2 X1 2 F1 2 Z1 Modular setup so good! And some improvement suggestions

MonyG · 2025-08-09T16:29:03+00:00

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With the X1 and Z1 units, and with stem separation possible directly in traktor, it's definitely unlocked new ways of using traktor for me.

I finally got everything setup, and I'm loving how it all works together, and all the combinations of 4 decks, 4 FX channels and 2 dedicated stem deck controls with filters. The combo is just giving a new level of control and creativity for mixing.

For my setup, I have 2 X1 mk3s, 2 Z1 mk2s and 2 F1s. (One of the Z1 is still shipping, so missing in the picture)

I think this setup is really powerful and more versatile than any other controller that I see on the market right now. Especially for the type of mixing on genres I usually play (melodic, deep and afro house).

My typical setup is two single group reverb channels and two single group delay channels for the 4 FX channels. And the two F1s are mapped to deck A and B.

Decks C and D are used as supporting decks replicating tracks from A and C when mixing out, freeing up A and C to introduce new tracks.

There's still a lot learn with stem mixing. I feel like I'm back to square one in some regards, but I'm super excited to go on that journey and develop some creative techniques in combination with eqs and effects.

And having dedicated controls for everything is super awesome. There's not really anything that this setup leaves me wanting with.

That being said, there are a few improvements NI could implement to further up the unique advantage in this area:

Ability to do stem separation for an entire folder or playlist, and much faster performance.
For the X1s you can select which deck combinations each X1 is doing. So my left one is Decks C and A, and my right ones are B and D. I wish they gave the same level of control for selecting which FX channels each of the X1s are controlling. Ideally I would like to see FX channel 1 and 3 on the left, and two and four on the right.
Having the ability to do instant doubles from one deck to the other e.g. deck A into B or C etc. (built in as part of the default mapping)
For incorporating the view of the full waveform with the split waveform somehow. I rely so much on the full waveforms when that's missing I feel completely lost when trying to read the split stem waveforms in parallel view.

Is anyone else doing similar things as above. I'm curious to hear thoughts.

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Sûlherokhh

You may want to try the Community Performance Mod for the X1's. I haven't updated the setup info panels for the very latest version, but do check it out. It provides several pages of custom settings for user convenience. There may be something for you among them. It's prominently displayed on the main page of the Traktor subforum (this one).

The X1 already lets you choose among 5 deck and FX unit combinations in setup mode (when you start up the X1). The mod lets you enter this mode in a more comfortable way.

The screen are not suitable for waveform display, but you can use the Traktor GUI for that, expanded for full view of 4 decks. You can set it so that when browsing only the library is visible.

Instant doubles is on my to-do list, but it's a bit hairy cramming this function into the available real estate.

Stem creation in bulk is on NI's menu, but they need to figure out how to involve the GPU for analysis first (my guess).

There is a early version of a mod for the Z1MK2 as well, that lets you configure the Z1 for all deck combinations in the mapping section you can check out.

MonyG

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/236964#Comment_236964

Thank you so much for for the info❤️

I will check out the X1 mod. I see the ability to select deck combinations when I boot up, but didn't realize the same thing exists for fx channels.

Re wave form, I wasn't talking about x1 wave form. Within the traktor GUI it would be nice to be able to see the full track waveform along with the the a smaller view of the stems. Or at least toggle between the two easily. It's nice to see the stem view but the combined waveform is also important to see easier understand upcoming track structures.. breaks, drops builds etc.

Will check out the Z1 mod as well!

Sûlherokhh

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/236971#Comment_236971

There is a command to do that. You can map one of the many free F1 buttons to toggle the two views. It's called DAW view in the list of possible assignments you can add to the F1 mappings in controller manager.

Sûlherokhh

@MonyG

To answer this:

For the X1s you can select which deck combinations each X1 is doing. So my left one is Decks C and A, and my right ones are B and D. I wish they gave the same level of control for selecting which FX channels each of the X1s are controlling. Ideally I would like to see FX channel 1 and 3 on the left, and two and four on the right.

The arrow buttons at the top select the FX unit combination

Further more, should you use the Performance Mod, there is a dedicated setting that automatically aligns FX units with decks (A to 1, B to 2 etc.), and there is another setting that changes the FX assignment button focus from deck (left pair of buttons assigns FX units to left deck) to FX unit (left pair of buttons assigns decks to left FX unit), which i always found better (coming from D2 style).

And to answer your mobile setup question, i also frequently use a pair of F1's, but for instant FX, remix decks or general useful functions, using the X1's in mixer mode (with the Performance Mod) switched to stem controls, much like the Z1Mk2 can, but slightly different. I generally use the Xone:K2 for mixer controls and a Traktor Audio 2 Mk2 as audio interface. If i feel like carrying around more when playing out, i use a pair of D2's instead of X1's, and if i know i'll stay more than a single night i bring my Xone:96.

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