DJing Traktor 2 and 3

[Life on Other Planets AKA Johns]

Hey all i am new to all this digital djing stuff so please be gentel. Ok i have just got traktor 2 and 3. First off which one should i use. Which one is easier to use?? I was alos wondering if anyone has a manual on how to use traktor 2 or 3 in pdf format that they can share?? Also is it possible to use traktor as well as my turntables when mixing. I know i would have to hook up my mixer to my laptop but how?? what cords or any other programs would i need to do this?? So i can mix my mp3's as well as my vinyl. Thanks for any help. And if i have asked any stupid questions please forive me

[groffhibbitz]

Re: Traktor 2 and 3

hey johns.... I'm sure many other have this info, but I'm the drunk as guy who's going to answer first.

First, which is easier to use?? You have to learn them both, and decide for yourself. If you want to know which one is 'better' to learn, I would say 3, because you will learn more features.

And YES, it is possible to use your turntables while mixing . As far as I know, Native Instruments has a contract with Stanton, who makes Final Scratch. They sell vinyl encoded with data that you use with traktor to control it just like a record. There are other companies that sell vinyl with 'data' encoded on them, just like this, but I don't think they work with traktor. But there are tons of programs out there just like traktor, so you have to do some research to find what you want!

To be honest, this isn't the best forum to find answers to your questions.. There is not a lot of activity on the topic you are looking for. Try the futureproducers forum,. the native instruments forum for traktor, or the ms pinky forum for some starting points (use google search!!). But good luck!! And I will try to answer questions as you have them (as will many others on this board).;

[Caley Martin]

Re: Traktor 2 and 3

I hate 3 but love 2.6... they fucked up the interface big time IMO.

[Life on Other Planets AKA Johns]

Re: Traktor 2 and 3

hey johns.... I'm sure many other have this info, but I'm the drunk as guy who's going to answer first.

First, which is easier to use?? You have to learn them both, and decide for yourself. If you want to know which one is 'better' to learn, I would say 3, because you will learn more features.

And YES, it is possible to use your turntables while mixing . As far as I know, Native Instruments has a contract with Stanton, who makes Final Scratch. They sell vinyl encoded with data that you use with traktor to control it just like a record. There are other companies that sell vinyl with 'data' encoded on them, just like this, but I don't think they work with traktor. But there are tons of programs out there just like traktor, so you have to do some research to find what you want!

To be honest, this isn't the best forum to find answers to your questions.. There is not a lot of activity on the topic you are looking for. Try the futureproducers forum,. the native instruments forum for traktor, or the ms pinky forum for some starting points (use google search!!). But good luck!! And I will try to answer questions as you have them (as will many others on this board).;

[quote] Final Scratch. They sell vinyl encoded with data that you use with traktor to control it just like a record. There are other companies that sell vinyl with 'data' encoded on them, just like this, but I don't think they work with traktor.[end quote]

Yes i have heard of this final scratch thing but how does this work?? and what do u mean sell vinyl "data" encoded on them?? Is it like a vinyl cutter where u cut the tracks onto vinyl or something ??

[groffhibbitz]

Re: Traktor 2 and 3

well, you can put any sound on the vinyl right? Any 'song'? So instead of putting a 'song' they put a bunch of clicks and digital noise (sounds like a modem connecting or a fax), which can then be decoded by the computer to tell it how fast the song is playing (and in some cases where in the song you are)... Does that make sense?? It's like how a modem works, how it sends data over the phone line, which was designed for our voices, but can send data as well, that the computer can decode. So all the music is being played off of your computer, and the control of the tracks (pitch/speed, direction the song is going (forward or reverse)) is done via the vinyl.

[Life on Other Planets AKA Johns]

Re: Traktor 2 and 3

I sorta don't get it. But how many finalscratch would i need?? 2 like turntables?? and do i have to keep buying alot of these vinyl'?? or is it just one for each?? i am lost with all this . Has anyone got a site where it shows how it all works in video format??

[Caley Martin]

Re: Traktor 2 and 3

Ritchie Hawtin is a big time user of Final Scratch or Serrato Scratch...

Basically all you need at your gig is the Final Scratch or Serrato Scratch adapter boxy thing and then two pieces of time-coded vinyl and a computer full of tracks. You hook up the turntables that are there to the adapter boxy thing, and then a cable goes into your computer and voila: music from your computer that you can manipulate using the turntables because they have those two special vinyls on them.

[Life on Other Planets AKA Johns]

Re: Traktor 2 and 3

Thanks mate. I get it now. So i would only have to buy one final scratch and 2 pieces of that vinyl. Then when i want to use a track from my laptop i would place one pieces of vinyl on my turntables and use it like a record. Sounds really interesting acutally. Would i still need to stuff around with traktor as well. I mean i know i would have to start the program but i would not need to mess about with the laptop mixer. Hope i make sense

[Caley Martin]

Re: Traktor 2 and 3

You would use the software to set up which turntable gets what mp3 and whatever loop points you want to adjust, etc... the rest is up to you and your skills on the decks and mixer...

[Yao]

Re: Traktor 2 and 3

I have Ableton live and traktor 3..which of the two is easiest to use? (going for the simplest option here, lol)

[groffhibbitz]

Re: Traktor 2 and 3

ableton will make it easier to make a 'good' set, but you have to spend time beforehand setting up the tracks. If you can already mix, than traktor is easier for sure (IMO).

[Yao]

Re: Traktor 2 and 3

Aha....well, i've been fucking around a bit in Ableton and I"m still having trouble to get the beat matched properlay with Ableton. You have to make sure the bass is right on top of the other one, but even with the minuscule adjustments you can make in Ableton it just won't happen...I have no idea what I'm doing wrong right now.

[Caley Martin]

Re: Traktor 2 and 3

I have found Ableton more trouble than it is worth... I can never line shit up correctly to make a decent mix... fuck it. I prefer hands on knob twisting and pitch adjustments anyway.

[Yao]

Re: Traktor 2 and 3

You know....I agree with that wholeheartedly Caley!

[Kinetic]

Re: Traktor 2 and 3

Traktor 3 is buggy (go check the official forums) and I hate it´s interface.

About Ableton, you guys can´t approach mixing in Ableton the same way as you would on TT´s, CDJ´s or even Traktor. You need to learn about warping. Check this thread out : How to warp a track with relative success

Take that topic as a guide and in time you´ll develop your own technique and it will become really easy, especially with version 5.