Traktor and Traktor Scratch are getting Pro

Geschreven door Reind Dooyeweerd donderdag, 16 oktober 2008 22:21

Terwijl we hier de laatste hand aan het leggen zijn aan het nieuwe forum komen de fabrikanten langzaam maar zeker ook weer met wat nieuws naar buiten, zo worden Traktor en Traktor Scratch omgedoopt naar Traktor Pro en Traktor Scratch Pro. Volgens mij was het altijd al 1 van de 2 mogelijke opties wanneer het om een Pro pakket ging maar dat terzijde... vooral lay-out en feature verbeteringen.

Traktor and Traktor Scratch Pro announced
On behalf of the Traktor team, I am happy to introduce the next generation of our DJ technology to you today - called TRAKTOR PRO. The "Pro" stands for "professional", and in fact the new Traktor makes some important steps forward that I would like to explain to you.

After many years of development history, starting with the release of the very first Traktor version in 2001, we have come a long way in the technological evolution of DJ gear. Specifically, DJ software has developed from a "geek tool" to a standard platform for DJs of all styles and experience levels. Something that we were especially proud of is that around one fourth of all DJs in the current "DJ Mag Top 100" are now using Traktor Scratch and/or Traktor 3 as their main DJ tool.

The new Traktor generation that we are announcing today was designed to take this paradigm shift into account, and to push DJ technology forward even further. On November 1st, Traktor 3 and Traktor Scratch will be succeeded by Traktor Pro and Traktor Scratch Pro, with both product versions now based on the same new Traktor Pro software.

Traktor Pro was designed with a strong focus on a professional DJ approach - for playing out live in a performance environment. The new version brings many additions, refinements and changes to the software you know. Our central aim was to improve Traktor in a way that supports and inspires you on the actual creative act of DJing in the best possible way, and that reduces all the associated maintenance and preparation effort as much as possible.

For Traktor Pro, we have strongly optimized the user interface and given it a much clearer look and a very logical, intuitive layout. We have also "supercharged" the effect capabilities of Traktor, an area that we know is very important for many users. Other major areas of improvement include looping and cueing, beatgridding, sync features, browser and database handling, and MIDI control - please check our website for detailed info.

Redesigning the interface for the new Traktor generation also allowed us to integrate the timecode functionality in a more efficient way. You will find that the related functions in Traktor Scratch Pro are integrated seamlessly, from the improved timecode scopes within the decks to the convenient handling of the timecode signal calibration.

The workflow improvements in Traktor Pro are based on many months of conceptual research and usability tests, and of course on the huge amount of constructive feedback that we have received from the user community. Some changes might require you to adapt and even relearn certain ways of handling loops, cue points and effect controls. Ultimately, we are confident that you will find the new way of doing things in Traktor Pro very inspiring and convenient.

To make Traktor Pro as efficient and reliable as possible, we have also removed some aspects of the previous Traktor version that are less relevant within the focus on a performance application.

In favor of a more compact application, there is no longer an integrated music store in the Traktor software. Instead, Beatport will start to include Traktor metadata with all their new releases in 2009. Beatport also now offers a special download application that comes with the same convenient download features that we first established in Traktor.

There is also no "Native Mix recording" in Traktor Pro because we gave priority to other aspects of the new version. You can of course still record your set as an audio file straight to hard disk. We plan to add mix data recording functionality to Traktor Pro at some point in the future. We will release Traktor Pro and Traktor Scratch Pro on November 1st. Of course, the development does not stop at this point. We have many further improvements planned, and you can expect them to be introduced via free feature updates in the future.

You can find all details of the new Traktor generation, including tutorial videos and info on the update pricing, on listentopro.com

Thanks for using Traktor!