Traktor Pro 4 decks and mixer channels | Native Instruments

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the deck and mixer channels in Traktor Pro 4. For the best possible overview, it is recommended to switch to full-screen mode.

Loading a Track

To begin, let's load a song from the browser into one of the decks by using drag and drop. Simply click on the track and drag it to Deck A. You will see that the album cover and all relevant track information appear clearly in the top left corner of the deck.

You can customize the display of track information by navigating to Preferences -> Track Decks. Here, you will find options to change various aspects of the deck header. For instance, you can change the label to show the original key of the song.

Customizing the Deck Header

Under the deck header options, you can customize elements such as color mode. Currently, the default is set to Spectrum, which visually represents different transients in the song. However, you can opt for other modes like Ultraviolet or X-Ray.

In the track deck, you will notice the B-grid displayed in beats and bars, with the thicker markers indicating bars and thinner dim ones representing beats. Traktor automatically detects the BPM of your track upon import and sets the beat grid accordingly.

Scratching and Track Navigation

You can scratch the track by grabbing the waveform with your mouse, imitating the feel of a vinyl record. The overview strip allows you to skip through the track in full measures while it is playing.

When you hit play, you can adjust the playback tempo using the tempo slider, which sends your track through tempo changes as if you were manipulating a vinyl record. To reset the tempo back to its original, simply double-click. If you wish to avoid pitch changes while adjusting tempo, enable the Key Lock feature.

Hot Cues and Loop Management

Access your stored hot cues within the Q tab. To add another cue, simply set it before the downbeat. With the Snap feature disabled, you can place a cue anywhere on the track. However, with Snap enabled, cues will align with the nearest beat.

To activate stored loops, use the loop activation button. This will allow automatic looping once the play position reaches the stored loop point.

Moving over to the Move tab, the Beat Jump feature permits precise jumps forward or backward in the track, enabling real-time modification of its length or sections.

Mixer Channels

Let's begin shaping our track using the mixer. The track faders in the middle allow for fading the track in and out. Below the faders, the crossfader determines how audio is routed to the master output. Depending on its position, you will hear either Deck A or Deck B.

To enhance your sound, you can adjust the EQ settings, allowing you to boost or cut different frequency ranges. If necessary, you can reset the EQ by double-clicking.

The filter effects are adjustable as well; you can choose from various effects to customize your sound. In the preferences under the mixer tab, you can modify EQ curves and add more effects. Additionally, the key control enables you to change the key without affecting tempo.

Level Meters and Gain Control

Traktor’s level meters show the track level after channel faders are set to maximum. This is helpful during transitions, as you can visualize the maximum output level expected once the fader is at full.

You can adjust the track’s output gain, which is sent to the master, using the gain knob. Double-click to quickly reset to the default level. Traktor also calculates an auto-gain value during track analysis on import, minimizing the need for manual adjustments.

The above functionalities provide an extensive overview of the Decks and Mixer channels within Traktor Pro 4.

Keyword
Traktor Pro 4, decks, mixer channels, loading a track, customizing deck header, BPM, scratching, hot cues, loop management, mixer, EQ, filters, level meters, gain control.

FAQ

1. How do I load a track in Traktor Pro 4?
You can load a track by dragging and dropping it from the browser into one of the decks.

2. What does the Key Lock feature do?
The Key Lock feature allows you to change the tempo of a track while maintaining its original pitch.

3. How can I manage hot cues?
Hot cues can be managed in the Q tab, where you can add, trigger, and delete cues as needed.

4. What is the purpose of the Beat Jump feature?
The Beat Jump feature allows you to make precise jumps forward or backward in the track during playback.

5. How can I adjust the EQ settings?
You can adjust EQ settings using the mixer in Traktor, where you can boost or cut different frequency ranges as required.