How to set it all up?

I'm thinking of making the move to digital DJ'ing... I've downloaded the Demo, and had a play - thing is the mixer doesn't seem to work internally - do I need an external controller to make it all work?

Help needed!

Richie

 

Hi,

Could you please post up yor specific specifications .. computer .. sound card .. operating system etc. and then a more detailed description of your issue.. "how it doesn't work".? thanks.

 

I'm using a MacBook running 10.5.5 OS Intel Core. I'm wondering how to get the mixer working and still get an audio output to a stereo for recording mixes?

The User Manual is a little brief on how to set up equipment and if you need an external mixer to link headphones and a stereo?

Thanks in advance
Richie

 

so .. You are not using any type of external sound card. < Only the on board sound of the macintosh?

It is possible to create and record mixes within traktor without an external sound card or mixer. It is also possible to feed two channels of an external dj mixer with the program and stock sound card. This is accomplished through use of splitter cables.

However, recording within traktor is limited to the authorized full version of traktor.

This program is the product of many years and versions of research and development: the price tag is minimal when considering the quality of the application. I highly recommend investing in some quality software and a good audio interface to go with your high quality computer.

On the cheap:
You can record outside of traktordemo using another audio program such as garage band and an audio highjacker utility> examples of these utilities would be soundflower, or jack osx. Still... your recording sessions will be limited to the time period that the demo is active. It is also possible to record outside of the computer using an external CD burner, tape deck, or another computer. Honestly though... with the thirty minutes that the demo program will stay active. Your recordings might only attain 20-25 minute length because of the set-up time that is necessary.

There are many threads that discuss these type of operations. You can search for those on the forum.

link to thread in which I have discussed using traktor with splitter to create mono-playback with cueing.

http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79535&highlight=split

This description might be a little confusing. Or you might get it straight away.. Im considering doing a really good thread for these operations so I don't eva have to explain it again.

 

Thanks for this.

I do intend to purchase Traktor, if it can do the things I need (which it sounds like it will), half an hour just insn't enough for what I need.

So, I could buy a splitter cable for the Mac and use headphones and have an output line to an amp?

Or, I could buy an external soundcard - do you have examples of these I could research on the net - having been a Mac user all my life I'm pretty used to these things being built in.

The third question is.. by using a cable splitter I don't need to purchase an external DJ Controller (mixer)? Doing so makes the cost on a par with the Hercules RMX or Steel that both come with software solutions.

I'm loving the software, and will be buying it, as soon as I can be assured it'll work for me. Thanks again
Richie

 

Ok.. yea... so the thing about traktor is that: if you have it set-up and you can work with the computer keyboard as a controller ... just having headphones will allow you to mix/record/voice-over with the mac's internal microphone.. everything. You don't need any external equipment.

The internal audio recorder of traktor records a stereo signal .. if you implement the mixed-mono cueing the recorder still records in stereo.

So if you are mixing a podcast with voice over it can all be done with just a pair of headphones.

If you need to out-put sound to a stereo for a party or something and do live djing. the mixed-mono thing will also allow you to do this and also be able to prelisten to the next song. Thats what the splitters are for. < this gives mono sound . its good enough for some.

Some people only need the computer keyboard and mouse to control traktor .. i have specialized keyboard layouts for this. Its easy to set-up hot keys.

Some need to have a controller device for avanced traktor functions and for doing crossfades, back-cueing like on a record, and messing with effx and eqs.

Some controllers contain a soundcard and headphone output so that you have stereo sound - out for a sound system and seperate headphones channel.

the hercules console rmx and vestax vcm - 100 are examples of this. These companies also sell just controllers that have no sound card.

An example of a controller only is the vestax vci 100. The amount of support and knowledge base that surrounds the vci-100 is quite helpful. Over at djtechtools.com they have really specialized on the vci-100 and there is much to do with it. < a standard if there is one.

There are a million sound cards out there. I use a MOTU traveler. It was expensive. But I need its advanced capacities. My favorite small format sound card is the echo audio fire 2. there is also the echo indigo DJ express card. These are high quality devices. The express card plugs into the expansion slot of the macbook pro.

My store also carries Roland sound cards which are a bit more advanced.

Best advice is to work with the software as it is and figure out what you need before you buy a controller. i still don't have a 'dj controller' and only use the key board ... however I am waiting for a controller that I like and will do what I want < nothing yet.

 

Great stuff - I think I'll use the software to start with, it seems to do everything I want, with the cable splitter I'll be able to go to an amp etc which would be good for Djing.

I produce enhanced podcasts, so will be importing the track into Garageband to layering on sleeve artwork and links etc, so all sounds good too!

You mentioned people using a Controller for crossfading - but Traktor handles this okay already?

Thanks for all your advice on this one - NI should put something on the site about set ups etc, all the video's etc on the site are top end set up's, rather than being aimed at new arrivals to digital mixing - gotta make the shift though, all the music I get sent these days is mp3!

Cheers again - what store is yours? You never know when I might need some kit!

Richie

 

I just have the arrow keys set up for fader control on the channels and crossfader .. you can also use the auto fade triggers and on-screen controls, there is also a crossfader curve adjustment. Im not sure if there is curve adjust in the new PRO release.

If you wanted to record directly into garage band you could use the audio highjacker I mentioned before. That does work.

Along time ago before I had traktor I used an old g4 w/ garage band and a dj program called dj 1800 which was an emulation of the denon broadcast style cd players. I just split the headphone output and plugged the feed into the line-input and then selected the source in garageband. Then I used the pitch adjustment of DJ 1800 to enter tracks into garage band in sync with the metronome. Dj 1800 only worked for twenty minutes at a time.

From there I was able to cut up all the tracks and remix/edit them. I was doing music for this theatrical adaptation of a run-way fashion show. So all the track lengths had to be perfect to fit the choreography.

Ok my point w/ that is that it is possible to just record into garageband and skip the importing. You would use the audio highjacker i mentioned. Traktor doesn't allow you to link to other software only to an audio device. What the highjacker does is it creates a multiport virtual audio device that traktor hooks up to. then you hook garage band up to the send ports of the virtual device and you have audio routed between the programs.

 

Hi again, still not got this working, very frustrating!

Right I went to the Hi-Fi place to speak to the guys there and they suggested a Pro-ject USB Soundcard with output to the amp - thing is I can't get the Mac to play through a USB output and the headphones jack at the same time. Again, nothing in the manual about this - so I thought you might be able to tell me whether your external soundcard has two outputs, one to your headphones and the other to your amp?

So close everytime with this but just can't seem to crack it - nowhere near as simple as a good old decks set up!

Cheers once again

 

You can't use your internal soundcard and your external at the same time unless you aggregate the devices.

The people there (hi-fi place) obviously do not know much about the software you are using. You need something with multiple outs, not 1.

There are a ton of threads in these forums with soundcard recommendations. Might I even point you to the very top of your screen...where you can click on Products and browse to the Audio 4 or Audio 8?

 

+chilly

 

recording with hercules rmx

Hi, I'm new into this Dj'ing thing and recently bought a Hercules RMX and got myself a copy of traktor pro, I have been able to use all the features on traktor pro and let me tell you that i love this software and all the effects and how easy it is to use...
The problem now is that i haven't been able to record my sessions, i have the full version of traktor btw, i cant even click the record button and when i do that it gives me like a pop up window saying like "unable" or something like that.
I have a macbook 2.4Ghz aluminum unibody 4gb Ram.

I was wondering if you can probably help me out with this problem.
thanks a loot....cuz i know you always have answered my questions pretty fast in the past. thanks a lot...

 

A good start for you would be an "entry level" Controler with integrated audio interface.. Hercules RMX will do the Job perfectly, Behringer BCD 2000 or 3000 is a bit lower end but you'll still have fun with them, on the higher end, you can check teh Reloop Digital Jockey Interface edition.

All these will provide with not to expensive combos of a decent sound interface with monitoring capability, and decent Midi control at the same time.
---

Check if:

You're in Internal mixing Mode
You've set a destination folder for recordings

 

if you want to use 4 decks this which i am selling will get u started

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_rdc=1&item=120446537625&viewitem=&salenotsupported

 

Yes... though iits for 4 decks with External mixing.. for internal mixing, any card with 2 stereo outputs will do the job even for 4 decks

 

what i should have said is "upto" 4 decks. as u can use 2,3 or 4 outs on that interface.