S4 video and some tricks

[SleekGreek]

you haven't had any problems with your s4 yet?

[Yul]

Thanks Nerve I appreciate.
Just so you know, I had a playlist ready and knew the tunes so it makes things smoother when you're doing it really. Usually I make longer mixes and tend to let the tracks play more. The video format (10 minutes) implies to be a 'bit' more technical or have more tracks within in it if you wanna put forward something interesting, but that's not how I do mix for several hours.

SleekGreek: no, not really, nothing that critical. However, I do have a defective loop recorder's rec button it seems (as you can spot in the video, sometimes it doesn't engage the rec properly, sometimes it engages it and recut it instantly, which is really annoying). But that's something new to me and I need to check if I will need to send the unit back because of that.

[IrishBlaggard]

i assume a foot pedal would solve your loop recorder button issue ?

ps. nice mix vid.

[Yul]

Yes, I plan to get one soon but still it's an issue for me if the button is 'broken' (a bad contact probably).

[zeburock]

I may be missing something obvious here, but I'd really like to know how you are using the jog wheels to apply effects?

I don't see the point in always having the jog wheels for scratching, when there are so many more possibilities for them... also the tempo fader for effects (large pitch changes, or delay 'freezes' would be great.)

Please dump your knowledge base on me
=Z

[Yul]

The basis is that you have an option in the S4 preferences that allows to change the load button to an option allowing to control an effect amount with the jogwheel.

But I'm currently testing a kind of advanced control mode (juggle mode) with the jogwheel (that's what I'm using in the video). I'm working on it but so far I don't have much success as it is really difficult to reproduce the different states of the S4, it implies multiple states that can't be achieved with a user mapping (actually you need several of them, using a LOT of modifiers and their own states). Without being too technical, each 'state' relates to other layers of states, sometimes more than 3, so it's very very complex to set up with a mapping all the 'events' than can happen and that reproduces the behaviour of the hardware (as as long you're using the embedded mapping you have this obligation).
In other words it's not error proofed and don't make real sense as if it doesn't work it also messes with the software (and what you do). Not something I will share until I can find a way (and I've worked hard trying).


To answer your question about faders, you can only use them for something else when you push the two offset buttons and use auto mode. So you need to create a user mapping reproducing this behavior. But you'll be limited anyway as the controller editor won't accept those faders for anything else than faders. It means you can't use the faders as a 'button' to engage an effect for example. Same thing with knobs by the way.

Of course if you dump the embedded mapping and pass into midi mode you have more freedom (but still within the limitations of the hardware's behaviour). In midi mode, as you're not limited anymore by the restrictions given by the HID mode, you could if wanted recreate a real juggle mode like on the DJTT's mapping for the VCI100. On the other hand you'll loose much from what the embedded mapping offers.

[zeburock]

Thank you very much for your responce ~ juggle mode or 'fader fx' mode is exactly what I'd like to at least TRY; and compare to what I've lost in the original settings.

My goal is to bring the fun back into the production of music, sound and samples, to get away from the mouse and add a performing element to the engineer roll. I'm not so much interested in the S4 acting like turntables primarily. I wonder how easy or hard it would be to map the effects parameters on the S4's knobs, to the faders on a behringer BCF2000 for example. (I suppose I just don't like the grab action of knobs as much as faders for rhythmic purposes.)

It's great that you know your stuff - I'm not as much of a tech-mod guy, which is why I thought the S4 was a better rout than trying to build it myself, like Mouldover.
=Z

[Yul]

Then see the S4 as a great midi controller, which actually it is, and way far superior than most, even in midi mode. Then your only limitations will be your actual capacity to midi map and plan, and the known boundaries of midi mapping Traktor.
Another option you have is to stay with the embedded mapping and when you want full and total control about the way you manage effects (fader fx mode, whatever) you pass into midi mode. Create the led feedback and basic functions you may have to keep from embedded to midi mode and map the rest to your convenience.
I did something like that at the start when I realised the limitations of the HID mode but then I think switching to midi mode is not a very practical process (the midi mode needing to give you access to some basic controls anyway). But that's my view on the idea for the time being. May be I should have gone deeper but I was more interested by keeping the embedded mapping (or at least trying to stay at close as possible to it).

An additional option could be to simply add a side controller with some buttons and faders or knobs and use that for juggle mode - but in my eyes defeats the prime idea of an all in one solution I was looking for.

[zeburock]

in my eyes defeats the prime idea of an all in one solution I was looking for.

I Completely agree - I'm very fresh to the world of traktor and the controller for these purposes. I need to stick close to it's original mapping just to first get a handle on it. I want to take that as far as I can, which is why I'm digging around to learn as much as I can.

I also struggle with advanced midi mapping, although I've managed to do it in the past ~ for me it's a long and pained process; my thinking is not math oriented, much more abstract. That's why I make good art but struggle with things that require syntax, like coding languages.

Thank you, again for your attention: Props to your abilities.
=Z