followed the instructions in the previous tutorials and the
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 is in the following state:
▪ The track “Techno 1” is loaded on Deck A and playing.
Adjusting the Tempo using Original Key Pitch
If you want to mix a track with original key pitch to another track with a faster tempo, you need
to lock the key before adjusting the tempo of the track:
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Using Keylock
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 68
1. On a Deck press the Display Button 1.
The KEY window pops up in the display. Tracks that have been analyzed by TRAKTOR will
indicate their key here.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Using Keylock
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 69
2. Press the Decks' BROWSE encoder to enable Keylock on the track. LOCK is now lit in
white.
3. Press the Display Button 1 again to exit the KEY window in the display.
4.
Now adjust the tempo of the track using BPM mode.
→
As the tempo has changed you'll hear that the key of track remains intact when tempo
adjustments are made.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Using Keylock
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 70
Adjusting the Key without changing Original Tempo
If you want to change the key of a track without changing its tempo, proceed as follows:
1. On a Deck press the Display Button 1.
The KEY window pops up in the display. If the track has been analyzed by TRAKTOR its
key will be displayed here.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Using Keylock
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 71
2. Press the Decks' BROWSE encoder to enable Keylock on the track. LOCK is now lit in
white.
3. Now turn the Deck's BROWSE encoder to adjust the key of the track.
4. Press the Display Button 1 again to exit the KEY window in the display.
→
You will hear that the key of track has changed although the tempo is retained.
Using Your S8—Getting Started
Using Keylock
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 72
3 Using Your S8—Getting Advanced
3.1 Using Touch Strip
The S8's design does not contain the conventional Jog Wheels of a regular DJ controller. Instead, the S8 replicates the functionality with intuitive Touch Strips. Each of the S8's Decks
contain a Touch Strip, and these always control the focused deck. This tutorial explains how to
use the Touch Strip for the following actions:
▪ Seek/navigate through the entire track.
▪ Tempo bend (nudge).
▪ Create a scratch effect.
Prerequisites
We assume here that you have already followed the instructions in the previous tutorials and
the TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 is in the following state:
▪ The track “Techno 1” is loaded on Deck A and is not playing.
▪ The Crossfader is all the way to the left.
▪ The channel fader A is raised to the top.
▪ The MAIN knob is set at an adequate level.
3.1.1 Using the Touch Strip to Seek
Seeking within a track using Touch Strip
1. On the left Deck press the PLAY button.
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Using Touch Strip
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 73
2. Hold the Deck's SHIFT button. The row of LEDs change into the following appearance.
The three orange LEDs represent the current playhead position of the entire track.
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Using Touch Strip
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3. While holding SHIFT, place your finger on the Touch Strip beneath the orange LEDs and
drag your finger to the right to move forwards in the track's waveform.
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Using Touch Strip
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The three orange LEDs will follow your fingers movement to the left and so the Playhead
position in the waveform.
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Using Touch Strip
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4. Drag your finger to the left to move backwards in the track's waveform.
The three orange LEDs will follow your fingers movement to the right and so the playhead
position in the waveform.
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Using Touch Strip
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 77
Alternatively you can jump directly to the position in the track by pressing SHIFT + placing
your finger on the desired position in the Touch Strip.
3.1.2 Using the Touch Strip to Nudge/Pitchbend
DJ's not using the Sync function are physically nudging, twisting, and tweaking a conventional
turntable with timecode vinyl or jog wheels to temporarily speed up or slow down a track to
align the beats. The S8 provides the same functionality by using the Touch Strip:
The LEDs above the Touch Strip provide useful visual information on a deck's phase alignment. They enable you to quickly react and make the necessary tempo bend adjustments to
keep your mixes aligned.
The following tutorial will demonstrate how to manually beatmatch the two demo tracks "Techno 1" and "Techno 2" without using the sync function but the Touch Strip.
First step: Playing the Tracks
1.
On Deck A press the PLAY button to start playback. The Deck will be assigned to MASTER.
2.
On Deck B press the SYNC button to disable Sync. The SYNC button is dimly lit.
3.
Listening to the track playing in deck A, on an appropriate downbeat press the PLAY button of deck B to start playback.
→
If your timing was perfect, a single orange LED will be shown above the Touch Strip indicating the phase-alignment of both tracks is correct.
If your timing was a little off, some blue LEDs above the Touch Strip will appear. This
indicates the phase-alignment of the deck is incorrect.
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Using Touch Strip
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 78
Second Step: Correcting phase-alignment
To correct the phase-alignment of both tracks, proceed as follows:
If blue LEDs are shown above the right side of the Touch Strip on the Deck not assigned to
MASTER:
►
Drag your finger toward the right side of the Touch Strip until the blue LEDs disappear
and a single orange LED is shown.
If blue LEDs are shown above the left side of the Touch Strip on the Deck not assigned to
MASTER:
►
Drag your finger toward the left side of the Touch Strip until the blue LEDs disappear and
a single orange LED is shown.
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Using Touch Strip
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 79
→
The phase-alignment is corrected and both tracks are perfectly synched.
3.1.3 Using the Touch Strip to Scratch
The Touch Strip area can be used to create a scratch effect on a stopped track in a Track Deck
or Remix Deck.
A scratch effect can be created only when the track is stopped.
Perform Scratching
On a Deck's Touch Strip:
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Using Touch Strip
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 80
►
Drag your finger to the left. This will move the playhead slightly forward in the track's
waveform, and you will hear the typical scratch effect.
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Using Touch Strip
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 81
►
Drag your finger to the right. This will move the playhead slightly backward in the track's
waveform, and you will hear the typical scratch effect.
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Using Touch Strip
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 82
►
Try moving your finger across the Touch Strip (back and forth) to scratch the corresponding playhead over a beat.
→
As soon as you cease moving your finger on the Touch Strip, the playhead remains at that
position.
3.2 Playing with Loops in HOTCUE Mode
Now that you have learned all basic mixing tasks and how to use the Touch Strip, we will focus
on TRAKTOR KONTROL S8’s looping facilities in HOTCUE mode.
Using Your S8—Getting Advanced
Playing with Loops in HOTCUE Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 83
Besides using the dedicated LOOP mode which will be explained in the next tutorial, you can
work with loops in default HOTCUE mode. This gives you the ability to perform with HOTCUES
and loops to the same time.
Prerequisites
We assume here that you have already followed the instructions in the previous tutorials and
the TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 is in the following state:
▪ The track “Techno 1” is loaded on Deck A and is not playing.
▪ The Crossfader is all the way to the left.
▪ The channel fader A is raised to the top.
▪ The MAIN knob has an adequate level.
3.2.1 Engaging and Disengaging a Loop
Let’s add a loop to the track on Deck A.
To engage a loop on a Deck:
1. Press the Deck's PLAY button to start playback.
2. Press the Deck's HOTCUE button to enable HOTCUE mode.
3. Press the Deck's LOOP encoder. The LED ring around the LOOP encoder starts to rotate to
indicate the loop is activated.
Using Your S8—Getting Advanced
Playing with Loops in HOTCUE Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 84
→
This will automatically add a loop at the current playback position in the track.
The example above shows an engaged a loop of four beats. You can change the loop size while
the loop is active:
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Playing with Loops in HOTCUE Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 85
►
Turn the Deck's LOOP encoder to change the loop size.
You can choose a loop size of 32 beats down to a loop size of 1/32 of a beat.
Note that you can adjust the loop size either before or after you’ve set the Loop! If you adjust the loop size beforehand, the next loop you set will acquire the same loop size value.
To deactivate the active Loop:
►
Press the LOOP encoder again.
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Playing with Loops in HOTCUE Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 86
→
Playback continues as normal.
By pushing the LOOP encoder when there is no Loop active, you activate looping: the next
Loop in the track will be activated.
3.2.2 Moving a Loop
You can also move the active Loop across your track.
To move the Loop:
►
Press the Deck's SHIFT button and turn the LOOP encoder. The loop-size will be moved
through the track on the fly and looping continues at the respective position.
The size of the move also corresponds to the loop size that is currently set as shown in the
display.
Turning the LOOP encoder when there is no Loop active lets you jump backward/forward
through the track by the same loop size.
Using Your S8—Getting Advanced
Playing with Loops in HOTCUE Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 87
3.2.3 Storing a Loop
In a previous tutorial, you learned how to store Cue Points which is as simple as pressing an
unlit pad. Storing Loops works in a similar way. Let's say you have stored two HotCues in the
track currently playing:
1. Press the Deck's LOOP encoder to engage a Loop.
2. To store the active Loop, press an unlit pad. The pad lights up green.
The display will show a green marker indicating the Loop. The marker also shows the
number of the corresponding pad.
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Playing with Loops in HOTCUE Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 88
→
You have just stored a Loop that you can return to simply by pressing the same pad
again.
Deleting a Loop
To delete a Loop:
►
Press the Deck's SHIFT button and the pad with the Loop you want to delete.
3.3 Playing with Loops in LOOP Mode
Besides using loops in HOTCUE mode the TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 offers a dedicated mode to
work with Loops—LOOP mode. LOOP mode offers a different set of control options for using
loops on track Decks and Remix Decks you will learn in the following tutorial.
When LOOP mode is activated the top row of pads light up in green and the bottom row of
pads light up in orange. The green pads represent four Auto-Loop sizes. The orange pads represent Beat-jump sizes.
Pads illuminated in Loop Mode.
Using Your S8—Getting Advanced
Playing with Loops in LOOP Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 89
Prerequisites
We assume here that you have already followed the instructions in the previous tutorials and
the TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 is in the following state:
▪ The track “Techno 1” is loaded on Deck A and is not playing.
▪ The Crossfader is all the way to the left.
▪ The channel fader A is raised to the top.
▪ The MAIN knob has an adequate level.
3.3.1 Looping with Auto-Loop sizes
Auto-Loop sizes are predefined loop sizes. With the green pads you can engage loops using
these Auto-Loop sizes. By default the pads represent Auto-Loop sizes using 1/8 of a beat, 1/4
of a beat, 1/2 of a beat, or 1 beat.
To engage a loop with an Auto-Loop size on a Deck:
1. Press the Deck's PLAY button to start playback.
2. Press the Deck's LOOP button to enable LOOP mode.
The LOOP button lights up brightly and the pads also illuminate.
3. With a track playing with LOOP Mode enabled, you can perform the following actions:
Using Your S8—Getting Advanced
Playing with Loops in LOOP Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 90
►
Press one of the green pads to engage a Loop with the Auto-Loop size either of 1/8 beat,
1/4 beat, 1/2 beat, or 1 beat. The LED ring around the LOOP encoder starts to rotate to
indicate a loop is active.
►
Press the same green pad again or press the LOOP encoder to release playback from the
Auto-Loop size.
►
While a loop is active turn the LOOP encoder to alter the LOOP size for the active loop.
This will produce some interesting sound variations.
Auto-loop sizes can be manually selected in TRAKTOR's software preferences: Preferen-
ces>TRAKTOR KONTROL S8>Loop Mode Sizes.
3.3.2 Beat-jumping
With the yellow pads you can jump forward or backward through the track with a size of a predefined beat-size. The middle yellow pads 6 and 7 represent the beat-jump sizes of 1 beat
backward and forward. Whereas the beat-jump sizes of pad 5 and 8 are defined by the Loop
encoder.
To beat-jump within a track by 1 beat:
1. Press the Deck's PLAY button to start playback.
Using Your S8—Getting Advanced
Playing with Loops in LOOP Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 91
2. Press the Deck's LOOP button to enable LOOP mode.
The LOOP button lights up brightly and the pads also illuminate.
3. Press pad 6 to jump backward the playback position by 1 beat. If the playback position
then reaches an Active-Loop area, it continues to loop again.
4. Press pad 7 to jump forward the playback position by 1 beat. If jumped out of a loop playback continues as normal.
Beat-jump sizes can be manually selected in TRAKTOR's software preferences: Preferen-
ces>TRAKTOR KONTROL S8>Loop Mode Sizes.
Using the Loop encoder to define beat-jump sizes
By default, pad 5 and pad use the beat-jump size defined by the loop-size value shown in the
display. To change this value:
1. Turn the Loop encoder to define a beat-jump size between 1/32 of a beat and 32 beats.
The Loop size will change in the display.
2. Press pad 5 to jump the playback position backward by the beat-jump size defined in the
display. If it then reaches an Active-Loop area, it will continue to loop again.
3. Press pad 7 to jump the playback position forward by the beat-jump size defined in the
display. If jumped out of a loop playback continues as normal.
3.4 Using FREEZE Mode
Freeze Mode provides the opportunity to instantly create a set of temporary cue markers (or Slices) from the current playback position on a Track Deck or Remix Deck. These Slices can be
triggered in real time, similar to triggering HotCues. When Freeze Mode is engaged you can use
the S8 controller to trigger Slices to perform finger drumming techniques for creating interesting sound effects. While FREEZE mode is engaged, the corresponding display shows a FREEZE
mode overlay so you can see the location of the slices.
Using Your S8—Getting Advanced
Using FREEZE Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 92
FREEZE overlay in the display.
The pads are now lit blue, and the Freeze slices are shown on the track's waveform. The pad
that is currently illuminated brightest represents the current playback position in the Freeze
area (see the image above).
Deck A in Freeze Mode.
Freeze Mode can also be applied to an active loop. This is then called the Slicer Mode.
Using Your S8—Getting Advanced
Using FREEZE Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 93
Prerequisites
We assume here that you have already followed the instructions in the previous tutorials and
the TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 is in the following state:
▪ The track “Techno 1” is loaded on Deck A and is not playing.
▪ The Crossfader is all the way to the left.
▪ The channel fader A is raised to the top.
▪ The MAIN knob has an adequate level.
3.4.1 Engaging Freeze mode on a track
1. Load a track of your choice into a Deck
2. Press PLAY to trigger playback.
Using Your S8—Getting Advanced
Using FREEZE Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 94
3. Press the Deck's FREEZE button.
The current playback position is "frozen" and split into eight slices.
4. Randomly press the eight pads to get a feel for the slices.
5. Press the HOTCUE button to exit Freeze mode.
If no slice is triggered the playhead position will leave the frozen area and playback continues
as normal until a slice is triggered.
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Using FREEZE Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 95
3.4.2 Adjusting the Freeze Slice sizes
1. Hold the FREEZE button.
The SLICE SIZE window pops up in the display.
2. While holding FREEZE button, turn the Loop encoder to increase or decrease slice sizes
from a 1/4 of a beat to a range of 4 beats.
3. Release the FREEZE button.
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Using FREEZE Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 96
→
The Slice sizes and zoom will change accordingly.
3.4.3 Engaging Freeze Mode on an Active Loop–Slicer Mode
An extension of the Freeze mode is the Slicer mode. When Freeze button is pressed while a
loop is active, the loop gets slit into slices and the pads will light up in green. The difference
to Freeze Mode in regard to behavior is you are still working within a loop. This will give you
additional possibilities to perform as explained later in this section.
FREEZE Slicer mode enabled.
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Using FREEZE Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 97
To enable Slicer Mode on a Deck:
1. Turn the Deck's Loop encoder to define the desired Loop size.
2. Press the Deck's Loop encoder to engage a loop.
Using Your S8—Getting Advanced
Using FREEZE Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 98
3. Press the FREEZE button to engaged Slicer mode to the active loop.
The Slices appear in green.
While Slicer mode is engaged you can perform the following actions:
►
Press any of the pads to jump between the Slices.
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Using FREEZE Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 99
►
Hold a pad to retrigger it's slice.
►
Hold two pads simultaneously to continue looping within the area of selected slices.
Using Your S8—Getting Advanced
Using FREEZE Mode
TRAKTOR KONTROL S8 - Manual - 100
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