Scratching on Maschine

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AxMusic
AxMusic Member Posts: 146 Helper
edited October 2024 in Maschine

Hi all, brand new to all things Traktor…….

I wanted to know how to record scratches from Traktor s3 on a maschine beat?

I know I should open both programs and link them via an abelton link… However do I also need to physically link connect the maschine, and Traktor controllers?

And would the set up look like this…

Accapelas in deck A & the beat from maschine in Deck B and then record the scratches?

Then would I export the whole track from Traktor?

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Comments

  • LostInFoundation
    LostInFoundation Member Posts: 5,637 Legend

    Physically linking the devices’ audio interfaces is a solution

    Or you can find a software solution (programs like Virtual cable or selecting Traktor controller as audio interface for Maschine software) to record “internally” on the computer without needing physical cables

  • AxMusic
    AxMusic Member Posts: 146 Helper
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/73069#Comment_73069

    Virtual cable?

    I have a program called loopback… is that something similar?

    Is it also possible to connect this to ones own audio interface..(in my case Komplete audio 6 mk2)?

  • LostInFoundation
    LostInFoundation Member Posts: 5,637 Legend

    Yes, there are many programs offering virtual routing from one program to another.

    Using your Audio 6 is of course possible. Traktor controller audio interface for outputting Traktor, cables from the controller to Audio 6 in, Audio 6 selected as the interface for Maschine

  • D-One
    D-One Moderator Posts: 3,776 mod
    edited May 2023

    Ableton Link? What for? That's to sync playback, BPM and beat-match 2 things together, you don't really need that to record scratching...

    Usually, people just drop beat already arranged and exported in a DAW, connect the mixer (S3) outputs into the audio interface, arm a track to receive input for it and record the 'solo' scratching... The same way you would record a singer, or instrument player.

    I'm guessing you might need multiple takes until you're happy, compare different takes, etc... If you have both things in Traktor you will also record both, then there's no level adjusting or mixing of any kind.

  • AxMusic
    AxMusic Member Posts: 146 Helper
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/73380#Comment_73380

    Ok, I watched a video on connecting the two (Maschine & Traktor) and assumed it was a needed to record scratches between the two programs..

    Got you.. so normally scratches get treated as one would vocals on top of a beat.

    I originally thought you would feed the master of the maschine (by which I mean a real time version) into deck D of Traktor and scratches on deck A and then record.


    here is the video i mentioned


    https://youtu.be/EID_3HZM5YI

  • LostInFoundation
    LostInFoundation Member Posts: 5,637 Legend
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/73406#Comment_73406

    Of course it can. But the OP wants to use Traktor which has no VST.

    The Scratch Track 3 you are suggesting could be an alternative. But routing Traktor audio to Maschine can be done if he really wants to use Traktor

  • LostInFoundation
    LostInFoundation Member Posts: 5,637 Legend
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/73455#Comment_73455

    Yes…this is an advantage using it over Traktor 👍🏼

  • D-One
    D-One Moderator Posts: 3,776 mod
    edited May 2023

    @AxMusic

    so normally scratches get treated as one would vocals on top of a beat.

    Yes, exactly. No need for a bunch of complications just to record some scratch.


    You can record directly to Maschine if you want, maybe with Clips? I wouldn't recommend it tho, it's 10x more annoying and limited to edit

  • AxMusic
    AxMusic Member Posts: 146 Helper
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/73551#Comment_73551

    Ok, and which would be a better way of doing things.. connecting tractor to the dedicated audio interface? Or direct into maschine..

    And what cable would I use for that?

  • D-One
    D-One Moderator Posts: 3,776 mod
    edited May 2023
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/73593#Comment_73593

    Not sure what you mean by "direct into Maschine"? you got an MK3 with an interface? In that case, the answer would still be 'into your interface'. (Fill in your profile details so people don't have to ask your HW and OS)

    Well, have a look at the Outs of the S3 and the inputs of your MK3/Interface. Usually, it will be dual XLR to 1/4"Jack; or dual RCA to 1/4"Jack.

    img-ce-seamless-crop-right-maschine_overview_08_sample_slice_play_01-230b97bdfb5f6844a987c33816c9647f-m@2x.jpg

    I highlighted Output instead of Input, but you get the point, it's 1/4" regardless.

    If you plan on recording directly to Maschine SW then watch Jeff's video on recording, he talks about vocals but it applies to anything. I'd just use a DAW tbh, but it's up to you.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-bSfWv3Vhk


  • AxMusic
    AxMusic Member Posts: 146 Helper
    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/73614#Comment_73614

    Appreciate the answer, thanks

    Yes I have a maschine mk3 with an interface, but i also have a komplete audio 6.

    Thanks I will check out the video


    https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/73380#Comment_73380

    And to your last point; about recording in traktor you said you can’t really adjust the levels & or mix.. unless you do everything in a DAW.

    Generally what would the level of the scratches be relative to the arranged beat? If I had the beat at a level of -6db for example.. is there a standard level at which the scratches should be? i.e (beat at -6db & scratches at say -8db)

  • D-One
    D-One Moderator Posts: 3,776 mod
    edited May 2023

    And to your last point; about recording in traktor you said you can’t really adjust the levels & or mix.. unless you do everything in a DAW.

    Generally what would the level of the scratches be relative to the arranged beat? If I had the beat at a level of -6db for example.. is there a standard level at which the scratches should be? i.e (beat at -6db & scratches at say -8db)

    Yes into a DAW or anything else you might like, as long as you have multi-tracking possibilities... You will need that, scratching really fast makes the volume louder for example, while slow is the other way around, so you need mixing. (compression, eq, etc..)

    You can't really blindly follow fixed numbers like that, it depends on the source, something can be at -6db but be heavily limited/compressed and sound way louder than something at -2db; for many content those numbers should work OK tho.

    Ending up with the summing Master at between -3db and -6db is the classical recommendation, this is because traditionally it gives the Mastering Engineer some headroom to boost/cut frequencies and do his job. If you want to follow this recommendation (I personally don't unless I am actually sending masters to be professionally Mastered) then use whatever db values you need to hit that general Master target and use your own discretion to make sure the scratch is loud enough and can be heard clearly over the beat.

    For me the right level balance of the two is way more important than whatever the numbers end up being, within reason of course.

  • AxMusic
    AxMusic Member Posts: 146 Helper

    Thanks, and I guess my last question is with the two tracks (beat & cuts)

    is it a good idea to add compression to “glue” them together? Or just export the tracks as one track raw?

  • tetsuneko
    tetsuneko Member Posts: 885 Expert
    edited June 2023

    I just record my scratches direct to M+ via cables from my DJ mixer (I scratch with vinyl only, everything else sounds fake to me)

    If I want to do proper "studio scratches" I import the beat into a DAW, set it to loop, and go ham on that for as long as I need, then edit out the best bits afterwards.

    Unless you're recording simple stuff, or are very talented, recording straight might need a lot of takes to get it right

    The input volume doesn't matter when recording only the scratches, just dont clip on the way in. You would be readjusting the levels when mixing anyway..

  • tetsuneko
    tetsuneko Member Posts: 885 Expert
    edited June 2023

    yeah, well there are also apps such as deckadance where you can draw curve automation based scratches directly inside an editor. But IMHO using digital scratching tools is like using a digital 303 vs an analog one, it just doesn't sound the same and ultimately always leaves you wanting for "more". YMMV

    Take something as simple as chirps, I've yet to hear any digital system, DVS or otherwise, nailing the crispiness of chirps pulled off compared to just how awesome vinyl based crips sound

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