Warped in Ableton - export - play in Traktor without Beatgrid?
Hi guys - this is my third post as I posted in wrong section before reading sticky… Apologies. So go easy on me.
Basically I moved over to using ABleton a while ago (from standard Vinyl CDJs) and I’m not really enjoying it so more. To get things sounding good and decent effects working well it takes up too much time, so you spen a lot of your time playing with your template instead of just playing. Currently use a UC33e witha An Echo Expresscard soundcard.
Essentially I’m moving over to Traktor as I’ve found it much more fun, effets work well and the looping seems great (one of the real positivies in live). Probably going to invest in a VCI100 & Kontrol X1 to get started and my UC33e can back up and be used for the other decks. Sufficeint for some 4deck fun?
There’s the preamble… So: I now have literally thousands of pre-warped tracks from ableton, andI don’t really fancy having to beatgrid again all my existing tracks(I will be using sync for tight looping/creative mixing). So my question is - once I’ve exported the warped track from ableton as a complete audiofile, will it work out the box in traktor for syncing, or will I still need to beatgrid it?
Any helps tips/advice on my transition over to traktor welcome.
Hey man,
For tracks to stay in sync in permanent SYNC mode they have to have Beatgrids.
Tracks that are dead on BMP will stay in sync but the SYNC button will not stay lit and the sync mode is momentary.
Also for perfect FX they are tied to the Master Clock so if your bpm is slightly out the FX wont be synced.
Even if a track is warped in Ableton the BPM can still be slightly different in Traktor therefore gridding is essential.
The good news is that of you have warped your tracks and they are correct it will tale just a few seconds to place a beatgrid on the first down beat.
You will be glad you spent the time gridding trust me.
You can set your BPM range and have it set an auto-grid but that’s not perfect 100% of the time.
You’re best off beatgridding your tracks, but once you get good at this, with a pre-warped track you know the tempo to, we’re talking a 5 second investment of time per track.
And you don’t NEED grids to play in Traktor, either, it just makes things a lot smoother.
No certainly dont need grids at all. When im playing funk and hiphop i dont use grids at all.
Im guessing (assuming) though that coming from an Ableton background he will wont be manually keeping in sync and he is probably gonna use FX and maybe 4 decks.
For synced FX and 4 decks you need grids.
Thanks for the help guys much appreciated - so basically, it’s definitely worth me investing the time to export my warped tracks from ableton, and continue to pre-warp new tracks and export. (This I don’t mind as I can warp well & quickly)
Then import said exported&warped tracks to Traktor and drop in a beatgrid, which should (assuming correctly warped) sit nicely and require minimal fuss.
Have I got this correct?
EDIT For Karlos: You’re exactly right mate
Also what’re your guys thoughts on my proposed setup?
Sorry if I’m being dense here, but what do you mean by “Especially if you know the BPM solid.”? As long as I know the exact BPM I’m laughing?
Very glad to hear it my method will creat a sound environment for Traktor - very much looking forward to a more interactive and enjoyable DJ experience!
Also what are your thoughts on my proposed initial hardware setup?
As long as you are definite on the BPM, you’ll be golden and will make setting a beatgrid a LOT easier.
A VCI-100 and a Kontrol X1 will be just fine, and the UC33 will give you any extra faders and knobs you might need. The X1 will be a good solid control for decks A/B and the VCI can handle all the extras.
You might want to set the UC33 to work in Ableton and route them together. Bento has a whole bunch of posts and articles on how to do that. Can get the best of both worlds.
Brilliant - so as long as the BPM I warped the track at in ableton is the same as traktor I’m laughing? Sorry to keep pushing the point just want to make sure I’ve got it!
Nice to hear the proposed setup will be ample for my needs - from my research it looked right! The Kontrol works right out the box but VCI100 will need configuration?
In theory I like the thought of routing them both, but I think I best learn to walk before I can run . I think I’ll stick to getting my head firmly sorted around traktor first before I get invloved in routing Traktor & Ableton. But thanks for the heads up and I’ll def do some research into it.
Aside from this forum - you know of any good resources/info on getting setup/started?
Again big props & thanks mate, all very much appreciated!
Pretty much, you just need to input the BPM and set a beatgrid on the start on a beat - and everything will sync all hunky dory. Very easy to do if you know the exact BPM
Traktor will make its own bmp analysis and like we have discovered every application is capable of getting it slightly wrong or varied against another app.
What is most important is that Traktor get its own analysis right because then it will apply the grid correctly.
My guess is that you have Ableton sussed and your tracks bpms are true so the chance is that Traktor will make the same analysis. Where you may have to play about is when Traktor says a track is 1bpm out . If the Grid doesnt fit you already know what the bpm could/should be by the abelton bpm so you can adjust the bpm in traktor accordingly and get the grid super tight.
DvlsAdvct is spot on if you are doing it right in Abelton you will get it right in Traktor IF you learn the workflow. Check the Beat Grid tutorial video Ean posted it is (imho) THE definitive tutorial. Also check the Traktor Bible Beatgrif tut if you want to read rather than watch, its fool-proof.
Im currently using a VCI 100 and an X1 at one of my gigs. Its ace.
The X1 works out of the box , no questions. Ive changed the Native Mapping slightly to my needs which is really easy.
The VCI takes little more setting up simply because everyone uses theirs differently (thats the beauty of the VCI) some peoples tsi (mappings) are more complicated that the space shuttles control desk !!!
Put together and you have got Uber Control over Traktor.
My guess is your gonna be having a lot of fun, some head-scratching but a great time with the kit you have.
Then of course theres all that business of Ableton and Traktor togther !!!
Karlos - big thanks mate that completely clears everything up for me
It was the pre-warping/syncing that I wanted to make sure I could get sorted, and now I know I can… woop woop.
You boys have really helped me out here big time - it’s clarified that Traktor will be able to do what I want and more, with added fun! And that’s not even with routing etc…
Payday friday - time to take the Traktor plunge!
Thanks again guys - top help for a newby, and I’ll get posting on a more regular basis - Most probably with… aaaargh help its not working. hehe
Love ableton, but as a: drum machine, looper/live sampler, PREPARING other peoples songs - something about its interface when trying to dj with it just annoyed me. Dude if you used ableton to make your edits of songs you’ll be ace on traktor.
had the same question and was excited to find this thread. just switching to traktor for the same reason - i want to play, not mess with my template! but i’ve already warped a ton of tracks, and am afraid to have to spend all this time setting up beat grids… BUT if I’ve already warped them, export them from ableton, and then pull that into traktor, the beat grids should be right on then… SO excited about trying this out.
but if u have to beatgrid your tracks in traktor its a breeze for you as traktor’s beatgridding ain’t that tedious as compared to warping in ableton. beatgridding is not something tedious. and besides you shud be able to understand your tracks better since you have it warped in ableton and the beatgrdding should be way much easier for you since you already know your tracks.
Should also be noted that if the tempo is solid then beatgridding in Traktor is as easy as warping in Ableton. Theres no need for a bazillion warp points in Ableton if there is a solid tempo, they are only needed for tracks that have a changing tempo.
The only time things get complicated in Ableton is when the tempo changes through the song
