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Traktor Pattern Player - A Revolution or Evolution?

The New Traktor Pattern Player: Does It Revolutionise DJing With Traktor?



Above: Native Instruments introduce the Traktor Pattern Player

Traktor Pattern Player


If you're a DJ, producer, or music enthusiast, you've probably heard of Native Instruments Traktor, one of the leading software's for professional DJing. Native Instruments Traktor has been a game-changer in the music industry, providing top-notch software for DJs and producers worldwide since the early 2000s. Recently, Traktor announced its product development roadmap and caused a lot of controversy with it’s delay in the release of ‘live’ STEMs remixing. 


Traktor has had pre prepared STEMs capability for a number of years however competitors such as Serato and Pioneers Rekordbox have released both hardware and software with ‘live’ STEMs remixing capabilities.. This allows a DJ to split the elements of a track into 4 main divisions, such as bass lines, vocals and synths. DJs have been crying out for this new creative outlet and other DJ software has beaten Traktor to the party. It is coming for Traktor users, however when is another question.


One of the exciting new features that was on the roadmap and has been released is the Traktor Pattern Player This was launched as part of the Traktor Pro Plus subscription upgrade and is available for any Traktor user to download and use now provided they upgrade to the Pro Plus tier. Here I’m going to give an overview of what it is and some of my thoughts since I've been using it.



What is the Traktor Pattern Player?


The Traktor Pattern Player is a new feature that allows you to create unique and dynamic beats with ease via the use of ‘step sequencer’. This feature is part of Traktor's new software update and is available for use with a number of Traktor's controllers such as the S4 Mk3 and X1 mk2 and F1 controllers with Traktor ‘out of the box’ mappings. You can also map the Pattern Player to any controller through the creation of midi mappings. The Pattern Player is designed to work seamlessly with Traktor's latest update Traktor Pro Plus 3.8, allowing you to use custom drum patterns, grooves, and beats on the fly.


The Traktor Pattern Player comes equipped with a range of pre-built drum kits that you can use as a starting point for your beats. These kits are designed to work with a wide range of genres, from hip hop and R&B to techno and house. Additionally, you can customise these kits by enabling or disabling individual steps of the pre-programmed patterns. Kits have been added recently by the likes of Camea, Chris Liebing, Dubfire and Joran van Pol, along with original 808 and 909 kits.


Getting Started with the Traktor Pattern Player


Using the Traktor Pattern Player is easy, and the learning curve is not too steep. To get started, all you need is a Traktor controller with the Traktor out of the box mapping or a pattern player mapped controller and the latest version of TraktorPro Plus tiered software. Once you have everything set up, open the Pattern Player in one of the effects banks. Simply select the pattern player you want to use. Start a track in one of your track decks and assign it to be the master deck and the pattern player will sync the tracks tempo. Assign the pattern player to a deck using the effects assign button and start the player using the play pause button that’s mapped from your effects buttons. Finally using the 3 effects knobs, you can adjust the pattern players parameters such as choosing a pattern, it’s pitch, and decay. Finally the pattern player can be added to the other effects bank, thus making the DJ able to add effects to the player. 


One of the great things about the Traktor Pattern Player is its flexibility. You can use it to create beats for live performances, studio recordings, or just for fun. The Pattern Player also allows you to change the tempo, swing, and velocity of your beats, which means you can create dynamic and unique grooves that are tailored to your style.


Learning More About the Traktor Pattern Player


If you're new to the Traktor Pattern Player, there are resources available online to help you get started. The best place i’ve found for content is YouTube. Traktor's official channel has an introduction to the Pattern Player which I've included on this page, there are also other tutorials, videos, and tips on how to use the feature effectively on other YouTube channels. Additionally, there are plenty of online forums and communities where you can connect with other Traktor users and get advice and support.


Manufacturer Compatibility


In terms of manufacturers, the Traktor Pattern Player is an exclusive feature of Traktor software and only works with Traktor's controllers and other controllers midi mapped to the player. Traktor software is compatible with a wide range of hardware from other manufacturers, including Pioneer, Denon, Allen and Heath and others. Midi mappings for Traktor use on other controllers are all over the internet. Simply search for the controller and the phrase Traktor midi mappings and check the results. 


Final Thoughts...


Overall, I’ve found the Traktor Pattern Player is a powerful and intuitive tool for DJs and producers looking to create unique and dynamic beats. With its range of pre-built kits and flexibility, the Pattern Player is an excellent addition to Traktor's already impressive software suite. If you're interested in learning more about the Pattern Player or Traktor's other features, be sure to check out Traktor's official website and online communities.




Related articles: 


Interested in the Trakor alternative Rekordbox by Pioneer? Then check out this article on three new Pioneer DJ products you need to know about here.
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Location: 3X3M+MG Barnstaple, UK

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