Beatgrids Question

Im trying to use beatgrids so I can mix 4 decks together, its my first time trying beatgrids so im not sure If I have them totally correct but I think I do. I think they sound fine when playing in internal mode through the laptop speakers but when im using vinyls through an amp and speakers they seem to keep slipping.

Im wondering is it that the pitch in the decks is making the beats slip or maybe I just dont have the beatgrids perfect. If you have the beatgrids perfect will the tracks stay in beat even when using vinyls does anyone know? help appreciated

 

A feature called "sync locking" is not possible when you're under timecode control. When controlling Traktor with timecode (vinyl or CD, doesn't matter), you can only temporarily sync the tempo. If the platters are running at wrong speeds (ie. the tempo of the songs does not match) they will "slip apart" eventually - even if your beatgrids are 100% in order.

 

Thanks for the help. I just have two follow up questions on that and would appreciate anyones help. Firstly when you say synch locking, does that mean when I have the beatgrids done, then hit the lock symbol which will ensure the beats stay synched?

Secondly, I understand the beats will start slipping on vinyls, but mine dont just slip eventually but pretty much straight away and then continue to slip, would this suggest the pitch on the decks is poor or maybe my beatgrids are not done too well?

Thanks again

 

Umm, no. "Sync locking" happens when you press the Sync-button, and it stays yellow even after you let go of it. This only happens when playing in internal mode. Of course, if it doesn't happen, then there is something wrong with your grid - most often you've simply forgotten to place a grid marker into the file (I think NI should do something to differentiate the "grid" that is in place anyway and an actual grid that has been set up with a grid marker; for me at least that would save a lot of time that I spend scratching my head and wondering what the heck is wrong whenever this happens).

Well, both are possibilities. This is something that can only be guessed without seeing and hearing the tracks.

If Traktor says that both tracks are at same tempo and they noticeably drift apart, that usually means that the grid is more or less wrong ... but in some occasions it might easily boil down to a poor turntable.

It is usually quite easy to see if a grid is positioned correctly by going through the file and checking that the gridlines are where they should be (instead of floating around).

 

Try syncing the two tracks in internal playback mode. If the sync light stays on and the tracks sound fine it's your turntables that are the problem. If the sync light does not stay on you probably have not set a grid marker. If the sync light stays on and the tracks drift audibly your grids are off.

 

Thanks Lads. I just did a test there now with two tracks. When played in internal mode the synch light stays on and the tunes remain in beat throughout. When I play the same 2 tracks in vinyl mode they constantly slip, so this would then suggest my decks are then the problem?

I suppose I could just play 4 virtual decks through the 4 channels of the mixer.

 

Yep, definetly looks like that.

 

Cool thanks for the help