x2k Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 I've just got my Z2 and kind of enjoying it but also stressed because the fucking Traktor serial didn't fucking work. Anyway, I'm playing with it in bursts of 30mins in demo mode, coming from Serato there's fucking settings and buttons everywhere. I'm slowly getting to grips with it but wandering if there's any vital settings I should apply (as a scratchy type person). Also, sync, snap & quantize: What's the general opinion? Useful? Turn them all off? They kind of seem fun but then just when I think I got it something fucking syncs to the wrong fucking thing. I just found myself playing hip hop at 187bpm with no fucking idea how to slow it down? Finally, beat grinding business: is it quite accurate or do you generally need to fiddle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rasteri Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Also, sync, snap & quantize: What's the general opinion? Useful? Turn them all off? They kind of seem fun but then just when I think I got it something fucking syncs to the wrong fucking thing. I just found myself playing hip hop at 187bpm with no fucking idea how to slow it down? Depends on your pride level. I only use sync when on technics and I'm mixing tracks outside +-8%. You can override the default BPM by pressing the "TAP" button on the deck in time with the BPM of the track Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x2k Posted January 5, 2015 Author Share Posted January 5, 2015 Depends on your pride level. I only use sync when on technics and I'm mixing tracks outside +-8%. You can override the default BPM by pressing the "TAP" button on the deck in time with the BPM of the track Personally I don't really feel pride is an issue, I feel it's more about getting the most out of what you have. I know I can beat match 2 records together, I've done it for almost 20 years and I'll continue to do it. However, I think the Z2 offers more, factor in the 2 remix decks and you've got quite a lot of power. If I'm mixing and cutting 2 tracks together then sure, I'll definitely have sync off and play the way I used to because it's fun. But I reckon there's a lot of potential extras you can get out of it freeing up some space with sync. This is all theoretical because I've not had a chance to play yet but in my head I see more possibilities there. Will report back one day PS: Thanks for the TAP tip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubba Dutchdj Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Personally I've found Traktors auto beat grid very accurate over last couple years, it will from time to time double or half what it's actually supposed to be, mostly that happens to non 4*4 beat genres like Hip Hop and D&B. If you haven't spotted them yet theres a /2 and *2 button near the beat TAP, use them when Traktor doubles or halfs a tracks BPM. Accurate beat grids are vital for, loops, fx, and copying/truncating tracks to remix decks. It's good practise to lock a grid once you know its tight as future updates of Traktor may try to re-analyse said track. When activated the BPM is locked and a padlock shows up next to the track in the browser window. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x2k Posted January 5, 2015 Author Share Posted January 5, 2015 Accurate beat grids are vital for, loops, fx, and copying/truncating tracks to remix decks. It's good practise to lock a grid once you know its tight as future updates of Traktor may try to re-analyse said track. When activated the BPM is locked and a padlock shows up next to the track in the browser window. Extremely useful tip! Thanks for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHouse Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 How do you like skratching on the Z2? I was dead set purchasing a Rane 57, but the fact it doesn't work with the latest Serato DJ puts me off. Plus, I can cop a new Z2 cheaper than a second-hand 57, so it's making my decision easier. And harder. Haha. Peace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest It'sPhilFromThursdays Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 I grabbed one of these beasts over the christmouth period and have finally moved into modern times by having dvs!!!!!!!!! Jeez, I'm still enjoying that i can drag files and scratch them up like some sort of primative amazon tribesman who's seen a light bulb for the first time. Instant doubles, too! I've barely used anything good on it, yet lulzzzzzzzzz. Get with it grandpa! I have my son, i have. Anyway, Mr JHouse (if that is your real name!) I quite like cutting on it. I use Rockwell's one at the studio as the main mixer i cut on there and having cut on it at home for a good while i say it's tres bon. It's set up on the right and my 56 on the left so i get a good comparison, switching back and forth as i do in my ambi styling. That said, pretty much all modern scratch mixers i've used seem pretty great to me, even an og 06 with the old vca faders, so my bar is perhaps lower than yours. For me, as long as it has a good fader cap and a decent cut i don't really mind about much else. Eq's or a bass cut and some decent ups and i'm happy. BUT NOW MY MIXER FLASHES AT ME LIKE SOME FREAKISH SCRATCH K.I.T. AND I'M SCRATCH MICHAL KNIGHT JUST STUMBLING ROUND PRODDING THE TURBO BOOST BUTTON FRANTICALLY WHENEVER I GET IN TROUBLE!!! It's pretty futuristic and that. I like it very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x2k Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 How do you like skratching on the Z2? I was dead set purchasing a Rane 57, but the fact it doesn't work with the latest Serato DJ puts me off. Plus, I can cop a new Z2 cheaper than a second-hand 57, so it's making my decision easier. And harder. Haha. Peace. Coming from my 56 the innofader certainly feels lighter (not clean my rane for some time mind) and took a little bit of getting used to, liking it now though. On another note, I've just not get my fucking Traktor registered, just phoned NI's use tech support office and they reckon my ticket will get replied to in about 8 fucking days...in this day and age that is fucking ridiculous!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rasteri Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 On another note, I've just not get my fucking Traktor registered, just phoned NI's use tech support office and they reckon my ticket will get replied to in about 8 fucking days...in this day and age that is fucking ridiculous!!! Jesus, no wonder people pirate stuff. I know people who bought a legit copy of Cubase SX3 and ended up going back to the cracked version because it was much quicker/more stable... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Accurate beat grids are vital for, loops, fx, and copying/truncating tracks to remix decks. It's good practise to lock a grid once you know its tight as future updates of Traktor may try to re-analyse said track. When activated the BPM is locked and a padlock shows up next to the track in the browser window. Definitely! Unfortunately, I've not had as much luck as you with the automatic beat gridding. I find that it sucks the vast majority of the time and it leaves me feeling like I did when I had a digital music collection that wasn't properly tagged. It took me literally years to get that in order. If the beat gridding was successful 90+% of the time then I would use the features of Traktor a lot more, but I just can't be arsed to fix all of the janky grids manually. I haven't used the sync feature for regular mixing, but I have used it while pissing about with other things, for example, taking a sample (say, someone singing) and putting it on a loop, then changing the length of that loop, adding effects, scratching the sample - using sync/snap/quantise means that everything stays in time even if you press a button or turn a knob a fraction out of time, and it's nice to be able to hit the sync button to knock things back into line if you scratch the sample and release it slightly out, given that you might be using short loops and you need to correct things as quickly as possible. It's probably the music I play that fucks up the beat gridding. With dance music that has a clear and steady beat it works well, with hip-hop it generally works OK, but with soul/R&B/funk it's shite in my experience and even the first cue point - the automatic one that's supposed to be at the beginning of the track - is out most of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubba Dutchdj Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 It's probably the music I play that fucks up the beat gridding. With dance music that has a clear and steady beat it works well, with hip-hop it generally works OK, but with soul/R&B/funk it's shite in my experience and even the first cue point - the automatic one that's supposed to be at the beginning of the track - is out most of the time. Unless the band has the "exact" clinical timing of a machine, played/band music like soul, funk, Reggae and even vinyl rips of house (especially via 1210's) are impossible to beat grid properly as Traktor doesn't use elastic beat grids to compensate for loose beat time wandering. I play fair a bit of funk, Reggae and dub, to Traktor-fi non grid friendly music I tap tempo, delete the beat grid and lock the bpm. Loops are a bit of ball ache to set up, depending how rigid the band is playing, its feasible to create 4 and 8 beat loops, 16+ is pushing your luck but possible on some tunes. With BPM tapped in, drop a new beat grid at the place where you want a loop to start and from there you'll be able to see what loop sizes you can get away. This opens some tracks or at least a looped part to all beat timed orrientated features, which for the most part could be argued irrelevant to genres that sound better being mixed and cut "old school" way. What I like about Traktor is how you can bend it to your will, patience permitting that is. My mate Skinz has made some wicked funk based remix sets all made from truncating loops from vinyl rips via an F1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x2k Posted January 8, 2015 Author Share Posted January 8, 2015 On another note, I've just not get my fucking Traktor registered, just phoned NI's use tech support office and they reckon my ticket will get replied to in about 8 fucking days...in this day and age that is fucking ridiculous!!! Jesus, no wonder people pirate stuff. I know people who bought a legit copy of Cubase SX3 and ended up going back to the cracked version because it was much quicker/more stable... I've got it sorted now, phoned the Berlin office and they sorted it in about 1 minute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miggydb Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 well i havent read the thread much but, traktor just blow balls straight upits complicated and they're making things complicated that shouldn't be.First time I used a traktor box it just blew me away took me like tons of time having it to work and giving me shit programs like traktor pro vs traktor scratch idegaf.plus given the unfriendly playlist systemcrates are just the way to go! or idk i just might be a serato fan boy. one cent! but z2s are awesome! just map it to serato and youll save more time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansFree Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 (edited) Steve, on 07 Jan 2015 - 1:54 PM, said:Dubba Dutchdj, on 05 Jan 2015 - 8:58 PM, said:Accurate beat grids are vital for, loops, fx, and copying/truncating tracks to remix decks. It's good practise to lock a grid once you know its tight as future updates of Traktor may try to re-analyse said track. When activated the BPM is locked and a padlock shows up next to the track in the browser window.Definitely! Unfortunately, I've not had as much luck as you with the automatic beat gridding. I find that it sucks the vast majority of the time and it leaves me feeling like I did when I had a digital music collection that wasn't properly tagged. It took me literally years to get that in order. If the beat gridding was successful 90+% of the time then I would use the features of Traktor a lot more, but I just can't be arsed to fix all of the janky grids manually.I haven't used the sync feature for regular mixing, but I have used it while pissing about with other things, for example, taking a sample (say, someone singing) and putting it on a loop, then changing the length of that loop, adding effects, scratching the sample - using sync/snap/quantise means that everything stays in time even if you press a button or turn a knob a fraction out of time, and it's nice to be able to hit the sync button to knock things back into line if you scratch the sample and release it slightly out, given that you might be using short loops and you need to correct things as quickly as possible.It's probably the music I play that fucks up the beat gridding. With dance music that has a clear and steady beat it works well, with hip-hop it generally works OK, but with soul/R&B/funk it's shite in my experience and even the first cue point - the automatic one that's supposed to be at the beginning of the track - is out most of the time. Steve, i thought it was just me being blonde. Many many times i've thought about messaging and saying any chance you could beat grid this track for me but thought i should leave you alone. Beat gridding is still on my list stuff to do since i moved to traktor, i've done it with limited success. right here's my ten pence worth.recently bought the Z2 mainly to get Traktor and full midi capabilities. I've had it a few months now after selling my 57sl in order to get the z2. actually was left with some money in my pocket which was nice.Strangely enough i read the manual on Wednesday from start to finish and found a couple of little tricks. 1. if you press shift and sync you can set either A or B to master. can be useful if you switch tracks abit and confuse Traktor on which is the master. (one less use of mouse)2. hold shift and turn effect knob(either A or B) above the on switch will cycle through your effect. (useful)3. when you set a loop which i think you would of worked out by yourself. if you hold shift and move the loop length define knob it will move the loop backwards or forward.4. hold shift and the on/off effect button it changes fx from post fader to i think it's called pre but you get what i'm saying i hope. I've just bought a Maschine Mikro in order to map some of the other functions, but like someone else has said Traktor is a complicated beast. I've finally managed to map some functions but other are stumping me.If i was you play around with the mixer and if required get another midi device to map some further functions. I’ve used the remix decks, and I’m in the process of trying to map them. I’ve not managed to find a way of turning effect section C/D on and away of assigning to diffrent channels yet but will once I get through my list of stuff to learn. Traktor although it can be a pain in the arse, it's made me learn stuff i never would of bothered with. any question feel free to message me i'll be happy to help. Edited January 9, 2015 by HansFree 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 ^^The award for "Worst DV Quoting Skills 2015" is sewn up already. Paul - perhaps you would be so good as to write a guide on the best/quickest/most accurate way to set beat grids manually and/or fix wonky beat grids? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansFree Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 man it's my 8th post and my first quote. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest It'sPhilFromThursdays Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 Paul - perhaps you would be so good as to write a guide on the best/quickest/most accurate way to set beat grids manually and/or fix wonky beat grids? And any other tips you may have would be greatly appreciated for a noob like me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethanol Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 Generally I find traktor analyses and grids the majority of tracks ok but I've always thought a beatgridding mode for traktor would be useful, like being able to view full screen waveforms without all the other buttons and screens getting in the way. I think that was supposed to be one of the good points of the traktor dj ios app, being able to beatgrid on the move and sync up with your laptop later but the feature was pulled due to glitches apparently. Hopefully NI can sort that soon. As far as gridding certain stubborn tracks I do the following,Delete any existing grid with the trash can button.Move the waveform to beginning and find first beat Zoom in and drop a beat marker on beat 1. Most tines this is also my 1st cue point so I also set that and change the cue type to a yellow load cue so it always loads to cue 1.Zoom out againThen using mouse drag the tempo/bpm reading up or down accordingly so that the markers allign roughly on my first 8 bars ( if I'm lucky to get a consistent first 8)Then using the buttons under the beat grid move buttons you can fine tune the grid to fit the beats without moving the first grid marker.(hint. Right click moves faster and a ctrl-click faster still)Hit the padlock button to save. Done. Sometimes I'll add more grid markers further into the track on a one beat at a point in likely to mix out at to make sure my fx are sync'ed but adding loads blocks your waveform view and covers your cue markers so isn't an ideal solution.You can add multiple grid markers but can only have one tempo/bpm per track. Fingers crossed for elastic beatgrids or warping in traktor pro3 when it arrives Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rasteri Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 I know some people import tracks into Ableton, warp everything to a static grid, then import into traktor. Works great apparently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
x2k Posted January 9, 2015 Author Share Posted January 9, 2015 1. if you press shift and sync you can set either A or B to master. can be useful if you switch tracks abit and confuse Traktor on which is the master. (one less use of mouse) 2. hold shift and turn effect knob(either A or B) above the on switch will cycle through your effect. (useful) 3. when you set a loop which i think you would of worked out by yourself. if you hold shift and move the loop length define knob it will move the loop backwards or forward. 4. hold shift and the on/off effect button it changes fx from post fader to i think it's called pre but you get what i'm saying i hope. Nice, 3 & 4 I was aware of but 1 & 2 are nice new things to know! Thanks for that. I've just bought a Maschine Mikro in order to map some of the other functions, but like someone else has said Traktor is a complicated beast. I've finally managed to map some functions but other are stumping me. If i was you play around with the mixer and if required get another midi device to map some further functions. I’ve used the remix decks, and I’m in the process of trying to map them. I have a Maschine MK1 and there are 2 supplied templates - one for controlling normal decks and one for controlling remix decks. I've played with the remix ones and they're ok, considering getting an F1 though. To get the remix decks working with Maschine you load the remix deck template onto Maschine via the Controller Editor and then you can add it as a new controller in Traktor using the Maschine Remix Controller option under NI controllers. Not sure if these exist for the Micro though. I’ve not managed to find a way of turning effect section C/D on and away of assigning to diffrent channels yet but will once I get through my list of stuff to learn. By the looks of it both the F1 and the X1 might be able to do this. Obviously not much help if you want to know how to map it to another controller, but considering the price they're worth considering I reckon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubba Dutchdj Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 There's some solid remix deck maps for Maschine doing the rounds, but when it comes to editing/creating remix sets the F1 covers all basses very intuitively, highly recommended if you wanna dig deeper in to remix sets, I actually prefer the machine map I use for performing with remix decks where as the F1 factory map completely owns editing duties. A couple of things to consider, F1 pads are designed for clip launching rather than finger drumming (easily pos to drum F1 pads but not ideal), also the F1 is looking a bit long in tooth when comparing it to how the new S8 controls remix decks, wouldn't be surprised to see an updated remix deck controller land soon so a 2nd hand F1 may be the way to go depending on your needs. X1 mrk1, they go for around 50 to 80 quid on ebay, IMO the the mrk1 is a far better partnership for a DVS setup than the X1 mrk2. Steve - difficult to add to anything thats already been said in this thread, ultimately Ean Goldens tutorials cover beat griding methods the best I've seen, think he actually did a vid explaining how to set loops on wonky tracks like the method I explained above, I'll try to dig it out. As mentioned I delete beat grids on un quantised/non uniformly timed music, so when playing genres like funk or reggae I treat the tracks as if I'm playing off real records, set the master clock to master tempo and use the master clocks tap tempo sync up fx with playing track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj justin time Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 I have a tip for all you farmers.I use this for classic house sets but I suppose it will work with anything with a bit of key lock.I cant recall another dj doing it but if they have fair play.I came up with the idea after watchin a vid on how to make samples land where u want on a rekkid.It involved ableton and warping and a load of other shite I cant be arsed with. So heres my take on it. 1 load a track into deck a bpm say 128 approx2 move the pitch till u get 133.333make sure sync is enabled in both traks.4 load same track into deck b while vinyl is playin and make sure pitch is at zero ( pitch lock would be advantageous)5 zero the pitch on deck a and reload the track with vinyl playing.6 use cue points to set beat 1 at 12 o clock position on both decks.7 youve done it you now have a house track on both decks with beats 1 2 3 and 4 set at 12 3 6 and 9 oclock. Great for mixing juggling whatever. This enables u to make battle records from any trak on the fly. Its probably been done before??But seeing as I dreamed it up myself im calling it the time warp technique. Any feedback would be appreciated and if its been done before go easy on me ffs !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HansFree Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 Pretty much an instant double if i've read it right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj justin time Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) Yeah hans it gives u a double but set up like a skipless Edited January 26, 2015 by dj justin time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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