GETTING STARTED

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not
represent a commitment on the part of Native Instruments GmbH. The software
described by this document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied
to other media. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or otherwise
transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission by Native
Instruments GmbH, hereinafter referred to as Native Instruments. All product and
company names are ™ or ® trademarks of their respective owners.

Getting Started written by Dave Turov

Product version: 1.0 (11/2009)
Document version: 1.0 (11/2009)

Special thanks to the all the DJ’s that have contributed to the development and testing
of the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1, who were invaluable in making this a better product.

© Native Instruments GmbH, 2009. All rights reserved.

Germany USA
Native Instruments GmbH Native Instruments North America, Inc.
Schlesische Str. 28 5631 Hollywood Boulevard
D-10997 Berlin Los Angeles, CA 90028
Germany USA
info@native-instruments.de sales@native-instruments.com
www.native-instruments.de www.native-instruments.com
Table Of Contents

1 Welcome!................................................................................................................4
2 Installation..............................................................................................................5
2.1 Installing the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Software.......................................5
2.2 Installing as Part of TRAKTOR................................................................5
2.2.1 Installing the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Software
on Windows®..............................................................................6
2.2.2 Installing the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Software
on Mac OS® X.......................................................................... 10
2.3 Installing TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 from Stand-alone Installer.................. 14
2.3.1 Installing the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Software on Windows®....... 14
2.3.2 Installing the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Drivers on Mac OS® X........ 19
2.4 Connecting the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Hardware................................. 24
2.4.1 Connecting the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 on Windows®. ................ 24
2.4.2 Connecting the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 on Mac OS® X................ 25
2.5 Ready to KONTROL............................................................................. 25
3 Using the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 with TRAKTOR LE.................................................26
3.1 Accessing Primary and Secondary Functions.......................................... 26
3.2 EFFECTS Section................................................................................ 27
3.2.1 FX Buttons............................................................................... 28
3.2.2 FX Knobs..................................................................................29
3.2.3 FX Assign (“Step Through”) Buttons............................................30
3.3 BROWSE Section................................................................................30
3.4 LOOP Section..................................................................................... 31
3.4.1 Primary Function: Setting Loops.................................................. 31
3.4.2 Secondary Function (SHIFT): Activating Loops.............................. 32
3.5 TRANSPORT Section........................................................................... 32
3.5.1 Primary Functions: Transport Control...........................................33
3.5.2 Secondary Function (SHIFT): Transport Control and Tempo............33
4 TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 MIDI Mode......................................................................... 34
5 Using Two TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Units Simultaneously.........................................35
5.1 Controlling TRAKTOR LE...................................................................... 35
5.2 Controlling TRAKTOR PRO................................................................... 35

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – III

1 Welcome!
This Getting Started guide will help you to install and configure TRAKTOR
KONTROL X1 on your computer. If you need further information, please refer to
the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Reference Manual that will be copied to your com-
puter’s hard disk as a PDF file during installation.

On Windows®, find the manual as a PDF file here:

►► Start > Program Files > Native Instruments > Kontrol X1 > Documentation

On Mac OS® X, find the manual as a PDF file here:

►► Applications/Native Instruments/Kontrol X1/Documentation

4 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

2 Installation
This chapter explains how to install the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 software and connect
the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 hardware to your computer.

2.1 Installing the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Software

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 software installation consists of two individual components:
•• TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Driver
•• Controller Editor

! For more information about the Controller Editor, refer to the Controller Editor manual
that will be copied to your computer’s hard disk as a PDF file during installation.

The following sections detail the installation of the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1’s software
on Windows® and Mac OS® X. There are two ways to install the TRAKTOR KONTROL
X1 software:

1 As part of TRAKTOR (all flavors) software installation

or
2 TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 stand-alone software installation.

! Do not connect the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 hardware until the driver installation is
complete!

! You cannot install the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 on a USB 1.1 port – a USB 2.0 port
is required.

% Please always refer to the Readme file on the installation DVD, as it contains last minute
information that may not be available in this Getting Started guide.

2.2 Installing as Part of TRAKTOR

The TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 driver and Controller Editor application are installed
during the TRAKTOR (versions 1.2.3 or later) installation.
The following sections detail how to install the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 driver and
Controller Editor application as part of the TRAKTOR (LE/Duo/PRO/SCRATCH DUO/
SCRATCH PRO) installation.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 5

2.2.1 Installing the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Software on Windows®

1. Place the installation DVD in your computer’s DVD-ROM drive.

2. Use the Windows® Explorer to browse the content of the DVD.
3. Double-click the installer file named “Traktor Setup.exe.”
4. Click “Next >.”

5. To continue, you must first accept the terms of the license agreement. After you
have read the license agreement, check the according checkbox and click “Next >”
to proceed.

6 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

6. By default, TRAKTOR setup will install all options including the Controller Editor
and Service Center. Click “Next >” to proceed.

7. In the next dialog, choose the destination folder for the TRAKTOR installation. To
use the default path, just click “Next >.” If you wish to select a custom path, click
“Change…”, browse to the folder where you want to install TRAKTOR and click
“Next >” to proceed.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 7

8. Here you can choose which Native Instruments audio interface drivers you would
like to install. Select the appropriate checkboxes for your hardware, then click
“Next >” to proceed.

9. Click the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 checkbox to install the TRAKTOR KONTROL
X1 drivers as part of the TRAKTOR installation, then click “Next >” to proceed.

8 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

10. Click “Next >” to proceed.

11. Once the installer is finished, you will be greeted with this screen. Click “Finish”
to exit the installer. TRAKTOR and TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 software installation
is now complete.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 9

2.2.2 Installing the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Software on Mac OS ® X

1. Place the installation DVD in your computer’s DVD-ROM drive. Its icon will appear
in the Mac OS® X Finder.
2. Double-click the TRAKTOR DVD icon to display the content of the DVD.
3. Double-click the TRAKTOR Installer file.
4. Click “Continue” to proceed.

5. Click “Continue” to proceed.

10 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

6. Once you have read the Software License Agreement, click “Continue” to proceed.

7. Click “Agree” if you accept the terms of the License Agreement. Note that if you
decline the terms of the License Agreement by clicking “Disagree”, the installation
procedure will be canceled. As a consequence, you will be unable to use the
TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 on your computer.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 11

8. Here you can choose which Native Instruments hardware drivers you wish to in-
stall. Click the “Traktor Kontrol X1” checkbox and any other checkboxes that
match your TRAKTOR hardware environment. Then click “Continue” to proceed.

9. Click “Install” to install the driver in the default path or browse to select a custom
installation path by clicking “Change Install Location….” Then click “Install.”

12 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

10. Once the installer is finished, you will be greeted with this screen. Click “Close”
to exit the installer. TRAKTOR and TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 software installation
is now complete.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 13

2.3 Installing TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 from Stand-alone
Installer

2.3.1 Installing the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Software on Windows®

1. Place the installation DVD in your computer’s DVD-ROM drive.

2. Use the Windows® Explorer to browse the content of the DVD.
3. Double-click the installer file named “Traktor Kontrol X1 Driver Setup.exe” to start
the installation procedure.
4. On the installer’s Welcome screen, click “Next >” to proceed.

5. To continue, you need to accept the license agreement first. After you have read
the license agreement, check the according checkbox and click “Next >” to proceed.

14 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

6. Click “Next >” to proceed.

7. During the driver installation, a screen will appear with a message that the driver
has not passed Windows® Logo Testing. This does not indicate a problem, simply
click on “Continue Anyway” to proceed with the installation.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 15

8. Once the installation has been performed successfully, click “Finish.”

9. Go back to Windows® Explorer to browse the content of the DVD and double-click
the installer file named “Controller Editor Setup PC.exe” to start the Controller
Editor installer.
10. Click “Next >” to proceed.

16 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

11. To continue, you need to accept the license agreement first. After you have read
the license agreement, check the according checkbox and click “Next >” to pro-
ceed.

! If you decline the terms of the License Agreement by clicking “Cancel”, the installation
procedure will be canceled and you will be unable to use the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1
on your computer.

12. Click “Next >”, only “Basic Installation” is available.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 17

13. Click “Next >” to proceed.

14. Once the installer is finished, you will be greeted with this screen. Click “Finish”
to exit the installer. The TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 software installation is now
complete.

18 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

2.3.2 Installing the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Drivers on Mac OS ® X

1. Place the installation DVD in your computer’s DVD-ROM drive. Its icon will appear
in the Mac OS® X Finder.
2. Double-click the “Kontrol X1” DVD icon to display the content of the DVD.
3. Double-click the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Installer file.
4. In the appearing dialog click “Continue” to proceed.

5. Select a destination volume, then click “Continue” to proceed.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 19

6. Click “Install” to install the driver in the default path or browse to select a custom
installation path by clicking “Change Install Location….” Then click “Install” to
proceed.

7. The next screen informs you that your computer needs to be restarted when the
installation is done. If you have any other applications running, you should close
them now. Then click “Continue Installation” to proceed.

20 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

8. After a successful installation you will be prompted to restart your Mac. Click
“Restart” to restart your computer.

9. After restarting your computer, navigate back to the “Kontrol X1” DVD icon to
display the content of the DVD and double-click the Controller Editor Installer file.
The Controller Editor installer will start.
10. In the appearing dialog click “Continue” to proceed.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 21

11. Once you have read the Software License Agreement, click “Continue” to proceed.

12. Click “Agree” if you accept the terms of the License Agreement.

! Note that if you decline the terms of the License Agreement by clicking “Disagree”,
the installation procedure will be canceled and you will be unable to use the TRAKTOR
KONTROL X1 on your computer.

22 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

13. Click “Continue” (only Basic Installation is available).

14. Click “Install” to proceed.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 23

15. Once the installer is finished, you will be greeted with this screen. Click “Close”
to exit the installer. The TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 software installation is now
complete.

2.4 Connecting the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Hardware

Once software installation is complete, connect the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 via the
supplied USB cable to an available USB 2.0 (or later) port on your computer.

! Do not connect the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 hardware until the driver installation is
complete.

2.4.1 Connecting the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 on Windows®

When connecting the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 to a USB 2.0 port on your computer
for the first time, Windows® will identify the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 and start the
final installation process.

! You cannot install the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 on a USB 1.1 port – a USB 2.0 port
is required.

24 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

1. Choose “No” if Windows® asks you to search the Internet for a driver.
2. Choose “Automatic” when Windows® asks you how to install the software.
3. Click “Finish” to complete the installation.
4. After you have completed the installation procedure, the installer will start again.
You need to pass through the same sequence of installer steps once again in
order to install all required driver components. This is an intended behavior, so
just follow along to finish the installation.

! On a PC running Windows®, every time that the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 is plugged into
a USB port that was not used during the initial installation, Windows ® will discover the
TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 and reinstall the drivers. This is normal for USB devices on Windows ®.

% USB hubs may also be used, however Native Instruments cannot guarantee compatibility
with all USB hubs currently available on the market.

2.4.2 Connecting the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 on Mac OS ® X

Once the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 software installation is complete and the TRAKTOR
KONTROL X1 is connected to a USB 2.0 (or later) port on your computer, no other
steps are necessary.

! You cannot install the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 on a USB 1.1 port – a USB 2.0 port
is required.

% USB hubs may also be used, however Native Instruments cannot guarantee compatibility
with all USB hubs currently available on the market.

2.5 Ready to KONTROL

►► The TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 is designed to be Plug and Play. Once the support-
ing software is installed no other configuration is necessary. Open TRAKTOR and
you are ready to mix!

! Plug and Play functionality is available only for TRAKTOR LE/DUO/PRO/SCRATCH DUO/
SCRATCH PRO versions 1.2.3 and later. For more information, please refer to the
TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Reference Manual.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 25

3 Using the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 with
TRAKTOR LE
This chapter details the use of the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 with TRAKTOR LE software
and offers in-depth explanations of the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1’s default mappings.

% For information on using the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 with other TRAKTOR versions,
please refer to the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Reference Manual.

3.1 Accessing Primary and Secondary Functions

Each TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 button has a primary and secondary function, as
labeled directly on the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1. Primary functions are direct, just
press the desired button. To access the secondary functions, hold the SHIFT button
while pressing the desired button. For example:
•• Press FX 1 ON (HOLD) button (top left) to turn TRAKTOR’s FX 1 effects unit ON.
Releasing the button will turn the effect off.
•• Hold SHIFT and press FX1 ON (top left) to switch the effect unit to Flanger.

! The following functions and mappings are described for TRAKTOR LE. For information
on using the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 with other versions of TRAKTOR please refer to
the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Reference Manual.

26 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

3.2 EFFECTS Section
Eight high resolution knobs and eight buttons make up the effects section allowing
control of two TRAKTOR LE effect units simultaneously.
The left and right button/knob groups control TRAKTOR LE FX1/DECK A and FX2/
DECK B, respectively.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 27

3.2.1 FX Buttons

Primary Function
•• FX ON (Hold): Will turn on TRAKTOR LE’s respective effects unit only while the
button is depressed. Releasing the button will turn the effect off.
•• Button 1: Turns TRAKTOR LE’s respective effect unit on and off (toggle).
•• Button 2: Not assigned in TRAKTOR LE.
•• Button 3: Activates the Deck Filter.

Secondary Function (SHIFT)

•• Holding SHIFT and pressing FX1 ON will load the Flanger effect in TRAKTOR
LE’s respective effect unit.
•• Holding SHIFT and pressing Button 1 will load the Delay effect in TRAKTOR LE’s
respective effect unit.
•• Holding SHIFT and pressing Button 2 will load the Reverb effect in TRAKTOR
LE’s respective effect unit.

28 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

3.2.2 FX Knobs

•• DRY/WET: Sets the clean (dry) to effected (wet) signal ratio. For example turning
the knob all the way to Wet, only the effected signal will come through.
•• Knob 1: Controls the TRAKTOR LE effects unit parameter knob.
•• Knob 2: Controls the Deck Pan parameter.
•• Knob 3: Controls the Deck Filter.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 29

3.2.3 FX Assign (“Step Through”) Buttons

Primary Function
Pressing either the left or right FX Assign button will step through TRAKTOR LE’s
available effects on the corresponding effects unit.

Secondary Function (SHIFT)

Holding SHIFT and pressing the left or right FX Assign button will set the correspond-
ing TRAKTOR Deck to clock Master.

3.3 BROWSE Section

One push encoder per Deck is dedicated to browse playlists and load tracks. Once a
track is loaded, the same encoder can be used to seek through a track.

These 2 knobs are used to control TRAKTOR‘s Browser.

! Note that the LOOP knobs have two levels of control, Push and Turn.

Primary Function
•• Turning the BROWSE knob will scroll through your currently open playlist.
•• Pressing the BROWSE knob will load the currently selected track into its respec-
tive TRAKTOR Deck.

Secondary Function (SHIFT)

•• Holding SHIFT and turning the BROWSE knob will quickly seek through the cur-
rently loaded track.
•• Holding SHIFT and pressing the BROWSE knob will switch TRAKTOR’s layout
(View) to hide the Decks and maximize the Browse window.

30 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

3.4 LOOP Section

The LOOP section allows intuitive control of TRAKTOR LE‘s loop functions and pro-
vides visual feedback of loop status via the buttons‘ LEDs.

! Note that the LOOP knobs have two levels of control, Push and Turn.

3.4.1 Primary Function: Setting Loops

LOOP Knob - Push

•• Pressing the LOOP knob will directly set an active loop with a length that is cur-
rently selected in TRAKTOR’s Deck. The two LOOP IN and OUT buttons below
the LOOP knob will light, indicating that a loop is active.
•• Pressing the LOOP knob again will deactivate the current loop, and the LOOP IN
and OUT buttons lights will turn off.

LOOP Knob - Turn

•• Turning the LOOP knob while no Loop is active will change the currently selected
Loop length.
•• Turning the LOOP knob while a Loop is active will change the length of the active
loop by moving its end point.

LOOP IN Button (labeled IN)

•• Pressing the LOOP IN button will set a manual Loop In Point. The LOOP IN but-
ton will light, indicating that TRAKTOR is waiting for a Loop Out Point.
•• Pressing LOOP IN again without setting a Loop Out Point will exit manual Loop
setting and the LOOP IN light will turn off.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 31

LOOP OUT Button (labeled OUT)
•• When pressed alone, LOOP OUT will automatically set a 4 bar loop.
•• When pressed after LOOP IN, LOOP OUT will set a manual Loop Out Point.

% Pressing the LOOP knob while a loop is active will always deactivate any manual or
Auto loop.

3.4.2 Secondary Function (SHIFT): Activating Loops

LOOP Knob - Push

Holding SHIFT and pushing the LOOP knob will cause TRAKTOR to loop the next
stored Loop point it comes across in that track.

3.5 TRANSPORT Section

The TRAKTOR KONTROL X1’s bottom set of buttons are dedicated to TRAKTOR LE’s
transport control. In addition to direct access to TRAKTOR’s functions, the button’s
lights also indicate the status of several of those functions.

32 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

3.5.1 Primary Functions: Transport Control

•• PLAY: Activates the playback of the corresponding TRAKTOR Deck.

•• SYNC: Will activate the SYNC function of the corresponding TRAKTOR Deck.
•• CUE: Will set a Floating (temporary) Cue Point and the button will light up indicat-
ing that the Cue Point is set. Pressing it again will return the track back to that
Cue Point and stop playback.
•• CUP: Functions same as CUE but will start playback from the last Floating Cue
Point.

% As the track plays, this button will flash in tempo with the beat.

•• <| BEAT |>: In TRAKTOR LE these buttons activate the corresponding Deck’s Pitch
Bend, temporarily speeding up or slowing down the track.

3.5.2 Secondary Function (SHIFT): Transport Control and Tempo

•• KEY: Will activate the corresponding Deck’s key lock function.

•• TAP: Allows you to tap in the tempo for guiding TRAKTOR’s Autogrid function in
a loaded Deck.
•• |< CUE: The left button will force TRAKTOR’s Deck back to the beginning of the
currently loaded track.
•• - TEMPO +: Will manually increase or decrease the tempo of the corresponding Deck.

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 33

4 TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 MIDI Mode
The TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 is preconfigured to also be used as a standard MIDI
controller and can control any hardware or software that supports the MIDI standard.
1. To access MIDI mode, hold SHIFT and press HOTCUE. In MIDI mode the HOTCUE
button will always be lit green. The TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 will then transmit
MIDI data like a normal MIDI controller.

2. Hold SHIFT and press HOTCUE again to leave MIDI mode and return to native
TRAKTOR control.
3. You can switch back and forth from native TRAKTOR control mode to MIDI mode
at anytime while using TRAKTOR.

For more information on the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1’s MIDI or native modes, please
refer to the TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 manual.

34 – TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started

5 Using Two TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 Units
Simultaneously

5.1 Controlling TRAKTOR LE

With TRAKTOR LE it is possible to use two TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 units simultane-
ously, and their modes may be mixed between units. For example:
•• One TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 may be set to native TRAKTOR mode while the
second is set to MIDI mode to control another software device.
•• Two TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 units can both operate in MIDI mode.

% For more information about how to use two TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 units with TRAKTOR,
refer to the TRAKTOR CONTROL X1 Reference Manual.

5.2 Controlling TRAKTOR PRO

With TRAKTOR PRO/TRAKTOR PRO SCRATCH, things really get interesting as four
Decks and effects are available:
•• For TRAKTOR PRO versions two TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 units are required to
control all of TRAKTOR PRO’s 4 available Decks and effects simultaneously.
•• Plug and play functionality allows you to simply connect the second TRAKTOR
KONTROL X1 unit and it’s instantly ready for use.
•• Two TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 units’ modes may also be mixed, with one unit
controlling TRAKTOR PRO natively and the other controlling another hardware or
software device in MIDI mode.
•• Two TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 units may operate in MIDI mode and at any time be
switched back to native TRAKTOR mode.

To fully utilize the potential of using two TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 units simultaneously,
the PRO versions of TRAKTOR are highly recommended!

TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 – Getting Started – 35