WINNER OF THE DJMAG.COM TECH AWARDS WORLD'S BEST DIGITAL DJ SYSTEM AWARD!

Native Instruments has announced Traktor Pro and Traktor Scratch Pro, the next versions of its digital DJ solutions with MIDI and time-code control. Traktor Pro touts four full-featured decks, extensive sound shaping and MIDI control options.

The new Traktor Scratch Pro combines the full-featured Traktor Pro software with the Audio 8 DJ interface and a set of high-resolution time-code records and CDs for responsive hands-on control through turntables and CD decks. Traktor Pro introduces a new graphical user interface that includes a completely scalable screen layout and cover artwork support including the Crate Flick” feature that allows DJs to visually browse their music library.

There are also advanced syncing functions in Traktor Pro. Precise beat grids are now created automatically for all tracks, and the “Sync Lock” function is designed to ensure that even multiple decks and tempo-synced effects never drift out of sync. New “quantized navigation” also allows DJs to jump between loops, cue points or any other part of a track without missing a beat.

Traktor Pro also sports a performance effects section. Two separate multi-effect units offer more than 20 studio-quality algorithms, from a full range of standard DJ effects to a selection of unusual effect types like Mulholland Drive, Iceverb and Reverse Grain. Up to six effects can be chained and freely assigned to any number of decks at any time.

Traktor Pro offers MIDI controller integration, and comes with mappings for all relevant DJ controllers on the market, according to the folks at Native Instruments. New “MIDI modifier” functionality provides even finer performance control, allowing for dynamic and multi-layered knob and fader assignments, on-the-fly adjustments of parameter resolution and more, they add. What’s more, new extended MIDI sync features let users integrate outboard gear like drum machines and software sequencers into the mix.

With the new generation of Traktor, the integration with the leading dance music download store Beatport is also enhanced. Starting in 2009, all new releases on Beatport will come with Traktor metadata, enabling DJs to add newly purchased tracks to their collection without any additional preparation time.

Further imProvements in Traktor Pro and Traktor Scratch Pro include incremental track search, portable collection and setting files, dedicated key correction and filter sections for each deck, an included library of loops, FX sounds and Scratch files as well as full compatibility with the latest 64-bit Mac OS X and Windows operating systems.

Traktor Pro is expected to ship on November 1st 2008; arriving at the same time will be Traktor Scratch Pro, a bundle of Traktor Pro with the Audio 8 DJ interface and a collection of time-code records and CDs. people who already own Traktor Scratch and Traktor 3 will get a free software upgrade.

Native Instruments has just announced TRAKTOR PRO and TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO, the next versions of its groundbreaking digital DJ solutions with MIDI and time-code control. Based on years of software evolution, the latest TRAKTOR generation offers superior creative workflow, an extremely functional user interface, powerful sound shaping features, advanced syncing and control functions, and much more. TRAKTOR PRO and TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO were designed with a strong focus on efficiency and ease-of-use, making them outstanding performance tools for DJs of all styles and experience levels.

With computer-based DJing solutions finally established as a standard, TRAKTOR PRO and TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO now set the new benchmark in professional DJ technology. With four full-featured decks and extensive sound shaping and MIDI control options, TRAKTOR PRO strengthens its position as the leading DJ software, ready to be complemented with the huge available range of DJ controllers on the market. The new TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO combines the full-featured TRAKTOR PRO software with the acclaimed AUDIO 8 DJ interface and a set of high-resolution time-code records and CDs for extremely responsive hands-on control through turntables and CD decks.

TRAKTOR PRO introduces a new, highly optimized GUI that combines forward-thinking software interface design with familiar and highly efficient workflows established by popular DJ hardware. The concise, completely scalable screen layout with clear, high-contrast elements results in an interface that is highly convenient to work with under all conditions. All crucial performance functions like cueing and looping have been revised and refined in TRAKTOR PRO for fast and intuitive handling in a performance situation, while extensive cover artwork support including the innovative "Crate Flick" feature allows DJs to visually browse their music library in a new and especially efficient way.

Advanced syncing functions in TRAKTOR PRO give DJs more time to focus on the creative aspects of their performance. Precise beat grids are now created automatically for all tracks, and the "Sync Lock" function makes sure that even multiple decks and tempo-synced effects never drift out of sync. New "quantized navigation" also allows DJs to seamlessly jump between loops, cue points or any other part of a track without missing a beat, offering huge potential for the spontaneous rearranging of entire tracks, beatjuggling and similar techniques.

TRAKTOR PRO also opens up vast new possibilities for creative sound manipulation, with a powerful performance effects section that is both extremely versatile and highly accessible. Two separate multi-effect units offer more than twenty studio-quality algorithms, from a full range of standard DJ effects to a wide selection of unusual effect types like "Mulholland Drive", "Iceverb" and "Reverse Grain" that can easily add a unique sonic twist to every set. Up to six effects can be chained and freely assigned to any number of decks at any time, and can be effortlessly synced to tempo in all circumstances.

To give DJs the maximum level of control over their performance, TRAKTOR PRO offers state-of-the-art MIDI controller integration, and comes with mappings for all relevant DJ controllers on the market. New "MIDI modifier" functionality provides even finer performance control, allowing for dynamic and multi-layered knob and fader assignments, on-the-fly adjustments of parameter resolution and much more. Furthermore, new extended MIDI sync features make it easy to seamlessly integrate outboard gear like drum machines and software sequencers into the mix.

With the new generation of TRAKTOR, the integration with the leading dance music download store Beatport will also be taken to the next level. Starting in 2009, all new releases on Beatport will come with TRAKTOR metadata, enabling DJs to add newly purchased tracks to their collection without any additional preparation time.

Further improvements in TRAKTOR PRO and TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO include incremental track search, portable collection and setting files, dedicated key correction and filter sections for each deck, an included library of loops, FX sounds and scratch files as well as full compatibility with the latest 64-bit Mac OS X and Windows operating systems.

PRODUCT INFORMATION FROM EAN GOLDEN
http://www.djtechtools.com

Native instruments has announced the release of Traktor Pro & Traktor Scratch Pro and will replace Traktor 3 and Traktor Scratch with one unified piece of software. Owners of the audio 8 will still be able to control Traktor Pro via time code but every user will now enjoy the same features and share a common software. The underlining technology behind Traktor has been re-written, unified and improved on a number of different fronts that have resulted in some important changes.

The Big Picture

Unify and simplify seems to have been the mantra for the Dj team at NI and they have succeeded on both fronts. Instead of focusing on radical new features, the team has gone back to the drawing board and re-fined many important aspects of their dj tools. Not only did this mean a unification of their 2 dj products, Traktor and Traktor Scratch, but it also unified how users interact with their software compared to industry standard hardware like the CDJ-1000. The user interface, midi mapping area and many other sections have also been re-tooled to make interacting with this impressively flexible environment less daunting for the beginner and pro alike.

Take a look Inside

The New FX

The most radical feature update you will receive with Traktor Pro is the FX section which has been completely overhauled. Not only do you now have 20 amazing new FX to choose from but a very flexible way of working with them.

Dual FX slots

Instead of a single FX engine per deck you now have 2 dedicated FX slots and any of the 4 decks can be routed to those slots. This means that you can dial in your 2 favorite effect settings and send each decks audio signal to those FX at any time. Since there are more than 20 FX you may want to use more than just 2 at one time. To aid you in that process each deck can run in 2 modes, advanced and easy mode.

Easy and Advanced mode

Advanced mode (on the right) only allows a single effect per slot but enables full control over all 4 parameters in that effect. Easy mode (on the left) give you control over 3 effects per slot but you only have one knob per effect. In what appears to be a nod to controllerism each knob in easy mode controls several parameters and creates a musical interaction as you sweep through the full range. the result is fun, easy and similar to the super knob concept we have been pushing for a while here on the blog.

In addition to the 2 effect slots, every single deck comes equipped with a HI/Lo pass filter. The same technique integrated into our own VCI-100SE but now dedicated to each channel.

Audio Destruction

The new effects do not disappoint with a wide variety of incredible sounding tools that live up to the NI name. Native reached out to Tim Exile, who I interviewed several years ago, to help create several of the patches and the results are fantastic. Layer 6 of these effects on top of each other and you can effectively morph any song into an unrecognizable soup. Those that want the flexibility of VSTs may be left out but will not find themselves short of good options to choose from.

Cue Points

The theory behind cue point creation and management has been re-formated and expanded. The biggest difference you will find is the shift towards the pioneer style of cue point and loop integration. Loops and cue points are stored in the same bucket of 24 slots and then can be mapped to 8 available hot cue pads. The simplification of the interface was a much needed change. Instead of endless panels dedicated to cue points and loops, you now have a unified interface that is always present.

Cover Flow

The integration of cover art into the browsing process and deck headers looks good and only makes me wish that Beatport actually provided art work! Overall, the look and feel of the new interface is very clean, strong and dare we say, Über Deutsch?

The Casualties

As with certain national budgets, when it comes time to strip down to the essentials, some extraneous features eventually find their way into extinction. While some may be disappointed at their loss, the net gain- more stability and greater time spent on other functions, is a reasonable compromise.

So what did you lose?

• master fx (but the same thing can be achieved with the fx slots)
• native mix recorder
• integrated beatport
• various midi mappable controls (some will be missed)
• Your old TKS mappings (Traktor 3 TKS files will not work with Traktor Pro)

The bottom line

• The software will be free for those that own both Traktor 3 and Traktor Scratch.
• available starting November 1st
• Traktor Pro will be 199 Euro/ $229 Dollars, Traktor Scratch Pro will be 599E/ $669 (with audio 8)
• Registered users of Traktor 1,2,3 or Traktor LE can upgrade for 99 Euros/$119 Dollars

And the big question..

Should I upgrade? There are many software companies promising all kinds of new features but few delivering professional, reliable programs that will stand the test of time. While this new version may not unload a laundry list of new toys for you to play with it does continue its development into a mature tool that you can rely on. What your not seeing is the tremendous amount of time and effort put into completely re-writing everything behind the scenes. This version is essentially a brand new piece of software with major improvements to its core functionalities. What does that mean to you?

• Radically improved internal and external SYNC
• a much needed midi programming face lift (less confusing)
• streamlined and more user friendly user interface (no more panels)
• more cue points and hot cue access (CDJ style controls)
• midi pages are replaced by modifiers
• auto beat brid
• improved visibility in the club

6 TRAKTOR PRO tutorial videos:

Part 1: GUI
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=44783378

Part 2: Looping
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=45022547

Part 3: FX Setup
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=45134694

Part 4: FX Demo
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=45136648

Part 5: Crate Flick
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=45137729

Part 6: Four Decks
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=45137889

About Native Instruments
Native Instruments is the pioneer and market leader in the field of software instruments, and one of the key players in the market of computer-based audio production technology. The company’s mission is to develop outstanding musical tools for all styles and genres. The resulting products regularly push technological boundaries and open up new creative horizons for professionals and amateurs alike. Native Instruments opened up the fascinating world of real-time sound synthesis on standard computers in 1996, and today offers an extensive product range for the Instruments, Guitar and DJ markets, designed and developed by three corresponding divisions within the company. Native
Instruments currently employs more than 150 people in its two offices in Berlin and Los Angeles, and works closely with more than 40 international distribution partners to ensure its future growth and
success.

Native Instruments products cannot be returned once the manufacturer's seal has been broken. Any defective merchandise must be dealt with directly through Native Instruments. If a product is found to be defective, you must contact Native Instruments customer support at 866-556-6487 for service.

What is the Educational Edition?

Students, teachers, staff, and schools qualify for Educational Pricing. You will have to verify your status when you purchase the software. Software is Non-Returnable.