Considering Native Instruments' (NI) pedigree of groundbreaking software synthesizers, samplers and drum machines, Traktor has always been the one product that never fired on all cylinders. The processor hungry application often provided jittery playback, even with the latest computers, and the mixing environment looked more apropos for flying a F-16 fighter jet, then DJing. If Traktor was released by a small manufacturer, it's very doubtful the software would have made it to version 2. However, with Native's reputation, distribution network and promotion machine, not to mention very little competition when Traktor first bowed, the software was adopted by computer DJs around the world.
Traktor 3's new resizable and customizable interface.
The aforementioned deficits notwithstanding, the biggest problem we had here at Futuremusic was that Native didn't take the DJ paradigm to the next level. This is Native Instruments we're talking about. The same company that brought us Reaktor and Absynth. Why was Traktor such a dog? No innovative interface. No mind-melting, beat synchronized effects. No rock-solid playback and mixing. Well NI aims to meet the demands of their users, not only because they want to, but because they have to...
Traktor is not only a stand-alone application for computer DJing, but it also is the software behind Final Scratch and Beatport's free DJ platform. NI had to kick it into gear because the underdogs were catching up and even surpassing Traktor. The biggest ass-kicking Traktor received was from Serato's Scratch Live. Serato's dynamic software component didn't nearly have the bells and whistles of Traktor, but it was robust, stable and demonstrated what a provocative and useful graphical DJ interface could be in a software environment. Serato positioned the waveforms from the two sources next to each other like the double yellow lines on a highway, something that escaped PCDJ, Traktor and other DJ software applications, yet is so obviously useful that this attribute alone made Serato the sleeper hit of the industry. Now, DJs could visually, as well as aurally mix music. It was just this type of paradigm shift that really should have come from an innovator like Native Instruments, but it didn't, and hopefully it was just the wake-up call they needed.
The Native Instruments press release of the new features and upgrades in Traktor read like a laundry list of improvements that every serious mixologist would have insisted on for the next version. The first action-item, that actually will be met with audible cheers from prior Traktor users, is the ability to resize and even customize the interface. The interface is now fully resizable and will be able to adapt to any screen size and aspect ratio. NI has grouped individual elements, such as the EQ section, Cueing, Looping and other facets into what it calls "control modules." The DJ will now be able to place each of these control modules in a custom configuration based on his/her style.
Number two on the list of must improvements was the addition of more sound sources, and NI delivered. Traktor now offers four, full-featured playback decks. Now DJs can mix four sources simultaneously and creatively integrate loops and samples for remixing on the fly. Sweet!
Each of the four decks in Traktor DJ Studio 3 is fully equipped with zoomable waveform displays, comprehensive cueing and looping, and Traktor's time stretching algorithm providing excellent audio quality even when pushed beyond normal limits.
Effects is where Traktor really fell short. A respectable sounding, but convoluted Filter effect is all that Traktor offered, and we were left scratching our heads why a software application would leave us wanting in an area where it could easily trump hardware. Truth is, effects are dangerous territory - a minefield where a simple misstep could easily result in an overblown and obvious mix. However, certain taming attributes like wet/dry parameters, which are costly trimmings in hardware, could easily be instituted in a software interface. However, NI's engineers were tackled in the backfield when they got the ball. An unfriendly Filter effect is not what we expected, and NI failed to shine by taking beat synchronized effects to the next level. Thus, a new Effects section came in on our list at number three.
In their announcement NI states that it completely revamped the effects section and Traktor now offers an "arsenal" of beat-synchronized performance effects. NI added a new high-quality Filter, a Beat Masher, a Flanger, a Delay and several Reverb effects which can instantly be sync'd with the music with a click of a button. The effects can also be inserted on individual channels and/or the master section of the mixer.
Coming in at number four on our wish list was surround sound implementation. Native Instruments has implemented surround very effectively on the most recent updates of Absynth and Reaktor, but unfortunately Traktor will not have that ability. Considering the possibilities, it's really a shame.
A close up of Traktor 3's new DJ Deck - Notice the Xone EQ on the left
Native Instruments did surprise us with a couple of provocative new features. First off, is the emulation of the mixer section of the Allen & Heath Xone:92 mixer. This premium DJ mixer is a favorite of hardcore mixers and features tasty 4-band EQ and a killer Filter section. NI worked directly with Allen & Heath to accurately model the characteristics of this premium mixer right down to the channel fader and cross fader behavior. In addition, Traktor can also replicate the EQ sections of the Pioneer DJM-600 and the Ecler Nuo4, and I'm sure we'll see other popular mixers emulated in future updates.
Native Instruments also implemented macros in this version of Traktor. Multiple parameter changes can now be recorded and then instantly replayed with the click of a button. Intricate knob and fader movements can now be accessed anytime during a mix to create spectacular performances without breaking a sweat. That' what we're talkin' about!
Beatport.com's online record store built right in!
Native Instruments has also fully implemented Beatport's online dance music store into Traktor 3. The complete Beatport catalog of over 1200 labels from around the world can now be accessed directly within the browser section of Traktor, allowing DJs to preview and purchase the latest club music releases. This is enormous and will be bookmarked by digital music industry watchers as a major paradigm shift. This union of NI and Beatport is the first major implementation of a digital music store from within the interface of an application. Beatport was already two generations ahead of their competition. This could push them into the stratosphere.
From the looks of things, this appears to be the Traktor we've all been waiting for. Years of exasperation and cursing may have finally created a program that brings computer mixing into the new millennium. We always knew NI could pull this off and now we'll just have to wait until November to give Traktor a true TestDrive.
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