Table of Contents 1. Disclaimer .................................................................................................................. 1 2. Welcome to TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 ......................................................................... 2 2.1. Document Conventions ..................................................................................... 2 3. Setting up TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 ............................................................................ 3.1.
5.12.6. Cuing the Next Track using the Jog Wheels ......................................... 5.12.7. Mixing in the Next Track ...................................................................... 5.13. Using Flux and Reverse Modes ..................................................................... 5.14. Working with the Preparation List ................................................................... 5.15. Correcting Beatgrids of Tracks ..................................................................
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 S3 2. WELCOME TO TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Thank you for choosing TRAKTOR KONTROL S3, it is because of customers like you that we can continue developing groundbreaking music software and hardware. TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 is a fully integrated hardware and software DJ performance system tailored for both TRAKTOR PRO 3 and TRAKTOR DJ 2. This documentation provides you with all the information you need to get started mixing, syncing and looping.
Setting up TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 3. SETTING UP TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 To configure the S3 for use, you should have already installed TRAKTOR PRO 3 software using NATIVE ACCESS. 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 S3.
Setting up TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 3.3. Connecting Monitors for DJ Booth To connect your monitor speakers or a second power amplifier to the TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 for use in a DJ booth: • Connect the BOOTH OUT outputs on the rear panel of the TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 to the inputs of your monitoring system using appropriate cables. 3.4.
Setting up TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 • Click Yes to confirm. The data is imported. Switching to TRAKTOR Default Settings When you start TRAKTOR with the S3 for the first time, TRAKTOR asks if you want to switch Mixer FX selection and the Tempo fader range to the default setting. This is necessary to get the intended user experience of your S3: • Click Yes to switch to the default settings. The Mixer FX and the TEMPO fader range are set to default settings.
Setting up TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 3.7. Importing Music into the Track Collection You can import your music into TRAKTOR's Track Collection in several ways. You can drag and drop your music files from your computer into the Track Collection, you can use the context menu in the Browser tree to import the music from your local music folders, and you can use the context menu to import Remix Sets.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Overview 4. TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 OVERVIEW This section introduces you to the TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 and all its control elements and connectors. (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. TRAKTOR provides you with four virtual decks.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Overview 4.1. Decks TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 provides you with two physical Decks to control the TRAKTOR Decks. Each Deck provides you with the following control elements: (1) Browse controls: Allow you to scroll through the Track Collection to find and load tracks, as well as previewing tracks and preparing playlists. (2) Jog Wheel: The Jog Wheel provides advanced control over track transport.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Overview (6) Pad section: You can use the Pads to store and trigger Cue Points and Loops, and to control Samples and STEM Files. The individual function depends on the selected Pad mode and on the selected Deck Type. (7) Play/Pause: Lets you start or pause the track playback on that Deck. The button brightly lights up green during playback. (8) CUE: Lets you start track playback from the Floating Cue Point when the Deck is stopped.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Overview 4.1.2. Pad Section The Pads can be used to store and trigger Cue Points and Loops, as well as to trigger Samples. The individual function depends on the selected Pad mode as well as on the selected Deck Type. (1) HOTCUES button: Enables HOTCUES mode. In this mode, you can store and trigger Cue Points and Loops within tracks using the Pads. On Decks A and B the HOTCUES button lights up blue whereas on Decks C and D the HOTCUES button lights up orange.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Overview (1) Mixer Channel A, B, C, D: The Mixer channels receive the individual audio signals from the Decks. Each Mixer channel contains controls to adjust the audio signal's frequency content and to adjust the outgoing volume before the audio signal is sent to the MASTER output. (2) MASTER knob: Adjusts the MASTER signal level. (3) Master Level Meter: Provides visual feedback on the current Master Output volume level. The blue LEDs indicate if the signal is below the Headroom area.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Overview (8) Crossfader: Controls the mix between the Mixer channels’ signals that are assigned to the left crossfader side and the right crossfader side. At each crossfader’s end, the opposite signals are totally silent. Moving the crossfader gradually fades in and fades out the relevant audio signal in the master output. At the center position, both audio signals are fully audible.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Overview 4.2.1. Mixer Channel The Mixer channels receive the individual audio signals from the Decks. Each Mixer channel contains controls to adjust the incoming and outgoing levels, and the audio signal's frequency content. The Mixer channels provide you with the following control elements: (1) GAIN knob: Adjusts the input level for the incoming signal of the corresponding Deck, before it passes the channel fader.
TRAKTOR KONTROL S3 Overview (9) Channel Level Meter: The Channel Level Meter gives you visual feedback on the current channel volume. The blue LEDs indicate if the audio signal is below Headroom area. The red LED indicates if the audio signal is clipping. The yellow LEDs indicate if the audio signal is currently in the Headroom area before the audio signal starts to clip. (10) EXT button: Switches the Mixer channel to insert the audio signal coming from the external audio source.
Tutorials 5. TUTORIALS The tutorials in this section introduces you the several functions and features of the S3. 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 S3 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 5.1. 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.
Tutorials 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. 5.1.3. 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.
Tutorials 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. 5.1.4. 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. Turn the BROWSE encoder to select one of your tracks, or a demo track, for example Lisa by Native Instruments. 3.
Tutorials 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. 5.1.6. 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.
Tutorials 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. 5.2. Browsing and Loading Tracks The S2 lets you conveniently browse for your music in TRAKTOR.
Tutorials Rather than selecting a Favorite folder using SHIFT, you can also scroll along the Browser Tree to select the subfolders. To implement this, you need to switch the Browse behavior for the SHIFT button on the TRAKTOR S3 page in the Preferences. 5.3. Controlling Track Playback The Transport Controls and the Jog Wheels on the S3 let you control the playback behavior of tracks.
Tutorials ▪ When releasing the CUE button, the playback position jumps back to the Cue Point and playback stops immediately. ▪ When pressing and holding the CUE button and later pressing the Play/Pause button, the playback continues as normal. 5.4. Previewing Tracks using the Cue Channel With the CUE channel on your S3 and your headphones connected to your S3 , you can preview tracks to prepare for the next transition.
Tutorials 5.6. Using the Equalizer to Tweak Your Sound You can use the equalizer for adjusting the sound of your tracks while mixing. You can, for example, take out the bass frequency band of one track in order to let the bass of the other track dominate the mix. Or you can slightly adjust the middle frequencies to attenuate, for example, vocals. The EQ knobs adjust the high, middle, or low frequencies in the audio signal.
Tutorials The TEMPO fader mode can be changed on the Kontrol S3 page in the TRAKTOR Preferences. 5.8. Locking the Key of Tracks When synchronizing tracks, you change their tempos and, consequently, their pitches (or keys). Slowing down a track will cause its pitch to drop while speeding up the track will cause its pitch to rise. This is not problematic for small tempo adjustments, but if the tempo change is more drastic, the resulting pitch shift might sound unnatural, especially for vocals.
Tutorials • Turn the Mixer FX Amount knob to center position. 5.10. Playing with Cue Points When mixing tracks a common technique is to mix in the next track from 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 S3 enables you to set points for cueing and for directly jumping to these particular positions: Cue Points. You can store Cue Points as Hotcues using the Pads on the Deck.
Tutorials 5.11. Playing with Loops A Loop is a snippet of audio that repeats (loops). Loops are used as tools for remixing parts of tracks and can be used to extend track transitions. In this section you learn to play with Loops on the S3 . Besides enabling Loops, you can store Loops as Hotcues in the track using the Deck's Pads. This allows you to gain instant access to your most important Loops. Enabling a Loop To enable a Loop: 1. Press the LOOP encoder. The Loop is enabled.
Tutorials Removing a stored Loop To remove a stored Loop from the Hotcue and from the track: • Press SHIFT and press a green lit Pad. The Loop is removed from the Hotcue and from the track. The Pad is now unlit. 5.12. 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.
Tutorials 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. 5.12.3. Starting Playback of Deck A To start playback of the track 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. 2.
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. 5.12.4. 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 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. 5.12.5. Syncing Tracks Manually The process of manually syncing tracks consists of several steps. At first you need to align the next track's audio signal level in Mixer channel B so that it matches to the running track's level in Mixer channel A.
Tutorials 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. If the tempo needs to be faster, move the TEMPO fader down. 2. If the tempo needs to be slower, move the TEMPO fader up.
Tutorials 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. 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.
Tutorials 2. To slightly slow down the track's tempo, touch the outer rim of the Jog Wheel and turn it counterclockwise. Simultaneously, move the TEMPO fader slightly up. 3. Repeat the aforementioned steps until both tracks play perfectly in sync. 5.12.6. 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.
Tutorials Ideally the tracks now play in sync. If necessary nudge or bend the tempo by turning the Jog Wheel using its rim. 5.12.7. Mixing in the Next Track You can now mix in the next track by using the crossfader: 1. Move the crossfader slowly towards center position: The audio signal of the track in Mixer channel B is fading into the MASTER signal. 2. While the track in Deck A reaches its end, slowly move the crossfader to the right-most position.
Tutorials 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. The second, virtual playhead continues forwards in the track. 2. While holding the REV button, press and hold a Pad with a stored Hotcue. The playback reversely continues from the stored Cue Point or Loop. 3. Release the REV button.
Tutorials Checking Beatgrid To check the Beatgrid for the selected track: 1. Load the track into a Deck. 2. Press Play/Pause to start playback of the track. 3. Press the CUE button of the Mixer channel corresponding to that Deck. 4. Press and hold the GRID button on that Deck to make the Beatgrid tick audible. Besides the beat of the track, you now hear a second beat tick (like a metronome tick) representing the Beatgrid.
