I have owned Traktor Pro for around a year now, and after giving it a bit of a break I have come back to it with lots of ideas about how I could make it work best for me.
Here’s a few tips and pointers about Traktor Pro and Traktor Scratch Pro;
Buying
Be sure of what it is you want to achieve with Traktor Pro. If you want to control digital music on your laptop, then a DVS system (Traktor SCRATCH Pro) is what you want. If you are more into what is referred to as ‘Controllerism’ ie using a midi controller to make full use of internal mixing features, then just Traktor Pro will do you. I payed to cross-grade from Traktor Pro to Traktor Scratch Pro after deciding I wanted to give using timecoded CDs and Vinyl a go to add more manual control when using the software. This I did for £430.
Traktor Scratch Pro (includes Software, Audio DJ 8 Interface, Cables, 2x Timecode CDs and 2 Vinyl) costs around £500.
Traktor Pro (Software Only) costs £165 (you will need an Audio Interface and a Controller to get the most out of it!)
Visit http://www.decks.co.uk/native_instruments_homepage for buying options.
Controlling
With Traktor Scratch Pro, you have the option of using Timecoded CDs or Vinyl (you can only control 2 decks with timecode). You can also use an external hardware controller to control another 2 decks and of course all of the internal FX that Traktor has to offer.
There are so many options out there for controllers that you’re spoiled for choice! Here are a few that are worth a look at;
-NI Kontrol X1, custom made to control Traktor. You would need to mix externally still as this doesn’t control the internal mixer things, such as track volume and the crossfader. The controller is much more dedicated to simple load and play options, and to FX and loop controlling. RRP £189
-Vestax VCI100, great little all in one controller which can control internal mixer stuff in Traktor. It can also control all the FX, loops, cues and much more. If you’re looking for an all in one controller and soundcard, this is your one! RRP £369
-Faderfox Midi Controller Range. Awesome looking little controllers with huge potential. Note that they are not USB powered like the above 2 controllers. These run off of batteries or 9v power supply. They connect with standard midi cable too for which you would need a midi to USB converter for! RRP £199
Audio Interfaces
If you’re using Traktor Pro, your best bet is an audio interface from the Native Instrument Range such as the Audio 2 DJ, Audio 4 DJ, Audio 8 DJ, or Audio Kontrol 1. These interfaces are of top audio quality and work very well with all traktor uses, as well as with other software. The Audio Kontrol 1 is a less heard of interface, but nonetheless is a great DJ interface as well as very useful in the studio with its range of inputs and outputs, and a very high sound quality. From £85.
If you’re buying Traktor Scratch Pro, it comes with an Audio Interface. If you buy the Traktor Pro software alone intending to use a controller, you would need an audio interface if the controller of choice does not have a built in sound card. You have several options in the way that you use an audio interface. You could set 2 channels of output, so that you could use an external mixer to mix your tunes. You could just use 1 Master Output and use a controller to mix internally.
Hopefully this information should help you get started in choosing the right Traktor-based setup for you. Any help you need, just post a comment with you question and I will do my best to answer.
More Traktor related posts to come!
Posted by HATESY. Kiss My Deck.
