Being the Only Traktor DJ in a Serato World – Why Is It So Hard with CDJs and Pioneer Mixers?

dershan
dershan Member Posts: 7 Member
in Traktor Software & Hardware

I’m not sure if choosing Traktor as a hip-hop DJ was a mistake back then. All my colleagues use Serato, typically with two CDJs and either a DJM S7 or S11. For me, one of Traktor’s biggest issues is the lack of true plug-and-play functionality. There are always challenges—having to rewire setups, troubleshoot connections, and deal with the fact that you can’t just plug in via USB and start playing with 2 CDJs and a DJM S7, S9 or S11 like others do and can…

This is by far the biggest frustration I have with Traktor. It would be a dream if it allowed for seamless plug-and-play functionality, just like my colleagues experience with Serato. Despite this, I have zero interest in switching to Serato because I’m genuinely impressed with Traktor Pro overall.

Or is there a solution? Who else is facing the same problem? Who can help?

Thnx!

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Comments

  • LostInFoundation
    LostInFoundation Member Posts: 5,319 Expert

    The answer to your title question is itself in your title: because it’s a Serato world ☺️

  • dershan
    dershan Member Posts: 7 Member

    True – but I’m not trying to debate popularity. I’m trying to figure out: How can I make Traktor work in a world built around Serato and Pioneer plug-and-play setups?
    Just tired of feeling like I’m hacking my way through every gig while others just show up and play.

    Is there any setup or workflow that makes Traktor more club-ready for this?

  • LostInFoundation
    LostInFoundation Member Posts: 5,319 Expert
    edited April 21

    Probably one solution is having your own setup which you can trust (everything already tested/set up/prepared/reliable to avoid the “Why did the connections to the existing boot gears work last time and now not? Let’s open Settings, check connections,…” moments) and just rely on a single audio cable going to the mixer already in use (which, at this point, you will not even touch anymore, once the correct channel fader is raised).

    But be sure that the club has the turntables dust covers available, otherwise you won’t have any place on which laying down your setup without destroying very expensive turntable needles

  • Quade
    Quade Member Posts: 265 Advisor

    I am happy how I setup my gear.

    Last night, the owner got the CDJ900 & it's was seamless.

    I already had my laptop already setup & asked the DJ on set during his set, just to ensure that the cd players are set correctly

    Switching between USB & Link does not affect my laptop setup.

    I am a Hip-hop DJ & love it.

  • dershan
    dershan Member Posts: 7 Member
    edited April 21

    Thanks for your answers!

    Quade:

    But what I don’t understand is: the CDJs need to be connected to my MacBook, right? Isn’t that a problem for the other DJs?
    And secondly, how did you handle the mixer in that whole setup—especially with a standard hip-hop mixer like the DJM S9?

  • Quade
    Quade Member Posts: 265 Advisor
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/222942#Comment_222942

    The place has its DJM350 mixer, I use it the same way as any other DJ would.

    Nothing to special there.

    In your case, you would need a USB hub, the pioneer CDJ driver / and or CDJ aggregator tool.

    Select the pioneer CdJXDJ audio preference from the audio drop down menu

    Just switch from internal mode to external mode within Traktor's settings

    You should be good from there on.

    I have not used a standalone mixer other than the Z2

    I mainly work off DJ controllers (Pioneer ddj t1 ; Roland dj-505 ; Traktor kontrol s3)

    Let me know

  • dershan
    dershan Member Posts: 7 Member

    thnx i get how to technically set it up — that part i’ve managed.

    my main concern is this: when i connect the cdjs to my macbook via usb, doesn't that interfere with the other serato djs who also need access to the cdjs during their sets? especially in back-to-back or club situations?

    also, how would that work with a typical hip-hop setup using something like the djm-s9? since that mixer is usually the core of the setup for serato djs, i’m wondering if me taking over the cdj usb connections would cause problems or force them to reconnect everything later?

    this is really the main issue i’m trying to figure out — how to run traktor smoothly without messing up the usual serato workflow in shared environments. i do not play at places where djs play with controllers. its always 2 cdjs + djm s9 or s11 or s7… thnx

  • Quade
    Quade Member Posts: 265 Advisor
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/222953#Comment_222953

    Only honest solution I have is to have a usb drive on hand

    Once you played your last track, plug in your drive, mix in a song allowing you to disconnect your gear & allowing the next DJ to setup.

    So far, this is but the only method I have ever used.

    Happened on 2 or 3 occasions with me personally.

    It wasn't the smoothest transition but it worked nonetheless.

    I have been searching for videos / blogs / forums but have not encountered a more seamless method to this.

    I hope this information has been useful.

  • Quade
    Quade Member Posts: 265 Advisor

    Perhaps looking into switching from external mode on the mixer to Internal mode

    I am not sure, as I have not been exposed to those mixers personally

    Our standard pretty much here in South Africa is either an all-in-one like the XDJ rx2/3

    DJM 750 mixer & / or above (most places would have the 350 mixer) it's just a normal standard here

    Cdj 350 and / or above

  • lord-carlos
    lord-carlos Member Posts: 4,042 Expert

    Djm s series mixers need to be supported from the software, as they have performed pads and whatnot. It's a bit different to the djm 750 and similar.

    I assume the cdjs are plugging into the djm s7 USB hub. If you yoink them out while the pervious dj is still playing he ain't going to be happy.

    I have never looked into djm s series mixers and can't help with that. But if they are not supported by Traktor you might want to consider other software.

    Or just play from USB Stick when possible.

  • Owner
    Owner Member Posts: 618 Guru

    The DJM-S9 will hopefully soon be discontinued as a standard; it's simply too old and too limited in its functionality. It also doesn't deliver good sound quality and is no longer on par with the S7 or S11. With these, you can simply connect the CDJs directly to the mixer with a USB cable, and then you can easily alternate between Serato DJs without having to reconnect anything. So you only need to connect to the mixer, which also has two USB ports. This way, you can easily switch on the mixer which port you want to use, deck-independently. So, a Serato DJ track can still be playing on the left while you take over on the right. There are tons of mappings for CDJs, and with the "Pro" devices, you also have the option of HID from Traktor. With older devices, you'd probably still have to work with timecode and connect the CDJs to the line input with an RCA cable.

    You can also find Traktor mappings for the DJM S mixer online, for example, at djtechtools.

  • DJM (Sagar)
    DJM (Sagar) Member Posts: 57 Helper

    It is in fact easier with Traktor to make the switch because Traktor allows you to control anything and everything on the keyboard. While Serato does have keyboard shortcuts they're not useful to mix per se.

    Assuming you are connected to the mixer and the mixer has 2 soundcards, the mixer switching is the easy part. Simply switch laptop A/B as required on one channel when ready for the take over. Then play a track on your laptop (Traktor) using the the keyboard and in fact being able to mix using the keyboard. Once the other DJ is done fully, simply disconnect the CDJs from his laptop and plug into your usb hub on your laptop. If the CDJs are supported, it should be plug and play.

    The only thing more seamless in a serato world is the use of functions on the S series mixers. That should not be a surprise because S in the Pioneer series stands for Serato. They're built for Serato. If a Serato DJ switches with another, there will still be an issue with the CDJ switching assuming the CDJs are running directly into the the DJs laptop.

    If your concern is not being able to use the pads and functions on S series mixers, the way Traktor DJs get around that usually is to carry an X1 for cues, loops and other functions and adding it to the setup. If you do that, then you don't even need to mix with the keyboard during the switch over.

    Lastly, if you are faced with a mixer that has only 1 soundcard, meaning there is no way to switch DJs without dead air, then you'd need a soundcard like the A6. Yet another reason why Traktor is better in such situations. Not that, Serato doesn't have soundcard and DVS boxes, but they're rare and not flexible. Whereas an A6 from Traktor can get you running with a mixer being used by another DJ in minutes and all you do is switch from pc 💻 to line input when you want to switch. The CDJ switching issue remains and you need to deal with that like above.

    Hope that helps

  • leesinthemix
    leesinthemix Member Posts: 355 Guru
    edited April 24
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/44602/being-the-only-traktor-dj-in-a-serato-world-why-is-it-so-hard-with-cdjs-and-pioneer-mixers

    The S7 and S11 allow you to plug in two laptops at once and both CDJs go into the hub, so you do not need to plug the CDJs into your laptop, at any point.

    Neither mixers are Scratch Certified mixers with Traktor, but since you're using HID that shouldn't matter.

    What stage of the switchover is so challenging for you?

    I've been using Traktor with HID since the first CDJ900 in 2010.

    If you were switching with a DJ on a S9, then the only way is to put some tunes on a USB stick, mix into the first tune manually, then unplug the CDJs from the previous DJ's setup and then into your USB hub.

  • dershan
    dershan Member Posts: 7 Member
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/223066#Comment_223066

    thanks for the detailed explanation!

    just to clarify though — you mentioned that with the s7/s11 the cdjs go into the hub and i don’t need to plug them into my macbook. but later you said i’d need to unplug the cdjs from the other dj’s setup and plug them into my usb hub.

    so i’m a bit confused — with traktor and hid mode, don’t the cdjs have to be connected directly to my macbook (via a hub or otherwise) for them to work? unlike serato, where the mixer handles all that?

    also — is there any way to avoid unplugging and replugging the cdjs when switching between djs? maybe through software or some kind of hardware trick?

    really appreciate your insight — i’m trying to make my setup as smooth as possible without interfering with others using serato.

  • dershan
    dershan Member Posts: 7 Member
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/222994#Comment_222994

    thanks! got it!

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