Beatmatching in Traktor Scratch Pro

So I have been running Traktor Scratch Pro for the last couple of days with TC and latency of 7ms and my initial reaction is that its way harder to beatmatch using the TCs that regular vinyl. I find myself constantly riding the pitch to try and keep them in time. I'm aware of the way tracks will drift with turntables no matter what you do, and am easily able to counteract this with regular vinyl but find it a lot harder with the TCs. Anybody else experience this? is this just the way it is?

 

The sync problem is dependent of the quality of your mp3 tracks. That is if you're using vinyl rips which already have drifting due to the deck with which they were recorded, and add the one of the decks which are playing the timecode, it's getting more unstable...

Solution: always use full digital releases... and for those you can't get, warp them with Ableton Live and put a beatgrid in Traktor

 

Im not using sync at all, I'm using timecode to beatmatch and the tracks are all from beatport or djdownloads.

 

put a towel on your computer and then beatmatch again!

it's as good as with normal vinyl if the mp3's are as good.

with key lock on it's slightly less precise, which is technically caused but that's really minor.

 

I would actually agree , ive been mixing vinyl for years and definitely notice abit of a difference. i look at the phase meter as least as possible. s

 

I actually have the phasemeter and bpms turned off when your beatmatching by ear I find them a distraction so I'm not taking any visual cues from the program just using my ears which I know some people find strange considering how easy it is to press sync but its just how I like to mix.
I still think theres a difference but maybe as I use it more I'll get used to it, I was just wondering if anybody felt the same? maybe a lower latency setting would help but I don't think thats the issue and I'm gonna have to wait until I upgrade my laptop to achieve lower latency

 

I always found the feel of Traktor Scratch timcode to be near-identical to vinyl, even when beatmatching vinyl rips.

 

No. I'd try a lower latency setting. I don't notice any difference between vinyl and scratch at 5ms regardless of the quality of my music file(s).

 

Maybe you should try to do a blindfold test and have like close your eyes and have someone set you stuff up and don't look at the decks and then tell your friend if it is vinyl or TSP..obviously have the same track on vinyl and on mp3..would be curious if you can tell or it is all in the mind.

 

ok thanks for the replies, I have been getting stuck in with it and managed to lower my latency to 3.5ms which I think is pretty good for my old dell. I remember being annoyed at the time when I bought this inspiron cause the studios came out shortly afterwards but now im considering myself pretty lucky.
I still find I have to ride the pitch a bit more but the response time is pretty good. One strange thing is when I toggle to full screen mode the sound goes crazy and when I toggle back its fine doesnt really bother me Im glad its working so well as is

 

Personally i find there is a difference between DVS and real vinyl. I used Serato before Traktor and the difference was definately there for Serato, I probably haven't had TSP long enough to make a good judgement.

After some investigating i've also found that with some laptops having a grounded laptop will give you an audible hum in your speakers, this also effects the DVS performace and slightly fluctuates the pitch (i'm talking about decimal points here)

 

just got traktor a few weeks ago, I find a difference in TC vinyl and real vinyl I am finding it really difficult to keep to tracks beat matched, I find this hard to accept as I have been mixing vinyl years and can do it fine, but I am convinced there is a difference I am constantly on the pitch adjusting the tracks, I dont know what I'm doing wrong, or do I need to spend more time on it?

 

It's as easy to beatmatch.. bu you have to get used to the latency induced by the imecode system that's all

 

cheers dude at least I know now! it messes with your head all the same, have you any tips on how to get used to it apart from practice?

 

For me it was just practise. I was pretty freaked out when I got Traktor first, I felt the same about having to ride the pitch hence the first post in this thread.

Nine months later and I really couldn't be happier, it just took a while to get used to and I think it does feel a little different to normal vinyl. I also changed to a way more powerful mac to get as low a latency as poss, 2.5ms. Although I'm not sure how much an effect the latency has as long as your under 8ms.

 

cool dude I was really beginning to worry about the money I had spent on it
Ill keep at it and ill keep you posted as to how I get on, thanks for the reassurance