How to Fix Timecode Problems

This article saved my life...

Author: Rainer G. Haselier is the author of the “Traktor Pro Bible“.

Timecode records are an amazing technology but sometimes their performance can be a fickle beast. DVS systems like serato and traktor scratch are subject to a wide number of variables including noise interference, cartridge quality and turntable calibration just to name a few. Its not uncommon to show up to a club and find one turntable is barely working with only a few minutes to trouble shoot before your set. For this reason I personally prefer the reliability of midi but turntable lovers must be able to diagnose timecode problems quickly and accurately. In this article Ranier, the author of the Traktor bible, will show you how to correctly identify almost all possible timecode problems.


TIMECODE BASICS
The magic of using timecode to control Traktor results from the interplay between the timcode decoder inside Traktor and the data format on the timecode media. This article covers the practical aspects and explains how to use the calibration feature to detect, analyze and solve timecode problems. Part 2 (to be published Friday) explains what’s inside the timecode signal and how Traktor extracts the contained information to control the deck playback.

If you are spinning with timecode then you should display the scratch panels for two reasons. One reason is that the scratch panel contains the RST button; this is the button you need to calibrate your decks with. The other reason is that scope view offers valuable information that can help solve timecode related problems.

ACTIVATING SCRATCH PANELS IN TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO
To do this open the dialog Preferences/Deck Details and activate the Scratch Panels with the check box for the decks with which you are using timecode. Scratch panels are always activated for two adjacent decks (i.e. A&B, C&D). The visibility of the scratch panels can only be set in this dialog. Traktor does not provide a MIDI command to do this. The Scratch Panels setting is stored within the layout definitions.

ACTIVATING SCRATCH PANELS IN TRAKTOR SCRATCH DUO
Traktor Scratch Duo offers no direct way to activate the Scratch Panels. This can only be done by using the layout selector in the Traktor header and selecting the appropriate layout. There are two layouts where the scratch panels are enabled.
Those are: Ext. Mixer (Sync) and Ext. Mixer (Scope). If your layout selection list offers different layouts you need to start the Setup Wizard (click its command in menu Help). Select No or Other Controllers in the upper list of the Wizard and Traktor Scratch – A4DJ in the lower list. After clicking Apply the Wizard rebuilds the layouts you need to activate the scratch panels.

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Credits: DJ Techtools