How to create your own TouchOSC templates / layouts for Traktor
TouchOSC is a truly amazing app and the whole reason I decided to buy an iPad in the first place. What separates this from standard MIDI controllers is that you can tailor it exactly to your setup and your style of DJing. It can work alongside your existing MIDI controllers and has infinite possibilites for the digital DJ. You can play an entire set using just TouchOSC on your iPad / iPhone or configure it to complement your existing setup. For example, you may be using Timecode Vinyl and just want to control effects though your iPad or iPhone. Once you get the hang of mapping, setting up new layouts is quick and easy.
In this guide we’ll be looking at how to create your own layouts in TouchOSC and use them to control Traktor. The same principle applies to other DJ software though, not just Traktor, although some of the more advanced techniques (such as Modifiers) discussed later are Traktor specific. It’s split into five parts, so if you’re already familiar with the basics, just skip ahead to the more advanced stuff.
Before we start, you need to make sure that you have the latest version of TouchOSC installed on your iPhone / iPad and you have the latest version of TouchOSC Editor on your Mac / PC. Your computer and iPad / iPhone also need to be connected to the same network. If you’re not sure how to do this, check this guide for Mac or this guide for PC.
The Basics
To get started, we’ll map some basic controls: a crossfader, volume controls for each deck and play buttons.
It’s recommended that you view these videos in HD 720p in full size on your screen.
OK, so we’ve mapped a few basic controls. You can continue to add these as you see fit. Perhaps add some rotaries for EQ controls, or some sliders for your filters. Check this guide from the hexler.net website for a list of all commands available in TouchOSC.
The list of MIDI commands in Traktor is pretty large and quite daunting at first. There’s a really useful guide though on the Traktor Bible website which shows you each of the sections of the Traktor main screen. If you hover over a button, it will show you the name of the command in Traktor and the menu section in which it resides. This is really handy and can save you hours of hunting down the right command name for the parameter you want to control.
MIDI Outs
Using MIDI Outs is a great way of really bringing your layout to life. Almost every parameter in Traktor has a corresponding MIDI Out command. Not all of them are useful or practical, but some are incredibly handy and mean that you can spend less time looking at what’s happening on your computer screen and focusing on your controller instead.
TouchOSC’s LEDs can be controlled by Traktor’s volume / monitor / master levels, which can be really handy (and make your layout look pretty cool at the same time!)
We’ll be looking first at mapping MIDI outs to your volume and crossfader, then creating a simple on/off LED for a play control. Then finally moving to Volume LEDs. In the ‘Modifiers’ section below, we’ll also look at how you can combine Modifiers with MIDI Outs to create toggle switches.
Modifiers
Modifiers can take a while to get your head around (they certainly took me long enough and are still the cause of much frustration and hair pulling!). However, when you understand what they can do, they’re a great way of making the best use of space in your layout as you can control much more than just one parameter with one button, slider, etc.
Before we start, I suggest you read these first: Modifier Guide 1 | Modifier Guide 2
They’re a quick guide to modifiers by Ean Golden, the King of Controllerism and creator of the amazing MIDI Fighter. He’s a true pioneer of digital DJing and really getting the most out of Traktor and has served as a massive inspiration to me and many others. His guides explain clearly and simply the basics of modifiers and how to create modifier toggles using basic logic.
Other Tips & Tricks
In this final guide, we’ll be looking at some other techniques.
The first is a spinback button, as seen on the iFighter and Mashy 2 templates. We’ll also be looking at creating a fader cut button, as seen on the Thrashy template and loop length indicators as seen on the first version of the Mashy template.
Further advice on layout creation
Until you really start getting to grips with modifiers and multi function commands, it’s a good idea to keep a spreadsheet listing what CCs are mapped to which commands and how they’re being modified by other buttons.
Have a clear idea of what you want to do first. Then plan it out on paper and start mapping.
Try to keep things simple. Although Modifiers are incredibly powerful, they can also be your downfall! When you’re DJing, you need to be careful that you’re not suddenly going to stop the track by accidentally pressing the wrong combination of a shift key and a particular button. Again, having a clear idea of how you want the template to behave in the first case helps keep things nice and simple.
Please join us in the forum if you have any questions or want to share your own tips for MIDI mapping.
Download all TouchOSC files / Traktor TSIs used in this tutorial:
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Nice work man.
I shall watch these later to see if there anything that i dont know or overlooked.
Thanks for this this must have taken a while.
Cheers
wow… there is a lot of useful info here.. great work!
How are you getting the midi messages to communicate with Traktor?
Everywhere else i look i see that people are using a separate program called OSCillator to interpret this midi, but in your video i see no mention of it.
In the video it seems that simply connecting the Ipad into your AudioMIDI network does the trick. I followed the same procedure but Traktor still doesnt recognize the incoming signals from the iPad and TouchOSC.
Any suggestions?
You need to use Coremidi on mac and rtpMIDI on pc.
for PC http://www.tobias-erichsen.de/rtpMIDI_configuration.html
for Mac http://hexler.net/docs/touchosc-setup-coremidi-network/
Yes, you no longer need OSCulator as TouchOSC will transmit MIDI.
Have you tried following the instructions on the Hexler website?: http://hexler.net/docs/touchosc-setup-coremidi-network
If you’re still having trouble, have a look at this checklist:
http://digitaldjtools.net/forum/digital-dj-tools-forum-group2/template-support-forum2/cant-get-a-template-to-work-check-here-first-thread12/
Hey man,
Thanks so much for this! This was amazing and explains so much! Really appreciate the attention to detail.
Just one thing, you were pointing out the quirk in the TouchOSC Editor as far as the MIDI Channel Numbering goes (in the Channel & Number section under MIDI) … if you type in the value and press enter, it will save. Just another option as I’m one of those folks who find it faster to type in the values.
Anyway, top notch and instantly my shaky template is now instantly better … time to start playing and make this thing functional!
All the best
DJ Q
Cheers Q! I never even thought of pressing enter to save it! Thanks for the tip
Another great post! These video tutorials will help me and others so much when working on personal templates.
The instructions are explained thoroughly and simply – which make it easy for the viewer to learn.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks se2a!
great tutorial. Now I grasp the basic idea of Modifier. never gets it with other tutorial b4.
Cheers! Glad it’s been of some help
Just wondering on the last video, you used the modifiers to make deck select leds, why didnt you map it for deck toggle??
Then map all commands to deck selected which is the standard before you choose a,b,c or d.
This way you probly would need the modifiers as much I understand if its just for a demonstration, but if anyone is looking to replicate this.
Only modifier off the top of my head would be for the single button to switch between a and b
Ah, good point! Yep, that would be definitely a more efficient way of doing it. I hadn’t thought of that.
Mate, downloaded touchOSC in the hope someone on the net would help to show me how it works. This site is the dogs bollocks. Your effort is much appreciated. Where are you from? Feel a hint of Bolton in that accent. Keep up the good work!!
Thanks! Glad you found the tutorials helpful.
You’re pretty close with guessing Bolton. I’m originally from Burnley, just down t’road.
you the main man bro, wish i found this earier! respect
Can´t get the iPad to show up in the MIDI Network Setup window even though I´m on the same network as my Macbook Pro which is running Traktor. None of Hexler´s instructions work for me.
Your tutorials are great but I can´t use TouchOSC
Solved! Had to log on to my router and open up port 5004 then it popped up out of the blue a little later.
Loving the tutorials, thanks for the time spent
How do I map effects? I really want to map an echo freeze effect and a loop roll. Any help would be greatly appreciated
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zqjl4tsikIM&feature=BFa&list=FL3y3LaPdXug1UztZ85AK1Qg&lf=mh_lolz
The Template that I want
A good place to start would be to check out the ‘Mashy 2′ template: http://digitaldjtools.net/news/touchosc-traktor-2-template-for-ipad-mashy-v2/ This has got both Freeze Delay and Loop Roll (beatmasher). Feel free to modify this to your needs.
here I was thinking I’ll need to look elsewhere for tutorials on how to make custom templates for TouchOSC with Traktor…but no, you have this covered too.
All I can say is wow, and thankyou! Keep up the great work!
Yo mate! Big thanks for these great tutorials !! They helped so much building up my own Pad..
Nice work !
Hi, Great tutorials!
I have what i think is quite a difficult midi modifier mapping request. This is what i’m trying to achieve:
FX Unit 1 – 1 fader, 3 butttons.
each button is assigned to the 3 different effect on switch, the fader is assigned to all three effect amounts.
what i want is to be able to press button 1, increase or decrease the effect amount… then i want to be able to press button 2, using the same fader increase or decrease the effect amount. same for effect 3.
so basically having a modifier which enables me to use the same fader on each individual button.
hope you understand.
let me know if possible?
cheers
C
Yes, this is possible. Please see my reply with an explanation of how to do this on your forum post: http://digitaldjtools.net/forum/digital-dj-tools-forum-group2/midi-mapping-forum5/fx-unit-3-state-modifier-thread394.0/
Funny, I had the same idea but using the encoder: I have seen Ean Golden using this kind of mapping on actual controllers.
I am still not completely finished, but basically the template has:
1 button to turn on the effect and activate the encoder to modulate the effect
1 button to just modulate the effect (useful if you want to return to a different value)
and a few LEDs to show the Effect parameter value.
This is my first template and couldn’t have done it without this tutorial! So Thanks !
HI, I was wondering if there is a way to create a LEd (some type of bottom) that would show the track’s name (and its position) that is playing. And also how can i search a track on one of the playlist on traktor with in touchosc. In other words, sometimes when am mixing and hosting a event I may interact with the people, however when it comes to changing from deck a to b, I have to come back to the computer and search for the song. How can i do this with out coming back to the computer and just doing it with touchosc?. I have use the app Remote for itunes before. I would appreciate your responses, thank you very much.
The only thing you could do here is to get LEDs to show a track’s position. It’s just not possible to do anything with track names unfortunately as Traktor only sends / receives MIDI data. I’d love to be able to do this too though…
Hola, genial tu explicación, ya pude configurar todo lo que has echo en un iPhone, ahora mi pregunta es en donde puedo encontrar un tutorial en español de lo que tu espones en tus videos, puedes ayudarme con esto Gracias.
I’m having a problem with setting up my Hi, Mids, Lows, and play button on both sides of the deck. I made a midi controller using TouchOSC Editor, using 6 **Centered Rotary Dials for my Hi Mids And Lows for both sides of the deck (3 on each side), just to test it out and get a feel for it, 2 Push Buttons as my Play/Pause buttons for both decks with a Cross Fader. after that i saved what i made and sent it to my iPhone. I mapped out everything in Traktor correctly, and finally when i finished and press played it worked………. Until i tried adjusting my Mids and Lows. The song started jumping. When i would move the Mid dial from -100 it would go to the beginning of the song, 0 to the Middle, and +100 at the end. I went back into TouchOSC Editor and i switching the Rotary Dials to 6 Centered Faders and i had the same problem, I re-mapped everything 3 Times and still the same issues… Except when i used Faders for my Hi, Mids, and Los. the play button only worked if my Cross Fader was completely on the right side, this is only happening to Deck A. Deck B seems to be working fine.
Execpt when i press play on the TouchOSC app.. Both Play buttons light up, i checked how i mapped it and they are both on different CC. numbers, same channel. i followed everything you did. im running on windows 7 and Traktor 2. maybe its because i have an iPhone and not an iPad. im not sure. i hope to hear from someone with a fix, guide or explain what I’m doing wrong.
Thanks for reading
Sounds like you have controls mapped to the same MIDI CC number. Check in **both Traktor and TouchOSC Editor and make sure you’re not duplicating anything.
Hey, i want to make 1 bar(4 beats) indicator(1 2 3 4 counting) and frequency x-fader (hi xfader,mid xfader, low xfader).. Can you help me?
I’ve just tried it out and I’m almost certain it’s not going to be possible to make a 1,2 3,4 beat indicator. I thought it may be possible to use the Beat Phase command but you can only get it to pulse on every beat, not every 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th beat separately.
I’m not really sure what you mean by a frequency crossfader so if you can explain more about what you want to do here exactly I’ll happily take a look at this for you.
I mean this: the standart cross fader fades one track to another track in full range of frequency (1Hz-30KHz fo example)..But what i want is set 3 seperate cross faders for each low(1Hz-1KHz) mid(1KHz-12KHz) hi(12-30KHz) frequency.
Ah, OK. Again, I don’t think Traktor itself is capable of doing this (although please correct me if I’m wrong!).
It’s possible that you could take the audio for each deck, route it through Soundcloud then build a Max device that could process and crossfade the separate frequencies. It’s quite a task though!
First off, thank you so much for this tutorial! Free knowledge is much appreciated. However, is it me or can I not select output midi signal for LEDs with Traktor Pro 2? Do I need Traktor Scratch Pro in order to have the option of Midi Out>Output?
No you can still select LEDs in TP2. Just select Add Out then choose the command you want to send to an LED, say ‘Play’ for example. As long as you’re sending to the same MIDI channel and CC that you have set up as an LED in TouchOSC, it should work.
Wow quick reply, awesome! Ok I understand what you’re saying about an indicator light for the play button. What I’m trying to do atm is setup a volume strip as shown in the tutorial 2 time 8:50. I do not have the dropdown option for Output>monitor deck PFL. Any way to make it appear or is that not possible without scratch pro 2?
I’m not at my Mac right now (which has Traktor installed) so I can’t check, but the layout for mapping commands in Traktor has changed since I made the video. Again, I’m almost certain that mapping volume LEDs is not just for Scratch. I think it’s just that the command you’re looking for is in a different place than shown in the video. When I get to my Mac again I’ll check for you.
Much appreciated my friend. I tried looking. I’ll try again
I have found it. Add out> Mixer> Meters Pre-Fader L.
Ah, good! I knew it was there somewhere! Sorry, I should really update the video to account for everything being in different places. Or at least add some captions. I’ll add it to the list of things I need to do!