ms pinky torq NIscratch

bb01 · Post by **bb01** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:13 pm

We all know the m-audio torq records use the same technology as mspinky, but how does Native Instruments Traktor Scratch compare?

On their site, they say (and prove it with pictures) that their control signal is far superior to the largest competitor they have (probably Rane Serato).
Is 2 kHz really that much better?

Post by **dlpinkstah** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 7:31 pm

It's great as long as you don't do any rapid backspins

The main problem with putting the carrier frequency at 2 kHz is that when you do any kind of very rapid record motion (backspin, scratch, etc...) the motion of the record causes the frequency of the signal that has to be tracked by the software to be as high as 10 kHz. Unfortunately, almost all common cartridges/needles lose all their left/right phase accuracy above 8 kHz. So the Traktor system will have lots of tracking problems for rapid motions of the vinyl, in spite of the claims of superior accuracy. Another problem with this high frequency carrier is that it will cause their vinyls to wear out faster because it generates a lot more sustained energy (heat) by it's playing.

For reference: Serato pilot frequency = 1000 Hz. Torq pilot frequency = 1,205.859375 Hz. Traktor pilot frequency = 2000 Hz.

bb01 · Post by **bb01** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:05 am

so in fact traktor vinyl allows for a smaller range of gestures?
they should've called it "traktor mix" then

Post by **dlpinkstah** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 4:36 am

It's like anything else in life, there's always a compromise. In this case, if you make the main pilot frequency higher (i.e. 2 kHz) then yes, you can say in some ways you have a bit "more accuracy" for the plain old str8-ahead mixing scenario where your pitch never varies outside of +/- 8%. But if you want to do any scratching or turntablism or anything outside of reqular str8-ahead mixing, and you don't want your vinyls to GRIND away after only a few plays, then you're really much better off with a slightly lower carrier (pilot) frequency. I don't need to remind anyone of the HUGE success of Serato... and look, their main carrier frequency is only 1 kHz. So if effectiveness of a vinyl control system is directly proportional to the frequency of its carrier signal, then that would mean Serato is the loser

And of coure, we all know that's not the case....

So that's why the Ms Pinky (and Torq) signal takes the "middle-of-the-spectrum" approach. We don't want our carrier signal to be so high that it can't track accurately when the user does rapid backspins and scratches, but we also don't want to sacrifice too much accuracy for the str8-ahead mixing crowd. And we don't. The mathematical frequency tracking formulae we use are absolutely state of the art. So I have yet to see NI (or anyone) post anything besides some pretty pictures of the vinyl grooves to mathematically prove that their system yields higher accuracy IN ALL MIXING SCENARIOS, including scratching, rapid backspins, etc. etc......

bb01 · Post by **bb01** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:29 am

Thanks a lot!
Thats exactly what I was looking for.

ms pinky torq NIscratch

Don't believe the hype