First Things:

Download the midi map package - including .tsi, template, and documentation. Right click and save as on the button up above...

This document will get you started in using the MIDI map to work correctly with your mixer. While the pdf template included in the download handles the basics, there are a number of functions underneath the surface that could use an explanation.

We're going to assume that you already have your 4D working with your computer - drivers installed and Traktor Pro running. If not, consult the manual with the 4D and get yourself sorted. Make sure you have updated your Xone:4D's firmware to version 1.07, especially if you're using a Mac. The Xone website and forums have links to the latest firmware and driver updates if you need them.

To use this map, your Xone:4D should be set to MIDI ch 16, and MAP 2. Please make sure you're running at least Traktor Pro 1.2.5 or newer.

Import The Map:

Launch Traktor Pro and click on the gear icon on the top right of the screen to open the preferences. At the bottom left of the preferences window, click on the Import button.

You'll then need to locate the Mix Architekt Xone 4D tsi, which will be in what ever directory you've extracted the zip file to, after it was downloaded. It may be of value to copy this file to the Settings folder of Traktor Pro... You can always save a copy there after you get it set up and tweaked to your specific needs.

Once you select the file and hit Open, you'll be asked to select the categories you wish to import settings for. Please import at least the following:

Controller Mappings
GUI Layout
Audio Device Settings
MIDI Clock Settings
All Other Preferences and Settings

Do not import File Load and Write Paths. It will only cause problems for your library.

Click OK to load the settings and configure Traktor for use with the 4D.

Please check to make sure that the In-Port and Out-Port settings on the top right of the controller manager are set to Xone:4D. Most of the problems that users have had stemmed from this being set to something else...

If audio isn't working the way you expect it, make sure your output routing is set to external mixer mode and the channels are configured as show below.

Basic Concepts:

This mapping is a deck-based metaphor which translates the software GUI of Traktor Pro into an efficient and ergonimic layout on the Xone:4D.

If you review the images below, you'll see how things are visually configured between the two worlds. Decks A+B of Traktor live in the center of the Xone:4D while decks C+D are on the outside. Let CABD become your mantra; one that centers your focus and brings you peace in the chotic world of the club.

Another way of looking at it, is that decks A+C are on the left side of the GUI, so we've mapped them on the left side of the mixer. The same is applicable on the right for B+D, and the layout of the effect units at the top. You don't want to be jumping between visual states of hardware and software; harmonizing the layout increases the potential for transparent operation.

As you can see, the 8 columns of the Xone:4D's MIDI controls are divided into 4 sets of 2 columns per deck, and the rotaries at the top of the mixer follow the row layout as shown in the GUI. We'll review the global controls before getting into the specifcs of decks and effects, so please bare with us. If you would like a preview of what's to come, scroll down and check out the pictures...

Cue Monitor Buttons = Deck Focus:

The Cue Monitor buttons on channels 1 through 4 of the Xone:4D control the DECK FOCUS SELECT. DECK FOCUS is very important in the execution of certain functions, like LOAD and PITCH BEND. There it is again - CABD - 1234

Right Side Global Controls:

Guess what? I'm right handed.

As a result of that, the right side of the Xone:4D controls some of the most important functions of Traktor, namely database access.

When it comes to searching through play lists, I always select tunes in BROWSER-ONLY mode. This is a fundemental principle in how this map is intended to work, as you'll see in a moment. I chose this method because most of us will be DJing with laptops that don't have an incredibly large amount of y-height in pixel resolution. I like to keep everything expanded on the decks when I'm in a control state, and only look at the track list when I'm picking music.

Pressing on the ROTARY ENCODER above the right JOG WHEEL will toggle the BROWSER-ONLY state for easy access to your library. Why not press it right now so we can find a track?

There are two main elements to SCROLL in the FILE BROWSER - the FILE TREE and the FILE LIST. Rotating the RIGHT ROTARY ENCODER you just pressed will SCROLL the FILE TREE. To EXPAND a folder in the FILE TREE, you'll press the ROTARY ENCODER on the left side of the Xone:4D, but more on that in a bit.

The JOG WHEEL on the right side of the Xone:4D is what we use to SCROLL the FILE LIST. It's not intended to be a replacement for a turntable, but makes a nice alternative to using a mouse or arrow keys to find your next song.

Have you found a tune? To LOAD a track, press on any of the button points of the JOG WHEEL - the FOCUSED DECK recieves the selection and the BROWSER automatically closes. If you get in the habit of toggling BROWSER ONLY for track selection, the results are quick and efficient. It should also be noted that if you keep a finger tip in the indention on the JOG WHEEL, it makes all the turning and pressing much easier.

Shift States:

There are two shift types in this map - a SOFT SHIFT relative to modifiers in Traktor Pro, and a MIDI SHIFT on the Xone:4D that remaps the entire control surface to a different MIDI channel.

SOFT SHIFT is accessed by holding down the right ROTARY ENCODER above the right JOG WHEEL. To effectively use it you will need to press it twice, holding it the second time since it is also the toggle for the FILE BROWSER. It may seem strange that we have to do a double tap, but it works out in the end since the SOFT SHIFT functions are very specific.

The MIDI SHIFT is accessed by holding down the left side ROTARY ENCODER (above the left JOG WHEEL) until the BPM display at the top of the 4D changes to SFT. To exit, hold it until the BPM display goes back to it's previous state.

If you MIDI SHIFT the 4D, the right ROTARY ENCODER adjusts the MASTER BPM in Traktor Pro when rotated. By pressing the right ROTARY ENCODER in MIDI SHIFT, it steps through the 3 GUI LAYOUTS: DECKS, CLOCK & RECORD, and EFFECTS.

Left Side Global Controls:

On this side, the ROTARY ENCODER controls SEEK TRACK for the FOCUSED DECK. Thanks to Milan for that one. It is a very useful and immediate function for scanning through a track. With SYNC enabled you can even seek through a track in time...

The left JOG WHEEL doesn't do anything in the rotational sense, but the 4 button presses are used for manipulating the FOCUSED DECK.

Pressing the TOP turns SYNC on and off for the FOCUSED DECK.

Pressing the LEFT or RIGHT side pulls or pushes the FOCUSED DECK playback with -/+ PITCH BEND. By using SOFT SHFIT, you can use this control to PITCH BEND the MASTER TEMPO - but more on that in a moment.

Pressing the BOTTOM turns the KEY function on or off for the FOCUSED DECK.

Mix Out With Sync:

SYNC is an essential function of Traktor Pro and this map makes heavy use of it. Having SYNC engaged does create a minor issue on the gig, specifically when mixing out of the previous DJ's final track. With SYNC engaged, you're not going to be able to land your downbeat where you want it, because Traktor's internal clock will be what the decks respond to - not your finger.

You now have two ways to approach this situation - MASTER TEMPO PITCH BEND or NO-SYNC PLAY and CUE.

MASTER TEMPO PITCH BEND is just that, you can push and pull the pitch of the master clock to align the track with what's already playing. You'll hold SOFT SHIFT and use the -/+ PITCH BEND controls as mapped on the LEFT and RIGHT sides of the JOG WHEEL. This is a great solution because you don't have to re-SYNC to get everything aligned in Traktor again. Thank you Milan for that suggestion.

Alternatively, you can bypass SYNC on the PLAY and CUE buttons of each deck by holding down SOFT SHIFT. Remember that you'll press it twice since it is also the browser toggle, holding it on the second press. From there you can access PALY and CUE on each deck without SYNC, as long as the SOFT SHIFT is held.

This may seem a bit out of sorts, but the intension is that you'll only use this for one track during the transition, then immediately switch back over to using SYNC with beat grids.

Deck Controls:

Please take a moment to scan over the graphic below.

OK - We're going to work from the bottom up for easy reference...

Play/Pause, and Cue:

The PLAY/PAUSE and CUE buttons are on the bottom light pipes. They do what you would expect - but please note that SYNC is engaged by default. Using the SOFT SHIFT function described above can disable SYNC momentarially.

Cue, Move, and Loop Buttons:

The bottom two buttons in the column are for moving to your PREVIOUS and NEXT CUE points. They also have SYNC engaged, so they won't throw your mix off.

These controls will move you forward and backward in a track when PAUSED.

When PLAYING, it works a bit differently - PREVIOUS CUE will take you back to the last CUE point the playback head passed, but for instance you will not be able to go back from CUE 4 to CUE 2 with two presses, since after you passed CUE 4 it has become the PREVIOUS CUE.

Next are the MOVE BACK and FORWARD buttons. These interact with the status of the MOVE MODE, allowing you to BEATJUMP either direction, or move some aspect of the LOOP around in the track. The distance it moves is related to the MOVE SIZE fader (to be discussed in a moment.)

Above the MOVE buttons is the LOOP SET button on the left, and the MOVE MODE button on the right.

If you press LOOP SET, it sets a LOOP at what ever interval your LOOP SIZE fader is set to. In cases where you want to activate a SAVED LOOP to start looping when the playback head arrives at that point, hold SOFT SHIFT and press LOOP SET. The ACTIVE light will be illuminated on the deck, and when the track arrives at the LOOP market it will engage and become ACTIVE.

The MOVE MODE button on the right cycles between the different modes of BEATJUMP, LOOP MOVE, move LOOP IN, and move LOOP OUT. This directly effects the function of the MOVE BACK and FORWARD buttons.

Loop & Move Size Faders:

The left fader selects the LOOP SIZE, smaller at the bottom of travel, and larger toward the top.

The right fader selects the MOVE SIZE interval, again - smaller on the bottom and larger toward the top.

Loop In Move Rotary:

This was another suggestion from Milan. We now have the top right ROTARY ENCODER of each deck column set up to change the LOOP IN point of a SET or ACTIVE LOOP. The size is determined by the MOVE SIZE Fader - also on the right. This allows for dynamic truncation of your loops, which is very cool. It is the inverse of extending loops like you can with the LOOP SIZE Fader.

Deck Duplicate:

DECK DUPLICATE is available through SOFT SHIFT. The function works in a way that you will FOCUS a deck to receive the duplicate, then press the ROTARY ENCODER of the deck to be duplicated.

For an example, if you wanted to duplicate what was playing in deck A to deck B you would:

FOCUS deck B by pressing the cue button 3 on the Xone:4D
Hold SOFT SHIFT and press DUP A.

Effects, Meh:

I know people shit themeselves over the effects of Traktor, but they do absolutely nothing for me. When working with Delays and Reverbs, I prefer to be in a post fader insert configuration, or a proper send and return scenario with pre/post fade selection on my sends. That way, one can crank up a send to a Delay box, pull the fader down on the track and have a tail ring out... Same for Reverbs.

For my own setup i run an Eventide Time Factor Delay and Jomox T-Resonator on the sends of the 4D. I also modified the 4D effect sends to be post-eq. The results are fantastic. Another aspect to my personal configuration is that I run the Time Factor Delay on the FX2 send. What is unique about this bus is that you can route the master mix through it, by pressing the RECORD TO FX2 button under the master meters. If you're returning the Delay back into the 4D and use this function, wild feedback loops can be created...

Back to Traktor - in this map, each deck gets it's own effect processor. Please assign FX1 to deck A, FX2 to deck B, etc. by pressing corresponding buttons on the deck panel if it's not already done for some reason. I have the insert panels hidden in the layouts for maximum deck visibility, but a quick stop in the preferences under Layout Manager will allow them to be revealed for a moment.

From the top:

Traktor Pro reveals FX1 and 3 in the header on the top and bottom left; FX 2 and 4 are on the top and bottom right. We're doing the same thing on the 4D's knobs.

You'll also notice that there are two FX modes, ADVANCED and CHAINED. You can toggle between each FX mode on the FX UNITS independently, by HOLDING the ROTARY ENCODER and PRESSING the one next to it. Please review the above graphic for another view.

We'll cover ADVANCED FX MODE controls first.

The first knob is the DRY/WET AMOUNT. After that you have PARAMETER 1, 2, and 3, which change functions relative to the effect type you have selected.

This format is duplicated on the top and bottom rows of rotaries, on each side of the mixer.

Moving up to the encoders, we go back to the 2 columns = 1 deck control metaphor. The left ROTARY ENCODER will SELECT FX with a rotation, and a press toggles BYPASS. The right ROTARY ENCODER is a button press for what usually is the FEEDBACK HOLD on the effects.

Now do a quick HOLD + PRESS to get into CHAINED FX MODE.

The first knob is the DRY/WET AMOUNT again, followed EFFECT AMOUNT 1, 2, and 3, which are like super knobs. Relative to the FX you have selected, having them closed will always be a sort bypass, then as you increase their value anything from reverb decay time to modulation depth and speed can be effected. A one-knob solution like this is a great way to sound just like everybody else. Please consider this before depending on it too greatly.

Moving up to the encoders, we go back to the 2 columns = 1 deck control metaphor. Now both ROTARY ENCODERS will SELECT FX for FX SLOT 1 and 2 with a rotation, and a press toggles BYPASS. FX SLOT 3 does not have a SELECT FX control, so perhaps planning some FX PRESETS a head of time would be wise?

That's It!:

Looks like that covers the functions as they currently stand.

Please use this map as a starting point and expand it into something that suits your workflow. Simplicity is an essential part of efficiency.

If there are any questions or comments, please get in touch. If you happen to live in the Asia/Oceana region, I'm handling support of Xone for Allen & Heath. We're doing clinics all over the place through out the year. If you're interested for one to come to your area, let us know.

Thanks for reading and take care - Tim

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