Traktor Scratch Crackling Noise

[jarrardscott]

So i got traktor scratch set up with djm800, cdj1000's and krk speakers/sub.

when i have one track playing its fine, when i cue the other and am beatmatching (even if volume is down and its only in cue) it makes a crackling sound through the speakers.

is anybody aware of any existing problems with traktor scratch that this is, or is it a wiring problem? or a problem with my mixer.

i'm kind of clueless to what to do. i will be using traktor for the first time @ a gig in may too so i'm worried i'll bring the crackling noise with me.

any help is greatly appreciated.

[deejayvice]

how are the specs of your computer?

[oliosky]

is the crackle in your headphones while cueing as well?

[dankdj]

Do you have Master Tempo on your 1000's switched on?

It screws with the time code signal as it's trying to change the pitch as you speed up and slow down the track.

If you must use master tempo, switch it on on the virtual decks and not your real ones :)

I've found that if you leave MT switched on with Serato the sound output distorts as well.

Cheers,

ChrisP

[jarrardscott]

nah i leave off cause ive noticed it doesnt like it.

yes its in the headphones too, but i have a feeling thats only because i have master slightly playing through my headphones.

specs are
4gb ram
2.53 ghz processor

[deejayvice]

to me it sounds like a pc problem but ur specs are good so im not sure

[macc4]

if you swap the rca leads over does the crackle change channels?

[oliosky]

Does the crackle go away if you unplug the power supply to your laptop? (assuming you are using a laptop)

[jarrardscott]

nah power supply is another thing
its more of a dirty vinyl crackling noise
except im using cds
and it goes on both channels.

its prob cause i have vista

my computer has better specs all around then a macbook pro, blue ray, 1gb graphics/video, bigger harddrive.
but it was 1500 cheaper.

its just shit cause it has vista :(
but i'm not downgrading to xp as there is too much stuff i use on it that is set up for vista.

i'm really hoping thats not the issue though.
i doubt it as there has to be others using vista and traktor that dont experience the problem.

[deejayvice]

have you tried the native instruments forum
im sure they will be able to help you better.

[jarrardscott]

good call
will try

[Underdog]

good luck with the NI forums, they are awash with whingers who cant be arsed to configure their laptop for application as diected in the manual!

also are you using a Dell, i know some models have issues with TS PRO

as a first step, have you turned off wireless, bluetooth and any sort of fancy battery management gumpf - usually does the trick

vista can be a pain from what i understand!

[forenzik]

have you updated all drivers? done all the traktor updates? Cracking noise is a common problem if you haven't updated your software

[ifuseekamy]

It's probably a latency setting -> that's the most common cause of crackling with Traktor.

Why not log a job with NI tech support instead of posting on here?

[jarrardscott]

thanks for all the ideas.
i will definately speak to NI Support.
ive turned off battery management on vista (which solved a completely different problem i was having)
and i'll turn off bluetooth wi-fi in future.
and im pretty sure i updated when i installed the software.

[jarrardscott]

so had a fiddle with it last night
i raised the deck cache size
i lowered latency
and it seems to all be fine now.

give it a few more test runs before my next gig.

[ifuseekamy]

so it was most likely a latency setting?

[silvaside]

try and disable all unnecessary hardware like wireless, bluetooth, sometimes even cdroms as disruptions to data streams can cause "popping" or "scratching" type sounds.

run DPC latency checker (http://www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml)

jrod, you're probably better off with a seperate OS install purely for traktor/audio use.

also this.

http://www.google.com.au/search?q=optimise+xp+for+audio

[jabbajaws]

to go simple, you are not playing vinyl rips are you?

[jarrardscott]

^ :lol: @ vinyl rips.

no i'm not. valid point to bring up.

silva thanks for the info, but i'm running vista not xp (prob good idea to get another os for traktor :lol:)

tbh what i need to do is find out how to get that upgrade to vista which will allow me to read 4gb ram instead of 3gb cause vista is lame.

[silvaside]

tbh what i need to do is find out how to get that upgrade to vista which will allow me to read 4gb ram instead of 3gb cause vista is lame.
you need a 64bit copy of vista.

[ferretrock]

^First you need to find out if Traktor Scratch is actually a 64bit release... most DAWs and audio software aren't. The RAM's not likely to be the issue - 4GB is quite a bit.
Turning off your wireless network adaptor will make the single largest improvement with removing crackles and pops in an audio transfer.

Also, try a different USB port.

[smidgin]

im putting my money on it being wireless/bluetooth also

[Bracko]

so had a fiddle with it last night
i raised the deck cache size
i lowered latency
and it seems to all be fine now.

give it a few more test runs before my next gig.

i had the same problem and did similar things.

also i created a login with absolutely nothing running but the mininum process. it seemed to fix the problem.

[Underdog]

also i created a login with absolutely nothing running but the mininum process. it seemed to fix the problem.

is that on mac or pc, Im not having any issues but id be keen to set something similar up as an added safeguard?

[jarrardscott]

ok so on my system information for my computer it says 4gb ram 32 bit operatng system, but in my task manager it only reads 3 gb ram.

how do i get the 64 bit version?
i have vista ultimate. u'd think thatd be the top lol

edit: Note: 64-bit media is included in the box with Windows Vista Ultimate.
ahhhh wtf?

[oliosky]

Is traktor scratch compatible with 64bit windows? Could be opening up a massive can of worms for only little performance benefit IMO...

[jarrardscott]

yeah i've looked into it
its not as simple as upgrading to a 64 bit version.
its actually having to backup all your files and install a completely new OS.

pain in the ass i tell you.

i dont see the point in computers being made with 4gb ram and 32 bit operating system though
f'ing stupid

[macc4]

why did you buy a f'ing stupid computer then?

[SwordSnare]

Have you got a Integrated shared graphics card or a dedicated graphics card? I've heard Traktor Scratch is heavy on graphics card, especially if its a laptop.

BTW 32-bit Windows only recognizes 3,24GHz of RAM, you need 64-bit Vista for Windows to recognize the rest, like others have said. But I don't know if that would be a good idea.

[manuka]

I've heard Traktor Scratch is heavy on graphics card, especially if its a laptop.

where did you hear that??

[silvaside]

its not heavy on the graphics card at all. on my old setup i was using a crappy intel onboard video card with no problems.

[jarrardscott]

i dont see why itd be heavy on graphics either.

i got 1gb graphics integrated i think

[SwordSnare]

where did you hear that??

I think the Aussie DJ tutor (A1partydjs) mentioned it on his Youtube channel that a dedicated graphics card is preferred for TS pro...that's all I've heard?? :bl:

I used to used Traktor 3 (not scratch) on low spec XP PC laptop before converting to Mac...I didn't have a problem either.

[DJ Day]

I had the same problem with you on my mac with xp installed it was due to my latency settings were to low and they just had to be raised.

think the standard latency is 5.5 try bumping it up to 15-20 that should defiantly solve your problem.

[Bracko]

is that on mac or pc, Im not having any issues but id be keen to set something similar up as an added safeguard?

my old PC.