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The Traktor team has announced new firmware for the Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3 and Traktor Kontrol S3 to allow Midi mapping, and also released a public beta of Traktor Pro 3.3, whose headline new features are proper Mac iTunes/Music app integration, and HID compatibility with Pioneer DJ’s XDJ-700 and XDJ-1000 Mk2 media players.

Midi for Kontrol S2 Mk3 and Kontrol S3

This 'hybrid' configuration shows the Z2 as the centerpiece of an advanced setup. A turntable with TRAKTOR SCRATCH timecode control is used next to a DJ CD player, connected via Advanced HID integration. Additionally, TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 adds hands-on access to all 64 slots of an entire Remix Deck™ for loops and one-shots. Description and Instructions This is DJ IceWater's custom Traktor Kontrol Z2 Mapping for Serato Scratch Live. This works for all serato sl box and works on serato dj. It has not been tested on the new Denton serato box.

A curious omission at launch, these devices now get a firmware upgrade so that they can be Midi mapped for use with other software.

It’s now an anomaly that Midi mapping is still locked off for the Kontrol S4 Mk3; while presumably this is due to the device’s complexity because of its feedback screens, we’d expect (hope) to see this added soon.

Traktor Pro 3.3 improvements

Playing nicely with the Mac Music app via the API integration (that has superceded XML integration) is the headline feature here; it seems the Traktor team has finally managed to fix the issue whereby this wasn’t working correctly previously.

There is a switch in the preferences so depending on your OS and whether you’re still running iTunes or Music, you can decide which way to integrate with your choice of Apple app.

Read this next:Traktor Kontrol S4 Mk3 review

The software now also plays nicely with Pioneer DJ’s XDJ-700 and XDJ-1000 Mk2 hardware in HID mode, meaning you don’t need to be using CDJ-2000NXS2 hardware to control Traktor in this way – this will of course be game-changer for the small number of users who want to use Traktor with just such a Pioneer set-up (usually at home or as mobile DJs, we’d guess).

• Get the firmware here, and download the public beta of Traktor 3.3 here.

Traktor Z2 Serato Dj Pro Mapping Numark

This is the first in a series of posts I’m going to call, “For The DJs,” (FTDJs) where I’ll be sharing anything that can help out my fellow DJs! I’ll include everything from custom MIDI maps and DJ edits/bootlegs to Serato tips and tricks; anything I feel that could be of benefit to other DJs. First up I’m going to share my Traktor Kontrol Z2 mapping for Serato DJ.

The Z2 is a few years old now but remains an amazing mixer for the money; and it’s just had another price drop to £399! You’ll get the most out of this mixer by using it with Traktor (obviously) but it still has A LOT to offer when mapped to other software, such as Serato.

After downloading these files, you’ll need to import the “DJ SP’s Z2 Serato DJ Mapping.nckz2” file into Controller Editor, and place the “Traktor Kontrol Z2.xml” file in your Serato MIDI folder.

Here’s how I’ve laid out the controls:

The image above shows the default layer on the left and the shift functions on the right. I’d like to think most of the controls should be pretty self-explanatory as I’ve tried to match the labels on the hardware to Serato DJ functions as much as possible, but there are a few things worth noting:

• There is an issue with the latest update to Serato DJ – version 1.7.7 – that stops the button lighting on this mapping from working. Everything functions as it should, the lights just stay off. Serato are aware of this issue and are looking into it. If you want the buttons to light up I recommend using version 1.7.6.
• The INT buttons will switch back and forth between internal mode and the mode you were previously in; relative (REL) or absolute (ABS). This is slightly different to how Scratch Live behaved where you required a button per mode. Holding shift and pressing this button will play/pause the track once you’re in internal mode.
• The FX1a, FX1b, FX1c (left side) and FX2a, FX2b, FX2c (right side) knobs control the amount of each effect in multi FX mode, and the parameters of a single effect in single FX mode. Holding shift and turning these controls will allow you to select the effect for each slot.
• In multi FX mode the FX On buttons will turn on the first effect, and when pressed while holding shift will turn on the second effect. To turn on the third effect in multi FX mode, hold shift and push Auto Loop/Loop Shift encoder down.
• The C, A (left side) and B, D (right side) buttons labelled Beat Up and Beat Down, refer to the beat amount of Serato DJ’s FX. Their shift functions, labelled Pitch Up and Pitch Down, refer to pitch bending.

Traktor Z2 Serato Dj Pro Mapping Download

And lastly, here’s a video of me testing the mapping out… nothing serious, just messing around :p haha. Also, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions related to this mapping or need help setting it up! Hit me up on Twitter, @iamDJSP, or drop me an email.