How to Send a MIDI Clock Sync Signal in TRAKTOR

This article explains how to send a MIDI Clock signal from TRAKTOR. MIDI Clock can be used to synchronize other applications or hardware devices to TRAKTOR's Master Tempo, as long as they support MIDI Sync. There are two different types of setup for synchronization via MIDI Clock:

  • Sending MIDI Clock from TRAKTOR to another application which supports MIDI Sync on the same computer (internal sync).
  • Sending MIDI Clock from TRAKTOR to another application on a different computer or to an external hardware device which support MIDI (external sync).

1. Requirements

The requirements for the synchronization via MIDI Clock are different depending on the type of setup (internal or external sync). 

1.1. Requirements for Internal Sync

  • Mac OS X: On Mac systems, TRAKTOR will offer virtual MIDI ports for the internal sync. There are no special requirements for this setup.
  • Win: On Windows systems, there are no available virtual MIDI ports so you will need to install a 3rd party tool. We recommend to use the free virtual MIDI device LoopBe1. Download it from this page and then install it.

1.2. Requirements for External Sync

If you wish to sync TRAKTOR to another system or to an external hardware device which supports MIDI Clock, the use of additional hardware is required:

  • Two MIDI interfaces. Some audio interfaces are equipped with a MIDI interface. In our example we will be using our TRAKTOR AUDIO 10 audio interface.
  • A MIDI cable to establish the connection between both MIDI interfaces.

2. Setting Up a Generic MIDI Device

In order to send the MIDI Clock signal it is required to create a Generic MIDI Device in TRAKTOR's Controller Manager. 

  1. Start TRAKTOR.
  2. Go to Preferences > Controller Manager.
  3. Add a Generic MIDI device by clicking on Add... below the Device field and selecting Generic MIDI from the list.
    Generic_midi.PNG

    Note: The Generic MIDI Device will only be used to send the MIDI Clock signal. It will not be used for MIDI mapping.

3. Setting Up the Output Port

Now you need to define specific output ports for the Generic MIDI device, depending on the type of setup.

3.1. Setting Up the Out-Port for Internal Sync

3.1.1. Setup on Mac OS X 

  1. Once the Generic MIDI device has been selected, click on the Out-Port field and select Traktor Virtual Output from the drop-down menu.
    Traktor_virtual_output.PNG
  2. Additionally, make sure to select None for the In-Port field in order to avoid MIDI loops.

3.1.2. Setup on Windows

  1. Make sure to have correctly installed LoopBe1.
  2. Start TRAKTOR.
  3. Select the Generic MIDI Device from the Device list.
  4. Click on the Out-Port field and select LoopBe Internal MIDI from the drop-down menu.
    loop_be.PNG
  5. Additionally, make sure to select None for the In-Port field in order to avoid MIDI loops.

3.2. Setting Up the Out-Port for External Sync

  1. Make sure that your MIDI interface is connected to the computer where you are running TRAKTOR. In this example, we are connecting the TRAKTOR AUDIO 10 audio interface which offers MIDI connectivity.
  2. Start TRAKTOR and select the Generic MIDI device from the Device list in Preferences > Controller Manager.
  3. Click on the Out-Port field and select the name of the port corresponding to your MIDI interface. In our example we are selecting Traktor Audio 10 from the drop-down menu.
    Traktor_audio_10_output.PNG
  4. Additionally, make sure to select None for the In-Port field.

4. Sending the MIDI Clock Signal

4.1. Steps for TRAKTOR PRO 2

  1. Go to Preferences > MIDI Clock and tick the option Send MIDI Clock.
    Send MIDI Clock
  2. Close the Preferences.
  3. Open the Master Clock panel in TRAKTOR's Global Section by clicking on the metronome icon.

    Note: If you cannot see the Master Clock / FX Panel at the upper left corner of the TRAKTOR interface, go to Preferences > Global Settings and tick the option Show Global Section.

  4. Activate the MIDI Clock signal by clicking the play / pause button under SEND.

4.2. Steps for TRAKTOR PRO 3

  1. Go to Preferences > External Sync, choose EXT and tick the option Enable MIDI Clock.
    external_sync.PNG
  2. Close the Preferences.
  3. In the Master Clock panel in TRAKTOR's Global Section activate the MIDI Clock signal by clicking the play / pause button. sync.PNG

    Note: If you cannot see the Master Clock / FX Panel at the upper left corner of the TRAKTOR interface, go to Preferences > Global Settings and tick the option Show Global Section.

For more information on syncing TRAKTOR to External MIDI Clock Signal or using TRAKTOR as the Send Clock, please refer to the manual here.

Now TRAKTOR is sending its MIDI Clock signal which can be used to sync the tempo of another application or external hardware device which supports MIDI Sync. Please consult the documentation of the application that will receive the MIDI Clock signal from TRAKTOR or of your external hardware device in order to obtain more information on setting up MIDI Clock sync.

1. Requerimientos

Los requerimientos para la sincronización via MIDI Clock varían dependiendo de si es una sincronización interna o externa.
 in order to avoid MIDI loops.