Anyone using CDJ's with Traktor Scratch via Timecode?

DJ Gear & Hardware CDJ & Vinyl DJing
1

Anyone using CDJ’s with Traktor Scratch via Timecode?

How is it? Have an A-10 and getting bored with just my X1 at the moment. Was on 2.6.0 on OSX 10.6.8 (Yes, I’m an old Snow Leopard dinosaur) however I found it to be buggy and reverted back to 2.5.1 today. Have a DJM-850 at home and typically just use the built in soundcard on the mixer at home. About half the clubs that I play in here (Charlotte) are still rocking an older setup (DJM 800 & 1000’s), so running HID and using the internal soundcard in the mixer (DJM 850, 900, 2000) isn’t always an option.

Seeing that half the time I have to lug around my soundcard anyway, I am thinking about picking up the scratch upgrade and discs and running the clubs CDJ’s. Some friends of mine have 2000’s so I’m familiar with CDJ’s, however I’ve only used them in native and HID mode. Never used timecode.

My question is. How good is it? Is it worth it? Am I wasting my time? The plan was to pick up a cheap older pair of decks later down the road to have at home. All insight appreciated :thumbsup:

2

I have CDJ-400´s with Traktor in HID mode and it works great. In my opinion, timecode with CD players don´t work good enough. Maybe it’s better on the CDJ-1000/800 then on the 400´s… I guess you could try timecode on some free/demo DVS software if you can’t use a Traktor Scratch license on your friends setups?

3

Timecode CD isn’t that great as you no longer have a functioning Cue button, but it’s better than nothing if you want jog wheels available.

Try cueing in tracks on the CDJ 2000 in vinyl mode without using the Cue button and you should get a good idea of what timecode is like.

4

What clubs do you spin at in Charlotte? I live in Charlotte too. :slight_smile:

5

Very true, I caught myself just pausing the track at my normal manual cue points lol.

6

Thanks!

Good point. Thanks for the tip!

Crown Station, Dharma, Volume, Phoenix, Marigny, Kazba, others I can’t think of. Where do you frequent? Playing in mainroom at Dharma 2nite and Phoenix tomorrow.

7

I see people post the cue button issue all the time, but I use timecode cd’s every tuesday and for my third deck at home. On 900s, 1000mk2’s, and my 800 I have never had this issue. Do you have autocue enable so that the cue point is always at the begginning of track two? If not then there in lays your problem. I go nuts tapping the cue buttons. :stuck_out_tongue:

The only beef Ive had with timecode cd’s is when forget to ensure master tempo isnt clicked on the cdj. :stuck_out_tongue:

8

only if you use relative mode though.

9

If you use Absolute mode that rules out using any Traktor cuepoints/loops.

10

this is not true. If you have your timecode set to switch to absolute mode on lead in and set your autocue for the beginning of track two on the timecode cd then when you hit the cue button it returnsback to the beginning. I will experiment more and post a video in about 20 minutes.

11

By definition you cannot use hotcues, loops, or any Traktor transport control when using Absolute timecode. Otherwise it wouldn’t be absolute.

12

traktor switches from absolute to relative once a hotcue, loop, or flux is engaged. At least it does on my end.

13

the not having a cue button functionality is understandable, however if you have an x1 just use your regular cue points as your cue, works absaloutley fine been using timecode CD’s/Vinyl for over a year playing out at least twice a week :slight_smile:

14

I feel timecode on cdj’s is the most useless thing in the world. digital-audio-digital-audio-digital-track control-audio.
Unnecessary to say the least.

15

Thanks for the insight guys!