Traktor UDG bag

Official Traktor UDG bag

I'm trying to be a bit more up to date on my blog, but I see that I've missed a couple of beauties out there. So if you are like me you might not have noticed yet that there is an official Traktor UDG bag available from the Native Instruments Shop. Pretty neet!



AGI PRO DJ did a review

4MidiLoop for Traktor

4MIDILOOP controller in black

The 4MIDILOOP is a high-end controller from a small company based in Switzerland. With loads of buttons and is geared for Traktor.
I really liked the video since it's in sync with what I called best of both worlds. The video shows a four channel midi mixer controlling the internal mixer in Traktor with one timecode source on a turntable. Beautifull!

One comment: The multicore cables was not nesseccary.


Hardware Specifications
■47 Potentiometer FX, Master, EQ
■9 Encoder Browser, Seek / Scratch, Pitch· Rubber knobs for best tactile feeling
■152 Led's different colors to display various informations
■166 Push buttons in different colors, double functions with shiftbutton
■5 Fader Eclectic Breaks - Pro X Fade Linefader, Crossfader
■USB bus powering Power supply via USB- Bus / consumption less than 300mA
■USB interface class compliant / no driver necessary

Software specifications
■Special controller for DJ Software (optimised for Native Instruments, Traktor Pro)
■Setup Files for Traktor Pro in current Version 1.2.4 or higher
■Indication of each relevant state by feedback data from software
■System mode for different basic settings (fader curves, etc.)

For more info: http://www.4midiloop.com/

Using External Source in Traktor Scratch Pro

If you need to play an regular audio record through Traktor you will be able to use the internal features like effects, EQ, Filters and more. Keep in mind that you need to be in sync with another track to use effects that are dependent on tempo. I.E. Beatmasher, Beatslicer, Echo and Delay...

TIP: You can also use this when using microphones for great results.

Wrote about this earlier aswell.
Read more here

Denon DN-SC2000 Traktor Controller

I wrote a small piece on this a couple of day ago and it seems like the Denon DN-SC2000 is tailor made for Traktor Pro. This video is form Denon and it runs quickly through some main features. The buttons really look nice and large plus the rotary buttons looks like they are just as they should be. It is announced in the video that the unit will ship in the fourth quarter of this year.

Check out this video on how it all works or read more on my blog post on this wondefull controller!

Click here for more info

DJ Expo 2010

DJ Shifty about the Trakor S4


DENON DN-S3700 and Traktor


That's all about Traktor I could find... In any other videos it was mostly all about Serato.

Pioneer is PRICED OUT!

Watch in HD for WAY better quality... ;)

I was browsing around and came over this video of Pioneers DJM 2000 cut to gether by 123DJ.com
The system from Pioneer is getting MASSIVE and is simply mindblowing.
Would I like one? HELL YES!
Would I buy one? HELL NO!

I recon a Pioneer setup with two CDJ-2000 and one DJM-2000 will set you back ATLEAST $8.000! And that's just for a very cool CD/MP3 player and a super awsome mixer. You would probably want a computer aswell and that is not included in this estimate.

So if I've got $8.000 cash?
Here's what I would use it on:

• 2x New AWSOME HP Envy 14 ($2000)
• Native Instruments S4 DJ System with flightcase ($1300)
• 2x Denon DN-SC2000 ($700)
• Denon DN-X1700 ($1700)
• Akai Pro APC-40 with bag ($400)
• Abelton Suite ($900)
• Traktor Scratch Pro ($1000)

What did I get?
Two new powerfull high-end computers (One for Abelton and one for Traktor)
Two complete Traktor setups (One new S4 and one Traktor Pro with the high-end Denon)
A complete Abelton setup

Why would a venue invest in a system where the DJ would just put the system away and replace it with their own setup anyway? Because a DJ would probably want to play on something they feel comfortable playing on.
I would like to see Pioneer produce a pure blooded MIDI controller with no other functions because they do produce great equipment. Otherwise I would probably invest a Pioneer system if it was priced about at half the price it sels for today.

Single deck controller from Denon

Denon DN-SC2000

This new one deck controller from Denon looks to be one of the best suited for Traktor. The DN-SC2000 looks to be one of my next purchases... After the S4 offcauce... ;)

Why is this controller so great?

Layout
This controller contains all essential deck controls: Transport controls (duh), hot cues, loop, beatjump, effects, key, sync, browse and filter.

The buttons are mostly big and back lit with large clear fonts at high contrast. The rotary buttons have a indicator and looks very steady.

Effects, Hotcues and deck indicator has a great light feedback system where they switch colors to indicate what function or state they've got.

Transport
Big nice Denon Cue and Play buttons! It's missing Cue Play (CUP) but I seldom use it and one could probably just remap some shift function to make it work. The platter is touch sensitive, high resolution and it's got a looooooong (10 cm) pitch fader and nice pitch bend keys.

Hot Cues
I often use cuepoints 5-8 for quick cue point acces and 1-4 for solid markes like beatmarkers, in/out mixpoints and so in. So having the ability to switch from 1-4 and 5-8 available and the color indicates what range is available. Great! Just what I need.
Clicking Shift and a Cue button will delete it. :)

Loop / Beatjump
Alot of loop buttons which also by pressing shift work as Beatjump.
I always wonder why one would want to have in and out button when there is an autoloop feature. However... Quick remap and it's fixed. I prefer Set cue (Loop in) and Activate loop. The Auto loop should set a 4 bar loop. ;)

Effects
You can allocate the deck to effect bank 1 or 2. There are four rotary push knobs for effect controll. There is also a posibility to switch between controlling either effect bank 1 or 2 with a light feedback (green or orange). Super!

Key / Sync
Nice indicators and Sync + shift = Master. Great!

Browse
Big nice rotary knob for searching with puch to load function. Button for browser only mode, switching favorites (crates) and deck duplication.

Showing off it's colors. (RED vs. BLUE / GREEN vs. ORANGE)

Release: Fall 2010

Price: Around $300 USD

The Native Instruments Traktor S4 unvailed

Image from DJ Techtools

There are alot of buzz around the new S4 controller for Traktor and aswell there should be.
Based on what DJ Techtools wrote on this I'm realy excited, but also a bit dissapointed on some parts.
Read their article here...

There will be an EAN GOLDEN version for this controller aswell where the jogwheels will also have an effects functionality! Congratz Ean!



More information on Native Instruments webpage.

Upsides
1. HID CONTROLLER FOR TRAKTOR! Finally we can get a super tight controller! 30 times the accurassy of MIDI.
2. The controller looks awsome and the layout realy support a well organized DJ workflow.
3. The new loop section looks really powerfull. Like the recording features.
4. 24 bit/96 kHz soundcard included!
4. Pricepoint is excellent! A 4 channel controller of this magnetude with build in soundcard for $999? Yes!
5. Mixer section look beyond awsome!
6. The software layout and new colors look fantastic.
7. Flight case gives it mobility and the laptop stand feature was pretty cool.

Downsides
1. The software will be exclusive to the controller. =( So I just HAVE to buy the whole deal. (SO WHAT?!)
2. There are no inputs for controll vinyl/CD... Yet...
3. After watching the DJ Shifty video I thought the buttons looked a bit small. (around 3:00)
4. Looks like they removed effects bank 3 and 4.

Recap:

• Super tight
• Awsome
• Powefull
• Excellent
• Awsome
• Fantastic

Emulator for Traktor Pro running on big multitocuh screen.

WHERE CAN I GET THIS SCREEN???!!

Rumor

A friend just told med that the new controller from Native Instruments will be called S4. It will probably be released this november and be priced about $999 US.
I will look around and update as soon as this is verified or i get some more info.

/Fred