Filters & Effects

Hey,

Can anyone tell me a bit about how they use their filters and other effects on traktor? (i have 3.4). I've been trying it out a little, but i'm not quite sure what each one exactly does and how it will help me mixing from one track to the other. i already have some knowledge about using eq's but the filters and effects are a mystery to me...

 

The best way you can learn about filters and fx is to get a track playing (one you know well is best to start with), and go through each effect, one by one, and see how it affects the sound. The Traktor manual also has some quite good information about what the different knobs and buttons for each effect do.

As for how they're used, it depends a lot on your style, and (which you didn't mention). Different genres favour different effects and the ways they're used.

You might also want to take a look at this thread http://www.nativeinstruments.de/forum_us/showthread.php?t=77195 where this has been discussed already. If you're just starting out, I'd recommend to leave the effects well alone for now: learn how to make a seamless mix without any effects first, then start figuring out how you can use each effect to it's full potential, and learn when it adds energy (good) and when it takes energy away (bad) from your mix. You'll find it's very easy to make a great track sound like pants.

Fus

 

Shespider:

I had the same question.

http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/showthread.php?t=77195

its about 5 or 6 threads down and has plenty of great replies from the community.

Hopefully there will be more added here.

I think it really boils down to finding what works for you and practicing.

Some standard effect and filter tutorials would really go along way for some of us beginners!

check out the posts in my thread from rufus...

hope this helps...

 

also - have a look at Ean Golden's DJ Tech Tools videos on YouTube, he's got some great tips!

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8F4D3F6B23A06450

Fus

 

just going to mention that!

 

Ok now I have another, maybe stupid, question.

When I bring in a song that has say the low pass fitler applied to it... I bring it in... but when i turn the filter off it just blasts in there. How can I mix in a song with a filter applied to it and change it subtely back to normal?

 

this can be down to a few things, but it's basically again a case of learning what works where.

If you want a very subtle change, make sure the resonance (Q) of the filter is turned right down. Then it's just a case of making very smooth changes with the frequency and amount knobs.

Remember that a filter is basically just a fancy EQ, and if you're afraid that when you bring out the filter it's going to be too dramatic, consider using the EQs to bring the track back in instead - in the example you gave of using the low-pass filter (so taking out the bass), turn the bass EQ down slightly before coming out of the filter, this will lessen the impact and noticability of the filter sweeping through the frequencies as you bring it back to 0.

My style is much more at the opposite end of the spectrum - I tend to slam the filters up and down to add energy... I think it's one of those things... once you've worked out how to make a totally seamless transition, you can then go back over what you've learnt and work out how to make a transition that whilst making the 2 songs sound like they were meant to be together, you're keeping the energy up, which can often get lost in a totally seamless transition.

Fus