Filter sweeps in Traktor impossible?

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Filter sweeps in Traktor impossible?
Posted on: 10.03.2013 by Mabelle Anstaett
Hey everyone!

This past weekend I saw both Calvin Harris and Excision here in Charlotte. One thing I seemed to notice that they do is they use the high pass filter to create a "whooshing" sound. It can create some serious build ups. I'm just wondering how this is possible in traktor. I'm using the ladder filter, but there's just no resonance until you get to about 60 - 70%. I have a Kontrol S2, so I'm starting to wonder if this would be different with the S4? Maybe something to do with hardware filter vs software filter? Please help me out! The filter is quite possibly my favorite tool in DJ'ing, but it's just lackluster as is. I tried my buddy's DDJ-SX out and the filter was beautiful. As soon as I started moving the knob I would get a "whoosh" sound. Please, someone tell me there's a way to emulate this in Traktor! I don't want to get a serato board! I don't care if I have to down grade Traktor versions.
Kellie Myrum
12.03.2013
Originally Posted by zack771
I've been hearing a lot about freeze delay, but I don't quite get how it would be used. How do you use it exactly?
Or map it to a button.

Add in > FX Unit > Effect Selector / type-button / mode-direct / value-Delay
Add in > FX Unit > Unit On / type-button / mode-toggle
Add in > FX Unit > Button 2 / type-button / mode-toggle
Add in > FX Unit > Button 3 / type-button / mode-direct / value-0
Add in > FX Unit > DryWet / type-button / mode-direct / value-0.300
Add in > FX Unit > Knob 1 / type-button / mode-direct / value-0.600
Add in > FX Unit > Knob 2 / type-button / mode-direct / value-0.400
Add in > FX Unit > Knob 3 / type-button / mode-direct / value-0.300
Add in > FX Unit > FX Unit Mode Selector / type-button / mode-direct / value-Single
Add in > FX Unit > FX Store preset / type-button / mode-Trigger
Danae Dumler
12.03.2013
Originally Posted by Frank112916
Traktor is ---> Do I need 1 or 3 fx? How much control do I want? Ok I want lots of fx and lots of control...so 4 fx... 2 fx units...now if I don't have it mapped that's 6 knobs, 2 dry wet, if I am mixing externally I need to find a f@#k!ng button to echo freeze to get a simulated post fader effect...which means effectively my 4th effect is relegated to doing something my mixer already does in a more superior fashion...Ok so now I've set the parameter of the first three fx that are chained...now how much dry wet is too much? Will it sound good in combination with lots of wetness on the echo effect? Will it increase the volume of my track too much? Maybe...Ok well fuck it, I've got 10 seconds left in this track/this track has been looping "throw your hands up" for the past 2 minutes and I'm pretty sure the crowd is finally starting to catch on...Well here goes noth...oh shit...this sounds terrible...Ok bad transition...not doing that again...where'd my crowd go?
I agree but I believe that's the point of Traktor's method; it's a totally different workflow. You figure this shit out at home before your gig and then spend your time mapping so that one knob does everything you need in a predictable manner. The Armyofone video is a perfect example of how to do that right -- you find an effects combo that works and then map it to the knob so that when you need it, it's as easy to get to as your pioneer filter. If you're figuring this shit out in the last minute of your track, it's too late. And btw if your mixer already has a better echo freeze than traktor, just use the one on your mixer! You're mixing externally so it shouldn't be a problem.

The Traktor method isn't for everyone, and the Pioneer method is a lot simpler for those who don't want to spend the time and energy mapping things (it's a huge pain, granted). But it's far more powerful than what you have on pioneer - a very limited set of effects that are pretty obvious to anyone who's played with the mixer before. Traktor allows endless creative combinations, but they require a lot more "homework".
Mabelle Anstaett
12.03.2013
Originally Posted by loverocket
I thank the heavens every day for freeze delay.
I've been hearing a lot about freeze delay, but I don't quite get how it would be used. How do you use it exactly?
Dino Hapgood
12.03.2013
Originally Posted by jdownesbaird
Traktor has post fader effects now, so why do you need to use echo freeze to "simulate" post fader effects?
Because I mix externally due to the useless vue meters and poor gain staging in traktor. I like having visual feedback that's useful, not just looks pretty.
Dino Hapgood
12.03.2013
Originally Posted by manchild
DJTT member

Just don't forget to turn it off at the end! I can't tell you how many times I've used (used to use) this effect only to leave it on and fuck up a transition. Then again that's probably why I should lay off the drink when I DJ. Honestly the reverb-echo out is such a staple effect that I can't understand WHY Traktor doesn't have a simple way of getting this same effect. My DN X1600 has an effect called "echoreverb" which creates a similar sweep + it's post fader which is awesome.

Honestly if traktor simply implemented a more intuitive FX panel (the macro fx have been such an utter disappointment), useable vue meters (I actually spent an entire day mapping my DN X vue meters only to find out how absolutely useless this was), and more HID compliant controllers (so that I could have useable, scratchable jogs without spending 2000-2500 for a set of glorified jog wheels), I'd be so on board with ditching my mixer and turntables and going for a full-on midi setup. I don't LIKE carrying turntables around, I don't like having to clean a needle every 5 seconds, and I don't like when my needles break, but I can't afford CDJ 2k's and I could afford a pio900 if I wanted but I have better things to spend my money on. Unfortunately I'd rather lug my 1200's and Mixer around than deal with the nonsense that is Traktor's in-the-box mixing solution.

Pioneers workflow for FX makes way more sense --> Sound Color button --> Beat Color selector --> bpm tap (if necessary)-->timing select -->dry wet set/on off --->twist filter knob ---> voila!

Traktor is ---> Do I need 1 or 3 fx? How much control do I want? Ok I want lots of fx and lots of control...so 4 fx... 2 fx units...now if I don't have it mapped that's 6 knobs, 2 dry wet, if I am mixing externally I need to find a f@#k!ng button to echo freeze to get a simulated post fader effect...which means effectively my 4th effect is relegated to doing something my mixer already does in a more superior fashion...Ok so now I've set the parameter of the first three fx that are chained...now how much dry wet is too much? Will it sound good in combination with lots of wetness on the echo effect? Will it increase the volume of my track too much? Maybe...Ok well fuck it, I've got 10 seconds left in this track/this track has been looping "throw your hands up" for the past 2 minutes and I'm pretty sure the crowd is finally starting to catch on...Well here goes noth...oh shit...this sounds terrible...Ok bad transition...not doing that again...where'd my crowd go?

Unless you're spinning really slow/repetitive music or doing extremely long transitions, traktors fx are just a hinderance. I mean yeah, I wish I was Richie Hawtin, but I'm not and I believe the Plastic Man is happy that I don't try. I simply don't have time to get all scientific on the decks and solve a system of equations to find a closed form solution how the effects algorithm is going to modify my track in such a way given an infinite combination of settings and the frequency spectrum of the current mix.

I apologize for the rant but honestly - c'mon NI. Give us regular folk something we can use without spending more time learning FX than learning our tracks. Macro fx were a valiant effort indeed, but they still fall short of delivering easy to use quality fx that rival the A&H or Pioneer.
Doreen Schurle
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by papo
sounds like a great idea. i'll give that a try tomorrow to see how it sounds..

this is actually the first time I map something, other than storing the 1st cue point as a load marker. lol
before i was actually turning two effects knob (reverb and filter) try to achieve an effect like this... this make it so much easier.

i need to try more mapping with effects.... thanks for all your help and input.
No problem Finding combos that work well together is tricky but when you find one, you're suddenly like... OMG, it makes so much sense like that! Mapping is one of the most time consuming, and yet most rewarding parts of digital DJing
Albertina Fay
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
I also have my knobs mapped as relative so Iceverb and Reverb don't go all the way to 100, obscures less of the melody at 100% that way.
sounds like a great idea. i'll give that a try tomorrow to see how it sounds..

this is actually the first time I map something, other than storing the 1st cue point as a load marker. lol
before i was actually turning two effects knob (reverb and filter) try to achieve an effect like this... this make it so much easier.

i need to try more mapping with effects.... thanks for all your help and input.
Doreen Schurle
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by papo
yes. I actually did it a little different than way armyofme implemented it.

On the X1, the first effect knob controls the wet/dry and all three effects, but does not turn them on or off.
the button to the left of the knob, toggles all three effects on/off, but leaving the effects bank on, so it gives it the little tail. no sudden shut-off. it sounds great!
Damn right Sometimes the FX Unit 3 Delay Feedback thing is nice, when you want to transition from one track to another, but when you're just accentuating a build up or change of phrase WITHIN a track, it's better just to use the 3 effects on FX Unit 1

I also have my knobs mapped as relative so Iceverb and Reverb don't go all the way to 100, obscures less of the melody at 100% that way.
Albertina Fay
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
Did you try out the soft kill (reset to 0) tweak I suggested?
yes. I actually did it a little different than way armyofme implemented it.

On the X1, the first effect knob controls the wet/dry and all three effects, but does not turn them on or off.
the button to the left of the knob, toggles all three effects on/off, but leaving the effects bank on, so it gives it the little tail. no sudden shut-off. it sounds great!
Doreen Schurle
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by papo
this is EXACTLY what I did. thanks
Did you try out the soft kill (reset to 0) tweak I suggested?
Albertina Fay
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by manchild
It can be done. Just map it to a button for the time being and select what effect you want, then press the learn button again and set it for the knob......it should work after
this is EXACTLY what I did. thanks
Kellie Myrum
12.03.2013
Originally Posted by zack771
I've been hearing a lot about freeze delay, but I don't quite get how it would be used. How do you use it exactly?
Or map it to a button.

Add in > FX Unit > Effect Selector / type-button / mode-direct / value-Delay
Add in > FX Unit > Unit On / type-button / mode-toggle
Add in > FX Unit > Button 2 / type-button / mode-toggle
Add in > FX Unit > Button 3 / type-button / mode-direct / value-0
Add in > FX Unit > DryWet / type-button / mode-direct / value-0.300
Add in > FX Unit > Knob 1 / type-button / mode-direct / value-0.600
Add in > FX Unit > Knob 2 / type-button / mode-direct / value-0.400
Add in > FX Unit > Knob 3 / type-button / mode-direct / value-0.300
Add in > FX Unit > FX Unit Mode Selector / type-button / mode-direct / value-Single
Add in > FX Unit > FX Store preset / type-button / mode-Trigger
Danae Dumler
12.03.2013
Originally Posted by Frank112916
Traktor is ---> Do I need 1 or 3 fx? How much control do I want? Ok I want lots of fx and lots of control...so 4 fx... 2 fx units...now if I don't have it mapped that's 6 knobs, 2 dry wet, if I am mixing externally I need to find a f@#k!ng button to echo freeze to get a simulated post fader effect...which means effectively my 4th effect is relegated to doing something my mixer already does in a more superior fashion...Ok so now I've set the parameter of the first three fx that are chained...now how much dry wet is too much? Will it sound good in combination with lots of wetness on the echo effect? Will it increase the volume of my track too much? Maybe...Ok well fuck it, I've got 10 seconds left in this track/this track has been looping "throw your hands up" for the past 2 minutes and I'm pretty sure the crowd is finally starting to catch on...Well here goes noth...oh shit...this sounds terrible...Ok bad transition...not doing that again...where'd my crowd go?
I agree but I believe that's the point of Traktor's method; it's a totally different workflow. You figure this shit out at home before your gig and then spend your time mapping so that one knob does everything you need in a predictable manner. The Armyofone video is a perfect example of how to do that right -- you find an effects combo that works and then map it to the knob so that when you need it, it's as easy to get to as your pioneer filter. If you're figuring this shit out in the last minute of your track, it's too late. And btw if your mixer already has a better echo freeze than traktor, just use the one on your mixer! You're mixing externally so it shouldn't be a problem.

The Traktor method isn't for everyone, and the Pioneer method is a lot simpler for those who don't want to spend the time and energy mapping things (it's a huge pain, granted). But it's far more powerful than what you have on pioneer - a very limited set of effects that are pretty obvious to anyone who's played with the mixer before. Traktor allows endless creative combinations, but they require a lot more "homework".
Alphonso Deitchman
12.03.2013
Turn on Delay as a Single mode effect in Traktor. Press FRZ. Listen to the results.

Tweak the 3 setting dials and repeat.
Mabelle Anstaett
12.03.2013
Originally Posted by loverocket
I thank the heavens every day for freeze delay.
I've been hearing a lot about freeze delay, but I don't quite get how it would be used. How do you use it exactly?
Jerica Salava
12.03.2013
I thank the heavens every day for freeze delay.
Dino Hapgood
12.03.2013
Originally Posted by jdownesbaird
Traktor has post fader effects now, so why do you need to use echo freeze to "simulate" post fader effects?
Because I mix externally due to the useless vue meters and poor gain staging in traktor. I like having visual feedback that's useful, not just looks pretty.
Delena Katherman
12.03.2013
Traktor has post fader effects now, so why do you need to use echo freeze to "simulate" post fader effects?
Dino Hapgood
12.03.2013
Originally Posted by manchild
DJTT member

Just don't forget to turn it off at the end! I can't tell you how many times I've used (used to use) this effect only to leave it on and fuck up a transition. Then again that's probably why I should lay off the drink when I DJ. Honestly the reverb-echo out is such a staple effect that I can't understand WHY Traktor doesn't have a simple way of getting this same effect. My DN X1600 has an effect called "echoreverb" which creates a similar sweep + it's post fader which is awesome.

Honestly if traktor simply implemented a more intuitive FX panel (the macro fx have been such an utter disappointment), useable vue meters (I actually spent an entire day mapping my DN X vue meters only to find out how absolutely useless this was), and more HID compliant controllers (so that I could have useable, scratchable jogs without spending 2000-2500 for a set of glorified jog wheels), I'd be so on board with ditching my mixer and turntables and going for a full-on midi setup. I don't LIKE carrying turntables around, I don't like having to clean a needle every 5 seconds, and I don't like when my needles break, but I can't afford CDJ 2k's and I could afford a pio900 if I wanted but I have better things to spend my money on. Unfortunately I'd rather lug my 1200's and Mixer around than deal with the nonsense that is Traktor's in-the-box mixing solution.

Pioneers workflow for FX makes way more sense --> Sound Color button --> Beat Color selector --> bpm tap (if necessary)-->timing select -->dry wet set/on off --->twist filter knob ---> voila!

Traktor is ---> Do I need 1 or 3 fx? How much control do I want? Ok I want lots of fx and lots of control...so 4 fx... 2 fx units...now if I don't have it mapped that's 6 knobs, 2 dry wet, if I am mixing externally I need to find a f@#k!ng button to echo freeze to get a simulated post fader effect...which means effectively my 4th effect is relegated to doing something my mixer already does in a more superior fashion...Ok so now I've set the parameter of the first three fx that are chained...now how much dry wet is too much? Will it sound good in combination with lots of wetness on the echo effect? Will it increase the volume of my track too much? Maybe...Ok well fuck it, I've got 10 seconds left in this track/this track has been looping "throw your hands up" for the past 2 minutes and I'm pretty sure the crowd is finally starting to catch on...Well here goes noth...oh shit...this sounds terrible...Ok bad transition...not doing that again...where'd my crowd go?

Unless you're spinning really slow/repetitive music or doing extremely long transitions, traktors fx are just a hinderance. I mean yeah, I wish I was Richie Hawtin, but I'm not and I believe the Plastic Man is happy that I don't try. I simply don't have time to get all scientific on the decks and solve a system of equations to find a closed form solution how the effects algorithm is going to modify my track in such a way given an infinite combination of settings and the frequency spectrum of the current mix.

I apologize for the rant but honestly - c'mon NI. Give us regular folk something we can use without spending more time learning FX than learning our tracks. Macro fx were a valiant effort indeed, but they still fall short of delivering easy to use quality fx that rival the A&H or Pioneer.
Doreen Schurle
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by papo
sounds like a great idea. i'll give that a try tomorrow to see how it sounds..

this is actually the first time I map something, other than storing the 1st cue point as a load marker. lol
before i was actually turning two effects knob (reverb and filter) try to achieve an effect like this... this make it so much easier.

i need to try more mapping with effects.... thanks for all your help and input.
No problem Finding combos that work well together is tricky but when you find one, you're suddenly like... OMG, it makes so much sense like that! Mapping is one of the most time consuming, and yet most rewarding parts of digital DJing
Albertina Fay
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
I also have my knobs mapped as relative so Iceverb and Reverb don't go all the way to 100, obscures less of the melody at 100% that way.
sounds like a great idea. i'll give that a try tomorrow to see how it sounds..

this is actually the first time I map something, other than storing the 1st cue point as a load marker. lol
before i was actually turning two effects knob (reverb and filter) try to achieve an effect like this... this make it so much easier.

i need to try more mapping with effects.... thanks for all your help and input.
Doreen Schurle
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by papo
yes. I actually did it a little different than way armyofme implemented it.

On the X1, the first effect knob controls the wet/dry and all three effects, but does not turn them on or off.
the button to the left of the knob, toggles all three effects on/off, but leaving the effects bank on, so it gives it the little tail. no sudden shut-off. it sounds great!
Damn right Sometimes the FX Unit 3 Delay Feedback thing is nice, when you want to transition from one track to another, but when you're just accentuating a build up or change of phrase WITHIN a track, it's better just to use the 3 effects on FX Unit 1

I also have my knobs mapped as relative so Iceverb and Reverb don't go all the way to 100, obscures less of the melody at 100% that way.
Albertina Fay
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
Did you try out the soft kill (reset to 0) tweak I suggested?
yes. I actually did it a little different than way armyofme implemented it.

On the X1, the first effect knob controls the wet/dry and all three effects, but does not turn them on or off.
the button to the left of the knob, toggles all three effects on/off, but leaving the effects bank on, so it gives it the little tail. no sudden shut-off. it sounds great!
Doreen Schurle
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by papo
this is EXACTLY what I did. thanks
Did you try out the soft kill (reset to 0) tweak I suggested?
Albertina Fay
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by manchild
It can be done. Just map it to a button for the time being and select what effect you want, then press the learn button again and set it for the knob......it should work after
this is EXACTLY what I did. thanks
Albertina Fay
11.03.2013
looks like I got it to work and didn't even have to use midi-mode.
Addie Engbrecht
11.03.2013
It can be done. Just map it to a button for the time being and select what effect you want, then press the learn button again and set it for the knob......it should work after
Albertina Fay
11.03.2013
i believe i found a little loophole on how to do it with the x1. i'll post back in a few..
Kellie Myrum
11.03.2013
I believe that X1 knobs can't be mapped for button type commands...
Albertina Fay
11.03.2013
so I am following armyofme's tutorial. when i add "effect 1 selector" and learn the knob I am going to use, there is no way for me to select button as type, and without that, I do not have the option to select an effect.

does this make sense?

Also, I thought we were now able to override the default traktor hardware mappings, but it looks like the X1 was excluded... so needs to be in midi-mode correct?
Addie Engbrecht
11.03.2013
Which part are you having a hard time with? like the suggestion to have a button to reset to "0" instead using a knob??
Kellie Myrum
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by papo
having a hard time mapping this to the X1. Any one willing to help some....
Which part of tutorial you are having trouble with?
Albertina Fay
11.03.2013
having a hard time mapping this to the X1. Any one willing to help some....
Albertina Fay
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by mdcdesign
This is exactly how you do it, although there's an additional step she hasn't pointed out in the video. You map a second button to set the state of FX Buttons 1, 2, and 3 to 0, which kills the effect softly without the hard transition of disabling the FX unit entirely, or the sweep-down effect caused by turning the knob back to 0.
good find. I might test something like this when I get home.
Doreen Schurle
12.03.2013
Originally Posted by manchild
DJTT member

This is exactly how you do it, although there's an additional step she hasn't pointed out in the video. You map a second button to set the state of FX Buttons 1, 2, and 3 to 0, which kills the effect softly without the hard transition of disabling the FX unit entirely, or the sweep-down effect caused by turning the knob back to 0.
Kellie Myrum
12.03.2013
I used two presets for platter in this video, first was mash, peak, delay and second was gater, mash, peak. Knob was mapped just for reverb T3, peak and F92.
Mabelle Anstaett
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by Stewe
I messed a bit with this subject. Off course, Pio effects are hard to beat in Traktor but this is closest I could come using all available weapons in Traktor. Again, maybe some more tweaking could possibly give any better results.

This is perfect. What effects did you use?

EDIT: Oops. Didn't see the other posts. Sorry!
Kellie Myrum
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by Hermes
I will read first in the future But reverb and peak filter are mapped to the same knob (or jogwheel in this instance)?
Knob it is. Jogwheel is mapped for other effects.
Joetta Zhuk
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by Stewe
As I mentioned. Reverb, Peak filter and F92 should do it.
I will read first in the future But reverb and peak filter are mapped to the same knob (or jogwheel in this instance)?
Kellie Myrum
11.03.2013
Originally Posted by Hermes
So how did you do it?
As I mentioned. Reverb, Peak filter and F92 should do it.

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