As you may or may not be aware, it's new product season! Amongst the many next generation hardware/software products that are about to drop, one of the most exciting has to be the new Traktor interface, salubriously named Traktor Pro.
And doesn't it just look shiny and impressive. And I don't just mean the enthusiasm with which the Grandmaster Flash talks in the commercials.
Quickly for those who haven't used a Traktor program before, Traktor is one of the top of the line digital audio DJ solutions, allowing you to directly DJ across four (1,2,3,4) digital decks directly from your mp3's on your laptop. You can control the program by using a time coded (i.e. special) vinyl from your existing turntable rig (this is the 'Scratch' software) or completely using midi control. There are almost limitless hybrid combinations between the two control formats (you only have to look at a modern mixer to see the possibilities) and dare I say, this is where the fun really begins.
So what's new about this version?
First up, completely redesigned GUI (the screen you look at). Bigger fonts, better contrast colours to make it easier to see (though possibly not as pretty to look at, a very good idea for badly lit environments like DJ booths), the new Crate Flick function, which is like the cover flow on iTunes so you can see the record art along with the track info when picking tracks (very useful if you're visual person like I) and all your decks/track list/and FX information condensed onto the one screen. No more flicking through that drop bar of layout preferences.
More FX! Traktor have always lead their competition in terms of software effects options and the new version has taken the FX capabilities too the next level. You now get 21 high powered digital effects, digitally synced to your tracks opening up a wide range of interpretive possibilities with the full bag of tricks in terms of delays, reverbs, beat pushers, phasers, flangers etc. etc.
Looping. Fact. With mp3's it's easy to loop sections. Fact. With four decks you can run four loops from four tracks. Fact. This sounds cool and looks impressive. By the looks of it Traktor have really tightened up their algorithms for beat matching, now offering glitch less quantized punches for your looping pleasure. In many ways this is the cutting edge of modern DJing, allowing you to effectively produce new unique remixes on the fly, sampling, looping and re-arranging from literally anywhere and everywhere.
If you have time and you're this way inclined, I highly suggest you check out the very illuminating tutorial and demo videos on the Native Instruments website. I'm sure it'll have your head spinning with the possibilities! Or at the very least, the Grandmaster is uber cool.
Link is here.
Thanks Matt,
Spank! Records.
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