Don't take our word for it, though. Just take a look at some of the DJS that will be utilizing it at WMC.

Notice something? That's right: They're all in RA's Top 100 DJs of 2008. And that's just the beginning. We'll list a few more artists using Traktor at WMC later on, but in the meantime, we thought that knowing what the software actually does might help too. You can always learn for yourself by downloading the free Traktor Pro demo, but we also caught up with Dubfire, Nic Fanciulli and Loco Dice to ask them a few questions about what a Traktor-enhanced set can mean as well.

Download the Native Instruments Traktor Pro Demo today and try it for yourself.

Dubfire explains the flexibility of Traktor.

Do you remember the first time that you saw Traktor? What were your initial thoughts?

Well, I recall a lot of techno DJ's who were using Final Scratch when Native Instruments were involved with them but had always heard that the hardware was of poor quality. Once NI regained control of the company and relaunched the software and hardware as Traktor Scratch, I made the jump from Serato and have been truly in awe of its
continuously improving features and evolution.

When did you make the transfer over to it? What caused you to make that shift?

I had always used Native Instruments plug-ins in the studio so for me, it didn't take long to be convinced that the effort they put into those plug-ins was now being channeled into the DJ arena. I noticed a major difference in the sonic quality of Traktor's Audio 8 interface over Serato's box which I had been using for a couple of years; that and the ability to seamlessly loop my tracks and the fantastic built-in effects were the main reasons why I was hooked.

Tell me about why you like working with Traktor Scratch so much today. What feature do you like best?

About a year ago I went from using the time-code CD's to playing in internal mode on 4 decks. This has opened up a world of possibilities; I can break a song down and build it back up or simply use 4 loops from 4 different songs to create a new one. Beatgridding is seamless and VERY accurate and makes the similar 'warpmarking' feature in apps like Live seem tedious by comparison. There are just too many useful features in Traktor to pinpoint just one.

Some say something essential is lost when you use a program like Traktor or Serato. What's your take?

I don't really pay attention to that kind of talk. You can't fight change and everyone has an opinion on the topic, so it's best to simply stick to what you are most comfortable with, whatever that may be. I enjoy the discovery and implementation of new technology and while there may be some things lost—like the visual medium that vinyl provides—the new possibilities are simply to vast to ignore. What ends up happening is that you have to spend more time preparing for your gigs by doing the beatgrids and setting load, cue and loop points, and making playlists. For me personally, I could never go back to playing CDs or even vinyl. And most people forget that programming and selection are the true core elements of any good DJ.

More Traktor DJs at WMC

Josh Wink

Troy Pierce

Carl Cox

Loco Dice

Before you read about what Traktor has meant to Nic Fanciulli's DJ sets, grab a free track from the producer at Traktor's Facebook page.

Richie Hawtin explains his Traktor set-up

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

See more Traktor artist videos at the Native Instruments YouTube channel.

Do you remember the first time that you saw Traktor? What were your initial thoughts?

I'd always been a bit nervous about taking the laptop back on the road with DJ sets. I was using Ableton 4 with a MIDI concept mixer about four years ago and there were always problems. The mixer was getting knocked in transit and the laptop always going nuts on me before I started the show.

So I decided to go back to CDs. But, after a while, you find yourself spending more of your time burning CDs than actually listening to the music. I remember seeing Richie using it at Cocoon in Ibiza a few years ago, doing things that just weren't possible before and thinking, "How is he doing that? I have to make the switch."

When did you make the transfer over to it? What caused you to make that shift?

I made the transfer just over a year ago. I remember getting it for Christmas in 2007, and I was just using it at home for the first few months. I finally had the guts to use it on my US tour a few months after that and I haven't burned another CD since!

I think the main reason that I made the switch was that I wanted to spend more time being creative with my music, and a lot of my time was being wasted on burning CDs. Not only that, but it was hard to read ten tracks on one CD. Traktor allowed me to DJ in the style I was used to before, but added great sound quality, built in EFX's and a way of utilizing four decks—allowing for further creative expression.

Tell me about why you like working with Traktor Scratch so much today. What feature do you like best?

I treat the laptop as a digital CD wallet basically. I only look at it to search for tracks, then I jump back to focusing on the crowd. I think when I was using Ableton in the past, I was focusing too much on the computer and it felt static. With Traktor you pretty much get all the features of Ableton, but with more of a live DJ feel.

Features like the effects, looping and hot cues are all custom assigned to a MIDI controller, so it's like having a piece of hardware customized to my needs and allows me to be more creative, whilst still allowing me to DJ using CDJs in the same way I've been doing for years.

Some say something essential is lost when you use a program like Traktor or Serato. What's your take?

I can understand that comment, but I don't think its valid for 2009. You can use turntables or CDs or even just the laptop. I still use CDJs and a Pioneer DJM-800 in the same way I always have. The hardware provides the perfect interface for controlling whilst the software gives you additional depth and features. Together, it's the perfect marriage.

So, really, you haven't lost any of the essentials: It means you bring your whole music collection to the party and don't have to stress about it being lost in transit. This means you can take you set exactly where you'd like it to go and aren't limited in your track selection—it's also way easier and quicker to find tracks!

People want to hear good music and be entertained and using your laptop to control your music doesn't mean you lose that. This is becoming the future of DJ culture and I can only see it getting stronger and stronger.

More Traktor DJs at WMC

Guy Gerber

Dennis Ferrer

James Zabiela

Dubfire

Loco Dice talks about why he made the switch to Traktor.

Do you remember the first time that you saw Traktor? What were your initial thoughts?

It was 2007 and I was still a Serato user, but after many gigs with Richie Hawtin and Ali Dubfire I saw the spectrum, quality and stability of Traktor, which Serato could not deliver. Finally in 2008, I made the switch.

What caused you to make that shift?

It is not that easy to leave a system, even if you have some problems with it. But on my South American tour in January of 2008 I had both systems with me and while I had problems with Serato (feedback, no calibration, outtakes), Traktor was running perfect! After this tour, I moved fully over to Traktor.

Tell me about why you like working with Traktor Scratch so much today. What feature do you like best?

Traktor allows me to experiment live with different moods, loops, a cappellas, tools and effects. Traktor is freedom and allows me to do what I want to do while mixing. You save time and have the chance to experiment live. Also, the snap mode allows me to skip right to the moment I want in the track, so I don't have to spend my time editing the tracks in advance!

Download the Native Instruments Traktor Pro Demo today and try it for yourself.

Competition

Win copies of Traktor Pro and Traktor Scratch Pro on RA

Dubfire photo credit: Douglas Sonders