M-Audio Torq - Manual

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 9 Torq User Guide » Chapter 2 9 inSTallaTion Note : The following directions are for installing the Torq software onto your computer. Torq will not run, however, unless an appropriate M-Audio hardware device (such as the Conectiv interface) is installed and plugged in to ...

10 CHAPTER 1 English 10 English CHAPTER 3 DeCkS When DJing, everything begins with the Decks. The Decks will play the music that you’ll mix and effect using all the tools in Torq. Traditionally, a DJ’s decks will be turntables or CD players. Therefore, the Decks in Torq have been designed to emulate...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 11 Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 11 Overview Waveform Each Deck includes an Overview Waveform display which shows a miniaturized version of the song’s waveform in its entirety. This display serves several purposes: 1. It allows you to see where the breaks and builds are in ...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 12 Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 12 QuickCue In addition to the primary Cue Point described above, Torq allows you to set up to five QuickCue Points in a song that are assigned to the QuickCue buttons below the Overview Waveform display. These buttons can then be used to qu...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 13 Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 13 < CDJ Mode CDJ mode will make the Deck behave as if it was a CDJ player. In use: 1. Pressing Play/Pause to pause playback will cause the Deck to stop and begin repeating a small section of audio. The repeating section corresponds to th...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 15 Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 15 » QuickLoop Behaviors Along with the obvious functions stated above, the QuickLoop buttons are capable of a few other behaviors: You can change various loop lengths while the song is looping. For instance, if you have set a one-beat loop,...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 16 Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 16 Most experienced DJs will simply match the tempos of two songs by hand using the Speed Adjust slider, which is a perfectly acceptable method of matching songs (indeed, this is the way it’s been done for decades). Since it requires a lot o...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 17 Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 17 » Tap Tempo On rare occasions, Torq will determine an incorrect tempo that has no direct relation to the actual tempo (not a fraction or multiple). At times like this, you’ll want to use the Tap Tempo feature to determine the tempo of the...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 18 Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 18 < MIDI Slider/Knob Control MIDI control of the Key Adjust is different from other controls in Torq. You can assign a knob or slider to the Key Adjust, or you can assign keys on your MIDI keyboard—the behavior of the Key Adjust is depen...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 19 Torq User Guide » Chapter 3 19 < External Control When using external Vinyl or CD control, the Key/Tempo Lock button will behave differently. When you press this button, Torq will automatically re-tune the music you’re playing back into its original key. You’ll load...

20 CHAPTER 1 English 20 English CHAPTER 4 Waveform DiSplay One of the most prominent features of the Torq user interface is the Scrolling Waveform Display, which takes up a decent amount of real estate above the Mixer and Effect Racks. Unlike the smaller Overview Waveforms found in each Deck, the Sc...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 21 Torq User Guide » Chapter 4 21 Zoom At times, you may find yourself wanting to “zoom in” to the Scrolling Waveform Display to match beats more precisely or to “zoom out” in order to see more of each track. Use the magnifying glass icons directly above the display to do...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 22 Torq User Guide » Chapter 4 22 Playback Manipulations The Waveform Display allows you to manipulate the song playback in a variety of ways using your mouse. The method of control differs depending on the control type you have selected for the Deck (Vinyl/CDJ/Hybrid). V...

23 CHAPTER 1 English 23 English CHAPTER 5 SynChronizaTion At most of today’s dance clubs and events, the DJ will mix the songs together using a technique called beat-matching. The goal is to fade the volumes between two songs while keeping them perfectly in beat with one another. If done properly, t...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 24 Torq User Guide » Chapter 5 24 When a mis-alignment occurs (as seen above), you’ll see that the grid does not line up with the beginnings of the beats (transients) in the waveform. In the example, the Phase Grid is too early, leaving a gap between the grid lines and th...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 25 Torq User Guide » Chapter 5 25 Sync Button The Sync button is an automatic method of synchronizing the beat and BPM of one Deck to another. When you engage Sync on a Deck (the Sync icon is on), it will change that Deck’s tempo to match the other Deck. Furthermore, when...

26 CHAPTER 1 English 26 English CHAPTER 6 exTernal ConTrol One of Torq’s greatest features is the ability to use external sources to control the playback of your song files. In particular, you can use the Torq Control Vinyl or Torq Control CDs to provide the familiar tactile sensation of DJing with ...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 27 Torq User Guide » Chapter 6 27 3. Open Torq’s Preferences and select the Audio tab. 4. Make sure your audio interface is selected in the “Audio Interfaces” drop-down menu. 5. Click the Control Input A drop-down menu and choose “input 1 -- input 2”. 6. Click the Control...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 28 Torq User Guide » Chapter 6 28 8. The first option enables External Control. Click the drop-down menu and select “Yes”. 9. The next step requires you to select the type of control signals you’ll be using for each Deck. If you’ll be using the Torq Control Vinyl records,...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 29 Torq User Guide » Chapter 6 29 < Erratic Playback Position If Torq seems to be jumping around to random locations in the song during playback, take a look at the Position display. This number should be rapidly growing larger as the control source plays. If this numb...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 30 Torq User Guide » Chapter 6 30 Standard Mode When you enable External Control, Torq will be in Standard mode. In this mode, one control source is assigned to each Deck. You will need two sources (2 turntables, 2 CD players, or one of each) in order to control the two D...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 31 Torq User Guide » Chapter 6 31 Deck Control AMPutate mode allows you to control one of Torq’s Decks with a single Control Vinyl or Control CD while the other Deck operates in Hybrid or CDJ mode. To enable AMPutate mode: 1. Open the Preferences and click on the External...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 32 Torq User Guide » Chapter 6 32 BPM Matching So how does one go about doing a DJ set with only one turntable? It is a little different than doing it in Standard mode, primarily due to the fact that you must use Torq’s on-screen Speed sliders to match tempos as opposed t...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 33 Torq User Guide » Chapter 6 33 < MIDI Prefs The second tab of the Preferences contains the MIDI options. At the bottom of this tab is a list of all the available MIDI input devices on your computer. Each device has a “Yes/No” option to enable or disable it. Set the ...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 34 Torq User Guide » Chapter 6 34 » Changing MIDI Assignment If you assign a MIDI knob, for example, to the Low EQ in the Mixer, you can assign it to the Mid EQ by simply right-clicking (CTRL-click on Mac) the Mid EQ knob and moving the MIDI Knob. Doing so will clear the ...

35 CHAPTER 1 English 35 English CHAPTER 7 Sampler When talking about music, a sampler is not a plate of hors d’oeuvres. A sampler is a device that will digitally record a sound that you can then replay at various pitches. If you’re into any kind of electronic dance music or hip-hop, you’ve undoubted...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 36 Torq User Guide » Chapter 7 36 Sampler Controls This section provides an overview of the controls within the Sampler. Record Sample Button Samples can be categorized into two groups: one-shot samples and loops. One-shot samples are sounds that play once when you trigge...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 37 Torq User Guide » Chapter 7 37 Trigger Sample Button Pressing this button causes the associated sample to play. One-shot and looped samples exhibit slightly different behaviors: < Triggering One-Shot Samples 1. Click the Trigger button. The button icon will light an...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 38 Torq User Guide » Chapter 7 38 Sample Name Window The Sample Name window serves multiple purposes. 1. It will display the name of the sample file loaded into the slot. 2. The background of this window will fill from left to right as the sample plays, like a progress me...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 39 Torq User Guide » Chapter 7 39 QuickScratch While firing off samples using the Trigger buttons can be a lot of fun, it doesn’t always provide the level of control that you may want for the sample. Torq’s QuickScratch feature allows you to control the sample using the v...

40 CHAPTER 1 English 40 English CHAPTER 8 SnapShoTS By now, you’ve surely noticed that Torq has many features designed to make DJing easier. Automatic tempo-detection and beat-matching allow you, the DJ, to spend your time doing other things rather than manually keeping two tracks in sync. For examp...

43 CHAPTER 1 English 43 English CHAPTER 9 BroWSer/DaTaBaSe A DJ’s most important asset, beyond the gear he uses, is his collection of music. Without a wealth of top-notch tracks in his arsenal, a DJ is not equipped to dominate a dance floor. Anyone who has been DJing for even a short while will have...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 44 Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 44 Navigation in the Browser follows a few simple rules: 1. To view any songs contained in a folder, click on the folder’s name. If the folder contains music files, those files will be displayed in the File List to the right of the Browser p...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 45 Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 45 < Adding Folders from Your OS If you’d prefer, you can add folders to the Database by dragging them from your operating system into the Torq Browser. You can do this using either Explorer for Windows or Finder for Mac. 1. Find your des...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 47 Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 47 Loading Songs into the Decks To load a song from the File List into one of Torq’s Decks, you have a couple options. < Click and Drag 1. Click and hold on the desired song in the File List. It will become highlighted. 2. While continuin...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 48 Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 48 < Search Categories As you can see, the above search worked—it found songs that contained the word “love” in any category. However, this may not be quite what you were looking for. You may have actually wanted files with “love” in the ...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 49 Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 49 Playlists While many DJs will perform “off-the-cuff” without any previous rehearsal or forethought, other DJs will “pre-program” their sets, either due to the complexity of the set or simply as a method for remembering vital songs (this c...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 50 Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 50 < Adding Songs to a Playlist Once you have created and selected a Playlist, you’ll begin adding files to it using the following procedure: 1. Using the Browser or Database, locate the song you’d like to add to the Playlist. 2. Right-cl...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 51 Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 51 < Saving a Playlist Torq can also export your Playlists into standard .m3u playlists for use within other programs: 1. Select the Playlist you wish to save. 2. Right-click (CTRL-click on Mac) the Playlist and select “Save Playlist” fro...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 52 Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 52 < Deleting Session Playlists You can delete the Session Playlists using the same method for deleting standard Playlists. If you delete the current Session Playlist, a new one will be created that will track all songs played from that p...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 53 Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 53 < Searching iTunes with the Database Torq can also automatically add the contents of the iTunes Library to the Database. That way, when you click the Database heading in the Browser, you’ll get the files from all folders assigned to th...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 54 Torq User Guide » Chapter 9 54 Drives Torq can also search any hard drives connected to your computer, whether they are internal hard drives or external ones. Every drive available to the system will be listed in the Browser by name. Click the plus sign in front of the...

55 CHAPTER 1 English 55 English CHAPTER 10 mixer Step one when DJing is controlling the music. That’s what Torq’s Decks are for. Step two is blending, or mixing, the music together. As you’d expect, Torq has a section for that, too. While existing in software, Torq’s Mixer sounds and behaves just li...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 57 Torq User Guide » Chapter 10 57 Channel Volume Faders Besides going to the PFL, the audio leaving the EQ also goes to the Channel Volume fader. This is the primary volume control for the channel (though it is subordinate to the crossfader) which works just like a volum...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 58 Torq User Guide » Chapter 10 58 When Torq is launched for the first time, the Crossfader Curve will be set to a happy medium between these two extremes. You can, of course, change this curve using either of the following: » Adjusting with the Mouse 1. Hold down the SHI...

59 CHAPTER 1 English 59 English CHAPTER 11 pfl/heaDphone Cue You’ve undoubtedly seen the archetypical image of a DJ: standing behind a set of turntables and a mixer...with a pair of headphones on. If everyone is dancing to the music they hear on the speakers, what is the DJ listening to on the headp...

60 CHAPTER 1 English 60 English CHAPTER 12 maSTer ouTpuT The Master Output is the last step in Torq’s audio signal flow before the music goes out to your audience. It contains a Master Level slider, a Master Level meter, a Master Limiter, as well as an Audio Recorder. All of these controls are locat...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 61 Torq User Guide » Chapter 12 61 Master Recorder The Master module also includes a Recorder which allows you to record and save your mix as an audio file as you perform it. You can then take your recorded mix and burn it onto a CD or distribute it as a podcast, for exam...

62 CHAPTER 1 English 62 English CHAPTER 13 effeCTS Effects are devices that alter an audio signal . These alterations can range from subtle to extreme and can be a great source of creative fun within Torq. Each Deck can be processed individually with multiple effects, and that is the purpose of the ...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 63 Torq User Guide » Chapter 13 63 Mix Knob The functionality of the Mix knob differs depending on the status of the neighboring Routing button: » When the Routing Button is set to Insert—the Mix knob will adjust the wet/dry mix of the effect. When the Mix knob is all the...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 64 Torq User Guide » Chapter 13 64 Loading Effect Racks Obviously, if you can save the settings of an Effect Rack, you can recall them, too. That is accomplished with the Load button at the top of the Rack. 1. Click the Load Rack button. A standard dialog box will appear....

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 65 Torq User Guide » Chapter 13 65 < Tweak Knob In the case of the Delay effect, the Tweak knob will control the Feedback amount. As described earlier, feedback is when the output of the Delay effect is sent back to the input again. The result is a repeated echo since ...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 67 Torq User Guide » Chapter 13 67 Phaser A Phaser is a somewhat mellower version of the Flanger. Like the Flanger, a Phaser works on the principle of mixing two identical audio sources together. However, unlike a Flanger, the timing difference between the two audio sourc...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 69 Torq User Guide » Chapter 13 69 Strobe Just about anyone who has been to a dance club in the last 20 years has experienced a strobe light. Those are the super-bright lights that flash really quickly. They have the effect of making everyone look like they’re in “stop mo...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 70 Torq User Guide » Chapter 13 70 Brake As mentioned above, turntables don’t respond instantly to changes in speed or direction. When you press Stop on a turntable, it takes a moment for the turntable to slow down and reach a complete stop. This is due the weight and mom...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 71 Torq User Guide » Chapter 13 71 VST Effects The 10 built-in effects provided with Torq cover a wide range of effects typically used by DJs—many DJs will never need more than these built-in effects. Others, however, will want to explore the possibilities of additional e...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 72 Torq User Guide » Chapter 13 72 Assigning Controls It’s fun to tweak effects using knobs and buttons—VST effects are no exception. However, before you start messing with the Tweak knob and button, you’ll need to assign a function to them. Unlike Torq’s 10 built-in effe...

73 CHAPTER 1 English 73 English CHAPTER 14 reWire Now that you’ve mastered all the techniques and tricks in Torq, where do you go from here? Remixing and production. After all, Torq offers you so many tools for remixing and sound design that you can cross over the boundary of simply playing songs an...

75 CHAPTER 1 English 75 English CHAPTER 15 preferenCeS This section provides a comprehensive review of the Preferences for Torq. Open the Preferences by clicking the Preferences icon. NOTE: An additional tab appears on the right side of the Preferences window when certain M-Audio products (such as t...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 76 Torq User Guide » Chapter 15 76 Audio Interface This preference allows you to select an audio interface for Torq. 1. Click the Audio Interface box. 2. A menu will be displayed, listing all audio interfaces currently connected to your computer. 3. Select the audio inter...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 77 Torq User Guide » Chapter 15 77 The solution is to set the buffer size as low as it can go without inducing any audio problems. This is just like playing a game of limbo: 1. Load some music into a Deck and play it. 2. While the music is playing, open the Audio Preferen...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 79 Torq User Guide » Chapter 15 79 MIDI Devices This list shows all MIDI devices currently recognized by Torq. Each device is listed by name and is followed by a box which selects the device as being On or Off. If you wish to use a device as a controller for Torq, click t...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 80 Torq User Guide » Chapter 15 80 Control Calibration The settings within this preference are used to configure each input pair of Torq for use with external control records or CDs. For vinyl control, you can use the Torq Control Vinyl records or some versions of the Ms....

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 81 Torq User Guide » Chapter 15 81 Custom VST Plug-in Directory This preference allows you to select an alternate folder of VST plug-ins for Torq to use. This will allow you to specify only specific plug-ins to use by copying only the ones you need into a unique folder th...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 82 Torq User Guide » Chapter 15 82 Schaffel Mode Schaffel is German for “shuffle,” which has become a popular form of dance music based on a triplet rhythm as opposed to a straight 4/4 rhythm. When this mode is activated, any of the effects (or parameters that quantize th...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 83 Torq User Guide » Chapter 15 83 Sample Counter Pressing this button will reset the automatic numbering of newly recorded samples back to “000.” Sync Mode This option determines the “forcefulness” of the synchronization used in Torq. » Bar —when selected, Torq will alig...

84 CHAPTER 1 English 84 English CHAPTER 10 84 English CHAPTER 16 appenDix Preset Key Assignments While Torq is basically a “blank slate” as far as keyboard assignments are concerned, there are a few keys that are preset to various functions in the Torq interface: Global Key Commands F1—Load selected...

Torq User Guide » Chapter 1 85 Torq User Guide » Chapter 16 85 Warranty Warranty Terms M-Audio warrants products to be free from defects in materials and workmanship, under normal use and provided that the product is owned by the original, registered user. Visit www.m-audio.com/warranty for terms an...