How to Sync Traktor & Maschine - Dubspot Native Instruments Tutorial w/ DJ Endo

Dubspot Instructor and DJ product specialist for Native Instruments Mike Henderson aka DJ Endo explains and demonstrates how to synchronize NI's Traktor and Maschine in this new video tutorial, and the detailed accompanying article which you can read in its entire below. Artist currently using Endo's Traktor & Maschine setup/mapping includes Carl Cox, Nic Fancuilli, and David Morales. While other major artists and performers such as Richie Hawtin, Dubfire, and Chris Liebing also incorporate Maschine and Traktor in their live setup as a plugin. Endo shows you an easily setup Maschine and Traktor and have both programs run in perfect sync on one computer using one audio interface!

[@DeeJayEndo]

@MrRidisc The old Traktor's MIDI clock would fluctuate a little bit, making it so you had to press the sync button constantly in Traktor's Master Clock Panel. Richie Hawtin was using an Ethernet Hub to sync his MIDI devices which was a lot more stable. I believe Speedy J and Chris Liebing were syncing their computers manually using the Master Clock Pitch Bend and typing the BPM into the Master Clock. That way there is no fluctuating at all with the Master Clocks.

[@DeeJayEndo]

Because you have to configure your audio correctly. With the S2 you can either set the output of Maschine to the MASTER (output 1&2 I believe) or the MONITOR (output 3&4 I believe). You can set the routing for Maschine in File - Audio / MIDI settings. Set the soundcard to Traktor S2 and in the routing section set the output channel 1 (l) and Output Channel 2(r) to the S2's outputs.

[@DeeJayEndo]

@fearfactory81 This tutorial is more for Mac users. A lot of PC users have problems with this because sometimes they can't use the same soundcard for both programs. In this case you might want to have a second computer for Maschine and run a MIDI cable from one soundcard to the other. There is a Native Instruments tutorial video that shows you how to do this.

[@Toplockerguy]

Can you update this video for maschine 2.0?

[@DeeJayEndo]

You would have to configure the Audio preferences of Maschine to one channel and the decks in Traktor to 3 other channels. Check out my video on the Traktor Preferences Part 1 on how to configure Audio. If your talking about mapping the Maschine out to control 4 decks as a MIDI controller check out my Maschine template for Traktor, and the video I did on the Dubspot KZbin about using Maschine as a MIDI controller for Traktor.

[@DeeJayEndo]

Traktor virtual output only exists on Mac

[@FYICREW]

@deejayendo thanks a lot btw.

[@KimSellstedt]

Would love a 2020 update on this guide and maybe add a Kontrol S4 MK3 part as well as that is the setup Im really curious about. This was a really good and clear instruction.

[@OfficialSenseiLo]

Thank you. Because this is very important. In my experience it syncs perfectly well however it is not assigned its own deck instead it just played from the master so you have absolutely no control over it which is very difficult

[@DeeJayEndo]

Virtual MIDI out only exists on Mac. To record the sound from Maschine inside of Traktor you would have to route it to a channel on your DJ Mixer and record the sound from the mixer, or if your mixing internally in Traktor, you would have to route the sound of Maschine into a deck in Traktor using a deck as a direct thru (by clicking the black arrow under the deck header) and configuring the inputs in preferences - input routing. You might need to use a separate soundcard for Maschine.

[@patrickwhelan2656]

This is a brilliant video on a difficult topic mate. I would never in a month of Sundays worked out the the offset thing. Got Maschine 2 and Traktor synced perfectly now. Also, big up on your music man. Love it.

[@dubspot]

Glad this was helpful for you patrick!

[@DeeJayEndo]

You don't NEED an audio interface but if you want to separate each deck and maschine to its own external channel you'll want one. Otherwise you can use your computers built in soundcard to play tracks and you'll be able to hear Maschine and Traktor. I recommend using an external soundcard though, or a controller like the Traktor S4 which can have volume control over all the decks.

[@DeeJayEndo]

Because you probably have two devices that are sending MIDI clock. Here's what to do. 1) Go to Traktor Preferences - Controller Manager. 2) Click on the device dropdown menu to view all of your MIDI devices. 3) For EACH Midi device set the IN/Out Ports (next to the device menu). You need to set the in and out ports for each device to THAT DEVICE (ex. Maschine's outport should be Maschine. F1 should be F1). The ONLY thing sending MIDI OUT to Traktor virtual output is the MIDI Clock Device we made

[@DeeJayEndo]

What I would do is use a separate soundcard for Maschine. I like using the Audio 2 for Maschine (since its cheap and small), and I plug my Audio 2 into my S4's input. I then would set Deck D to be a Live Input by clicking under the little arrow under the deck Letter. I'd set my input routing (in the Traktor Preferences) for Deck D to be the S4's input, then sync everything up and Voila! Maschine is coming through Deck D in sync and now I can use Traktor FX over Maschine!

[@DeeJayEndo]

@FYICREW In theory yes, Maschine will sync to Ableton's Master Tempo. And it DOES work that way. But I found it to be tighter if I actually sync to Maschine's Metronome inside of ableton (using Ableton's MIDI sync offset bar, but turning on Maschine's Metronome instead of Ableton's). Or you can just sync Ableton to Traktor following my steps in my "Syncing Ableton to Traktor" video. I just think using Maschine's metronome is tighter for some reason when using it as a plug in inside of ableton.

[@DeeJayEndo]

@fearfactory81 I would check your preferences - controller manager. In the device dropdown menu there is a list of devices. Click on your VCI - 100 device and set the in and out ports for that device (should be VCI 100 or something like that) and then click on your loop BE device and select the in and our ports for that as well. In port should be NONE and out port should be LOOP BE (or whatever they call the port).

[@DeeJayEndo]

@entyce66 Yes it is definitely possible. The way I do it is use a seperate soundcard for Maschine, and plug the output of that soundcard into an input on the S4. Then I make one deck in Traktor a "Live input" by clicking on the arrow inside of the decks, and set the input of that deck in the Traktor preferences. Then you can route the Audio in Maschine through a deck in Traktor and use Traktor's effects over Maschine.

[@DeeJayEndo]

The best way to do this on a PC is to use an Audio interface like the Audio 8 which has a MIDI In / Out port. Take a MIDI Cable and plug it from the MIDI Out port to the Midi In Port. This will trick your computer into thinking its getting midi from something else. Then follow all of the rest of the steps minus the virtual output part and it should work great!

[@DeeJayEndo]

The whole point of the Sync and Play buttons in Traktor's master clock is to turn on / off Maschine, and to retrigger Maschine on the 1. Rather than using the play button on Maschine to start Maschine you are now using the play button in Traktors master clock to play Maschine. Then you are using Sync to start Maschines step sequencer at the beginning (on the 1)

[@DeeJayEndo]

Update to the latest version of Traktor and this shouldn't happen anymore. IF it goes out of sync (which it might), Hit the Sync button in Traktor's Master clock to re-sync Maschine. The trick to this is you want to RELEASE the sync button on the first beat of the measure (example *1*,2,3,4, press sync/release sync *1*,2,3,4)

[@DeeJayEndo]

The reason for this is because Traktor Virtual Output does not exist on PC. Sorry guys! You can however use an audio 8 and plug a MIDI cable from the Audio 8's MIDI outport into the Audio 8's MIDI in port. This will trick the computer into thinking its getting MIDI from another device but actually works like a charm.

[@DeeJayEndo]

Yeah turn the master volume up in Maschine. Its the slider in the upper right hand side of the Maschine software, or you can turn the volume knob up on the Maschine hardware. It might also be you have a group or sound in maschine turned down so check that volume as well.

[@DeeJayEndo]

@FYICREW You can do it either way. You can sync Maschine as a Stand Alone (shown in the video) or you can sync Ableton to Traktor. The trick to doing it that way is to actually turn the MASCHINE metronome on in Ableton and sync the Maschine Metronome rather than the Ableton Metronome

[@DeeJayEndo]

I would recommend checking out my 4 Deck Maschine mapping for Traktor Pro. You can control almost everything in Traktor with the mapping. Just do a search for Maschine Traktor Endo and it should be one of the first videos that pops up.

[@DeeJayEndo]

@genpatsusensei38 Dubfire, Richie Hawtin, Chris Liebing, Me, Sasha, Speedy J, Drumcell... I could go on and on. It works like a charm. I have a 4 year old macbook pro and never have any issues when I use Maschine and Traktor together.

[@DeeJayEndo]

@entyce66 Yup! I do Traktor weekend workshops at Dubspot, and also do Private Lessons (one on one) and teach our Digital DJing with Traktor course. For private lessons and to sign up for classes e-mail admissions at dubspot dot com

[@DeeJayEndo]

If your using PC, you would have to use Loop Be1 to sync MIDI but I have to say, its not easy. Check the youtube comments in my syncing Traktor and Ableton videos. Some users have proposed some workarounds.

[@DeeJayEndo]

There is no Traktor Virtual Output option in Windows. You'll need to use a virtual MIDI cable program like MIDI Yoke, OR use a separate audio interface for Maschine. See my other comments on how to do this.

[@DeeJayEndo]

@catchpsk Virtual MIDI isn't available when using PC. You'd need to use a MIDI cable with your audio 10. Just plug the MIDI out port into the MIDI in port using a MIDI cable and follow the steps in the video

[@jasonleejohnkirsch]

PC users still no sync. Can someone help me. I'm on PC. I really need my maschine synced to traktor. It makes no sense why NI hasn't made this easier. Midi in and out on both controllers and you cant sync the midi clock. Wtf? It sounds stupid but its true.

[@lairdriver]

Jason Kirsch I have successfully done it after several hours of smashing my head out of frustration. It has to be done by hand and it is very tedious.

[@jasonleejohnkirsch]

Im curious. Ni needs to make it simple.

[@Dreammaster15089]

Jason Kirsch I'm having the same problem I bought a new laptop on win 10 and now I'm thinking of getting a mac as I can't get maschine to sync to traktor scratch pro 2

[@DeeJayEndo]

@jmcginn825 Just curious - why use Jack Router when you can combine outputs of Maschine and Traktor? The Circles on my mouse clicks are from a screen capture program called iShowUHD - Endo

[@DeeJayEndo]

Yes you need to have the PLAY button on in Traktor's Master Clock, THEN you need to hit the SYNC button in Traktor's Master clock to start the step sequencer in Maschine.

[@DeeJayEndo]

@rache19637 You can download the Maschine mapping at DJ Endo dot com slash traktor . I will have an updated mapping with the sample decks soon!

[@DeeJayEndo]

@thanoulis024 The Audio 8 has been discontinued unfortunately. Traktor Pro 2 now comes with the Audio 10. Not sure why. I love the Audio 8!

[@MindControlProtocol]

Been using your mapping live to control Traktor for the past month.. Endo your a legend!! My maschine vid here: /watch?v=y4__WaIeHGU

[@DeeJayEndo]

This video is mainly about syncing the two programs, so yes, you can essentially do this with any controller or sound card.

[@DeeJayEndo]

@pittster57 I am using an older (3 year old) macbook pro and using Traktor & Maschine together works great with no problems.

[@DeeJayEndo]

Search for Maschine Traktor on google and it should be one of the first search results. It's on Dubspots youtube channel.

[@DeeJayEndo]

Check out my other video on Syncing Ableton Live and Traktor. This has detailed instructions on how to set this up.

[@djDivineJustice]

Hey Endo, have you checked out my sample deck mappings for Maschine and the Apc20? Might give ya some ideas:)

[@DeeJayEndo]

@fearfactory81 Thats because you need to turn on "Send MIDI Clock" in Preferences - MIDI Clock

[@planetpartyvideos]

Hi, could you help me please, I'm having trouble with the set up. I bought Traktor a6 with the Kontrol x1 My set up 2 Stanton cmp 800, 1 kaossilator pro (Korg) and 1 mixer denon DN X1100 4ch.. The biggest problem is how to install the 2 stantons and the kassilator. Please help me, I live in Puerto Rico and everyone uses serato, I wanted to use something diferent, and watching your videos I decided to with Traktor. Basically I don't have any help around. Thank You Jose Dj Ochy Ramirez

[@upsiderown]

I'm having trouble setting this up. I'm on a Mac and controlling Traktor with an S4. I have Maschine routing through a separate sound card and into deck C in Traktor. That's all set up fine. The difficulty is in getting the midi clock to sync. First, when I hit "sync" in Traktor's master clock section, it does not start Maschine. Second, when I adjust the slave clock offset in Maschine, the tempo doesn't change at all. There seems to be an error in their communication, but I can't track it down

[@delostico]

hey man, cool vid- but pleeeaaassseeeeeeeeee we need help mapping for MASCHINE MIKRO- i know there'd be restrictions cuz of knobs, but just need for sampledecks and hot cues in A&B cest finite! and then the ctrl+shift to go back to maschine software. pleeaasee help us brother and you shall be patron sait for the MIKRO dj's :D plsss its no where else on the entire internet, tust me, ive checked ;) thank youuu

[@FYICREW]

@deejayendo ok if I'm understanding you correctly, to dj/perform using Traktor, and use Maschine inside of ableton with Traktors 4 decks running into ableton, I sync Maschines Metronome offset? Is this in addition to the ableton metronome set up? I thought maschine inside of ableton defaulted to the hosts tempo, and not syncing abletons metronome won't that cause ableton based midi and audio to go off time? What tells ableton to listen to maschine?

[@dokteryap3213]

1: How to Sync Traktor & Maschine - Only 1 Computer: windows 7 i have see a lot of videos on you tube i try it for 2 wheeks but it not working on my windows 7 machine micro software its oke and its playing and tractor pro 2 also playing but no sync whit machine 2: but i have also a question of machine micro software how can i burn it on cd its a special file 3: i have the machine usb in my desktop computer i have a wolfgang dj controller 2 decks but not usb in and out in my dj controller

[@donarena3360]

Hi dubspot I have a traktor s2 running traktor pro and a traktor audio 6, my problem is I'm still new and I don't how to sync my full maschine and traktor, my s2 doesn't have a midi output same with my audio 6 and lastyly I'm running PC windows 7 64bit I would really appreciate it if you could explain it to me thank you and more power.

[@djDivineJustice]

Great video. There is a free program for windows thar lets you send internal MIDI as well.

[@JacobAlexandermcc]

I use an APC-40 to control traktor and I want to do what is demonstrated here. I have everything synced up like in the video, but when I press a button on my APC-40, it'll play a Maschine sample (usually pitched down) and traktor at the same time. How do I make the APC 40 only control traktor, and the Maschine to control only Maschine?

[@KansasCityKoop]

I have Mashine and Traktor syncing up (BPM), but my Maschine audio comes out of my Mac and the Traktor audio comes out of the Traktor hardware (as it should). How do I get Maschine to play through the Traktor hardware (as Deck C or D - so I can work beats on the fly and utilze the Cue features). I'm using S2 and all the latest software for Mac and NI gear.

[@DjCatch357]

I've been trying to set this up but I have a problem where the settings in your video are different to mine. I'm useing audio 10 and traktor pro 2. There isn't a virtual midi port in the options also the outputs are all different. Any help you could give me with this would be great as I've had maschine for over 6 months and not one sound out of it yet.

[@delostico]

no it doesnt, but if you go to the CONTROLLER EDITOR folder, ther should be a folder named "Template Support Files" these are where the tsi file for maschine micro are. so for use with traktor got to Traktor>> settings>>>import>>> and inport from said folder above---

[@jmcginn825]

@DeeJayEndo Hey man, sorry for the delay in response (and thank you for respond, the NI forum is A JOKE - the one thing I regret about leaving Serato). Unfortunately I have no idea what you're talking about or I would be all over it. Do you have a tutorial or can you point me in the right direction?

[@djeddienet]

Hi Endo, Is it possible for you to make an video on how to synch Traktor 2 and the new Maschine Mikro, Like having the Maschine using the sample decks, alot of people asking for this online and why not ask you guys I enjoy every video u guys provide thx alot.

[@pittster57]

ok Endo sounds great, but that means your computer has to high performance to handle the hardware, because with my experience Maschine uses way too much processing power, so when I was making beats the sounds didn't sound right because the computer was working all of its processing speed.

[@moabyari9178]

Hello and thanks for your awesome tutorial . my question is !?? Does Mac corei5 can support traktor and maschine together or I need to buy Mac corei7 !?! Thanks for your sharing Endo .

[@RockapeandRolla]

So will this just route the audio together and keep it in time? Id like to be able to have maschine assigned to a deck on an S4 so i can control the volume and cue what im doing in maschine. Is there a good tutorial out and about or do i just follow this?

[@Houselovedj]

well thnx a lot, maybe i need to find some video to help me :) , I'm probably doing something wrong in the configuration, to be noted that I am using an external mixer, 2 decks (denon dn sc200) + mikro maschine + traktor kontrol f1+ audio dj 8 soundcard

[@Heracles620]

Hi Endo i work with a windows pc are the instructions the same for windows users are is there another mapping file for to donwloading it ? I read that i must use midi yoke for the virtual midi. Thank For your support greetings from belgium

[@figivijay]

The output volume of maschine is way softer than my traktor output, don't really know how this happened, but i can't really hear anything from the maschine when a track is playing in traktor, is there a way to boost the volume of maschine or something?

[@tasozoitas]

Endo, Love the videos. I am trying to sync Maschine to my S4 on my mac as well but my Audio Outputs in Maschine are Master L/R and Monitor L/R. I hear Maschine working even though all the sliders are down. Any advice? I just wanna use it on Deck D!

[@FYICREW]

NATIVE INSTRUMENTS come on! It's obvious this is a huge part of Maschines client base. Please add native support for midi control of Maschine in Traktor. This matching the clicks way of doing things is sloppy, especially since serato added "The Bridge"

[@Laurittolife]

Hi. 1) I have traktor 2.6.0 and Mashine and Reloop Digital Jockey ME 3 and 2.5 MK2 and on Traktor is no Virtual midi out..... I wont to synhronize this units. 2) Hov i can write my mix on fly with traktor if i need write both sound - from Traktor and Mashine

[@DeeJayEndo]

Go to youtube and search for Dubspot :: Traktor w/ Maschine pt 1 :: Native Instruments

[@josusho69]

search on google The Wedding of Traktor and Maschine, Part 2 from traktor bible. My issue is that I don't know if its possible with devon mc6000, one guy try it and he screw up his computer and all his setup.

[@MRSTYLES1825]

Does any 1 know the song playing in the background, it starts at about 00:15 and ends at 2:28? I have the track on a mixtape i just don't know what it's called. If any 1 can help out it would be much appreciated.

[@DeeJayEndo]

hit the Sync button in Traktor's master clock section to start the step sequencer

[@wallas10]

Could you please run down on how the likes of Richie/ Dubfire/ & Chirs use Maschine? My dj style is similar to theirs, and I was wanting to pick up a Maschine. Thanks in advance!

[@DeeJayEndo]

@thanoulis024 I'm sure you could easily find an Audio 8 DJ on ebay or craigslist

[@malekalame340]

Hello Dubspot, i recently bought a traktor kontrol s4 and a maschie mikro and i would like to know how can i sync them together without any external souncard ?. Thank You

[@nathanielmartin5573]

Have a look at the settings in your version, all you need it to be able to send a virtual midi clock, I would be surprised if your version didn't have this capability

[@iamDJFREAKY]

Woah, this way is a little different to Kosmicdj way.. I'm using timecode CDs, (CDJ 1000s), so do I just need to enable 'AUTO' aswell as master? Is that the only difference?

[@Mik3Hess]

I did this and it work great but only for the first 15min and after about that time Maschine and Traktor Pro 2 start going out of sync? Any help here? :(

[@bentosan]

@Djmagnuzzo You need to use the virtual midi port traktor provides, or use a third party virtual midi port like midi yoke or bomes midi translator

[@FYICREW]

Also this method is similar to matching up with Ableton. Do I run Maschine as a plug in or match ableton and maschines metronome as shown here?

[@DJOPELISHERE]

Can you make a video for Maschine Jam? Excellent video, do you have a newer version for Traktor 3.8x with Machine 2.5xx?

[@harryrait3]

How would you connect Ableton Push as the drum maschine? Is it similar to how u connected the maschine? Or has it got more involved???

[@PurplePeopleEater50]

I would love to know how I can sync my Maschine MK2 as a midi controller in Traktor as Dj Endo says at 10:11. I can't find the video !

[@DeeJayEndo]

You can sync any program or device that receives MIDI clock to Traktor

[@ChewieGG]

I do exactly what you say and do in the vid step by step, but I don't hear my maschine... Can you help me with this problem?

[@DeeJayEndo]

Just enable Auto and when you play a deck it will become the master

[@Houselovedj]

hi ppl, i would know if is possible to do same thing with traktor and maschine mikro, it's possible syncronize?

[@uncontrolable777]

@Djmagnuzzo as much as i know you only need an external soundcard if you run traktor + maschine on windows.

[@acronym6155]

Hey Dubspot i need your help;) is it possible to sync ableton and traktor via s4 soundcard on windows?

[@1ino1eum]

where can I find this maschine + tracktor template that carl cox and other use ? I can't find it...

[@h-dawg969]

Will Maschine's 5 pin MIDI out port still send clock if Maschine is recieving clock? I really want to use TR8s with Traktor. My interface (Audio 6 Dj) doesn't have 5 pin Mini In/Out. I was thinking of buying a second hand audio 8 instead, as that way I would have the Midi ports, but If I sync Maschine and use that MIDI port that would be sick. If this stuff is all nicely in sync, I will have the 4 channels of my 92 going Ch 1&2 - Traktor A & B (using the x1 as normal) Ch 3 - Maschine, Ch 4 - TR8s. This would be a proper sick little set up if i can get it all running nicely!

[@Eric-hr9rg]

Is this possible with rekordbox + maschine 2 without an audio interface? Ideally being able to send maschine audio to deck3/4 in rekordbox's mixer

[@DeeJayEndo]

See my previous comments on how to do this if your using a PC.

[@bertquasar]

Is it possible to do this without the NI soundcard? Can I use Traktor S2s soundcard for instance?

[@DjRoan_only_top_kizz]

There's a problem. In trakotr--> Setting -Controller when you start a new midi configuration I already have a map file to make my DDJ RX works. I'm afraid that if I puta new configuration this will fuck up the correct job of my console...I i select the new profile midi port than i guess the profile where the mapping for my consolle is saved won't work anymore..

[@darriusbattle]

Can I do this with Traktor, Maschine, and focusrite sapphire 18i6; Oh yeah, I'm using a pc.

[@DeeJayEndo]

Please be a little more detailed with your question. Thanks!

[@DeeJayEndo]

Yes you can do this same thing using S4 and Maschine Mikro.

[@mauromilano1]

if i use maschine mikro and traktor scratch pro 2 is possible this ? Please help me! :)

[@turtlemusic0310]

Thank you for your setup guide, you save my S8 and maschine studio🔥

[@djoscarmolina]

Endo! Maschine not effected by Traktor Effects when midi synced! Please help

[@EscuderiaPonce]

Hi Mike, its possible to use my S2 soundcard to sync? do i only need a midi-usb interface to plug to usb in my Mac?

[@fabelwesen9854]

Hey buddy I have a question I have the new traktor pro 3 and I will sync up with my maschine mk3... I have Tha traktor s2 mk3. It doesn't work with this mixer? I can't do it but I don't know why I tried it 30 times? Can you help me

[@edtsu]

I connected everything together with xone k2, but the sound from the maschine is only in the headphones((

[@DeeJayEndo]

I'm sure they have something brewing in the NI labs ;-)

[@djkrypto1103]

how do i route machine to one of the channels on my s4?? please answer soon