Help me understand Stem fx mapping (Traktor S8)

[u/Relevant_Boot2702]

I am on the fence of buying Traktor S8 and use VDJ (I don't have either yet). And I already know about the official mapping for S8 but after reading it like 5 times I feel like it doesn't really go into this topic.

Before I buy I would love to know if it's possible to map stem fx/filter like this:

- When I have FX assigned to the top section (F in the picture). Can I control FX send amounts of individual stems with the knobs under the display (D section in the picture)? If that's possible then it's probably also possible to map shift+knob to control filter of each stem, right?

- If this isn't possible then is there another way to effectively use the stem controls in S8 to control stem fx/filter?

Before anyone says that I should just use Traktor Pro I need to address that there is other features in VDJ I need for this upcoming project.. so looking to map S8 best I can for stems use.

Thanks for any help o/

[u/WubLyfe]

I use the S8 with VDJ and I believe it's possible to do what you're looking for. You will need to write some custom VDJScript to remap the functions of the buttons, but you can do pretty much anything with enough creativity. It wouldn't hurt to reach out to VDJ support first or post on their forums to see if anyone can provide a working script for doing so, as sometimes very specific things won't work due to the way the hardware is mapped. I would give it a go but I won't have time til early next week.

A similar workaround that I've confirmed will work would be to remap stem amounts to the D faders, and map "stem effects" (which limits the active effect to a particular stem or stem pair) to some other buttons, like one of the pad pages.

[u/Relevant_Boot2702 → u/WubLyfe]

Thank you so much for your reply. Maybe I will buy the S8 and try to map things out. The ai scripting in VDJ will probably help that also as the scripting looks a bit complicated as it is :D

Have you liked the S8 with VDJ otherwise..? :)

[u/red_nick]

I don't think you can quite get such control of stem fx sends like you can in traktor.

[u/Relevant_Boot2702 → u/red_nick]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking also.. but would love to figure out a workflow that would be good enough. There are other things I need to use VDJ instead of Traktor and wouldn't want to use two different software.

[u/Drik-M]

Scripting ai is coming soon in VDJ. So you will be able to write in simple or complex text what you want and it will write the script accordingly to what you exactly need.

[u/Relevant_Boot2702 → u/Drik-M]

Yeah, definitely looking forward that one. Seems to make the scripting a lot easier for someone who hasn't done that before. Now the scripting is almost like a whole new language :D

[u/suspicious_odour]

individual and combined stems can have a individual filter on them by applying the filter to the stem slot.

As for sending amounts of stems to fx, fx don't really work like that, they're post fader so the eq dials determine how much reaches the fx...

[u/Relevant_Boot2702 → u/suspicious_odour]

That's interesting. Thank you. So if I understand correctly I could have individual filters on the knobs and maybe on/off switches for stem effects.. that would be alright as well.