Traktor S4Mk3 Problems Live Gig

Philister
Philister Member Posts: 20 Member
edited October 2024 in Traktor Software & Hardware

Hi,

I use a traktor s4mk3 with an HP Z book from 2016.

I have now my first gig at a small festival and want to use my own stuff instead of the cdjs just to feel comfortable.

Could There be Problems like overheating or software breakdown cause i don't use a Mac book, or a controller breakdown cause of the Festival Hardware which is connected with my controller?

Any known Problems or possible Problems which i have to calculate with?

Thank you so much!

Answers

  • Sunborn
    Sunborn NKS User Library Mod Posts: 3,147 mod

    No one can ever be 100% sure with these things, but usually such chance is under 0.01%.

    I have played few years ago, in 39 °C with a Dell Inspiron without any problem.

    In any case, it is more probably that any possible overheat will may affect your computer, but never a controller or other similar hardware.

  • Sûlherokhh
    Sûlherokhh Member, Traktor Mapping Mod Posts: 2,888 mod

    In any case, it is more probably that any possible overheat will may affect your computer, but never a controller or other similar hardware.

    I got my S4's buttons stuck and nonreactive one night outside in spring because it got too cold. Not freezing, but around 5°C. ^^

  • Sunborn
    Sunborn NKS User Library Mod Posts: 3,147 mod
    edited July 2023

    as i wrote "no one can ever be 100% sure with these things"... :-)

    personally i never encountered such problem with any controller i had

  • Philister
    Philister Member Posts: 20 Member


    Ok thanks!

    I have a further question after that:

    Is it usual that traktor djs take their own devices to the gig or can you connect your traktor laptop with cdjs?

    I also preper a rekordbox playlist with hotcues just to get sure if there will be any problem.

    So in my case I think is is ok to use my controller to feel comfortable and safe, isn't it but in the Future, how do i use traktor live with the Standard cdjs?

  • Sunborn
    Sunborn NKS User Library Mod Posts: 3,147 mod

    Theoretically you can do whatever combination you want, but usually this kind of combination you have in mind will not work.

    For example, standard CDJs and laptop usually do not match. In some cases, you may be able to do some complex routing, however this is an extremely rare case, and either way, i doubt that there will be enough time to do this on a festival, especially if other people play before and after you.

    The most common solution in your case, will be:

    either to use one channel for your laptop and mix Traktor internally with the mouse (which as you may understand, while is working, it might be a bit of ridiculous, people seen you mixing like this),

    either to use one channel for you laptop and one channel for a CDJ. Many modern CDJs include a USB port so you can put a usb stick with your tracks. Of course, in such case, you need to forget any kind of sync. It will be you and your skills.

    What i don't understand is, why on Earth you would choose to do such thing, since you do have a controller! The stage is their natural place, not our home. :-)

  • lord-carlos
    lord-carlos Member Posts: 3,643 Expert

    Some DJ just bring something small to control the decks, like a Traktor X1 or xone K2. And then connect the mixer via USB and use external mixing mode in Traktor.

    Best of both worlds.

    Very light, relatively quick to setup, does not need much extra space.

    Here is an example from Joris Voorn

    But just rocking up with a USB stick and use CDJs is also nice. Can't hurt to have a USB as backup.

  • Philister
    Philister Member Posts: 20 Member

    Ok I understand, I just could not imagine that every DJ who wants to use Traktor on stage cannot use the Players and needs to take a controller.

    I thought it could seem a bit unprofessional to ignore the Players and bring my own stuff.

    But there are also some advantages to use my traktor live instead of Feeling comfortable...

  • lord-carlos
    lord-carlos Member Posts: 3,643 Expert

    AFAIK even if you use CDJs to control traktor decks, you would still need something to control traktor effects.

    And at that point why not just use the CDJs "normally" with a rekordbox loaded USB stick?

  • Sunborn
    Sunborn NKS User Library Mod Posts: 3,147 mod
    edited July 2023

    It is not at all "unprofessional"! On the contrary, every serious artist and DJ always bring his own stuff.

    Last time i used players was back in 2007!

  • Philister
    Philister Member Posts: 20 Member

    Because there must be a reason to use traktor, isn't it? :D

    you're right, it would be the best way. But why is traktor so popular when you cant use it with Players...

  • lord-carlos
    lord-carlos Member Posts: 3,643 Expert

    On the contrary, every serious artist and DJ always bring his own stuff.

    I'm not sure if that was meant as a hyperbole, but it's not true.

    It's different depending on region and DJ type. But a lot just use the CDJs provided by the venue or organiser. Some have a rider requesting specific gear. Some bring their own, but that every single DJ always brings their own gear is false.

  • Sunborn
    Sunborn NKS User Library Mod Posts: 3,147 mod

    Correction: "every single DJ" who use controllers. Those who use CDs of course they use the CDJs.

    But what i wrote "every serious artist and DJ always bring his own stuff" it applies 99.99% on my scene (psy-trance, goa and similar styles). I have played numerous times on most major festivals of that kind and (unless he use CD) the artist always bring his own stuff (or ask the organizers for a specific gear).

  • lord-carlos
    lord-carlos Member Posts: 3,643 Expert

    Traktor is not all that popular any more. It was a 10 years ago. It varies from scene, location and genre. I still see traktor used in Goa / Psytrance scene a lot. Otherwise locally most clubs have CDJs and the DJs rock up with a USB. Mobile DJs often use serato.

    You can use the CDJs in hid mode. But then you need to connect all of them via USB, and the mixer. And then maybe a midi controller for traktor fx. If the mixer has no soundcard (Xone 92 for example) you would need an addition soundcard or aggregate the individual CDJs into a single sound device for traktor.

    https://blog.native-instruments.com/how-to-use-cdjs-with-traktor/

    It's not impossible, but .. ehh. Just imagine the changeover. And then imagine just sticking in your USB stick in the CDJs that the DJs before you is not using.

    If you go to the club before the show starts and hook everything up with a USB hub it might be less stressful.

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