The Advanced Cue Point Scratch

Written by Ean Golden on February 27th, 2011 122 Comments

Cue point juggling is a lot of fun, but unless you’re fine with the 90′s style sample repeats, then it’s critical to introduce musical variation for interesting results. In the video above I showcase 4 techniques useful for creating a wide palette of voicing. These techniques take a simple cue point press and transform it into a expressive instrument that can be voiced just like the quintessential scratch but with digital benefits. In the following article, each of the techniques will be broken down and explained in greater detail.

Cue Point Placement

Traditional scratch-sounds, like the “fresssssshhh” sample, are great for cue point juggling. They provide a long section of white noise with an evolving tone. If you place at least 2-4 cue points along the samples at key points it’s possible to jump around within the sample rapidly, and use the natural pitch to create interesting voicing.

Effects for Tone variation

The fundamental reason a scratch is so effective musically is because it allows the DJ to naturally vary the pitch using only hand speed. While the left hand is producing rhythmic variations, the right hand produces pitch modulation and attack changes all with a subtle wrist flick.

In this new concept, I have reversed the paradigm. The right hand is responsible for rhythm while the left hand is producing pitch changes using a range of effects tied to a single fader.

The potential benefits of exploring this are:

• Instant access to multiple sounds with 4 fingers.
• Flexible assignment of the expression control to various tones, sounds and effects.
• Right hand dominant rhythm paradigm.

To achieve the same sound you hear in the video, it is critical to use the right effects and in the same order.

lo-fi > filter lfo 92 > reverb > peak filter

Volume and Filter Sweeps

The main problem with sample repeats is the consistently sharp attack that comes from a single play point. Turntablists have traditionally used the line fader to soften the attack, creating a variety of voicing including gentle sweeps and swells leading into the down beat. I have also found the filter incredibly useful for cutting off the attack of the sample and changing the way each hit sounds. The line fader is ideal for big sweeps, but the filter works even better for fast cuts and manually changing the attack and sustain curves of a bland sample.

Key knob

One trick I don’t show in the video involves a clever use of the key knob. With a standard potentiometer mapped to the key knob in your software of choice it is possible to re-tune a sample in real time creating a full musical line out of a single voice. Without a lot of practice it’s really hard to land perfectly on specific notes but big sweeps between octaves are easy to pull off and very effective live.

Scratch n Pitch

this is not the first time I have explored this territory. A few years ago we published the following video, which demonstrated how you could pitch cue points with a jog wheel producing similar but different results.

Try it out!

Download the scratch sample used in the video here.
136 samples & scratches by Ean Golden

Filed Under | Advanced Digital DJ Tips, Controllerism, DJ Controllers, DJ Equipment / Accessories, How-To Video Tutorials, Midi Fighter
Tags | controller, Controllerism, Cue Points, demo tutorial, digital dj, ean golden, how to, Juggle, method, Midi Fighter, Scratch, scratch with controllers, Tips, traktor pro 2

Anonymous

This is awesome great stuff amazing work u done there
Anonymous

This is awesome great stuff amazing work u done there
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=23903681 Joey Liechty

soundcloud tee is dope as fuck
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=23903681 Joey Liechty

soundcloud tee is dope as fuck
Cool_awesome

I’m selling my turntables! Btw nice hair Ean!
Cool_awesome

I’m selling my turntables! Btw nice hair Ean!
Russ

Me and my fellow dj buddies were discussing this idea literally days ago, this could not come at a better time! thanks again Ean !
Russ

Me and my fellow dj buddies were discussing this idea literally days ago, this could not come at a better time! thanks again Ean !
http://deafstarr.blogspot.com Load:Vader

Good article, bit of a pretentious title though mate.
http://deafstarr.blogspot.com Load:Vader

Good article, bit of a pretentious title though mate.
http://www.facebook.com/chrismjennings Chris Jennings

This has been in my head for awhile. Nice to see I was actually thinking of something feasible.
http://www.facebook.com/chrismjennings Chris Jennings

This has been in my head for awhile. Nice to see I was actually thinking of something feasible.
Rin

Hey Ean, can you post the sample you used in your video online?
Rin

Hey Ean, can you post the sample you used in your video online?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Grant-Reynolds/748309866 Grant Reynolds

ok, time for me to:

A) purchase a custom midi fighter
b) practice these methods with a spare midi controller laying around
c) incorporate these methods into my dubstep sets..
http://www.facebook.com/people/Grant-Reynolds/748309866 Grant Reynolds

ok, time for me to:

A) purchase a custom midi fighter
b) practice these methods with a spare midi controller laying around
c) incorporate these methods into my dubstep sets..
http://www.graphicdesignstolemysoul.com Priscilla

Nice.
http://www.graphicdesignstolemysoul.com Priscilla

Nice.
Freddy_hung

Lucky Ean !! playing all the way with the new Traktor 2 ….
Freddy_hung

Lucky Ean !! playing all the way with the new Traktor 2 ….
Erikt6

amazing, i was just thinking of ways to do similar things with efx. another thing is that the majority of these techniques can be used with any gear that has cue points and filters. top notch!
Erikt6

amazing, i was just thinking of ways to do similar things with efx. another thing is that the majority of these techniques can be used with any gear that has cue points and filters. top notch!
Nick Monge

Yet another reason for turntablists to hate on digital DJ’s. Nevertheless, excellent post Ean. You are literally pioneering digital DJing and changing the face of DJing as a whole. Thanks!
Nick Monge

Yet another reason for turntablists to hate on digital DJ’s. Nevertheless, excellent post Ean. You are literally pioneering digital DJing and changing the face of DJing as a whole. Thanks!
http://www.eangolden.com Ean Golden

yeah- forgot to add that part. The post is now updated with the samples. :)
http://www.eangolden.com Ean Golden

yeah- forgot to add that part. The post is now updated with the samples. :)
http://www.facebook.com/per.jakobsen Per Jakobsen

YO YO, DJ techtolls is like santa undercover. Thanks sharing this.
Midifighter will be ordered today :-)
http://www.facebook.com/per.jakobsen Per Jakobsen

YO YO, DJ techtolls is like santa undercover. Thanks sharing this.
Midifighter will be ordered today :-)
StarS

IMHO Pitch and Scratch technique with jofwheel on VCI-100 is more impressive
StarS

IMHO Pitch and Scratch technique with jofwheel on VCI-100 is more impressive
Flik

I’d say ‘sample repeat’ is more of an 80′s style than 90′s. Think everything by the art of noise, paul hardcastle, falco etc..
Flik

I’d say ‘sample repeat’ is more of an 80′s style than 90′s. Think everything by the art of noise, paul hardcastle, falco etc..
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001138444109 Mutis Mayfield

Use pitchshifting (ie voice transformer from roland sp555)

When you move a record you are changing its pitch not only the position.

-m!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001138444109 Mutis Mayfield

Use pitchshifting (ie voice transformer from roland sp555)

When you move a record you are changing its pitch not only the position.

-m!
http://derschaich.blogspot.com/ der schaich

The Dinosaurs will hate you for that…
i love it!
http://derschaich.blogspot.com/ der schaich

The Dinosaurs will hate you for that…
i love it!
http://www.djaleem.com Aleem Mohamed

Great one Ean.
http://www.djaleem.com Aleem Mohamed

Great one Ean.
Bob Bell

Thank you for this, just what i was after!
Bob Bell

Thank you for this, just what i was after!
http://twitter.com/RasTacsko RasTacsko

thx for this…
I’m gonna map my nanokontrol for scratchin’ =)
http://twitter.com/RasTacsko RasTacsko

thx for this…
I’m gonna map my nanokontrol for scratchin’ =)
Wookie51

Oh no!! “This track has reached its download limit.” ….!
Wookie51

Oh no!! “This track has reached its download limit.” ….!
http://www.facebook.com/Deejay.Micha.El.BERLIN Deejay Micha-El

Can’t download the sample, on soundcloud :-(
http://www.facebook.com/Deejay.Micha.El.BERLIN Deejay Micha-El

Can’t download the sample, on soundcloud :-(
Toontown

I’ve been trying this out and I find that if I map the fader to the key knob it gives me better results.
Toontown

I’ve been trying this out and I find that if I map the fader to the key knob it gives me better results.
Toontown

Re: no.2…completely agree. Governments are being overthrown in the Middle East because of this. Gadhafi/Mubarak… forward-thinking controllerists. The Libyan and Egyptian people are all turntablists. Guys, it’s very important that we continue to raise awareness about this issue so that we can have debates in which new points are always introduced and cannot be copied and pasted from ones previous to them. The fate of our world depends on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Toontown

Re: no.2…completely agree. Governments are being overthrown in the Middle East because of this. Gadhafi/Mubarak… forward-thinking controllerists. The Libyan and Egyptian people are all turntablists. Guys, it’s very important that we continue to raise awareness about this issue so that we can have debates in which new points are always introduced and cannot be copied and pasted from ones previous to them. The fate of our world depends on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MJ

wasn’t digital djing about making things simpler in order to concentrate more on other aspects and have as the outcome a better show?

well, scratching on a 1200 is way simpler than this.
not hating, read well :)
MJ

wasn’t digital djing about making things simpler in order to concentrate more on other aspects and have as the outcome a better show?

well, scratching on a 1200 is way simpler than this.
not hating, read well :)
Dj Funk

Take some time to learn to scratch, it will be much more rewarding.
Dj Funk

Take some time to learn to scratch, it will be much more rewarding.
MYQ-Q

Can you please repost the samples, the download limit has been reached. Thanks!
MYQ-Q

Can you please repost the samples, the download limit has been reached. Thanks!
Buddha-DJ

quote….
Buddha-DJ

quote….
meh

seriously. Don’t compare the situation in the middle east to hipsters hitting arcade buttons.
meh

seriously. Don’t compare the situation in the middle east to hipsters hitting arcade buttons.
stewe

soundcloud download limit… could someone who already dwl. this upload and post link here? thx
stewe

soundcloud download limit… could someone who already dwl. this upload and post link here? thx
http://www.eangolden.com Ean Golden

Your welcome! Its important to understand that I am not claiming this technique can replace scratching or would ever replace it at all. I am simply exploring new territory in hope of finding some fresh concepts that can be used alone or in conjunction with turntables.
http://www.eangolden.com Ean Golden

Your welcome! Its important to understand that I am not claiming this technique can replace scratching or would ever replace it at all. I am simply exploring new territory in hope of finding some fresh concepts that can be used alone or in conjunction with turntables.
http://www.facebook.com/jody.dubya Jody Wagstaff

Thanks.. would love to download your scratch samples. could you please reup them, or post a direct link. .cheers
http://www.facebook.com/jody.dubya Jody Wagstaff

Thanks.. would love to download your scratch samples. could you please reup them, or post a direct link. .cheers
jprime

Pretty cool – not sure if anyone has mentioned this but to me it sounds like a controllerists’ version of the traditional transformer scratch.

Well done!
jprime

Pretty cool – not sure if anyone has mentioned this but to me it sounds like a controllerists’ version of the traditional transformer scratch.

Well done!
Toontown

I hope when you typed that you did the whole “talk to the hand” thing and swiveled your head side to side like people used to do back in the day.
Toontown

I hope when you typed that you did the whole “talk to the hand” thing and swiveled your head side to side like people used to do back in the day.
DoA

Why the hating? he’s just trying to do stuff in a different way….if Trent Reznor had begun with NIN doing the same old stuff everyone else did at the time…he wouldn’t have an Academy Award….Get over yourself…. don’t like it, don’t comment.
Stephen

SoundCloud should hook you up with a premium account with a 10,000 download limit for the product placement! (Tee)
Stephen

SoundCloud should hook you up with a premium account with a 10,000 download limit for the product placement! (Tee)
Huyabusa

If you can host the audio file somewhere for everyone that would be awesome, thanks Ean!
Huyabusa

If you can host the audio file somewhere for everyone that would be awesome, thanks Ean!
DJNunz

Excellent. Loving the new Waveforms in Traktor 2 btw.
DJNunz

Excellent. Loving the new Waveforms in Traktor 2 btw.
http://twitter.com/freakg freakg

can’t donwload samples! FFFFUUUUUU
http://twitter.com/freakg freakg

can’t donwload samples! FFFFUUUUUU
http://www.facebook.com/shawn.willms Shawn Willms

Mapping walk through for this please. I have the custom MF with Super knobs and Faders.
http://www.facebook.com/shawn.willms Shawn Willms

Mapping walk through for this please. I have the custom MF with Super knobs and Faders.
bat

For me, you are the “digital q bert”, you
are pushing djing too a new level and I give
you much respect for that.
But I really don´t appreciate the “turntablist
will hate this” comments i´m reading. I don´t
consider myself good enough too call myself a
turntablist, but I love scratching. And even if I
use midi (thanks for your oxygen 8 mapping,
great inspiration), I will never trade my turntables
for some soulless jogweel…
I have an appointment for a scratch session at
the nursing home now, so I gotta leave.
Amen.
bat

For me, you are the “digital q bert”, you
are pushing djing too a new level and I give
you much respect for that.
But I really don´t appreciate the “turntablist
will hate this” comments i´m reading. I don´t
consider myself good enough too call myself a
turntablist, but I love scratching. And even if I
use midi (thanks for your oxygen 8 mapping,
great inspiration), I will never trade my turntables
for some soulless jogweel…
I have an appointment for a scratch session at
the nursing home now, so I gotta leave.
Amen.
Zac Kyoti

Digital djing makes some time consuming things simpler. Other things – programming, set up, handling 4 decks and fx – not so much. It can get very complex quickly. I don’t use computers and controllers because it’s easy, I use ‘em because I can do more. That being said, there’s nothing like plain old turntable scratching. I’m lost for hours.
Zac Kyoti

Digital djing makes some time consuming things simpler. Other things – programming, set up, handling 4 decks and fx – not so much. It can get very complex quickly. I don’t use computers and controllers because it’s easy, I use ‘em because I can do more. That being said, there’s nothing like plain old turntable scratching. I’m lost for hours.
Shane

Do you seriously think that he is trying to get people to sell their tables? Most of the DJs I know who have tables keep them even after picking up controllers. The few that sell them typically regret it a couple of months later.

Don’t be so negative and look past the blinding light of your ignorance.
Shane

Do you seriously think that he is trying to get people to sell their tables? Most of the DJs I know who have tables keep them even after picking up controllers. The few that sell them typically regret it a couple of months later.

Don’t be so negative and look past the blinding light of your ignorance.
http://www.eangolden.com Ean Golden

you should be able to download now-
http://www.eangolden.com Ean Golden

you should be able to download now-
http://deafstarr.blogspot.com Load:Vader

There’s a separate tutorial on mapping super faders, and this article tells you everything you need to know in combination with that. :)
http://deafstarr.blogspot.com Load:Vader

There’s a separate tutorial on mapping super faders, and this article tells you everything you need to know in combination with that. :)
stewe

thanks for reupload! chears
stewe

thanks for reupload! chears
SmiTTTen

Thanks Ean, yet another technique to get my arms around, in addition to the boat load of other ideas you have given me that I haven’t gotten round to trying yet! Would you mind popping round for some extra tuition and maybe a spot of babysitting so I can practice? You can help yourself to anything in the fridge…

SmiTTTen
SmiTTTen

Thanks Ean, yet another technique to get my arms around, in addition to the boat load of other ideas you have given me that I haven’t gotten round to trying yet! Would you mind popping round for some extra tuition and maybe a spot of babysitting so I can practice? You can help yourself to anything in the fridge…

SmiTTTen
R3 Bonaire

deam great stuff, but i dont want to wait longer , Ean Why is NI Holding back the sales…i want it now……New TR……
R3 Bonaire

deam great stuff, but i dont want to wait longer , Ean Why is NI Holding back the sales…i want it now……New TR……
Khoi Le

Hey Ean I just recently started DJing and I have to say that finding DJTT has not helped me a lot but also inspired me to get better in many ways. Always digging your videos man.
Khoi Le

Hey Ean I just recently started DJing and I have to say that finding DJTT has not helped me a lot but also inspired me to get better in many ways. Always digging your videos man.
http://www.facebook.com/shakelturn Turn Shakelturn

Nice paper Ean..
http://www.facebook.com/shakelturn Turn Shakelturn

Nice paper Ean..
Milgauss

I got a rough S4 mapping done for this, but I’d really love to hear from Ean how to implement this correctly.
Milgauss

I got a rough S4 mapping done for this, but I’d really love to hear from Ean how to implement this correctly.
Buddha-DJ

Thx ean :D
Buddha-DJ

Thx ean :D
dave

quick question: where do i find this tutorial??
i tried a lot of mapping options in traktor and im not a beginner but this one i just cant get right…
dave

quick question: where do i find this tutorial??
i tried a lot of mapping options in traktor and im not a beginner but this one i just cant get right…
imWUMPUS

I’m looking for the tutorial too. I cannot seem to find it. A link would be wonderful.
imWUMPUS

I’m looking for the tutorial too. I cannot seem to find it. A link would be wonderful.
Virtualunknown

NICE article Ean this is the kind of stuff that will bring the new guys to traktor. For some unless they hear scratching they dont think its Djing!
Some just do not get the power of the Darkside!
Virtualunknown

NICE article Ean this is the kind of stuff that will bring the new guys to traktor. For some unless they hear scratching they dont think its Djing!
Some just do not get the power of the Darkside!
Bigislanddreaming

cool effects don’t always like what I see with scratch workaround but this is pretty good. Reminds me of a bunch of the reaktor stuff I’ve played with.

Nice vid
Bigislanddreaming

cool effects don’t always like what I see with scratch workaround but this is pretty good. Reminds me of a bunch of the reaktor stuff I’ve played with.

Nice vid
Piopro

a true title not every 1 who follow this blog is up to a sound engineers or a 10 dj vet
Piopro

a true title not every 1 who follow this blog is up to a sound engineers or a 10 dj vet
Piopro

a true title not every 1 who follow this blog is up to a sound engineers or a 10 year dj vet
Piopro

a true title not every 1 who follow this blog is up to a sound engineers or a 10 year dj vet
H Day

I think I’d rather have the beat than the scratch samples. I really liked that sound
http://www.seismicaudiospeakers.com Steve

Love the clip!
Freekeyish

Very informative. And yay, another scratch over dubstep. lol
http://www.facebook.com/madjesta Phillip Madjester Whelan

That’s not a filter, it’s an ADSR ENVELOPEz!@# :P

But yeah, very neat trick.
http://www.facebook.com/djgently Dirk Gently

Nice! I’ve been playing around with similar ideas in Ableton, but these tips just refine the process even more. Thanks Ean!

Ps… Some of you are requesting the download for SoundCloud. Use Firefox browser, and install a little add-on called DownloadHelper… that’s all I’m saying! ;)