Traktor Elastic Beatgrids¶
This section covers Elastic beatgrids in Traktor * Which tracks have multiple BPMs * What are Elastic Beatgrids * Softwares with Elastic Beatgrids * Traktor emulated Elastic Beatgrids * Traktor emulated Elastic Beatgrids (more accurate) * Which tracks benefit from emulated Elastic beatgrids
Which tracks have multiple BPMs¶
Two types of tracks have multiple BPMs: * Unsteady BPMs: * Definition: these tracks floats around a single BPM (+-1% range). Examples: * Live drummers: Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine * Old disco / 80s Pop tracks: Matia Bazar - Ti Sento * Transition Tracks: * Definition: these tracks have clear BPM changes (+-10% range). Examples: * Abrupt 85->115 bpm: Magic Drum Orchestra - Drop it like its Hot * Smooth 126->98 bpm: Planet Soul - Set me Free
What are Elastic Beatgrids¶
"Elastic beatgrids" is a feature that explicitly allows multiple BPMs in each track.
Without elastic beatgrids, the following becomes impossible to perform without the audience noticing:
* Beatjumps:
* Impossible to fix in advance because the jump happens instantaneously
* FX BPM-synced effects: (eg delay)
* Impossible to fix in any situation, because FX fully depend on the beatgrid
* AutoLoops:
* IN point: with quantize off, you have to enable the loop at precisely the right time
* OUT point: In this case you have to immediately enter "loop out adjust mode" to fix the out point as fast as you can
Sync beatmatch:*
* In this case you HAVE to compensate continuously using the jogwheels on the whole eg. 60s transition (manual beatmatch)
Which softwares support Elastic Beatgrids¶
Traktor misses elastic beatgrids. This was the #1 request from the Digital DJ Tips interview as well.
| Software | Elastic Beatgrids | Multiple Beatmarkers | Video |
|---|---|---|---|
| RekordBox | yes | yes (see note1) | https://youtu.be/aTHFpwSMsZI?t=499 |
| Serato | yes | yes | https://youtu.be/wLt5fhZJGps&t=420 |
| VirtualDJ | yes | yes | https://youtu.be/PrKBerB2n3I?t=49 |
| Traktor | no | yes | main discussion thread |
| Denon Prime | no | no (see note2) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqhDRX6ghfM&t=598 |
Note1: Manually beatgriding tracks in rekordbox is tricky because its a strictly left-to-right operation.\ In other words: there is no way to put beatmarkers in front of the track without deleting them at the middle/end as well. more info\ Note2: Denon Prime wraps tracks and has problems with ID3tag whole BPM numbers.
How to emulate Elastic Beatgrids in Traktor¶
Below a recipe to approximate Elastic beatgrids in Traktor, automatically using Rekordbox conversion.\ The simplest method is presented first, then a more accurate/faster method is presented second.
Important: this is only applicable for unsteady tracks (more info).
Simple method: 1. Download the free V5 rekordbox: link 1. Select the tracks with single, but unsteady, BPMs: guide 1. Analyse these tracks in dynamic mode: guide 1. Export your collection.xml: guide 1. Convert your this file from Rekordbox format to Traktor format: guide 1. Import your files into Traktor: guide
How to emulate Elastic Beatgrids in Traktor - More complex workflow¶
This is a revised version of the [basic workflow(#How-to-emulate-Elastic-Beatgrids-in-Traktor).
Benefits are more accuracy of the end result because it adds additional beatmarkers every 4 beats, it avoids the 26ms mp3 shift issue and its a lot faster by limiting the tracks and by directly patching the cues in the collection (instead of regular importing the files).
Concrete differences:
1. Download specifically v5.6.0 rekordbox.
* This was the last without an XML import bug: guide
1. Manually remove the non-dynamic tracks from the XML.
* There is no way to export specific playlists/tracks, you always get the whole collection
* so by manually removing the tracks the later stages will be a lot faster
1. Use rekordbox_add_beatmarkers.py
* This will force a beatmarker every 4 beats.
* These beatmarkers are very accurate because it still uses the dynamic BPM before conversion.
1. Use a converter that specifically addresses the 26-ms shift issue: guide
1. Patch your files into Traktor using Traktor_clone_cues.py
Which tracks benefit from emulated Elastic beatgrids?¶
Unsteady tracks: YES * Examples: 80s Pop, 70s DiscoSound, Live drummers (any decade) * Typical range: +- 1% bpm error * Error: Very small; the error is reset every 4th beat will always reset it
Transition tracks: NO * Examples: * Magic Drum Orchestra - Drop it like its Hot 85->115 bpm, Abrupt change * Planet Soul - Set me Free 126->98 bpm, Smooth change * Typical range: +- 15% bpm (change from 3/4 to 4/4 signature) * Error: Too much; the 3rd beat will have an half beat error (see picture) * Note: setting beatmarkers every 1 beat breaks Traktor sync dynamics
