Control Traktor

A collection of settings and Max4Live devices for improved control over Traktor Pro.

Installation only

Download release.zip from the latest Release
Unzip/expand the folder and copy to ~/Music/Ableton/User\ Library/ (note: devices may be a mix of Audio/Instrument/MIDI types)
See device usage instructions below (Rename Selected Track, Presample Selected Track)

Installation and development

This repo uses a build script so that I can write JavaScript in ES6 rather than ES5.

Install Node and NPM and Git
git clone this repo to ~/Music/Ableton/User Library/ (I also symlink this to my Websites folder so I can find it)
Run npm install to install dependencies, run the build
Run npm run watch to lint and build as you save file changes
- Edit src/js/m4l-*.js - the Max-friendly (ES5) version of this file is updated in the dist folder
- Edit dist/*.amxd in Max - this file is copied back to the src/patches folder
Run npm run reinstall to recreate dist folder

Release

Run npm run changelog
Tag the latest commit with the message Bump version
Push to Github and an action will run to generate a new Release

Control Traktor v5 (2024.01.08)

Description

Added Mackie MCU Pro
Added Stream Deck XL
Removed all extra functionality from S8 except pan controls and reverse play
Replaced Behringer XENYX 1202 mixer with S8 Loopback virtual device

Mackie MCU Pro

Uses MackieControl protocol
16 mappable function buttons at top right, used for:
- Bome MIDI translators
- ClyphX Pro X-Controls

Stream Deck XL

profiles
- Traktor.streamDeckProfile - Controls features of Traktor Pro that aren't covered by my S8 controller
backups
- Backups generated using Preferences > Backup All
icons
- button-creator - Button icons generated using Button Creator for Stream Deck, which uses SF Symbols (macOS)
- sources - Source files for button icons
plugins - Configuration files for Stream Deck plugins
- streamdeck-midi-plugin - StreamDeck Midi plugin

When Settings > Remix Decks > Auto Enable Deck Play on Sample Trigger = unchecked, selecting a deck slot on the S8 changes the waveform but the Advanced Panel on the Remix Deck does not reflect the settings of the clip in the selected slot.

The streamdeck-clicker plugin automates mouse clicks on the 16 Remix Deck slots visible in the software, to ensure that the Advanced Panel on the Remix Deck exposes the per-slot controls and displays the settings relative to the clip in that slot.

Sidecar

I display Traktor on an iPad Pro12.9" 1 using MacOS Sidecar.

To remove black bars at top and bottom of display:

Install https://github.com/waydabber/BetterDisplay
Default setting: 164% - 1680x1050
Change to: 100% - 1366x1024

Loopback

Deck D: Combining Ableton output with multiple external synths using loopback.

Using the Traktor Kontrol S8 audio device, one set of S8 inputs can be routed to one Deck input.

Using the S8 Loopback audio device in my licensed copy of Rogue Amoeba Loopback, any S8 input can be routed to any S8 output (e.g. Deck D), whilst all S8 mixer controls remain usable in Traktor. Additionally software synths and samplers in Ableton can be played using the CS1x and Push2 then sampled into Traktor via Deck D.

Note: there is a little noise from each of the S8 inputs, even if nothing is plugged in; this can be reduced relative to Traktor output by reducing the output level, but amounts below 50% reduce useful level meters and waveform amplitude in the remix decks.

Ableton Live - Audio - Audio Input Device: Traktor Kontrol S8
- Input Config: none enabled, but could activate any of the mono or stereo inputs to record from these
Ableton Live - Audio - Audio Output Device: S8 Loopback
- Output Config: 7/8 S8 Deck D

Loopback Source: Channels	Description	Loopback Output Channels	Loopback Monitors: Channels
Traktor Kontrol S8: 1/2	S8 Input A L/R (not currently used)	-	-
Traktor Kontrol S8: 3/4	S8 Input B L/R (not currently used)	-	-
Traktor Kontrol S8: 5/6	S8 Input C L (Monotron - mono)	Channels 7 & 8	N/A - Traktor outputs to Master or Monitor
Traktor Kontrol S8: 7/8	S8 Input D L/R (CS1x - stereo)	Channels 7 & 8	N/A - Traktor outputs to Master or Monitor
Traktor Kontrol S8: 9/10	?	-	-
Pass-Thru: 7/8	Live - Output Config (Ext. Out) - 7/8	Channels 7 & 8	N/A - Traktor outputs to Master or Monitor
Pass-Thru: 9/10	Traktor Output Routing - Output Master	Channels 9 & 10	Traktor Kontrol S8: Channels 1 & 2
Pass-Thru: 11/12	Traktor Output Routing - Output Monitor	Channels 11 & 12	Traktor Kontrol S8: Channels 3 & 4

Screenshots:

Tips

Traktor Step Sequencer workflow

SHIFT + REMIX to exit Remix Deck and enter Step Sequencer
After sequencer programmed, cue Deck C and record to Loop Recorder
Set Loop Recorder level to Wet
SHIFT + REMIX to exit Step Sequencer and enter Remix Deck
Dump Loop Recorder sample to Remix Deck and Play
Set Loop Recorder level to Dry
Toggle Wet/Dry to cut between the Loop Recorder and Remix Deck containing the LR loop, FX and anything else
Eventually clear Loop Recorder

Beatgridding

S8: Disable Sync and Quantise
S8: Edit > Lock, to enable changes
S8: Cuepoint 2: set cue point at first down beat
- Software: To remove unwanted extra beat grid lines, set that cuepoint type to Grid (white)
S8: Cuepoint 1: Enable loop. then Use loop shift to jump back N loops from Cuepoint 2 to closest point near beginning of track
- Software: set that cuepoint type to Load (yellow) (and Traktor > Settings > Loading > Initially cue to load marker)
S8: Edit > Lock, to save changes
S8: Enable Sync and Quantise

To half or double BPM of track on the fly, disable Lock then use BPM /2 or BPM x2 on Streamdeck.

How To Beat Grid

Note: Shift + Cue always jumps to start of track, not first cue point

Loading new Loop Recorder recordings

Loading a recording into a Deck rather than the Remix Deck provides access to the Freeze function to trigger different parts of the loop.

Unsure of exact steps, but these two actions seem to prompt Traktor to update the list for a Library Favourite folder:

Load the recording to a remix deck slot
Change to a different Library Favourite folder, then change back

MIDI Sync

If a MIDI clip in Ableton drifts out of phase sync with Traktor, an alternative to pressing Clock Sync is to adjust the clip's Start Offset on Push2.

Control Traktor v4 update (2024.01.05)

Description

Loop Recorder now controlled by MIDI Touchbar
- has labelled buttons - yay!
- does not require Ableton Live
- to discourage touchbar dimming: "macOS System Prefs → Keyboard → Turn Keyboard backlight off after XXX of inactivity"

Control Traktor v4 (2023.10.10)

Description

changes resulting from using Traktor without Live after a 6 months gap
shortened name to better differentiate import/export of TSIs in Traktor Controller Manager
added sequencing of Traktor via MIDI Freeze Slice manipulation
handed back some control to the S8 by overriding redundant controls and adding invisible functionality
removed additional hardware
re-embraced the Loop Recorder - with length control and manual triggering
merged in documentation from traktor-live-v4
this replaces traktor-live-v5

Files

src/patches/
- Control Traktor v4 - Params - Dk
src/presets/
- Control Traktor v4 - Loop Recorder Rack
- Control Traktor v4 - Params - Dk Rack
- Control Traktor v4 - Params - Dk
- Control Traktor v4 - Triggers - Dk A Rack
- Control Traktor v4 - Triggers - Dk B Rack
- Control Traktor v4 - Triggers - Freeze Slices - Dk A
- Control Traktor v4 - Triggers - Freeze Slices - Dk B
- Control Traktor v4 - Triggers - Hot Cues - Dk A
- Control Traktor v4 - Triggers - Hot Cues - Dk B
src/sets/
- Control Traktor v4.als
src/traktor/
- Control Traktor v4 - App.tsi (Controller Manager > Export: check all boxes except Controller Mappings)
- Control Traktor v4 - CS1x.tsi (when NOT using Live)
- Control Traktor v4 - Dk A.tsi (for Params - Dk, but shorter name to fit in UI)
- Control Traktor v4 - Dk B.tsi (for Params - Dk, but shorter name to fit in UI)
- Control Traktor v4 - Global.tsi (for Params - Global, but shorter name to fit in UI)
- Control Traktor v4 - S8.tsi (overrides for S8 without requiring use of MIDI Mode)

Setup

Traktor Pro: Open > Import >
- Control Traktor v4 - App.tsi
- Control Traktor v4 - CS1x.tsi (optional - when NOT using Live)
- Control Traktor v4 - Dk A.tsi (Traktor Virtual Input / Traktor Virtual Output / Deck A)
- Control Traktor v4 - Dk B.tsi (Traktor Virtual Input / Traktor Virtual Output / Deck A)
- Control Traktor v4 - Global.tsi (Traktor Virtual Input / Traktor Virtual Output)
- Control Traktor v4 - S8.tsi (S8 / S8 / Focus)

Live:

Open > Control Traktor v4.als
Ext: On
Options > Chase MIDI Notes: Off
MIDI Control Surfaces

Push 2    / Ableton Push 2 (Live Port) / Ableton Push 2 (Live Port)
touchAble / touchAble                  / touchAble

MIDI Ports

In:  Ableton Push 2 (User Port)   / Track /  -   / Remote
In:  Traktor Virtual Output       / Track / Sync / Remote
In:  touchAble Input (touchAble)  / Track /  -   / Remote
In:  from Max 1                   / Track
In:  from Max 2                   / Track
Out: Ableton Push 2 (User Port)   / Track /  -   / Remote
Out: Traktor Virtual Input        / Track /  -   / Remote
Out: touchAble Output (touchAble) / Track /  -   / Remote

Traktor controls

Added

S8 overrides via Controller Manager > Add > Traktor > Kontrol S8
- Balance - 4 faders (right)
- Loop Recorder Loop Size 4/8/16/32 - REMIX (right) + PADS 5/6/7/8 (right)
- Loop Recorder Record - REMIX (right) + PAD 1 (right)
- Loop Recorder Undo/Redo - REMIX (right) + PAD 2 (right)
- Loop Recorder Delete - REMIX (right) + PAD 3 (right)
- Copy Track from Deck B to Deck A - SHIFT (left) + BROWSE (left)
- Copy Track from Deck A to Deck B - SHIFT (right) + BROWSE (right)
- Focus Deck A - REMIX (right) + touch BROWSE (left) = DECK (left) bright blue
- Focus Deck B - REMIX (right) + touch BROWSE (right) = DECK (right) bright blue
- Focus Deck C - REMIX (right) + touch ENCODER (left) = DECK (left) dull blue
- Focus Deck D - REMIX (right) + touch ENCODER (right) = DECK (right) dull blue
- Reverse Focussed Deck - SHIFT (left/right) + PLAY (left/right)
Melodic MIDI sequencing of Drum Rack MIDI, incl default pattern clips
- Hot Cues (existing but added chain range)
- Freeze Slices
Loop Recorder Rack (duplicates S8 overrides)
- Loop Recorder Loop Size 4/8/16/32 - PADS 1/2/3/4
- Loop Recorder Record - PAD 5
- Loop Recorder Undo/Redo - PAD 6
- Loop Recorder Delete - PAD 7
- Cue Deck C - PAD 9
- Cue Deck A - PAD 10
- Cue Deck B - PAD 11
- Cue Deck D - PAD 12
- MIDI Sync button - PAD 13
- Loop Recorder Dry/Wet
Automation sequencing of M4L params
- Key Adjust from keyboard (existing but simplified mappings)
- Gain
- Balance
- Trigger Mode (Hot Cues / Freeze Slices)
- Freeze Length (2/4/8/16)
- Play Mode (Stop / Play)
- Play Direction (Fwd / Rev)
Key Adjust map for Yamaha CS1x (when NOT using Live)

Removed

Support for JU-06A (traktor-live-v4 - sold)
Support for KORG nanoKEY Studio (faulty)
ClyphX / X-Clips (these automated the Loop Sequencer but sync phasing was tricky)
Plans to use Supreme Edition Mod for Traktor screens (traktor-live-v4 - never used)

Usage tips

Misc

SHIFT + Browse speeds up scrolling

Drum Racks

If pads select but don't trigger check the input is within the range in the key zone editor
TouchablePro is best for MIDI editing (using the Apple Pencil)
- USB connection
- Top: Clip Grid > Menu > Show All Clips
- Bottom: Clip editing - Clip Editor + Tap Clip
  - Fold
  - Editor > Quantisation 1/8 (default is 8!)
  - Editor > Automations (Push2 M4L parameters also appear here when track with Control device is selected)
Push2 is best for Waveform editing (sampler as Traktor Deck D input) - it makes it easier to zoom into the waveform, but TouchablePro exposes more of the sampler controls without button pushing
When editing in "Clip" mode, Push2 touchstrip shows bright dots for current scroll position and dull dots for note positions
Use one deck for Hot Cues and the other for Freeze Slices, or go nuts switching between both on both

Hot Cues

You may need to engage "PLAY" (automatable) to get it sounding right
Have a simple loop running in the other deck as a guide for manual triggering of MIDI Clock Sync
Limit note length to hear FX tails after the sound ends
SNAP affects setting of HOT CUE points including the initial CUE point

Freeze Slices

Ensure that source deck is Sync Master or matches it
Trigger MIDI clock sync at down beat of source deck
Disabling "Snap" and/or "Quantise" may help with getting the freeze slices aligned when activating "FREEZE" mode
Set the step length to 1/4 on Push to see all the steps
Disengage "PLAY" (automatable) to hear gaps between sequenced/held slices
Have a simple loop running in the other deck as a guide for manual triggering of MIDI Clock Sync

Loop Recorder

Set loop size, delete loop, then record on downbeat
Sync master to source deck to capture a tidy loop
Trigger MIDI clock sync before starting recording to avoid having to tweak in the REMIX deck
Resample from Remix deck, then overdub by triggering record a second time
Recording FX Tails
- FX must use INSERT to record via CUE
- FRZ button in effects
- Triggered Freeze Slice with "PLAY" disengaged
- Triggered Hot Cue of limited length
To generate interesting breakbeats, XFADE between sampled loop and offset shorter loop, then replicate with CUEs
LOOP and BEATJUMP are recorded ("LOOP" in Performance section)
Turn CUE MIX to far right to prevent jump in headphone volume when activating CUE for the purpose of sampling

Live Input

If playing both Audio and MIDI from CS1x, look for tracks with "Key: C" so the sounds are in tune

Devices

Params

To record and playback movements of M4L params
To change parameters on a step from Push2: Melodic Sequencer + Device + Press and hold a step (or draw in clip, or use TouchablePro)
To pitch Live e.g. sampler rather than a deck, set focus to Deck D (it won't actually get focus but it will blur the others)

Remix Deck

CAPTURE + ENCODER to change capture source
Tap REMIX Pad to copy source to that pad
CAPTURE + REMIX Pad to overwrite sample https://www.native-instruments.com/forum/threads/deleting-remix-samples.229019/
Buttons to right of screen page through slots
Lower button to left of screen sets trigger quantisation
Browse to "All Remix Sets" > Set name > Sample, to load a sample into a track deck rather than the remix deck, for control over individual effects, balance etc
SYNC can be used on Remix Decks too
Newly created Remix Decks only appear in browser after Traktor is restarted

Soundcard/keyboard

Macbook output (and/or Monotron output) are plugged into CS1x input, CS1x output runs into Deck D
This will be replaced by a Behringer XENYX 1202 mixer shortly
CS1x outputs MIDI regardless of sound output (enabled in CS1x settings)

Control Traktor Deck v3 (2023.04.23)

Description

sequences Traktor via MIDI Hot Cue manipulation
this is faster than sampling into Live and then resequencing
this is more flexible than sampling into Traktor's Remix Decks
this is more robust than sampling into Traktor's Loop Recorder

Files

src/patches/Control Traktor Deck v3.amxd
src/traktor/Control Traktor Deck v3 A.tsi
src/presets/Control Traktor Deck v3 - Deck A Cues.adg
src/presets/Control Traktor Deck v3 - Deck A Keys + Controls.adg
src/sets/Control Traktor Deck v3.als

Setup

Live

create a MIDI track and insert Control Traktor Deck v3 - Deck A Cues.adg
- set input to Push2 (to exclude input from MIDI keyboard which would otherwise be recorded into the sequencer)
create a MIDI track and insert Control Traktor Deck v3 - Deck A Keys + Controls.adg
- set input to All (to allow control from Push2 or MIDI Keyboard)

Traktor controls

Global MIDI Sync:
- trigger from a coloured pad in the Drum Rack
Track Hot Cues:
- sequence from Drum Rack Sequencer
Track KEY:
- capture middle note of the 2-octave MIDI keyboard key range
- control via encoder/automation or MIDI keyboard/automation
- sequence from Melodic Sequencer
Track PAN:
- control via encoder/automation
- sequence from Melodic Sequencer
Track GAIN:
- control via encoder/automation
- sequence from Melodic Sequencer

Dev notes

Initial experiment

Had a play with sequencing as forgot about Drum Rack To CC Hot Cue Sequencer - used TST1 Live set.
Hot cue automation doesn't seem to be recorded from Push2 so had to draw it in.
Pitch automation was recorded from CS1x.

and

The Drum Rack is programmed by sending notes rather than CCs
Grabbing MIDI from the Drum Rack channel on a separate MIDI out channel was still problematic to get it into Traktor
Rather than looking at the notes on the software Drum Rack to figure out how to map Push inside the Traktor controller manager, it's easier to click the Learn button in Traktor and press the notes on the controller
Deleting the Drum Rack channel and inputting directly into a Melodic Sequencer on the MIDI Out channel works better
The note length can be changed by holding down the start position on the sequencer and pushing the end position
Nothing else can be edited - this is where an M4L device would come in - to allow e.g. pitch or volume to be set at a sequencer position

and

Good article here: Using Ableton Push and Drum Racks to Control External Hardware
Apparently the way to do it is to have an External Instrument on every pad of the Drum Rack. This allows MIDI notes to be sent out of the Drum Rack, so that the Hot Cues to be sequenced individually.
Other deck controls can be managed via a single device at the Rack level. This can be controlled from each Hot Cue by sequencing the rack macros.
A parent Instrument Rack allows different key ranges to be assigned to the Drum Rack and the Key Adjust (via the Max4Live plugin). This prevents input intended for the Key Adjust from accidentally triggering a Drum Rack pad (or moving the focus by selecting one without an External Instrument on it). However it didn't restrict what was actually recorded into the sequencer.

Solution

replaced js filename with sub patcher to resolve JS randomly reverting to an old version with less outlets
used expr to reimplement JS formulas in a more succinct way than using lots of graphical numbers and operators
MIDI keyboard drives the Key dial
Gain and Balance knobs are on the same device as Key control, so that it's intuitive to select the correct device to automate them from
Dual tracks used in order to use the best sequencer for the job and keep the recorded MIDI data clean and easily editable
- triggers: Drum Rack (Hot Cues)
- melody: M4L plugin (Key pitching)

Issues

Dial automation is intended to allow per-step pitch changes, but this is problematic:
- MIDI notes drive the Live Dial (good) but are also captured as MIDI notes
- Recorded MIDI notes trump encoder Dial automation (forcing the Re-Enable Automation light to turn on)
- Macro knob mapping not usable as this prevents MIDI keyboard control of the Key dial
- Deleting Dial automation doesn't delete MIDI notes
- Per-step Dial automation can be fiddly when trying to effect a range
Getting rid of the dial would be better
- Learn Push 2: 32-Note Melodic Step Sequencer has info on programming the notes - if I mastered this then the desired but problematic per-step control over the Key encoder position would be less useful.

TODO

Create variants for Deck B etc

Usage tips

Sequencer: Layout > Note (Drums: Loop Selector)
Drum Rack macros: Device > Drum Rack > Rec + Automate > Adjust encoder
Note length (Traktor's Hot Key mapping is "Hold" rather than "Trigger")
- Clip > Press on sequencer pad > Length
- Clip > Press on sequencer pad > Press on another pad
To stop clip (e.g. to delete and create Cue point in Traktor):
- Layout > Session > Select clip > Stop clip, or
- Layout > Session > Select clip > Toggle Clip to "Loop OFF"
Load same track into another deck: drag and drop track header (triggering polyphony is 1)
Delete automation: Delete > Touch encoder
Phrasing
- If duplicating a clip and triggering the new one, be aware that it might not sound the same as Traktor could be mid sequence when the new clip is triggered.
- The solution is to stop playback of the Traktor deck and/or check that there are no gaps between the MIDI notes, so that Traktor is not filling in the silent gaps.
- Also setting the MIDI clips to Trigger "Legato" so there's no drop out in audio when transitioning between clips.
Note mapping
- There is an octave difference between Live and Traktor:
- Live Drum Rack "Hot Cue 1" plays C0 on MIDI channel 4
- Traktor: Hot Cue 1 mapped to Note C1 on Channel 4
Editing clip / viewing sequencer
- Push2 > Clip > Select > Tap Drum Pad
MIDI note recording
- keyboard midi notes are recorded regardless of the Chain key range settings
- so the MIDI In must be configured to restrict recorded input
Melodic sequencer
- Scale mode "Sequential" + "Major" + "Chromatic" + "Vertical" visually makes some sense (light off = black key)
- Select + note highlights the note in the sequencer.
- Orange pad indicates a C note.
Traktor gotchas
- Toggling from Deck C to Deck A interrupts playback of MIDI.
M4L
- when using live.foo components in M4L, set the "Parameter Visibility" to hidden to remove irrelevant cruft from Live's MIDI clip's Envelopes drop-down

Control Traktor Deck v2

Status

Superceded by Control Traktor Deck v3

Files

src/js/m4l-control-traktor-deck.js
/src/patches/Control Traktor Deck v2.amxd
/src/traktor/Control Traktor Deck v2.tsi

Description

When using Traktor in unconventional ways, multiple controllers can be involved. This requires setting up a .tsi file for each controller in order to map specific controls to Traktor.

This is fiddly and the work needs to be done again when controllers change.

This patch exposes the Traktor controls that I use in my DJing workflow, so that I can easily map my controllers using Ableton Live rather than Traktor.

The same device is used for Deck A and B, the only difference will be the output channel as per the mappings in the TSI file:

Deck A: Channel 2
Deck B: Channel 3
Global mappings are replicated on both channels

Set MIDI To to:

Traktor Virtual Input
Ch. [channel number, see above]

Usage

Traktor > Preferences > Controller Manager > Import > m4l-control-Traktor-deck.tsi
- In-Port: Traktor Virtual Input
- Out-Port: Traktor Virtual Output
add Control Traktor Deck.amxd to a MIDI track in Ableton Live (see my Traktor Live v3 template)
- map controllers to the controls on the device

Roadmap

See Control Traktor Deck

Drum Rack To CC Hot Cue Sequencer (2023.02.09)

triggers a Traktor Hot Cue from a Live Drum Rack, by converting the Drum Rack MIDI note to a MIDI CC that is mapped to the Hot Cues in Traktor
superceded by Control Traktor Deck v3 which maps the Drum Rack notes directly to Traktor's Hot Cues in the .tsi file

Files

src/patches/Drum Rack To CC Hot Cue Sequencer.amxd
src/traktor/Drum Rack To CC Hot Cue Sequencer.tsi

Dev notes

Initial experiment

Traktor

created a TSI
mapped 'Select/Set+Store Hotcue' 1-8 Deck A to Ch2 CC 20-28

Live

created a MIDI channel
MIDI To = Traktor Virtual Input Ch2
created a MIDI clip
Notes tab: drew in some notes (note there seems to be an octave difference between how Live and Traktor experience notes)
MIDI Ctrl tab: drew in events for 20, 21, 22, 23
played clip
Deck A jumps between hot cues and changes the pitch

Push 2

melodic sequencer only shows note events
note selection is confusing
can't see how to change CC on push
however on Deck A, the Control Traktor Deck also appears in the MIDI Ctrl tab, so could have hot cues assigned to a single encoder and then set this position in the sequencer (this works with sequencing the balance knob on Deck A)

Thoughts

That was pretty easy to set up, but the UX is pretty bad unless you're interacting with Live directly.

It would be better if I could either

capture pad presses coming out of Traktor, or
use M4L to hijack a key range of a drum rack to send cc messages

Solution

added M4L midi device on same track as Drum Rack; it sits before the Drum Rack but this is ok
notein captures the Drum Rack output as a pitch value (int)
then subtracted known difference between that value and hot cue int
then triggered hot cue tab (visual confirmation)
then this is output as the CC message that Traktor is expecting
select the M4L device on Push2, + Note + Layout > Drums: Loop Selector - this shows the Hot Cue setting being automated as well as the drum pads triggering and the sequencer for the selected drum pad
Drum Rack only has an audio out, but Deck A can have MIDI From the Drum Rack track, then MIDI To Traktor Virtual Input

Issues

difficult to select a pad without side effects, even when pressing Select on Push2 - looks like Select sends a MIDI event which causes Traktor to send a note off so the phrasing temporarily changes
need to assign a set hot cue (eg 0 or 8) as a 'note off', otherwise it's impossible to retrigger a hot cue; setting a hot cue to the end of the track produces an audible glitch, perhaps it's an inter track mix sound for this track
have to toggle track arm on to program notes from Push2, then off afterwards to hear what you've programmed
cannot color code a drum pad without loading a sample into it

TODO

limit the pitch range affected by the M4L device, to the topmost rack (or a configurable root note)
allow notes to also be set from the Drum Rack e.g. bottommost rack (or a configurable root note)
map hot cue (cc) 'velocity' to track volume, could also be used for faux ADSR
filter out the Push2 select button if this isn't filtered in the pitch limiting
all CCs are going out at 127 value, could try 0 for true note off, or initially 0 then small ms delay then 127
make the note off cue a loop of silence so there's no risk of a sound being eard
or make the note off volume 0, and/or ramp the volume down
name MIDI clip with the name of the song to 'save the patch' so it can be loaded again with the same song and hot cues
And bookmark https://www.ableton.com/en/manual/using-push-2/ - 31.3 and 31.4

Presample Selected Track

Files

src/js/m4l-presample-selected-track.js
src/patches/Presample Selected Track.amxd

Description

When jamming with soft synths or hardware synths, MIDI notes are driving that synth. Recording into the instrument channel would therefore record the MIDI input rather than the audio output. When recorded MIDI is played back at a later date, the sound is often different to what was originally played, due to some combination of synth settings not being saved with the MIDI input (this is especially the case with hardware synths). In this instance it's better to capture the audio output rather than the MIDI input. For synths that don't have MIDI input, audio capture is the only option.

On the Push2, creation of a track-based audio (or MIDI) resampling track necessitates multiple button presses and two hands. This interrupts the creative flow as it requires extensive hand-eye coordination:

Press 'Mix'
Press 'Mix'
Press to select 'Input & Output'
Scroll to select 'Input Type'
Press Record + Track Select
Rename new track in software
Recolour new track

Key/MIDI mapping the Insert before and Insert after buttons automates this process, by:

inserting a new track BEFORE (to the left of) or AFTER (to the right of) the selected track
matching the type of the new track to the type of the selected track (Audio or MIDI)
setting the input of the new track to the name of the selected track
arming the new track
naming the new track to indicate the source name and the time of creation
recolouring the new track to match the selected track's colour
returning the focus to the selected track

Recording can now be started via a single button press on the desired clip slot.

Note: This patch is functionally similar to ClyphX Pro's INSAUDIO/INSMIDI.

Usage

add Presample Selected Track.amxd to the Master Audio track in Ableton Live
- map button on Push2 or other controller to Insert before and/or Insert after button
select an Audio, MIDI, or Instrument track
- push mapped button from (2) to insert a resampling track
- alternatively use Mira to view the Mira frame on an iPad, then tap one of the (Mira) buttons to insert a resampling track

Roadmap

See Presample Selected Track

Rename Selected Track

Files

src/js/m4l-rename-selected-track.js
src/patches/Rename Selected Track.amxd

Description

When jamming it's easy to lose track of what each track represents. This function provides a quick way to name the track from a list of common options.

Usage

add Rename Selected Track.amxd to the Master Audio track in Ableton Live
- map tabs object to encoder on non-Push controller
select an Audio, MIDI, or Instrument track
- turn mapped encoder from (2) to change the track name and see it update instantly
- alternatively use Mira to view the Mira frame on an iPad, then tap a tab (option) on Mira to change the selected track name
- alternatively lock Push to the device on the Master track, and turn the TRACKNAME encoder

Roadmap

See Rename Selected Track

Thanks to

Tip: Search a YouTube video for 'Push': Click 3 dots > Show transcript > Search in video

Insights

Passing variables to the JavaScript file

Technique A: Arguments

Patcher:

[live.tab] # UI object sending input to script
  | | |
    |
  [js script-name.js] # js object containing script (see list of tested variations below)

JS:

function bang()
  if (jsarguments.length > 1) {
    post(jsarguments[0]); // script name
    post(jsarguments[1]); // first argument
  }
}

I couldn't figure out how to use a dynamic value with this approach, as when a value is sent into the js object's inlet, it is treated as a function name rather than a string argument. That generates an error as there is no matching function.

js: no function argName [script-name.js]

This error can be mitigated by adding an anything() function:

function anything() {
  console.log(jsarguments.length);
  console.log(jsarguments[0], jsarguments[1]);
}

However I still couldn't figure out how to pass in a reference to the Symbol value generated by the middle outlet of live.tab:

js script-name.js              => anything() => script-name.js, <undefined>
sprintf js script-name.js %s   => anything() => no output
prepend js script-name.js      => anything() => no output
js rename-selected-track.js $1 => anything() => script-name.js, $1
js rename-selected-track.js $s => anything() => script-name.js, $s

Links:

Technique B: Listeners

Patcher:

[live.tab] # UI object to listen to in script + named  (via the Scripting Name field?)

[live.button] # live.button object to send bang
  |
[js script-name.js] # js object containing script

JS:

function bang() {
  // Run garbage collection
  gc();

  // Target object from patcher
  const obj = this.patcher.getnamed('namedObject');

  // Assign listener
  const ml = new MaxobjListener(obj, objCallback);

  // Get the current value
  post(ml.getvalue());
}

// When the listener detects a change, fire a callback
function objCallback(data) {
  // Get the latest value
  post(data.value);
}

Issues:

When the object has multiple outlets, you can't choose the one with the data type you want. For the live.tab object, I wanted the middle outlet (string Symbol) not the left outlet (Item Index). The latter would have only been useful if had access to the object's enum so I could get the string that the index referred to.

Links:

https://docs.cycling74.com/max8/vignettes/scripting_topic - maxobjlistener-example.maxpat
https://docs.cycling74.com/max8/vignettes/jsmaxobjlistener

Technique C: Global functions

As the above two techniques didn't work for me, I settled on using global functions. This encouraged me to merge several separate scripts into one, and then to hide helper functions using privateFunctionName.local = 1.

Patcher:

[live.tab] # UI object sending input to script
  | | |
    |
[functionName $1] # message object containing function to call + variable argument
    |
  [js script-name.js] # js object containing script containing function

JS:

function functionName(arg) {
  post(arg);
}

Links:

https://docs.cycling74.com/max8/vignettes/jsbasic#Private_(Local)_Functions

Inspector: Bang when Transition from

For buttons (live.text) MIDI mappable controls should activate on mouse down AND mouse up, to prevent 2 clicks being required to repeat the action.

For buttons (live.text) Mira-only controls should only activate on transition from zero to one, otherwise every touch would trigger the action twice.

Mira

Mira supports

live.dial (with label)
live.grid
live.meter
live.number
live.slider
live.tab
live.text (with label - button/toggle, also see prototypes)
live.toggle

Mira does not support

live.adsrui
live.arrows
live.comment
live.gain
live.line
live.menu
live.scope
live.step

Links

Mira iPad app (Cycling 74)

Name		Name	Last commit message	Last commit date
Latest commit History 170 Commits
.github/workflows		.github/workflows
.husky		.husky
release		release
scripts		scripts
src-archive		src-archive
src		src
submodules		submodules
.babelrc		.babelrc
.eslintrc		.eslintrc
.gitignore		.gitignore
.gitmodules		.gitmodules
CHANGELOG.md		CHANGELOG.md
README.md		README.md
package-lock.json		package-lock.json
package.json		package.json

dotherightthing/control-traktor

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Control Traktor

Installation only

Installation and development

Release

Control Traktor v5 (2024.01.08)

Description

Mackie MCU Pro

Stream Deck XL

Sidecar

Loopback

Tips

Traktor Step Sequencer workflow

Beatgridding

Loading new Loop Recorder recordings

MIDI Sync

Control Traktor v4 update (2024.01.05)

Description

Control Traktor v4 (2023.10.10)

Description

Files

Setup

Traktor controls

Added

Removed

Usage tips

Misc

Drum Racks

Hot Cues

Freeze Slices

Loop Recorder

Live Input

Devices

Params

Remix Deck

Soundcard/keyboard

Control Traktor Deck v3 (2023.04.23)

Description

Files

Setup

Live

Traktor controls

Dev notes

Initial experiment

Solution

Issues

TODO

Usage tips

Control Traktor Deck v2

Status

Files

Description

Usage

Roadmap

Drum Rack To CC Hot Cue Sequencer (2023.02.09)

Files

Dev notes

Initial experiment

Traktor

Live

Push 2

Thoughts

Solution

Issues

TODO

Presample Selected Track

Files

Description

Usage

Roadmap

Rename Selected Track

Files

Description

Usage

Roadmap

Thanks to