djsoftware.com.au –

---

After a short period of sort-of-but-not-really teasing their new and immensely long awaited MIDI controller, Native Instruments are happy to officially announce the Traktor Kontrol X1. Geared very specifically at Traktor users, this also doubles as a regular MIDI controller for other applications too. Indeed, it comes with Scratch Live compatibility out of the box. Imagine that.

UPDATE: UK Price £179 and £35 for the bag/stand.

One of my real problems with MIDI is the plug and hope architecture. We live in an age where things should just work rather than be told what to do. So getting something like the Kontrol X1 that shouldn’t need any bullying to get to play nice with my software is a real draw. One day, I’ll do a proper write up of my own auto mapping idea too – it’s a corker.

Anyways, full info follows:

Native Instruments Announces TRAKTOR KONTROL X1

Compact professional two-deck DJ controller gives intuitive control
over essential functions of TRAKTOR and Serato Scratch Live™

Berlin, November 3rd, 2009 – Native Instruments today announced TRAKTOR KONTROL X1, a highly functional performance controller that gives DJs immediate hands-on control over vital aspects of their performance. Designed by the team behind the groundbreaking TRAKTOR DJ platform, the compact KONTROL X1 offers an unprecedented level of integration with the latest TRAKTOR generation for maximum performance and ease-of-use, and can also efficiently control any MIDI-compatible DJ software on the market.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 provides DJs of all styles and genres with a highly efficient and intuitive way to control loop, cue, effect, track selection and transport functions of their system. The unit accommodates the two most common digital DJing paradigms – it ideally complements a typical timecode-controlled TRAKTOR SCRATCH setup consisting of a hardware mixer, turntables or CD decks, and also excels as a selfcontained controller for DJs who play beat-gridded tracks with the
TRAKTOR software and mix externally. Two X1 units can also easily be combined into a four-deck setup that controls all decks and effect units of TRAKTOR PRO or TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO simultaneously.

The functionality and layout of TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 was carefully engineered and fine-tuned based on extensive artist feedback and usability testing in order to combine a versatile feature set with maximum ease of use. The unit is equipped with precise and durable high-quality buttons, knobs and encoders, complemented by dynamic colored backlighting for additional visual feedback. The X1 integrates with the TRAKTOR software through a dedicated high-resolution protocol, resulting in a level of precision and responsiveness beyond what regular MIDI-based controllers can provide, and allowing for true plug-and-play operation with no setup or specific configuration required.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 has been specifically designed for heavy-duty usage in performance environments. Its compact casing is both robust and lightweight for high portability, and the special vertical form factor makes the unit fit seamlessly within a typical club setup. The optional high-quality carrying bag for the X1 doubles as a versatile stand that conveniently raises the controller surface to match the height of typical DJ mixers.

Beyond TRAKTOR, the KONTROL X1 can be used to efficiently control any MIDI-compatible DVS, DJ software or music performance application. The optional MIDI mode of the controller can be engaged on the fly via a dedicated button on the unit. The X1 also comes with a carefully designed set of parameter assignments for the Serato Scratch Live™ system, matching the relevant features of the software to the controller in an ideal way without any individual setup effort. A special Serato Scratch Live™ overlay for the X1 is also available.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 also ships with TRAKTOR LE, a basic version of the TRAKTOR PRO software that provides two decks with essential looping, effects and mixing features, turning X1 into a complete entry level solution for digital DJing. Owners of TRAKTOR LE can upgrade to the full-featured TRAKTOR PRO software for a special discounted price at any time.

Pricing and availability

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 will be available in February 2010 for a suggested price of $229 / 199 €. The carrying bag / stand for TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 will be available for $49 / 39 €.

Further product information and press material

Additional information on TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 is available at www.native-instruments.com/traktorkontrolx1.info

And all being well, I’ll get to fondle one for a short time on Thrsday and will return with pics and maybe even video. And you just know I’ll take some killer studio shots of this too in due course. Flashy blinky lights make me grab my camera…

THANKS AGAIN TO SKRATCHWORX.COM FOR THE WRITE – UP.

Her’s a nice little video to get newbies up and running with thier new Traktor Pro setup..

a note from the editor..

Timecode records are an amazing technology but sometimes their performance can be a fickle beast. DVS systems like serato and traktor scratch are subject to a wide number of variables including noise interference, cartridge quality and turntable calibration just to name a few. Its not uncommon to show up to a club and find one turntable is barely working with only a few minutes to trouble shoot before your set. For this reason I personally prefer the reliability of midi but turntable lovers must be able to diagnose timecode problems quickly and accurately. In this article Ranier, the author of the Traktor bible, will show you how to correctly identify almost all possible timecode problems.

TIMECODE BASICS

The magic of using timecode to control Traktor results from the interplay between the timcode decoder inside Traktor and the data format on the timecode media. This article covers the practical aspects and explains how to use the calibration feature to detect, analyze and solve timecode problems. Part 2 (to be published Friday) explains what’s inside the timecode signal and how Traktor extracts the contained information to control the deck playback.

If you are spinning with timecode then you should display the scratch panels for two reasons. One reason is that the scratch panel contains the RST button; this is the button you need to calibrate your decks with. The other reason is that scope view offers valuable information that can help solve timecode related problems.

Activating Scratch Panels in Traktor Scratch Pro

To do this open the dialog Preferences/Deck Details and activate the Scratch Panels with the check box for the decks with which you are using timecode. Scratch panels are always activated for two adjacent decks (i.e. A&B, C&D). The visibility of the scratch panels can only be set in this dialog. Traktor does not provide a MIDI command to do this. The Scratch Panels setting is stored within the layout definitions.

Activating Scratch Panels in Traktor Scratch Duo

Traktor Scratch Duo offers no direct way to activate the Scratch Panels. This can only be done by using the layout selector in the Traktor header and selecting the appropriate layout. There are two layouts where the scratch panels are enabled.
Those are: Ext. Mixer (Sync) and Ext. Mixer (Scope). If your layout selection list offers different layouts you need to start the Setup Wizard (click its command in menu Help). Select No or Other Controllers in the upper list of the Wizard and Traktor Scratch – A4DJ in the lower list. After clicking Apply the Wizard rebuilds the layouts you need to activate the scratch panels.

Scratch Panels: Vinyl View and Scope View

The scratch panels offer two different views: the vinyl mode and the scope mode. In vinyl mode (sticker view) the scratch panel looks like the adjoining figure. Vinyl mode shows a “virtual” vinyl or compact disc: the disc rotates if the deck is receiving timecode signals form the turntable or CD player. The direction and speed that the “virtual” vinyl is rotating corresponds to the direction and speed that the timecode vinyl or timecode cd is turning. (Part 2 of this series explains how Traktor detects this information.)

Click the scratch panel to switch between vinyl view and scope view. In scope mode the scratch panel displays information about the signal that the timecode decoder receives from the turntable or CDJ player. And: Scope mode displays the most important button when using timecode: the RST button. Clicking the RST button calibrates the deck. More information about calibrating can be found further down.

The Calibration Circle

The scope mode is an important source of information for detecting, analysing and solving problems with timecode control. The following table shows how the scope mode can look like and explains what to do to solve possible problems.

	This is how the calibration circle looks with timecode vinyl if everything is okay. Traktor displays information about the detected medium in the lower part of the panel (here the 15 minute side of the vinyl).
	This is how the calibration circle looks with timecode CD if everything is okay. Traktor displays information about the detected medium in the lower part of the panel (here CD).
	Traktor is waiting for the timecode signal. This is a normal message and we don’t need to be worried. This scope is shown, for example if the needle is lifted from the vinyl.
	The scratch functionality is deactivated. Reason is in 99% of all cases that in Audio Setup an audio interface has been selected, which is incompatible with Traktor Scratch. Solution: Open dialog Preferences/Audio Setup and select an audio interface compatible with Traktor Scratch.
	Traktor receives a timecode signal from a timecode CD, but the input mode for Audio 8/4 DJ is set to Timecode Vinyl. Solution: Set the input mode on Audio 8 DJ to Timecode CD/Line; set the input mode on the Audio 4 DJ to Line (CD Control).
	Traktor receives a timecode signal from timecode vinyl, but the input mode for Audio 8/4 DJ is set to CD-Control. You can see a very small circle in the middle of the scope. It can be larger than in this figure if the cartridge has a high output level. Solution: Set the input mode on Audio 8 DJ to Timecode Vinyl; set the input mode on the Audio 4 DJ to Vinyl Control.
	Traktor has detected the control medium (vinyl, 15 minutes side), but it only receives the right channel; the left channel is missing. Solution: Check the cabling and check the cartridge connec-tions.
	Traktor has detected the control medium (CD), but in this figure the right channel is missing. Solution: Check the cabling and check the cartridge connections.
	This is how the scope view looks if a deck receives a normal audio signal and not a timecode signal.
	Traktor has detected the timecode medium (here vinyl), but the medium is skipping. If you are using vinyl check if the needle needs cleaning.
	Traktor receives a timecode signal from timecode vinyl, but the calibration circle isn’t really a circle. This happens when the balancing weight of the pick-up arm isn’t properly configured. Solution: Check if the zero marker of the balancing weight is properly configured. Check it the balancing weight itself it set to the correct value.
	Traktor receives a signal from timecode vinyl, and again the calibration circle isn’t really a circle. You also get this kind of view if the balancing weight of the pick-up arm isn’t properly configured and if the anti-skating wheel is set to 0. Solution: First check the balancing weight. Then set the anti-skating wheel to the same value as the stylus force.
	This is how the scope view can look like if both cables have been removed. Traktor receives interferences only. Solution: Check cabling.
	And here is space left for your figure, if I still have forgotten one of the views.

Calibrating

The scope view contains a button labelled RST (Reset, the official manual calls this the ON button). This button starts the timecode calibration of the deck.

When using timecode there are five important rules. These are:

• Calibrate your decks every time you start a new Traktor session. (This is a rule without any exception.)
• Calibrate your decks every time you change the input mode – this reinitialises the timecode decoder and it detects the proper timecode medium. (This is another rule without any exception.)
• Calibrate your decks every time after you switch between using normal records/audio CDs and using timecode vinyl/timecode CDs. (This again is a rule without any exception.)
• Calibrate your decks every time you change the cabling – this can help solve the issue where the tracks are playing backwards. (This again is a rule without any exception.)
• Calibrate your decks every time there is a timecode related problem and check how the scope looks by using the previous overview. (I guess you expect it now: This again is a rule without any exception.)

When a deck is calibrated Traktor analyses the incoming timecode signal. It detects the medium type (vinyl, CD) and whether both the left and right channels are connected. To repeat: You must calibrate every timecode deck every time you start up Traktor (if you want to use timecode control). This helps in detect-ing potential problems early. Additionally you cannot switch to absolute tracking mode if the decks aren’t calibrated.

HOW TO CALIBRATE

1. Open the scratch panel and switch to scope mode.
2. Drop the needle onto the timecode vinyl or start playback of the timecode CD.
3. Click the RST button. The calibration process only takes some seconds. During the calibration the yellow bar at the right side of the scope view raises.
4. Check if the calibration circle is okay. Also check if Traktor is displaying an error or warning message in the lower part of the scope view. In this case use the table on the previous pages to solve this issue.

Also you can use the MIDI command that corresponds to the RST button to calibrate your decks. The command is: Timecode | Calibrate.

Rainer G. Haselier is the author of the “Traktor Pro Bible“

Cheers again to DJTECHTOOLS!