Setup Guide
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Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 Welcome to the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 Setup Guide .................................................... 7 1.1 1.2 2 Software Installation ................................................................................................. 9 2.1 2.2 2.3 3 What Is Included in the Box? ...................................................................................................... 7 Document Conventions .................................................................
Table of Contents 3.3 4 3.2.4 Install the Updates .................................................................................................... 26 Activating Your Product Offline .................................................................................................. 26 3.3.1 Start the Offline Activation ........................................................................................ 27 3.3.2 Create the Activation Request File .....................................................
Table of Contents 4.12 4.13 4.14 Using the Setup Wizard to Configure Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System .................................. 51 Direct Mode Vs. TRAKTOR Mode .................................................................................................. 53 Calibrating TRAKTOR for Timecode Control ................................................................................. 55 5 What's Next? ..................................................................................................
Welcome to the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 Setup Guide What Is Included in the Box? 1 Welcome to the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 Setup Guide Thank you for purchasing the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2. On behalf of the entire Native Instruments team, we hope you are truly inspired by this product.
Welcome to the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 Setup Guide Document Conventions 1.2 Document Conventions This document uses particular formatting to point out special facts and to warn you of potential issues. The icons introducing the following notes let you see what kind of information can be expected: Whenever this exclamation mark icon appears, you should read the corresponding note carefully and follow the instructions and hints given there if applicable.
Software Installation Read Before Installing 2 Software Installation 2.1 Read Before Installing Before starting the TRAKTOR software installer, here are some points to be aware of: ▪ Make sure you have downloaded the TRAKTOR software to your computer by following the instructions on the registration page: www.native-instruments.
Software Installation Installation on Mac OS X 2.2.2 Select the Components to Install After you have accepted the software license agreement, the installer window displays the components available for installation. There is no dedicated entry for your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 in the components selection screen as the Z2 does not require a dedicated driver under MAC OS X.
Software Installation Installation on Mac OS X Basic Installation: This installs the TRAKTOR software along with its documentation. This component cannot be deselected. It also installs the Service Center application (required for activation of your product) and the Controller Editor application, which allows you to configure the controllerʼs MIDI assignments for using the controller with other applications than TRAKTOR.
Software Installation Installation on Mac OS X It is strongly recommended to install the TRAKTOR software to the default location. If you still need to change the install location, click on the folder icon in the Location column and select the desired folder. ► After you have customized the installation as required, click Continue and then follow the on-screen instructions. 2.2.
Software Installation Installation on Mac OS X The final screen of the installation program. ► On the last screen of the installation program, click Restart to restart your computer and complete the software installation. → Your computer will immediately restart. ► After your computer has restarted, continue reading in chapter ↑3, Product Activation With Service Center of this Setup Guide for information about product activation.
Software Installation Installation on Windows 2.3 Installation on Windows If you are installing the TRAKTOR software on Windows Vista or Windows 7, you may need to turn off Windows User Account Control (UAC) before you can proceed. In addition to this, it may be necessary to disable your anti-virus software during installation. For further information on this, please refer to ↑6.2, User Account Control and Internet Security. 2.3.1 1. 2. 3.
Software Installation Installation on Windows The components selection screen of the installation program. Basic Installation: This installs the TRAKTOR software along with its documentation. This component cannot be deselected.
Software Installation Installation on Windows ► Click Continue and then follow the on-screen instructions. 2.3.3 Confirm the Application Installation Path The software installation path screen of the installation program. It is strongly recommended to install the TRAKTOR software to the default location. If you still need to change the install location, click Change to open a Folder Selection dialog and select the desired destination folder.
Software Installation Installation on Windows 2.3.4 Select Your Hardware Drivers After defining/confirming the program's installation path, you will be presented with a driver selection screen. It is recommended to select all drivers from the driver selection screen unless you have a specific reason to deselect a driver (such as if the driver is already installed on your computer, or you are very sure you will never use the device with TRAKTOR). 1. 2.
Software Installation Installation on Windows ► On the last screen of the installation program, click Finish to complete the installation and exit the installation program. ► Continue reading in chapter ↑3, Product Activation With Service Center of this Setup Guide for information about product activation.
Product Activation With Service Center Activating Your Product Online 3 Product Activation With Service Center This section uses a placeholder name ("NI Product") on all screenshots. The relevant section on your screen will display the name of the Native Instruments product you are activating. 3.1 Activating Your Product Online Skip to chapter ↑3.3, Activating Your Product Offline if your computer is not connected to the Internet. 3.1.1 Start Service Center 1.
Product Activation With Service Center Activating Your Product Online 3.1.2 Log In Into Your User Account The log-in screen of Service Center. ► Log in with your e-mail address and Native Instruments password. ► If you do not have a Native Instruments account yet, click on Create new User Account. Fill in the address form. The password will be sent to you via e-mail.
Product Activation With Service Center Activating Your Product Online 3.1.3 Activate the Product The product activation screen of Service Center. 1. 2. Enter the software serial number in the number field. The software serial number is located on the registration flyer, which you can find in your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 product box. Click Activate to proceed.
Product Activation With Service Center Activating Your Product Online 3.1.4 Finish the Online Activation Service Center confirming the product activation. Service Center confirms that the product has been activated successfully. A search for updates will start automatically. ▪ If updates for any of the activated products are available, the button in the bottom right corner of the screen reads Update. To download the updates, click the Update button and proceed with chapter ↑3.2, Updating Your Product.
Product Activation With Service Center Updating Your Product 3.2 Updating Your Product 3.2.1 Select Updates The product update screen of Service Center. 1. 2. 3. In Service Center, click the Update tab to view a list of available updates. Select the updates you want to download by checking the checkboxes on the left. We recommend downloading all preselected updates. Click Download. The download will start.
Product Activation With Service Center Updating Your Product 3.2.2 Download the Updates The product update in progress. Depending on the file size and the speed of your internet connection, downloading the files may take a while. We strongly recommend that you always install the latest updates.
Product Activation With Service Center Updating Your Product 3.2.3 Open Your Download Folder Service Center confirming all updates were downloaded, and offering to open the download folder. After all files have been downloaded successfully, you will be asked to open the download folder. ► Click Yes to open the download folder. ► After the download folder has opened, you can quit Service Center by clicking Exit.
Product Activation With Service Center Updating Your Product 3.2.4 1. 2. 3. 3.3 Install the Updates Launch the first installer file from the download folder. Follow the instructions of the Installation Wizard. Proceed until you have installed all updates. Activating Your Product Offline If the computer you want to use Native Instruments products on is permanently not connected to the internet, you can activate the products utilizing the Offline activation procedure.
Product Activation With Service Center Activating Your Product Offline 3.3.1 Start the Offline Activation The internet connection screen of Service Center. 1. 2. Start Service Center. If no internet connection is detected, you will be redirected to the Internet connection screen pictured above. In the Continue without connection to the internet area at the bottom of the screen, click Offline. You will be forwarded to the Activate screen.
Product Activation With Service Center Activating Your Product Offline 3.3.2 Create the Activation Request File The offline activation screen of Service Center. ► On the Activate screen, click Create. The Activate screen will display fields in which to enter the serial number (see next step).
Product Activation With Service Center Activating Your Product Offline 3.3.3 Enter the Serial Number The product activation screen of Service Center. 1. 2. 3. Enter the software serial number in the number field. The software serial number is located on the registration flyer, which you can find in your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 product box. Click Create to save the Activation Request File (ActivationRequestFile.html). A Save File dialog will open and let you select a target folder.
Product Activation With Service Center Activating Your Product Offline 3.3.4 Transfer the Activation Request File The offline activation procedure. 1. 2. 3. 4. Copy the Activation Request file to a portable storage device and transfer it to a computer with internet connection. Open the Activation Request file by double-clicking it. Follow the instructions on the Service Center product activation web page. As a new Native Instruments user you will need to create a new account before you can log in.
Product Activation With Service Center Activating Your Product Offline 3.3.5 Open the Activation Return File The offline activation screen of Service Center. 1. 2. On your audio computer, start Service Center again. In the Continue without connection to the internet area at the bottom of the screen, click Offline. Select the Activate tab and click Open to load the Activation Return file.
Product Activation With Service Center Activating Your Product Offline 3.3.6 Finish the Offline Activation Service Center confirming the product activation. After you have opened the Activation Return file, Service Center confirms that the product has been activated successfully. You can quit Service Center by clicking Exit. ► To obtain updates for your products, log in under HYPERLINK "https://co.native-instruments.com/?id=updates" www.native-instruments.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Before You Begin 4 Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System This chapter covers how to connect the devices and get your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 system up and running. 4.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Connecting the Power Supply 1. Connect the male plug of the power cable to a power outlet. 2. Connect the female plug at the end of the power supply's cable to the power supply connector on the rear panel of your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Connecting the Device to Your Computer 4.3 Connecting the Device to Your Computer To connect the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 to your computer: 1. 2. Connect the device end (square plug) of the included USB cable to the USB socket on the rear panel of your Z2. Connect the computer end (flat rectangle plug) of the USB cable to an available USB 2.0 port on your computer.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Connecting Headphones During hardware installation, a Windows message may call attention to the fact that the hardware driver has not passed Windows Driver Signing. This is an expected behavior and does not indicate a problem. Nonetheless, you need to turn off Windows User Account Control (UAC) before you can proceed. See chapter ↑6.2, User Account Control and Internet Security in this Setup Guide for detailed information on how to turn off UAC.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Connecting an Amplification System ► 4.5 Connect your headphones to one of the PHONES sockets on the front panel of the device; use the left socket if your headphones use a 3.5mm jack, or the right socket for a 6.3mm jack. Connecting an Amplification System Switch off your amplification system (active speakers or power amplifier), and set the volume faders on the Z2 to minimum before you proceed.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Connecting an Amplification System ► Connect the MAIN OUT outputs on the back panel of the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 to the inputs of your amplification system using matching cables. You can use either the XLR outputs on the left side of the MAIN OUT section, or the RCA outputs on the right side of the MAIN OUT section to connect your power amplifier or active speakers. You can use the 1/4" BOOTH outputs to connect a second pair of control speakers to the Z2.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Connecting a Microphone and Additional Equipment 4.6 Connecting a Microphone and Additional Equipment Before connecting a microphone or other equipment to the AUX / MIC section on the back of the Z2, always make sure the VOLUME knob in the AUX / MIC section of the Z2's top panel is set to minimum! Later on, slowly increase the volume until a desired volume level is reached.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Connecting Turntables 4.7 Connecting Turntables If you want to use CD players instead of turntables, you can skip this chapter and continue reading in chapter ↑4.8, Connecting CD Players. Please note: ▪ We assume that, when viewed from the DJ's position, one turntable is placed on the left of your DJ mixer, while the other turntable is placed on the right. Therefore, in this Setup Guide, the left and right turntables are labeled L and R, respectively.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Connecting Turntables 1. Connect the left and right audio output cables of the left turntable (L) to the PHONO A RCA inputs of the Z2's INPUT section.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Connecting Turntables 2. Attach the ground wire of turntable L to the ground screw above. 3. Make sure the phono/line switch for channel A (on the Z2's top panel) is set to PH for phono amplification. Notice that the TRAKTOR button next to the switch is unlit. This means that channel A is operating in Direct mode and that the channel will bypass the TRAKTOR software for stand-alone operation.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Connecting Turntables 4.7.2 1. Connect the Right Turntable Connect the left and right audio output cables of the right turntable (R) to the PHONO B RCA inputs of the Z2's INPUT section.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Connecting Turntables 2. Attach the ground wire of turntable R to the ground screw above. 3. Make sure the phono/line switch for channel B (on the Z2's top panel) is set to PH for phono amplification. Notice that the TRAKTOR button next to the switch is unlit. This means that channel A is operating in Direct mode and that the channel will bypass the TRAKTOR software for stand-alone operation.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Connecting CD Players TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 turntable setup. → 4.8 After you have connected the second turntable, your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 system is complete and should be connected as depicted above. If you want to add CD players to your setup, read chapter ↑4.8, Connecting CD Players first. Otherwise please continue reading in chapter ↑4.10, Final Preparations.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Connecting CD Players 4.8.1 Connect the Left CD Player 1. Connect the left and right audio output cables of the left CD player (L) to the LINE A RCA inputs of the Z2's INPUT section. 2. Make sure the phono/line switch for channel A (on the Z2's top panel) is set to LN for line level amplification. Notice that the TRAKTOR button next to the switch is unlit.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Connecting CD Players 4.8.2 Connect the Right CD Player 1. Connect the left and right audio output cables of the right CD player (L) to the LINE B RCA inputs of the Z2's INPUT section. 2. Make sure the phono/line switch for channel B (on the Z2's top panel) is set to LN for line level amplification. Notice that the TRAKTOR button next to the switch is unlit.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Connecting CD Players 4.8.3 Overview of Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 CD Player Setup TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 CD player setup. → 4.9 After you have connected the second CD player, your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 system is complete and should be connected as depicted above. Please continue reading in chapter ↑4.10, Final Preparations Exemplary Setup Using Additional USB Equipment Notice that you can connect additional USB equipment via the Z2's USB hub to your computer.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Final Preparations TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 turntable setup with additional USB equipment connected to the Z2's USB hub. 4.10 Final Preparations Before you can start using your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 system, you need to take some finals steps. 4.10.1 Put On a Control Vinyl or Insert a Control CD ► If you are using turntables to control TRAKTOR, put a Control Vinyl on each of your turntables.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Final Preparations 4.10.2 Switch On Your Devices It is recommended to switch on the devices in the following order: 1. Computer/soundcard 2. Turntables / CD players 3. TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 4. Amplification system (active speakers or power amplifier with passive speakers) Later on, when the software is running and you have loaded tracks to TRAKTOR's Decks, gradually raise the volume controls while music is playing until a comfortable listening level is reached.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Using the Setup Wizard to Configure Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System 4.12 Using the Setup Wizard to Configure Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System The Setup Wizard will help you to configure your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 system. 1. On the Welcome screen, click Next to proceed.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Using the Setup Wizard to Configure Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System 2. With TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 connected to your computer, the Setup Wizard will automatically configure a TRAKTOR software setup optimized for your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 system. Click Finish to confirm.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Direct Mode Vs. TRAKTOR Mode → Once you have confirmed the selection, TRAKTOR will start with two Track Decks A and B with Scratch Control enabled, and two Remix Decks C and D in Internal Playback mode (i.e., with Scratch Control disabled). Also, the TRAKTOR Layout will be set to Essential, i.e., TRAKTOR's Mixer will not be visible on the user interface. You can always change the Layout of the user interface with the Layout selection menu in TRAKTOR's header.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Direct Mode Vs. TRAKTOR Mode Both Decks in Direct Thru mode in TRAKTOR. This is because the Z2's channels were set to Direct mode during connection of your turntables / CD players (see also ↑4.7, Connecting Turntables and ↑4.8, Connecting CD Players). In Direct mode, a channel bypasses the TRAKTOR software and sends the channel input directly to the main outs. This is the mode for stand-alone operation, or classical DJing with a turntable and a mixer if you like.
Setting Up Your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 System Calibrating TRAKTOR for Timecode Control Naturally you can also run a "hybrid" mode, i.e., one turntable is playing records in Direct mode while the other is used to control TRAKTOR with a Timecode record in TRAKTOR mode. For further information on using the Z2 as a stand-alone mixer vs. using the Z2 with TRAKTOR, please refer to the tutorial chapters of the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 Manual. 4.
What's Next? 5 What's Next? ▪ For information on how to operate the Z2 and how to use it with the TRAKTOR software, please refer to the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 Manual. You can access the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 Manual via the Open Manual… entry from the Help menu in the TRAKTOR software. ▪ For information on all TRAKTOR features, refer to the TRAKTOR Manual and the TRAKTOR Getting Started. You can access these via the Open Manual… entry from the Help menu in the TRAKTOR software.
Troubleshooting and FAQ Installation Folder Not Found by an Update Installer 6 Troubleshooting and FAQ This section contains some of the most frequently asked questions and answers along with references to Knowledge Base articles for additional details. In order to find an article, please visit the Native Instruments website, navigate to the Knowledge Base in the Support section and enter the article number in the search field. 6.
Troubleshooting and FAQ Audio Clicks and Drop-outs When Playing Tracks 6.3 Audio Clicks and Drop-outs When Playing Tracks If you hear clicks and/or drop-outs when a track is playing, you might need to increase the latency setting of your TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2. To learn how to do this, please refer to the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 Manual, which thoroughly describes the TRAKTOR KONTROL Z2 Control Panel — the tool that allows you to adjust the audio interface settings. 6.
Support Knowledge Base / Online Support / Readme 7 Support 7.1 Knowledge Base / Online Support / Readme To open the Knowledge Base / Online Support Form: ► 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.
Support Forum 7.2 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. 7.3 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.
