Using the Loop Recorder in External Mixer Mode
This tutorial explains how to setup Traktors' audio routing, if you want to use the loop recorder in external mixing mode.
Contents
Overview
When you are using external mixing mode and wish to use the loop recorder, you need to route the output of your mixer into the loop recorder; otherwise there is no signal that Traktor can record. This is done on Preferences/Input Routing. The only recording source Traktor offers in external mixing mode is EXT.
This recording source is connected to the Input FX Send (Ext) channel of
Traktor.
To get the recorded audio from the Loop Recorder back to you mixer, you need to route the output of the Loop Recorder to one of the input channels of your audio interface.
This is done on Preferences/Output Routing. Traktor sends the audio of the loop
recorder to the Output FX Return channel.
If you are using a mixer with a dedicated Send/Return bus (like the Pioneer DJM-800 or the Allen&Heath Xone:92), connect the Send/Return connectors to your audio interface.
Pioneer DJM-800, rear with Send and Return connectors
Allen&Heath Xone:92, rear with Send(Aux) and Return connectors
Example 1: Traktor Audio 10 - Using a Five Channel Soundcard
Things are easy when using an audio interface with 5 stereo channels, like the Traktor
Audio 10: You can use one stereo channel for each deck, and the fifth channel for the loop recorder.
The Input Routing and Output Routing in Traktor needs to be configured as shown
in the following figures.
Output Routing with Traktor Audio 10
Input Routing with Traktor Audio 10
Example 2: Audio 8 DJ - Using a Four Channel Soundcard
But even when using an audio interface with 4 stereo channels, like Audio 8 DJ, it is possible to use the loop recorder.
Since Traktor 2 one can route the output of more than one deck to the same soundcard channel. When you use two track decks and two sample decks,
for example, route the output of the two sample decks to the same channel of
your audio interface. On
the mixer one channel fader is used to control the volume of all eight sample
slots.
To get more control over the sample slots, use another controller, like a cheap
Korg NanoKontrol 2, that has plenty of faders and knobs, or the upcoming Xone:K2
for example. With a very simple mapping you are able to set the volume of the
individual slots.
With the Audio 8 DJ the Input Routing and Output Routing in Traktor needs to be configured as shown
in the following figures.
Output Routing with Audio 8 DJ.
Note that Sample Decks C and D use the same channel of the A8DJ.
Input Routing with Audio 8 DJ
Tips: Avoid Feedback Loop in 2.0.3 and New Bug in 2.1.1
If you are using Traktor 2.0.3 make sure, that the D/W knob of the Loop Recorder is set to 100% wet, otherwise you will get a feedback loop.
This design was changed in Traktor 2.1.1. The label of the D/W knob is now Gain, but it behaves like a combination of Dry/Wet and Gain. If you set the knob to 0.0dB, you can still hear the dry/input signal of the loop recorder, and not only the wet/recorded sginal. You need to set the Gain knob to +10dB to get rid of the loop recorder signal. This looks like a bug too me and I would expect that it will be fixed in one of the upcoming Traktor versions.
You may also like: Mapping the Traktor Loop Recorder
Author: Rainer G: Haselier
Published: October 17, 2011