Traktor Dj Studio 3

[DJGAVT 0]

Hello,

 

I have a mac and I am thinking of investing in final scatch and traktor dj studio 3 but would like some reviews/views from fellow dj's that have used/or own the program??

 

What functions do you get in with the program? I know you get effects but are they any good?

Oh what is the auto beat match function like? :joe:

 

Thanks Guys

 

Gav

[brianmole 0]

Can you download a trial? I have the full version of Traktor 3, and it's quite impressive although I have it installed on my home iMac for evaluation only, and I have not done much evaluation!!

 

I would love a demo from someone who know it well, looking at final scratch as a real possibility for live work.

[DJGAVT 0]

I have used final scratch in the past but not traktor. I would download the demo version but I only have dial up internet at present and to download the demo would take me hours.

 

Would you use the vinyl or cd interface for live mobile work?

[brianmole 0]

I have used final scratch in the past but not traktor. I would download the demo version but I only have dial up internet at present and to download the demo would take me hours.

 

Would you use the vinyl or cd interface for live mobile work?

Thing is Gav, I've used the PCDJ interfaces, and to be honest they are *not good*, so I thought I'd use my CDJ1000's with the traktor program. This means a high quality control surface. I never really did mix with vinyl, so that would be kinda alien to me although I know the theory!!

[DJGAVT 0]

I currently use pcdj fx on a windows :poo: ;thumbdown: (Macs are much better) laptop and find it to be fine but I do prefer final scratch

[spirito 0]

I have used Traktor for over 2 years now, It is really awesome and beats all the other programs hands down.

[dj.silver 0]

I've used it for over two years now and cannot praise it enough. You can get a 30 day demo at http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=traktor3_us

 

There are simply toooooooooooo many functions, features, toys etc. to list here, just TRY it, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

 

[digitaldistortion 0]

To be honest, when I road tested all the availables, I WASN't that impressed....but then...strokes for folks etc.

 

Use PCDJ FX VRM and am quite happy, thanks!

 

 

Edited December 13, 2006 by digitaldistortion

[D.X 0]

I have the demo of Traktor 3 and am very happy with it. What I want to know is how people implement it in their setups.

 

I have a Macbook Laptop and an X-Session Pro controller. How would I go about using a Mic alongside it. Would I need to hook it all up to an external mixer at all.

[brianmole 0]

I would hae thought a mixer is rather essential. Surely you cannot rely on a virtual mixer?

[D.X 0]

I would hae thought a mixer is rather essential. Surely you cannot rely on a virtual mixer?

 

So how is cuing done. Where would I plug my headphones into ?

[spirito 0]

I use Traktor with a Pioneer DJM 500 mixer, cueing is done just the same as you would with 2 cd players or any other input. I use two channel on the mixer, one for each deck.

[D.X 0]

I use Traktor with a Pioneer DJM 500 mixer, cueing is done just the same as you would with 2 cd players or any other input. I use two channel on the mixer, one for each deck.

 

So you're routing each channel in Traktor to separate channels on your 500 ?

 

How is that done then, do you assign each channel in Traktor to an output on your soundcard then route the 2 outputs into your mixer ?

[spirito 0]

Yes traktor has various outputting routing options for up to 4 decks in stereo if your soundard will support it.

 

2 decks can be run in mono on a regular 2 channel soundcard (using a mini stereo jack to rca lead, + 2 rca doubllers and a dual rca cable. Or 2 decks in stereo for a 4 channel output card (dolby 5.1) or 4 decks in stereo on an 8 channel card (dolby 7.1)

Its all done from the output options in Traktors preferences.

 

I use the 2 deck stereo setup and have 2 soundcards, a soundblaster external usb card for when I need a small setup, or using the final scratch 2 scratchamp when I want vinyl control.

 

Each deck goes into seperate channel on my mixer just the same as cd players or technics decks would do. All cueing is done on the mixer itself.

 

Traktor does also have an internal mixer which is very good, but I prefer the real thing.

 

One thing I did just buy was a Behringer BCD2000 controller which cost £119 and really really rocks with tracktor. All the same controlls as a cd player inc jog wheels, pitch etc.

 

Link is here: http://www.behringer.com/BCD2000/index.cfm?lang=ENG

 

Awesome bit of kit when used with traktor

[RichardP 0]

Wife got me a Behringer BCD2000 for Xmas also (it was on my xmas list!!)

 

It is undoubtedly great value when you check the spec, though doubt I'd use it for professional use. Got it to help me get more hands-on (mouse free) with Ableton Live.

 

Sadly this one will have to go back due to the left jog wheel being sticky, though hopefully Thomann will sort out a replacement fairly swiftly.

 

What specific concerns are there about using a virtual mixer?

[spirito 0]

The virtual mixer is ok, it has everything needed, but certainly no substitude for the real thing.

 

If your a pro dj forget virtual mixers regardless of program.

[RichardP 0]

Just to understand where the actual differences are, if you've got all the usual mixer controls mapped onto a MIDI control surface such as the BCD2000 (or say, the nice new M-Audio X-Session Pro, mmm) including channel faders, gain, EQ Hi/Mid/Lo etc, where do the differences lie? Latency or something?

[spirito 0]

The big difference is when your computer freezes up or crashes and you lose all control over the sound belting out of your speakers.

 

Anything that involves a computer will at some point crash.

 

With a regular mixer you can switch to cd players, use the mic etc to cover yourself.

 

Go midi only or use a virtual mixer you are screwed until you can restart.

 

The quality of midi mixers as well leaves a lot to be desired unless your going to shell out for an Allen & Heath ones but then you are talking big bucks. The Behringer BCD2000 is a fantastic bit of kit but i would never use it as a mixer I just use its controls to control traktor. The crossfader, channel levels, mic and headphones sockets I never use. I dont even have any audio cables output from it, only the USB cable for the midi control back to the laptop. Nothing I couldnt do on the laptop keyboard, but I prefer proper buttons to press rather than laptop keys.IN fact the only time the actual laptop gets touched is to select the next track I want to play.

[RichardP 0]

Ah gotcha, that makes more sense that if you're going to be using other audio sources alongside your PC setup, then you're not putting all your eggs into one basket by relying on a virtual mixer.