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  • Setting up Traktor for Scratch Control

Setting up Traktor for Scratch Control

Abstract

This section describes how to set up Traktor for using Timecode Vinyls or Timecode CDs.

This section describes how to set up Traktor for using Timecode Vinyls or Timecode CDs.

In order to make use of Traktor's Scratch functionality, you need further external audio equipment by use case:

Required Equipment

For a two Deck Scratch Setup, you need the following devices:

  • 2 x DJ turntable, or 2 x CD player

  • 1 x Scratch certified DJ Mixer, or 1 x DJ Mixer with at least 2 channels + 1 audio interface with 2 inputs and 2 outputs

    Note

    If you cannot switch the output signal from PHONO to LINE on your DJ turntables, it is mandatory the audio interface has at least two integrated PHONO preamplifiers. Refer to the documentation of your turntables and your audio interface for more information.

  • matching cables for connecting the devices

  • Timecode control media: 2 x Traktor Scratch Vinyls or 2 x Traktor Scratch CDs

Connecting Audio Interface to Computer

This section assumes you have already installed the latest driver software version of your audio interface on your computer. For more information about installing the driver software of your audio interface, refer to the documentation of your audio interface.

To connect the audio interface to your computer:

  1. Connect the USB cable belonging to your audio interface to the USB socket on the audio interface.

  2. Connect the other end of the USB cable to the USB socket of your computer.

Connecting Audio Interface to DJ Mixer

In order to play back and mix your tracks using Traktor with Timecode vinyls, you need to connect the audio interface to a DJ mixer:

  1. Using a pair of RCA cables, connect the audio outputs for channel A of your audio interface to the Line/CD channel inputs on your DJ mixer.

  2. Using a pair of RCA cables, connect the audio outputs for channel B of your audio interface to the Line/CD channel inputs on your DJ mixer.

  3. Switch the DJ mixer channels connected to the audio interface to Line input mode.

  4. Connect the DJ mixer to the power outlet without switching it on afterwards.

Connecting Turntables to Audio Interface

  1. Using a pair of RCA cables, connect the left and right audio outputs of the left turntable to the inputs for channel A of the audio interface.

  2. Using a pair of RCA cables, connect the left and right audio output of the right turntable to the inputs for channel B of the audio interface.

  3. In case the turntables provide separate ground cables, attach the ground cables to the ground screw on your DJ mixer.

Connecting CD Players to Audio Interface

  1. Using a pair of RCA cables, connect the left and right audio outputs of the left CD player to the inputs for channel A of the audio interface.

  2. Using a pair of RCA cables, connect the left and right audio output of the right CD player to the inputs for channel B of the audio interface.

Connecting Amplification System to DJ Mixer

  1. Switch off your amplification system (active speakers or power amplifier).

  2. Connect the Main (or Master) outputs of your DJ mixer to the inputs of your amplification system using matching cables.

Connecting Headphones to DJ Mixer

  • Connect your headphones to your mixer's headphones socket (most often labeled "Headphones" or "Phones").

Note

Before putting on headphones, always make sure the headphone volume control is set to minimum! Then, while playing music, slowly increase the headphone volume until it reaches the desired listening level.

Final Hardware Preparations

Having the setup installed you can prepare the last steps before you can start Traktor on your computer:

Connecting Devices to Power Outlets

  1. Connect the DJ Mixer and the turntables, or CD Players, respectively, to the power outlets.

  2. Connect your computer to the power outlet

Switching on Devices

To avoid speaker noises, fully turn down the volume controls on all devices before you switch them on. It is recommended to switch on the devices in this order:

  1. Switch on your computer.

  2. Switch on your turntables, or CD Players.

  3. Swich on your DJ Mixer.

  4. Switch on your amplification system.

Put on or insert Timecode Control Media

  1. If you are using turntables, put a Control Vinyl on each of your turntables.

  2. If you are using CD players, insert a Control CD into each of your CD players.

Configuring Traktor for Scratch Control

This section describes the several steps to configure Traktor for using a two Deck Scratch setup:

Selecting the Audio Interface

Select your audio interface in the Preferences:

  1. Start Traktor on your computer.

  2. Open the Preferences.

  3. Select the Audio Setup page.

  4. Select your audio interface from the Audio Device drop-down menu.

    The audio interface is selected.

Configuring the Audio Interface

Configure the outputs and inputs of your audio interface:

  1. Open the Preferences.

  2. Select the Output Routing page.

  3. Select External in the Mixing Mode option.

    The options on the Output Routing page have changed.

  4. Select the individual outputs of your audio interface in Output Deck A and Output Deck B.

  5. Select the Input Routing page.

  6. Select the individual inputs of your audio interface in Input Deck A and Input Deck B.

    The audio interface is configured.

Configuring the Decks

When the audio interface is configured you can configure Traktor's Decks:

  1. Open the Preferences.

  2. Select the Timecode Setup page.

  3. Select Scratch Control for Deck A and for Deck B.

    The Transport controls change accordingly. The CUE and CUP buttons are replaced by the Relative Mode and Absolute Mode buttons.

  4. Select the Decks Layout page.

  5. In the Platter / Scope options, select the Scope entry from the drop-down menu for Deck A and B.

    Decks A and B are now configured and show the Scopes.

Control Traktor using Timecode Media

When the audio interface and Traktor's Decks are configured, you can start to control Traktor using Timecode media:

  1. Put on Timecode vinyls on your turntables or insert Timecode CDs in your CD players.

  2. Start playback of the devices.

    Traktor will automatically calibrate for timecode control as soon it receives the timecode signals for the first time. Traktor will analyze position and tempo of the timecode source, along with the signal quality. The Scopes give you visual feedback about the calibration.

Tip

You can control up to four of Traktor's Decks using Timecode media simultaneously. If you want to use four turntables or four CD players, you can purchase additional Control Vinyls or Control CDs in the Native Instruments online shop.

Checking Calibration of Timecode Media

When the scopes are displayed on the Decks you can directly check the calibration. If the signal quality is sufficient, your Timecode medium will be detected. Subsequently the signal meter to the right of the scope will fill up completely, and the scope will show two circles. If you have a track loaded on the associated Deck, it will start playing immediately.

Switching to Scratch Playback Mode

  1. Click the Deck letter to open the Playback Mode drop-down menu.

  2. Select Scratch Control.

    In Scratch Control mode, the CUE and CUP buttons are changed to Relative Mode and Absolute Mode buttons.

The Control Zones on CD

The control CD consists of the following three tracks, each with different playback functions:

CD Track 1: LEAD-IN—(0:04 min)

Skipping to CD Track 1 will skip into the lead-in of the loaded track. It also allows for scratching on the first beat of Track 2.

CD Track 2: PLAYBACK—(25:00)

This track is used for regular playback.

Note

Traktor will switch to Internal mode when reaching the end of Track 2 on the control CD.

CD Track 3: BROWSE—(5:00)

Skipping to CD Track 3 allows you to scroll up and down through your Playlist by manually spinning the jog wheel of your CD player.

To play the selected Track, skip back to CD Track 2 by pressing the “previous track” button on your CD player.

The Control Zones on Vinyl

The Control Vinyl consists of the following three zones, each with different playback functions:

LEAD-IN Zone – The First Few Millimeters of the Vinyl

  1. Dropping the needle into the lead-in zone of the record will skip to the beginning of the Track.

  2. Use this to skip back to the beginning of a track when playing in the Relative Control Reading mode.

PLAYBACK Zone – Main Playback Zone of the Vinyl

  • This is subdivided into 10 Tracks on Side A and 15 Tracks on Side B. This zone is used for regular playback.

  • The divisions are visual markers of time, equally spaced by 1 minute and do not affect the continuous playback of the loaded track.

    Note

    When reaching the end on the vinyl, Traktor will switch to Internal mode to avoid a sudden playback stop.

BROWSE Zone – Last Track of the Vinyl

  1. Dropping the needle in the Browse Zone allows you to scroll up and down through your playlist by manually spinning the record forward or backward.

  2. To play the selected track, simply place the tonearm back into the Playback Zone.

Tracking Modes

The following sections describe how the timecode will be interpreted.

Absolute Tracking Mode

Absolute Tracking mode links the absolute position of the needle on the record—or the laser on the CD—to the playback position of your track. In this mode, you can skip through the track by placing the needle at another position on the record (known as needle-dropping).

To enable Absolute Tracking mode on a Deck:

  • Click the button displaying a record and tone-arm.

Relative Tracking Mode

Relative Tracking mode allows you to play loops, use cue points, match beats and even prevent skipping, all while still allowing control of playback like with a real record. The position of the track no longer correspond to the needle position on the timecode vinyl. Relative Tracking mode is activated automatically when entering a loop or when syncing a track to another tempo source (e.g. the master tempo or another Deck).

To enable Relative Tracking mode on a Deck:

  • Click the button displaying a record without tone-arm.

To skip back to the beginning of the track while using Relative Tracking mode:

  • Drop the needle into the lead-in area of the record, or restart playback on CD players.