Performance Software User Guide
Table of Contents Torq User Guide Chapter 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Adjusting with Offset Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Sync Button. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table of Contents Torq User Guide Chapter 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Chapter 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 ReWire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3 Welcome Congratulations on your purchase of a Torq-based performance system, one of the finest DJ tools available today. Each qualified M-Audio hardware product works with Torq in a unique fashion, and those methods are outlined in each of their user manuals. This manual will outline the use of the Torq application itself, and we recommend that you read this manual first in order to familiarize yourself with the architecture of Torq.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 DJing begins with music, so you will get to know Torq’s Decks very well. A Deck is what Torq uses to play back a single digital music file and is analogous to the turntable or CD player used by DJs. The Deck allows you to play a track, change its speed and its key, as well as rearrange it by looping and jumping to new locations within the song. Torq is equipped with two of these Decks—one on each side of the screen.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 Mixer It’s all in the mix, or so they say, and Torq’s Mixer delivers the goods. The Mixer takes the audio from the two Decks and gives you control over what can be heard by means of volume controls, audio equalizers, and a crossfader. Two Decks and a Mixer: the essential tools for a DJ. PFL/Headphone Cue DJs commonly listen to a track on their headphones without letting their audience hear it.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 Effect Racks Effects are a great way for you to manipulate (or mangle) your music in unique ways to enhance your mix. Torq has a collection of built-in effects that are specifically designed for DJ use: Tempo-synced delays and strobes. Shimmering phasers and flangers. Glitchy repeats and distortions. Ten effects are ready to go and full of creative potential.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 Master Module When all is tweaked and mixed to perfection, the resultant audio is sent to the Master Output. Torq features an automatic output limiter that will keep your music from distorting as well as a module for recording the final mix to a file as you play. You can then burn the results onto a CD or convert them to MP3 for podcasts.
8 System Requirements Windows: Minimum System Requirements* Recommended System Specifications OS: Windows XP (SP2) OS: Windows XP (SP2) CPU: Pentium III 933 MHz CPU: Pentium IV 2 GHz (or greater) RAM: 256 MB RAM: 1 GB USB: One available port (for use by approved M-Audio Hardware Device) USB: One available port (for use by approved M‑Audio Hardware Device) Hard drive: 7200RPM or faster CHAPTER 3 2 1 Mac**: Minimum System Requirements* Mac OS X 10.4.6 CPU: G4 1.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 2 1 Installation Note: The following directions are for installing the Torq software onto your computer. Torq will not run, however, unless an appropriate M-Audio hardware device (such as the Conectiv interface) is installed and plugged in to your computer. Please follow the installation instructions provided with your hardware device before launching Torq. Windows XP 1. Place the Torq disc in your CD/DVD drive. 2. Windows will automatically launch the install screen.
10 Decks When DJing, everything begins with the Decks. The Decks will play the music that you’ll mix and effect using all the tools in Torq. Traditionally, a DJ’s decks will be turntables or CD players. Therefore, the Decks in Torq have been designed to emulate both turntables and CD players, as well as offering a special hybrid mode only possible with software. Displays CHAPTER 3 1 Each Deck has various informational displays throughout the interface.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 1 11 Overview Waveform Each Deck includes an Overview Waveform display which shows a miniaturized version of the song’s waveform in its entirety. This display serves several purposes: 1. It allows you to see where the breaks and builds are in a song before they happen. 2. The yellow Now Line indicates your current location within the song. 3. QuickCue points (described later) will be superimposed over this waveform. 4.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 1 12 QuickCue In addition to the primary Cue Point described above, Torq allows you to set up to five QuickCue Points in a song that are assigned to the QuickCue buttons below the Overview Waveform display. These buttons can then be used to quickly jump between the various QuickCue points. < Setting QuickCues There are a few different ways to set QuickCue Points, but all methods deliver the same results. 1.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 1 13 < CDJ Mode CDJ mode will make the Deck behave as if it was a CDJ player. In use: 1. Pressing Play/Pause to pause playback will cause the Deck to stop and begin repeating a small section of audio. The repeating section corresponds to the position where playback will resume when you press Play/Pause again. 2.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 1 14 4. When you’re finished looping this section of the song, you can click the Loop On/Off button to turn it off. Now, when playback reaches the Loop Out Marker, it will simply pass it and proceed playing the rest of the song. N ote: If you reposition playback using one of the QuickCue buttons while Looping is activated, playback will jump to the new location.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 1 15 » QuickLoop Behaviors Along with the obvious functions stated above, the QuickLoop buttons are capable of a few other behaviors: You can change various loop lengths while the song is looping. For instance, if you have set a one-beat loop, pressing the “4” button will automatically extend the Loop Out marker to make the song loop perfectly four beats. Also, repeatedly pressing a QuickLoop button will cut the current loop length in half.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 1 16 Most experienced DJs will simply match the tempos of two songs by hand using the Speed Adjust slider, which is a perfectly acceptable method of matching songs (indeed, this is the way it’s been done for decades). Since it requires a lot of practice to hear when one song is playing faster or slower than another, those new to DJing will benefit from some of the extra features built into Torq.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 1 17 » Tap Tempo On rare occasions, Torq will determine an incorrect tempo that has no direct relation to the actual tempo (not a fraction or multiple). At times like this, you’ll want to use the Tap Tempo feature to determine the tempo of the song while it plays. 1. While the song is playing, click on the BPM display with each beat that you hear. 2. The BPM display will update the BPM to reflect the timing of the taps you performed. 3.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 1 18 < MIDI Slider/Knob Control MIDI control of the Key Adjust is different from other controls in Torq. You can assign a knob or slider to the Key Adjust, or you can assign keys on your MIDI keyboard—the behavior of the Key Adjust is dependent on your control method. 1. Make sure that your MIDI keyboard or control surface has been properly installed and is configured to work with Torq.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 1 19 < External Control When using external Vinyl or CD control, the Key/Tempo Lock button will behave differently. When you press this button, Torq will automatically re-tune the music you’re playing back into its original key.
20 Waveform Display One of the most prominent features of the Torq user interface is the Scrolling Waveform Display, which takes up a decent amount of real estate above the Mixer and Effect Racks. Unlike the smaller Overview Waveforms found in each Deck, the Scrolling Waveforms only show a few seconds of the current song before and after the current play position. The song in Deck A (on the left) is shown at the top of the Scrolling Waveform display.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 4 1 21 Zoom At times, you may find yourself wanting to “zoom in” to the Scrolling Waveform Display to match beats more precisely or to “zoom out” in order to see more of each track. Use the magnifying glass icons directly above the display to do this. The magnifying glass button on the left zooms out while the button on the right zooms in.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 4 1 22 Playback Manipulations he Waveform Display allows you to manipulate the song playback in a variety of ways using your mouse. The method of control T differs depending on the control type you have selected for the Deck (Vinyl/CDJ/Hybrid). Vinyl Mode With this mode selected, using the mouse on the waveform will work in a similar fashion to using your hand on a turntable. 1. Click and hold the mouse on the waveform.
23 Synchronization At most of today’s dance clubs and events, the DJ will mix the songs together using a technique called beat-matching. The goal is to fade the volumes between two songs while keeping them perfectly in beat with one another. If done properly, the audience will never have to stop dancing as the beat of one song will blend in with the beat of the new song— sounding like one single song.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 5 1 24 When a mis-alignment occurs (as seen above), you’ll see that the grid does not line up with the beginnings of the beats (transients) in the waveform. In the example, the Phase Grid is too early, leaving a gap between the grid lines and the transients in the waveform. There are a number of ways to fix a mis-aligned Phase Grid.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 5 1 25 Sync Button The Sync button is an automatic method of synchronizing the beat and BPM of one Deck to another. When you engage Sync on a Deck (the Sync icon is on), it will change that Deck’s tempo to match the other Deck. Furthermore, when you press Play, Torq will align the song to the phase of the other Deck. Essentially, the synced Deck will be “slaved” to the other Deck (which would be the “master”).
26 CHAPTER External Control One of Torq’s greatest features is the ability to use external sources to control the playback of your song files. In particular, you can use the Torq Control Vinyl or Torq Control CDs to provide the familiar tactile sensation of DJing with traditional turntables and/or CD decks. Torq also allows you to use external MIDI hardware to control nearly any feature within the application.
Torq User Guide 3. Open Torq’s Preferences and select the Audio tab. 4. Make sure your audio interface is selected in the “Audio Interfaces” drop-down menu. 5. Click the Control Input A drop-down menu and choose “input 1 -- input 2”. 6. Click the Control Input B drop-down menu and choose “input 3 -- input 4”. 7. Now click the “External Control” tab.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 6 1 28 8. The first option enables External Control. Click the drop-down menu and select “Yes”. 9. The next step requires you to select the type of control signals you’ll be using for each Deck. If you’ll be using the Torq Control Vinyl records, select “Torq Vinyl” for the Control Type. If you’ll be using the Torq Control CDs, select “Torq CD” for the Control Type.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 6 1 29 < Erratic Playback Position If Torq seems to be jumping around to random locations in the song during playback, take a look at the Position display. This number should be rapidly growing larger as the control source plays. If this number looks like it’s counting erratically, this is most likely due to damaged control records (which is normal after extended use). This could also be due to poor stereo separation in the turntable’s needle or preamp.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 6 1 30 Standard Mode When you enable External Control, Torq will be in Standard mode. In this mode, one control source is assigned to each Deck. You will need two sources (2 turntables, 2 CD players, or one of each) in order to control the two Decks in Torq. This is just like using traditional hardware to DJ. When using Standard mode, you have two control styles to choose from—Absolute mode and Relative mode—which are explained below.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 6 1 31 Deck Control AMPutate mode allows you to control one of Torq’s Decks with a single Control Vinyl or Control CD while the other Deck operates in Hybrid or CDJ mode. To enable AMPutate mode: 1. Open the Preferences and click on the External Control tab. 2. Ensure that External Control is enabled. If not, turn it on now by selecting “Yes” in its drop-down menu. 3.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 6 1 32 BPM Matching So how does one go about doing a DJ set with only one turntable? It is a little different than doing it in Standard mode, primarily due to the fact that you must use Torq’s on-screen Speed sliders to match tempos as opposed to using the pitch sliders on your turntable or CD player. Try it out: Click Vinyl on a Deck and start the external control source. While the song is playing, move the Deck’s on-screen Speed slider.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 6 1 33 < MIDI Prefs The second tab of the Preferences contains the MIDI options. At the bottom of this tab is a list of all the available MIDI input devices on your computer. Each device has a “Yes/No” option to enable or disable it. Set the MIDI device to “Yes” if you wish to use it to control Torq. Otherwise, set the device to “No” and Torq will ignore it (allowing you to use it to control a different application, such as when ReWired into another host program).
Torq User Guide » Chapter 6 1 34 » Changing MIDI Assignment If you assign a MIDI knob, for example, to the Low EQ in the Mixer, you can assign it to the Mid EQ by simply right-clicking (CTRL-click on Mac) the Mid EQ knob and moving the MIDI Knob. Doing so will clear the assignment to the Low EQ knob and the MIDI control will now be mapped to the Mid EQ knob.
35 Sampler When talking about music, a sampler is not a plate of hors d’oeuvres. A sampler is a device that will digitally record a sound that you can then replay at various pitches. If you’re into any kind of electronic dance music or hip-hop, you’ve undoubtedly heard samplers in use. But what good is a sampler for a DJ? In recent years, DJs have used samplers to add sound effects to their mix.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 7 1 36 Sampler Controls This section provides an overview of the controls within the Sampler. Record Sample Button Samples can be categorized into two groups: one-shot samples and loops. One-shot samples are sounds that play once when you trigger them and are not automatically synchronized to your mix. Loops are samples that will play repeatedly— when the end of the sample is reached, playback will return to the beginning.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 7 1 37 Trigger Sample Button Pressing this button causes the associated sample to play. One-shot and looped samples exhibit slightly different behaviors: < Triggering One-Shot Samples 1. Click the Trigger button. The button icon will light and the sample will play immediately. During playback, a progress bar (behind the sample’s name) will fill from left to right. When the sample ends, the Trigger button will turn off. 2.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 7 1 38 Sample Name Window The Sample Name window serves multiple purposes. 1. It will display the name of the sample file loaded into the slot. 2. The background of this window will fill from left to right as the sample plays, like a progress meter. 3. Clicking on this window will display a pop-up menu with the following options: < Load Sample Choosing this option will open a standard dialog box. Use this dialog to navigate to your hard drive and locate a sample.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 7 1 39 QuickScratch While firing off samples using the Trigger buttons can be a lot of fun, it doesn’t always provide the level of control that you may want for the sample. Torq’s QuickScratch feature allows you to control the sample using the variable-speed and variable-key engine within a Deck. This means you can scratch the sample using the mouse or with the Torq Control Vinyl or Control CD systems. < Assigning Samples Torq features two QuickScratch slots—QS1 and QS2.
40 Snapshots By now, you’ve surely noticed that Torq has many features designed to make DJing easier. Automatic tempo-detection and beat-matching allow you, the DJ, to spend your time doing other things rather than manually keeping two tracks in sync. For example, you can remix the song using loops and QuickCues, tweak the sound using effects and EQ, and add samples to the mix.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 8 1 41 Masking a Snapshot Each Snapshot you create contains the settings of almost every component in Torq. A Snapshot will remember they Key setting of a Deck, the EQ settings in the Mixer (including the state of the EQ Kills), the channel gains and volumes, the Crossfader position, and the contents and settings of the built-in Effect Racks (VST effects are not saved in the Snapshots).
Torq User Guide » Chapter 8 1 42 Momentary vs. Latching Behavior By default, a Snapshot will only be active as long as you hold the assigned key. As soon as you release the key, the Snapshot is deactivated and all previous settings are restored. This is excellent for simply “punching in” little tweaks and effects that you only use for a few moments at a time.
43 Browser/Database A DJ’s most important asset, beyond the gear he uses, is his collection of music. Without a wealth of top-notch tracks in his arsenal, a DJ is not equipped to dominate a dance floor. Anyone who has been DJing for even a short while will have amassed a decent collection of songs, and finding those songs quickly is the job of Torq’s Browser and Database. The Browser is very similar to the navigation methods employed by your computer’s operating system.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 1 44 Navigation in the Browser follows a few simple rules: 1. To view any songs contained in a folder, click on the folder’s name. If the folder contains music files, those files will be displayed in the File List to the right of the Browser pane. If Torq cannot identify any playable music files in the selected folder, the list will be blank. 2. To view any sub-folders, click the plus sign (+) next to a folder.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 1 45 < Adding Folders from Your OS If you’d prefer, you can add folders to the Database by dragging them from your operating system into the Torq Browser. You can do this using either Explorer for Windows or Finder for Mac. 1. Find your desired folders using the tools of your operating system (Explorer or Finder). 2. Click and drag the folder from the operating system into the Browser. 3. Release the mouse button and the folder will be added to the Database.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 1 46 File List The window to the right of the Browser pane is called the File List. If you have selected a source in the Browser that contains music (such as the Database or an individual folder), the songs contained therein will be listed here. The File List not only shows you the name of the song, but also shows the artist name, album name, track number, genre, and other fields contained within the song’s ID3 tag.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 1 47 Loading Songs into the Decks To load a song from the File List into one of Torq’s Decks, you have a couple options. < Click and Drag 1. Click and hold on the desired song in the File List. It will become highlighted. 2. While continuing to hold the mouse button, drag the song up into either of Torq’s Decks. 3. Once the song is over your desired Deck, release the mouse button and the track will be loaded into the Deck.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 1 48 < Search Categories As you can see, the above search worked—it found songs that contained the word “love” in any category. However, this may not be quite what you were looking for. You may have actually wanted files with “love” in the song’s name only. To search for such titles, you’ll need to confine the scope of the search to the Song category only. To confine a search to a particular category: 1. Hold down the SHIFT key and click a category name.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 1 49 Playlists While many DJs will perform “off-the-cuff” without any previous rehearsal or forethought, other DJs will “pre-program” their sets, either due to the complexity of the set or simply as a method for remembering vital songs (this can be helpful for wedding or party DJs who take requests). Torq features Playlists to help you organize and store lists of songs. You can create and manage multiple Playlists, each with as many songs as you like.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 1 50 < Adding Songs to a Playlist Once you have created and selected a Playlist, you’ll begin adding files to it using the following procedure: 1. Using the Browser or Database, locate the song you’d like to add to the Playlist. 2. Right-click (CTRL-click on Mac) the song name and select “Add to Playlist” from the pop-up menu. 3. The song will be added to the bottom of the Playlist.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 1 51 < Saving a Playlist Torq can also export your Playlists into standard .m3u playlists for use within other programs: 1. Select the Playlist you wish to save. 2. Right-click (CTRL-click on Mac) the Playlist and select “Save Playlist” from the pop-up menu. 3. A standard dialog box will open allowing you to choose a location and name for the file. Press Enter when done. 4. The Playlist will be saved to disk.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 1 52 < Deleting Session Playlists You can delete the Session Playlists using the same method for deleting standard Playlists. If you delete the current Session Playlist, a new one will be created that will track all songs played from that point forward. iTunes iTunes is a free media player available from Apple for both Mac and Windows computers (www.itunes.com).
Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 1 53 < Searching iTunes with the Database Torq can also automatically add the contents of the iTunes Library to the Database. That way, when you click the Database heading in the Browser, you’ll get the files from all folders assigned to the Database as well as all files within the iTunes Library. To enable this feature: 1. Open the Preferences. 2. Click the Misc tab. 3. Next to “Search iTunes Library with Database,” select “Yes.” 4. Close the Preferences.
Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 1 54 Drives Torq can also search any hard drives connected to your computer, whether they are internal hard drives or external ones. Every drive available to the system will be listed in the Browser by name. Click the plus sign in front of the drives to explore the contents of the drives. You can add folders from external drives to the Database using the same methods described earlier.
55 Mixer Step one when DJing is controlling the music. That’s what Torq’s Decks are for. Step two is blending, or mixing, the music together. As you’d expect, Torq has a section for that, too. While existing in software, Torq’s Mixer sounds and behaves just like a top-of-the-line hardware mixer. It is therefore instantly familiar to anyone who has used a mixer before, and it is capable of performing the same tricks and techniques utilized by DJs on traditional hardware mixers.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter10 1 56 EQ/Kills Next in the signal chain is the Equalizer, or EQ for short. While the Gain knob (above) increases or decreases the level of the entire audio signal in the channel, an EQ increases or decreases the level of only a specific frequency range within the audio signal. Torq is equipped with a 3-band EQ, meaning it can control the levels of three different frequency ranges (bands), named High, Mid, and Low.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter10 1 57 Channel Volume Faders Besides going to the PFL, the audio leaving the EQ also goes to the Channel Volume fader. This is the primary volume control for the channel (though it is subordinate to the crossfader) which works just like a volume fader on a traditional mixer. You can match volumes of the two tracks using the Channel Volume faders.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter10 1 58 When Torq is launched for the first time, the Crossfader Curve will be set to a happy medium between these two extremes. You can, of course, change this curve using either of the following: » Adjusting with the Mouse 1. Hold down the SHIFT key on your computer keyboard 2. While holding down shift, click and drag over the Crossfader.
59 PFL/Headphone Cue You’ve undoubtedly seen the archetypical image of a DJ: standing behind a set of turntables and a mixer...with a pair of headphones on. If everyone is dancing to the music they hear on the speakers, what is the DJ listening to on the headphones? He’s listening to the next song he’s going to play using PFL or Headphone Cueing. That’s how the DJ can hear if he’s matched the tempo of the current song. It’s also how he locates the perfect place to start the track.
60 Master Output The Master Output is the last step in Torq’s audio signal flow before the music goes out to your audience. It contains a Master Level slider, a Master Level meter, a Master Limiter, as well as an Audio Recorder. All of these controls are located below the right Deck in a neat, horizontal arrangement. CHAPTER 12 1 Volume Control As you may assume, the Master Volume slider controls the overall output of Torq’s Main Outputs.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter12 1 61 Master Recorder The Master module also includes a Recorder which allows you to record and save your mix as an audio file as you perform it. You can then take your recorded mix and burn it onto a CD or distribute it as a podcast, for example. The process of recording your mix is extremely simple. You start by choosing a name for your mix and a location on your hard drive for saving it.
62 Effects Effects are devices that alter an audio signal. These alterations can range from subtle to extreme and can be a great source of creative fun within Torq. Each Deck can be processed individually with multiple effects, and that is the purpose of the Effect Racks. The Effect Racks are located between each Deck and the Mixer and will house up to three effects from Torq’s built-in library as well as one external VST effect.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter13 1 63 Mix Knob The functionality of the Mix knob differs depending on the status of the neighboring Routing button: » When the Routing Button is set to Insert—the Mix knob will adjust the wet/dry mix of the effect. When the Mix knob is all the way to the left, only the original audio signal will be heard (no effect). When the Mix knob is all the way to the right, only the output of the effect will be heard, thus becoming a full insert effect.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter13 1 64 Loading Effect Racks Obviously, if you can save the settings of an Effect Rack, you can recall them, too. That is accomplished with the Load button at the top of the Rack. 1. Click the Load Rack button. A standard dialog box will appear. 2. Browse to the location on your hard drive in which the Effect Rack configuration file is stored, select the file, and click OK.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter13 1 65 < Tweak Knob In the case of the Delay effect, the Tweak knob will control the Feedback amount. As described earlier, feedback is when the output of the Delay effect is sent back to the input again. The result is a repeated echo since you are essentially “echoing the echoes”: 1. When fully counterclockwise, feedback will be disabled. 2.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter13 1 66 < Tweak Knob This knob controls the Reverb time. When fully counterclockwise, the Reverb will be extremely short, similar to the sound heard in a small shower stall. As you turn this knob clockwise, the Reverb will become longer until it sounds similar to a huge cathedral. < Tweak Button Pressing this button will “freeze” the Reverb. When activated, the Reverb will stop accepting audio input from the Deck and will feed back on itself instead.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter13 1 67 Phaser A Phaser is a somewhat mellower version of the Flanger. Like the Flanger, a Phaser works on the principle of mixing two identical audio sources together. However, unlike a Flanger, the timing difference between the two audio sources is very small. The result is that some of the frequencies in the song will be removed or “cancelled out.” Some people describe this sound as a “wind tunnel” effect.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter13 1 68 < Tweak Knob This knob will adjust the Cutoff Frequencies of the filters. » When the Tweak button is off, the knob will behave as follows: 1. Placing the knob at 12 o’clock will result in the audio passing through the Dual-Filter unaffected. 2. Turning the knob counterclockwise from 12 o’clock will begin to lower the Cutoff Frequency of the Low-Pass filter.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter13 1 69 Strobe Just about anyone who has been to a dance club in the last 20 years has experienced a strobe light. Those are the superbright lights that flash really quickly. They have the effect of making everyone look like they’re in “stop motion”—the flash is so fast that you can’t see movement anymore. Torq’s Strobe effect will create a similar stop-motion effect, but it will do it to audio.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter13 1 70 Brake As mentioned above, turntables don’t respond instantly to changes in speed or direction. When you press Stop on a turntable, it takes a moment for the turntable to slow down and reach a complete stop. This is due the weight and momentum of the turntable—two factors that don’t exist in the virtual world of Torq. Still, some DJs like the sound of a turntable slowing down to a stop, and creating that sound is the purpose of Torq’s Brake effect.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter13 1 71 VST Effects The 10 built-in effects provided with Torq cover a wide range of effects typically used by DJs—many DJs will never need more than these built-in effects. Others, however, will want to explore the possibilities of additional effects. For this reason, Torq allows you to use third-party plug-ins that adhere to the VST standard (referred to as “VST plug-ins”). The amount of third-party VST effects available on the market today is staggering.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter13 1 72 Assigning Controls It’s fun to tweak effects using knobs and buttons—VST effects are no exception. However, before you start messing with the Tweak knob and button, you’ll need to assign a function to them. Unlike Torq’s 10 built-in effects, the VST Effect you choose to use will probably have more than two parameters to play with. You can always adjust these parameters within the VST Effect’s editor window.
73 ReWire Now that you’ve mastered all the techniques and tricks in Torq, where do you go from here? Remixing and production. After all, Torq offers you so many tools for remixing and sound design that you can cross over the boundary of simply playing songs and easily enter the realm of music production. Torq is unique in that it can operate as a ReWire slave. ReWire is a special technology created by Propellerhead that allows two or more different audio applications to share audio and MIDI data.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide »» Chapter Chapter14 1 74 Audio Routing When using two programs together via ReWire, the audio generated by Torq will be fed to audio channels in Live (or whatever Host application you choose to use). With this system in place, you can further process the outputs of Torq using the Host application’s effects. You can record the output of Torq into the application to add to your productions.
75 Preferences This section provides a comprehensive review of the Preferences for Torq. Open the Preferences by clicking the Preferences icon. NOTE: An additional tab appears on the right side of the Preferences window when certain M-Audio products (such as the Xponent DJ controller) are being used in conjunction with Torq. This tab contains parameters relating specifically to the operation of the connected M‑Audio device.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter15 1 76 Audio Interface This preference allows you to select an audio interface for Torq. 1. Click the Audio Interface box. 2. A menu will be displayed, listing all audio interfaces currently connected to your computer. 3. Select the audio interface you want to use with Torq. Sample Rate Below the Audio Interface selection you will see sample rate adjustment.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter15 1 77 The solution is to set the buffer size as low as it can go without inducing any audio problems. This is just like playing a game of limbo: 1. Load some music into a Deck and play it. 2. While the music is playing, open the Audio Preferences. 3. If music is playing back properly, open the Buffer Size menu and select the next smallest buffer size. The buffer will be updated immediately and the music will continue to play. 4.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter15 1 78 Auto-Detect M-Audio Devices ([On]/Off) When this option is enabled, Torq will automatically set the Audio and MIDI interface options to those of any known M-Audio controller and interface that is connected to your system. This will ensure proper operation of Torq and connected devices.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter15 1 79 MIDI Devices This list shows all MIDI devices currently recognized by Torq. Each device is listed by name and is followed by a box which selects the device as being On or Off. If you wish to use a device as a controller for Torq, click the drop-down menu and select On to activate it. Leave any controller you do not wish to use with Torq set to Off.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter15 1 80 Control Calibration The settings within this preference are used to configure each input pair of Torq for use with external control records or CDs. For vinyl control, you can use the Torq Control Vinyl records or some versions of the Ms. Pinky control records. » Control Type (Gen1, Gen2, Gen3, Torq Vinyl, Torq CD)—this pop-up menu allows you to set the vinyl or CD source to use for the Deck.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter15 1 81 Custom VST Plug-in Directory This preference allows you to select an alternate folder of VST plug-ins for Torq to use. This will allow you to specify only specific plug-ins to use by copying only the ones you need into a unique folder that you create. 1. Click the arrow next to the first option and select “Yes” from the drop-down menu. 2. Torq will now use the alternate VST plug-ins found at the path listed in the window just below. 3.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter15 1 82 Schaffel Mode Schaffel is German for “shuffle,” which has become a popular form of dance music based on a triplet rhythm as opposed to a straight 4/4 rhythm. When this mode is activated, any of the effects (or parameters that quantize their values) will include triplets in their quantizing options. Take the Strobe effect for example: The Parameter knob changes the rate of the Strobe effect.
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter15 1 83 Sample Counter Pressing this button will reset the automatic numbering of newly recorded samples back to “000.” Sync Mode This option determines the “forcefulness” of the synchronization used in Torq. » Bar—when selected, Torq will align a synced Deck to the tempo and downbeat of the other Deck or Master Tempo.
84 CHAPTER Appendix Preset Key Assignments While Torq is basically a “blank slate” as far as keyboard assignments are concerned, there are a few keys that are preset to various functions in the Torq interface: Global Key Commands F1—Load selected track into Deck A F2—Load selected track into Deck B F5—Refresh Browser window F6—Max Browser view F7—Max Waveform view F8—Hide Sampler Tab— Toggle Browser and Snapshot views 1—QuickCue 1 on Deck A 2—QuickCue 2 on Deck A 3—QuickCue 3 on Deck A 4—QuickCue 4 on Dec
Torq TorqUser UserGuide Guide » » Chapter Chapter16 1 85 Warranty Warranty Terms M-Audio warrants products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship, under normal use and provided that the product is owned by the original, registered user. Visit www.m-audio.com/warranty for terms and limitations applying to your specific product.
