Traktor
Encyclopedia
Traktor is a DJ software package developed by Native Instruments
. The most recent version, Traktor Pro, offers seamless looping, effects, automatic beat-gridding of tracks, advanced beat detection and Sync Lock for automatic synchronization of tracks, a 4-channel mixer, emulating the Xone:92 4-band EQ and filters by Allen & Heath
and three other equalizer models, real-time track management with incremental search, artwork browsing, iPod
and iTunes
compatibility, automatic gain control, integrated recorder supporting internal and external audio input, support for multiple MIDI controllers and advanced MIDI assignments, as well as the syncing of external gear through MIDI clock functionality.
In 2003, Native Instruments partnered with Stanton Magnetics
to develop the software for their "Final Scratch" digital vinyl system. This partnership gave Stanton a Win/Mac version of the Final Scratch
software (which previously ran in a version of Debian
Linux) and allowed Native Instruments to use the Final Scratch timecode engine in their own Traktor line.
In 2005, Native Instruments added vinyl emulation capability to version 2.6 of Traktor DJ Studio. Version 2.6 included live input, streaming internet broadcasting, support for more file formats, and greatly expanded MIDI capability. Soon afterward, Traktor DJ Studio 3 added two more playback decks (for a total of four), built-in effects, Beatport
online store integration, a four-channel mixer, a Universal Binary
version, deck caching, and minor improvements to existing features.
On October 11, 2006, the partnership between Native Instruments and Stanton Magnetics ended, and Traktor DJ Studio 3 was renamed Traktor 3.
In 2008, an updated version of Traktor Pro, and a new version of the DJ studio, Traktor Scratch Pro were released. Traktor Scratch Pro had additional DVS functionality enabled, includes the specifically designed Audio 8 DJ audio interface, and timecoded CD or vinyl control.
On April 1, 2011, version 2 of Traktor was released. This upgrade includes new sample decks, "truwave" waveforms, an optimized UI, a loop recorder, and a new series of traktor audio interfaces, among other features.
.
Each deck allows the user to see the waveform of the loaded track in two different views. The top display offers a zoomable waveform scrolling against a fixed play marker. The lower display shows a fixed waveform of the entire song with a moving play position marker. Clicking with the mouse in either display will start playback at that position. Loop function is accessed also in the deck display, with the possibility of choosing different loop lengths and precise loop in and out cues. A much improved auto beat gridding and sync features make looping very intuitive, although checking the gridding of tracks is strongly encouraged to ensure that the beat grids are correctly placed. Also in the display are the track information, cover art, tempo, pitch and time remaining.
The EQ section offers several modes of operation, including emulation modes for the popular Pioneer DJM-600, Ecler
Nuo4, and Allen & Heath Xone92 mixers.
Beat jumps work in much the same way as looping does, allowing the play position to be moved forward or backward within the song at a value determined by the DJ.
Both looping and beat jumping features still benefit from the deck caching functionality introduced in Traktor 3. In previous versions of Traktor, moving a loop or beat jumping would introduce a small pause in the audio. As its name implies, deck caching allows the user to determine how much RAM is assigned to each set of decks, and songs loaded into those decks are cached into that RAM for instant access by Traktor. This, combined with the “Snap to Beat” functionality, allows a user to move seamlessly within a song and opens up more possibilities for on the fly remixing. Like most of the features in Traktor, the looping and beat jumping functions can be mapped to a MIDI controller and/or mixing desk.
. It lists audio files by row, with columns available to describe various track properties, including comments, tags, and ratings. Information from each song’s ID3
tag is parsed by Traktor and made available in the browser, and can be edited from within the program.
Traktor Pro also introduced a "Crate Flick" browsing system. Crate Flick shows the top portion of each track's cover as you flip through your track collection, in an effort to emulate the, quick image-recognition based, browsing of sleeves in a crate of records. Crate Flick can also be used for file formats that would normally not support artwork (AIFF, WAV) as Traktor Pro allows the user to assign the cover art to these files. All metadata
saved by Traktor is fully portable, allowing users to easily move tracks between different computers without losing any of the saved metadata.
BCD3000, Numark
Total Control, Faderfox and the Vestax
VCI-100. MIDI templates for Traktor are also bundled with the Feena Electronics FMDJ9303, the KontrolDJ, and the Ecler Nuo series of mixers. But a dedicated controller isn’t necessary because any MIDI device can be used to control Traktor’s features. Likewise, Traktor is compatible with a wide variety of audio interfaces on both Mac and Windows.
The company also released Traktor Scratch Pro and Traktor Scratch Duo, which contain the same respective features as their standalone counterparts, along with vinyl control capabilities. In August 2010, Native Instruments introduced its first all-in-one integrated DJ system, the Traktor Kontrol S4. It features a built in soundcard and a 4 channel mixer with a specially designed version of Traktor Pro called Traktor Pro S4.
Native Instruments
Native Instruments is a technology company that develops software and hardware for music production and DJing. The company has originally been identified mostly with software instruments, but has also expanded to various other music equipment segments in recent years.Current products of Native...
. The most recent version, Traktor Pro, offers seamless looping, effects, automatic beat-gridding of tracks, advanced beat detection and Sync Lock for automatic synchronization of tracks, a 4-channel mixer, emulating the Xone:92 4-band EQ and filters by Allen & Heath
Allen & Heath
Allen & Heath is a company based in Penryn, Cornwall, England, specialising in the manufacture of audio mixing consoles...
and three other equalizer models, real-time track management with incremental search, artwork browsing, iPod
IPod
iPod is a line of portable media players created and marketed by Apple Inc. The product line-up currently consists of the hard drive-based iPod Classic, the touchscreen iPod Touch, the compact iPod Nano, and the ultra-compact iPod Shuffle...
and iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
compatibility, automatic gain control, integrated recorder supporting internal and external audio input, support for multiple MIDI controllers and advanced MIDI assignments, as well as the syncing of external gear through MIDI clock functionality.
History
Traktor was first released in 2000 and has gone through several major application changes. The initial versions of Traktor were Traktor Studio and Traktor DJ, with Traktor Studio being more full featured (and expensive). In 2002, Traktor DJ Studio 2 was released, which offered several new features including scratch macros. It also expanded its looping, MIDI, and cue point functionality. In 2003, Traktor DJ Studio 2.5 was released. This new version expanded the time stretching functionality, added Open Sound Control (OSC) support, and gave the user limited ability to customize the look of the interface.In 2003, Native Instruments partnered with Stanton Magnetics
Stanton Magnetics
Stanton Magnetics, founded in 1946, is a manufacturer of professional and consumer audio equipment. Most of its products are aimed at DJs. It is a wholly owned subsidiary company of the privately owned Stanton Group who also own Cerwin-Vega and KRK Systems...
to develop the software for their "Final Scratch" digital vinyl system. This partnership gave Stanton a Win/Mac version of the Final Scratch
Final Scratch
Final Scratch is a DJ tool created by the Dutch company N2IT with input from Richie Hawtin and John Acquaviva that allows manipulation and playback of digital audio sources using traditional vinyl and turntables...
software (which previously ran in a version of Debian
Debian
Debian is a computer operating system composed of software packages released as free and open source software primarily under the GNU General Public License along with other free software licenses. Debian GNU/Linux, which includes the GNU OS tools and Linux kernel, is a popular and influential...
Linux) and allowed Native Instruments to use the Final Scratch timecode engine in their own Traktor line.
In 2005, Native Instruments added vinyl emulation capability to version 2.6 of Traktor DJ Studio. Version 2.6 included live input, streaming internet broadcasting, support for more file formats, and greatly expanded MIDI capability. Soon afterward, Traktor DJ Studio 3 added two more playback decks (for a total of four), built-in effects, Beatport
Beatport
Beatport is an online music store specializing in electronic dance music and culture. Beatport is a privately held company owned and operated by Beatport LLC and based in Denver, Colorado.-History:...
online store integration, a four-channel mixer, a Universal Binary
Universal binary
A universal binary is, in Apple parlance, an executable file or application bundle that runs natively on either PowerPC or Intel-manufactured IA-32 or Intel 64-based Macintosh computers; it is an implementation of the concept more generally known as a fat binary.With the release of Mac OS X Snow...
version, deck caching, and minor improvements to existing features.
On October 11, 2006, the partnership between Native Instruments and Stanton Magnetics ended, and Traktor DJ Studio 3 was renamed Traktor 3.
In 2008, an updated version of Traktor Pro, and a new version of the DJ studio, Traktor Scratch Pro were released. Traktor Scratch Pro had additional DVS functionality enabled, includes the specifically designed Audio 8 DJ audio interface, and timecoded CD or vinyl control.
On April 1, 2011, version 2 of Traktor was released. This upgrade includes new sample decks, "truwave" waveforms, an optimized UI, a loop recorder, and a new series of traktor audio interfaces, among other features.
Four playback decks
The DJ now has the ability to layer up to four different sound sources. The four decks have Sync functionality, either to a designated “Master” deck or the Master Tempo. Decks also have independent key and tempo adjustment, giving the DJ the ability to freely change the pitch or key of a song to facilitate harmonic mixingHarmonic mixing
Harmonic mixing or key mixing is a DJ's continuous mix between two pre-recorded tracks that are most often either in the same key, or their keys are relative or in a subdominant or dominant relationship with one another....
.
Each deck allows the user to see the waveform of the loaded track in two different views. The top display offers a zoomable waveform scrolling against a fixed play marker. The lower display shows a fixed waveform of the entire song with a moving play position marker. Clicking with the mouse in either display will start playback at that position. Loop function is accessed also in the deck display, with the possibility of choosing different loop lengths and precise loop in and out cues. A much improved auto beat gridding and sync features make looping very intuitive, although checking the gridding of tracks is strongly encouraged to ensure that the beat grids are correctly placed. Also in the display are the track information, cover art, tempo, pitch and time remaining.
Effects and EQ
Each playback deck has now two assignable effects processors. However, the master output channel effects capability has been removed from Traktor Pro. Traktor Pro features 21 effects (as opposed to only 5 effects on Traktor 3), chainable in groups of up to six at a time. Effects settings can be saved to allow for automatic settings reload the next time the effect is used.The EQ section offers several modes of operation, including emulation modes for the popular Pioneer DJM-600, Ecler
Ecler
Ecler is a manufacturer of audio equipment based in Barcelona, Spain. The company was started in 1965. Their products range from speaker cabinets to amplifiers to DJ mixers...
Nuo4, and Allen & Heath Xone92 mixers.
Looping, beat jumping, and deck caching
Traktor Pro has extensive support for looping. Loop lengths are selected by the DJ and are musically logical in length (from 1/8 of a measure to 32 measures). Start and end points are quantized based on the BPM of the song. Once a loop is set, that loop can be moved using the Loop Move buttons, again in musically logical values. If the DJ desires, loop start and end points can be set manually to non musical values. In Traktor Pro, the loop function is now easily accessed through a bar below each deck.Beat jumps work in much the same way as looping does, allowing the play position to be moved forward or backward within the song at a value determined by the DJ.
Both looping and beat jumping features still benefit from the deck caching functionality introduced in Traktor 3. In previous versions of Traktor, moving a loop or beat jumping would introduce a small pause in the audio. As its name implies, deck caching allows the user to determine how much RAM is assigned to each set of decks, and songs loaded into those decks are cached into that RAM for instant access by Traktor. This, combined with the “Snap to Beat” functionality, allows a user to move seamlessly within a song and opens up more possibilities for on the fly remixing. Like most of the features in Traktor, the looping and beat jumping functions can be mapped to a MIDI controller and/or mixing desk.
Track selection and Crate Flick
Traktor's file browser is similar to that of iTunesITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
. It lists audio files by row, with columns available to describe various track properties, including comments, tags, and ratings. Information from each song’s ID3
ID3
ID3 is a metadata container most often used in conjunction with the MP3 audio file format. It allows information such as the title, artist, album, track number, and other information about the file to be stored in the file itself....
tag is parsed by Traktor and made available in the browser, and can be edited from within the program.
Traktor Pro also introduced a "Crate Flick" browsing system. Crate Flick shows the top portion of each track's cover as you flip through your track collection, in an effort to emulate the, quick image-recognition based, browsing of sleeves in a crate of records. Crate Flick can also be used for file formats that would normally not support artwork (AIFF, WAV) as Traktor Pro allows the user to assign the cover art to these files. All metadata
Metadata
The term metadata is an ambiguous term which is used for two fundamentally different concepts . Although the expression "data about data" is often used, it does not apply to both in the same way. Structural metadata, the design and specification of data structures, cannot be about data, because at...
saved by Traktor is fully portable, allowing users to easily move tracks between different computers without losing any of the saved metadata.
Traktor LE
A special entry-level version of Traktor called "Traktor LE" is being bundled with many of the newer MIDI devices recently released, including the Kontrol X1 ( NI Traktor ready out-of-the-box controller ), Allen & Heath Xone 3D, BehringerBehringer
Behringer is an audio equipment company founded by Uli Behringer in 1989, in Willich, Germany. Behringer was listed as the 14th largest manufacturer of music products in 2007. Behringer is a multi-national group of companies, with direct marketing presence in 10 countries or territories and a...
BCD3000, Numark
Numark (DJ equipment)
Numark Industries is a global DJ equipment brand. It makes DJ mixers, turntables, and DJ CD players. Recently, it introduced DJ DVD mixing consoles. Numark has also started to build upon the world of computer DJing through its own mixing software called Cue...
Total Control, Faderfox and the Vestax
Vestax
The Vestax Corporation of Japan began in 1977 as a designer and manufacturer of electronic guitars. In the 1980s Vestax introduced a series of cassette based multitracks to challenge established products from Fostex, Yamaha and Tascam's portastudios...
VCI-100. MIDI templates for Traktor are also bundled with the Feena Electronics FMDJ9303, the KontrolDJ, and the Ecler Nuo series of mixers. But a dedicated controller isn’t necessary because any MIDI device can be used to control Traktor’s features. Likewise, Traktor is compatible with a wide variety of audio interfaces on both Mac and Windows.
Variations of Traktor
Native Instruments features a lower-priced version of its DJ studio, Traktor Duo, which features two decks, a single 3-band EQ for each channel, and six effects.The company also released Traktor Scratch Pro and Traktor Scratch Duo, which contain the same respective features as their standalone counterparts, along with vinyl control capabilities. In August 2010, Native Instruments introduced its first all-in-one integrated DJ system, the Traktor Kontrol S4. It features a built in soundcard and a 4 channel mixer with a specially designed version of Traktor Pro called Traktor Pro S4.