TRAKTOR PRO 2.9. Manual Englisch (2015)

In this section, we will focus on using Open Key notation form to explain how to carry out Har-
monic Mixing (ensure that

Displayed in Traktor

notation is set to Open Key in the Analyze op-

tions). Open Key basically applies a number scale that reflects the 12 tonic scales. It also

identifies major scale tracks with a d value, whereas minor scale tracks contain an m value in
their abbreviation.

For 'Harmonic Mixing,' tracks in the same Key will tend to yield the best mixing results e.g

11d to 11d. Likewise, mixing songs that are of the same scale (major or minor), and adja-

cent numerical value. If for example you’re playing a track with a key of 1m, you can also

use tracks with keys of 2m or 12m. Although 3m and 11m are near to 1m, they would not
work as well.

It is possible to mix tracks of opposing key, i.e. mixing from a track in a major to a minor
key e.g. mixing track 5d to 5m (or vice versa). You'll notice that there is a change in mood
when this occurs. In this scenario, it's best to experiment with suitable tracks to identify
sections of tracks that lend themselves for transitions to take place, e.g. a percussive outro.

By looking at the analyzed tracks in your browser, you’ll notice that the

Key

field contains val-

ues such as

11d

12m

, and so on (see image below). By clicking on the

Key

field at the

header of the key column, TRAKTOR will sort the tracks by Key order, and a color scale is ap-
plied. You'll see an arrangement of keys that places matching scales together in the list and
neighbouring scales above and below.

The Browser window displaying the Demo tracks.

For tracks already tagged with

Key

information, the

Key Text

column in the Browser will dis-

play this. To search for tracks in a certain Key:
1.

Click the Refine button (the magnifying glass as depicted below) and select Key.

Enter a Key value, e.g. 11d, in the search field.

You can enter the search in any notation form, regardless of the currently selected form in Ana-
lyze Options.

→ TRAKTOR will now search your collection (or playlist) for suitable matches.

Tutorials

Harmonic Mixing

TRAKTOR - Manual - 305

The Refine List.

To test the 'Harmonic Mixing' principle:

►

Load ‘Tech House 2’ from your TRAKTOR Demo tracks into Deck A, and ‘Techno 2’ into
Deck B.

→ You’ll notice that both these tracks have the same Key value of ‘11d.’

The search results for Key 11d.

Ensure that both Track Decks have their Key Lock engaged!
Launch Track Deck A first and experiment by mixing between the tracks to create long blends.
You’ll notice the tracks smoothly transition as a Harmonic Mix. As an extension of this, try de-
ploying some of the techniques we previously covered in the tutorials above, such as

16.6.2, Using Hotcues

, and

Tutorials

Harmonic Mixing

TRAKTOR - Manual - 306

Troubleshooting

A few common issues and possible solutions when working with TRAKTOR.

17.1 TRAKTOR Won’t Start

►

Check the system requirements for TRAKTOR. The minimum requirements are the very
least you can get by with and are often not enough for advanced use (i.e. Keylock, FX).
Increasing your RAM may save you a lot of trouble.

Make sure you have the most recent TRAKTOR version installed. You can find the latest
available version following this link:

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

Make sure that you have not clicked an outdated application alias/shortcut.

Try to restart your computer. Disconnect any other audio interfaces and computer periph-
erals like printers, scanners, and the like.

Try to rename the file collection.nml in the TRAKTOR Root folder to restart TRAKTOR with
a clean Track Collection, and then re-import the renamed Collection file.

17.2 Latency Issues

Please check if your computer is suited for handling real-time audio processing without drop-
outs. In general, it is not recommended to use laptops with shared-memory graphic cards. You
will need all the memory and processing power available for your audio software.

• It is not recommended to run the laptop on battery, as built-in power management sys-

tems might slow the clock rate of the CPU in an effort to extend battery life.

• Disconnect all unused hardware (e.g., printer, scanner). This will increase the amount of

processing power available for your music software.

• Laptops often are equipped with built-in devices that disturb audio processing, most com-

monly Bluetooth transceivers, an Ethernet network adapter, or a wireless LAN card. You
might need to disable these devices while working with the TRAKTOR.

Troubleshooting

TRAKTOR Won’t Start

TRAKTOR - Manual - 308

• Keylock is a resource-hungry process. If you’re encountering audio problems like crackles

or drops, make sure you’re using

ECO

mode via Preferences > Transport > Keylock. With a

weak computer, you may be forced to disable the Keylock feature completely.

17.3 TRAKTOR Crashes

In case of a crash during runtime, please contact the Native Instruments technical support

team as described in chapter

↑

18.2, Technical Support

and send them your crashlog. You will

find the crashlog in the following folders:

• Windows: My Documents\Native Instruments\TRAKTOR.x.x\Crashlogs
• Mac OS X: Users/~/Library/Logs/CrashReporter

17.4 Running the 32-Bit Version of TRAKTOR

With TRAKTOR 2.8 the 64-bit architecture has been implemented into the software to access
all the available RAM on computers with 64-bit operating systems. By giving TRAKTOR PRO
access to more RAM, it will increase performance of the software by allowing management of
more items (larger Track Collections, more Remix Deck samples, better playback caching,
etc.). Previously, TRAKTOR PRO could only access a maximum of 2GB of RAM regardless of
how much RAM was actually installed and available on the computer.
But if, however, you are using a 64-bit Windows and an audio interface which only has 32-bit

drivers, be sure you are also using the 32-bit version of TRAKTOR PRO in order to access the
correct ASIO drivers for the audio interface. Otherwise your audio interface won't be selectable
in the TRAKTOR PRO Preferences.
The Installer will have installed the 64-bit version of the application by default and you will
need to take a few extra steps to run the 32-bit version as follows:
1.

Navigate to "C:\Program Files\Native Instruments\Traktor 2”. In this folder you will find
the current 64-bit version of TRAKTOR PRO called Traktor.exe.

Rename this to Traktor 64.exe so that you have a backup of this version.

Open the folder "C:\Program Files\Native Instruments\Traktor 2\x86". You will find another
“Traktor.exe” inside. This is the 32-bit version of TRAKTOR PRO.

Troubleshooting

TRAKTOR Crashes

TRAKTOR - Manual - 309

Move or copy this application to the "C:\Program Files\Native Instruments\Traktor 2” fold-
er.

Now launch this newly copied Traktor.exe.

→ This will now be the 32-bit version of TRAKTOR.

17.5 Updates

Whenever you encounter problems, it is recommended that you first download and install any
available software updates. Updates are released regularly to fix known problems, maintain
compatibility with operating system updates, and to continuously improve the software. The
version number of your software is displayed in the

About

dialog for any Native Instruments ap-

plication. This dialog can be opened by clicking on the NI logo in the upper right corner of the
user interface. Alternatively, you can find the version numbers of all installed Native Instru-
ments applications when showing the details for an application within the

Overview

page of the

Service Center. Updates are available on the

Update

page in Service Center or on our website

under:

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

Troubleshooting

Updates

TRAKTOR - Manual - 310

Getting Help

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!

The links in the following sections can also be reached from the Service Center application:

Open the Service Center application and click on the

Support

button in the upper-right cor-

ner.

18.1 Knowledge Base

The Online Knowledge Base gathers useful information about your Native Instruments product
and can be of great help to solve possible issues you may encounter. You can reach the Knowl-
edge Base via: www.native-instruments.com/knowledge.

18.2 Technical Support

If no Knowledge Base entry matches your problem, or if the matching entry does not solve the
problem, you can use the Online Support Form to contact the Technical Support team of Na-
tive Instruments. The Online Support Form will ask you to enter information about your hard-
ware and software setup. This information is essential for our Support team to be able to pro-
vide you with quality assistance. You can reach the Online Support via:

www.native-instru-

ments.com/knowledge

When communicating with the Native Instruments Support team, keep in mind that the more

details you can provide about your hardware, your operating system, the version of the software
you are running, and the problem you are experiencing, the better they will be able to help you.
In your description, you should mention:

• How to reproduce the problem
• What you have already tried to fix the problem
• A description of your setup, including all hardware and the version of your software
• The brand and specifications of your computer

Getting Help

Knowledge Base

TRAKTOR - Manual - 311

When installing new software or software updates, a Readme file is included that contains late
breaking news and new information that was not yet included in the documentation. Please
open and read this Readme file before contacting Technical Support.

18.3 Registration Support

If problems occur during the product activation procedure, please contact our Registration

Support team:

http://www.native-instruments.com/registration-support

18.4 User Forum

In the Native Instruments User Forum (http://www.native-instruments.com/forum), you can dis-
cuss product features directly with other users and with experts moderating the forum. Please
be aware that the Technical Support team does not participate in the forum. If you’re encoun-
tering an issue that can’t be solved by other users, contact Native Instruments’ Technical Sup-
port team via the online support as described above.

Getting Help

Registration Support

TRAKTOR - Manual - 312

Appendix—Common Setups

This appendix shows you how to integrate TRAKTOR with your other gear in various setups.
Of course, all setups require that TRAKTOR was correctly installed on your computer before-

hand! For more info on the installation procedure, please refer to the separate Setup Guide.

19.1 TRAKTOR with an On-board Sound Card and Fallback

This setup is meant mainly to get TRAKTOR up and running on your computer without any ad-
ditional hardware, e.g. while preparing tracks in the train, airplane, etc.
Be aware that with only an on-board sound card you will not be able to monitor (pre-listen)
tracks while another track is playing.

►

Open Preferences > Audio Setup.

Choose your on-board/built-in sound card as

Audio Device

Open Preferences > Output Routing.

Select your only output pair as

Output Master

If you use an external soundcard, choose your on-board/built-in sound card as Fallback.
From now on, whenever you start TRAKTOR and your external audio interface is not con-
nected, TRAKTOR defaults to the fallback sound card. This new option has the advantage
that, whenever you’re travelling and preparing tracks, you don‘t need to manually change
anything in TRAKTOR’s Preferences.

Appendix—Common Setups

TRAKTOR with an On-board Sound Card and Fallback

TRAKTOR - Manual - 313

19.2 TRAKTOR with an External Audio Interface

Using TRAKTOR with an external audio interface.

To use TRAKTOR’s preview feature, you need to have an audio interface with two independent
stereo outputs, one for the Master Out and one for previewing. Refer to the manufacturer’s
manual for installing and connecting your external audio interface. In TRAKTOR, do the follow-
ing:
1.

Open Preferences > Audio Setup.

Choose your external audio interface as

Audio Device

Open Preferences > Output Routing.

Choose

Internal

Mixing Mode.

Appendix—Common Setups

TRAKTOR with an External Audio Interface

TRAKTOR - Manual - 314

Select an output pair for

Output

Master

and one output pair for

Output Monitor

If your audio device provides another output, you can assign this to the

Output Record

Connect the respective outputs accordingly, i.e. use a cable (usually RCA) to connect the

Master Output with your amplifier or speakers and plug your headphones in the Monitor
Output.

If you’re using an external hardware mixer, the routing works different. In that case please read
also the next chapter.

19.3 TRAKTOR with an External Mixer

Using TRAKTOR with an external mixer.

Appendix—Common Setups

TRAKTOR with an External Mixer

TRAKTOR - Manual - 315

While nearly all users of TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO will use an external mixer naturally instead
of TRAKTOR’s Internal Mixer, this is an option for all other TRAKTOR users as well. You’ll
need an audio interface with (at least) as many output pairs as Decks you use to play. Also

you’ll need a mixer with as many input channels as desired. In TRAKTOR, do the following:
1.

Open Preferences > Audio Setup.

If not done already, choose now your external audio interface as

Audio Device

Open Preferences > Output Routing.

Choose

External

Mixing Mode.

Select an output pair for every Deck.

Connect the respective outputs accordingly, i.e. use a cable (usually RCA) to connect

Out-

put Deck A

with the respective input channel of your hardware mixer.

Repeat this step for all other Deck channels, too.

Connect the master out of your hardware mixer with your amplifier or speakers.

While you can now control all mixer related functions with your external hardware mixer, you
still can’t control the rest of TRAKTOR’s features with it. For this, you would need a MIDI con-
troller. Read the next chapter how to add a MIDI controller to your setup.

19.4 TRAKTOR with a Controller

LE 2 is limited to the use with the controllers provided in the Setup Wizard.

Nowadays, you can choose from a wide variety of controllers in all price ranges from a lot of
different manufacturers. Most controllers will be connected via USB to your computer. Gener-
ally, you can differentiate between two kinds of controllers:

• Controllers with mixer controls, i.e. TRAKTOR KONTROL S4.
• Controllers without mixer controls, i.e. TRAKTOR KONTROL X1

Furthermore, there are controllers with built-in audio interfaces and those without. Typical-
ly, only controllers with mixer controls contain a built-in audio interface, therefore we will
describe this case in the next section and take the TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 as an example.

Appendix—Common Setups

TRAKTOR with a Controller

TRAKTOR - Manual - 316

Generally speaking, controllers are “dumb”—it’s the versatility of the software that makes
them exciting. In TRAKTOR, you can assign every function and feature completely to your lik-
ings and you can also do crazy stuff like Macros (two commands on one control to be executed

simultaneously) or work with Modifiers (enable secondary functions with a self-designed
“shift” key). The possibilities are nearly endless and that’s why TRAKTOR provides default

mapping examples for a huge amount of controllers. These are a good point to start with. You
can read how to import and build mappings in

↑

14.21, Analyze Options

Appendix—Common Setups

TRAKTOR with a Controller

TRAKTOR - Manual - 317

MIDI Controllers with mixer controls have a dedicated area that provides functionality similar
to external mixers, i.e. EQ’s, channel faders, a crossfader, and a way to preview your tracks.
They are specifically designed to be used with DJ software. Usually, they will be connected via

USB to your computer. Follow the manufacturers instructions for installation and setup, then
connect the device. In TRAKTOR, do the following:

Controller with Built-In Audio Interface

Open Preferences > Audio Setup.

Choose the audio interface of your MIDI controller as

Audio Device

, in this example: Trak-

tor Kontrol S4 (ASIO).

Open Preferences > Output Routing.

Choose

Internal

Mixing Mode.

With the S4, the outputs will be auto-configured. If you use another MIDI controller, se-
lect an output pair for

Output

Master

and one output pair for

Output Monitor

If your audio device provides another output, you can assign this to the

Output Record

Connect the respective outputs accordingly, i.e. use a cable (usually RCA) to connect the
Master Output of your MIDI controller with your amplifier or speakers and plug your head-
phones in the Monitor Output.

Open Preferences > Controller Manager.

Click Add > Import, then navigate to Default Settings > Controller and choose your con-
troller from the list.

10. Move a fader or knob on the MIDI controller (e.g. the crossfader) and observe the

CTRL

status indicator. Whenever you move anything on the MIDI controller, it should show ac-
tivity by glowing blue.

11. You’ll also notice that the corresponding control in TRAKTOR (in the above example, the

crossfader) will also move as you manipulate the MIDI Controller.

Controller without Built-In Audio Interface

Follow the instructions given in chapter

↑

19.2, TRAKTOR with an External Audio Inter-

face

Open Preferences > Controller Manager.

Click Add > Import, then navigate to Default Settings > Controller and choose your con-
troller from the list.

Appendix—Common Setups

TRAKTOR with a Controller

TRAKTOR - Manual - 319

Move a fader or knob on the MIDI controller (e.g. the crossfader) and observe the

CTRL

status indicator. Whenever you move anything on the MIDI controller, it should show ac-
tivity by glowing blue.

You’ll also notice that the corresponding control in TRAKTOR (in the above example, the
crossfader) will also move as you manipulate the MIDI Controller.

19.4.2 Controllers without Mixer Controls

MIDI controllers without mixer controls serve usually as additions to an existing setup. For ex-
ample, this can be in conjunction with a TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2 setup with an external
mixer, but also using it as secondary controller along with a primary MIDI controller is also pos-
sible. In TRAKTOR, do the following:
1.

Open Preferences > Controller Manager.

Click Add > Import, then navigate to Default Settings > Controller and choose your con-
troller from the list

Move a fader or knob on the MIDI controller (e.g. the Browse knob) and observe the

CTRL

status indicator. Whenever you move anything on the MIDI controller, it should show ac-
tivity by glowing blue.

You’ll also see that TRAKTOR responds to the MIDI Controller (in the above example, the
selection highlight in TRAKTOR’s File List will move)

19.5 TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 with TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2

TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO 2 enables you to use your TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 with Timecode
control. Proceed as follows:
1.

Plug your turntables or CD Players into the inputs C and D of your TRAKTOR KON-
TROL S4.

Put the Input Level Switch to Phono if you use turntables and to Line if you’re using CD
Players.

Open Preferences > Audio Setup and select Kontrol S4 (ASIO) as

Audio Device

The turntables / CD Players are routed to Deck C and D per default. If you want to have them
on Deck A and B, you need to re-route them manually:
1.

Open Preferences > Input Routing.

Appendix—Common Setups

TRAKTOR with a Controller

TRAKTOR - Manual - 320

TRAKTOR PRO 2.9. Manual Englisch (2015) - part 19