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PREFERENCES

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CHAPTER

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

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Preferences window when certain M-Audio products (such as the

Xponent DJ controller) are being used in conjunction with Torq.

This tab contains parameters relating specifically to the operation of

the connected M-Audio device. To learn more about the contents

of this additional tab, refer to your new hardware’s User Guide.

Audio Tab

This tab houses options relating to the audio interface used with Torq. You’ll select the

interface to use, set sampling rates and buffer sizes, and assign the various inputs and

outputs. Torq supports ASIO and DirectX protocols on Windows and Core Audio on

Mac OS X.

Note: Although Torq will work with a single stereo output audio

interface, it is recommended that you use a multiple-output audio

interface. The extra outputs allow you to make use of song cueing, i.e.

pre-listening to a song on headphones before you mix it.

English

English

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Torq Engine

This preference chooses the quality level of Torq’s audio engine. Normal is the default setting and should be used if you

experience no performance problems. Economy is the second option and should only be used if using a slow computer.

When Economy is selected, the quality of the resampling and EQ algorithms will be reduced thus lessening the CPU load.

Timestretching Quality

This preference chooses the type of Time-stretching to be used by Torq. The various time-stretching methods will create

different CPU loads:

• Standard: This is Torq’s default time-stretching algorithm and creates a very low CPU load. It is suitable for

making small changes in Key or Speed, but drastic changes will yield audio artifacts.

• Elastique: This mode employs the Elastique algorithm designed by zPlane. This algorithm will create a greater

CPU load, but the audio quality will be much higher. This algorithm is better suited for making more drastic

changes to pitch and key and yields very few audio artifacts. This is the preferred algorithm if you have a fast

computer.

Auto Gain

When this preference is set to Yes, Torq will automatically set the Gain Knob to a position that brings the volume of a

song up to 0dB RMS whenever a new one is loaded onto a Deck. This will ensure that the volumes of your tracks are

matched well before doing a mix.

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 interface you want to use with Torq.

Sample Rate

Below the Audio Interface selection you will see sample rate adjustment. Increasing this value will improve sound quality

(depending on your source material) but will also place heavier demands on your computer. It is therefore recommended

to leave the sample rate only as high as you need it to be. If you only play MP3 files or songs from CDs, you won’t really

have any reason to raise this value beyond 44,100 since that is the sampling rate used by MP3s and CDs

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Buffer Size

The other important setting for your audio interface is the Buffer Size. This parameter can cause a lot of confusion for

some users, but is actually not that complicated. To understand how the buffer size affects the performance of Torq, you

must understand a little bit about how your computer processes audio.

Multi-tasking is a term that refers to doing multiple jobs all at once. It’s what allows your computer to run more than one

program at a time (i.e. listening to iTunes while surfing the Web). While it looks like the computer is doing two separate

things at once, it’s actually not—it’s still doing only one task at a time, but changing between tasks faster than you

can see.

This provides for a streamlined computing experience, but creates a problem when using audio applications. Audio is

non-stop—a 5-minute song will play for 5 minutes without interruption. So how can the computer keep audio playing

while it’s jumping around to do other tasks? The answer is buffering. An audio buffer is a temporary “storage tank” that

can hold a brief moment of audio. The computer will fill the audio buffer with music then let the buffer play while it does

other things (like update the clock on your screen, check your network connections, monitor RAM usage, etc.). When

all things work properly, the computer will complete its other tasks and fill the buffer with more data before the buffer

empties, thus resulting in perfect audio while multi-tasking.

If the audio buffer happens to empty before the computer can fill it with more data, the audio playback will stop until the

computer can fill the buffer again. These “dropouts” happen very quickly, not sounding like prolonged gaps of silence, but

sounding more like clicks and pops or otherwise distorted audio. When this happens, the solution is to either lighten the

CPU load (by closing unnecessary applications or processes that are wasting the computer’s time) or by increasing the

size of the audio buffer, allowing it to play longer (thus giving the computer enough time to perform its other tasks).

So why not just go with a large buffer size and avoid dropouts? The problem is that increasing the buffer size increases

the system latency. Latency is the time between when you tell the computer to do something (such as activating an EQ

Kill) and when you actually hear the results from the speakers. If you have a large audio buffer, the buffer will have to play

out its entire contents before you’ll hear any new EQ changes in the audio. When DJing, this can be a nightmare if you’re

trying to do things with accurate timing—all of your actions will have a delayed effect on the music.

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 Preferences.

3. If music is playing back properly, open the Buffer Size menu and select the next smallest buffer size. The buffer

will be updated immediately and the music will continue to play.

4. Listen to the music for a moment. If it sounds clean (no click, pops, or glitches), then lower the Buffer Size to the

next lowest setting.

5. Keep repeating this procedure, listening to the quality of the audio each time, until you reach a setting where the

audio breaks up.

6. Once you find this lower threshold, set the Buffer Size to the next highest setting (the last one that worked

properly) and your system will be optimized.

While Torq should be very stable at these settings, keep in mind that the system performance can be

compromised as you increase the CPU load. This is most notable when using CPU-intensive VST effects or the

Elastique time-stretching algorithm. Loading one of these effects may cause pops and click in your audio, at which

point you will have to increase the buffer size until the audio is clean again.

✓ Note: Using some external VST effects can introduce additional audio buffering within the Torq application. When

this happens, your manipulations of the Decks will seem sluggish—this is a side effect of the VST plug-in in use and

is not related to this buffer setting.

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Mixer Mode

This option allows you to switch between Internal and External Mixer mode.

Internal Mixer mode: This is the default setting where Torq’s on-screen mixer is used to blend the signals from

the Decks.

External Mixer mode: This will bypass the Torq mixer and route each Deck to its own output pair on your audio

interface. These individual stereo outputs can then be connected to your favorite DJ mixer in the same manner as

two turntables or CDJ’s. You’ll then mix and cue your tracks using your DJ mixer instead of Torq’s Mixer.

< Channel Assignments

Once you have selected an audio interface and selected a mixer mode, you can assign the outputs of Torq to the

channels of the selected audio interface. The assignment options will differ depending on which mixer mode is

active:

» Internal Mixer

• Master Output — Click to access the drop-down menu and select the stereo output pair for the

Torq Master Output. This is the output you will connect to the speakers.

• Cue Output — Click to access the drop-down menu and select the stereo output pair for cueing

(or pre-listening) to the output of a Deck. This is the output for the headphones.

• Line Input A — Click to access the drop-down menu and select the stereo input pair for use as

the Line Input for Channel A of the Mixer.

• Line Input B — Click to access the drop-down menu and select the stereo input pair for use as

the Line Input for Channel B of the Mixer.

• Control Input A — Click to access the drop-down menu and select the stereo input to which

your left turntable or CD player is connected. This is also the Control Input used by AMPutate

mode.

• Control Input B — Click to access the drop-down menu and select the stereo input to which

your right turntable or CD player is connected.

» External Mixer

• Deck A Output — Click to access the drop-down menu and select the stereo output for Deck A.

This signal will not be processed by Torq’s Mixer—it will be fed into a stereo channel of an external

DJ mixer.

• Deck B Output — Click to access the drop-down menu and select the stereo output for Deck B.

This signal will not be processed by Torq’s Mixer—it will be fed into a stereo channel of an external

DJ mixer.

• Sampler — Click to access the drop-down menu and select the stereo output for Torq’s Sampler.

• Line Input A — Click to access the drop-down menu and select the stereo input pair for use as

the Line Input for Channel A of the Mixer.

• Line Input B — Click to access the drop-down menu and select the stereo input pair for use as

the Line Input for Channel B of the Mixer.

• Control Input A — Click to access the drop-down menu and select the stereo input to which

your left turntable or CD player is connected. This is also the Control Input used by AMPutate

mode.

• Control Input B — Click to access the drop-down menu and select the stereo input to which

your right turntable or CD player is connected.

✓ Note: When Torq is being used as a ReWire slave (explained earlier in this guide), the Audio Interface

options will be disabled.

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MIDI Tab

This tab features all options pertaining to Auto-Setup and MIDI control.

Auto-Detect M-Audio Devices ([On]/Off)

When this option is enabled, Torq will automatically set the Audio and MIDI interface options to those of any known

M-Audio controller and interface that is connected to your system. This will ensure proper operation of Torq and

connected devices.

✓ Note: If you have created a custom mapping for your controllers or special assignments for your audio interface and don’t

want Torq to replace these mappings with the defaults upon the next startup, leave this option turned off.

MIDI Soft Takeover

Some of the features in Torq work automatically, such as Auto Gain and Auto Sync. When these features are used, it is

possible that the position of the on-screen controls can change (i.e. the Speed Slider can move to a new location when

matching tempos). When this happens, the position of the controls on your MIDI controller will no longer match those

on screen.

The MIDI Soft Takeover preference determines what will happen when you move one of these MIDI controls. When

MIDI Soft Takeover is Off, Torq’s on-screen controls will immediately jump to match the location of the MIDI control as

soon as you move it. This can cause undesired parameter jumps (i.e. the speed of a song suddenly increases to match the

position of the MIDI slider).

If MIDI Soft Takeover is set to On, Torq will not respond to the MIDI control until you’ve moved it to a location that

matches the on-screen control. When this happens, a transparent version of the control will be shown on screen. This

transparent control shows the location of the MIDI control in reference to the position of the on-screen control. Simply

move the MIDI control until the transparent control lines up with the actual control on screen. When that occurs, the

transparent control will disappear and Torq will resume reacting to MIDI control.

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Scratch Sensitivity

This option allows you to configure how rapidly a Deck

will respond to messages sent from a MIDI controller (it

DJ oriented MIDI controllers with turntable

platters will vary in how they handle scratching and

has no effect on External Control with Vinyl or CDs). It is

nudging. Certain products will allow you to control

designed for controllers that will move the waveform back

only nudging, while others (such as the M-Audio

and forth, typically those with jog wheels.

Xponent) will allow you to control both nudging

1. By increasing the number, the Deck will respond

and scratching. Refer to the product’s user guide to

more rapidly.

learn if each turntable platter is capable of sending

2. By decreasing the number, the Deck will respond

out both MIDI note and CC information. If so,

more slowly.

assign each turntable’s MIDI note and CC commands

to the corresponding Main Waveform Display in

Nudge Sensitivity

Torq (this is done using the “MIDI Learn” feature

This setting allows you to adjust Torq’s sensitivity to

described in the MIDI Preferences section of this

“nudging” or gradually slipping the phase of one deck to

guide).

match the phase of the other deck.

If your turntable can only send out MIDI CC

By default this parameter is set to 5, however:

information but not MIDI note data (i.e., the

turntable is not touch sensitive), then you will only

1. By increasing the number, the Deck will nudge your

be able to control nudging. Assign the turntable’s

track more rapidly.

MIDI CC output to control the corresponding Main

2. By decreasing the number, the Deck will nudge

Waveform Display in Torq (again, this is done using

your track more gradually.

the “MIDI Learn” feature described in the MIDI

Preferences section of this guide).

Note that this setting differs from the “Scratch Sensitivity”

parameter which changes Torq’s sensitivity to scratches, which

“push” or “pull” your waveform much more quickly and forcefully than a nudge. Unlike a scratch, a nudge very gently slows down

or speeds up a track and is used to fine tune the timing of two tracks.

Crossfader Curve Control

This preference allows you to assign a MIDI controller to the Crossfader Curve parameter. You can then control the

Crossfader Curve with a knob or slider on your MIDI controller.

1. Press the button labeled “Learn” to activate it. The button will turn red.

2. Turn a knob on your MIDI controller.

3. Torq will immediately assign the knob to the Crossfader Curve and the button will turn green. Check this by

looking at the Crossfader graphic in the main window while turning the knob.

MIDI SHIFT Key

When using Torq, the SHIFT key on your computer’s keyboard is used rather often. This option lets you assign a MIDI

Note to function as “SHIFT” in Torq, thus allowing you to do SHIFT-based combinations (such as SHIFT+Nudge) entirely

from an external MIDI controller. To assign a MIDI note:

1. Press the button labeled “Learn” to activate it. The button will turn red.

2. Push a button or key on your MIDI controller. The MIDI Shift Key button will turn green.

3. Torq will immediately assign the button as a Shift key for use within the program.

Instant Doubles

Torq will automatically copy the song from one Deck and place it on the other when using the Instant Doubles feature.

This function can be triggered by keys on your computer’s keyboard or with an external MIDI controller. There are two

preferences here—Instant Double A->B will copy the song from Deck A over to Deck B while Instant Doubles B->A will

do the opposite. To assign keys to these actions:

1. Click the button labeled “Learn” to activate it. It will turn red.

2. Push a button or key on your MIDI controller or keyboard. The Learn button will turn green.

3. Torq will immediately assign the key or button to the action—it is now ready for use.

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MIDI Clock

Torq’s Global Tempo can be slaved to an external device that transmits MIDI Clock (called MBC in Torq). When you

then enable Global Tempo, all aspects of Torq (the Sampler and synced Decks) will follow the MIDI Clock. Torq can

also transmit its Global Tempo as MIDI Clock so that other MIDI equipment can synchronize with Torq. External drum

machines, groove boxes, synths, etc. will all follow Torq’s Global Tempo, provided they can receive MIDI Clock.

In order to use these MBC features, you’ll need to have a MIDI interface connected to your computer. Some of the

M-Audio DJ products, such as the Xponent, have a MIDI interface built into them. If you do not have a MIDI interface

on your product (or are already using them for connections to other devices), you’ll need to add MIDI ports to your

computer. A solution is the M-Audio UNO, a simple 1-input, 1-output MIDI interface that connects to a USB port on

your computer. The UNO can be found at almost any music dealer or online retailer.

< Setting up MBC Input

To slave Torq’s Global Tempo to an external MIDI device:

1. Connect the MIDI Output of the external device to a MIDI Input on your computer.

2. In Torq’s MIDI Preferences, select the MIDI Input port mentioned above as the MBC Input. Close the

Preferences.

3. Click the Global button in Torq’s toolbar to enable Global Tempo. Torq’s Global Tempo will run

independently until an incoming MIDI Clock is received.

4. Enable transmission of MIDI Clock in your external device. Please refer to the product’s user manual for

the proper method of doing this.

5. Start the external device (possibly by pressing Play or Run).

6. Torq’s Global Tempo will change to match the tempo of the external device. The Global Tempo LEDs will

also chase in time with the external device.

< Setting up MBC Output

To slave an external MIDI device to Torq’s Global Tempo:

1. Connect a MIDI Output from your computer to the MIDI Input of the external MIDI device.

2. In Torq’s MIDI Preferences, select the MIDI Output port mentioned above as the MBC Output and close

the Preferences.

3. On your external MIDI device, enable reception of MIDI Clock. Please refer to the product’s user manual

for the proper method of doing this.

4. On some external devices, you’ll need to put it into a “standby” mode where it waits for MIDI Clock

before it starts to run. This may require pressing Play or Run—please check with the product’s user

manual to see if this is required.

5. In Torq, enable the Global Tempo in the Toolbar. When activated, Torq will begin to transmit MIDI Clock

at the specified tempo, but the external devices will not run.

6. In order to start the external devices, a MIDI Start command must be sent from Torq. In order to do

this, click the MIDI I/O indicator in Torq’s Toolbar. The button will turn yellow when clicked, indicating

that Torq is waiting for the downbeat of the music you’re playing. When the downbeat arrives, Torq will

transmit the MIDI Start command and the external device should begin to play. The Global Tempo LEDs

will also begin to chase, indicating your current position within a bar.

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< MIDI Stop Behavior

This preference determines what Torq will do when it receives a MIDI Stop command from an external device.

• STOP: When set to Stop, Torq will stop all Decks and Samples upon receiving MIDI Stop.

• FREEWHEEL: When set to Freewheel, Torq will continue to play, essentially ignoring the MIDI Stop

command, thus allowing the DJ set to continue after stopping the external device.

< MIDI Clock Phase Offset

These two parameters are used to adjust the timing between Torq and the external MIDI devices. If Torq is

following the MIDI Clock from an external device, use the MIDI Clock In Phase Offset option to align Torq. If

Torq is transmitting MIDI Clock to an external device, use the MIDI Clock Out Phase Offset option to align the

external device to Torq.

< Applications for MIDI Clock

Here is a brief list of possible applications for MIDI Clock. This isn’t an exhaustive list—there are surely more

possibilities that can be listed here and they are only limited by your creativity.

• External Drum Machine: Dance music is dance music thanks to the drums. You can make your DJ

sets even more dance-heavy by layering your own custom beats on the fly with an external drum machine.

Add extra kick drums and hi-hats. Double-up a snare drum with a hand clap. Create drum fills where none

existed before. Simply slave the drum machine to Torq using MIDI Clock and it will play in time with the

Global Tempo, even if you change the Global Tempo.

• External Synth/Sequencer: Beats are easy to add, but you may want to take it to the next level

and actually add your own synth parts on top of your mixes. New bass lines. Sound effects. Rapid-fire

sequencer patterns. Simply slave the external sequencer to Torq and you’re ready to go.

• Swapping DJs: If you’re in the middle of a Torq set and another Torq DJ is ready to play after you, you

can transmit your Global Tempo to that DJ allowing him to sync up everything on his computer to yours,

thus allowing for automatic beat-matched transitions between DJs. If you’re the first DJ, set your computer

to output MBC and set your last track as the Tempo Master (that will engage Global Tempo and transmit

it to the MIDI Output). If you’re the second DJ, set your computer to receive MBC and enable your Global

Tempo. Your computer will now be in sync with the other DJ. If you’re the second DJ, you should also set

your MIDI Stop preference to “Freewheel” to ensure that Torq doesn’t stop when the first DJ presses stop

on his system.

• Dual-DJ: If one DJ could sync the beginning of his set up to the end of another DJ’s set, then why not

sync up the entire length of both your sets? By sharing MIDI Clock between two computers running Torq,

two DJs can sync themselves together and create a massive 4-Deck mixing extravaganza.

• Torq and Live: Torq’s ReWire capabilities allow it to be run alongside applications such as Ableton Live

on the same computer. MIDI Clock will allow you to sync up the two applications across two computers.

While you won’t be able to transfer audio from Torq to the other application without making additional

audio interface connections, you can at least get both programs to run in sync with each other. Then,

adding clips in Live or tracks in Torq will result in one synchronized performance between both computers.

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 the drop-down menu and select On to activate it. Leave any

controller you do not wish to use with Torq set to Off.