Native Instruments TRAKTOR KONTROL S4, User Manual

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Page 2: ...plification System 9 4 3 Connecting Monitors for DJ Booth 9 4 4 Connecting Headphones 10 4 5 Connecting to the Power Supply 10 4 6 Final Preparation 11 4 7 Importing Music to the Track Collection 13 5...

Page 3: ...ue Points 54 7 10 Playing with Loops 56 7 11 Playing with Flux Mode and Reverse Mode 58 7 12 Playing with MIXER Effects 60 7 13 Playing with FX Units 61 7 14 Adding Tracks to the Preparation List 62 7...

Page 4: ...nd associated logos are registered trademarks of Native Instruments GmbH Mac macOS GarageBand Logic and iTunes are registered trademarks of Apple Inc registered in the U S and other countries Windows...

Page 5: ...special facts and to warn you of potential is sues The icons introducing the following notes let you see what kind of information can be expec ted The speech bubble icon indicates a useful tip that ma...

Page 6: ...to TRAKTOR TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 Overview is an extensive reference of all hardware control elements to be found on your TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 hardware controller Whenever you are unsure about the functiona...

Page 7: ...ght Deck on your S4 controls Decks B and D in the software 2 Mixer You can use the Mixer to mix the audio signals coming from the Decks The Mixer sits in the middle of the TRAKTOR software as well as...

Page 8: ...mode The GRID mode lets you correct faulty Beatgrids for tracks directly on the S4 us ing the Jog Wheels and the CUE channel on the fly For more information refer to Correcting Beatgrids of Tracks 3 3...

Page 9: ...en ena bling the SYNC function on a Deck TRAKTOR synchronizes the track to the Tempo Master The Tempo Master can either be a Deck or TRAKTOR s Master Clock When the Master Clock is the Tempo Master it...

Page 10: ...Cue Point at the beginning of vocals that do not neces sarily start on the beat Enable Quantize mode if want to mix in a synced track and want the downbeats of both tracks to perfectly match Disable...

Page 11: ...g NATIVE ACCESS This section describes how to set up the TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 When all devices are connec ted your setup will look like the following illustration TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 setup 4 1 Connecting...

Page 12: ...MAIN OUT XLR or RCA outputs on the rear panel of the TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 to the inputs of your amplification system using the appropriate cables 4 3 Connecting Monitors for DJ Booth To connect your mon...

Page 13: ...NTROL S4 Connect your headphones to the PHONES OUT socket on the front panel of the TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 using a 1 4 or a 1 8 connector 4 5 Connecting to the Power Supply To connect the Power supply to...

Page 14: ...your amplification system 3 Switch on your computer 4 Switch on your S4 5 Start TRAKTOR by double clicking the Traktor application icon on your desktop The TRAKTOR software opens Importing Data from...

Page 15: ...he Setup Wizard dialog appears automatically when you start TRAKTOR for the first time after installation The Setup Wizard helps you to configure the software to your needs only with a few clicks To c...

Page 16: ...s Track Collection is using drag and drop Drag the music files from the location on your computer and drop them in the Track Collec tion folder in TRAKTOR s Browser Tree TRAKTOR now analyzes the metad...

Page 17: ...C in the software The right Deck on your S4 controls Decks B and D in the software For more information on the Deck control elements refer to Decks 2 Mixer You can use the Mixer to mix the audio signa...

Page 18: ...our S4 and in the software interface The FX Units give you access to a collection of high quality effects included in TRAKTOR FX Unit 1 at the top left on your S4 controls FX Unit 1 in the software FX...

Page 19: ...onal CD player or turntable you can manually hold playback nudge and bend and start scratch ing by touching and turning the Jog Wheel and the outer rim Furthermore you can manually cor rect tracks Bea...

Page 20: ...ck and between TRAKTOR Decks B and C on the right Deck For more information refer to Switching Deck Focus 11 JOG button Enables JOG mode Jog Wheel mode for the Jog Wheel For more information refer to...

Page 21: ...another Sample in the Sample Slot by turning the Browse encoder For more information refer to Browsing and Loading and Previewing Tracks in the Browser 2 VIEW button Maximizes or minimizes the Browse...

Page 22: ...enabled when the underlying Deck is configured as Remix Deck Otherwise the SAMPLES button remains un lit For more information refer to Playing with Remix Decks 4 Mute button Mutes or un mutes Samples...

Page 23: ...sents the current playhead position 5 Remaining Track time Displays the time remaining until the track or the STEM File ends 6 Current Track Tempo Displays the current tempo for the track or STEM File...

Page 24: ...xer channels frequency content possibly feeding them into the FX Units before sending the overall result to the Master output and in the end to generate the mix that is sent to your audience The Mixer...

Page 25: ...X SELECT buttons Select the MIXER FX to be controlled by the individual MIXER FX controls in the Mixer channels For more information refer to Playing with MIXER Effects 7 MIX knob Adjusts the signal m...

Page 26: ...ob Adjusts the input level for the incoming signal of the corresponding Deck before it passes the channel fader For more information refer to Adjusting Levels 2 FX Assign buttons These buttons individ...

Page 27: ...PHONO LED On Mixer channel A and B the PHONO LED lights up if the exter nal input for the Mixer channel is set to receive a phono level signal from a turntable On Mixer channel C and D the MIC LED lig...

Page 28: ...o pairs of headphones are connected the maximum headphone volume level is decreased 5 5 Rear Panel The rear panel hosts all sockets for connecting the S4 to the computer for powering it up and for con...

Page 29: ...ngton Lock slot Connects a Kensignton Lock to the S4 to help prevent against theft 11 USB HUB Connects a USB device for example another TRAKTOR controller or a USB Hub 12 USB socket Connects your S4 t...

Page 30: ...ixing tracks between Deck A to Deck B Then you will load the first track into Deck A and begin to perform step by step 6 1 Prerequisites 1 Set Crossfader Assignment selector A to the left to assign Mi...

Page 31: ...1 Press DECK SELECT button A to focus the left S4 Deck on Deck A The DECK SELECT button A and the Deck LEDs light up blue 2 Press the VIEW button to maximize the Browser view in the software 3 Turn th...

Page 32: ...ck on Deck A 1 Press the Play Pause button on the left S4 Deck The Waveform starts moving and the Channel Level Meter LEDs in the left Mixer channel A illuminate 2 Slowly increase the volume of your a...

Page 33: ...light up blue 2 Press the VIEW button to maximize the Browse view in the software 3 Turn the Browse encoder to select one of your tracks in the Track List or a demo track for example Lisa by Native In...

Page 34: ...S4 Deck 6 6 Starting Playback of the Second Track When the track in Deck A is almost over you can start the playback of the next track Press the Play Pause button on the right S4 Deck to start playba...

Page 35: ...slowly move the crossfader towards the right most position The audio signal of Mixer channel A slowly fades out of the Master signal Only Mixer chan nel B is now audible When the playback of Deck A en...

Page 36: ...refer to Adjusting Levels and Using the Equalizer Adjusting Tempo You can use the TEMPO faders to adjust the tempo on each Deck manual ly The TEMPO faders can be operated in two modes For more inform...

Page 37: ...re information refer to Playing with STEM Decks Correcting Beatgrids of Tracks If the SYNC function is enabled but the playing tracks are not synced it is likely that the Beatgrids were miscalculated...

Page 38: ...ordingly If the track is loaded into the Deck for the first time TRAKTOR starts to analyze the track to deter mine its tempo and then calculate the Beatgrid and Waveform The moment of the analysis can...

Page 39: ...remains depressed When releasing the CUE button playback stops immediately and the playback position jumps back to the Cue Point When pressing and holding the CUE button and pressing the Play Pause bu...

Page 40: ...s by bending or nudging the Deck tempo To nudge the Deck tempo Touch the Jog Wheel s outer rim and spin it clockwise to temporarily raise the Deck tem po When you stop spinning the rim the Deck return...

Page 41: ...more information refer to Preferences Cueing and Scratching You can hold the track playback with the Jog Wheel to cue a beat or to scratch 1 Touch and hold the top plate of the Jog Wheel The playback...

Page 42: ...k in the Jog Wheel when cuing Cue Points and Loop markers while touching the top plate For more information refer to Preferences Fast Seeking You can use the Jog Wheel to fast seek within the track 1...

Page 43: ...Jog Wheel Spinning Tension You can adjust the spinning tension for the Jog Wheel 1 Press and hold the JOG button and turn the Jog Wheel clockwise to raise the tension The Jog Wheel s tension raises 2...

Page 44: ...Wheel to temporarily bend or to nudge the Deck tem po This is used when syncing tracks manually To nudge the Deck tempo Touch the Jog Wheel s outer rim and spin it clockwise to temporarily raise the...

Page 45: ...ue a beat or to scratch 1 Touch and hold the top plate of the Jog Wheel The Jog Wheel stops to rotate and and the playback is held 2 While holding the top plate spin the Jog Wheel clockwise or counter...

Page 46: ...can use the crossfader to transition between the audio signals in the Mixer channels You can assign any Mixer channel to either crossfader side If you do not intend to use the crossfader we recommend...

Page 47: ...tant smooth or sharp Constant With this setting moving the crossfader allows the levels of the Mixer channel sig nals to be raised and lowered constantly Smooth With this setting moving the crossfader...

Page 48: ...ne the levels for the outgoing signals send to the MASTER output Adjusting Levels for Incoming Audio Signals With the GAIN knob in the Mixer channel you can determine the level for the incoming audio...

Page 49: ...The MASTER output stage receives the signals coming from the Mixer channels You can deter mine the MASTER output level with the MASTER knob To adjust the MASTER output level Turn the MASTER knob clock...

Page 50: ...djust the high middle or low frequencies in the audio signal Taking out Frequency Bands of the Audio Signal To take out frequency bands of the audio signal Turn the individual EQ knob counterclockwise...

Page 51: ...udio signals of all Mixer channels into the CUE channel at once Adjusting the Ratio between the Cue Mix Signal In the CUE channel you can use the MIX knob to determine the ratio between the cued signa...

Page 52: ...TEMPO fader on your S4 affects the TEMPO fader of the soft ware Deck relatively to its current position even if this position does not match the position of the TEMPO fader on your S4 This notably res...

Page 53: ...e secondary Deck controls 2 While holding SHIFT press the SYNC Lock button The TEMPO fader is locked indicated by the red TEMPO fader LED Moving the TEM PO fader will have no effect 3 To unlock the TE...

Page 54: ...STER Reset button The TEMPO fader position in the software now reflects the TEMPO fader position of the S4 Deck When you reset the TEMPO fader that is operated in Absolute Mode the tempo for that Deck...

Page 55: ...you can use the KEYLOCK function on the S2 Deck to lock the track s current key value When you then move the TEMPO fader up or down you change the track tempo but the track s key remains at the locke...

Page 56: ...hanging Tempo To change the pitch without changing the track tempo 1 Move the TEMPO fader up or down to set the desired track tempo 2 Press and hold SHIFT to access the secondary Deck functions 3 Whil...

Page 57: ...m a particular position in that track instead from its start for example at a certain beat Mixing in tracks from a particular position in that track is called cueing The S4 enables you to set points f...

Page 58: ...eck On a stopped Deck triggering Cue Points result in a different playback behavior When pressing and holding a blue lit Pad the playback continues from the position of the stor ed Cue point as long a...

Page 59: ...er to store and work with Loops you need to ensure you are in HOTCUES mode Press HOTCUES to enable HOTCUES mode for the Deck Enabling a Loop To enable a Loop 1 Press the LOOP encoder The Loop is enabl...

Page 60: ...ects a Loop size Storing a Loop as Hotcue To store a Loop as a Hotcue 1 Press the LOOP encoder to enable a Loop 2 Press an unlit Pad The Loop is stored as a Hotcue The Pad lights up green Triggering a...

Page 61: ...sed In other words it is as if a second virtual playhead continues forwards in the track while TRAKTOR loops or jumps to a Cue Point When you release the Loop or Cue Point by releasing the relevant Pa...

Page 62: ...og Wheel the playback resumes at the playhead po sition created by Flux mode Enabling Reverse Mode To enable Reverse mode 1 Press and hold the REV mode button on the selected Deck The track begins to...

Page 63: ...you either apply the Mixer FX in combina tion with a low pass Filter or with a high pass Filter Selecting a MIXER Effect for all Mixer Channels To select a MIXER FX to be applied to all Mixer channels...

Page 64: ...s and how to control individual effect parameters In TRAKTOR you can use the FX Units in the Global section to modulate the audio signals in the Mixer channels You can directly control the parameters...

Page 65: ...laying the FX Units in the software However it can be helpful to display the FX Units in the software for getting instant feedback about the selected Effects and the individual parameters To display t...

Page 66: ...a track in the Track List 3 Press and hold the Preview button to load the track into the Preview Player and to instantly start playback The track is now playing back and audible in the CUE channel 4...

Page 67: ...ized to the Tempo Master to ensure the Samples always play in sync with other tracks A Remix Set can contain up to 64 Samples organized in the Sample Grid The Sample Grid con sists of four columns co...

Page 68: ...x Set in the Track List 4 Press the Browse encoder to load the Remix Set into that Deck The Deck Type switches to Remix Deck and enables the SAMPLES mode for that S4 Deck Triggering Samples Once the R...

Page 69: ...m The Deck playback continues Adjusting Sample Slot Volume The volume level of any Sample Slot can be adjusted and muted individually To adjust the volume level of a Sample Slot 1 Press and hold the P...

Page 70: ...eat the aforementioned steps Applying Filter Effect to Sample Slot Any Sample Slot contains a Filter control for applying a high pass or low pass filter 1 Press and hold the Pad below the Pad for the...

Page 71: ...of the Sample Slot When the Sample Slot is playing 1 Press and hold the Pad below the Pad for the corresponding Sample to access the sound controls for the Sample Slot The display shows the current V...

Page 72: ...in the internal timeline You can adjust the Quantize value with the LOOP encoder To enable Quantize mode for the Remix Deck 1 Press and hold SHIFT to access the secondary Deck functions 2 While holdi...

Page 73: ...into a Deck The Deck Type switches to Remix Deck Alternatively you can load individual Samples into an empty Remix Deck 2 To enable Pattern Recorder press the record button on the Deck The Pattern Re...

Page 74: ...ls from one STEM File and mixing it with the beat from another Loading a STEM File To load a STEM File into a Deck and switch the Deck Type to STEM Deck 1 Press the VIEW button The TRAKTOR Layout swit...

Page 75: ...eck controls 2 Press and hold the Pad below the Pad for the corresponding STEM Part to access the sound controls for that STEM Part The display shows the current Volume and Filter parameter values 3 W...

Page 76: ...g STEM Parts You can mute a STEM Part immediately 1 Press and hold the Mute button and press the Pad corresponding to the STEM Part The STEM Part is muted 2 To unmute the STEM Part repeat the aforemen...

Page 77: ...er effect parameter in the display is highlighted accordingly 4 While still holding the Pad turn the LOOP encoder clockwise or counterclockwise to apply a high pass or low pass Filter effect to the ST...

Page 78: ...Miscalculated Beatgrids can be corrected using the GRID mode on the S4 The GRID mode allows you to check and correct the Beatgrid of tracks Checking Beatgrid To check the Beatgrid for the selected tra...

Page 79: ...the beat of the track 2 Release the GRID button The track s Beatgrid is corrected and saved with the track Disable Analysis Lock if Tick is not audible Ensure the Analysis Lock is disabled for the tra...

Page 80: ...al page for the S4 con troller with configuration settings Accessing TRAKTOR Preferences To open the Preferences in TRAKTOR 1 Click the Preferences button in TRAKTOR s Header 2 Select the Traktor S4 M...

Page 81: ...ks in coarse increments in the Jog Wheel by turning it When Fine is selected you feel ticks in fine increments in the Jog Wheel by turning it Jogwheel Tension Determines the resistance when turning th...

Page 82: ...hone On the rear panel on the S4 you can connect a microphone using a 1 8 connector to be inserted into Mixer channel C On the front panel you can connect a microphone using an XLR connector to be int...

Page 83: ...switch the Deck to Live Input Connecting Turntable To connect your turntable to the S4 1 Switch off the S4 2 Connect your turntable to the inputs PHONO LINE IN A or B on the rear panel of the S4 usin...

Page 84: ...access the secondary Deck functions 3 While holding SHIFT press the EXT buttons on the Mixer channel corresponding to the con nected CD player The LINE LED lights up indicating the Mixer channel rece...

Page 85: ...u use 1 Load a track into the Deck 2 Put on the timecode vinyl s on your turntable s or insert the CD s into your CD player s 3 Start playback on the device s TRAKTOR now calibrates the incoming timec...

Page 86: ...oll down to Input 5 In the device list select TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 and click Set Default 6 Close the dialog macOS On macOS you can define the TRAKTOR KONTROL S4 as your default audio interface as fol lo...