Using Traktor Scratch From a Desktop

[walkdogz]

I'm going to buy the new Traktor Scratch Duo with the goal of eventually switching from CDs to digital. ATM I don't have a laptop as that'll have to wait a bit until I have the cash. But for the moment I'd still like to use Traktor in my room as I'm sick of burning CD's.

My comp is about 4 metres away from each of my cdj's. Would it be possible to be able to do this or is it too far? I don't mind that I'll have to walk away from the decks to my comp to choose tunes if it means I can quickly select anything.

And while I'm at it, when it comes to the laptop, is a 13inch screen a good enough size to use Traktor from or would a 15 inch be better?

Thanks for the help!

[Garthyboy]

No issue if you don't have an issue moving about
A wireless keyboard / mouse could be a solution too

Personally myself i wouldnt like using less than a 15 inch monitor as far as a laptop goes....but many people do
Personally preference really

[rthreeone]

I don't mean to sound rude at all, but logically, wouldn't you be the best judge of whether or not a 4 metre gap between your "crate" and your decks is an issue for you?

It wouldn't bother me but it might bother some..

[walkdogz]

Ah yeah sure, what I meant was is it actually logistically possible to work traktor like that? I have no idea how it works tbh. I just know when I see it people have their laptops right next to the decks so didn't know if there was an issue of cords needing to be connected between and stuff like that, and if so how far they can go.

[Garthyboy]

Ah yeah sure, what I meant was is it actually logistically possible to work traktor like that? I have no idea how it works tbh. I just know when I see it people have their laptops right next to the decks so didn't know if there was an issue of cords needing to be connected between and stuff like that, and if so how far they can go.


Nope
I had my laptop sitting right next to the audio 4 but left my usb cable behind....had to run a 15 metre as a replacement...didn't notice any issues at all!

[rthreeone]

Actually good point. I only use vinyl so i wouldn't have a clue, but is there any latency issues regarding cable lengths for DVS systems? Especially for scratching etc.?

Judging from Garthyboy's comment i would think not

[Underdog]

why dont you just reconfigure your room to move the PC closer?

[Garthyboy]

Note - i wasn't doing any crazy scratch stuff....fair bit of rapid cuts....i couldn't notice any latency

But sure, the shorter the cable the better really

[louislogic]

I did this with Serato SSL for AAAAAAAAAGES.

I was using 'ABS' mode too... preposterous!

[Shanley]

move it closerrr

[walkdogz]

thanks peeps. Moving it closer is the last thing I'd wanna do as it'll be very hard to reconfigure my room, that's why I was asking. Like I said I have no idea how the program and hardware works. What parts need to be close to the decks and for what reasons? Do the CDs have cords attached to them?

[ferretrock]

It's RCA to RCA. Timecode is a pretty simple signal, and it'll be at a loud volume, so the error rate should be low.
While long unbalanced cables increase the chance of induced noise and also lose top end the longer they get, you're unlikely to have a problem.

Actually good point. I only use vinyl so i wouldn't have a clue, but is there any latency issues regarding cable lengths for DVS systems? Especially for scratching etc.?
Errrr... no. An RCA sends an electrical impulse AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT. The difference in cable length is negligible when the transfer is that fast. That said, both USB and unbalanced audio perform poorly over long distances.
More or less, the only way to know is to try it and see.

[rthreeone]

Errrr... no. An RCA sends an electrical impulse AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT. The difference in cable length is negligible when the transfer is that fast. That said, both USB and unbalanced audio perform poorly over long distances.
More or less, the only way to know is to try it and see.

fair enough. to be honest i don't even know how serato hooks up to your comp. im guessing its USB?

and i hope the "err" and capitals in ur response isn't a sarcastic dig at me. i was merely asking a question about, what is to me, an unknown format.

[Garthyboy]

Speed of light?
really....well i learned something today...didn't think it was that quick

[Shanley]

why do people have to be so negative on this site

[seanious]

Speed of light?
really....well i learned something today...didn't think it was that quick

In contrast, electromagnetic wave propagation is much faster, and depends on the dielectric constant of the material. In a vacuum the wave travels at the speed of light and almost that fast in air. Propagation speed is affected by insulation, such that in an unshielded copper conductor it is about 96% of the speed of light, while in a typical coaxial cable it is about 66% of the speed of light [2].

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_of_electricity