Native Instruments TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Manual
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Native Instruments TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Manual

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Summary of Contents for Native Instruments TRAKTOR KONTROL S3

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents 1. Disclaimer ........................1 2. Welcome to TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 ................. 2 2.1. Document Conventions ..................2 3. Setting up TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 ................3 3.1. Connecting to the Computer ................3 3.2. Connecting an Amplification System ..............3 3.3.
  • Page 3 5.12.6. Cuing the Next Track using the Jog Wheels ......... 33 5.12.7. Mixing in the Next Track ..............34 5.13. Using Flux and Reverse Modes ..............34 5.14. Working with the Preparation List ..............35 5.15. Correcting Beatgrids of Tracks ............... 35...

  • Page 4: Disclaimer

    The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Native Instruments GmbH. The software described by this document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission by Native Instruments GmbH, hereinafter referred to as Native Instruments.

  • Page 5: Welcome To Traktor Kontrol S3

    Welcome to TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 2. WELCOME TO TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Thank you for choosing TRAKTOR KONTROL S3, it is because of customers like you that we can continue developing groundbreaking music software and hardware. TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 is a fully integrated hardware and software DJ performance system tailored for both TRAKTOR PRO 3 and TRAKTOR DJ 2.

  • Page 6: Setting Up Traktor Kontrol S3

    Native Instruments Product using NATIVE ACCESS. This section describes how to set up the TRAKTOR KONTROL S3. When all devices are connec- ted your setup will look like a typical setup as depicted in the following illustration: TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 setup.

  • Page 7: Connecting Monitors For Dj Booth

    Setting up TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 3.3. Connecting Monitors for DJ Booth To connect your monitor speakers or a second power amplifier to the TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 for use in a DJ booth: • Connect the BOOTH OUT outputs on the rear panel of the TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 to the inputs of your monitoring system using appropriate cables.
  • Page 8 Setting up TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 • Click Yes to confirm. The data is imported. Switching to TRAKTOR Default Settings When you start TRAKTOR with the S3 for the first time, TRAKTOR asks if you want to switch Mix- er FX selection and the Tempo fader range to the default setting. This is necessary to get the in- tended user experience of your S3: •...

  • Page 9: Importing Music Into The Track Collection

    Setting up TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 3.7. Importing Music into the Track Collection You can import your music into TRAKTOR's Track Collection in several ways. You can drag and drop your music files from your computer into the Track Collection, you can use the context menu in the Browser tree to import the music from your local music folders, and you can use the context menu to import Remix Sets.

  • Page 10: Traktor Kontrol S3 Overview

    TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Overview 4. TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 OVERVIEW This section introduces you to the TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 and all its control elements and con- nectors. (1) Decks: You can use the Decks to control tracks and Samples, similar to DJ turntables or CD players but with additional features.

  • Page 11: Decks

    TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Overview 4.1. Decks TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 provides you with two physical Decks to control the TRAKTOR Decks. Each Deck provides you with the following control elements: (1) Browse controls: Allow you to scroll through the Track Collection to find and load tracks, as well as previewing tracks and preparing playlists.

  • Page 12: Browse Controls

    TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Overview (6) Pad section: You can use the Pads to store and trigger Cue Points and Loops, and to control Samples and STEM Files. The individual function depends on the selected Pad mode and on the selected Deck Type.

  • Page 13: Pad Section

    ▪ When in SAMPLES mode the Pads control the first four SAMPLE Slots of Remix Decks. 4.2. Mixer Sitting in the middle of the TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 controller, the Mixer receives the audio sig- nals coming from Decks. There is one channel for each Deck. The Mixer’s purpose is to adjust the relative level of each channel to generate the mix that is sent to your audience.
  • Page 14 TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Overview (1) Mixer Channel A, B, C, D: The Mixer channels receive the individual audio signals from the Decks. Each Mixer channel contains controls to adjust the audio signal's frequency content and to adjust the outgoing volume before the audio signal is sent to the MASTER output.
  • Page 15 TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Overview (8) Crossfader: Controls the mix between the Mixer channels’ signals that are assigned to the left crossfader side and the right crossfader side. At each crossfader’s end, the opposite signals are totally silent. Moving the crossfader gradually fades in and fades out the relevant audio signal in...

  • Page 16: Mixer Channel

    TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Overview 4.2.1. Mixer Channel The Mixer channels receive the individual audio signals from the Decks. Each Mixer channel con- tains controls to adjust the incoming and outgoing levels, and the audio signal's frequency content. The Mixer channels provide you with the following control elements: (1) GAIN knob: Adjusts the input level for the incoming signal of the corresponding Deck, before it passes the channel fader.
  • Page 17 TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Overview (9) Channel Level Meter: The Channel Level Meter gives you visual feedback on the current channel volume. The blue LEDs indicate if the audio signal is below Headroom area. The red LED indicates if the audio signal is clipping. The yellow LEDs indicate if the audio signal is currently in the Headroom area before the audio signal starts to clip.

  • Page 18: Tutorials

    Tutorials 5. TUTORIALS The tutorials in this section introduces you the several functions and features of the S3. The follow- ing list provides you with an overview of the tutorials including the link to it: ▪ Browsing and Loading Tracks: By having your music imported in TRAKTOR, you can use the Browse controls on the S3 to find tracks for your mix.

  • Page 19: Mixing Your First Tracks Using Sync

    5.1.2. Loading the First Track into Deck A Press the Browser View button to maximize the Browser view in the software. Turn the BROWSE encoder to select one of your tracks, or a demo track, for example Berlin Hauptbahnhof by Native Instruments.

  • Page 20: Starting Playback Of Deck A

    Tutorials Press the BROWSE encoder to load the track into the Deck. TRAKTOR now analyzes the track to determine its tempo, and to create the Beatgrid and the Waveform. Press the Browser View button again to minimize the Browser View. 5.1.3.

  • Page 21: Loading The Second Track Into Deck B

    Press the Browser View button to maximize the Browser view in the software. Turn the BROWSE encoder to select one of your tracks, or a demo track, for example Lisa by Native Instruments. Press the BROWSE encoder to load the track into the Deck.

  • Page 22: Starting Playback Of The Second Track

    Tutorials The tempo of the track in Deck B is now synced to the running track, indicated by the equal tempo value in the software's Deck Header. The SYNC button lights up on Deck B. 5.1.6. Starting Playback of the Second Track When the track in Deck A is almost over you can start the playback of the next track: •...

  • Page 23: Browsing And Loading Tracks

    Tutorials The audio signal of Mixer channel A slowly fades out of the Master signal. Only Mixer chan- nel B is now audible. When the playback of Deck A ends, Deck B automatically becomes the Tempo Master and is ready to transition to the next track. 5.2.

  • Page 24: Controlling Track Playback

    Tutorials Rather than selecting a Favorite folder using SHIFT, you can also scroll along the Browser Tree to select the subfolders. To implement this, you need to switch the Browse behavior for the SHIFT button on the TRAKTOR S3 page in the Preferences. 5.3.

  • Page 25: Previewing Tracks Using The Cue Channel

    Tutorials ▪ When releasing the CUE button, the playback position jumps back to the Cue Point and play- back stops immediately. ▪ When pressing and holding the CUE button and later pressing the Play/Pause button, the play- back continues as normal. 5.4.

  • Page 26: Using The Equalizer To Tweak Your Sound

    Tutorials 5.6. Using the Equalizer to Tweak Your Sound You can use the equalizer for adjusting the sound of your tracks while mixing. You can, for exam- ple, take out the bass frequency band of one track in order to let the bass of the other track domi- nate the mix.

  • Page 27: Locking The Key Of Tracks

    Tutorials The TEMPO fader mode can be changed on the Kontrol S3 page in the TRAKTOR Preferences. 5.8. Locking the Key of Tracks When synchronizing tracks, you change their tempos and, consequently, their pitches (or keys). Slowing down a track will cause its pitch to drop while speeding up the track will cause its pitch to rise.

  • Page 28: Playing With Cue Points

    Tutorials • Turn the Mixer FX Amount knob to center position. 5.10. Playing with Cue Points When mixing tracks a common technique is to mix in the next track from a particular position in that track instead from its start, for example, at a certain beat. Mixing in tracks from a particular position in that track is called “cueing”.

  • Page 29: Playing With Loops

    Tutorials 5.11. Playing with Loops A Loop is a snippet of audio that repeats (loops). Loops are used as tools for remixing parts of tracks and can be used to extend track transitions. In this section you learn to play with Loops on the S3 .

  • Page 30: Mixing Tracks Using Jog Wheels

    To load a track into Deck A: Press the Browser View button to maximize the Browser view in the software. Turn the BROWSE encoder to select one of your tracks in the Track List, or a demo track, for example, Berlin Hauptbahnhof by Native Instruments.

  • Page 31: Starting Playback Of Deck A

    Tutorials Press the BROWSE encoder to load the track into the Deck. TRAKTOR now analyzes the Track to determine its tempo and to create the Beatgrid and the Waveform. Press the Browser View button again to minimize the Browser View. 5.12.3.

  • Page 32: Loading The Second Track Into Deck B

    Press the Browser View button to maximize the Browse View in the software. Turn the BROWSE encoder to select one of your tracks in the Track List, or a demo track, for example, Lisa by Native Instruments. Press the BROWSE encoder to load the track into the Deck.

  • Page 33: Syncing Tracks Manually

    Tutorials Press the Browser View button again to minimize the Browser View. Press the Play/Pause button on Deck B to start playback. The Waveform starts moving and the Channel Volume Meter LEDs in Mixer channel B illumi- nate. 5.12.5. Syncing Tracks Manually The process of manually syncing tracks consists of several steps.
  • Page 34 Tutorials Adjust the volume and the cue-master-mix signal by turning the VOL knob and MIX knob, so that you hear both tracks equally in your headphones. Adjusting the Track Tempo The Deck Headers in the software Decks indicate the current track tempos. To adjust the track tempo in Deck B to match the track tempo in Deck A, perform the following actions: If the tempo needs to be faster, move the TEMPO fader down.
  • Page 35 Tutorials Hold the top plate of the Jog Wheel of Deck B. The playback of the track is held in place. While holding the Jog Wheel, turn it into any direction until you hear a beat in your head- phones. Turn the Jog Wheel counterclockwise to place the playhead position directly before that beat and hold the Jog Wheel.

  • Page 36: Cuing The Next Track Using The Jog Wheels

    Tutorials To slightly slow down the track's tempo, touch the outer rim of the Jog Wheel and turn it counterclockwise. Simultaneously, move the TEMPO fader slightly up. Repeat the aforementioned steps until both tracks play perfectly in sync. 5.12.6. Cuing the Next Track using the Jog Wheels When the tracks are in sync, use your headphones and the Jog Wheel to find the right position in the next track for fading it in: Touch and hold the Jog Wheel on its top plate.

  • Page 37: Mixing In The Next Track

    Tutorials Ideally the tracks now play in sync. If necessary nudge or bend the tempo by turning the Jog Wheel using its rim. 5.12.7. Mixing in the Next Track You can now mix in the next track by using the crossfader: Move the crossfader slowly towards center position: The audio signal of the track in Mixer channel B is fading into the MASTER signal.

  • Page 38: Working With The Preparation List

    Tutorials The playback resumes to the original playback position. Enabling Reverse Mode To enable Reverse mode: Press and hold the REV mode button on the selected Deck. The track begins to playback in reverse. The second, virtual playhead continues forwards in the track.
  • Page 39 Tutorials Checking Beatgrid To check the Beatgrid for the selected track: Load the track into a Deck. Press Play/Pause to start playback of the track. Press the CUE button of the Mixer channel corresponding to that Deck. Press and hold the GRID button on that Deck to make the Beatgrid tick audible. Besides the beat of the track, you now hear a second beat tick (like a metronome tick) repre- senting the Beatgrid.

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