So Traktor Pro is now upon us. With a more cosmetic makeover and mouth-watering features most digital DJ’s have been looking for since digital DJ’ing ever began. Different manufacturers had already touched on these features seperately but there was never one piece of software which had it all under one hood so to speak.

This new upgrade is certainly going to be hot for christmas with the following features most noted and some not fully understood at all. So let me explain the biggest features and how the pricing and upgrades affect you, the DJ, in simpler terms…

• Ultra Precise Beat Engine – Automatic beatgrid engine now extremely accurate
• Loop Quantisation – Allows you to launch a loop fully quantised to the beat grid, no more skipping beats when triggering loops back and forth
• Multiple Cue & Loops – Allows the use of the extra decks as sample players
• Double Macros – Configure multiple midi controls to do many things at one touch of a button
• Stable External Midi Sync as Master or Slave – Imagine keeping Ableton Live in true sync whilst you mix using timecode DVS external equipment!
• Cover Art – View your tracks just like the good old days with crates and record boxes.
• 20+ Effects – Up to 2 FX machines can be assigned PER CHANNEL containing 6 FX units chained within each.
• Allen & Heath Filter – now integrated in each channel as a rotary knob seperate from the FX chain.
• Key Control Knob  – also integrated as a rotary knob on each channel seperate from the pitch tempo now.

Now, how do the different versions work?
Are you confused about the price of upgrades etc?

To put it simply – like Traktor 3.3 was an upgrade to Traktor Scratch offering an all in-one fully featured and beefed up DVS system, Traktor Pro is now actually the baby to Traktor Scratch Pro.

Traktor Pro and Traktor Scratch Pro are simply the same software in essence,with all the features listed in both – the only difference between the two is Traktor Pro does not allow the use of DVS timecode control. You can get the Traktor Pro expansion pack (a DVS plug-in) allowing you to take control with timecode vinyls or cd. What you’re paying for when you purchase Traktor Scratch Pro is the extra hardware – the multi-core cables, the audio 8 DJ interface with the vinyls and cd’s.

There is a grace period for those who have purchased and registered Traktor Scratch after the 15th October who will get a FREE upgrade to Traktor Scratch Pro direct from Native Instruments. Anyone else before that date would have to purchase the upgrade direct from Native Instruments for around 79 Euro.

If you own both Traktor 3 and Traktor Scratch you will qualify for a FREE upgrade direct from Native Instruments.

If you only own Traktor 3, (or earlier versions) you will have to purchase the upgrade from a dealer (Soundware – here) for £85.

To summarise, I feel Traktor Pro gives digital DJ’s the chance to take their skills and performances to another level. It offers scratch facilities just as strong as what Serato Scratch Live does, but then throws in a whole lore more technology such as the effects you don’t get with Serato unless you purchase the dedicated Rane mixer. Traktor allows much more custom setups, where Serato seems limited.
My advice is, get Traktor Scratch Pro for christmas, even Santa will stop by for a mix!

[Traktor pro  official discussion questions and answers]