How do i "link" Traktor and Ableton?

How do someone "link" Ableton to Traktor?
For EG: Using Ableton as an external effects? Like what Richie Hawtin has done?

I'm using the following setup.
1x Xone 92
2x Xone 1D
1x Audio 8 DJ
1x Macbook (Traktor Pro)
1x Macbook (Ableton Live 7)

Is there any other hardware that is required?

 

Try the IAC driver in the AUDIO MIDI setup of your MACs.

You can then sync via Ethernet.

 

Close, but no (at least I don't think IAC works over Ethernet).

You can sync Traktor and Live on the same machine by enabling IAC, then enable IAC as an active MIDI driver in the MIDI prefs of each apps.

If you run Live and Traktor on different laptops, check out http://www.nerds.de/en/ipmidi_osx.html to connect them via ethernet. Tell me if you want to know more.

 

I read it on the Xone forum.. Presumed it would work. Official A&H advice..

http://www.xone.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2991&PN=3

 

Try this link:

http://www.djtechtools.com/2008/05/16/smart-mixing-traktor-into-ableton-4-mac/

Kris..

 

that's for using it on the same machine, he's got 2

 

The latest build of JackOSX (http://www.jackosx.com/) disabled
NetJack.

I could rebuild it (xcode framework) for OS X if there is enough interest in inter-machine operability for TP/Live.

"NetJack is a JackPilot module that allows for low latency transmission of audio streams over a network, and incorporates these streams into the Jack environment."

Kris...

 

That's pretty sweet lol

Unfortunately for me I only take one machine with me. I still don't have everything working properly from the DJTT article yet...but I'm trying!

 

Ok, it works, but it is not with IAC, just found out, see below. In the case listed in this post, the guy sends all its data over MIDI, either real MIDI or MIDI over usb. You always need some sort of MIDI connection between machine. Just noticed that epplejuz might be in this case

So, to connect machines with MIDI, you need either a MIDI/USBMIDI interface on each, or route MIDI over a network. There's IpMIDI, which is supposed to do just that for PCs and Pcs+Mac: http://www.nerds.de/en/ipmidi.html (PC).

For Macs alone, just done some research and did found that in the Jack manual:

"Also, starting in OS X 10.4.x, the ability to send MIDI data over the network is built into the operating system – for more information and step by step procedures, open the Audio MIDI Setup application in Applications/Utilities, select Audio MIDI Setup Help from the Help menu, click the 'See all Audio MIDI Setup topics' link, and then click the 'Sending MIDI device information over a network' link.".

Took a look there, and it looks extremely simple! Works over wifi too! You know what they say: If everything else fails, read the manual

@Mastermix: Being able to send audio over a network would be damn cool, although I don't really have a pro use for it as of now! Are you actively developping Jack? If so, then much kudos to you, it is an awesome app.

@Chilly: Is there any particular problem you encounter?

 

Nico..hello...

I am NOT a developer of Jack...but I do a lot of Jack testing and even did my own OS X build when it was first released for Linux...for some fun testing with Traktor, Live, Logic & Digital Performer.

Core Jack Developers are here:

http://jackaudio.org/developers

The JackOSX developer list can be found here.

http://sourceforge.net/project/memberlist.php?group_id=100023

I used to be a unix/linux kernel and X-Window System hacker in another life ....but that's another story..

Kris..

 

Yup. Audio from Channel A in Traktor feeds both inputs in Ableton. Channel B doesn't feed any audio.

I can't remember exactly what I did exactly, but if I disabled the mono inputs 1 & 2 and kept the stereo pairs all enabled, no audio would come through.

As soon as I reselected the mono 1 & 2, then it came through. Selecting for 3 & 4 didn't do anything.

I had specific questions, but since it's been a couple of weeks I'll have to try this again...

 

Hi Kris! That's awesome. Those always comes in handy, even for a Dj nowadays! Things have gotten so technical, if someone had told me that one day I would have needed to recompile an app to be able to make audio connections I wouldn't have believed it

@Chilly: Looks like a routing problem. Ditch the provided .jks file, and redo connections yourself.

Start from nothing, make sure that the audio prefs concerning routing /audio card are well set in both T3 and Live.

Then select once 'Traktor' in Jack left column, wait, and doubleclick on Live in the right/middle collumn. Audio should then be routed properly from T3 to Live, you can tell by looking at Live mixer and playing tracks in each T3 decks by turn.

You just then have to connect Live to the physical outs, in the same way: select 'Live' in the 'Send Port' column, wait, doubleclick on 'System' in the 'receive' column.

 

So am I correct in understanding this particular setup would work:

one MBPro 10.5 laptop with ableton linked to another MBPro with traktor over a network-midi connection
the traktor machine has 1 x Audio DJ 8 with 4 channels connected to the xone 92
the ableton machine is only connected to the traktor machine, not the mixer or any other external soundcard.
i can use the many effects ableton has to offer over the network-midi connection on tracks playing in traktor and output everything through the xone92?
i always though i'd require a separate soundcard for the ableton laptop and would require a direct connection to the xone92, perhaps i'm wrong

 

No, you're right, MIDI doesn't carry any audio, just 'events'. You need an audio connection between T3 and Live to use the Live effects on T3 tracks.

 

I've read through the guides provided above but it seems that they are meant for Ableton and TP on a single machine. And also previously said, MIDI doesn't carry audio signals.

Is there really a way to do it?

I've got myself another Audio interface (ProFire 610) in any case it is needed to achieve this setup.

My Config now:
1x Xone 92
2x Xone 1D (Connected via USB to Macbook A)

Macbook A (Traktor Pro 1.1.1, With Audio 8 DJ)

Macbook B (Ableton Live! 7, with ProFire 610)

Macbook A is connected to Macbook B via MIDI. (Audio 8 Out ==> Profire 610 In)

So the question is how do i route the audio from Traktor ==> Ableton ==> Xone 92?

I really need someone's expertise here.
Much appreciated!

 

TP/8DJ audio out to MB B Profire audio in create audio track in Live , select the in from DJ8. MB B out to your Xone.
Of course you can make 4 track in Live if you want to have all 4 decks separately.
Even on one notebook I find 2 card solution much better, definitely stage safer.

 

From what you have suggested, I won't have enough channels to do 4 decks in/out.

Audio 8 ==> 4 Channels out for all 4 decks.
Profire 610 ==> Receiving all 4 channels from the Audio 8.

I don't think i can send the audio out from the ProFire with already all channels occupied?
---

And if i route it this way... i believe the clocks/timing/beats for effects will not be applied.
EG: 4/8/16/32

 

I wouldn't do that anyway (4 decks separately) just option.
Regarding clock my personal experience is that sync drifts anyway sooner then later so Live receiving midi is more of reference. The good thing is that Live is easy to go ext midi on off, so depending on situation I could sync it, unsync
Good pad, like of MPD or similar assigned to tap is really important since in real life that is the most reliable way to get proper sync. Even synced to hardware sequencer drift will occur and computers (pc and mac) suck by default as far as clock is concerned.

 

Its a personal preference of mine to use 4 decks as i have a habit of "Preparing" the upcoming Tracks beforehand.
Normally i use 3 Decks for Tracks and 1 Deck for Loops.

So after thinking, i came to a conclusion that utilising the 4 decks is a must for how i play.

And since i'm using a Xone 92 (which doesn't have onboard effects, other than the wonderful filters), I would really like to implement Ableton's effects into my setup as well.

So to say, i have some requirements to meet.
EG: All 4 channels on the Audio 8 have to be utilised for 4 Decks in TP.

One quick question on the above proposed setup.
Will it be "task intensive" for the Macbook to handle both incoming audio signals and route them back out? (I'm juz using regular white Macbooks with 4GB ram)

I've been going through that Richie Hawtin video again and again to see if he has additional hardware in order to create such a setup but i can't seem to find any.

There should be a way to do it rite?
Worse case scenario... i'll probably have to get an audio interface with has more inputs/outputs for the setup you have recommended.

Anyway, thnx lots for the idea/workaround.

 

It is your choice how simple or complicated you want to have it, probably you will try and see what works best. Using 4 decks does not mean you must run them through all separate outs. Maybe 2 groups will work better, I mean finding balance between more options and more clarity on stage. I personally dont like switching/pages want to have everything right there so rather one more controller then switching some banks.
I dont think there are any technical limitations, unless your audio files are at 192/32 and not 44.1/16 or 44.1/24 which could be easily handled by your 7200 HD and both soundcards are made to deal with those in/outs. Traktor is very light program and you can set Live light ( like using sends instead of inserts when possible) for the performance.