Native Instrument’s Traktor 3 DJ Studio

Traktor 3 DJ Studio reviewed in the Technofile by MC Rebbe The Rapping RabbiRumours of the death of vinyl used to be greatly exaggerated. Not anymore. None of my superstar DJ friends want the hassle of  dragging a box of records (or even CDs) with them everywhere they fly, with all the inherent risks of precious and irreplaceable vinyl getting damaged, lost  and delayed, when they can simply fling a laptop in a bag…especially now that downloading is the new…Rock ‘n’ Roll.

If you want to join them and the rest of the digital DJ massive, Native Instruments Traktor  is one of three major software packages suitable for the job. As experts in modelling,  it’s hardly surprising that NI’s approach to computer DJing has been to create a virtual four deck DJ setup built around a top of the range Allen & Heath Xone: 92 mixer, forensically modelled right down to the adjustable cross-fader curve noch.

To this they’ve added a ‘details’ section with four tabbed mini windows worth of sub panels for control of looping, cue point editing, deck assignment, etc. and an iTunes style browser that can display, search for and sort tracks by numerous  metadata categories and which, at the click of a virtual button, transforms into a conduit to preview,  purchase and download dance music direct from Beatport…meaning that, in theory, the next time someone asks you for a special request, you could download it via WiFi, mid set…unless, of course, it’s Spandau Ballet…

Nice one! As is the browser, which allows you to set up multiple playlists, browse your hard disc(s), import from iTunes, and drag and drop tracks onto your decks.

In modelling the DJ experience, NI have left practically no stone unturned. CD and Vinyl emulation modes allow scratching, spinback and CD stutter effects (but no reverse play). Beat jumping, instant looping and the ability to store up to ten loops per track makes remixing on the fly easy and spontaneous. You can swap the mixer’s EQ section with modelled versions of the EQ sections from a Pioneer DJM-600 or an  Ecler Nuo4. There’s six different effects including two filters, a delay, a reverb, a flanger and NI’s own ‘Beat Masher’ (which is a personal fave) and you can setup your soundcard for separate main, cue (headphone) and booth outputs.

Traktor 3 DJ Studio reviewed in the Technofile by MC Rebbe The Rapping Rabbi

There’s even a talk over button that, in theory, offers auto ducking when you route a mic through your soundcard. In practice though, this feature is a little ‘buggy’, which is a bit of a missed opportunity, as, with a little fine tuning/extra functionality, Traktor would be a great solution for podcasters as well as for DJs.

Instead of having a fixed GUI, there’s ten different four/two deck layouts to choose from and NI encourage you to customize these to suit your working methods.

Having spent a little while familiarising myself with Traktor’s controls, I took it for a virtual spin at a couple of events at which I was DJing. Needless to say it proved itself worthy, both on the usability and stability fronts.

Whether it’s the right solution for you, depends very much upon your DJing paradigm. If you’re an old school DJ who is used to decks and a mixer, Traktor offers you a quick and painless route to going digital, though do bear in mind that if you scratch, hardware controllers are an absolute must. If you’re more of a DJ/producer, who wants multi effects, forensic control over your loops and breaks, rewireability, more than four ‘tracks’ and ironically, the facility to use plugins from companies such as Native Instruments, you’ll most likely prefer Ableton Live, though do bear in mind that Live does not currently offer scratching, deck integration, or Traktor’s excellent browser interface. If only Traktor was available as a plug in…!

MC rebbe The Rapping Rabbi awards 4 bagels to Traktor 3 DJ Studio in The Technofile

More info: http://www.native-instruments.com

 

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