Update

Anyone know when the next update will be available? Is NI working on a true window's not unix version of final scratch or was that scrapped. I know at one time back in the day the rumor was fall however we all know not to hold our breaths I'd love to get with the FS thing but not until it's truly windows based and much better integrated into the OS. Speaking of which are windows user's ever gonna get WMP integration and the WMA codecs like the mac users have with I-tunes lucky devils.

 

It was hinted to the beta team that testing of the next update will be this month. As for a true Windows version of FS.. well, that I am not so sure of. Also, as far as implementing other audio codecs, NI has asked me which codecs were most asked for. I have told them that AAC and WMA both with DRM capability is what is needed the most right now.

Hobbes

 

djsynik,

Although I have no way to confirm this, I would bet against a windows version of FS due to the poor latency that is achievable under windows. Linux (at least under some specially tuned kernels) and OS X (especially) have very low latency audio frameworks which makes them well suited to this type of use. Although it's not apparent yet, OS X really does have the best groundwork for audio out there and FS is doing a great job of exploiting some of its leading edge performance in this area.

 

@DJ Hobbes:

1. Next update is next major or next minor version update? If it's major, is it possible to already know when we can expect it?

2. Regarding AAC and WMA: Why them - I don't get it !? OK DRM will probably be interesting in the future but it's still not clear when a industry wide DRM standard is going to be made. Right now, I think other audio codecs are the least important thing. Make Traktor crash-proof, let us use more (and better) effects (VST), build interesting features from Ableton Live into Traktor to enable us "live remixes" or at least, let us use Traktor via Rewire (or similar protocols) and sync with other applications. That would be cool!

:wallbash: :shout: :help:

 

I am waiting to find out what is going on just as much as the rest of you. The update will be more of a 'major' update.. at least thats what I was told by NI sometime back, and they do seem to be somewhat on schedule as I posted previously in another thread that "the next update would be around the end of the summer (for those of us in the northern hemisphere). the reason for implementing WDM and ACC with DRM is because of the surge in online music buying sites for those who like the idea of buying music legally online. VST(i) will not be supported, but ReWire is supposedly going to be implemented, so that should take care of the effects issue along with sync to external MIDI clock.

Hobbes

 

If NI doesn't implement master tempo in the next update, I'm buying and switching to Virtual DJ...

also, beatlock, over loop, and effects are awesome... make sure you let them know rivals are getting tougher and tougher... especially, w/ XP10 ON THE HORIZON (October 2003)

I (WE) need MASTER TEMPO & CONTROLLER LIKE XP10.... such a good program and still uses pitch feature from the 70's and 80's!

 

Can't say I ever felt a need for a Master Tempo. Never used that feature on my Pioneer CDJ's either. Played around with it a few times, just sounded weird.
And I wonder how all those Vinyl DJ's are able to spin without Master Tempo
For me it's way more important that Traktor is indeed crash proof. Right now DJ'ing is my sole source of income so I need software that I can trust 100%.
Features, gimmicks and effects are all nice to have but after we have a stable product.

 

Yes, OS X ave very low latency audio frameworks.
However it's depend on the driver of your soundcard you use.

I have a PC, with Windows Xp and a very good audio soundcard with WDM-KS drivers and asio2 drivers and akm converters (24/96 khz - -116 db)

(I have a old MAc with os X. Very slow. YOu have to get a lot of money to buy a good mac. )

I get 1 ms od latency and my pc is rock stable.
( and i have a new version of virtual dj with a very very nice skin - work very well with directx9 and my soundcard!!!!)

 

Just yesterday Apple announced that they had sold 10 million tracks through the ITMS. Keep in mind that this was exclusively to Mac users and this was within only a few months of the store opening. Although it's not a lock, I think that NI is heading down a pretty good road considering that the windows version of ITMS is on the horizion. Personally, I have purchased a good number of tracks from ITMS and the only downfall is that I can't play them in Traktor without re-ripping them. So, that said I feel that support in this area is a bit more important than, say effects (it's better to be able to play your music with no effects, than not be able to play it at all).

I heard that! Not that I don't want master tempo, but there are more ways than just beat matching to fade two dissimilar tracks. Plus, when you slow something down 10%, 20%, or more your audience can still tell even if you're using master tempo.

Once again, I totally agreee. This should be the primary area of work. As I previously mentioned, I would much rather be able to play without certain features, than not at all.

I respectfully disagree. I have a beige G3 upgraded to a G4/466 which probably cost less in total to put together than almost anyone elses machine on this board and I gig with it weekly. If you're using a version of X less than 10.2 it is slow, but that changed greatly with Jaguar. Furthermore, XP is extremely resource hungry, much moreso than OS X and the price disparity between Mac and PC has been shown time and time again to be a myth when all things are considered.

Not necessarily, no matter what soundcard you use, it is impossible to overcome a system architecture which doesn't give high priority to audio. I read a very indepth article which I wish I could site at this point, but the basic premisis of it was that OS X has the best audio core available.

Anyway, that said, I can't wait for the update!

 

AAC

Not only is AAC good for using songs provided in iTunes, it also sounds better than MP3 at higher bitrates (than the 160 kb or 128 kb versions they provide at the Apple iTunes store - can't remember which their default is).

But anyway, that means that if Traktor supports AAC, I can rip my songs in AAC format within iTunes without any DRM (as I record my vinyl into to digital files).

Its a good thing if TS supports AAC.

I took master tempo as meaning supporting MIDI clock out or in. If I am wrong, whoops! But, I think if it means gaining the ability to control external MIDI geat or Live, then WOO HOOOO!

Anyway - REWIRE? OH YES! BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!

Man that would be amazing!!!!!!!



rob.

 

About ReWire-

How demanding will this be on the processor?
I only have Traktor open when I run it. I'd love to be able to use ReWire, but I'm also just very new to using Reason...
Does this mean I can run Reason on a *seperate* computer and connect the two using ReWire? Otherwise my trusty G3 would not be able to cope with both apps running, I'm sure.

 

@yupa:

I don't know about the power of G3 CPU, but on Wintel 1.5 GHz (and more) would be sufficient (depends, of course, on the number of effects and samples/loops you play at the same time). The beauty of ReWire is that you can not only use it with Reason but with Sonar, Ableton Live etc. too.

ReWire is "software wiring" and it occurs within the same hardware/within the same computer. So you wouldn't need a second/separate machine to, for example, run Reason with Traktor.

 

I don't think rewire works between two seperate hardware set ups. I thinks interapplication on the same computer only.

But I could be wrong.

Its not like the VST link thing that Steinberg has.

But, now I hope that Apple releases bumped up Powerbook specs. Right now I can run Traktor and recording app (to record my sets in at the same time) and that's about it without having chuggy screen redraws on my Powerbook 12" 867 mghz.

I'd like to run a recording app, traktor, AND live at the same time (via the rewire capability).

Heaven.

rob.

 

With Rewire capability, you *should* be able to have all of this, as Cubase supports Rewire, and the new Cubase SX 2.0 is supposed to be much more solid and latency-free.

In any case, running Cubase, then Traktor through Rewire, gives you Traktor, MIDI/Audo recording -- AND VST FX and instruments -- Woo hoo!

I imagine this will consume enormous resources, and I'd want a fast CPU and a huge amount of RAM.

If not Cubase, Ableton Live supports VST and Rewire, which means VST FX. And it records. Can't remember if it supports VST instruments; I don't have the latest version (they've just updated it, too).

Hobbes -- do you know if the new version will stream from the HD, or will it still load to RAM. Cuz that's gonna start making a big difference as Traktor hooks up through other apps now.

Very exciting!

 

AAC and 'Master Tempo'

AAC: also you are forgetting the space issue. With an AAC file encoded at 128 vs. an mp3 @192, you're getting better quality AND less space used. I'll take less space/better quality any day over reverb or delay that I'll use in just one or 2 songs...

And as someone mentioned, I’ve downloaded songs from Apple’s Music store (because I’m trying to do the right thing) only to find that I have to burn to a CD then rip to get it as mp3. Adding an AAC codec to T2 shouldn’t be an intensive process. If anything it’s more about legal fees or whatnot. Because T2 already recognizes the file, it just won’t play it.


'Master Tempo': (you like how I always put that in quotes? I think that's the strangest name for it.) I play a lot of tonal music and changing the tempo even 5% makes for a very notice pitch change. So to everyone who keeps talking about 10% - 20%+ pitch change, you are missing the point. Even with low tempo changes like from 124 bpm to 128 bpm (that's only 3.22% change) you'll hear a DEFINATE key change. That's what I'd use 'Master Tempo' for, not these exaggerated figures. 'Master Tempo' was the reason I DIDN'T instantly buy T2 when I tried the demo, because of the type of music I spin, 'Master Tempo' is VERY handy.


Soapbox: Remember we all spin different styles and one style isn't better or more important than another style, and my software shouldn't dictate what I spin. I should have options. For example - I have yet to use the Filter. It just isn't necessary for my style. But I like having the option. Same with 'Master Tempo', if it's not for you, then don't use it, but don't discount it as useless just because it's not for your style of spinning, or you’ve pushed it to it’s limits and it doesn’t ‘sound good’. That type of mentality hinders creativity. Someone mentioned not adding additional audio codecs and focus more on features, but why not have both? Why should having one nullify having the other? That’s why it’s called major update.

 

full Mp4 and OGG would both be nice as well.

 

Now...that rewire will be implemented into Traktor ...I have a few question..that maybe someone can help me out with...will Traktor be the host apps or the slave apps...If host will there be a input channel added to traktor for the incoming audio from the slave apps....In this case how will you get to use the (VST Effects) in that apps if no sound from Traktor travels through the slave apps...And if Traktor will be the slave apps ...you can only put (VST Effects) on the main out from traktor not the invidual decks..this to me really make no sense because you disable alot of the stuf that traktor can do..(ie) recording and then fine tuning your mix....will traktor record the move you make in the slave or host apps as well....maybe I am looking at it the wrong way...but it would be best to keep everything in the Traktor enviroment...(ex) add an effects rack..and a loop rack that plays a 16 - 32 bar loop that is (BPM) enabled so you can sync it to the decks..I just don't see much benefit to this addition but like I said ..maybe I am wrong... maybe someone can explain the benefits to me....Or how to use it...

 

wait until the implementation occurs. then it will be easier to have a discussion about it. It could be implemented in many ways...who knows how the NI folks want to implement it.

right now its kind of pointless - unless you want to rephrase your comments into suggestions.



rob.

 

DrBrooks, don't get me wrong. I'm not against features such as Master Tempo being added to Traktor because just like you write different people have different needs. For instance I never ever use the x-fader when I spin so personally I wouldn't miss it if it wasn't there but I'm sure that are a few people out there who would miss it ;-)
OTOH I would really welcome a sampler or even a third deck while other people would never ever use that feature.

So there are different needs out there BUT everybody needs a stable product. That's why I'm saying that I'd rather take stability over features on any given day.

 

@yupa:

I don't know about the power of G3 CPU, but on Wintel 1.5 GHz (and more) would be sufficient (depends, of course, on the number of effects and samples/loops you play at the same time). The beauty of ReWire is that you can not only use it with Reason but with Sonar, Ableton Live etc. too.

ReWire is "software wiring" and it occurs within the same hardware/within the same computer. So you wouldn't need a second/separate machine to, for example, run Reason with Traktor.