Discover what’s new in Traktor Pro 4—live stem separation, flexible beat grids, powerful sound processing, and thoughtful improvements for DJs upgrading from earlier versions.
Introduction
Traktor Pro 4 arrives with headline features DJs have long requested, especially live stem separation and flexible beat grids. Having put it to the test, here’s how these innovations stack up in the DJ workflow.
Stem Separation
Traktor Pro 4 now analyzes and splits any locally stored track into independent drum, bass, vocal, and other stems—no need for pre-prepared stem files. This prep process is best done before playing; it’s CPU-intensive but rewards you with embedded stem files for future use, accessible in audio editors.
In practice, stem isolation is impressively clean on vocals and drums. Instrumentals sometimes show artifacts, but the overall quality is competitive with other real-time stem DJ solutions. You can mute or solo stem layers, adjust their volume, filter them individually, and apply effects—maximizing remix and mashup creativity.
Mixer & Effects
Effects now route per stem: you can, for example, apply delay solely to vocals or a beat masher to drums. The ability to filter, adjust, and solo each stem segment is a major boost for creative set building.
Flexible Beat Grid
Finally, Traktor supports flexible beat gridding—a must for genres with live drumming or fluctuating BPM. Markers can be set throughout a track, just like in rival DJ software, allowing for precise loops and sync during transitions. Editing grids for disco, funk, or transition tracks is now streamlined and visual.
Pattern Player & Maximizer
Traktor’s effects section includes new pattern player kits designed by notable producers, enabling synced patterns that adapt to your mix. Meanwhile, the addition of Ozone Maximizer as a limiter lets DJs tailor overall output dynamics, boosting tracks for louder venues.
Pricing and Subscription Update
Native Instruments has ditched the Traktor Pro Plus subscription. Traktor Pro 4 is a one-time fee, or a discounted upgrade for previous users—making it more attractive for dedicated users and new DJs alike.
Final Thoughts
Traktor Pro 4 marks a decisive leap forward with must-have features and refinements. If stem separation and flexible beat grids are deal-breakers for you, it’s time to consider the upgrade. Seasoned Traktor users will appreciate the interface tweaks and robust new sound processing. For new DJs, Traktor now matches rivals in both innovation and usability.