Native Instruments Traktor Duo 2 review

One of Traktor Duo 2’s more novel features is the sample decks. These two additional virtual decks allow you to trigger audio samples along with the music, making it easy to spice up mixes (or mask mistakes) by overlaying tempo-synced beats, basslines, chords or one-hit samples. Native Instruments supplies a small range of demo samples to get you started, but you can use any samples you have stored on your hard disk.

It’s also possible to tweak each deck’s audio output with the three-band EQ, filter control and the in-built effects chain. The EQ controls are excellent, and make it possible to kill frequency bands completely – if you want to mix the bassline from one track with the beats from another, and smoothly blend between the two, the EQ and filter make it easy to put together seriously professional-sounding mixes. Other basic effects include tempo-synced delays, flangers and reverbs, and a simple in-built audio recorder allows you to record your mixes without faffing with external audio editors.

A quick tap of the space bar expands the ever-present file explorer to make it easier to find the track you want

While it’s easy enough to perform simple party-friendly mixes after spending just a few minutes with Traktor Duo 2, the range of features on offer makes it easy to get seriously creative. Indeed, while Traktor doesn’t require a cutting-edge PC or any extra hardware to give hours of fun, it’s also capable of working with external MIDI controllers, outboard DJ control surfaces and, with a suitable soundcard equipped with multiple analogue outputs, hooking up to an external DJ mixer. For those looking for an affordable entry point into the world of serious DJ software, Traktor Duo 2 is a beat-matching tour de force.