Traktor

After years of not releasing any DJ equipment, Native Instruments returned to the game in October and unveiled its Traktor Pro 3 software. It also announced two updated controllers: the Traktor Kontrol S2 and S4.

On this week’s Tips and Tricks, Mojaxx delivers his long-awaited review of the S4 and looks at Traktor Pro 3.

Related: Pioneer DJ Announces XDJ-RR Controller

In the first few episodes of DJcity Latino‘s Consejos y Trucos series, Luis Martinez has reviewed Denon DJ and Pioneer DJ products. Now, he examines one of Native Instruments’ most popular controllers, the Traktor Kontrol X1 Mk2.

Watch his review above.

Spanish translation (traducción en español):

En los primeros episodios de la serie Consejos y Trucos de DJcity Latino, Luis Martínez ha revisado productos de Denon DJ y Pioneer DJ. Ahora, el examina uno de los controladores más populares de Native Instruments, el Traktor Kontrol X1 Mk2.

Mira su review arriba.

Related: Consejos y Trucos: Pioneer DJ TORAIZ SP-16 Sampler Review

UPDATE: Traktor Pro 2.11 is out now. Download it from the Service Center.

DJcityTV’s Mojaxx has provided a first look at the public beta of Native Instruments’ Traktor Pro 2.11. The update introduces hardware support for Pioneer DJ’s CDJ-2000NXS2 and DJM-900NXS2 and Allen & Heath’s Xone:PX5. Other additions include support for Ableton Link and a step sequencer for the Remix Decks.

Watch the video above and sign up for the beta here.

Related: Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S5 Reviewed

69Beats at the Red Bull Thre3style Poland Final in Krakow on May 7, 2016. (Gniewko Głogowski/Red Bull)

Poland’s DJ 69Beats has made a tutorial that explains how to perform advanced tone play routines with Traktor and a piano-like controller. Fans had asked him to shed light on the technique after he won the Red Bull Thre3style Poland Finals in May

The method, which was first introduced in 2010 and recently explained by DJ Rafik, is a crucial breakthrough in tone playing. As 69Beats points out in his video, it is impossible to play certain melodies with traditional DJ controllers due to a limited amount of pads. That, combined with the fact that not all songs are in the same key, has resulted in a prevalence of out-of-tune tone play routines, a topic of criticism in the DJ community.

The technique is also possible with Serato DJ via the Pitch ‘n Time plug-in, as explained in a recent episode of DJcityTV’s Tips & Tricks.

Watch 69Beats’ tutorial and winning Thre3style set below.

Related: MIDI Mapping Pitched Cue Points in Serato DJ

 
Native Instruments’ new Traktor Kontrol S5 controller follows in the footsteps of its relatives, the S8 and D2. It is essentially a more stripped-down and portable version of the larger S8, which despite all its features, is a pain to travel with.
 
Watch Mojaxx’s review of the S5 above in this week’s episode of Tips & Tricks.
 
Related: Native Instruments’ Traktor Kontrol D2 Reviewed

 
Native Instruments has introduced the Traktor Kontrol S5 — a new portable, Stems-ready four-channel DJ system.
 
The modern decks provide the tools for instant edits, mashups, acapellas, and more overall creative control.
 
Some standout features on the system include two high-res displays, touch-sensitive controls, performance modes, and multipurpose touch strips, allowing you to shape your sound.
 
The S5 costs $799 and is available to pre-order on Native Instruments’ website.
 
Related: Shiftee Demonstrates Native Instruments’ Stems

 
We’ve been eager to experiment with Native Instruments’ new Stems file format since it was announced back in March. Now that it’s finally here, DJcityTV’s Mojaxx has been playing with it around the clock.
 
In case you haven’t heard, Stems is Native Instruments’ attempt to create the first format specifically for DJ use. In a nutshell, it enables DJs to mix and blend four elements of a track.
 
DJs and producers will be able to assemble their own files with the Stems Creator Tool, which will be released soon.
 
So far, the only DJ software that supports Stems is Traktor. It’s possible that other companies might support it in the future, though.
 
Watch our review above and let us know if we should carry Stems on DJcity and if you would pay extra for them.
 
Related: Review: Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol D2

 
With Native Instruments’ Stems file format set to launch in August, the company has released a first-look video of the potentially game-changing technology.
 
Announced in March, Stems was developed to help DJs get more creative with their mixes by providing access to the individual elements of songs, like the bass, drums, melody, vocals, etc. The new format enables DJs to create instant track edits, blends, acapellas, and more.
 
Watch the demo above and be on the lookout for Stems in the next version of Traktor Pro 2.
 
Also, stay tuned for a thorough review of Stems from DJcityTV’s Mojaxx.
 
Related: Review: Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol D2

 
Rekord Buddy is a software application that helps DJs sync their music libraries between Traktor and rekordbox. The next version, which is expected to be released sometime this year, will add much-needed support for Serato DJ.
 
DJcityTV’s Mojaxx spoke with Damien Sirkis from Next Audio Labs, the company that makes Rekord Buddy, to find out what to expect from version 2.0 and why it’s taking so long to finish. The interview was filmed at the legendary DJWORX lab in Yorkshire, England.
 
Related: New Video Explores The Evolution of EDM and How Technology Has Changed the Role of DJs

 
Native Instruments is on a mission to be “the future of DJing” and its new Traktor Kontrol D2 controller is part of that plan. A modular version of the deck found on the all-in-one S8 controller, the company designed the D2 to be used alongside existing mixers. DJcityTV’s Mojaxx spent a week with the device to find out what it’s capable of and gave us a full report.
 
Related: Watch Shiftee Use the Traktor Kontrol S8 as a DVS Mixer with Two Turntables