Several emails have landed in my inbox lately asking for ways to use four decks inside Traktor effectively. The obvious use-case is playing four songs simutaniously, but as you will quickly discover, that rarely sounds good. Usually the extra decks are better when employed for specific tasks like ready to go one shot samples. In today’s video, I propose a totally new way of using decks C and D as sample batteries that are layered under your cue points to create a unique audio effect when cue point juggling. In my quest to take controllerism to the next level, this method gets us one step closer to the DJ as an instrumentalist with another layer of expressive voicing.
These techniques were demonstrated on a Midi Fighter Pro—you can get yours in the TechTools store!
That demo was bangin’!
The greedy geniuses at Native Instruments have taken away the mappable sample decks and replaced them with the NON-mappable “remix decks” in Traktor, just to make sure you can’t use your MIDI fighter to do the things shown in this video.
Why?
THE ANSWER IS VERY SIMPLE: GREED
When the geniuses at Native Instruments saw some of the things that were being done with Traktor’s sample decks and hardware like the MIDI Fighter, they decided to come up with their own midi fighter clone and they made sure, no other hardware controller would be able to
compete.. Talk about a conflict of interest.
The new “remix” decks in Traktor 2.5 are not mappable on purpose, so now you have to buy Native Instrument’s overpriced and crappy hardware in order to do what you used to be able to do with Traktor’s sample decks and the much cheaper MIDI Fighter.
Native Instruments has a long history of products line mishaps, like dropping the infamous Kore line, and completely stopping development in Reaktor for several years, only to resurrect the product all of the sudden.
The geniuses running Native Instruments have no clue what they are doing.. they just want to make money any way possible, even if that includes taking features away (like the sample decks) or dropping a product, just so they can make more and more money.
Boycott Native Instruments’s greedy practices and do not buy their overpriced hardware!!
Where can i finde the sampels what you used as cue points? . really love the flow!
Hi, just a little question:
How i can set the decks C & D to sample decks in the DJTT VCI-100 SE?
When I used to use four decks it was for remixing. I’d have two decks with instrumentals, and two decks with a capellas. The way I’d mix songs is that I would blend from instrumental to instrumental during a single a capella, and go from a capella to a capella in one instrumental. I’d really have only at most three songs playing at a time.
Hi!
When you say That playing 4 decks simultaneous rarely sonds good does it mean that a 2 channel controller is enough ? Say a traktor s2 (for example) For playing two Decks And using the 2 extra decks for loops and one shots? Or is it better a 4 channel controller (Say traktor s4 for exemple) even using 2 Of The 4 decks only once and a while?
I’m asking this question because i’m thinking In getting one Of those and i’m not shoore if 4 channels would Bee too much…cause i agree with you: 4 decks simultaneous is too much . And i’m wondering if i can get way with only 2 channells and use The 2 other decks ocasionally for droping an ocasionally loop and one shot/sample. So maybe a 2 channel would be enough with 2 decks for songs and 2 other decks (remixing decks) for The ocasional loop and sample…
(Cause The Price tag In those controllers is significantly different…?)
What are your thoughts on this? Are we letting our selfes get dislumbrated by The “The more The channels The better…” and In The end we end up not using all Of them…and that less is better ? …after all…it all began with 2 turnables only??…
Let us know What you think on this subject…
Thanx!
So looking forward to the new midi fighters:)
Another excellent video Ean. DJTT is helping us evolve into better DJ’s!!
Pretty tight, might actually use this in short-bursts to get some really great crowd interaction…
hehehe…”big sonic mess”. Sounds like a DJ name…not.
Nice!…I love all this stuff but I’m just now getting into it….wow there’s so much you can do now with djing?
Nice!…I love all this stuff but I’m just now getting into it….wow there’s so much you can do now with djing?
Nice!…I love all this stuff but I’m just now getting into it….wow there’s so much you can do now with djing?
Hello Ean and DJTechTools.com team,
I have been watching your videos and reading your articles for a long time now, but I’ve never seen an article or video on how to effectively control Traktor 2 with 2 controllers, like the Traktor Kontrol X1. I know a lot of people use two X1s instead of an S4 controller (huge difference in price being one of the most important factors for this), so making a video like this would be a good alternative to all the usual videos on S4 out there.
What do you think?
MIDI is MIDI, there’s nothing special in how we would map an X1 compared to a VCI-100. I suspect what you’re really asking for a cool, integrated, multi device mapping for your controller. We can suggest workflows but the meat and potatos of each mapping is really something between you and the device manufacturer. DJTT videos just present the frills and bows on top of a solid workflow.
MIDI is MIDI, there’s nothing special in how we would map an X1 compared to a VCI-100. I suspect what you’re really asking for a cool, integrated, multi device mapping for your controller. We can suggest workflows but the meat and potatos of each mapping is really something between you and the device manufacturer. DJTT videos just present the frills and bows on top of a solid workflow.
MIDI is MIDI, there’s nothing special in how we would map an X1 compared to a VCI-100. I suspect what you’re really asking for a cool, integrated, multi device mapping for your controller. We can suggest workflows but the meat and potatos of each mapping is really something between you and the device manufacturer. DJTT videos just present the frills and bows on top of a solid workflow.
Hello Ean and DJTechTools.com team,
I have been watching your videos and reading your articles for a long time now, but I’ve never seen an article or video on how to effectively control Traktor 2 with 2 controllers, like the Traktor Kontrol X1. I know a lot of people use two X1s instead of an S4 controller (huge difference in price being one of the most important factors for this), so making a video like this would be a good alternative to all the usual videos on S4 out there.
What do you think?
Hello Ean and DJTechTools.com team,
I have been watching your videos and reading your articles for a long time now, but I’ve never seen an article or video on how to effectively control Traktor 2 with 2 controllers, like the Traktor Kontrol X1. I know a lot of people use two X1s instead of an S4 controller (huge difference in price being one of the most important factors for this), so making a video like this would be a good alternative to all the usual videos on S4 out there.
What do you think?
Pretty cool tricks, though now something I would normally use live I’m still gonna try it out.
Pretty cool tricks, though now something I would normally use live I’m still gonna try it out.
Pretty cool tricks, though now something I would normally use live I’m still gonna try it out.
These tips and tricks are really nice, but hardly usefull for dj’s amongst us that play EDM sets of 4-8 hours. All this trickery is very short-set based (as is turntablism). It would be nice to have some posts leaning towards sound manipulation and such that would benefit aforementioned long sets.
Still, great source of inspiration.
I agree that longer sets usually call for unique methods but I would respectfully dis-agree with your assumption that this method is for controllerism only. I played a 2 hour EDM set the other night and used this technique twice in the night to spice up the set for a minute and it worked brilliantly
After you get six or so solid controllerism routines that might last a few minutes each you can use them throughout your set and still have time to breathe.
actually Michiel. What you can do is setup a bunch of tracks or samples with saved cue points. Do this in decks C and D. then use the function to SAVE A REMIX SET. and anytime you want to load something new during a long set, you can just import them as different remix sets during your time in the booth. I do this all the time. I have a couple dozen set and ready to load. USing them in different combination is a really cood trick and even though i preped them ahead, i can still EMPTY a slot on the remix decks, and use that BLANK slot to SAVE a loop sample that i am playing LIVE at the club. This allows me to drop in a familiar sound the people heard like 2 songs ago.
These tips and tricks are really nice, but hardly usefull for dj’s amongst us that play EDM sets of 4-8 hours. All this trickery is very short-set based (as is turntablism). It would be nice to have some posts leaning towards sound manipulation and such that would benefit aforementioned long sets.
Still, great source of inspiration.
Dj as a instrumentalist = turntablism (babu dixit).
Controller as a instrumentalist = Controllerism (moldover dixit).
Any tool as a instrumentalism = Tooltablism.
jm2c
Dj as a instrumentalist = turntablism (babu dixit).
Controller as a instrumentalist = Controllerism (moldover dixit).
Any tool as a instrumentalism = Tooltablism.
jm2c
Dude you’ve been trying in vein for a number of years to spread the word of Tooltablism thing you came up with. I get the concept which is cool, as it gets rid of the stupid psychological barriers between controllerism and turntablism.
Sorry I honestly don’t mean to offend but Tooltablism for me is a real naff word that is awkward to pronounce and horrible to hear.
Dude you’ve been trying in vein for a number of years to spread the word of Tooltablism thing you came up with. I get the concept which is cool, as it gets rid of the stupid psychological barriers between controllerism and turntablism.
Sorry I honestly don’t mean to offend but Tooltablism for me is a real naff word that is awkward to pronounce and horrible to hear.
Dude you’ve been trying in vein for a number of years to spread the word of Tooltablism thing you came up with. I get the concept which is cool, as it gets rid of the stupid psychological barriers between controllerism and turntablism.
Sorry I honestly don’t mean to offend but Tooltablism for me is a real naff word that is awkward to pronounce and horrible to hear.
Why not call it Douchetablism? They mean the same thing.
Why not call it Douchetablism? They mean the same thing.
Why not call it Douchetablism? They mean the same thing.
Dj as a instrumentalist = turntablism (babu dixit).
Controller as a instrumentalist = Controllerism (moldover dixit).
Any tool as a instrumentalism = Tooltablism.
jm2c
Great video. I tried an Akai LPD8 and an M-Audio Trigger finger with some basic mapping to control the sample decks, (cues/filters/volume) but I still felt like I wasn’t getting as much as I could out of them.
Your workflow is a lot more efficient. Thanks for figuring it out and posting this.
Great video. I tried an Akai LPD8 and an M-Audio Trigger finger with some basic mapping to control the sample decks, (cues/filters/volume) but I still felt like I wasn’t getting as much as I could out of them.
Your workflow is a lot more efficient. Thanks for figuring it out and posting this.
Great video. I tried an Akai LPD8 and an M-Audio Trigger finger with some basic mapping to control the sample decks, (cues/filters/volume) but I still felt like I wasn’t getting as much as I could out of them.
Your workflow is a lot more efficient. Thanks for figuring it out and posting this.
Damn that is good. This video ain’t good for my wallet…
Damn that is good. This video ain’t good for my wallet…
Damn that is good. This video ain’t good for my wallet…
but how come you say you can’t play play 4 decks with just songs and that it most likely will turn out crap if you have guys like speedy j and chris liebing playing with 4 decks (and most of the times actually using them) and even extra sounds on ableotn and maschine ? and its by far the dopest sound around!!!!
but how come you say you can’t play play 4 decks with just songs and that it most likely will turn out crap if you have guys like speedy j and chris liebing playing with 4 decks (and most of the times actually using them) and even extra sounds on ableotn and maschine ? and its by far the dopest sound around!!!!
but how come you say you can’t play play 4 decks with just songs and that it most likely will turn out crap if you have guys like speedy j and chris liebing playing with 4 decks (and most of the times actually using them) and even extra sounds on ableotn and maschine ? and its by far the dopest sound around!!!!
i think the big picture concept is that if you play four songs with really loud kicks, hi hats and vocals all at the same time, all at the same volume, it will probably be a sonic mess.
If you play four songs that each have a different element be the loudest thing, then it will blend smoother. A kick track, and conga loop, a full synth track with the bass rolled off a little and an acapella would be a 4 track mix that would blend frequencies…. in theory.
or just play Funky Town on top of your mix all night… either would be fine.
Those guys are playing minimal which you can layer to no end.
Awesome vid. Drooling over that pro model though. Moar please!
Awesome vid. Drooling over that pro model though. Moar please!
Awesome vid. Drooling over that pro model though. Moar please!
When are you going to present this sick new midifighters, i hope they dont get so expensive…
When are you going to present this sick new midifighters, i hope they dont get so expensive…
Outstanding video. Great lesson.
Outstanding video. Great lesson.
Outstanding video. Great lesson.
Lemme drop a jewel…
I use C & D to cue in the headphones what song is currently playing.
I do this like so:
Deck A playing Track 1, headphone cue Decks B & D. Deck D playing the end/ blend part of Track 1 with Deck B experimenting new mixes.
Y’all follow me with that one?
“follow me to a place where we can all be free”
Lemme drop a jewel…
I use C & D to cue in the headphones what song is currently playing.
I do this like so:
Deck A playing Track 1, headphone cue Decks B & D. Deck D playing the end/ blend part of Track 1 with Deck B experimenting new mixes.
Y’all follow me with that one?
“follow me to a place where we can all be free”
Lemme drop a jewel…
I use C & D to cue in the headphones what song is currently playing.
I do this like so:
Deck A playing Track 1, headphone cue Decks B & D. Deck D playing the end/ blend part of Track 1 with Deck B experimenting new mixes.
Y’all follow me with that one?
“follow me to a place where we can all be free”
Teasing us with that new midi fighter I see…
Teasing us with that new midi fighter I see…
Teasing us with that new midi fighter I see…
I just wonder if Ean can make an 8 hour set
I just wonder if Ean can make an 8 hour set
I just wonder if Ean can make an 8 hour set
What do you mean by that?
He meant “I wish Ean could make an 8 hour set so I can listen to it during my worktime” I would like it……..
Yeah, you can listen to him at http://soundcloud.com/ean-golden .
Yeah, you can listen to him at http://soundcloud.com/ean-golden .
Yeah, you can listen to him at http://soundcloud.com/ean-golden .
=======================================
To sign up for Facebook, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/r.php?re=effb9e3ede69e137cd16eb271edac7bd&mid=51914bcG5af3b54ee929G0G46 =======================================
Hi,
The following person invited you to be their friend on Facebook:
Spencer Thunderball Thayer (Invite sent: Jul 26, 2011)
Facebook is a great place to keep in touch with friends, post photos, videos and create events. But first you need to join! Sign up today to create a profile and connect with the people you know.
Thanks,
The Facebook Team
To sign up for Facebook, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/r.php?re=effb9e3ede69e137cd16eb271edac7bd&mid=51914bcG5af3b54ee929G0G46
=======================================
The message was sent to If you don’t want to receive these emails from Facebook in the future, please follow the link below to unsubscribe. http://www.facebook.com/o.php?k=fab1f5&u=100002765400361&mid=51914bcG5af3b54ee929G0G46 Facebook, Inc. P.O. Box 10005, Palo Alto, CA 94303
He meant “I wish Ean could make an 8 hour set so I can listen to it during my worktime” I would like it……..
He meant “I wish Ean could make an 8 hour set so I can listen to it during my worktime” I would like it……..
What do you mean by that?
What do you mean by that?
Oh my god….Amazing video Ean. When are the Midi Fighters out?
Oh my god….Amazing video Ean. When are the Midi Fighters out?
Oh my god….Amazing video Ean. When are the Midi Fighters out?
great vid, pretty much covers all the bases of a new mapping idea, new controller, and then the extra step of going into the controller editor and showing the lines there. one of the best vids yet. please continue to show these ideas from all angles this way!
great vid, pretty much covers all the bases of a new mapping idea, new controller, and then the extra step of going into the controller editor and showing the lines there. one of the best vids yet. please continue to show these ideas from all angles this way!
great vid, pretty much covers all the bases of a new mapping idea, new controller, and then the extra step of going into the controller editor and showing the lines there. one of the best vids yet. please continue to show these ideas from all angles this way!
Could you map that with the novation launchpad minus the super faders?
Could you map that with the novation launchpad minus the super faders?
Could you map that with the novation launchpad minus the super faders?
Whats the mixer/midi controller in the back on the right? The silver one?
Whats the mixer/midi controller in the back on the right? The silver one?
Whats the mixer/midi controller in the back on the right? The silver one?
vcm 600
vcm 600
vcm 600
Vestax VCM 600
Vestax VCM 600
Vestax VCM 600
You guys better advance the Instant Gratification mapping to suit one of these new pro versions!
nice
nice
nice
Did something similar in Ableton where the samples deck is connected to a sidechain compressor in Deck A or B. Every time I would hit a sample it would push the sound from the deck down until the sample play is over. More exact but less expressive. This is a good trick. Gonna map it with my nanoKontrol.
Did something similar in Ableton where the samples deck is connected to a sidechain compressor in Deck A or B. Every time I would hit a sample it would push the sound from the deck down until the sample play is over. More exact but less expressive. This is a good trick. Gonna map it with my nanoKontrol.
Did something similar in Ableton where the samples deck is connected to a sidechain compressor in Deck A or B. Every time I would hit a sample it would push the sound from the deck down until the sample play is over. More exact but less expressive. This is a good trick. Gonna map it with my nanoKontrol.
Can you show how us how to make some kind of slip roll’ish fx with 4 decks?
Can you show how us how to make some kind of slip roll’ish fx with 4 decks?
Can you show how us how to make some kind of slip roll’ish fx with 4 decks?