How to save a full loaded setup in Traktor Pro 3 like a project file ?

Relatively quite new here to Traktor so my question could be elementary, like I may be missing something obvious, so please enlighten me.

Now I load audio tracks into Deck A, then Deck B, C and D, maybe some are Track decks, some remix decks and so on, so say a combination of sorts. Or maybe all decks are Track decks with one track each, doesn't matter what.
Now after loading tracks, I set things up, like cue points, loops, keys, and all sorts of things for all the decks.

Now after all this, I just can't figure out how to save this entire setup like a project, the way we do with DAWs, also like we do in Maschine, etc.
Now I may just need to close Traktor Pro 3 and come back later to work on my exactly same setup with all the same loaded up audio files and the works/settings, etc. But there seems to be no way to do this unless I am missing something very obvious
When I close Traktor Pro 3 and open it again, I get a fully blank layout which is normally understandable like any other software.
But now I don't have any project file to open to get back my previously loaded full setup. I simply seem to have to do all the same things all over again

I need to point out here that I am aware of the configuration settings (.tsi files) that can be exported and imported. That is not what I am looking to save and reload here. I am just looking to save and load a project setup that I would be working on like we do in any DAW or other software which should include the audio files in the respective decks with their individual modes, settings, etc. This way there would be a number of different project files which could be saved and opened up as per need to continue working on.

Long explanation up there but am I seriously missing something obvious ? Like a menu item or setting that's hidden from my view somewhere ?

Thanks in advance for any feedback which will be appreciated.

 

The parameters that you save in the track, such as hot cues, tag names, grids, everything is saved in the traktor configuration file, that is, when you load the track in deck, all your settings above the track will be available

remix decks we can save In packs, they are stored in remix sets, but we cannot save beats made in step sequencer, which I consider also a disadvantage

loading tracks into certain decks cannot be saved, but I don’t see any point in this, it’s unlikely that it will take you a long time to drag 2-3 tracks and one remix pack

settings for effects also cannot be saved

DJ programs don’t have similar logic on daws

what else would you like to keep?

 

Thanks for your points Almaz.

But this is precisely what is lacking in Traktor and possibly other DJ software (I don't know for sure as I don't use any other DJ software).
I agree that DJ software may not have similar overall logic like DAWs but that should not be a limitation for such a basic thing as a simple and easy saving function of a full project setup (Ctrl + S).

Just as you explained in your points, somethings may be saved in the configuration file, but many others to do specifically with a particular project setup may not be saved like effects settings, specific changes to either tracks or remix elements, etc.
If we make some specific changes to remix decks like adding loops, deleting some, changing locations, etc., we should not have to save remix sets each time. There should be a facility to save that particular changes as a part of the whole project setup as a Traktor Project file.
This should include the setup for any stems as well in any of the decks (set as stem decks).

Just for sake of discussion, if we were to compare this to a DAW setup, it is like saying somethings like the below :
1. The DAW project cannot be saved.
2. Each created or edited audio or MIDI tracks/clips to be saved separately by bouncing each time.
3. All FXs with their edited settings applied to tracks/buses should be saved as separate presets or FX chains each time if needed to be retrieved.
4. Then, when opening a new blank project file, each of the previously saved audio/midi tracks/clips, FXs, everything need to brought back again to new tracks to have the same setup again.

Just imagine if we had to do the above in a DAW environment if we didn't have the feature of saving a complete project file in a DAW !!

I agree that dragging the audio tracks, remix sets or stem files to respective decks may not take so much time, but the question is, why do we need to have to do that each time ? Just loading the tracks may not be time consuming as such, but that's not the point, it is inefficient to have to do this each time and then re-check / re-do all your settings, gain levels, eqs, effect types, effect settings, everything also each time.
We should be able to save a complete setup with all these saved within that project file to be able to open them up again in a flash.

As you asked, what else would I like to keep ? The point is, we shouldn't have to think about this for an efficient workflow of going in and out of the software. Everything in the complete setup should get saved as a project file even including any colour modifications, just simply everything.

I now understand that this project saving feature is pretty much NOT available in Traktor Pro 3 but is very very much essential for more efficient use of the software for custom setups, especially for people who come from the DAW environment to a DJ environment.
Because today a DJ setup in a software like Traktor should be saveable and retrievable like a project unlike merely in a traditional turntable DJ environment which was intended to cater mainly to a live environment. A lot is done today in studio setups in terms of advance preparation.

Today we are in an era where a DJ could be preparing a number of pre-designed and programmed setups and may even be performing remotely (online) for an audience at a different location. It is very essential that an instant saving feature (Ctrl + S) for the entire setup is available at finger tips for the DJ / Producer.

Where and how can this feature request be seriously communicated to Native Instruments ?
Do we have a feature request area under support in NI ?

 

Traktor used to have something similar to what you’re asking for. It’s called the native mix recorder. https://www.native-instruments.com/...r-traktor-scratch-pro-1-release-update.72179/

Don’t know if it will ever make a comeback.

 

I totally agree the vision you wrote. I have always jokingly thought about Dj programs that they are similar to EJAY from 2004. Thanks for the link, Wyley I am very surprised that the traktor had such a cool feature and then it was removed

 

My answer proposing something like the old NHL (or whatever it was called) system but applied to "modern" (sic, I'm talking about this from 2003) dj and producers.

https://www.native-instruments.com/forum/threads/suggestions-for-traktor.419459/#post-1980459

 

Thanks for that link Wyley. I didn't know about this Native Mix Recorder feature and I find it indeed very interesting. Wonder why NI took this out of Traktor Pro 3.
If I understood correctly, this feature would actually record all the mixer movements and maybe even the audio track file changes in the decks, effect changes and their setting changes, etc. in a mix along with the audio of the full mix as it is running with a timeline record so that we could go back and edit what was done in the live mixing session to make it better / modify it, etc. Indeed something that would take the current Traktor Pro to a much more useful and exciting level.

However, what I was looking for in my post here was even something much more simple which (in my understanding), the Traktor program coders could introduce very easily as a function.
I was merely looking for a point-in-time saving of the Traktor set-up as a project file which would save all the latest settings of the setup at any given point in time which should include all the audio loaded into each of the deck/s in whichever modes (Track, Remix, Stems, Live input), their mix gain & pan status, fader levels, filter status, EQs as they stand at the given point in time, whatever effects may have been chosen in the effect racks (upto 4 effect racks there, single or group), their amounts, dry/wet status, status of activation of effects in each of the decks, then the settings within the decks, whether synced or unsynced, their tempo status, key status, Cues, Loops and Grid settings for each deck at that point in time, nudge positions if the default grid has been nudged (Phase meter), and all the saved cues, loops, etc., to be saved with this project file as well.

So you see, this is a point in time saving feature of the deck loadings and settings.
5 minutes or an hour later, I could have made changes to these settings. If I just click save (Ctrl + S), the latest settings will just be saved overwritten point in time to the previously saved file (with a file name of course).
If I want this latest status to be saved as a separate version so that I can retain the earlier one as a separate older version, I should be able to use "Save as..." and then save it with a new file name. This way I could get to save a number of point in time saved versions of the full complete setup of all the decks and everything else. Nothing special here, just the way any project files of DAWs or any software for that matter are saved.
If I want to start a fully new setup with altogether new audio tracks and settings, I should be simply able to choose File ---> New Project, which will give me a blank new decks template with all defaults, same as what comes when opening Traktor Pro.
But now, I would have my previous sessions as saved Project files, which if I open, will open my whole session with everything as it was saved in a flash. Then you wouldn't have to do anything from scratch, just carry on from there.
This would also help in a Live setup where the DJ would have many projects prepared and saved with different versions if needed and he/she could just pull it open as needed to start playing and mixing from there instead of starting from loading audio tracks from scratch all over again and again do all the settings for effects, levels, etc.

So what I have explained above is different from the Native Mix Recorder function which actually records the various mixer and effect setting movements itself in real time as it is done in a live session by the DJ, which is something like recording automation on a timeline which you can go back and edit again to make it better, do corrections, etc. This is extremely good undoubtedly and surprising that it was taken out by NI.

So I would look for both these features to be introduced / put back in the next update of Traktor Pro.
Sure hope the folks at NI are reading and listening.

 

The nmx was a cool feature that needed a lot more refinement. It was abandoned when the transition from traktor dj studio 3 to traktor pro. However from what I gather you basically what to save the last scene you worked on so that you can come back to it again when you restart the program.

 

(OP) I kind of get what you’re saying, and if it’s just a set of 4 tracks that you’re working on, then a playlist is the answer.

You could use the Comment2 tag to make relevant notes (which track was on which deck, for example).

But don’t forget, Traktor is not like a DAW. A saved preset in a DAW holds everything applicable to that DAW project.

In Traktor, what you are suggesting, would represent only a small fraction of a “Traktor” project. 4 tracks is a VERY short mix, and if you wanted to perform a mix of more than one track, you’d need to close and re-open Traktor for each group of 4 tracks you’d want to play out.

Playlists with tagged comments is the way to go, mate.

 

no, no, I think this is the right idea, to have logic in dj programs, like in daws, in fact, if we had an ableton + traktor, and this was one application, djing would be a completely different level. I believe that DJ programs have been unfairly deprived of many of the functions that producers usually use.

We are DJs, but in the DJ program we can't make:
- studio mix, and we go to the ableton, isn't that strange?
- We cannot use a huge variety of VST effects
- We cannot edit tracks and go to Ableton again
- We cannot record automation
- We cannot prepare effect chains

Three modes can be imagined for a DJ
1. Classic with decks
- scratching
- beatjump
- loops
- hot cues
- beat matching
2. Session view as in Ableton
- drum machine mod
- remix deck mod
- live looping (instruments, vocals, beatbox)
3. Arranger window
- cutting samples, loops, slicing
- studio mixes
- flexible editing of tracks
- automation record
- recording mix directly into 4 channels

Why don't we combine Machine 2 and a Traktor? It would be a big step forward

 

A few years ago, I would have agreed with you...

 

and what prevents you from agreeing now?

 

Experience. I’ve learned that some limitations are necessary...

 

it sounds pretty abstract)

 

Sorry - that was a bit flippant.

I’ll expand later when I can, but, basically, I’ve completely separated my performance and my preparation/writing/programming processes, and it’s helped me immensely.

 

I will add: live looping is mainly a studio technique overused on live gigs to a point that not makes any sense.
A few is ok, build from scratch (zero) is boring to say something... but of course backing tracks are “cheating”... what was using vinyl instrumentals (from mainstream) and later use DVS to put our ones instead?
So agreed. There are certain task better suited for studio/preparation stage and other for gigging.

That’s why live remixing is niche. Maybe with realtime stems we will see a change but I expect more “edits” and “studio remix” than other thing.

 

Once upon a time there used to be a Traktor certified mixer that send audio from 3 different places on the channel strip. One for dvs s/n, another post eq and one more for effects s/n. With this I’m able to use dvs and record each channel separately in Reason and record my xfader movements as automation. I’m able to use Reason’s fx thought the mixer’s effects section. It also had an extra FireWire port for hard drives.

Here’s the block diagram.


What the op asked for was available a long time ago and it could only be achieved though purpose built hardware.

Too much has changed over the years I guess. They don’t make em as they used to.

I guess this is where A&H can step in.

 

It could be doable nowadays with TP3 since is audio interface agnostic. There are workarounds for everything even for scratch automation (not just midi faders... the ttm bro!) but far from straightforward.

The funny thing TDJ2 has playlists...