[video] "Traktor is dead"? THINK AGAIN!

Here's a little sample of how far things can be pushed if you set your mind to it.

This is Traktor tied into Ableton Live and Resolume Arena using Link. On every stream, the selection is completely random (because I like to mix myself in & out of various holes rather than prepare a playlist - more fun that way), using tracks from my collection as well as Beatport LINK without issues.

- layers upon layers of live-rendered, audio-reactive visuals in front a massive chroma-keyed background
- full sync with the DJ set, neatly following BPM changes thanks to Link
- combination of effects in Traktor and Live (via sends on the Xone:96), because why not
- interactive VFX control for Twitch audience via channel rewards, because emoji clouds and follow alerts are a bit over at this point
- turntable control for both video and generative visual elements (hacked using Phase)
- live-tracked 3D hands (this counts as AR visuals if we're being awfully generous)
- heart-shaped LED VU meter on Push 2 hardware
- gawd dayumned GLITTER HEART EMITTERS on top of the LEDs

Resolume is controlled via Maschine Jam. In addition to that, a Kontrol F1 is talking to two computers via the MIDI bridge in the Xone:96. All of this could technically run off of one of my XMG laptops, but I'm using a total of 3 for complete redundancy, separating audio / visuals / stream encoding. This setup doesn't break no matter what.



Post your streams if you've got them! I'd like to see what others from the community have been working on

Of course I'd appreciate if you took a minute to click that follow button - if you have questions about how specific things have been done, pretty much anything related to making all these things play nice together, I'm happy to answer them on stream. It's always a mixture of music and A/V tech talk on there, I keep no secrets on general principle: https://twitch.tv/unrealDJing

 

Hey. Followed you on YouTube and very interested in seeing more! That's an impressive, inspirational setup and I think it will give me some ideas for my own too!

My own is less elaborate, but I enjoy streaming/recording and I've been really trying to improve the production on my own. Here's a sample:


(but I have many more on my channel!).

I also have another tech demo video which lists all the hardware and software I'm using:



I'm using Traktor with an S4 MK3 controller with live reactive visuals (not very reactive in the above clip though but I've made changes in an upcoming vid that's uploading) using Visualz and a four camera streaming setup using OBS. Also two midi controllers for Traktor shortcuts and EQ kills (midifighter 3d and midifighter classic). I have time coded vinyl control setup, but not used in this video! All running off an M1 Mac mini which is streaming and recording in 4K!

My focus for my mixes is, of course, primarily the music, audio and mixing quality. But I'm also interested in getting super high quality video and high quality, interesting and reactive visuals.

Ideally I'd love to push things as far as possible with 4K 60fps HDR video, lossless audio upload to YouTube (for the sole reason that it will require only one conversion to AAC/Vorbis by YouTube) and more interesting, higher quality visuals - but I'm limited in a number of ways!

Raw computing power is one limiting factor. The M1 Apple chips are amazing but I can still bring the chip to its knees so I'm looking forward to the new "m1x" Mac mini which is rumoured to be coming soon!
Also I'm still emulating a lot of my software using Rosetta which is adding a little bit of processing overhead too so I hope native versions will come soon!

Thanks for posting!

 

thanks - the idea was to share ideas. and spam, of course. speaking of: your spam was delicious! I liked the set, it got me through a morning of answering e-mails with a smile

I think your stuff is absolutely on point, but the visual stuff is very clearly hampered by your M1 mac. these CPUs are very impressive, but they don't have enough graphical punch to pull anything even close to what you want to do - especially in 4K60 - and the next generation is unlikely to improve that by much. it's just not what Apple does. there are reasons why literally all live shows that rely on live-rendered graphics - whether it's a massive VJ projection mapping or a mixed-reality show - run off super-beefy PCs. it's not that "Apple sucks hurr durr", it's simply not their market anymore.

4K60 in general is also a limitation you're imposing on yourself. while it's true that YouTube will treat 4K content favourably, the overwhelming majority of your potential viewers will not be able to enjoy a 4K60 live stream. heck - they won't be able to watch 4K60 video. platforms like Twitch are successful because they impose almost unreasonably low upstream limits - this allows more people to watch the content without the need to transcode. which, by the way, is an absolute quality NIGHTMARE on YouTube - the stream will look good in the original resolution, and after it's done processing it will be OK as a video upload - but DURING the stream, the lower resolutions will look like absolute garbage and there's nothing you can do about it.

I personally don't like the bandwidth limits, as I have the capacity to push 4K60 and Twitch isn't letting me - but at the same time, I'm painfully aware that "mobile first" is the current default for any platform. I even stream in 936p60 (but record in 1080p60) because 6Mbps just isn't enough bandwidth for that much motion at a decent encoding quality in 1080p. another solution is to create a static 1080p overlay and have a downscaled version of your master visual embedded in it - that way, the encoder has less to do and you can still push 1080p. personally I prefer the former, but both options are worth exploring.

my suggestion setup-wise is that you keep your M1 mac for the audio part, but consider a laptop with an RTX 30x0 GPU for the audio-reactive stuff. it will absolutely wipe the floor with the M1 in terms of graphics processing, plus the NVENC hardware encoder outperforms everything including an ATEM in terms of quality and doesn't impact regular GPU processing (it's a separate chip). this will allow you to push the level of live visuals further, and also give you better redundancy for your streams. you can still record with your cameras in 4K60, and then render the audio-responsive stuff offline for YouTube.

but those are just my thoughts, not absolute universal truth - you're smart, I'm sure you'll figure out what works best for you.

 

here's a slightly better mix than the previous one as I said, the selection is always random, but this one turned out really good overall. if I do say so myself. and I do say so myself, shamelessly