M-Audio Torq manual External Control Calibration, Control Type, Velocity and Position

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Torq User Guide » Chapter 16

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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, select “Torq Vinyl” for the Control Type. If you’ll be using the Torq Control CDs, select “Torq CD” for the Control Type. Since this selection is independent for each Deck, you can use any combination of vinyl and CD control that you’d like.

Note: If you own the Ms. Pinky Interdimensional Wrecked System, you can use those vinyl records to control Torq. Select “Gen1”, “Gen2”, or “Gen3” corresponding to the generation of records you own. Torq currently supports generations 1 through 3.

10. The playback of the Decks will now be controlled by the incoming control signals you have selected.

External Control Calibration

While terms such as “digital vinyl” are sometimes used to describe vinyl control systems such as the one used in Torq, the truth is that the system is still analog. There are “digits” encoded on the Torq Control Vinyls and CDs, but those digits are transferred to Torq by analog means—through the inputs of your audio interface.

Because of this, the control system is subject to certain environmental and physical variables that can influence its performance. The system is very robust and compensates for many of these factors, allowing a wide range of variance between equipment to yield identical control response. This means the equipment you already own (turntables, cartridges, styli, CD players, etc.) is probably sufficient for use with Torq’s external control system.

M-Audio has diligently tested the control system using a wide variety of equipment from different manufacturers, but not every possible combination of gear could be tested. While unlikely, it is possible that there could be problems with components in your DJ setup that might render the control system inoperable. When this happens, the Control Calibration displays on the External Control Preferences tab will be your first place to look in order to diagnose the problem.

Control Type

If the external control system is enabled but doesn’t seem to be working, first check the Control Type settings for each Deck before you tear out all the wiring in your DJ rig. If you have the wrong Control Type selected, Torq will not react in the proper manner to the control signals. Once you’ve verified the setting here, you can continue diagnosing your problem.

Velocity and Position

When the external control system is operating properly, it provides three vital pieces of information to Torq’s Decks: the speed and direction of the Control Vinyl or Control CD as well as the current position on the record or CD. The Velocity display shows a number that indicates both speed and direction at the same time. When the Velocity is 0, the record or CD is stopped (or the needle has been lifted off the record). If the number is 1.0, that means the vinyl record is running forward at normal speed (when using the Torq Control Vinyls, this refers to 33 1/3 RPM playback on the turntable). When the number is -1.0, it means the record or CD is running backwards at normal speed (33 1/3 RPM). As you manipulate the record or CD by hand or with their pitch adjusters, you’ll see the Velocity display change immediately to reflect the movements..

The Position display shows a number that Torq uses to calculate the playback position for the audio file loaded into the Deck. When the record or CD is playing forward, this number will increase—it will decrease if the record or CD is playing backwards. You’ll also notice that this number will jump whenever you lift the needle off the record and place it in another location (known as a “needle drop”). This is what allows Torq to play back a song just as if it was pressed right into the Control Vinyl or Control CD.

<Reversed Playback Direction

If you find that Torq seems to be responding backwards to the Control Vinyls or CDs, take a look at the Velocity display. If the number shown is negative while the control source is playing forward, it could mean that the audio

cables connecting the turntable or CD player to your interface are backwards. Swap the left and right plugs on the back of the audio interface and the problem should be fixed.

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Contents User Guide Table of Contents Torq User Guide Table of Contents Torq User Guide Decks Welcome Torq OverviewMain Waveform Display Torq User Guide » ChapterBrowser/Database MixerPFL/Headphone Cue Snapshots Effect RacksSampler Master Module Windows System RequirementsMacintosh OS InstallationWindows XP Displays DecksOverview Waveform ControlsPlay/Pause SeekDeck Mode Setting QuickCuesVinyl Mode QuickCueHybrid Mode CDJ ModeLooping Loop In/OutLoop On/Off » Using QuickLoopsQuickLoop » QuickLoop Size PreferenceSlider Range » QuickLoop BehaviorsSpeed Slider » Automatic BPM Detection BPM Display» Double/Halve Button » Manual Tempo» Tap Tempo Fine Tuning» BPM Entry KeyMidi Keyboard Control Midi Slider/Knob ControlMidi Button Control Sync Button External ControlNudge Buttons Offset ButtonsWaveform Waveform DisplayInformation Shown on Display Zoom Phase GridLoop Points Cue PointsHybrid Mode Vinyl ModeCDJ Mode Playback ManipulationsSynchronization Automatic Tempo and Phase DetectionPhase Grid Manipulations Adjusting with Offset Buttons Adjusting with the MouseAdjusting with Nudge Buttons Locked Sync Sync ButtonMomentary Sync Master TempoEnabling Vinyl/CD Control Using Torq with only one turntable or CD playerExternal Control Torq User Guide » Chapter Control Type External Control CalibrationVelocity and Position Reversed Playback DirectionErratic Velocity Values Error IndexErratic Playback Position AMPutate Mode Standard ModeAbsolute Mode Relative ModeDeck Control Midi Control Runout ProtectionBPM Matching Midi Learn Midi Prefs» Creating a Midi Assignment » Clearing a Midi AssignmentKeyboard Learn » Changing Midi AssignmentAssigning Buttons to Knobs or Sliders Assigning Knobs or Sliders to ButtonsSampler Signal SourceRecord Sample Button Sampler ControlsRecording One-Shot Samples Recording Looped SamplesTrigger Sample Button Sample Volume KnobLoop Sample Button Sample Speed/Rate KnobSample Name Window Activating QuickScratch QuickScratchAssigning Samples Creating a Snapshot SnapshotsSnapshot List Masking a Snapshot Using SnapshotsDuplicate Snapshot Delete SnapshotPolyphonic Snapshots Momentary vs. Latching BehaviorBrowser Pane Browser/DatabaseAdding Multiple Folders DatabaseAdding Folders to Database Removing Folders from Database Adding Folders from Your OSSearching Specific Database Folders Artist/Song Filename Swap File ListEditing Fields Click and Drag Loading Songs into the DecksFunction Keys Sorting the ListIgnore Field Reset ButtonSearch Categories Creating New Playlists PlaylistsRename Playlist Deleting a PlaylistRemoving Songs from a Playlist Adding Songs to a PlaylistReordering Songs in a Playlist Activating a PlaylistLoading a Playlist Saving a PlaylistSession Playlist Rename the Session PlaylistITunes Deleting Session PlaylistsLibrary PlaylistsIPods Searching iTunes with the DatabaseAudio CDs DrivesMixer Architecture MixerChannels Gain/MutePFL/Headphone Cue EQ/KillsLine Input Buttons Channel Volume FadersCrossfader Crossfader Curve» Adjusting via Midi » Adjusting with the MouseCrossfader Assign Transform ButtonsSplit Button and Source Knob Volume ControlPFL/Headphone Cue Level Meter and Limiter Master OutputMaster Recorder Setting the Record LevelFilename RecordingEffect Slot Enable ButtonEffects Routing Button Mix KnobTweak Knob Tweak ButtonBuilt-In Effects DelayLoading Effect Racks Bypassing the EffectsTweak Button Tweak KnobReverb Mix Knob and Routing ButtonTweak Knob and Button FlangerDual-Filter PhaserDistortion Reverse StrobeParameter Knob Parameter ButtonRepeat BrakeSelecting Effects VST EffectsLatency VST Crash Guard VST Preset ManagementAssigning Controls Master Tempo ReWireAudio Routing Audio Tab PreferencesBuffer Size Audio InterfaceSample Rate Midi Tab Scratch Sensitivity Auto-Detect M-Audio Devices On/OffNudge Sensitivity Crossfader Curve ControlExternal Control Tab AMPutate ModeMidi Devices External ControlSystem VST Plug-in Directory Plug-ins TabControl Calibration Custom VST Plug-in Directory Miscellaneous TabTorq Engine Cue ExclusivityTransport Mode Schaffel ModeQuickLoop Size Search iPod with DatabaseSkin Sync ModeSample Counter Appendix Preset Key AssignmentsWarranty Terms Warranty Registration Warranty