Table of Contents 1. Disclaimer .................................................................................................................. 1 2. Welcome to TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 ......................................................................... 2.1. Document Conventions ..................................................................................... 2.2. Documentation Resources ................................................................................ 2.3. In this Document ............
7.8. Playing with Cue Points .................................................................................. 7.9. Playing with Loops .......................................................................................... 7.10. Snap Mode and Quantize Mode .................................................................... 7.11. Using Flux and Reverse Modes ..................................................................... 7.12. Previewing Tracks using the CUE Channel ...............................
Disclaimer 1. DISCLAIMER The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Native Instruments GmbH. The software described by this document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission by Native Instruments GmbH, hereinafter referred to as Native Instruments.
Welcome to TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 2. WELCOME TO TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Thank you for choosing TRAKTOR KONTROL S2. It is because of customers like you that we can continue developing groundbreaking music software and hardware. TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 is a fully integrated hardware and software DJ performance system. The all-in-one TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 controller offers you an ergonomic DJ mixer, a built-in 24-bit/48 kHz audio interface, and a high-resolution control surface, perfectly tailored for TRAKTOR PRO 3.
Welcome to TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 2.2. Documentation Resources Native Instruments provides many information sources regarding TRAKTOR KONTROL S2. The main resources to get you started are: • TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Manual: This manual guides you through the hardware and software setup process to get the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 system up and running. Additionally, by providing task-based tutorials, it offers a practical approach to using your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2.
Concepts 3. CONCEPTS This section quickly introduces the main areas and concepts of your TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 hardware controller with reference to the TRAKTOR PRO software. TRAKTOR KONTROL S2. (1) Decks: You can use the Decks to control tracks and Samples, similar to DJ turntables or CD players but with additional features. TRAKTOR controls four virtual Decks and each of them can be operated in several Deck Types: Track Deck, Remix Deck, STEM, Deck, and Live Input.
Concepts 3.1. Automatic Track Synchronization This section introduces the principles of the automatic synchronization features offered by TRAKTOR. One of the key features of TRAKTOR is the automatic synchronization of tracks. After loading tracks into the Decks, you can synchronize the track tempos with the SYNC function. The tempo of the synced track then adjusts the tempo of the Tempo Master, for example, the track in the playing Deck.
Concepts 3.3. STEM File Playback Generally, the S2 is designed to control tracks using Track Decks. However, you can also load STEM Files into the Decks. In this case the Decks in TRAKTOR switch to Deck Type STEM Deck and show the individual STEM Part waveforms and additional controls. With the S2 you can playback the STEM Files like normal tracks but you are not able to further control the STEM Files.
Setting up TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 4. SETTING UP TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 By this section, you should have already installed TRAKTOR PRO 3 software using NATIVE ACCESS, in order to configure S2 for its first use. If this is not the case, follow the instructions under this link Registering and Installing a Native Instruments Product using NATIVE ACCESS. This section describes how to set up the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2.
Setting up TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 4.2. Connecting Active Speakers To connect your power amplifier or active speakers to the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2: • Connect the MAIN OUT RCA (or 3.5 mm) outputs on the rear panel of the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 to the inputs of your amplification system using the appropriate cables.
Setting up TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 4.3. Connecting Headphones To connect headphones to the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2: • Connect your headphones to the PHONES OUT socket on the front panel of the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2, using the 3.5 mm connector. 4.4. Final Preparation After successfully setting up the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 system, you can switch on the devices. We recommended that you follow the order in the instructions below: Switching on Devices and Starting TRAKTOR 1.
Setting up TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 • Click Yes to confirm. The data is imported. Switching to TRAKTOR Default Settings When you start TRAKTOR with the S2 for the first time, TRAKTOR asks if you want to switch switch Mixer FX selection to default values. This is necessary to get the intended user experience of your S2: TRAKTOR alert for switching Mixer FX pre-selection to default. • Click Yes. The pre-selection of the Mixer FX is set to default.
Setting up TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 4.5. Importing Music to the Track Collection The most convenient way to get your tracks into TRAKTOR's Track Collection is using drag and drop: • Drag the music files from the location on your computer and drop them in the Track Collection folder in TRAKTOR's Browser Tree. TRAKTOR now analyzes the metadata of the music files and stores the files in the Track Collection.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Overview 5. TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 OVERVIEW This section introduces you to the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 and all its control elements and connectors. TRAKTOR KONTROL S2. (1) Decks: TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 provides you with two physical Decks. You can use the Decks to control tracks and Samples. The left Deck on your S2 controls Track Deck A in the software and the right Deck on your S2 controls Track Deck B in the software. Additionally, you can gain control over TRAKTOR's Remix Decks C and D.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Overview S2 Deck. (1) BROWSE encoder: You can navigate within TRAKTOR's Browser, select tracks in the Track List by turning the BROWSE encoder. You can load the selected track into the Deck by pressing the BROWSE encoder. (2) Preparation button: Assigns the selected track in the Track List to the Preparation List. With the Preparation list you can prepare the tracks for your next mix. (3) BROWSE View button: Maximizes the Browser view in the TRAKTOR software.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Overview (10) SHIFT: When you hold SHIFT, you are provided with the secondary functions of some of the control elements on the S2. (11) GRID: Enables the Beatgrid Adjust mode. In this mode you can use the Jog Wheel to correct the Beatgrid for the loaded track. (12) REV button: Plays back the track in reverse when in Flux mode. (13) FLX button: Enables Flux mode for that Deck. (14) MOVE encoder: Allows you to jump within the track, and enables Looping.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Overview Mixer. (1) Mixer channel A and B: The Mixer channels A and B receive the individual audio signals from the Decks A and B. Each Mixer channel contains controls to adjust the audio signal's frequency content and to adjust the outgoing volume before the audio signal is send to the MASTER output. For more information, refer to Mixer Channel. (2) QNT: Allows you to enable or disable Quantize mode and Snap mode. More Information, refer to Snap Mode and Quantize Mode.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Overview (9) CUE button: Sends the Mixer channel’s audio signal to the CUE channel for preparing the next transition and previewing tracks. (10) Channel Level Meter: Gives you visual feedback of the GAIN level on that Mixer channel. The blue LEDs indicate the signal below clipping and the red LED indicates the signal is clipping. For more information, refer to Adjusting Volume Levels. (11) Crossfader: Lets you transition between the audio signals of Mixer channel A and B.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 Overview (4) LOW knob: Emphasizes, or attenuates, or removes the low frequency band of the audio signal. (5) Mixer FX Amount knob: The Mixer FX Amount knob controls the amount of the Mixer FX to be applied to the audio signal. In the center position the Mixer FX is disabled for that Mixer channel. (6) Channel Fader: Adjusts the volume level for the Mixer channel before the audio signal is sent to the crossfader. 5.4.
Mixing Your First Tracks using SYNC 6. MIXING YOUR FIRST TRACKS USING SYNC In this section you will learn to mix your first two tracks, using Deck A and Deck B, and the SYNC function. For this method, you will not need to use Jog Wheels or your headphones. If you want to try a more advanced method of mixing, using the Jog Wheels and headphones, refer to section Mixing Tracks Using Jog Wheels. At first, you prepare the Mixer by adjusting the control elements for mixing from Deck A to B.
Mixing Your First Tracks using SYNC 3. Press the BROWSE encoder to load the track into the Deck. TRAKTOR now analyzes the track to determine its tempo, and to create the Beatgrid and the Waveform. 4. Press the Browser View button again to minimize the Browser View. 6.3. Starting Playback of Deck A To start playback on Deck A: 1. Press the Play/Pause button on Deck A. The Waveform starts moving and the Channel Level Meter LEDs in the left Mixer channel A illuminate.
Mixing Your First Tracks using SYNC 2. Slowly increase the volume of your audio system or active speakers to a moderate listening level. You now hear the audio of the track in your speakers. 6.4. Loading the Second Track into Deck B The next track you want to mix must have a similar tempo like the playing track. 1. Press the Browser View button to maximize the Browser view in the software. 2.
Mixing Your First Tracks using SYNC The tempo of the track in Deck B is now synced to the running track, indicated by the equal tempo value in the software's Deck Header. The SYNC button lights up on Deck B. 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 Deck B to start playback. The waveform starts moving and the Channel Volume Meter LEDs in Mixer channel B illuminate.
Mixing Your First Tracks using SYNC The audio signal of Mixer channel A slowly fades out of the Master signal. Only Mixer channel B is now audible. When the playback of Deck A ends, Deck B automatically becomes the Tempo Master and is ready to transition to the next track.
Tutorials 7. TUTORIALS The tutorials in this section introduces you the several functions and features of the S2. The following list provides you with an overview of the tutorials including the link to it: • Browsing and Loading Tracks: By having your music imported in TRAKTOR, you can use the Browse controls on the S2 to find tracks for your mix. When loading a track into a Deck, TRAKTOR starts to analyze the track, calculating its exact tempo and key information.
Tutorials • 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. The S2 allows you correct Beatgrids manually. For more information, refer to Correcting Beatgrids of Tracks. • Mixing Tracks using the Jog Wheels: This tutorial introduces you to the workflow of mixing two tracks manually, using the Jog wheels and the Headphone CUE channel. For more information, refer to Mixing Tracks Using Jog Wheels. 7.1.
Tutorials 7.2. Controlling Track Playback The Transport Controls and the Jog Wheels on the S2 let you control the playback behavior of tracks. This section describes several ways to control track playback and how to preview tracks in the CUE channel when creating transitions. Starting or Pausing Playback To start the playback of the loaded track: • Press the Play/Pause button. To pause the playback: • Press the Play/Pause button again.
Tutorials 7.3. Adjusting Volume Levels When mixing tracks you need to make sure that the volumes of both tracks are at the same level for flawless transitions. For this, you can define the volume level for the incoming audio signal into the Mixer channel (GAIN) on the one side, and you can define the volume for the outgoing signal to the MASTER output on the other side.
Tutorials Attenuating Frequency Bands in the Audio Signal • Turn the EQ knobs clockwise to attenuate the individual frequency band. Using the equalizer while cueing a track can support manual tempo alignment of complex tracks. For example, you can remove the high and middle frequency bands from the next track to focus on the bassline. 7.5.
Tutorials 4. Move the TEMPO fader up or down to change the track tempo. The track tempo changes but the key value remains at the locked value. 7.7. Playing with Mixer Effects A Mixer FX is a grouped effect that can be applied to the audio signal in the Mixer channel using the Mixer FX Amount knob. You can choose one of four preselected Mixer FX using the FX SELECT buttons: • Filter: The FX SELECT 1 button lights up red. • Reverb: The FX SELECT 2 button lights up green.
Tutorials Storing Cue Points as Hotcues To store a Cue Point as Hotcue: • At the desired position in the track, press a Pad. The Cue Point is set at the current playback position in the track and stored as Hotcue on the Pad. This Pad lights up blue. Triggering Cue Points on a Deck During Playback To trigger Cue Points on a Deck during playback: • Press a blue lit Pad. The playback position jumps the stored Cue Point and playback continues.
Tutorials Changing the Loop Size You can change the size of the enabled or disabled Loop: • Turn the LOOP encoder clockwise or counterclockwise. The Loop size for the enabled Loop instantly changes by the value displayed in the Loop Control bar. If there is no Loop enabled, turning the LOOP encoder only selects 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 Hotcue in the track.
Tutorials Examples for Using SNAP Mode Depending on what you want to do, you can enable or disable Snap mode and Quantize mode at any time. Here are a few examples: • Enable Snap mode, if you want to set a Loop starting directly on a beat. • Disable Snap mode, if you want to set a Cue Point at the beginning of vocals that do not necessarily 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.
Tutorials 1. Press the FLX button on the selected Deck. Flux mode is enabled. The second, virtual playhead continues forwards in the track. 2. Press and hold a Pad with the Hotcue. The playback continues from the stored Cue Point or Loop. 3. Release the Pad. The playback resumes to the original playback position. Enabling Reverse Mode To enable Reverse mode: 1. Press and hold the REV mode button on the selected Deck. The track begins to playback in reverse.
Tutorials Adding Tracks to the Preparation List To add tracks to the Preparation List: 1. Turn the BROWSE encoder to select a track in the Track List. 2. Press the Preparation List button on the Deck. The track is added to the Preparation List. A diamond icon appears in the first column in the Track List in TRAKTOR indicating that track is added to the Preparation List.
Tutorials 1. In the Browser Tree in TRAKTOR, click on plus icon of the Track Collection folder to expand it. 2. Select the subfolder All Samples to show all Samples in the Track List. 3. In the Track List, drag the Samples and drop it into the first Sample Cell of any Sample Slot in the Remix Deck one-by-one. The Samples are loaded. The Pads 1 to 4 now reflect the colors of the Samples. Alternatively, you also can load a Remix Set from the All Remix Sets folder.
Tutorials 2. Release the GRID button. The track's Beatgrid is corrected and saved with the track. 7.16. Mixing Tracks Using Jog Wheels In this section, you learn how to mix your first two tracks using Deck A and Deck B, the Jog Wheels and your headphones. At first, you will prepare the Mixer by adjusting the control elements for mixing from Deck A to B. Then you will load the first track into Deck A, and begin to perform step by step. 7.16.1.
Tutorials 2. Turn the BROWSE encoder to select one of your tracks in the Track List, or a demo track, for example, Berlin Hauptbahnhof by Native Instruments. 3. Press the BROWSE encoder to load the track into the Deck. TRAKTOR now analyzes the Track to determine its tempo and to create the Beatgrid and the Waveform. 4. Press the Browser View button again to minimize the Browser View. 7.16.3. Starting Playback of Deck A To start playback of the track on Deck A: 1.
Tutorials 3. Slowly increase the volume of your audio system or active speakers to a moderate listening level. You now hear the audio of the track in your speakers. 7.16.4. Loading the Second Track into Deck B To load the second track into Deck B: The next track you want to mix should have a similar tempo like the track currently playing. Otherwise 1. Press the Browser View button to maximize the Browse View in the software. 2.
Tutorials TRAKTOR now analyzes the Track to determine its tempo and to create the Beatgrid and the Waveform. 4. Press the Browser View button again to minimize the Browser View. 5. Press the Play/Pause button on Deck B to start playback. The Waveform starts moving and the Channel Volume Meter LEDs in Mixer channel B illuminate. 7.16.5. Syncing Tracks Manually The process of manually syncing tracks consists of several steps.
Tutorials 3. Adjust the Mixer channel's GAIN level by turning its GAIN knob, so that it matches to Mixer channel A. 4. Adjust the volume and the cue-master-mix signal by turning the VOL knob and MIX knob, so that you hear both tracks equally in your headphones. Adjusting the Track Tempo The Deck Headers in the software Decks indicate the current track tempos. To adjust the track tempo in Deck B to match the track tempo in Deck A, perform the following actions: 1.
Tutorials Checking the Tempo Adjustment You can check if the tempos of both tracks perfectly match before you perform the transition: 1. Hold the top plate of the Jog Wheel of Deck B. The playback of the track is held in place. 2. While holding the Jog Wheel, turn it into any direction until you hear a beat in your headphones.
Tutorials 3. Turn the Jog Wheel counterclockwise to place the playhead position directly before that beat and hold the Jog Wheel. 4. At the moment you hear the downbeat in the track, release the top plate. Ideally the tracks now play in sync. The Phase meters in the Decks also indicate if the track in Deck B is still playing faster or slower. If they do not move, the tempos are perfectly synced. If the tracks are not in sync, you need to fine adjust the tempo as explained in the next steps.
Tutorials 7.16.6. Cuing the Next Track using the Jog Wheels When the tracks are in sync, use your headphones and the Jog Wheel to find the right position in the next track for fading it in: 1. Touch and hold the Jog Wheel on its top plate. The playback is held at the current position. 2. While touching the top plate turn the Jog Wheel clockwise to seek in the track. While turning the Jog Wheel the playhead moves slightly. 3. To seek in bigger steps, press and hold SHIFT and turn the Jog Wheel.
Preferences 8. PREFERENCES In this section you learn how to access the Preferences dialog in TRAKTOR and about the options that are provided on the Traktor S2 MK3 page. When opening the Preferences dialog in TRAKTOR you will find an additional page for the S2 controller. On this page you are provided with several options to customize your S2 to your needs. Accessing TRAKTOR Preferences To open the Preferences in TRAKTOR: 1. Click the Preferences button in TRAKTOR's Header. The Preferences dialog opens.
Preferences Preferences - Traktor S2 MK3 Page Preferences - Traktor S2 MK3 Page. Transport • Tempo Faders: Determines the behavior of the TEMPO faders: • In Absolute mode, the track tempo automatically adjusts according the TEMPO fader position when loading the track. • In Relative mode, the track tempo is always set to original tempo independently of the current TEMPO fader position when loading the track.
Preferences Jogwheel • On touching Platter: Determines the behavior of touching the top plate of the Jog Wheel during track playback: • When Scratch is selected, you hold the track playback and you can scratch the track. • When Pitch Bend is selected, you can bend and nudge the track tempo with the top plate as with the outer rim of the Jog Wheel. This means when you touch the top plate, the track playback continues. Restore to default • Default: Restores the S2 default settings.
Integrating a Microphone 9. INTEGRATING A MICROPHONE On your S2 you can integrate a microphone to add vocals to your mix. On the rear panel on the S2 you are provided with the MIC input for connecting a microphone with a 1/4" connector. With the MIC GAIN knob you can adjust the microphone signal level. To integrate a microphone to your S2: 1. Connect the microphone into the MIC input on the rear panel of the S2. 2.
Setting the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 as Your Default Audio Interface 10. SETTING THE TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 AS YOUR DEFAULT AUDIO INTERFACE If you want to use the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 for playback of all audio applications on your computer, you can set it as your default audio interface. Windows On Windows you can define the TRAKTOR KONTROL S2 as your default audio interface as follows: 1. Open Start > Preferences > System. 2. Select the Sound tab. 3.