I was on the N.I forums and found someone who could benefit from the knowledge and feedback you guys are so great at here on DJTT. I’ve responded to Tango 179 with the links to this post for reference. There has yet to be a response over there since it was posted yesterday, so I wanted to link it here for additional coverage and support. All of the knowledge and feedback here is greatly appreciated, you guys are the best.
I am new to the didgital DJ world and have been looking into purchasing Traktor Pro. However I am blind and rely on screen reader software to navigate my computer, and this is what brings up a few questions.
I have installed the demo version and have been exploring it and going through the included manuals for the last few weeks and unfortunatly the only areas that my screen reader speaks is the file menue, once I open any of the options such as preferences it goes silent . What I have read in the manual leads me to belive that this will not be a problem as I could just get some one with sight to help me configure the software and prepare hotkeys. My ideal set up would be to use a keyboard and an external mixer. So my first question is, what functions can not be mapped to my keyboard? Note that use of a mouse is not possible. Secondly the manual stated that there are some features that can only be mapped to a midi controller, could someone please specify what these are. With a keyboard and external mixer set up will there be any functions that I will not be able to use through hotkeys or the mixer?
The next hurdle that I would need to overcome is the music collection. For simplicity I would create a folder on my hard drive to store all my music that I would be using in traktor, and from what I have read any files that I add later on can be automaticly added into the collection with out any input from me once it was enabled in preferences. The question here is how would the collection be sorted in this case? For ease of use on my end I would prefer to have my collection sorted alphabetically by artist name, I would assume that this was possible and when adding new tracks will they automatically follow this sorting method or just be added to the bottom of the list? Is it possible to hotkey a sort collection alphabetically command? If I remove a file from the folder will the track be removed from traktors collection or will it still be on the list?
Will a set up like this be workable? If anyone out there has any experience using traktor with a screen reader please let me know.
I agree. Surely with higher tactile and auditory senses they would get more enjoyment and most likely perform a lot better from using something physical/analogue.
That’s not the question though I suppose, I don’t really know too much about it and i’d suggest that only people who know the stuff inside and out will be able to help..
Out of interest, how is he going to be able to hear the screen reader program? Sounds like too much effort to be using traktor when he could get a lot better result from something else.. imo
If you get a sighted person to help you set up your hotkeys and initial preferences, you should be able to play your set without ever needing to touch the mouse. I’d suggest working with someone who’s already skilled with Traktor mapping - you’re going to want a map that is bomb-proof, meaning adding important things like panic resets, saved snapshots for all your effect settings, and tons of macro-type automation. You can do it all on the keyboard, but IMHO a solid controller would be better to work with, since once you’ve got it all set up, it’ll be a much more tactile experience, plus you’ll have the benefit of knobs for your effects.
I think nearly everything can be mapped on a keypad, the things that wouldn’t work so well would be knob-type controls where you need smooth but variable rotation, likewise encoder controls. But you can finesse some of that type of control out of buttons, by selecting the repeat option in the command, also set as a “hold” type control, so the command stops when you release the key.
If you remove a file from your track folder, it won’t automatically disappear from Traktor’s collection. Instead, Traktor will give a message saying the file can’t be read - if it is loaded. It’s challenging to think about this from a blind perspective. I would think that a pre-sorted playlist would make things easy, since you know what to expect as you key up or down. But if you use the preview function, you might be able to navigate a reasonably sized alphabetized library without ever having to load anything.
I haven’t thought about it this way before, it’s definitely a challenge. I wish I could be more specific, but hopefully the suggestions are helpful. Good luck!
i think it was bach who was deaf and wrote music. Hmm well the memorization of music would best to use a 4 deck controller. memorizing the mapping of that 4 deck controller would allow mixing by knowing the music inside and out.
Thank you guys, I will relay and try to engage on DJTT as well. You’re the best
I’ll relay the info and see if we can combine threads.
Any and all help is immensely appreciated.
With Tango 179 digging into Traktor Pro, I immediately thought of you and this incredible Community. I was thinking if there were anyone that could provide help, it would be you and your knowledge and experience. The insight and care that you take in your abilities, craft, life, love, passion. The same goes for Tango 179.
We all have different experiences in life and that is what makes it so dynamic and amazing. I want to help, and I want to ask for help. Tango 179 brings a whole new dynamic the Community. Understanding how our work is interpreted by others, on so many levels, is so important to our work as a whole.
This is just cool, on so so many levels, and opens so many doors for so many people. This is such a great Community, one that I cannot find anywhere else.
Thank you in advance for you input, insight, education and knowledge. All of this is very much appreciated. ~b3nz0n8
Its not as complex of a system and the library is 1:1 direct read from Itunes or any folder he creates. No need for Traktors “collection” There is no midi mapping and the button layout on the VCI-300 is pretty simple. Could be another option for him. Also the hardware for effects is static. Meaning each click is always the same effects. So if he knows 2 clicks right = delay he won’t have issues locating it.
I also wanted to copy the N.I. post with an update from Tango 179 and a few more questions for you guys.
Here is Tango 179 response:
" Yesterday, 16:35
Tango 179
Forum Newcomer
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 2
Thank you to everyone here and on the DJ TT forums for all of the advice.
It is definatly looking like traktor will work for me despite the lack of screen reader functionality. There is still a small question, how easy will it be to remove tracks from the collection? For instance will hitting delete then hitting enter to confirm when the confirmation window opens work? Also will the remove track from collection only be the default choice when the confirm window opens?"
Hello and thank you to everyone here for helping me get closer to turning this dream into a reallity. Big thanks to b3nz0n8 for relaying my messages from NI and for connecting me to this amazing community.
Looks like all I have to do now is figure out how to remove tracks from Traktors collection to prevent the list from getting to long. If removal of tracks is a problem I would guess the search box via a hotkey will be my best friend. But if I decide to go with Itch instead the 1:1 read from the file folder would make things very easy. Time to do some research into Itch and weigh it against Traktor. If anyone has any insights or personal experience using either software that might be helpful I would value your input.
Welcome to the Greatest Place on Earth. I’d give you some Mickey Mouse ears to wear but Deadmau5 ate them.
It’s good to have you here and I’m happy to help. There a number of members that have indepth Itch experience here and many others that can provide insights to the library functions within Traktor Pro, as well as removing tracks to minimize the library length.
Also, are you working on a PC or Mac? And how soon do you plan on purchasing Traktor Pro? I believe in February 2011 there may be a update to either software and/or hardware that could also be Traktor related. That’s the rumor and there is a growing thread on it with insights and speculation.
There are a lot of great threads in this forum with a wealth of knowledge. What’s even better are those members behind them. They’re a rowdy bunch and equally as awesome.
I’ve got to finish up some work but will check back later. Welcome to the DJTT Forum Tango 179, it’s like family here…a very rowdy crazy bunch of very cool people.
I am legally blind, but get by with some help setting stuff up, a guide through the club, and I get pretty close to the screen. having the X1’s are nice because they are tacktile and allow for me to feel everything. That was one big step up from my Xone1D setup. But again I am legally blind, I can still see somewhat, but things are more shapes and such…
Hey sorry b3nz0n8 I had responded to your question over on the NI forums and was going to include it in my previous post but got carried away… Anyway I was planning on purchasing my software in early to mid Jan, but if there is an update in Feb I will probably wait untill it is released. Time to dig up the update thread and do some more reading. My OS will more than likely be windows but I will be purchasing a new laptop at the same time so if mac works out better for the software that I choose than I will go with it.
LanceBlaise I am legally blind as well with shadows and light being about all that I can see. From your experience is Traktor or Itch the best route to go? Will there be any hurdles to over come with either choice that you know of?
Well I never tried Itch. I used Torq for a bit, but Traktor is way better. Easier work flow when searching for tracks etc… When I get close enough to the screen I can make out enough of the name of the track to know what I am selecting. Before hand I do lots of prep work, making sure grids are perfect, and having load markers set up, all that stuff. I have only been this way for about 2 years now, so I have an advantage because I knew how to move around in the program before my eyes got worse… As I said before I think the controllers mke a big difference. The X1 is laid out pretty nicely so you can get a pretty good feel of where you are on the controller just by touching it lightly with your hands, and you don’t have to worry about pressing any buttons because they need to be pressed down where they lightly click to engage at all. Same with the knobs, they click on each turn which is pretty nice too, again because it makes feeling stuff a lot easier.
I will be more than happy to answer questions if you have any… Again, like i said I was using this before my vision got bad, so I had an advantage, but I think its pretty good.
Can you see at all up close to things? Just asking because when I get close to stuff I can see somethings. My problem is more due to large spots and lines that I have in my direct field of vision due to blood vessels bursting on the back of my eyes and the blood covers the retina. Its like driving a car that has a windshield with muddy water with big clumps of mud thrown on it… kind of hard to explain, but I have little spots where I can see some stuff, but not so great. I have had a great number of surgeries but it just keeps it from getting worse, they can’t correct it…
Getting lost in all the info here at DJTT is easy to do, good stuff
Oh hey Tango 179, no worries, I’m just glad your here. Also, getting carried away here at DJTT is very easy to do…there are so many good threads and so much entertainment.
And thank you LanceBlaise for your insight and feedback. Choosing a platform and committing to hardware/software is a difficult choice, especially with the overhead and the evolution of product cycles. Choosing the right direction is important and having first hand knowledge is even more so.
That’s why I wanted to tell Tango 179 about this forum, quick educated responses from those who know their stuff. It’s greatly appreciated. I’ll catch up later, work is 3 hours away.
