Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2 DJ Software Review
Share This Page:
Tweet
American Musical Supply is the
Official Pro Audio Retailer of DJBooth
Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2 DJ Software Staff Review
Traktor Scratch Pro Software (New Features):
With Traktor Scratch 2, Native Instruments made some significant changes to the Traktor Scrach 1 software, including various tweaks to the interface and some useful new effects and features. In order to help you determine if the new features are worthy of an upgrade, we have broken down each major change in detail below.
User Interface & Truwave
The new version of Traktor has a much more modern and organized look. Whereas the buttons on the old interface sometimes blended in with eachother, the new interface lays out all buttons and triggers in a way that not only looks more modern, but also makes it easier to spot the feature you are looking for. In summary, it looks less busy, and more organized.
The most immediately noticeable change made to the Traktor Interface is the addition of colored waveforms – or TruWave as Traktor calls it. The color coding allows you to quickly identify the snares and high-hats in the beat. This makes mixing easier and also gives DJs a visible cue to what the wavs represent. Serato has had this functionality for a while now, and we are glad to see that Traktor caught up. Furthermore, Traktor 2 allows you to zoom in on the waveform, which means that you can more precisely set your cue points.
Fans of Traktor will know that it offers a lot of options, not all of which are relevant all of the time. Because of this I was glad to see that Traktor Pro 2 comes with 3 different layout options - each one catered to a different type of DJ. The most basic layout strips the interface down to the bare essentials and in some ways emulates the simplified look of Serato. It eliminates the FX, mixer, sample deck, and some of the advanced buttons in favor of increasing the size of the waveform and browsing windows. This is ideal for the hip hop DJ looking to just mix records. On the other hand you can choose the more advanced layout which includes everything, as well as an option in between.
The one negative here is that Traktor 2 neglected to add a layout that places the waveforms of the 2 decks side-by-side (aka parallel waveforms). Serato fans love this feature since you can easily see if one of the decks is phased ahead of the other. Unfortunately at this time there is no option to do this, so it remains a Serato exclusive for now.
Sample Decks
The most exciting new feature in Traktor 2 is its ability to load sounds and loops into 4 sample banks per sample deck. These sample decks can then be controlled via mouse/keyboard or even a Midi controller such as the Traktor X1 or even a all-in-one unit like the Traktor S4. The sample decks are pretty easy to use but allow skilled DJs to construct some incredible live remixes on the fly. You can either load up audio samples (Traktor 2 comes with a few to get you started) or you can create your own using loops within tracks that you set. The sample decks are by far the most exciting and revolutionary advancement included in Traktor Scratch 2 because it allows DJs to move beyond mixing and cutting into live remixing.
Loop Recorder
This feature is closely related to the sample Decks, as it allows you to take a loop, apply effects and save it as its own sound file snippet. You can then take this file and load it up in one of the sample decks. Overall, we found this process pretty simple and intuitive.
New Effects
Traktor Scratch Pro already came with a number of effects and Traktor Pro 2 ads four more to the DJ's arsenal. These include Tape Delay, Ramp Delay, Bouncer, and auto Bouncer. Bouncer is my favorite new addition simply for the fact that its so extreme. I dont see me dropping it in a set as a hip hop DJ, but a Dub-Step DJ could probably find some interesting uses for it especially when chained together when other effects.
Conclusion:
With the Traktor Scratch Pro 2 software, Native Instruments has incorporated features that fans have been asking for as well as brand new capabilities that will help take DJing to the next level. Whereas the Colored waveforms brings the software up to par with the standard set by Serato, the Sample Decks and loop recorder are game-changers that open up a new world of possibilities for skilled and creative DJs.
While the DJ Booth staff was really hoping that it would include parallel waveforms, the Native Instruments Traktor Scratch Pro 2 system is one of the BEST (if not the best) Digital DJ Solutions out on the market today and the hands down choice for DJs interested in going beyond simple mixing and cutting.
Pro’s:
-(4) Decks of Control
-Lots of Effects
-New Live Loop Recorder & Sample Decks within Software allows for live remixing
-Full Color Track Waveform
-Good Price when compared to competitive products
Con’s:
-Unable to display waveforms side-by-side
Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2 DJ Software Features
Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2 DJ Software
Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2 DJ Software is the world-renowned, rock-solid 4-deck DJ program that gets you mixing straight out the box. Now with Traktor 2 Technology Inside, this version boasts a new interface with TruWave colored waveforms for a visually rich experience of your music.
Simpler than ever to use, Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2 also sees the arrival of the new Sample Decks and Loop Recorder features for ultimate mix creativity. Now with Traktor 2 Technology Inside, you'll get a DJ product guaranteed to be intuitive, creative and addictive!
Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2 DJ Software Features
Professional DJ software with 4 decks and intuitive layout
Hi-res TruWave colored waveforms and easy-to-use interface with high contrast for club environments
Automatic beat detection and beat-gridding of music files plus intuitive syncing for perfect mixes
Sample Decks and innovative Loop Recorder to edit and remix tracks live, plus included loop content make it easy to get into the mix
Over 30 studio-quality performance effects, including 4 new additions, all capable of syncing to track tempo
Advanced looping and cueing functions plus 8 assignable hot cues per track
Full-featured 4-channel software mixer with multiple EQ and filter options
Powerful track management with Crate Flick cover art browsing and full iTunes integration
Plug and play with all Traktor controllers and audio interfaces, ships with mappings for all relevant DJ controllers
Record your mix using the integrated audio recorder
New Creative Weapons
Traktor Pro 2's intelligent features now allow for even easier remixing of tracks on the fly. Switch any deck to a Sample Deck and load up to four loops or one-shot samples each – 16 in total.
The Loop Recorder can record loops from mixer channels, master out or audio interface inputs, while four much-requested new effects, including Tape Delay and Bouncer, round out the arsenal to more than 30 performance effects.
Get In The Mix
Crate Flick cover art browsing and full iTunes and iPod integration makes finding the right track effortless. Traktor Pro 2's acclaimed sync concept ensures that your tunes beat-match perfectly so you can focus on the more exciting performance aspects of DJing. Traktor Pro 2's built-in mixer integrates multiple EQ and filter types, giving you full control of the frequency spectrum.
Total Flexibility
Traktor DJ programs offer total flexibility: Use the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol X1, other manufacturers' controllers, or your keyboard and mouse to control the software. You can also expand Traktor with Maschine. This Groove Production Studio can be synced with Traktor, or used as a controller.
The Auto Detection makes connecting and disconnecting your Native Instruments audio interface easy – even while there are tracks playing in Traktor. Assisted by the Setup Wizard, just select your interface and it assigns inputs and outputs for you. Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2 DJ software is highly customizable with multiple, saveable layouts and flexible hot key selection to suit your needs.
Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2 DJ Software Specifications
System Requirements
Windows:
XP (latest Service Pack, 32 Bit)
Windows Vista/Windows 7 (latest Service Pack, 32/64 Bit),
Intel Pentium 4 2.4 GHz or Intel Core Duo or AMD Athlon 64, 2 GB RAM
500 MB free disk space required (minimum), DVD drive
Mac:
OS X 10.5 or 10.6 (latest update), Intel Core Duo, 2 GB RAM
500 MB free disk space required (minimum), DVD drive
Supported Drivers:
ASIO
Core Audio
DirectSound
WASAPI
Supported Audio Formats:
MP3
WAV
AIFF
Audio-CD
FLAC
Ogg Vorbis
non-DRM WMA (Windows only)
non-DRM AAC
Best Price for the Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2 DJ Software
American Musical Supply is the
Official Pro Audio Retailer of DJBooth
Submit a Review and/or Rating
Member Reviews and Ratings
Native Instruments Traktor Pro 2 DJ Software Related Links
| Additional Reviews: |
Other DJ Equipment Reviews |
Equipment by Manufacturer |
Search for DJ Equipment
Resident DJs
DJ Caesar
DJ Caesar is one of today’s most versatile DJ’s in the industry. He is more then a DJ...
DJ Emiliot
DJ Emiliot all the way from Belgium representing Core DJS Africa | Fleet DJS | Future Star...
djblaze
Under the guidance of his older brother, Kareem Julien has been a full fledged Mobile...
Kutmaster TeeOh
DJ Turmoil, better known as TeeOh, is more than a disc jockey. His unparalleled live...
DJ Blaze on Twitter
