Manual
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Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR KONTROL S2! ........................................................ 11 1.1 1.2 1.3 What Is TRAKTOR KONTROL S2? .................................................................................................. 11 The TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Documentation at a Glance .............................................................. 12 1.2.1 Which Documents Are There? ............................................................................
Table of Contents 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 5 4.2.6 Mixing In the Track by Using the Channel EQ and Filter ............................................ 34 4.2.7 Doing Everything by Hand .......................................................................................... 35 Adjusting Levels ......................................................................................................................... 38 4.3.1 The Theory ........................................................................
Table of Contents 5.2 5.3 6 5.1.3 Using the Filters ........................................................................................................ 68 5.1.4 Adjusting Channel Gain ............................................................................................. 69 5.1.5 Using the EQ’s ........................................................................................................... 70 5.1.6 Headphone Cueing ...................................................................
Table of Contents 6.4.2 6.4.3 6.4.4 6.4.5 6.4.6 6.4.7 6.4.8 7 Knobs ........................................................................................................................ 99 Encoders .................................................................................................................... 99 Jog Wheels ................................................................................................................. 100 Faders .....................................................
Table of Contents 7.8 7.9 7.10 8 7.7.1 GAIN/FILTER Encoder ................................................................................................. 119 7.7.2 EQ Knobs ................................................................................................................... 120 7.7.3 FX Assign Buttons ..................................................................................................... 121 7.7.4 Channel Fader and Channel Level Meter ......................................
Table of Contents 9 The S2 Audio Interface and Control Panel ................................................................... 145 9.1 9.2 9.3 Settings on Mac OS X ................................................................................................................. 145 Settings on Windows: The Control Panel ..................................................................................... 146 9.2.1 Opening the Control Panel ...............................................................
Table of Contents 12.2 Environmental Specifications ..................................................................................................... 168 13 Appendix C – Quick References .................................................................................. 169 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Quick Reference .......................................................................................................................... 169 Mixer Quick Reference ............................................
Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR KONTROL S2! What Is TRAKTOR KONTROL S2? 1 Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR KONTROL S2! On behalf of the whole Native Instruments team, we are delighted that you have chosen TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 as your DJ controller! 1.1 What Is TRAKTOR KONTROL S2? TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 is a fully integrated hardware and software DJ performance system created by the makers of TRAKTOR.
Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR KONTROL S2! The TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Documentation at a Glance ▪ Text appearing elsewhere on the screen (labels of buttons, controls, text next to checkboxes etc.) is printed in light blue. Whenever you see this formatting applied, you will find the same text appearing on the screen. ▪ Important names and concepts are printed in bold. ▪ References to keys on your computer's keyboard you'll find put in square brackets (e.g., "Press [Shift] + [Return]").
Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR KONTROL S2! The TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Documentation at a Glance The TRAKTOR 2 Manual For in-depth information on all features provided by the TRAKTOR software, please refer to the TRAKTOR 2 Manual. It is available as a PDF file in the Documentation subfolder of the TRAKTOR 2 installation folder. 1.2.2 Recommended Reading Order We advise reading the documents in the following order: 1. 2. 3. The Setup Guide. The TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Manual. The TRAKTOR 2 Manual. 1.2.
Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR KONTROL S2! System Requirements ▪ Chapter ↑7, Hardware Control Reference is a collection of mini tutorials, showing you how to work with the individual areas of the controller, e.g., you'll find a subchapter explaining what you can do with the Mixer section, and how you can do it. ▪ Chapter ↑8, Customizing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 shows you how to customize TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 in order to make it fit your particular needs.
Welcome to the World of TRAKTOR KONTROL S2! System Requirements To check the compatibility with several operating systems, please have a look at: http:// www.native-instruments.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Quick Overview 2 TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Quick Overview This mini-chapter will quickly introduce you to TRAKTOR KONTROL S2’s main areas and concepts both on your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 hardware controller and in the TRAKTOR PRO software. To start off with, there are four virtual Decks in the TRAKTOR PRO software, and each of them can be operated in several modes: Track Deck mode, Remix Deck mode, and Live Input mode, so you have a very flexible system on your hands.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Quick Overview Hardware controller and software side by side. (1) Decks: TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 provides you with two physical Decks. The Decks are the place where tracks (and Samples) are controlled. They can be seen as the equivalent to the good old vinyl or CD decks, but with a bunch of additional features and the flexibility of a computer-based system connected to them. The left Deck on your S2 controls Track Deck A in the software.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Quick Overview mode (as opposed to Cue mode, where the buttons control the Cue Points in Track Deck A and B). For more information on the two modes, please refer to section ↑7.5, Using the CUE/REMIX SLOTS Section. (2) FX Units: The signals coming from the Decks can be processed by two FX Units, located at the top of both your hardware and software interface.
Preparing Your Music Library What Is the Track Collection? 3 Preparing Your Music Library Most likely, you already have a collection of music files on your computer. For those of you who can’t wait for mixing their own tracks, this chapter is for you! You will learn here how to quickly import your music into the powerful Track Collection of TRAKTOR.
Preparing Your Music Library Importing Music Folders To make use of the Track Collection, you have to populate it by importing your music files. 3.2 Importing Music Folders TRAKTOR offers an easy import function for tracks stored on your hard drive: ► Right-click (Windows) or [Ctrl]+click (Mac OS X) on the Track Collection entry in the Browser Tree and choose Import Music Folders from the menu. The contextual menu for the Track Collection, with the Import Music Folders entry selected.
Preparing Your Music Library Tracks Managed by iTunes If you have stored tracks in other folders or on external storage devices, you can add these folders to the list of TRAKTOR Music Folders as follows: 1. Open Preferences > File Management. 2. Click Add… at the bottom of the Music Folders section. 3. Navigate to a folder you want to add. 4. Confirm with OK. Repeat to add all of your Music Folders. Subfolders are automatically included in the scan. Hence, you don’t need to add them to this list. 3.
Preparing Your Music Library Tracks Managed by iTunes ▪ The LOAD buttons A and B below the BROWSE encoder: To browse for tracks and add them to the Decks: 1. Press and hold SHIFT (no matter which one) and turn the BROWSE encoder to scroll through the Browser Tree until the iTunes icon gets selected. Then, while still keeping SHIFT pressed, push the BROWSE encoder to open the iTunes node. 2. Scroll to a playlist within that node in the same manner. 3.
Preparing Your Music Library Tracks Managed by iTunes 4. Alternatively, right-click (Windows) or [Ctrl]-click (Mac OS X) on the selection and choose Import to Collection in the contextual menu. 3.3.3 Importing iTunes Playlists You can directly import iTunes playlists as TRAKTOR Playlists via the TRAKTOR user interface: 1. 2. 3. Click the iTunes icon in the Browser Tree to open that node. Select the playlist to be imported. Drag the playlist onto the Playlists icon.
Tutorials Playing Your First Track 4 Tutorials This chapter will guide you through the most common tasks that you will encounter during your work with TRAKTOR KONTROL S2. The tutorials are workflow-oriented. They start with the simplest tasks and progressively lead you to more complex operation, helping you to get more and more familiar with your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 system. After reading this, you should have the basic know-how, allowing you to mix with TRAKTOR KONTROL S2.
Tutorials Playing Your First Track 2. 3. 5. In the window that opens, click Next to confirm your S2 is connected. The next window asks you whether you want to use an external mixer with TRAKTOR. Select Yes, as you will be using the controller's mixer for mixing with TRAKTOR. The next window asks what combination of Deck Flavors you would like to use in TRAKTOR. Select 2 Track Decks + 2 Remix Decks from the drop-down menu, and click Next. Click Finish to confirm your selection and close the Setup Wizard.
Tutorials Playing Your First Track ▪ The BROWSE encoder (in the center of the Mixer): ▪ The left Deck’s LOAD button (labeled "A" below the BROWSE encoder): While looking at the TRAKTOR software window, do the following: 1. 2. 3. Hold SHIFT and turn the BROWSE encoder to select the Playlists folder from the Browser Tree. While keeping SHIFT depressed, press the BROWSE encoder button to expand the folder node.
Tutorials Playing Your First Track 4. Once the track is highlighted, press the LOAD button A on the controller to load that track on to Track Deck A. (Obviously, to load the track to Track Deck B, you would have to press LOAD button B on the controller.) → The track is loaded. In TRAKTOR, its waveform and info appear on Deck A: In addition to using the S2 to load a track, you can also drag and drop tracks from the Browser or from a folder on your computer directly into one of TRAKTOR’s Decks. 4.1.
Tutorials Playing Your First Track To Each Deck Its Own Channel The audio playing on each Deck can be further shaped by the controls on the corresponding channel of the Mixer. Since the track is loaded on Deck A, you can control its sound on channel A (the left Mixer channel): The Channel A. At this point you will probably hear some audio coming through your speakers or PA. If not, please check the following section. 4.1.
Tutorials Playing Your First Track ► At the bottom of your S2, verify that the crossfader is moved all the way to the left: ► Above, the channel fader of channel A should be raised to its highest: ► The Level meter of Channel A should show some activity. If not, check that the HI, MID, LOW on the left channel are set to center position; and at the top of the channel, push the GAIN/FILTER encoder once to reset the channel’s input gain to 0 dB.
Tutorials Mixing In a Second Track If you see some activity on the S2's MAIN LEVEL meters, or on TRAKTOR'S MAIN level meters in the software's Header but don’t hear any sound, then double-check the connection starting with the cable going from the S2’s main outputs to your PA. 4.2 Mixing In a Second Track Now that you have learned how to quickly load and play tracks using the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 (see chapter ↑4.1, Playing Your First Track), let’s see how to mix in a second track.
Tutorials Mixing In a Second Track You can already give it a try: by slowly moving the crossfader to the right, you should hear the track on Deck B fade in, whereas the track on Deck A progressively fades out as you move the crossfader further to the right. Obviously, our mix is not satisfying at all yet: before mixing in the second track, we first have to beat-match it to the track playing on Deck A. So for now, pull the crossfader all the way back to the left.
Tutorials Mixing In a Second Track The SYNC button. ► Press the SYNC button on the right Deck to synchronize its tempo and phase with those of Deck A. → The SYNC button lights up. Now the two tracks are in perfect sync. By slowly turning the CUE MIX knob on the front panel, you will hear the second track come into the mix in sync with Deck A. Note that you should always adjust the tempo of the track that is not audible to the audience! 4.2.
Tutorials Mixing In a Second Track Snapping Cue Points to Beats You don’t have to worry about dropping a Cue Point directly on a beat using TRAKTOR's Snap function. With Snap mode on, any Cue Point you set in the track will snap to the closest beat, thus ensuring that you get directly to that beat next time that you jump to that point. To activate Snap mode, press the S button below the MAIN knob in TRAKTOR's Mixer.
Tutorials Mixing In a Second Track The Snap mode indicator and the Quantize mode indicator buttons both lit in TRAKTOR's Master panel. 4.2.5 Interlude: In Case the Left Track Has Reached Its End The track “Techno 1” on Deck A has been playing since we started with the tutorials, and it might happen that the playback reaches the end of the track. In this case, just do the following: ► On the left Deck, press SHIFT+CUE to skip back to the beginning of the track.
Tutorials Mixing In a Second Track We will now carry out a first real track blend. Thus, turn the CUE MIX knob fully clockwise to hear the main mix in your headphones (or put off your phones and listen to your mix coming through your amplification system). To mix in the track: 1. 4. With the crossfader still on the left, turn down the LOW knob on channel B to take the bass out of the track on Deck B. Progressively mix in channel B by gradually moving the crossfader from the left to the center position.
Tutorials Mixing In a Second Track 3. 4. 5. Press PLAY on the left Deck to start the playback of the new track. On the same Deck, make sure the SYNC button is not lit. On the Mixer, deactivate the CUE button above channel B’s fader and activate that of channel A to hear the new track in the headphone mix (you might need to adjust the CUE MIX knob accordingly). Adjusting the Tempo The tempo for each Deck can be manually controlled via the TEMPO fader: Use the TEMPO fader to adjust the Deck’s tempo.
Tutorials Mixing In a Second Track The left jog wheel on your S2 controller. 1. On the left Deck, press and spin the jog wheel’s top plate to seek through the track. (You can also fast seek through the track by holding the SHIFT button at the bottom of the Deck while spinning the jog wheel.) 2. Once you have found an interesting point for cueing (let’s say a downbeat), keep pressing the top plate and release it when a downbeat arrives in the other track. Deck A starts playing from that point.
Tutorials Adjusting Levels Note that this can also be useful when using TRAKTOR’s Sync feature. Indeed, in some situations, the automatic beat detection might need a slight correction: for example, in tracks with unusual low frequency content, the beat “feeling” might occur slightly after the beat as detected by TRAKTOR. If you couldn’t make it to manually correct the Beatgrid of your track before you go on stage, you can cancel the offset on the fly with the jog wheel’s outer rim.
Tutorials Adjusting Levels ▪ When a signal is clipping, it is not getting louder, just worse. The loud parts (typically the beats) are cut, which both reduces the dynamic range and introduces distortion in your mix. The speakers will suffer from this — and so will your audience! (Be also prepared for some angered sound technician or club owner coming down on you.) Hence, you should always make sure that your signals stay at levels that satisfy these two requirements. 4.3.
Tutorials Adjusting Levels A GAIN/FILTER encoder sits at the top of each channel. ► Adjust the channel’s GAIN/FILTER encoder so that the level displayed on the channel meter stays in the upper part of the blue area without reaching the red clipping LED. Note that the channel’s EQ and filter settings also affect the signal level, as well as the possible FX Unit(s) it is assigned to. Hence, when modifying any of these, you might need to readjust the GAIN/FILTER encoder accordingly.
Tutorials Adjusting Levels The MAIN section on your S2. The MAIN level meters in the Header of TRAKTOR show you the (left and right) overall level of your mix before it is adjusted by the MAIN LEVEL knob. To adjust this level, use the MAIN knob right below the MAIN level meters in TRAKTOR’s Master panel (see below). The MAIN meter and MAIN knob in TRAKTOR.
Tutorials Looping and Cueing 4.4 Looping and Cueing Now that you have learned the basic mixing tasks, we will focus on one of TRAKTOR KONTROL S2’s great features: its looping facilities. Prerequisites As always, we assume here that you already followed the instructions in the previous tutorials. TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 now is in the following state: ▪ The track “House 1” is loaded on Deck A. The track is playing and audible. ▪ The crossfader is all the way to the left. 4.4.
Tutorials Looping and Cueing → This will automatically add a loop at that position in the track. The Loop size will correspond to the number on the Loop section in TRAKTOR: The Loop Size Display. ► To change the size of the Loop, just turn the same LOOP SIZE encoder until the display reads the number of beats you’d like the Loop to be. Note that you can adjust the Loop size either before or after you’ve set the Loop! When doing it beforehand, it will affect the next Loops you set.
Tutorials Looping and Cueing Moving a Loop You can also quickly move the active Loop across your track by using the LOOP MOVE encoder, at the left of the Loop section: The LOOP MOVE encoder. ► To move the Loop, turn the LOOP MOVE encoder. The size of the move also corresponds to the Loop size that is currently set, as displayed in TRAKTOR’s Loop section. Turning the LOOP MOVE encoder when there is no Loop currently active lets you jump backward/forward through the track by the same Loop size.
Tutorials Looping and Cueing Deactivating Looping If you want to deactivate the current Loop, do the following: ► To deactivate looping, push either of the LOOP MOVE or LOOP SIZE encoder. → The playback continues after the Loop. By pushing the LOOP MOVE encoder when there is no Loop currently active, you activate looping: the next Loop in the track will be activated. 4.4.2 Using Hotcues In this tutorial and in the previous one, we already used Hotcues to store Cue Points and Loops.
Tutorials Looping and Cueing ► To clear a Hotcue, hold down the SHIFT button and press the corresponding CUE/REMIX SLOTS button. → You can see that the button is no longer lit. Example Hotcues aren’t just bookmarks to particular sections of a track — they can also be used for creative techniques such as remixing parts of a song, beat juggling effects, etc. As an example, we will show you here how you can quickly make use of a Loop stored in a Hotcue slot to introduce the track you’re about to mix in.
Tutorials Using Samples in Your Mix 4.5 Using Samples in Your Mix As previously mentioned, the TRAKTOR software provides you with four virtual Decks, each of which can be operated in several modes: Track Deck mode, Remix Deck mode, and Live Input mode. The left and the right physical Deck on your S2 controller generally control the upper Decks A and B in the TRAKTOR software. In combination with the S2, these Decks should always be in Track Deck mode.
Tutorials Using Samples in Your Mix The Remix Deck C with a Sample loaded in the upper Sample Cell of the first Sample Slot. Remix Decks are a great way to add Samples to your set, or capture Samples for on-the-fly remixing. You can also use the Remix Decks to build new tracks on the fly, layering up to eight clips on top of each other. Now let’s find out how to control the Remix Decks from your S2.
Tutorials Using Samples in Your Mix 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Press the A button below the REMIX knob in the middle of the Mixer. This switches the CUE/REMIX SLOTS buttons on the controller to Remix Deck mode. The A button lights up, and the four CUE/REMIX SLOTS buttons 1-4 now control the four Sample Slots of Remix Deck C in the software. Hold SHIFT and turn the BROWSE encoder to select the Track Collection folder from the Browser Tree.
Tutorials Using Samples in Your Mix ▪ On your S2, the corresponding CUE/REMIX SLOTS button is now dimmed, indicating that the Remix Slot holds a Sample (which is not audible yet). 4.5.2 Triggering the Sample Triggering the Sample is as simple as pressing the dimmed CUE/REMIX SLOTS button: 1. 2. 3. Press the dimmed CUE/REMIX SLOTS button to trigger the Sample. Press the button again to mute the relevant Sample Slot. Press once more to unmute it.
Tutorials Using Samples in Your Mix The Remix Deck C with the Advanced Panel on bottom. On the lower right you can see the cursor pointing on the Play Type button, which switches the Sample Cell from One-shot to Loop mode and vice versa. ► Click on the Play Type button in the lower right of the Advanced Panel (see screenshot above) to switch the Sample to One-shot mode if you wish.
Tutorials Using Samples in Your Mix 3. 4. → Set a Loop on Deck B, using the controls in the Loop section (as explained in chapter ↑4.4, Looping and Cueing). Press an unlit CUE/REMIX SLOTS button — let’s say button 1. This automatically captures the current Loop playing on Track Deck B, and copies it into the upper Sample Cell of the first Sample Slot on Remix Deck D underneath: We just exported the active Loop from Deck B to the upper Sample Cell of Deck D's first Sample Slot.
Tutorials Using Samples in Your Mix The loop is now read to play in Remix Deck D. Furthermore, provided that Snap mode and SYNC are active, the loop is in perfect sync with the Track Deck B above. The CUE/REMIX SLOTS buttons offer you the same playback controls as described earlier (press to unmute/mute the Sample, SHIFT+ press to stop it and skip to start next time it's activated, SHIFT + press again to unload).
Tutorials Adding FX TRAKTOR has an extremely powerful effect section. By default, there are two different FX Units in TRAKTOR, which can be assigned to any of the Decks. These FX Units are directly mirrored on your S2 above each Deck: An FX Unit in TRAKTOR. An FX Unit on the S2 controller. Prerequisites As always, we assume here that you already followed the instructions in the previous tutorials. TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 now is in the following state: ▪ The track “Techno 2” is loaded on Deck B.
Tutorials Adding FX ► To set the FX Unit to Group mode, go to Preferences > Effects > FX Panel Mode and choose Group from the relevant drop-down menu. → In the TRAKTOR software, you see three different FX slots stacked on top of each other in the corresponding FX Unit (see picture above). 4.6.2 Getting the FX Unit Ready Let’s load the three default effects and activate the FX Unit: 1. 2. 3.
Tutorials Adding FX 4.6.3 Assigning Decks to the FX Unit and Bringing In the FX Now we need to assign this FX Unit to a Deck. To do this, we use the FX Assign buttons at the top of each channel on the Mixer (below the GAIN/FILTER encoder): The FX Assign buttons on each channel. Let’s assign the FX Unit 1 to Deck B: 1. 2. Press the left FX Assign button (labeled “1”) on channel B to assign Deck B to the FX Unit 1. Slowly turn the DRY/WET knob clockwise to bring in the FX.
Tutorials Adding FX 1. 2. → Hold SHIFT and press the FX Button 1 repeatedly to scroll through all available FX until the Gater is selected in the first slot of the FX Unit 1 in TRAKTOR. If the first FX slot is currently deactivated, press the FX Button 1 to activate it (the button must be lit). You hear the Gater cutting the audio at regular intervals. You might want to deactivate the FX Buttons 2 and 3 in order to better hear how the Gater affects the audio.
Tutorials Adding FX 4. On channel B, press the right FX Assign button (labeled “2”) to assign Deck B to this FX Unit as well. You can deactivate the left FX Assign button on that channel if you want to hear the new FX more distinctly. The FX Knobs 1-3 and the FX Buttons 2 and 3 will give you access to each of the advanced parameters for that FX. At any time, you can press the FX Button 1 to reset the parameters to their default value.
Tutorials Synchronization ▪ We noticed that the Gater FX was synchronized to the track it was processing (see ↑4.6, Adding FX). For all this to work, TRAKTOR needs both a tempo and beat reference it can synchronize things with. We call this the tempo master. The Tempo Master The tempo master is the one tempo source in TRAKTOR that all other elements can be synchronized to. The tempo master can be the internal TRAKTOR clock, or one of the Track Decks A and B.
Tutorials Synchronization The included demo tracks used in the tutorials were previously analyzed, therefore they already have a reliable Beatgrid. Before you can effectively use the synchronization facilities on your own tracks, you will have to analyze them. For more info on how to do this, see chapter ↑3, Preparing Your Music Library. For all the details on the Beatgrid, the Analysis and the Track Collection, please refer to the separate TRAKTOR 2 Manual.
Tutorials Synchronization The Auto mode is activated by default, and this is the mode we used in all the previous tutorials. With AUTO activated, TRAKTOR automatically switches the tempo master between Track Decks when needed — that is to say, when the Track Deck set as tempo master is stopped or when you load a new track onto it. This way, you don’t have to worry about setting the tempo master yourself.
Tutorials Synchronization → Deck B now is the tempo master: the MASTER button on the left Deck Display in TRAKTOR turns off, whereas that of the right Deck lights up: The Auto mode guarantees that each new track in the mix sets the tempo reference, and all FX and other Decks will synchronize to it correctly — without being constrained to a single tempo.
Tutorials Synchronization This way, all Decks will instantly follow the Clock’s tempo. You can then set the Clock’s tempo to the tempo you intend to play your set via the numeric field to the right of the MASTER button (see picture above): ► Change the Clock’s tempo by clicking the displayed BPM value and dragging your mouse vertically while holding the mouse button depressed. → You can see the tempos on every Deck changing accordingly.
Tutorials Synchronization ▪ If you want to set a Loop starting directly on a beat, activate Snap and press the LOOP SIZE encoder around the desired beat. ▪ On the contrary, should you wish to set a Cue Point at the beginning of some backing vocals that don’t necessarily start on the beat, deactivate Snap before pressing an unlit CUE/REMIX SLOTS button.
Tutorials Synchronization → The tone of the track gets back to its original value, thus preserving most of its acoustic feeling. In the Deck section, the KEYLOCK indicator lights up to remind you that the Keylock is active on that Deck: In conclusion, there is no “correct” sync setting: it all depends on your DJ style and the kind of music your sets will consist of.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Key S2 Functions Using TRAKTOR DJ 5 Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ The TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 is designed to work with the TRAKTOR DJ app on iOS devices. In this section we will describe the S2's key functions when using it with the TRAKTOR DJ app. The iOS devices referred to here are the iPad, iPhone and the iPod touch. The iPhone app is known as TRAKTOR DJ for iPhone.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Key S2 Functions Using TRAKTOR DJ 5.1.1 Browsing & Loading Tracks Follow the below tutorial to familiarize yourself with how to use the S2 to Browse through your music collection in TRAKTOR DJ and load tracks. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Press the BROWSE encoder to reveal the music file tree in TRAKTOR DJ. Here your music will be categorized into either Songs, Playlists, Artists, Albums, or Genre. Press the BROWSE encoder again on Songs to enter into your song collection.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Key S2 Functions Using TRAKTOR DJ The Mixer section of the S2, and the corresponding TRAKTOR DJ Equalizer section. In TRAKTOR DJ, Deck A is located at the top, and Deck B found below. In TRAKTOR DJ for the iPhone, the deck view slider indicates that Deck A is located at the top and B at the bottom. 5.1.3 Using the Filters The primary function of the S2’s GAIN/FILTER encoders controls TRAKTOR DJ's Filter effect for the corresponding Deck.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Key S2 Functions Using TRAKTOR DJ TRAKTOR DJ's Filter engaged symbol. 5.1.4 Adjusting Channel Gain The secondary function of the S2’s GAIN/FILTER encoders controls TRAKTOR DJ's gain level for the corresponding Deck. To adjust gain level: ► Hold SHIFT + turn the GAIN/FILTER encoder. Turning clockwise, the gain level of the currently playing Deck increases. Vice versa, turning the knob counterclockwise will cause the gain level of the track playing to decrease.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Key S2 Functions Using TRAKTOR DJ 5.1.5 Using the EQ’s When you move one of the S2's Eq buttons on either of Channels A or B, the corresponding effect can be observed via TRAKTOR DJ's Equalizer section. To reveal the Equalizer display of a TRAKTOR DJ Deck using the S2: ► Press FX button 2, located at either the top of channel A or B. → The Equalizer drawer will be revealed in the relevant TRAKTOR DJ deck. TRAKTOR DJ's Equalizer Display.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Key S2 Functions Using TRAKTOR DJ 5.1.6 Headphone Cueing The CUE VOL knob located on the front panel of the S2 adjusts the volume levels of the headphone output. The CUE MIX knob determines whether you hear the main mix only, the cue channel only, or both signals in your headphones. The Headphones input and CUE controls on the front panel of the S2. Cueing a track in your headphones works in the following way: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Load Decks A and B each with a track.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Key S2 Functions Using TRAKTOR DJ 12. Press both Cue buttons so that they are off. 13. Turn the CUE MIX knob all the way to the right. If the channel faders are up you will be able to hear the main mix coming through your headphones. Notice that when both channel faders are down, there is no signal at all coming through the headphones. ► Move the crossfader from one side to the other to hear the main mix in the headphone cue.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Key S2 Functions Using TRAKTOR DJ 1. Pressing and spinning a Jog Wheel's top plate, you can seek through a track (to find a nice bring-in point for example). 2. Once you have found an interesting point for cueing (let’s say a downbeat), keep pressing the top plate and release it when a downbeat arrives in the other track. Deck A starts playing from that point. You can also stop the playback (by pressing the PLAY button) before you seek an interesting point with the Jog Wheel.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Using the Transport Section With FLUX mode engaged, try experimenting with scratching the Jog Wheels, and triggering Hotcue buttons. Using the TEMPO Faders The S2 allows you to control the tempo of a track/s playing in TRAKTOR DJ by manually adjusting the Track Deck's tempo. Adjusting the tempo of the currently playing track's tempo adjusts the global tempo of TRAKTOR DJ. By default, the track playing will play at the currently selected tempo setting of the TEMPO fader.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Using the Transport Section ▪ Deck Sync (& BeatGrid Mode) functions ▪ Flux mode functions This section will take you through the functions of each button in the transport section. You will also learn how the RGB buttons behave when using the TRAKTOR DJ app. 5.2.1 PLAY buttons Pressing either of the PLAY buttons will toggle playback on the corresponding TRAKTOR DJ Deck. Whilst the track is playing, pressing the PLAY button again will pause the deck.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Using the Transport Section When a TRAKTOR DJ deck is in the Half-Sync state. The SYNC symbol of the TRAKTOR DJ deck will be lit red, and the corresponding S2 SYNC button will flash orange. To reset the SYNC function: ► Press the S2's flashing SYNC button. → You will immediately hear the tracks align again. The S2's SYNC button is no longer flashing orange, and TRAKTOR DJ's SYNC is lit green.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Using the Transport Section TRAKTOR DJ will save the Beat Grid location as a Hotcue point; this is why many tracks will appear with one white Hotcue button. When using TRAKTOR DJ's Loop Slicer, The S2's Hotcue buttons 1-4 control Slices and illuminate green when the mode is engaged. Refer to the section on Using Loops. When using TRAKTOR DJ's Freeze Mode, The S2's Hotcue buttons 1-4 control Slices and illuminate blue when the mode is engaged.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Using the Transport Section Triggering a loop in TRAKTOR DJ using the Loop SIZE encoder. Storing Loops Using the S2 When you find those of so perfect sections of your track's to loop, you can use the S2 to store these by: ► With the Loop mode engaged, press an available (i.e. non backlit) Hotcue button. → The selected Hotcue button is now backlit green to indicate a loop is stored. To delete any stored cue points, loops etc.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Using the Transport Section 3. Press the Loop MOVE encoder to engage TRAKTOR DJ's Loop Slicer mode. You will notice that TRAKTOR DJ now displays the selected loop size into slices. The 4 Hotcue buttons on the S2 will now be backlit green indicating that they can now be triggered individually whilst the Loop Slicer is engaged. 4. Experiment by triggering the Hotcue buttons whilst in Loop Slicer mode.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Using the Transport Section Triggering Hotcue button 4 in TRAKTOR DJ's Loop Slicer mode. Whilst in Loop Slicer mode, you have the opportunity to move the start point of the Loop by turning the Move Encoder. Turning to the left moves the start point of the loop to an earlier point in the playing track, whilst to the right a latter point.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Using the Transport Section Waveform Zoom Pressing SHIFT + rotating one of the S4's Loop MOVE encoders will zoom the waveform of the corresponding TRAKTOR DJ Deck. To the right zooms out-widening the track deck view, to the left zooms in to the track on a more micro level. Freeze Mode Pressing one of the S4's Loop MOVE encoders will engage Freeze Mode on the corresponding TRAKTOR DJ Deck. TRAKTOR DJ splits the Freeze Mode area into Slices.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Using the Transport Section Triggering Hotcue button 2 whilst in Freeze Mode. The scale of the Freeze Mode section, and individual cue sections depends on the viewing scale you are currently using. You can adjust the scale of which you are currently viewing a track by holding SHIFT+ turning the Loop MOVE encoder. To the right zooms out-widening the track deck view, to the left zooms in to the track on a more micro level.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Using FX Holding SHIFT + turning the Loop MOVE encoder to adjust TRAKTOR DJ's viewing scale. When in Freeze Mode, turning the Loop MOVE encoder can be used to move around the assignments. ► Turning the Loop MOVE encoder, will move the Freeze assignments by the group size of assignments. Pressing and rotating the Loop MOVE encoder moves the assignments by one assignment size. 5.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Using FX → The effects display of TRAKTOR DJ will be revealed for the corresponding Deck. You will notice that the top of this Effects display contains three effects. Each of these represents the currently available effect as part of a bank. To change the individual effects as part of the TRAKTOR DJ effects bank, you will need to manually select these within TRAKTOR DJ. Simply press the relevant effect section to reveal the drop down menu of 8 available effects in that bank.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Using FX 4. 5. 6. Using the FX 1 section (located in the top-left) of the S2, press FX button 1. The button will illuminate orange; you will also be able to hear the Delay effect being applied to the track playing. Move the FX knob 1 to either the left or the right. Observing TRAKTOR DJ, you will notice that your movements with the FX knob control the corresponding X axis in TRAKTOR DJ. Moving the FX knob to the right subsequently moves the Delay effect along its X axis.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Using FX 7. Now turn FX Knob 1 all the way to the right. You will hear the amount of the Delay effect increasing and observe that the Effects Display moves to diagonally as both the Effect parameter moves to the both along the X axis and up the Y axis. 8. Now turn both of these knobs to the left. You will hear the amount of the effect applied lessens. 9. Now press FX buttons 2 and 3, so that all 3 FX buttons are engaged.
Using the S2 with TRAKTOR DJ Using FX 10. Moving the DRY/WET knob will now control all three of the selected effect variables along TRAKTOR DJ's Y axis.
Hardware Overview Top Panel - Main Areas 6 Hardware Overview This chapter will give you an overview of the controller sections and their software equivalents. 6.1 Top Panel - Main Areas This section will give you an overview of the controller's top panel areas and their software equivalents. 6.1.1 Decks TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 provides you with two physical Decks. These Decks always control Track Decks A and B of the TRAKTOR PRO 2 software.
Hardware Overview Top Panel - Main Areas Deck A on your S2 controller.
Hardware Overview Top Panel - Main Areas Equivalent elements on the controlled Deck in TRAKTOR. On your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 controller, each Deck provides you with: ▪ a multi-function jog wheel with advanced transport functionality via its top plate (1) and outer rim (2). ▪ a Tempo unit (3) to adjust the playback speed. ▪ a Loop section (4) for setting and modifying loops. ▪ a CUE/REMIX SLOTS section (5) for setting and triggering Cue Points (or samples; see ↑7.
Hardware Overview Top Panel - Main Areas Many control elements on the Decks can have their function customized in order to fit your specific needs and habits! For more info on this, please refer to chapter ↑8, Customizing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2.
Hardware Overview Top Panel - Main Areas The Mixer on the S2 controller and in TRAKTOR. The Mixer receives on its main channels (1) the audio signals coming from the two Decks described above. There is one channel for each Deck. Hence, channels are labeled A and B according to their corresponding Deck. Additionally, there is a combined Remix Deck channel (2), controlling the volume of TRAKTOR's Remix Decks C and D. For this, you use the REMIX knob in the middle of the mixer.
Hardware Overview Top Panel - Main Areas As any DJ mixer, the Mixer’s purpose basically is to adjust the relative level of each channel, to control the channels’ frequency content, possibly feeding them into the FX Units (see section ↑6.1.3, FX Units) before sending the overall result to the Main section (3) — and in the end, to generate the mix that is sent to your audience.
Hardware Overview The Rear Panel On the hardware side, the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 also provides you with two FX Units (labeled FX1 and FX2 on your controller), which allow you to control the corresponding FX Units in the software. You will find a detailed description of every control element in the FX Units in section ↑7.8, Using the FX Units. You can activate two additional FX Units in the Preferences of TRAKTOR. Using four FX Units instead of two implies a few changes in the FX routing scheme. 6.
Hardware Overview The Rear Panel 6.2.1 MIC Section GAIN knob: Adjusts the gain of your microphone. MIC socket: Microphone input (jack 1/4") 6.2.2 OUTPUTS Section The OUTPUTS section holds sockets for the main outputs of your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 controller. The OUTPUTS section on the rear panel. LEVEL knob: Controls the RCAs' output gain when BOOTH/MAIN switch is set to BOOTH.
Hardware Overview The Rear Panel 6.2.3 POWER Section The POWER section holds the sockets for the connection of your S2 to your computer and to the power, along with the ON/OFF switch. The POWER section on the rear panel. USB socket : Connect here your S2 to your computer with the included USB cable, or to your iOS device via the included Native Instruments iOS cable. If possible, do always use the USB cable provided with the S2 box to operate your unit.
Hardware Overview Types of Control Elements The front panel of the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2. Headphones socket (PHONES) : Cue channel stereo output (jack 1/4"). Connect your headphones here. Headphones Volume knob (CUE VOL) : Adjusts the volume in your headphones here. Headphones Mix knob (CUE MIX) : Adjusts the mix between master output and cue channel in your headphones here. MIC ENGAGE switch : Engage the switch to turn on the microphone channel.
Hardware Overview Types of Control Elements 6.4.1 Buttons A button (in this case, CUE/REMIX SLOTS button 2) on your S2. Buttons are spread everywhere over your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2. They can have three flavors: ▪ Some buttons trigger a function when they’re pressed (“trigger” action), e.g., a CUE/REMIX SLOTS button: hit one of the CUE/REMIX SLOTS buttons, this triggers the playback to continue from there. ▪ Some buttons switch to another state until they are pressed again (“toggle” action), e.g.
Hardware Overview Types of Control Elements 6.4.2 Knobs A knob on your S2. Knobs are rotary potentiometers with limited range — this is indicated by the limited white ring around them. By turning them, you can dial an absolute value for the parameter. The small white line on their top indicates the current value of the parameter within the defined range. Depending on their purpose, most of them have a center detent at the middle (default) position, which is shown by the little notch on their ring. 6.4.
Hardware Overview Types of Control Elements 6.4.4 Jog Wheels A jog wheel on your S2. Functionally speaking, the two jog wheels are quite similar to the encoders described above: they have an endless rotary movement (here continuous) and an additional push action available on their top plate.
Hardware Overview Types of Control Elements 6.4.5 Faders A fader on your S2. Faders are linear control elements with limited range. All of them set absolute values, with the possible exception of the tempo faders (see ↑7.3, Using the Tempo Unit). 6.4.6 Meters and Indicators A meter. Indicators and meters are single- or multi-LED elements that provide you with real-time feedback about various states and levels in the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 system.
Hardware Overview Types of Control Elements 6.4.7 Switches A switch. Switches are only available on the rear panel. They control a few basic options needed when setting your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 up. 6.4.8 Sockets The RCA main output sockets on the rear panel of your S2. Sockets are to be found on the rear and front panels only. They allow you to plug various types of cables (USB, audio, MIDI, etc.) into your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2.
Hardware Control Reference Things You Should Know 7 Hardware Control Reference This chapter details the use of the individual sections on your S2 controller. Whenever you need to know what a particular section on the controller can do, or how to achieve a specific task, refer to this chapter's contents. In this chapter, we describe actions on the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2.
Hardware Control Reference Things You Should Know 7.1.2 TRAKTOR's Deck Flavors: Track Decks Vs. Remix Decks The TRAKTOR software provides you with four virtual Decks, A to D. Each of them can be operated in several modes (called Deck Flavors in TRAKTOR terminology): There is a Track Deck mode, a Remix Deck mode, and a Live Input mode (see also ↑6.1.1, Decks for more information on the Deck modes / Flavors). This makes TRAKTOR a very flexible system, customizable for umpteen scenarios.
Hardware Control Reference Using the Jog Wheels 7.2 Using the Jog Wheels The jog wheel (right Deck pictured). The jog wheel has several functions, dealing with the playback of your track: ▪ Tempo bending: By spinning the jog wheel’s outer rim, you temporarily raise or lower the Deck tempo. When you stop spinning the rim, the Deck tempo returns to its original value.
Hardware Control Reference Using the Tempo Unit ▪ Inside an active Loop, while holding the LOOP IN or LOOP OUT button depressed, use the jog wheel to adjust the Loop In Point or Loop Out Point, respectively. See section ↑7.3.2, Tempo Reset for more info on loops. ▪ Your jog wheel can also be switched to a special Jog mode providing you with advanced features like FX control or filter control. Please refer to section ↑8.2.1, S2 Control Options for more info. 7.
Hardware Control Reference Using the Tempo Unit Absolute Mode By default, the tempo fader is in Absolute mode. In this mode, whenever you move the tempo fader on your S2, its position is transmitted 1:1 to the tempo fader of the software Deck — no matter what the current position of the tempo fader on the software is.
Hardware Control Reference Using the LOOP Section 7.4 Using the LOOP Section The Loop section. The Loop section holds all necessary controls for setting and modifying Loops in your tracks. The Loop section consists of two buttons in the middle and two push encoders on the sides. From left to right, you find the following controls: Loop MOVE encoder, LOOP IN button, LOOP OUT button, and Loop SIZE encoder. 7.4.1 LOOP IN and LOOP OUT Buttons The LOOP IN and LOOP OUT buttons.
Hardware Control Reference Using the LOOP Section The LOOP IN and LOOP OUT buttons also act as indicator: they light up simultaneously to indicate that a Loop is running. If looping is active but the playback position is outside any Loop, only the LOOP OUT lights up. ► Hold the LOOP IN or LOOP OUT button depressed and spin the jog wheel to adjust the Loop In or Loop Out Point of the running Loop. Bear in mind that all your actions affect a Floating Loop (and not the original Stored Loop, if any).
Hardware Control Reference Using the LOOP Section Bear in mind that all your actions affect a Floating Loop (and not the original Stored Loop, if any). Hence, if you plan to use the modified Loop later, don’t forget to store it! For example, you can do this by pressing an unlit CUE/REMIX SLOTS button (see section ↑7.5, Using the CUE/REMIX SLOTS Section). 7.4.3 Loop SIZE Encoder The Loop SIZE encoder.
Hardware Control Reference Using the CUE/REMIX SLOTS Section 7.5 Using the CUE/REMIX SLOTS Section Depending on the mode, the four CUE/REMIX SLOTS buttons in each of the CUE/REMIX SLOTS sections on the S2 either control: ▪ Cue Points for TRAKTOR's Track Decks A and B (Cue mode). ▪ The Sample Slots of Remix Decks C and D (Remix Deck mode). Refer to ↑6.1.1, Decks for details regarding Track Decks and Remix Decks. 7.5.1 Cue Mode The four CUE/SAMPLES buttons representing the Hotcue slots in Cue mode.
Hardware Control Reference Using the CUE/REMIX SLOTS Section Storing a Cue Point or a Loop into a Hotcue Slot You can directly store the current playback position into a Hotcue slot by pressing an unlit button, which represents an empty slot. A Cue Point or a Loop will be stored, depending on the current playback position: ▪ If the playback position is outside an active Loop, a Cue Point will be stored. The relevant CUE/REMIX SLOTS button lights up in blue.
Hardware Control Reference Using the CUE/REMIX SLOTS Section The four CUE/REMIX SLOTS buttons representing the four Sample Slots of a Remix Deck in Remix Deck mode. For a quick introduction to the concept of Remix Decks, refer to section ↑6.1.1, Decks. Also don’t miss the tutorial in section ↑4.5, Using Samples in Your Mix, which shows you the Remix Decks in action.
Hardware Control Reference Using the CUE/REMIX SLOTS Section Quick Loading a Sample from the Playlist By holding SHIFT and pressing an unlit CUE/REMIX SLOTS button, you load the selected Sample from the currently active Playlist into the Sample Slot. Playback Controls in Loop and One-shot Mode Once a Sample is loaded into a Sample Slot, the relevant CUE/REMIX SLOTS button controls its playback. Its functionality depends on the Sample’s Play Type (Loop or One-shot mode).
Hardware Control Reference Using the Transport Control Area Playback state CUE/REMIX SLOTS button Sample stopped Press to start playback. Sample playing Press to stop playback and reset it to start position. In Loop mode, the Sample will be played back in loop. The CUE/REMIX SLOTS button acts as follows: Playback state CUE/REMIX SLOTS button Sample stopped Press to start playback. Sample playing Press to mute/unmute the Sample.
Hardware Control Reference Using the Transport Control Area CUE Button The CUE button functions as follows: ▪ When the Deck is playing, pressing CUE skips to the Floating Cue Point and stops the playback. ▪ When the Deck is paused, pressing CUE sets a new Floating Cue Point (which replaces the previous Floating Cue Point). The track is played back from that Floating Cue Point as long as the CUE button is held depressed. Upon release, playback stops and skips back to the Floating Cue Point.
Hardware Control Reference Using the Transport Control Area Pressing SHIFT + SYNC sets the Deck to tempo master — the Deck tempo then serves as tempo reference for all other synched Decks and FX. When the Deck is set as tempo master, the MASTER button in the corresponding Deck section in TRAKTOR lights up (see ↑4.7, Synchronization for a tutorial on synchronization and setting the tempo master). 7.6.3 SHIFT Button The SHIFT button.
Hardware Control Reference Using the Mixer 7.7 Using the Mixer The Mixer, in the middle of your S2. This section describes the general handling of the Mixer on your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2. You will find in ↑13.1, Quick Reference a Quick Reference table summing up the basic functionality of each control element on the Mixer.
Hardware Control Reference Using the Mixer Mixer Overview The Mixer is equipped with two main channels, each of them controlling the signal coming from one particular Deck: channel A and B control the signals coming from Deck A and B (the left and the right Deck on the S2) respectively. Thanks to the logical layout of the channels on the Mixer, you can quickly see what goes where: ▪ The left channel on TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 controls the signals coming from the left Track Deck (Deck A) in TRAKTOR.
Hardware Control Reference Using the Mixer When using TRAKTOR PRO, the GAIN/FILTER encoder controls the input level of the signal coming from the corresponding Deck before it passes the channel fader. ► Turn the GAIN/FILTER encoder to adjust the channel input gain. This notably affects the resulting level as shown by the channel meter at the bottom: If the channel meter indicates that the signal is clipping, turn down the GAIN/FILTER encoder.
Hardware Control Reference Using the Mixer ► Turn each EQ knob clockwise to emphasize the corresponding frequency band, and counter-clockwise to attenuate this band. At center detent position, the knob does not alter the signal. TRAKTOR provides you with various types of EQ, each of them having its own “personality. “ You can choose the EQ type in Preferences > Mixer > EQ Selection. For more info, please refer to the TRAKTOR 2 Manual. 7.7.3 FX Assign Buttons The FX Assign buttons.
Hardware Control Reference Using the Mixer 7.7.4 Channel Fader and Channel Level Meter The channel faders and their level meters. The channel fader controls the relevant channel’s level, before the signal is sent to the crossfader and Main section. The channel meter gives you a visual feedback on the pre-fader level of the signal on this channel: ▪ Blue: The signal is below clipping. ▪ Orange: The signal is clipping.
Hardware Control Reference Using the Mixer 7.7.5 Crossfader The crossfader. The crossfader controls the mix between the signal(s) assigned to its left and right side. At the center position, the crossfader has no effect: channel levels are then only defined by the respective channel faders (see above). At each crossfader’s end, the opposite signals are totally cut. You can customize the fading curve of the crossfader in TRAKTOR’s Preferences. Please refer to the TRAKTOR 2 Manual for more info.
Hardware Control Reference Using the Mixer 7.7.7 Headphones Cue Button The Headphones Cue button. The Headphones Cue button (CUE) allows you to send the channel’s signal to the cue channel — in other words, to your headphones. This is a basic feature for DJing, since it allows you to pre-listen the audio playing on that channel before sending it to the audience. ► Press the CUE button to send the channel’s signal to your headphones. The Headphones CUE button lights up when activated, i.e.
Hardware Control Reference Using the Mixer The Alert indicator basically informs you that something might go wrong with your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 system: the indicator flashes if the Main Volume knob or the Headphones Volume knob is too low in TRAKTOR, if the CPU meter is too high, or if the power supply of your laptop is disconnected. USB Indicator The USB indicator. The USB indicator gives you information about the status of the USB connection between your S2 and your computer.
Hardware Control Reference Using the Mixer 7.7.9 Browse Encoder (BROWSE) and Load Buttons (A and B) The BROWSE encoder. The Load buttons (labeled A and B). The BROWSE encoder and the LOAD buttons are used to browse and load tracks or samples in TRAKTOR KONTROL S2. You will find a description of their operation in section ↑7.9, Browsing, and Loading. 7.7.10 Remix Deck Knob and Mode Buttons (A and B) The Remix Deck knob (SAMPLES) and the Mode buttons.
Hardware Control Reference Using the FX Units The REMIX knob controls the volume of TRAKTOR's Remix Decks C and D. To activate Remix Deck mode, press one of the Mode buttons A or B below; the CUE/REMIX SLOTS section on the corresponding deck will switch from controlling the Track Deck cues to controlling TRAKTOR's Remix Decks C/D. See ↑7.5, Using the CUE/REMIX SLOTS Section for further information on Cue mode and Remix Deck mode. 7.
Hardware Control Reference Using the FX Units 7.8.1 Single Mode and Group Mode In TRAKTOR, each FX Unit can work in two different modes: ▪ Group mode: Each FX Unit boards three different FX chained in series. Each FX can be controlled by one knob and one button. ▪ Single mode: Each FX Unit boards a single FX, which can be fine-tuned via the three knobs and three buttons of the FX Unit.
Hardware Control Reference Browsing, and Loading Assigning FX Units to Channels The FX Units can be assigned to any number of channels in order to process the signals coming from the corresponding Decks. To do this, use the FX Assign buttons on the desired channels. You can activate two additional FX Units in the Preferences of TRAKTOR. Using four FX Units instead of two implies a few changes in the FX routing scheme. 7.
Hardware Control Reference Browsing, and Loading The BROWSE encoder, at the top of the Mixer. 1. 2. Hold SHIFT and turn the BROWSE encoder to scroll through the Browser Tree. Hold SHIFT and press the BROWSE encoder to expand/collapse a folder node in the Browser Tree. 3. Release SHIFT and turn the BROWSE encoder to scroll through the tracks of the currently highlighted Playlist.
Hardware Control Reference Native TRAKTOR Mode Vs. MIDI Mode By turning the BROWSE encoder, you scroll the Playlist that is currently selected. For more info on the Browser, the Playlists (and the Favorites), please refer to the TRAKTOR 2 Manual.
Hardware Control Reference Native TRAKTOR Mode Vs. MIDI Mode 7.10.2 MIDI Mode The MIDI mode allows you to use your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 as a regular MIDI controller. In MIDI mode, the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 will transmit only MIDI data via the virtual MIDI port that the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 driver will provide to the host computer’s operating system. Before proceeding with using the S2in MIDI mode, you must check the Enable MIDI mode via Shift + Shift checkbox in the S2's Preferences in TRAKTOR.
Customizing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 The Preferences Window 8 Customizing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 is a highly customizable DJ system. Many of its features can be modified so that it best suits your preferred way of DJing: customizable features include audio configuration, Decks, Mixer, transport controls, overall software layout, FX, Browser, file management, to mention a few.
Customizing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 The Preferences Window The list of available pages at the left of the Preferences window. 1. 2. 3. To display a particular page of settings, click on the page name in the left column. Adjust the settings according to your needs. Once you have modified the desired settings, click Close at the bottom of the Preferences window to confirm your modifications.
Customizing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Settings and Preferences for the S2 Control Elements 8.2 Settings and Preferences for the S2 Control Elements In this section, we will describe the available settings for the control elements sitting on the top panel of your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 controller. The next section will present a few other settings of importance for your work with TRAKTOR KONTROL S2. For a detailed description of all settings available in the Preferences window, please refer to the TRAKTOR 2 Manual.
Customizing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Settings and Preferences for the S2 Control Elements The settings for your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2. In this page, settings are grouped into four sections: S2 Control Options, Restore Default, Calibration and LEDs.
Customizing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Settings and Preferences for the S2 Control Elements 8.2.1 S2 Control Options On the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 page of the Preferences, the S2 Control Options section allows you to adjust the way your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 controller reacts to your actions. The following paragraphs thoroughly describe each of the available settings. Direct FX 1-3 The three menus Direct FX 1, Direct FX 2 and Direct FX 3 allow you to choose the FX to be directly loaded when holding SHIFT.
Customizing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Settings and Preferences for the S2 Control Elements ◦ When no Loop is active, the LOOP IN button sets a Floating Cue Point, whereas the LOOP OUT button sets a Loop Out Point and activates a Floating Loop between the Floating Cue Point (acting as Loop In Point) and this Loop Out Point. ◦ When a Loop is active, holding one of these buttons while spinning the jog wheel allows you to move the corresponding Loop In Point or Loop Out Point.
Customizing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Settings and Preferences for the S2 Control Elements ◦ The Tempo Offset buttons have the same functionality as in Absolute mode (indicating any offset between software and hardware faders, among other things). Additionally, they allow you to shift the range of the tempo fader: pressing a Tempo Offset button when both are unlit moves the range down/up by half range (e.g. by 6 % for the default range ±6 %). The tempo fader in the Software Deck jumps accordingly.
Customizing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Settings and Preferences for the S2 Control Elements The Restore button. Clicking on this button opens a warning message window, asking you if you really want to reset TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 to its default factory settings. ► Click Yes to confirm resetting TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 to its default settings. Click No to go back to the Preferences window without changing anything. → Upon confirmation, all TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 settings will be restored to default.
Customizing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Settings and Preferences for the S2 Control Elements ▪ Faders: for recalibrating the TEMPO and channel faders. ▪ Crossfader: for recalibrating the crossfader on the Mixer. ▪ Jogwheel: for recalibrating the Jogwheels for channel A and B. 8.2.4 LEDs The LEDs section provides you with two sliders that allow you to adjust the brightness for both states of all LEDs on your S2: ▪ On State Brightness: Sets the brightness for the On state of the LEDs.
Customizing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Other Settings of Interest ► To change the flavor of a lower Deck, click on the corresponding menu (C or D) and select the Remix Deck flavor from the drop-down menu. Click Close at the bottom of the Preferences window to confirm your modifications. You can also reset your Decks to some basic configurations by starting the Setup Wizard. Bear in mind, though, that the Setup Wizard additionally resets all TRAKTOR settings to their default values.
Customizing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 The Setup Wizard ► Select Start Setup Wizard in the Help menu of the Application Menu Bar (to see this bar, Fullscreen mode must be deactivated). Or ► Click the Setup Wizard button at the bottom left corner of the Preferences window. The Setup Wizard. In the Setup Wizard you find a single menu, which lets you choose between four Deck configurations: 2 Track Decks (default), 2 Track Decks + 2 Remix Decks, 4 Track Decks and 2 Track Decks + 2 Live Inputs.
Customizing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 The Setup Wizard → The Setup Wizard activates the selected Deck configuration, configures the audio routing options accordingly and resets all other TRAKTOR settings to their default value.
The S2 Audio Interface and Control Panel Settings on Mac OS X 9 The S2 Audio Interface and Control Panel Your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 is equipped with a high-end 24-bit/96 kHz audio interface. You can adjust the audio interface settings to your needs and computer performance. Depending on whether you work on Windows or Mac OS X, you can adjust these settings in different ways. 9.1 Settings on Mac OS X On Mac OS X, you can adjust the settings for the S2 audio interface from within each music application.
The S2 Audio Interface and Control Panel Settings on Windows: The Control Panel When converting audio information to digital and vice versa, the audio driver needs to store the data in buffer packages (audio buffers) which are then sent to and processed by the CPU. The higher the buffer size, the longer it takes for a signal to finally arrive at the output as audio.
The S2 Audio Interface and Control Panel Settings on Windows: The Control Panel ► Click on the tabs at the left to open the corresponding page of the Control Panel. 9.2.2 Audio Settings Page The Audio Settings page allows you to adjust the settings of the audio interface. The Control Panel with Audio Settings page opened. The Audio Settings page consists of two sections: ▪ Audio Processing: settings for the analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog conversion done by your audio interface.
The S2 Audio Interface and Control Panel Settings on Windows: The Control Panel The sample rate defines how many samples are played/recorded per one second of sound. A higher sample rate results in higher audio quality; however, 44100 Hz (as used for recording audio CDs) is a common setting and absolutely sufficient for most tasks. If your final destination is CD you should use this setting or a multiple of it (88200 Hz).
The S2 Audio Interface and Control Panel Settings on Windows: The Control Panel Notice there is also an input latency when working with the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2. The output latency value does not represent the overall latency, from pressing a button on the controller to hearing the resulting effect at the output. The overall latency is about twice as long as the output latency. 9.2.3 Diagnostics Page The Diagnostics page allows for monitoring the controller’s performance and for detecting errors.
The S2 Audio Interface and Control Panel Settings on Windows: The Control Panel ▪ Connection Monitor: displays client-to-driver connections and USB data errors when detected. ▪ System Performance Test: offers the possibility to run a performance test to measure latency values. ▪ Information: displays information on driver and firmware version. There is also a link to the Troubleshooting Guide here.
The S2 Audio Interface and Control Panel Using the S2 as your Default Audio Output Interface ◦ Clicking on Reset has the same effect as clicking on Start for the first time. It resets the testing procedure to its beginning and starts a new test with fresh values. ◦ Clicking on Stop will end the test. The Maximum Latency value will remain displayed. Information Section The Information section holds two displays and a button: ▪ Driver Version: See the currently installed driver version here.
The S2 Audio Interface and Control Panel Using the S2 as your Default Audio Output Interface 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. In the panel that opens, click Sound. On the Sound Effects tab, select TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 in the Play alerts and sound effects through menu. Click the Output tab, and select TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 from the Choose a device for sound output list. Click the Input tab, and select TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 from the Choose a device for sound input list. Close the window to confirm your changes.
Troubleshooting and Help TRAKTOR Won’t Start 10 Troubleshooting and Help This chapter covers the most common issues. Most of what can go wrong when setting up and using TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 should be listed here along with some tried-and-tested ways to solve these issues. 10.1 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. TRAKTOR Won’t Start Check the system requirements for TRAKTOR KONTROL S2. The minimum requirements are the very least you can get by with, and are often not enough for advanced use (i.e., Keylock, FX).
Troubleshooting and Help Hardware-related Problems 10.2.2 USB and Driver Issues Once your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 is connected and turned on, wait a few seconds and give a look at the USB indicator located in the Master Display, in the middle of your device: The USB indicator in the Master Display. If the USB indicator is flashing, there is no connection to the computer or there is a problem with the hardware driver. Please check the following points: ▪ The TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 is a USB 2.
Troubleshooting and Help Hardware-related Problems ▪ The port needs to fulfill the minimum power specification for a USB 2.0 port (500 mA). On certain computers, the USB 2.0 ports do not meet the official USB 2.0 power specification. In this case, you may see a message, saying that there is not enough power available to operate your device. The TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 may produce crackles or may not work at all.
Troubleshooting and Help Loose Jog Wheel Top Plate 10.3 Loose Jog Wheel Top Plate The flat, round, push-sensitive surface of the jog wheels on your TKS2 was designed to be easily replaceable. Due to heavy shocks or extreme vibration during travelling, in some rare cases a jog wheel top plate might become loose or detached from the controller. It can easily be reattached to the base of the jog wheel. To do this: 1.
Troubleshooting and Help Getting Help 10.5 Getting Help 10.5.1 Knowledge Base / Readme / Online Support ► Open the Service Center application and click on the Support button in the upper right corner. Here you will find direct links to the Native Instruments Online Knowledge Base and the Online Support Form.
Troubleshooting and Help Getting Help 10.5.2 Forum In the Native Instruments User Forum you can discuss product features directly with other users and with experts moderating the forum. http://www.native-instruments.com/forum 10.6 Updates Whenever you encounter problems, it is recommended that you first download and install any available software updates. Updates are released regularly to fix known problems and to continuously improve the software.
Appendix A – Common Setups TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Basic Setup 11 Appendix A – Common Setups This appendix shows you how to connect your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 with your other gears in various setups. For a reference of each socket or control element to be found on the rear and front panel of the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2, please refer to section ↑6.2, The Rear Panel and ↑6.3, The Front Panel, respectively.
Appendix A – Common Setups TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Basic Setup Connect the Power Supply 1. Connect the included power supply to a power outlet using the appropriate adapter for your region. 2. Connect the power cord plug to the Power Supply connector (labeled POWER) on the rear panel of your S2.
Appendix A – Common Setups TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Basic Setup We strongly recommend you to use an external power supply with your S2 via the included power supply unit. Although operation is also possible USB-powered, you'll have following limitations: the headphones output level is lower, and all LEDs light darker. Moreover, your device might then be subject to USB power-related issues, as explained in section ↑10.2.4, USB-related Power Issues.
Appendix A – Common Setups TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Basic Setup Turn Down All Volume Controls ► Before you plug any audio cable, make sure to turn down all volume controls, both on your S2 and on your amplification system.
Appendix A – Common Setups TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Basic Setup Connect the Main Outputs to Your Amplification System ► On the rear panel of your S2, connect the Main Output 1/2's 1/4" sockets (balanced) or the RCA sockets (unbalanced) to your amplification system, depending on the type of inputs supported by your amplifier or active speakers.
Appendix A – Common Setups TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Basic Setup Connect your Headphones to the PHONES Socket (Front Panel) ► On the front panel of your S2, plug your headphones into the Headphones socket (PHONES). Before putting on headphones, always make sure the headphone volume knob (CUE VOL) is set to minimum! To set the headphone volume to minimum, turn the CUE VOL knob counterclockwise until it reaches its end stop.
Appendix A – Common Setups TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Basic Setup Turn On Your S2 1. On the rear panel of your S2, engage the ON/OFF switch to switch on the device. 2. Look at the top panel of your controller: after a quick LED animation, the USB indicator in the Master Display might flash for a few seconds, then it should stay lit. This confirms that your S2 is correctly recognized by your computer. If the USB indicator stays flashing, there is a problem with your USB connection and/or driver.
Appendix A – Common Setups TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Basic Setup 1. Open the Preferences window by clicking on the Preferences button in TRAKTOR’s Header: 2. Go to Preferences > Decks Layout > Deck Flavor and select Remix Deck in the C and D menus: 3. Click Close at the bottom of the Preferences window to confirm your modifications.
Appendix A – Common Setups Adding a Microphone 11.2 Adding a Microphone Starting from the basic setup, we add here a microphone and show you how to use it on the MIC channel of TRAKTOR KONTROL 2. Before you proceed, please follow the steps for the basic setup described in section ↑11.1, TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Basic Setup. Connect Your Microphone to the MIC Socket The MIC socket and its dedicated GAIN knob.
Appendix B – Technical Information Technical Specifications 12 Appendix B – Technical Information You will find here the technical specifications of your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2. 12.1 Technical Specifications Jacks and Sockets ▪ 1 input jack (MIC) for mono 6.3 mm (1/4 inch) phone plug ▪ 2 output jacks (MAIN OUT 1/2) for 6.
Appendix C – Quick References Quick Reference 13 Appendix C – Quick References This appendix provides you with Quick Reference tables summing up the basic functionality of each control element on your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2. This gives you a quick and concise overview of all basic functions of your controller. For more info on each control element, please refer to the descriptions in chapter ↑6, Hardware Overview. 13.
Appendix C – Quick References Quick Reference Control element Function LOOP IN button Sets a Floating Cue Point at the current playback position without stopping the playback. This Floating Cue Point will serve as Loop In Point when you press the LOOP OUT button (see below). Lights up together with LOOP OUT when playback is within an active Loop. In Loop: Hold to adjust Loop In Point with jog wheel.
Appendix C – Quick References Mixer Quick Reference Control element Function SYNC button Activates/deactivates synchronization to tempo master (lit when sync activated). SHIFT + SYNC: sets Deck as tempo master (MASTER indicator lights up in Deck Display). Pressing and holding SHIFT + SYNC for more than one second moves the Beatgrid to match beats of current sync reference. SHIFT button Press and hold: gives access to secondary functions of other control elements.
Appendix C – Quick References Mixer Quick Reference 13.2.2 Channel and Crossfader Quick Reference Control element Function GAIN encoder Turn: adjusts input gain level for that channel (before channel fader and MAIN volume control). Push: resets input gain level to 0 dB. FX Assign buttons 1/2 Normal: assigns the channel to FX Unit 1/2, respectively. (For use with four FX Units, see detailed description in ↑7.8, Using the FX Units.
Appendix C – Quick References FX Unit Quick Reference 13.3 FX Unit Quick Reference See section ↑7.8, Using the FX Units for more details on these control elements. Control element Single mode Group mode FX On button Normal: activates/deactivates FX Unit globally (lit when activated). Normal: not used. SHIFT: selects next FX from FX list (as set in Preferences > Effects > FX PreSelection).
Appendix C – Quick References Browsing, Loading and Copying Quick Reference Control element Function Load buttons A/B (below BROWSE encoder) Normal: loads selected track on the respective Deck. SHIFT: copies and pastes the content of the opposite Track Deck to the Deck. Lights up when you press the jog wheel’s top plate. BROWSE encoder Turn: scrolls through the Playlist. SHIFT + turn: scrolls through the Browser Tree.
Index Index A B Absolute (prefs) [138] Basic setup [159] Absolute mode [107] Beat matching Adjusting levels [38] manually [35] Alert indicator [125] quantized [33] Aligning tracks [33] Beatgrid [59] Analysis [59] Beatjumps [109] Assigning FX to channels [56] [121] Beats Audience [39] manually aligning [37] Audio interface [145] BPM [63] Audio Processing (Control Panel) [147] BROWSE encoder Audio Settings (Control Panel) [147] Auto Loop (prefs) [138] Quick Loading [130] Browsing from
Index C Audio Settings page [147] Calibration [140] Diagnostics page [149] Changing the size of a Loop [43] Controller Editor [132] Channel [28] [92] Copying from your S2 [129] CUE button [31] [124] Crossfader [35] [123] fader [122] CUE button (Deck) FX Assign buttons [121] on Track Decks [115] HI knob [120] CUE button (Mixer) [124] LOW knob [120] Cue channel [31] meter [122] CUE MIX knob [31] [97] MID knob [120] Cue Points signal flow [119] Channel fader [122] Floating Cue Point [1
Index D F Deactivating looping [45] Faders channel [122] Deck [88] TEMPO [106] flavor [91] [141] Default FX [55] FILTER knob for mixing in a track [34] Device Monitor (Control Panel) [148] Direct FX 1-3 (prefs) [137] Flavor (Deck) [91] [141] Distortion [39] [41] Floating Cue Point [108] Documentation Floating Loop [108] Manual [12] FLUX Mode [76] Reading order [13] Front panel [96] Setup Guide [12] Headphones socket (PHONES) [97] TRAKTOR 2 Manual [13] Headphones Volume knob (CUE VOL)
Index Group mode [128] I Quick Reference [173] Importing music [19] [20] reference [127] from iTunes [21] Single mode [128] Information (Control Panel) [151] snapshot [58] Input routing [142] G iTunes [21] GAIN encoder [39] J GAIN/FILTER Encoder [119] Jog wheel Group mode [128] on Track Decks [105] adjusting FX Dry/Wet balance [58] outer rim [37] top plate [37] H Hardware Control Reference [103] K Headphone Cueing Kensington lock slot [94] CUE MIX [71] Headphones Cue button [124]
Index L Looped mode [60] Latency [145] [148] Looping [42] LEDs (prefs) [141] Loops Level meters [39] activating/deactivating [45] [109] Levels adjusting the size [43] [108] [110] adjusting [38] Floating Loop [108] Limiter [41] moving [44] [108] Loading setting in a track [42] [43] [108] Samples [48] tracks [24] storing [44] LOW knob [120] Loading from your S2 [129] Loop Buttons (prefs) [137] LOOP IN button on Track Decks [108] Loop mode [50] [115] LOOP MOVE encoder on Track Decks [44] [
Index M Quick Reference [171] MAIN knob (software) [41] reference [118] Main level [40] Mixing MAIN OUT section [95] by hand [35] Main Outputs 1/2 [163] using automatic sync [30] Main section [93] [123] Moving a Loop [44] [108] Manual Looping (prefs) [137] Music files [19] Manually cueing [36] Music folders [20] Master Display [124] N Alert indicator [125] Navigate Preview Play indicator [125] USB indicator [125] [154] Meters channel [122] Metronome icon [60] MIC VOL knob [97] track
Index P Q Phase offset (correcting) [37] QUANT button and indicator [33] PHONES socket [97] [164] Quantize mode [33] [63] Pitch (tracks) [64] Quick Loading PLAY button (Deck) on Track Decks [115] Playing a track [24] Playlist [91] browsing [130] POWER section [96] Power supply [160] samples [129] tracks [129] Quick Overview [16] Decks [17] FX Units [18] Mixer [18] Quick Reference [169] Power Supply connector [96] [160] FX Unit [173] Preferences [133] Loading, copying [173] Audio Setup pag
Index R S Rear panel [94] Sample Rate MAIN OUT section [95] Mac OS X [145] POWER section [96] Windows [147] Recalibrating your S2 [140] Sample Slot [49] [91] Relative (prefs) [138] Samples [47] [91] Relative mode [138] capturing from a track [51] Remix Deck [47] loading [48] concept [91] playback mode [50] Remix Decks [16] [91] playing [50] REMIX knob [127] stopping & skipping back to start [50] Remix Mode Buttons [127] triggering [50] Resetting TRAKTOR to default S2 settings [142]
Index Skipping back to start of track [34] T Snap mode [43] [53] [63] Technical Specs [168] Snapshot (FX Unit) [58] Tempo Sockets [102] MIC [167] PHONES [97] [164] USB [96] Storing a Cue Point [32] adjusting manually [36] automatically adjusting (Sync) [31] Tempo bending on Track Decks [37] [105] TEMPO Fader [106] Storing a Hotcue [32] [44] Absolute mode [107] Storing a Loop [44] Relative mode [138] Switching between Deck flavors [141] Tempo Faders (prefs) [138] SYNC button Tempo master [
Index Encoders [99] TRAKTOR Clock [60] Faders [101] setting as tempo master [61] TRAKTOR mode [131] Jog wheel [100] TRAKTOR DJ [66] Knobs [99] Filters [68] Meters [101] Freeze Mode [81] SHIFT Buttons [98] FX [83] SHIFT Buttons & Secondary Functions [104] iOS Compatibility [66] Switches [102] Loop Slicer [78] Loops [77] U Stripe Navigation [73] Updates [158] Tempo Faders [74] USB indicator [125] [154] Transport Section [74] USB issues [154] Waveform Zoom [81] USB socket [96] [161]