Timecode Mk2...Comparative Question

good question. i'm not that familiar with hybrid control with the denons but from what i gather the CDJ generates a pure sine tone, right?

if so, the drift correction doesn't kick in anyway, since unlike the timecode signal the pure sine tone does not contain any position information. the decoder therefore calculates the speed and direction only.

 

hehehe

how about an official timecode mk2 demo version then ?

and what is with the crosstalk problem of analog soundcards ?
every line in is also very very quiet audible in the outputs.
due to this every analog recording of a mix also has timecode in it and harms nis copyright.

 

Cheers for the reply! Think I might need to snag some MKII's then, which is kinda good timing cause I bought TSP when it first dropped and have abused the hell outta the MKI's. Will be interesting to see if there is any noticeable difference when skratching.

 

Yes the denons generate just a 2k tone, they will only work in relative mode even if they did generate a full NI timecode signal.

What I'm thinking is that the new tsp2 versions will only recognize NI proprietary mkII timecode (depending on licence) whether absolute or relative and will not work with just a 2k tone anymore. Is my assumption correct?

Well, I'll unpack them and give it a try with my tsp2 and then with the demo to see.

 

i would need to look into how hybrid mode works. i assume that it works by "failing" the calibration and using the emergency relative-only mode, which is unchanged in the mk2 decoder. the hybrid tone isn't "timecode" per se because there is no binary data carried in the signal, so it would not pass the calibration stage on either the mk1 or mk2 algorithm.

however, timecode mk2 uses a 2.5kHz pilot signal, so a 2.0kHz tone would cause everything to play slowly. until denon update their players you can either pitch everything up on your CDJ, or, as a workaround, switch to internal mode, reset the pitch in traktor, and then switch back to relative mode to carry on playing at the same speed with timecode control.

 

Can i continue to use my MK1 records? I have 4 Vinyls and 4 CD's in spare and i can't see if they are going to be useless if i update Traktor

 

yes

 

Thank you TJ@NI for this info.

 

@ TJ@NI

Can you keep us posted on the Denon hybrid situation?

 

Just to confirm the Denon Hybrid mode speculations, I just purchased a new license of Traktor Scratch Pro 2.1.1 (upgraded from Traktor 2 LE packaged with my Audio 10 soundcard) and the Denon hybrid signal DOES NOT play the track AT ALL.

When I press and hold the CUE button on the 3700, the track plays fine, but it doesn't play at all when I hit the play button.

 

WELL... i guess i'm getting some MKIIs and i ll post a review once done... want to compare by myself....

 

UPDATE...

Got it to work by calibrating with the NI MK2 CDs then switching to hybrid mode afterwards. Surprisingly, the hybrid timecode worked at normal speed right away, without any adjustments

 

Hey TJ is there any improvement for the MK2 CD timecode?

 

In my case I'm using v2.1.1 with MK1 and MK2 compatibility but calibration with CD MK2 and then switching to HYBRID does not work! it plays slowly!

But my workaround for those that would like to know is as follows:

- Product: Traktor Scratch Pro v2.1.1 MK1 and MK2 compatible

Option 1 HYBRID Calibration

1.- Start Traktor
2.- Turn ON S3700 and switch to HYBRID
3.- Press Play and wait till scope says Calibration Fail
4.- Signal will be color Gray but it will work OK

Option 2 MK1 CD Calibration

1.- Start Traktor
2.- Turn ON S3700
3.- Insert MK1 CD and select PLAY track (or MK1 mp3 PLAY track via USB)
4.- Press Play and wait till scope says CD
5.- Signal will be color Orange
6.- Switch to HYBRID on the S3700
7.- It should work OK

 

+1
---

It really works! however its still not Absolute mode which is a minor setback.

So you know what the question is gonna be right? WHEN IS NI GONNA POST AN UPDATE FOR THIS?

 

Higher resolution or higher sound level of the timecode...; Many reasons I guess... Anything that could help the soundcard catch the sound easier should produce less lag.

 

http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/dj/traktor-scratch-pro-2/?page=3105

If you did the TSPRO2 upgrade then the MK1 timecode will work. I use it currently.

 

one thing I'd like to point out (I just found this old thread through a search..) there was an assumtion that traktor mk1 vinyl was in some way inferior to serato vinyl by the original poster... this is completely backwards. they higher frequency of both mk1 and mk2 =a more acurrate and better responding timecode experience than serato can delivery. in short... traktor = better for scratching than serato. the statment about most scratch djs using serato dvs instead of traktor is simply up to what they chose. serato has a large long term installed base in the USA and because of that many dj's just go with what others have without knowing the specs or true capabilities of other platforms.

 

I have something else about.. how can I improve the signal tried everything..

New records
Cleaning out the cartridge needle and cartridge holder.
New wires new ground cable still having a distorted sound on the dvs signal..

Sometimes my music goes up and down in tempo
Btw I got 2 full sets of turntables
2x sl1210mk2
2x sl1200mk2
And 2 traktor z2 mixers

My set one has no problems at all..

 

I find Mk1 timecode is better than the Mk2 Timecode for accuracy. I find the mk2 timecode can skip segments quite a lot when scratching. Most noticable if you are scratching on the first section of the track. MK1 timecode never does that.