The ability to sync your Traktor track collection with your main Traktor computer via Dropbox is one of my favorite features in Traktor Pro 2.6.1, sharing track info including cue points, beatgrids and BPM/key information. This opens up the possibility of doing a lot of the prep work for a performance (beatgridding tracks, setting cue points, etc.) on the iPad’s inviting touchscreen and then syncing your work with your main computer before the gig. Head over here to read my full overview of Traktor DJ. – Endo

Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro

The definition of DJing has changed dramatically in the last decade. Laptops, controllers, and software have emerged alongside more traditional turntables and CDJs, smashing the barrier to entry. In today’s digital age, anyone can become a DJ. To reflect this renaissance, Dubspot has created the Digital DJing with Traktor program. In both our physical and online schools, students will learn how to DJ entirely with Traktor’s cutting-edge technology. An emphasis will be placed on the concepts of DJing rather than simply learning how to use the software.

What’s Included

• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 1: Introduction to DJing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 2: Phrase Mixing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 3: Beyond The Beatmatch

“I love the class, and the content! Shiftee and Endo are very funny, and very clear, so the material is easy and fun to follow! I wish my college teachers were more like these two!” – Leandro Martinez, Chicago IL

More start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

/files/2013/05/Endo_iPad_3_Blog_1.jpg

I’m impressed with how Native Instruments have adapted Traktor’s design to take advantage of the touchscreen interface of the iPad, and they’ve also added in some new features that even go beyond what Traktor Pro can do on Mac OS/Windows. The best example of this is how the whole interface has been designed around the two parallel waveform displays, allowing you to control playback by directly touching the waveforms on the screen! This is a more useful approach than the typical “spinning platter”-style interface offered by many other iOS DJ apps, and controlling the tracks directly on the screen gives a much different feeling than DJing on a laptop and controlling your tracks with keyboard commands or a MIDI controller. Head over here to read my full overview of Traktor DJ. – Endo

Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro

The definition of DJing has changed dramatically in the last decade. Laptops, controllers, and software have emerged alongside more traditional turntables and CDJs, smashing the barrier to entry. In today’s digital age, anyone can become a DJ. To reflect this renaissance, Dubspot has created the Digital DJing with Traktor program. In both our physical and online schools, students will learn how to DJ entirely with Traktor’s cutting-edge technology. An emphasis will be placed on the concepts of DJing rather than simply learning how to use the software.

What’s Included

• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 1: Introduction to DJing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 2: Phrase Mixing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 3: Beyond The Beatmatch

“I love the class, and the content! Shiftee and Endo are very funny, and very clear, so the material is easy and fun to follow! I wish my college teachers were more like these two!” – Leandro Martinez, Chicago IL

More start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

/files/2013/05/Endo_iPad_2_Blog_42.jpg

I’m impressed with how Native Instruments have adapted Traktor’s design to take advantage of the touchscreen interface of the iPad, and they’ve also added in some new features that even go beyond what Traktor Pro can do on Mac OS/Windows.  The best example of this is how the whole interface has been designed around the two parallel waveform displays, allowing you to control playback by directly touching the waveforms on the screen! This is a more useful approach than the typical “spinning platter”-style interface offered by many other iOS DJ apps, and controlling the tracks directly on the screen gives a much different feeling than DJing on a laptop and controlling your tracks with keyboard commands or a MIDI controller. Head over here to read my full overview of Traktor DJ. – Endo

Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro

The definition of DJing has changed dramatically in the last decade. Laptops, controllers, and software have emerged alongside more traditional turntables and CDJs, smashing the barrier to entry. In today’s digital age, anyone can become a DJ. To reflect this renaissance, Dubspot has created the Digital DJing with Traktor program. In both our physical and online schools, students will learn how to DJ entirely with Traktor’s cutting-edge technology. An emphasis will be placed on the concepts of DJing rather than simply learning how to use the software.

What’s Included

• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 1: Introduction to DJing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 2: Phrase Mixing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 3: Beyond The Beatmatch

“I love the class, and the content! Shiftee and Endo are very funny, and very clear, so the material is easy and fun to follow! I wish my college teachers  were more like these two!” – Leandro Martinez, Chicago IL

More start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

/files/2013/04/Endo_iPad_1_Blog_2.jpg

For more on Traktor DJ, check out DJ Endo’s Traktor for iPad overview in which he offer a deeper look at some of the key new features.

The new Native Instruments iPad app has now been released as Traktor DJ. It’s compatible with iPad 2 and above (it requires iOS 6), and it brings the full functionality of Traktor Pro to the iPad, minus a few things like external MIDI controller support or the ability to mix on four decks simultaneously (Traktor DJ for iPad only gives you two). NI have now followed up that initial photo of Hawtin with this promo video showing his first day using Traktor DJ for iPad… (more)

Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Program

The definition of DJing has changed dramatically in the last decade. Laptops, controllers, and software have emerged alongside more traditional turntables and CDJ’s, smashing the barrier to entry. In today’s digital age, anyone can become a DJ. To reflect this renaissance, Dubspot has created the Digital DJing with Traktor program. In both our physical and online schools, students will learn how to DJ entirely with Traktor’s cutting-edge technology. An emphasis will be placed on the concepts of DJing rather than simply learning how to use the software.

Register today! Online classes start the week of April 7, 2013

What’s Included

• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 1: Introduction to DJing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 2: Phrase Mixing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 3: Beyond The Beatmatch

Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Program

The week of April 7, 2013  ONLINE
The week of June 2, 2013 ONLINE
The week of August 4, 2013 ONLINE

“I love the class, and the content! Shiftee and Endo are very funny, and very clear, so the material is easy and fun to follow! I wish my college teachers were more like these two!” – Leandro Martinez, Chicago IL

More start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

http://blog.dubspot.com/files/2013/04/Shiftee_2.jpg

In the first installment of Tricktakular: Trick Mixing, DJ Spictakular explains and demonstrates the DJing technique commonly referred to as “Double Ups.” He also offers tips and tricks for hand placement and ways that you can utilize the double up technique as a live performance or mixing effect.

Dubspot’s DJ Spictakular is an original member of the Allies Crew, comprised of A-Trak, J-Smoke, Craze, Clever, Infamous and Develop. Spictakular made a name for himself as a DJ with a charismatic stage presence, well-composed routines and precise technical control.

His routines emphasize multiple aspects of DJ performance including beat juggling, scratching, body tricks and mixing. He has won numerous individual battle titles over the course of his career, including being the Philadelphia Regional DMC Champion as well as the runner-up in the US DMC Finals (both in 1999). Additionally, when he was a part of the Allies, they were the 1999 ITF World Team Champions. The Allies have won over 14 world championships together, more than any other DJ crew in the world. Spictakular has also appeared with the Allies on Fox, NBC, CNN, MTV, VH1 and BET.

Today, Spictakular stays busy teaching the art of DJing here at Dubspot. He’s also a busy producer, with credits including tracks with Lil Wayne, D-Block and Immortal Technique.

DJ Extensive Program

Immerse yourself in the complete art of DJing: from the fundamentals of beatmatching and mixing to using effects and programming extended club sets. Whether you’re a beginner wanting to learn fundamentals or a seasoned pro looking to take your talent to the next level, our curriculum is designed to accommodate all skill levels and styles of music. This comprehensive DJ program covers everything from basic mixing to advanced digital DJing with both Serato and Traktor.

What’s Included

• DJ Level 1: Rookie Sessions | Essentials I
• DJ Level 2: Phrase Mixing | Essentials II
• DJ Level 3: Beyond The Blend | Intermediate Skills
• DJ Level 4: Preparation | DJ Psychology
• DJ Level 5: Classroom to the Club | Advanced Techniques I
• DJ Level 6: Club to the World | Advanced Techniques II

Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro

The definition of DJing has changed dramatically in the last decade. Laptops, controllers, and software have emerged alongside more traditional turntables and CDJ’s, smashing the barrier to entry. In today’s digital age, anyone can become a DJ. To reflect this renaissance, Dubspot has created the Digital DJing with Traktor program. In both our physical and online schools, students will learn how to DJ entirely with Traktor’s cutting-edge technology. An emphasis will be placed on the concepts of DJing rather than simply learning how to use the software.

What’s Included

• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 1: Introduction to DJing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 2: Phrase Mixing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 3: Beyond The Beatmatch

“I love the class, and the content! Shiftee and Endo are very funny, and very clear, so the material is easy and fun to follow! I wish my college teachers  were more like these two!” – Leandro Martinez, Chicago IL

More start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

/files/2013/03/Tricktacular_Blog_2.jpg

For digital DJs using Traktor Pro, there are a variety of way to sync two instances of Traktor together. In the first two parts of this tutorial series, Dubspot’s DJ Endo explained how to sync the Master Clocks in two copies of Traktor manually or with a MIDI cable, without using a network connection between the two computers. Now in part three we’ll look at how to set up automatic sync for two copies of Traktor running on Mac OS X and connecting via some kind of network: either Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or by using a computer-to-computer wireless connection.

Sync Two Instances of Traktor Over A Network

One question I frequently get asked in my work as a Native Instruments DJ product specialist is, “How can I sync my Traktor setup with another copy of Traktor?” While in the first two parts of this tutorial series we’ve looked at how to sync two Traktor systems manually or via a MIDI cable, now we’re going to learn how to sync two Macs together over a network connection.

I have helped a lot of DJs get this working but one of the most memorable moments for me came while helping Dubfire and Richie Hawtin set up multiple copies of Traktor synced together when they were prepping for a duo DJ gig at the Exit Festival in Serbia in 2009. We set the computers up at Richie’s studio in Berlin earlier that same day and networked them, trying to get them synced together, and ended up listening to trainwrecking metronomes for quite awhile before we got it right.

Once we did get everything working correctly, we left the computers on all the way from Berlin to Serbia, and when we got there Richie and Dubfire ended up playing an epic set on three DJ mixers and four Macs all perfectly in sync in front of 50,000 people! This is also the story of how they started using “Click-2-Click” as a name when they perform together.

This was especially memorable for me because they started their set with their metronomes completely out of sync, and then Richie hit the sync button on his copy of Traktor and the computers ‘magically’ synced to each other over the network while the crowd was listening…and it was all caught on video too! (Notice how you can see me in the background nearly having a heart attack hoping it works correctly!)

By following the steps in this tutorial, you’ll be able to sync two (or more) Mac-based Traktor systems together over any kind of connection. You can use wired Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or a computer-to-computer wireless connection. In all of these cases, the process is similar: first you need to establish the connection between the two Macs, and then once that’s working, the rest of the steps to sync the two copies of Traktor together are the same.

(Also, even though we are talking about Traktor here, just be aware that the same concept works if you want to sync together any music software that supports MIDI sync, including Ableton Live or Maschine for example.)

Establishing The Connection

So first we need to get your two Macs connected. There are three main ways you can do it:

Syncing over Ethernet: This is the simplest way to connect two Macs, and also gives the stablest sync. First just connect an Ethernet cable from the first computer (the tempo master) to the Ethernet port on the second computer (the tempo slave). Make sure Wi-Fi is turned off on both computers and that the Ethernet cable is plugged in tightly. (If you want to connect more than two computers over Ethernet, you can also use an Ethernet hub and plug an Ethernet cable from each computer into the Hub.)

Syncing over Wi-Fi: This method will work well if both computers are on a stable wireless network connection. However a lot of performance venues may have locked Wi-Fi networks that you can’t access, or no Wi-Fi at all. With that said though, if you want to sync two copies of Traktor over Wi-Fi, first just join the same Wi-Fi network

Syncing via a direct computer-to-computer wireless network connection: While Ethernet might be the most stable way to send MIDI between computers and Wi-Fi is also an option, let’s say you’re playing a party in the middle of the jungle, you don’t have an Ethernet cable, and there is no Wi-Fi either. (Not an uncommon situation in the underground music scene anyway right?) Don’t worry, you can still sync two Macs together by creating a computer-to-computer wireless connection. I’ve had good success with this method myself, it seems to work just as well as sending MIDI over Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

In order to set this up on your Mac, first you need to create a computer-to-computer network on one of the computers by clicking on the Airport icon towards the right-hand side of the menu bar at top, choose Create Network and then name your network:

Your Airport icon (in the top-right part of the menu bar) should now look like this:

Then on the second computer, you should be able to go under the Airport icon and find the new network as a choice to connect to (just look for the name you just created). Click to connect and then you’re ready to continue.

Getting Connected

Now follow these steps to establish a network MIDI connection between your two Macs.

1) On the computer that is going to be the tempo master, go to Applications > Utilities and open the Audio MIDI Setup utility:

When this is opened, go to the top menu and choose Window > Show MIDI Window:

2) In the MIDI Window here, double click on the Network icon to open the MIDI Network Setup window.

3) In the MIDI Network Setup window, you want to make a new MIDI Network by going to the My Sessions window and clicking on the + button. For easy reference, name the session “MIDI Clock” by clicking where it says “Session 1” and typing “MIDI Clock”. Make sure the checkbox for the session is checked (in the box at top left), and also make sure that the checkbox for Enabled is checked as well (towards the top right). Then at the bottom where it says “Who may connect to me” choose “Anyone.”

4) Now do the same thing on the computer that will be the tempo slave. Open the Audio MIDI Setup utility under Applications > Utilities, and then choose Window > Show MIDI Window.

5) Make a new MIDI network session on this computer as well by clicking on the + button and then renaming your session “MIDI Clock.” Make sure the checkbox is checked at top right and that the checkbox for “Enabled” is on at top left, and at the bottom where it says “Who may connect to me” choose “Anyone.”

6) Once you’ve made the sessions and enabled them on both computers, you should see each other’s computers in the Directory window. Now you can connect by clicking on the name of the other person’s computer and then clicking Connect. The other computer’s name should now show up in your Participants window. Do this on both computers so each can see the other in the Participants list.

Now the two computers are able to send MIDI to each other!

Note that it’s important not to close this window during your performance or recording session. I recommend that you keep the MIDI Window in the Audio MIDI Setup application open on both computers throughout your entire DJ set, otherwise the connection might be lost.

Sending MIDI Between Two Copies of Traktor

1) To start sending MIDI from one Traktor system to another, you need to enable Traktor to send MIDI clock: go to Preferences > MIDI Clock and turn on (check) the option Send MIDI Clock.

2) Now to actually send the MIDI clock signal out of Traktor, we need to create a new MIDI device in Traktor. We can do this by going to Preferences > Controller Manager. To make a new device click the Add button under the device drop-down window, then choose Generic MIDI as shown in the image.

3) Now rename this device by clicking Edit > Edit Comment. For simplicity’s sake let’s rename the device “MIDI Clock.”

4) Next you need to choose what port to send the MIDI out through. Choose the device you created and named “MIDI Clock” as the Out-Port. Set the In-Port to None so you’re not receiving MIDI from anything else.

5) The next thing you need to do is go to each mapping in the Device drop-down menu and make sure none of your mappings are set to All Ports. Assign each mapping to that specific device it is supposed to work with. For example, if you’re using a mapping for your Maschine controller, set the In-Port to “Maschine” and the Out-Port to “Maschine.” The reason you need to do this is so that Traktor is not sending MIDI clock out of more than one device. This could cause the BPM value to be incorrectly doubled on the slave computer.

6) Now let’s go to the other computer, the tempo slave, and set Traktor up to receive the MIDI clock. On the slave computer, go to the Traktor Preferences > Controller Manager tab; now you need to make a new MIDI device to RECEIVE MIDI. You can do this by clicking on Add under the Device drop-down menu and choosing Generic MIDI.

7) Now name this new device by clicking Edit > Edit Comment. Once again for this example let’s name the device “MIDI Clock.”

8) Now set the In-Port and Out-Port for the new device. Since this is the slave computer, you’re going to be RECEIVING MIDI clock, so set your In-Port to the MIDI input of the interface or controller you’re using. As you see, in my case this is the Audio 8 DJ.

9) Now that you’ve established a MIDI connection from the tempo master computer to the tempo slave computer, you can start sending the MIDI clock signal from one to the other. To start sending MIDI clock, you need to click an option on Traktor’s Master Clock at the top left-hand corner of your screen. If you don’t see the Master Clock, you need to turn on the Global Section in Traktor by going to Preferences > Global Settings and check Show Global Section.

10) Now, to start sending clock out of the tempo master computer, go to the Master Clock section of Traktor and turn on the Play button under where it says Send (see image). Also make sure Auto is turned OFF since you’re going to be using the Master Clock to set the tempo and not a deck.

11) Now on the tempo slave computer, go to the Master Clock section and turn on the EXT button at left under Options. This tells Traktor to sync to an external (incoming) MIDI clock signal.

12) When you’re ready to sync up, push the Sync button in the Master Clock section of the MASTER computer. You should now see the BPM indicator in the Master Clock of the tempo slave computer start moving and sync up with the tempo master.

13) This will get your two computers to sync to the same tempo, but to get both computers PERFECTLY in sync there is one more part to this process. There is usually a little latency or time lag in this process of sending MIDI clock, so you need to turn the metronome on in both copies of Traktor and beatmatch the metronomes using the MIDI Clock Sending Offset bar in Traktor.

To do this, go to Traktor’s Master Clock section and turn on the “Tick” for both computers.

14) Then make sure that Traktor’s mixer section is showing on both computers: go to Preferences > Mixer and turn on the Filter, Key, Gain, Cue, Balance checkbox.

15) Now turn on the headphone button on Traktor’s mixer for one of the decks on each computer; this will send the metronome sound out of that channel.

For example, if I turn on the headphone button for Deck A, the metronome will play through whatever output I have set for Deck A. Do this on both computers so you can hear both metronomes together. Most likely the metronomes will be playing out of time with each other and you will hear a ‘flamming’ sound.

16) Now on the tempo master computer, go to the Traktor Preferences and click on the MIDI Clock tab. In the MIDI Clock tab, there is a slider that adjusts the Sending Offset.

You need to slide this back and forth until you can hear that both metronomes are ticking in sync. If it sounds like the two computers are completely out of sync, you might need to go back to step 12 of this tutorial and hit sync on the tempo master computer’s Master Clock to get everything back together. Then adjust the Sending Offset further until you find the right number that will keep the metronomes in sync without flamming.

Now that both of your computers are in sync, you’re ready to go. Just start playing tracks and everything should sync up automatically (as long as you’ve beatgridded your tracks correctly of course!).

If it sounds like the two computers are drifting out of sync during a performance, you can always go back to step 12 and click the sync button in the Master Clock on the tempo master computer. Also if a particular track you play sounds a bit out of sync, you might need to use the pitch bend buttons on Traktor’s decks to adjust the phase of that track so it matches your DJ partner.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. For more tutorials visit our blog homepage or our YouTube channel. For more info about me, check out www.djendo.com. Happy mixing. Peace! - Mike Henderson a.k.a. DJ Endo

Related Dubspot Courses:

DJ Extensive Program

Immerse yourself in the complete art of DJing: from the fundamentals of beatmatching and mixing to using effects and programming extended club sets. Whether you’re a beginner wanting to learn fundamentals or a seasoned pro looking to take your talent to the next level, our curriculum is designed to accommodate all skill levels and styles of music. This comprehensive DJ program covers everything from basic mixing to advanced digital DJing with both Serato and Traktor.

What’s Included

• DJ Level 1: Rookie Sessions | Essentials I
• DJ Level 2: Phrase Mixing | Essentials II
• DJ Level 3: Beyond The Blend | Intermediate Skills
• DJ Level 4: Preparation | DJ Psychology
• DJ Level 5: Classroom to the Club | Advanced Techniques I
• DJ Level 6: Club to the World | Advanced Techniques II

Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro

The definition of DJing has changed dramatically in the last decade. Laptops, controllers, and software have emerged alongside more traditional turntables and CDJ’s, smashing the barrier to entry. In today’s digital age, anyone can become a DJ. To reflect this renaissance, Dubspot has created the Digital DJing with Traktor program. In both our physical and online schools, students will learn how to DJ entirely with Traktor’s cutting-edge technology. An emphasis will be placed on the concepts of DJing rather than simply learning how to use the software.

What’s Included

• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 1: Introduction to DJing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 2: Phrase Mixing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 3: Beyond The Beatmatch

“I love the class, and the content! Shiftee and Endo are very funny, and very clear, so the material is easy and fun to follow! I wish my college teachers  were more like these two!” – Leandro Martinez, Chicago IL

Start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

http://blog.dubspot.com/files/2013/02/Endo_Traktor_Sync_3.jpg

NI dropped a hint after NAMM, posting a photo of Richie Hawtin using a “new Native Instruments iPad app” but not revealing what it was. However, given that it was posted on the Traktor Facebook page, most observers assumed that Traktor on the iPad was on its way.

That new Native Instruments iPad app has now been released and is called simply Traktor DJ. It’s compatible with iPad 2 and above (it requires iOS 6), and it brings the full functionality of Traktor Pro to the iPad, minus a  few things like external MIDI controller support or the ability to mix on four decks simultaneously (Traktor DJ for iPad only gives you two). NI have now followed up that initial photo of Hawtin with this promo video showing his first day using Traktor DJ for iPad…

I’ve been testing this app myself for quite some time now, and I’ve been having a lot of fun with it. I’m impressed with how NI have adapted Traktor’s design to take advantage of the touchscreen interface of the iPad, and they’ve also added in some new features that even go beyond what Traktor Pro can do on Mac OS/Windows.  The best example of this is how the whole interface has been designed around the two parallel waveform displays, allowing you to control playback by directly touching the waveforms on the screen! This is a more useful approach than the typical “spinning platter”-style interface offered by many other iOS DJ apps, and controlling the tracks directly on the screen gives a much different feeling than DJing on a laptop and controlling your tracks with keyboard commands or a MIDI controller.

You can also use touchscreen gestures on the iPad to control looping and effects (see the popup four-band EQ next to each waveform in the image above), sync and mix your tracks, or browse through your track library, as well as to trigger slices of tracks via the new “Freeze Mode” feature (more on that below).

NI has also addressed one of the most persistent issues facing would-be iPad DJs: the tablet’s single stereo headphone output. In order to DJ properly with two stereo tracks you need an multichannel audio interface, and NI have given Traktor DJ CoreAudio support, giving it the ability to connect with audio interfaces including (for example) the Traktor Audio series (6 or 10). This allows you to cue the next track in your headphones or (in a forthcoming update) assign a separate audio output for each deck in Traktor if you want to use an external DJ mixer. (You will also need the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit for this, to give your iPad a USB port to connect your interface.)

Here are some of my favorite features:

• Harmonic mixing is now built into Traktor!  This is a first for any version of Traktor, and something I’ve been wanting for a long time now. NI have now given Traktor its own key detection algorithm: when Traktor analyzes a song, it analyzes both the tempo BPM and the key and stores that info, allowing you to take that into consideration when you’re choosing the next track to mix. This also gives you the option to sort your playlist by key, so that songs that mix harmonically will be ordered together in Traktor DJ’s browser. Check this blog post of mine for more on what harmonic mixing is and how to use it.
• There is full integration with the iTunes Library on your iPad. Traktor DJ will analyze all the tracks and make them available in your browser.
• My favorite feature in Traktor DJ is that it now recommends tracks for you to play! It’s kind of like iTunes Genius for Traktor, but it seems to work much better, for me at least. When you’re playing a track, all you have to do is click on the album artwork box and Traktor will open the browser and give you a list of tracks that it thinks will mix well with what you’re currently playing based on the key, tempo and even timbre. I’ve found so many amazing combinations of tracks using this feature, it’s great for coming up with ideas even if you never use it live. This is also a great tool for DJs with a big music collection since it will help you re-discover tracks that you might have forgotten about:

• Traktor DJ has a really cool feature called “Freeze Mode” that basically lets you slice up your tracks and tap on the slices on the screen to play them like drums! You can use this to trigger little vocal fragments, or you can get Aphex Twin-crazy and mangle your tracks by drumming your fingers all over the screen. Just click on the Freeze Mode button on one fo the decks and you can then click on individual beats and retrigger the beats live. You can set the quantize value for the slicing as well. I typically use ¼-beat (16th-note) quantization so I can go crazy with short sharp slices.
• Another fun set of features in Traktor DJ are the hands-on looping capabilities. You can set and edit your loops using two-finger gestures on the touchscreen, making looping much more intuitive. These features work so well that they will definitely be interesting for producers working in the studio looking to record creative looping effects.Setting a loop in Traktor DJ is as easy as placing your two fingers at the same time on the start point and end point of the beats you want to loop. Once you’ve set a loop you can move it by placing your two fingers on the loop and moving your fingers together to the left and right. If you place your fingers on the looped section and move them closer to each other, the loop will get smaller. This allows you to edit the start point, end point of the loop or both at the same time. If you want to get out of the loop you can click on the loop with both fingers and drag your fingers downwards to deactivate the loop. Also when you’re looping, you can click on the Freeze Mode button to slice the loop, then press and hold the slices to repeat the them.
• The effects in Traktor DJ are also a lot of fun. The effects section of Traktor DJ gives you an X Y axis that you can manipulate by placing your fingers on the touchpad, again giving you intuitive hands-on control of the sound. Tempo-synced effects are perfectly in time with the music, and you can also use two-finger gestures to quickly jump between effect parameters.

• Another innovative feature is the ability to sync your Traktor collection with your main Traktor computer via Dropbox, sharing track info including cue points, beatgrids and BPM/key information. This opens up the possibility of doing a lot of the prep work for a performance (beatgridding tracks, setting cue points, etc.) on the iPad’s inviting touchscreen and then syncing your work with your main computer before the gig.

There are a lot of other advantages to consider, too. Besides the intuitive control you get from using touchscreens to control waveform playback, the stability of the iOS platform is also a big plus here: I’ve never had the program crash in all the hours I’ve used it so far. The size of the iPad is smaller than using 2 Traktor X1 controllers or a Maschine controller (my standard setups) and can do pretty much everything you can do with a controller + computer + mixer set up, or could also be considered a replacement for two CDJs + mixer.

Is this an app that professional DJs will use? I don’t see why not. It is a bit mind-boggling to think about how many new DJs this app could create: the learning curve seems to be getting easier and easier, and Traktor DJ can not only sync tracks but even recommend what music to play! That is a subject for a whole other article, but one thing is for sure, Traktor DJ is certain to stir things up in the DJ world! - DJ Endo

Traktor DJ is available via the App Store today for $19.99.

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In this tutorial we will be using Native Instruments’ Massive to demonstrate how to make a synth “water droplet” sound from scratch; however the techniques conveyed here are generally applicable to many other software and hardware synths.

To start with, let’s listen to a few recent tracks that have used this sound so you can hear what we’re talking about.

Listen For The Drop(let)

One track that prominently features the water droplet sound throughout is Eprom’s “Regis Chillbin,” a dancefloor hit last summer as we saw the re-emergence of trap as an EDM subgenre:

Eprom – Regis Chillbin

Machinedrum then picked up this groove and created a strange hip hop mutation of the original (featuring re-pitched cat meows and other creative uses of sampling technology) in a remix that was subsequently re-used as the basis for the track “Aquababe” by rapper and seapunk ambassador Azealia Banks on her Fantasea mixtape. The water droplets are not as prominent this time around but listen for example at around 0:36:

Azealia Banks – Aquababe (Regis Chillbin Remix by Machinedrum)

Creating Your Own Droplets

Now let’s look at how to create this sound in Massive.

First start with a new (empty) sound in Massive. Turn on OSC 1 only to start with; turn off all other oscillators, filters, noise and feedback. Select the Sin/Squ (sine wave/square wave) wavetable in the drop-down menu to the right of the OSC 1 label.  Set the Wt-position (wavetable position) control all the way to the left, to get a pure sine wave tone.

Now turn on Filter 1, and set it as Lowpass 2. Set its cutoff and resonance each to about one o’clock. Click on 1 Env in Massive’s modulation section (beneath the filters).  Set the attack knob to zero, and its level knob to 100%.  Set the decay at around 1030ms, and its level to zero.  Set the morph and release levels to zero as well, we only need to manipulate attack and decay to create this sound.

Now we will assign this single envelope to control a few key functions of the oscillator and filter we’ve enabled.

To assign the modulators (the envelopes and LFOs) in Massive, click on what Native Instruments calls the “modulation handle,” the cross-shaped icon to the right of each modulator name, and while holding down the mouse button, drag the handle to one of the many “modulation slots” beneath many of the knobs, sliders and other synth parameters on the Massive interface; these modulation slots appear as small empty boxes. For this example, click and drag on the handle for the envelope 1 Env, and drop it in the first modulation slot directly beneath the Pitch parameter in OSC 1.  Repeat this step twice more, dragging the handle to the left-hand modulation slot under OSC 1’s Amp parameter as well as the left-hand modulation slot under the Cutoff parameter of Filter 1.

At this point, the tone should be a slightly filtered sine wave.  Now, by manipulating the values of the modulators we have assigned, we can morph this sine wave into the water drop sound.  The OSC 1 Pitch modulation slot should currently show a blue 1, with a number value to its right which should currently read 0.00.  Now click this number and drag it up to around 27-28.  This will give the sound a sudden and sharp pitch up and down; however since the attack on 1 Env is set to 0, the sound will only pitch down, following the decay settings.

Now turn the OSC 1 Amp knob down to zero, and click the assigned modulation slot (the blue 1 in the box beneath the Amp knob) and drag it all the way upwards, until the blue indicator line around the knob reaches 100%.  This assigns the envelope to control the output volume of the sine wave. Finally, click and drag the modulation slot beneath Filter 1’s Cutoff downward, until the blue indicator line reaches zero.  This will cause the filter cutoff to follow the envelope, cutting all frequencies from high to low.  Now that the decay settings for the envelope 1 Env are controlling all three of these settings, the sound should take on the expected water droplet effect.

With just a bit of exploration and tweaking, the attack and decay functions of the envelope can be used to create a variety of other sounds based on this same simple configuration. Double-clicking on the modulation slot will remove the assigned envelope control.  Double-click the Filter 1 cutoff modulation slot, and the blue indicator line should disappear.  Do the same to the OSC 1 Amp, then turn the knob to 100%.

Now by making miniscule changes in the existing settings, this patch can take on new forms.  For example, try turning the attack and decay knobs on the envelope and notice how each of these affects the tone.

By turning up the attack to about 8 or 9 o’clock and slowly turning the decay knob up further, a laser-like tone starts to take shape.

Or try dropping the attack back down to zero and set the decay for 12-1 o’clock, revealing a classic “disco bell” sound found in classic disco hits like Anita Ward’s “Ring My Bell.”

Or, pitch this disco bell sound down into the bass range and it becomes a fat sine wave bass drop.

By reversing certain settings or assignments, or making small tweaks on other parameters, this simple single oscillator/filter/envelope patch can be extremely useful and diverse.

What other sounds can be derived from this simple envelope setup?  Post your variations with your own tweaks in the comments below…

Here’s are a couple more examples of this sound in use, in a track from Pimp C and a live set from LA’s Gaslamp Killer in the Boiler Room:

Pimp C – Pourin’ Up

Gaslamp Killer live in the Boiler Room–check out the section right at 17m to hear a good example of water droplets in action!

Dubspot contributor Computo is a half-human/half-machine electronic music producer and DJ focusing on bass music of all varieties. He currently works for Native Instruments in Los Angeles as West Coast product specialist and artist coach for Maschine and Komplete, recently contributing programming to the Maschine expansion pack Raw Voltage. His YouTube tutorial on creating wobble bass with Massive has been viewed over 850,000 times, and his moombahton remix of Yael Meyer’s “Fire” was recently featured in the Eli Roth film Aftershock.

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The Dubspot YouTube channel is 100,000 subscribers strong!

Our YouTube community has grown tremendously over the last couple of years, and we’d like to thank every one of our subscribers for tuning in! In this video recapping and highlighting some recent memorable and exciting moments at Dubspot, students, instructors, guest artists and lecturers talk about what Dubspot means to them and the ever-growing electronic music community.

As 2013 progresses we will continue to deliver a constant stream of high-quality music production and DJ tutorials, artist interviews and profiles, live streaming workshops and events coverage to music enthusiasts across the globe.

Whether it’s a tutorial from one of our talented instructors (including Matt Shadetek, Thavius Beck, DJ Shiftee, Evan Sutton, DJ Endo, Daniel Wyatt, Chris Petti, Abe Duque and Raz Mesinai) or an interview, profile, or workshop from one of our guest artists (recently including Marley Marl, Carl Craig, Roger Linn, King Britt, Robert Henke a.k.a. Monolake, Mike Huckaby, Pete Tong, Mala of Digital Mystikz, Goth-Trad, DJ Muggs, Pete Tong, and Clive Chin), we promise to continue offering great info on production techniques and creative new ideas to inspire your music. Subscribe to the Dubspot YouTube channel today!

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So, how did you approach this new routine?

What are your favorite functions of the Z2 mixer?

In the video, it seems like you are hitting pads which trigger samples via Maschine while filtering with a knob on the mixer, can you tell us how you have mapped the mixer? Maschine?

For the Maschine, I custom mapped two main layouts for different sections of the routine. Sometimes I’m controlling samples, sometimes cue points, and sometimes both at the same damn time. Shout out to Future. I just used the default mapping for the mixer. In the part you’re describing, I’m actually using one of Traktor’s new Macro FX (“Event Horizon”) to achieve a robust alteration of the sound via a single knob. Meanwhile, I’m triggering cue points AND samples with my left hand via one of my custom mappings.  The color coding options on the new Maschine are very helpful.

Do you plan on incorporating the Z2 in your solo sets as well as Mostly Robot?

Any new projects you want to tell us about?

I just had a single and mix come out with Badman Shark on Slit Jockey Records.  The single is “EKG Riddim” and the mix is called Time To Die. Evil grime vibes. Then I have a collab EP dropping in January with Rx on the most patriotic label in the universe Hot Mom USA. Meanwhile remixes coming soon for Seclusiasis and Chaungo Records. Also be on the lookout for Vol. 2 of my mixtape project with Elijah (Butterz) called UK Meets USA (listen to Vol. 1 here), which we will be touring in 2013.  All about that GRIME.

What were your top 3 favorite shows you played this year?

Being in a band is way different than doing solo gigs.  People are counting on you, and seemingly simple things like soundcheck become way more involved.  I also learned a lot about Justin Bieber from watching the movie Never Say Never on one of my many flights.

At the end, I’m using 100% samples. The Z2 and the Maschine are controlling the same sounds, but on Maschine I can change the playback mode between “latch” and “gate” via my custom mapping. My left hand is playing drum samples while my right hand plays musical notes. Plus, it looks cooler to move back and forth. Plus plus, I need exercise.

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NI’s Kontrol F1 + Traktor Pro 2.5 Update — Tutorial + Overview w/ DJ Endo

In this video tutorial, Dubspot instructor Mike Henderson a.k.a DJ Endo explores the creative possibilities of NI’s F1 DJ controller and  Traktor. In past versions of Traktor you could create and play one-shots and loops in Traktor’s dedicated sample decks; with Traktor 2.5, you can take playing and creating samples to a whole new level with Traktor’s Remix Decks, which allow you to store up to 64 samples on one deck.

DJ Shiftee’s Traktor + Maschine ‘Slaughterhouse’ Routine (Rinse FM, Joker)

“This is a routine I put together for my recent appearance on the legendary Rinse FM (big shouts to DJ Wonder for having me on!). It’s meant to show my softer side. Yes, you may know me for my manly feats of strength and untapped primal aggression on delicatessen waiting lines. When you think Shiftee, you probably think of a brute who opens jars, lifts heavy boxes, and attends the gym regularly (big shouts to my trainer Sergi for keeping me toned!). But there’s more to me. I take long walks on the beach. I gaze wistfully at setting suns and old people. I once watched a trailer for The Notebook and felt something deep inside (it was indigestion, but still). Please watch the following video, and get to know the real me.” - DJ Shiftee

Dubspot Presents: The Traktor Kontrol F1 Finals w/ DJ Shiftee – The Routine Breakdown!

Native Instruments unveiled their Traktor Kontrol F1 DJ controller with a video featuring Dubspot instructor and turntablist extraordinaire DJ Shiftee showcasing his skills alongside the one and only Greg Nice. Dubspot correspondents Jim Albert and Bob Barkley were live to cover the event at the Native Instruments F1 Finals in Long Island City, New York. In this exclusive footage, the reporters breakdown Shiftee’s performance, from his flawless double-time beat juggling and backspinning abilities to his teammate Greg’s tremendous wordplay and energy. Albert and Barkley offer analysis of key moments in an overwhelmingly entertaining manner. And do stay tuned for the half-time report and post-game interview with the man himself…

Traktor Pro Guide – Preferences Pt 1/4: Audio Setup + Timecode Configuration

In this four-part video tutorial series, Dubspot instructor and Native Instruments DJ product specialist Mike Henderson breaks down everything you ever wanted to know about Native Instruments’ Traktor 2 preferences. Throughout the series, Endo will be exploring Traktor’s inner-workings and explaining the myriad of features and creative DJing possibilities Traktor offers. In part one of the series, Endo walks us through Traktor audio setup and timecode configuration, revealing all the nuts and bolts and showing you how to make Traktor work the way you want it.

DJ Shiftee’s Traktor / Maschine Tutorial Pt 2/3: Using MIDI to Map LEDs + Modifiers

In the second installment of the Shiftee Trilogy video series, the Dubspot instructor and DMC world champ explains how to map LEDs and lights Traktor Pro 2 using a MIDI controllers and further sinks in the wonderful world of modifiers. “For many years, I sought to unravel the vast wonders of LED mapping and modifiers.  My quest took me to the farthest reaches of the land, places like Tibet, Pluto, and New Jersey.  Finally I encountered the truth I was seeking on a warm summer’s day in my apartment.  The only place I needed to look was within… Traktor!  Let me save you a very costly and pointless trip across the world in my tutorial on the very same subjects.” – DJ Shiftee

DJ Shiftee’s Traktor / Maschine Tutorial Pt 3/3: How to Midi Map + Free Mappings (Settings)

In this video, Dubspot DJ instructor, DMC World Champ, music producer and demanding critic of sandwiches DJ Shiftee shares one of his most prized possessions–his Maschine mapping file for Traktor! In part one, he demonstrated an incredible routine using Joker’s “Slaughterhouse” track. In part two, he went into the complex world of LED mapping and modifiers. And now for the final installment of the Shiftee Trilogy, our generous instructor takes you through his Maschine settings, offering a detailed explanation of his mapping setup and showing you some very cool options for mapping to pads, along with some basic functions for cue points setting, looping and syncing.

DJ / Producer Tutorial: How to Use Traktor Pro 2.5 Remix Decks w/ Maschine Projects

In this video tutorial, Dubspot instructor Matt Cellitti shows you how to create your very own Remix Sets inside Traktor Pro 2.5, specifically using Maschine as a way to export your projects and use them in your Remix Sets. This tutorial is an example of the easiest way to break out stems from your Maschine project and organize a new Remix Set. Go take your productions live!

Dubspot @ Harvard – DJ / Producer Workshop Recap Video w/ DJ Shiftee + Dan Freeman

Back in May, Dubspot instructors and Harvard alumni Sam Zornow (a.k.a. 2X DMC Champion DJ Shiftee) and bassist/singer Dan Freeman of C0 headed up to Cambridge, MA to present a workshop on DJing and production at their old alma mater.  In this recap video from the Harvard workshop, Shiftee demonstrates some digital DJing and performance techniques with Native Instruments’ Traktor Pro and Maschine, while Dan Freeman offers some production and performance tips in Ableton Live.

Controlling Traktor w/ Pioneer CDJ2000s Pt 1- Dubspot Tutorial w/ DJ Endo

In this series, Dubspot instructor and Native Instruments product specialist DJ Endo explains how Pioneer’s CDJ2000 integrates directly with Traktor, offering sound output though the CDJ, extensive MIDI control, and visual feedback through the CDJ’s screen. In this first video of the series, DJ Endo explains how to set up audio preferences, update firmware, and get your gear ready to work together.

Controlling Traktor w/ Pioneer CDJ 2000s Pt 2 – Dubspot Video Tutorial w/ DJ Endo

In this second installment of our two-part series, DJ Endo gives an in-depth analysis of the advanced HID mode integration between the CDJ2000 units and Traktor and introduces some of the features and creative possibilities opened up by this powerful hardware/software combination.

Dubspot Original Programs: Stylus Sessions – Experimental Streaming Lab

Stylus Sessions is an open lab for new millennium turntablists and DJs to showcase skills and collaborate in a creative noncompetitive environment. In this video recap of the first Stylus Session, DJs Excess, Precision, Spictakular, and the legendary Cutmaster DC are on deck.

Dubspot Student Experience – DJ Course: Student Testimonials + Graduates Perform

Students in Level 6 of our DJ Extensive Program talk about their experience at Dubspot NYC and how they’ve developed as DJs and performers ahead of their graduation party at Lower Manhattan’s White Rabbit.

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DJ Extensive Program

Immerse yourself in the complete art of DJing: from the fundamentals of beatmatching and mixing to using effects and programming extended club sets. Whether you’re a beginner wanting to learn fundamentals or a seasoned pro looking to take your talent to the next level, our curriculum is designed to accommodate all skill levels and styles of music. This comprehensive DJ program covers everything from basic mixing to advanced digital DJing with both Serato and Traktor.

What’s Included

• DJ Level 1: Rookie Sessions | Essentials I
• DJ Level 2: Phrase Mixing | Essentials II
• DJ Level 3: Beyond The Blend | Intermediate Skills
• DJ Level 4: Preparation | DJ Psychology
• DJ Level 5: Classroom to the Club | Advanced Techniques I
• DJ Level 6: Club to the World | Advanced Techniques II

Dubspot DJ Courses Starting New York City:

Class just started December 5th in NYC; sign up today! Wednesday + Friday, 5:15-7pm
December 13th in NYC – Tuesday +Thursday 7:15-9pm
January 2nd in NYC – Wednesday + Friday 11:15am-1pm

Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro

The definition of DJing has changed dramatically in the last decade. Laptops, controllers, and software have emerged alongside more traditional turntables and CDJ’s, smashing the barrier to entry. In today’s digital age, anyone can become a DJ. To reflect this renaissance, Dubspot has created the Digital DJing with Traktor program. In both our physical and online schools, students will learn how to DJ entirely with Traktor’s cutting-edge technology. An emphasis will be placed on the concepts of DJing rather than simply learning how to use the software.

What’s Included

• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 1: Introduction to DJing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 2: Phrase Mixing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 3: Beyond The Beatmatch

DJ Online Courses:

December 2nd – Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Program
February 3rd – Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Program

“I love the class, and the content! Shiftee and Endo are very funny, and very clear, so the material is easy and fun to follow! I wish my college teachers  were more like these two!” – Leandro Martinez, Chicago IL

More start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.

If you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

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Our Kids DJ / Producer Program is a fun educational program in which students learn about music by studying DJing and electronic music production. By mixing records with Serato and producing their own beats and sounds with Ableton Live, young students learn the fundamentals of modern performance and composition and are encouraged to express their creativity through music.

In this video, Dubspot instructors DJ Reborn and JP Solis take us through the specific courses that make up the Kids DJ / Producer Program:

Hit the Decks: DJing for Kids is where kids get to learn the basics of DJing, mixing and scratching vinyl records as well as digital DJing with a computer. At the end of this class, students will come away with their own recorded mix and fuller understanding of the fundamentals involved in DJing.

The Beat Generation course exposes kids to the creative art of music production using Ableton Live, one of the most advanced yet most intuitive production tools available. At the conclusion of the course, students will come away with their own original song and one remix, produced in Ableton.

A serious, adult-level program in both DJing and production, expertly tailored to young students.

Hit the Decks: DJing for Kids

Mix, scratch, and DJ with Serato Scratch Live, and complete a recorded mix to take home. Get a taste for DJing by learning the basics of mixing and scratching. Learn how to use DJ gear through hands-on guided experience, learn to play and mix tracks in Serato Scratch Live. Get personal instruction at your own Mac creative station. Anyone can become comfortable with playing and performing music with the help of our expert training and unique curriculum.

Beat Generation: Music Production for Kids

Go beyond just listening! Make your own music and leave with copies of your first original productions and a remix. Explore music and create your own productions in a positive environment. Get a hands-on interactive tour of some of today’s leading music creation tools and build confidence in your artistic skills.

Kids DJ / Producer Program

Saturdays 10:15-am-11:45pm

January 5th to March 9th (10 weeks)
April 5th to June 15th (10 weeks)
June 29th to September 3rd (10 weeks)
September 21st to November 23rd (10 weeks)
December 14th to February 22nd, 2014 (10 weeks)
March 8th to May 17th, 2014 (10 weeks)

Dubspot NYC
348 West 14th Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 242-2100

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DJ DeepSilence

Chen Shen a.k.a. DJ DeepSilence is a finance and math graduate student from China who came to Dubspot to explore a new career path in DJing and producing. With a musical background that includes more than ten years of piano and guitar experience, her DJ sets and productions are explorations of transnational bass and world music. She infuses fresh electronic music styles with traditional sounds from China, the US, and around the world. She produces with Logic Pro and performs with Serato and Ableton Live. Hear some of her recent productions below:

Je ne sais quoi (Original) by DJDeepSilence

When I Look at U (Remix) by DJDeepSilence

RH3

Former Dubspot student Roy Hamilton III a.k.a. RH3 is an industry veteran who wears many hats in the music business. Already an established songwriter and producer with an enviable resume including production credits for legends including Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, and R. Kelly, Roy is also the founder of RH3 University–a music company dedicated to putting talent first, inspiring and fostering talents and motivating people in music! Roy is currently in Los Angeles putting the final touches on his debut album Fresh & Futuristic, to be released early 2013.

+Battery-

Born and raised in Belgium, Athila Struys has always been surrounded by music. Picking up the drums at a very early age, he immersed himself in the worlds of drum and bass and metal music. His current project +Battery- is an amalgam of d’n'b, dubstep, and electro. +Battery- is currently hard at work on his debut EP, and he continues to play out weekly in his hometown of Hasselt. Check out a recent remix from +Battery- below.

Bingo Players Cry just a little (+Battery- Lost forever remix)(FREE download) by +Battery-

Samuel Caulin

Before immersing himself in the various subgenres of modern electronic music, DJ/producer Samuel Caulin grew up in Los Angeles playing drums in rock bands and working with autistic children. His love  of hard dance beats, rugged synths, and sound design can be heard through his tracks: his music incorporates sounds from many different musical styles including dubstep, brostep, electro, complextro, progressive house, trance, global bass and even rock.

Diamonds in my mouth – Samuel Caulin (Original Mix) by Samuelcaulin

October 2012 mini mix! by Samuelcaulin

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The new Traktor Kontrol Z2 DJ mixer/controller from Native Instruments offers Traktor DJs an elegant and simplified centerpiece for performance. Whether using Traktor Scratch Pro vinyl, CDJ2000s or remix sets with NI’s F1 controller, the Z2 offers great functionality and feel.

Native Instruments are releasing their first hardware DJ mixer next week, the Traktor Kontrol Z2.  The Z2 is the latest in NI’s Traktor Kontrol hardware series, building on years of research and development.  With a high-quality built-in audio interface, sturdy construction and some intelligent design decisions made with software integration in mind, the Z2 offers some interesting new directions and possibilities for digital DJs.

2+2: Traktor Mixer or Standalone Mixer

The Z2 mixer features two main audio channels that allow it to operate just like a standard DJ mixer when it’s not connected to a computer.  All of the central mix controls, including the built-in high-pass/low-pass filters, are fully functional without any USB connection and sound fantastic. However, it is the Traktor integration that makes the Z2 stand out.  When starting the latest newly-updated version of Traktor (2.6), the mixer is automatically recognized, requiring no setup windows or wizards.  All of the Z2 controls are intuitively mapped to Traktor’s internal mixer, with a few added features.  The outer sections of the Z2 are designed for additional control of Traktor’s C and D decks (this is where the “+2” comes in) or for jumping to cue points using the four hot cue buttons on either side of the mixer.  These buttons are cleverly programmed to set and trigger cue points or to be used with the remix decks, adding new performance possibilities with Traktor’s new “Flux Mode” feature.

Flux Mode and Macro FX

Flux Mode is a new setting in Traktor that keeps track of song position while using cue points or looping. As NI describe it themselves, “Flux Mode tracks the time while you’re juggling cue points or looping and lets you drop back in at exactly the right moment.” This means Traktor is keeping track of where the song would be playing, so when you release your cue points or loops, the song will jump to the place where it would have been had you not manipulated the playback.  This makes Flux Mode especially effective for buildups and breakdowns, especially if used in conjunction with the newly added “Macro FX” feature which are new combinations of effects intuitively assigned to one knob, for dramatic easily-executed performance moves.

Crossfader

The build quality on the Z2 is solid, and the knobs, dials and faders are reminiscent of NI’s recent S4 and X1 controllers. One control that really stands out is the crossfader, a crucial centerpiece of any DJ mixer.  The Innofaders™ hardware component that Native Instruments chose to use for the Z2’s crossfader is extremely smooth and accurate, demonstrated in many of Dubspot instructor DJ Shiftee’s recent YouTube videos.  The great feel of the crossfader is augmented by the reverse switch and steep curve knob on the bottom panel of the Z2, which turntablists will love.

No More Cable Mess

The Z2 simplifies the audio cabling required for controlling Traktor with timecode vinyl. Now, turntables connect directly to the phono inputs on the Z2, just like any other DJ mixer, and the mixer connects to the computer via a USB 2 connection. This eliminates the need for proprietary Traktor Scratch cables and the multitude of connections required for that setup.  The Z2 goes another step in uncluttering the DJ workspace by including a 2-port powered USB hub, so you can save USB ports on your laptop while still connecting your Maschine, Traktor Kontrol X1 or F1, or even two Pioneer CDJ2000 decks.

Conclusions

The market for DJ mixers is huge and there are a few popular mixers that are very hard to top. The Z2 suggests that Native Instruments considered the standard of the competition and offered a mixer that truly measures up.  While diehard fans of other mixers may be difficult to sway, the Z2 is a solid, great-sounding DJ mixer for any Traktor user. Combined with Traktor’s new functionality it offers a new level of performance for professionals and bedroom DJs alike.

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Digital DJing with Traktor Pro 2 Program

The definition of DJing has changed dramatically in the last decade. Laptops, controllers, and software have emerged alongside more traditional turntables and CDJs, smashing the barrier to entry. In today’s digital age, anyone can become a DJ. To reflect this renaissance, Dubspot has created the Digital DJing with Traktor program. In both our physical and online schools, students will learn how to DJ entirely with Traktor’s cutting-edge technology. An emphasis will be placed on the concepts of DJing rather than simply learning how to use the software.

What’s Included:

• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 1: Introduction to DJing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 2: Phrase Mixing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 3: Beyond The Beatmatch

Starting with a historical overview, students will learn the fundamental concepts of the DJ via Traktor’s intuitive interface. They will then begin to delve into the vast array of new possibilities offered by this groundbreaking software, presenting their work along the way. Students will leave with finished DJ mixes, a thorough exploration of DJing with Traktor, and a skill set and knowledge base perfect for further development.

DJ Extensive Program

Immerse yourself in the complete art of DJing from beatmatching to stage presence. Whether you’re a beginner in search of the fundamentals or a seasoned pro looking to take your talent to the next level, our curriculum is designed to accommodate all skill levels and styles of music. This comprehensive DJ program covers everything from basic mixing to advanced digital DJing. Learn more about our DJ courses and programs.

What’s Included:

• DJ Level 1: Rookie Sessions | Essentials I
• DJ Level 2: Phrase Mixing | Essentials II
• DJ Level 3: Beyond The Blend | Intermediate Skills
• DJ Level 4: Preparation | DJ Psychology
• DJ Level 5: Classroom to the Club | Advanced Techniques I
• DJ Level 6: Club to the World | Advanced Techniques II

“I love the class, and the content! Shiftee and Endo are very funny, and very clear, so the material is easy and fun to follow! I wish my college teachers were more like these two!” – Leandro Martinez, Chicago IL

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In the interview Starkey talks to Raz about his early influences living in London in 2001 and listening to UK garage and grime pioneers So Solid Crew, and connecting with fellow Philadelphia DJ / producer Dev79 to form Seclusiasis and Slit Jockey Records, known for their “street bass” sound (an amalgam of bass music styles with an emphasis on the use of vocal samples). He also talks about using electronic experimentation and other compositional techniques in his creative process, getting into boutique sample libraries, and building Reaktor patches.

Starkey’s latest single “DPMO” b/w “Poison” is out now on Slit Jockey / Seclusiasis.

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Hands on with Xone: K2

Earlier this year we reported that Allen & Heath would be releasing a new MIDI performance interface called the Xone: K2: a slimmed-down version of the company’s popular Xone: 1D and 2D controllers, which combined a high quality USB audio interface with faders, knobs and buttons in a mixer-styled design. After many months of waiting to see one in real life, we’re happy to report that we’ve gotten our hands on the K2, and so far it’s quite an enjoyable control surface and audio interface to work with.

Intuitive Design

The first and most exciting thing to mention about the K2 is its intuitive interface design. While the K2 can be programmed however you’d like, there is a simplicity in four columns of controls that are set up to resemble a bus strip on an analog mixer. While this may seem like an obvious choice, it’s a product that has been sorely missing in today’s MIDI controller market. The Behringer BCF2000 and the Akai APC40 both come close to this design, but neither offers audio outputs (which the K2 does have) and both are much larger interfaces. The slimmer footprint of the K2 does mean that you only get 4 columns of controls (as opposed to 8 on the APC and BCF), but Allen & Heath’s new latching layers concept allows for up to four pages of MIDI mappings that you can switch between by way of a couple button presses. In addition to this you can link multiple K2 units via the company’s X:Link system, which would allow as many physical controls as you desire (or can afford).

Lots of Control in a Small Footprint

With over 52 physical inputs, the Xone: K2 may offer more control in a small footprint than almost any other controller on the market today.  With 12 analogue encoders,  6 endless rotary encoders (with push switches), 4 linear faders, and 30 backlit performance switches, there is a lot of control happening on the K2’s surface. The unit is a bit longer than we expected, though we should have realized – it’s built to the same depth as Allen & Heath’s audio mixers. The unit is about two inches high but raises to exactly the height of an analog DJ mixer by way of the K2’s carrying case, which is constructed to support the K2 during performance. Compared to Native Instruments’ X1 controller, it’s just a bit bigger all around (see above photo).

Xone: K2 in Action

For this article we tested the Xone: K2 with Ableton Live and Traktor to see how it would fare against other popular controllers on the market. Allen & Heath has provided template files on their website for both programs and we found both to be fairly easy to get up and running. We found the K2’s mixer channel design to be a fantastic companion to Ableton Live, offering much of what the APC40 does in a much smaller package. Mapping in Ableton is easy with any controller, and we found that it was easiest to program an Ableton template from scratch than try to modify one of the existing ones. Compared to Traktor’s native X1 controller, the K2 did take more time to figure out. You just can’t beat the direct integration of the X1. However, the dual audio outputs on the K2 are essential for DJs who need headphone monitoring or dual stereo outputs to plug into an audio mixer. It’s worth noting that the Xone: K2 is a pro-end device and not necessarily aimed at beginners. In comparison to the APC40 and X1, we must mention that the K2 doesn’t have the same plug-and play capabilities that these devices offer, but it’s much more versatile for multiple programs for the same reason.

Xone: K2 Impressions

While it doesn’t offer the plug-and-play functionality of some other MIDI controllers on the market, the Xone K2 offers more control and options than most other devices at this price range and size. We very much like the channel strip design which is very helpful for DJ sets or performances that use EQ or effects sends on each channel. If you’re looking for a performance MIDI controller that integrates well with DJ software as well as DAW software, the K2 could be your device. Add to the package two robust stereo outputs and you have a tidy package for live performance or studio creation on the go. Overall we were impressed with the build, sound quality, and ease of operation that came with the Xone: K2 and recommend giving this controller a look sometime.

From Allen & Heath:

The Xone K2 is an elegant, compact controller for any DJ software with no fewer than 52 hardware controls providing up to 171 MIDI commands across 3 layers – plus the ability to link multiple units. Xone: K2 has the power and flexibility to put you in touch with everything from the essential functions to the fine nuances of your chosen software. Xone: K2 has a high quality internal, four channel (2 stereo) soundcard.

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Back in May, Dubspot instructors and Harvard alumni Sam Zornow (a.k.a. 2X DMC Champion DJ Shiftee) and bassist/singer Dan Freeman of C0 headed up to Cambridge, MA to present a workshop on DJing and production at their old alma mater.

We are very proud to have these two talented individuals and Ivy league grads working at Dubspot. In this recap video from the Harvard workshop, Shiftee demonstrates some digital DJing and performance techniques with Native Instruments’ Traktor Pro and Maschine, while Dan Freeman offers some production and performance tips in Ableton Live.

DJ Shiftee time-travels through DMC DJ history

DJ Shiftee showcases Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 in a routine with Greg Nice

Dan Freeman offers vocal processing and live performance tips with Ableton Live

Start dates and information about our DJ program and Music Production with Ableton Live can be found here.

Or if you have questions, please call 877.DUBSPOT or send us a message.

Digital DJing with Traktor Pro 2 Program

The definition of DJing has changed dramatically in the last decade. Laptops, controllers, and software have emerged alongside more traditional turntables and CDJ’s, smashing the barrier to entry. In today’s digital age, anyone can become a DJ. To reflect this renaissance, Dubspot has created the Digital DJing with Traktor program. In both our physical and online schools, students will learn how to DJ entirely with Trak

tor’s cutting-edge technology. An emphasis will be placed on the concepts of DJing rather than simply learning how to use the software.

What’s Included:

• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 1: Introduction to DJing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 2: Phrase Mixing
• Digital DJing w/ Traktor Pro 2 Level 3: Beyond The Beatmatch

Starting with a historical overview, students will learn the fundamental concepts of the DJ via Traktor’s intuitive interface. They will then begin to delve into the vast array of new possibilities offered by this groundbreaking software, presenting their work along the way. Students will leave with finished DJ mixes, a thorough exploration of DJing with Traktor, and a skill set and knowledge base perfect for further development.

Our music production program is custom-tailored to fit your musical style. You can choose from several Digital Audio Workstations including Ableton Live, Logic Pro, or Propellerhead’s Reason.

After completing this program, you will leave with 4 completed tracks (EP), a remix entered in an active contest, a scored commercial to widen your scope, and the Dubspot Producer’s Certificate in Ableton Live.

What’s Included:

• Ableton Live Level 1: Shake Hands with Live
• Ableton Live Level 2: Completing Your First Track
• Ableton Live Level 3: Production Essentials
• Ableton Live Level 4: Sound Design & Instrumentation
• Ableton Live Level 5: Advanced Composition & Production
• Ableton Live Level 6: Taking Your EP Global

“So far the experience through Dubspot is incredible, and I can’t wait to go through the next levels. It’s just getting better each week, and I can not wait to start putting an EP together, not just being able to put a successful track together!” - Dan Carter, United Kingdom

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FREE to attend | RSVP on Facebook

Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
2637 Welton Street
Denver, CO 80205

Respected across the globe, Truth (Andre Fernandez and Tristan Roake) have cut a clear pathway through the international dubstep scene as both world-class producers and party-rocking DJs. On the nightclub and festival circuits, the fruits of their labor have included three European tours, three American tours, countless Australian and Asian spot dates and a loyal following across New Zealand. They have built this performance presence through DJ support from Mala, Skream, Joe Nice, Youngsta, Hatcha and N-Type, giving their music an advance presence at key club nights like DMZ in London, Club Love in New York and through seminal radio stations such as BBC Radio One, Kiss Fm and Rinse FM.

Dubspot Instructor Shiftee unveils Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol F1 with Greg Nice.

2x DMC World Champ + Dancefloor Destroyer + Harvard Math Grad + Top 10 Producer =

New York City’s Shiftee has translated his intuitive math geek mentality into far-reaching success on the turntables, electrifying crowds from NYC to London to Hong Kong. With a degree from Harvard, 2 unique DMC World Champion titles, a NYU adjunct professorship, a top 10 debut release on Beatport’s Dubstep charts, a membership in the supergroup Mostly Robot, a finger on the pulse of bass music, and an ongoing international tour schedule, this overachiever can do it all. [head over to Shiftee's Palace to read more]

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Electronic musicians have always been at the forefront of the push for faster and more reliable computer systems. Live audio processing in particular pushes a system to its limits, and musicians are always looking for cost-effective ways to get better performance. However, there are a number of different factors involved, including CPU speed, RAM, hard drive speed, OS and software versions, and so on. Where can we best spend our money in order to get the best performance?

One option for improving your general system performance for relatively little money is to replace your main system hard disk drive (HDD) with a solid state drive (SSD) instead. SSDs have become more and more common in recent years as their prices have decreased, and they now come standard in some PC laptops and are available as an upgrade for just about any PC or Mac.

It seems clear that an SSD can give significant benefits in overall system performance, but it does seem to benefit some types of operations much more than others. Observers agree that rebooting your OS and launching new applications are both many times faster on an SSD-based system, but there is little specific information available about SSDs and audio performance. Is it a good idea for your computer music system? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons and see how the situation has changed most recently.

Price and capacity:

The first difference you’ll notice between SSDs and HDDs is the cost. Although they have become significantly cheaper in recent years, SSDs are still much more expensive on a per-gigabyte basis. For this reason, most people don’t try to replace their 500GB or 1TB internal hard drive with an SSD of the same size. Instead, they will buy a 128GB or 256GB SSD, which has plenty of room for operating system files and applications, and continue storing their user files and data on their HDD, which they may relocate to another drive bay, an external USB or FireWire case, or even to the optical bay of their laptop, replacing their internal CD/DVD drive. This setup allows you to benefit from the performance gains of having your apps and OS run from the SSD, while still having plenty of storage on the HDD for your projects.

Of course you should expect even better system performance if you simply install a 1TB SSD in our system and keep ALL of your files on there, but at the moment a 1TB SSD for your laptop is still well over US$1000 so some people probably won’t go that route until prices come down a bit more (although it should be noted that SSD prices have already dropped a LOT in the past few years). However, you won’t realize all the potential benefits of an SSD-equipped system with a smaller drive.What are those benefits exactly? That brings to our next topic…

Speed and performance:

There is no doubt that SSD drives are much faster than any HDD, somewhere between 50 and 100 times faster for many operations. The question is, how does this speed advantage translate into performance gains for your computer system?

If you install your OS and applications onto an SSD and use this as your boot drive, you will immediately notice a dramatic improvement in bootup times/loading the OS, as well as near-instantaneous launching of most applications. How are common audio tasks impacted though? It’s great if Traktor, Ableton, Logic, or whatever software you use starts up faster, but how much difference does that really make once you get going with your work?

For example, digital DJing is a fairly intensive task for most computers to handle, depending on how many tracks you’re playing, how many effects you’re using, and so on. However, a little research in the Serato support forums uncovered this from one of their support reps (posted March 2011):

Most internal hard drives are fast enough to handle normal audio playback, especially if you opt for 7200rpm drives for laptops. The advantage of SSD is the speed. But this would only really come into play in a DJ sense when you are running video files. However, SSD drives are so small that you would very quickly run out of space and need to get an external drive, which then defeats the purpose of having the fast drive. We’ve not seen much real world advantage yet with these drives. When the size of these drives goes over 500Gb then I assume this will change (although by then we may all be using higher quality/size files too, so it may be problematic).

So in summary, if you are DJing with MP3s or WAVs, go for a normal drive (try to get a 7200rpm if you can). If you are DJing with video – then be aware that you may find you run out of room very quickly with an SSD drive, and you may not even get any real advantage.

So the Serato team has seen no real performance gains from using SSDs for DJing it seems. I also checked with Native Instruments support in Berlin and got a similar response from them: they have seen no noticeable performance gains running Traktor and/or your music files from an SSD. (They also told me that they hadn’t seen any unexpected audio problems with SSDs yet, which was somewhat reassuring.)

Audio tasks where we might expect more of a gain include loading and playing DAW projects with many large audio tracks, or loading up many sampled instruments to use at the beginning of a session; these are both common tasks for multimedia composers for example. Even in these cases any performance gains are questionable though, because the hard disk speed is generally not the bottleneck. For example, I tried loading some very large Ableton projects from my HDD and from my SSD and found no difference at all in loading time, contrary to speculations I have heard on some forums and discussion groups. There may be some slight difference if you are loading gigantic projects with dozens of tracks, but I was unable to confirm this with anything I tried.

I also tried copying my Kontakt 5 library to my SSD and loading some large sampled instruments from there, and in this case I did see a measurable performance gain in terms of the amount of time it took to finish loading all the samples. This would be quite noticeable to composers, for example, many of whom load a very large DAW template containing dozens of sampled instruments at the beginning of their workday. However, this improvement in loading times wouldn’t have much impact on your workflow once you’ve loaded all your instruments at the beginning of a session. Also, you would not see a big gain from this unless you had a big enough SSD to hold most/all of your sample libraries, and this gets very expensive very quickly if you have a lot of libraries. (It should also be noted that the most recent version of Kontakt immediately loads and plays any sample that is called by the DAW even if the whole instrument isn’t completely loaded yet, thus making faster sample loading times somewhat irrelevant anyway.)

Overall it seems that the areas where you will see performance gains from installing an SSD are primarily in routine everyday tasks such as opening applications and other common OS operations, while the speed of many common audio processing jobs will remain similar. As the tech from Serato noted, video files are much bigger than audio files and you would potentially experience more benefit in video processing and loading operations, although again, you would need a very large SSD to store any significant amount of video there.

Should I buy one?

Using an SSD as your main/OS hard drive will make your whole system run faster and snappier, there is no doubt about that. And with 128GB SSD drives available now for under $150, it is a very affordable upgrade, perhaps one of the best things you can buy for your computer to enhance general performance. However, at more than $1000 for a 1TB drive, it seems that we haven’t quite reached the point where it makes sense to use SSDs for all audio tasks. A 7200rpm HDD can do just as good a job as your audio drive and is much cheaper. This is not to say that getting an SSD is a mistake, but if you are contemplating spending $1000 or more for a large SSD drive to store all your libraries/projects/DJ tracks, you would probably notice a bigger improvement by adding more RAM to your current setup or spending the money on a computer with a faster CPU.

If you currently have a 5400rpm HDD in your laptop (standard with MacBook Pros and many other laptop computers), you will likely see substantial performance benefits from upgrading it to a 7200rpm drive, and if you’re already taking the trouble to do this, you should at least consider upgrading it to an SSD instead. Just keep in mind the tradeoff between performance and storage space, though. If you get a 128GB SSD for your main drive, you will probably need secondary storage, either via an external drive or by moving your current HDD to your optical bay, using something like the OWC Data Doubler to mount it there.

Also remember that if you do any of these upgrades yourself, you will save a lot of money over having an authorized dealer do it, but you will also potentially void your computer’s warranty. If you are on a Mac, you might want to have a look at the excellent DIY installation videos at Other World Computing.

Special note on Mac OS 10.8 Mountain Lion:

The new Mac OS update was just released recently so I wanted to include a couple words about this. In general, the most recent versions of the Mac OS (Lion and Mountain Lion) use more RAM and system resources than ever before, so if you are using one of these systems you have a lot to gain by installing an SSD to speed up the OS, you will notice a big improvement in overall performance. However, as Mountain Lion is brand new, there are some potential pitfalls to be aware of. At least one major SSD manufacturer in particular is having issues with installing Mountain Lion on some of their SSD models, so if you are planning to use an SSD as your boot drive under OS 10.8, you should do a bit of Google searching first to determine if there are any potential issues to look out for. This should not be an issue if you are having an official Apple SSD installed.

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Use Physical Control

Ditch the mouse or trackpad for laptop DJ performance. It’s a lot more fun with physical controls. You can go with something elaborate like Native Instruments’ flagship S4 controller for Traktor, or something more affordable like a Hercules, Vestax, Gemini, or Novation MIDI control surface (you can use almost any MIDI controller if you take the time to map the controls from your DJ software). Sometimes simpler is better. DJs who scratch as part of their performance will want to look at the higher-end units that offer touch control and low latency, but DJs who groove-ride may not need the extensive control.

Use a Sound Card w/ Multiple Outs or Headphone Monitoring

If you are used to mixing with turntables, CDJs and a mixer, you’re familiar with the need for cue monitoring to perform. It’s important to realize that the transition into laptop performance will require an updated sound card to get the same functions as you’d find with hardware. For instance, if you want to plug into a standard club mixer, you’ll need two stereo outputs for two decks (and more outputs for more sources). So your sound card would need to have at least four output channels (one for each half of the stereo signal). If you want to bypass the club mixer, it’s possible to monitor through a sound card, as long as the sound card supports headphone monitoring. With a standard stereo output jack you are usually limited to mixing “in the box” without the use of a headphone monitor.

Organize Your Music Library

Organizing your digital media is a necessity for enjoyable DJ practice and performance. We’ve covered this subject previously in our Tips for DJs series and DJ Endo’s thorough breakdown of iTunes smart playlists, but we want to reiterate this point if you’re making the transition from vinyl/CD to laptop DJing. Part of the fun in mixing vinyl comes from working with a limited amount of material (you can only carry so many records to a gig) and by contrast a full iTunes music library can be intimidating to work with. By creating playlists of genre, mood, tempo, or mixability, you’ll have a much more enjoyable time finding the next track to play. Another obvious difference between a box of records and a list of digital files is the visual recognition you may have with the packaging and artwork in your collection — the record with the red center label is deep, the record with the blue sleeve is a party rocker. Looking at a list of files does nothing to enhance this connection but you can do things like color-code tracks, include cover art, or leave notes to yourself in the comments tag of mp3s to get a bit of that reference back to your workflow.

Take Notes, Make Lists

In addition to tagging and organizing your music collection, a physical notebook is very handy for remembering what songs go with what, or details about a mix that you might otherwise forget. With a stack of records you could just set one aside or write a note on the label. With digital files these details sometimes get lost in the moment. A notebook and pen next to the DJ booth are valuable tools for building sets that go deeper than a playlist of this month’s favorites. The mental exercise with pen and paper will help you remember details while the physical interaction brings you closer to stacking records in order.

Create a Practice / Performance Space

Most great DJ performances happen while standing up, so it seems logical that your mixes, track selection and overall mood will be different when you sit at a desk to program a mix or set. If you come from a background DJing with vinyl or CDs, it can be especially frustrating to go from a physical booth setup to a laptop. The solution? Make a DJ booth for your laptop. By making a space where you can stand up and control the mix, you’ll feel much closer to the music. Sitting down creates an entirely different vibe — be aware of the difference.

Michael Walsh is an audio/visual artist, journalist and DJ living in Southern California. He’s recently embraced DJing with a laptop after many years of resistance. Read more of his work at soundsdefygravity.com and check out mixes on Soundcloud.

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