Stems and F1

I can understand both your points of view there. Maybe that's why they've included level meters on the pads?? Though I don't understand why the computer screen wouldn't be capable of displaying what the D2/S8 is displaying.

 

They'd have to enable the option to see them on the monitor screen in 2.9, particularly for use with other controllers.

 

New Stem Deck Flavor in TRAKTOR PRO
TRAKTOR 2.9.0 introduces a new Stem Deck which is capable of playing and mixing .stem.mp4 files. Thanks to the Automatic Deck Flavor Switching that was introduced in TRAKTOR 2.8.0, a Deck will automatically switch to Stem Deck whenever you load a .stem.mp4 file. The Stem Deck functions identically to a Track Deck, but just has additional sub-mix features for controlling the 4 Slot Volumes, Filters, and FX Sends for the stems.

The KONTROL F1 also supports Stem Decks via the same sub-mix controls that are also used for Remix Decks. When assigning an F1 to a Stem Deck, you’ll be able to control Slot Volumes, Filters, Mutes, and can also access the FX Sends via the shift-layer of the Pads. The Pads also serve as 4 visual level meters for the 4 audio slots in the Stem Deck so you can see if audio is playing on a slot even when its volume is turned down.

Stem and Remix Deck Sub-mix Controls in Controller Manager
The sub-mix controls for the Remix Deck have now been upgraded to Deck Common controls in the Controller Manager. Controls like Slot Volume, Slot Filter, Slot Mute, and Slot FX Send Amount are now located in “Deck Common > Sub-Mix”.

When mapping a MIDI Controller to these controls, these controls will now control a Stem Deck or Remix Deck, whichever type is loaded. If you had MIDI Mappings for Remix Deck mix controls previous to this update, those controls are now automatically mapped to the Deck Common Sub-mix controls for convenience.

 

Guess it's official, no visual representation of separate stems on computer monitor, S8 and D2 screens only..

 

a Video to back up your explanation on F1 with TEMS

 

Just plugged in my F1 to try the Stems/F1 integration. OK it works and whatever, but is almost useless w/o being able to see the separate stems on the screen. You have no idea if a vocal/drum/bass/etc. section is coming up - looking at the waveform of the main mix is not sufficient.

 

please don't start with that garbage. i've been DJing for 25+ years, most of it on vinyl where knowing the music is a necessity, and yes I know the music I am playing now. This is about technology and taking things further.

 

no GUI for stems and F1....

NI WTF ???

 

not engaging in this kind of convo. you don't want it fine, enjoy your life.

 

It is pure marketing. If they add the gui in the software for the F1 then nobody is going to buy the D2 or S8.
The F1 is a cheap solution if you want to try the stems and if you like it and want to get more out if it then buy a D2 or S8.
I have been trying the stems with my F1 and what I am missing is separate FX on each stems channel. When you use the FX it is the same FX on all 4 stem channels, you only can turn the FX on or off. I would like to use different FX on each stem channel separate, like a delay on vocal and a reverb on a synth channel.
I am not sure if this is possible on the D2 or S8 and if it would be possible to create a custom map for this for the F1.
I hope to see some new F1 mapping soon for using stems.

 

SO let me get this straight, Most people come to Traktor (at least me personally) becuase it was /seemed to be very professional and affordable comapred to other brands, and say we start with the S2 like i did. They come out with this cool idea, stems, but you need a way to use these stems. SO they release this controller, the d2, to be very compatable with the stems, but of course make it a A/C controller, where the s2 is an A/b controller. almost making it so in order to use the stems, you must not only buy 1 of these controllers, but 2, which would make the first controller you already had useless. Would it really be that hard to make a controller that you can select the 2 decks that they are assigned to? they really seemed to have set this whole stem idea up with the idea that they can make alot of money off us and its dissapointing to say the least, please correct me if im wrong with anything i stated above, but this is how it seems to me

 

For sure that will help!
And if we know our tracks very good, we don't need a waveform at all.
And we can manually beatmatch every time - we don't need sync button.
Yeah, let me find my CDJ-100.

You are missing the point.

We are not talking what we can or can't do: we are talking about what we expect, what will be easier for us, and what will improve our workflow.
Anyway, as StefanvanHattum said - it is pure marketing, not a technical issue.

I am (always) optimistic and I expect stems waveforms in Traktor 3.0.

 

Thanks but I just quoted what I read, I didn't foresee the future or anything, but I guess the software only shows a regular track not the separated stem files.
Not that it matters really, I am pretty disappointed in the tracks released so far, most are just remix sets I already own from Beatport made into Stems, and most sound alike with no major changes throughout. Well made and good music but not a wide range of emotion.
Basically I wouldn't need to really look at them just fade or filter the parts out like the demos do.

But if I was to get my hands on some energetic changing and more complex styles of music, then I might be more inclined to need some visual reference.
So yeah I partially agree with "forallthose" certain tracks won't be hard to mix without visual feedback. Especially if you can't even hear the difference in the beat of energy.
I was a lot more hyped before I checked out the available Stems tracks.

 

Yes you are right, I guess when commercial vocal pop, house and EDM music is available on the STEMS format, then we will be able to remix on the fly in events, bars, clubs, weddings and so on.

I also checked on the available STEMS songs on beatport and Juno and all of them are non-commercial so I guess people won't notice the difference in playing live with the stems as nobody will know the original songs.

Every change and new stuff takes time to develops, but nonetheless, STEMS are a great way to be more creative with your mixes.

And for those who are asking about the STEMS files been visible on Traktor software, I also read it might be available in Traktor 3.0, but I guess this will be speculating

Conclusion: STEMS are a great way to be more creative, that's the whole point of becoming a Digital DJ I guess, I've been Djing since 1985, Vinyl, then CDJ's, then Atomix MP3, Then Virtual Dj and since 2 years ago Traktor (the best choice for me)

 

I do wonder though, the Stems files we all make and what is to come? With major shifts and breaks or certain areas that may even be another track mixed in then visual feedback will be very necessary...?
The one thing that could help that I already use and many may not realize they use is the spectrum waveform view in Traktor, you can easily see the dominant frequencies ahead of time, and of course the breaks or builds.
In the video demo for the F1 above the waveform was basic blue, no way to see frequency range, just the basic structure of the track, if your worried about what is coming up switch to spectrum view and watch how the sound changes to the color, that will at least help.

 

I don't want pop music(well ok I want some I just can't help it)
But some more styles in general.
Some bangin, some boppin, and some droppin. As I posted over at djtectools as my other self.
Artists like Mustard Pimp, Infected Mushroom, Some electro stuff like that wizard of a guy Dj Wicked Wes plays on Digitally Imported, Sander Van Doorn, some Moombahton, Chillout, some more actual Deep house.
I am sure more will come or I will get better and make my own. I saw 100+ tracks on Beatport and only 4 or so stood out for me.


Oh by the way, djing since 85 that's amazing, I am very new compared to that.
Atomix Mp3! That's the first one I used I made some weird Ella Fitzgerald downtempo mix that I still like on that software.

 

What we have to keep in mind is that all changes takes time to adapt, we are part of a extremely impatient community jajajajajaja, and everybody wants everything for yesterday, we have to learn that everything has its own process. I bet Traktor 4 is already in developing phases, and some weird S10 controller or something like that...jajajajajaja......everything in its own time, that's why its called evolving, make things better, but people can't expect to fly if they dont know how to walk.

STEMS are the future in DJing, Ive lived all the transitions in the DJ business, and this is HUGE !!!

Peace

 

After playing around with the F1 and stems i notice that there are some things missing and I don't know if they are available when using the S8 or D2 and I also noticed some things that looks like a bug.
As mentioned earlier it would be nice if you can use the 4 FX on each stems channel seperately.
You can use the F1 to control the stems deck (e.g. deck A) and then switch to the remix deck (e.g. Deck D) to control the remix deck, but you are not able to capture from Deck A when a stems song is loaded in deck A. When controlling the Remix deck and you want to capture you can not select the Deck with the stems song loaded (holding capture and turn the selector knob). You have to load a normal mp3 file in that deck if you want to select that deck for capturing again.
It would also be nice when it is possible to capture from a stems song that you can capture only the channel(s) which have their volume set to up.
Also if you have loaded a stems song in a deck you can't load a normal mp3 in that deck using your right mouse button you have to drag and drop the song in the deck, this seems like a bug to me.
I don't use the mouse for loading songs, I have the X1 MK2 for that but I just noticed it and it doesn't seem right to me.

 

That's the point. I have a denon x1600 to play at home, a ni Audio6 for timecode at the club and an denon mc3000 for portable. I have no problem to buy one or two f1 controllers if this unlocks the stem display on the laptop but even with that we will see no stems waveform on our laptop display. I won't buy two d2 just to see the waveform.

 

Very sad to hear i guess ill just keep saving for an s4 or maschine haha