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Channel Volume Faders
Besides goi ng to the PFL, the audio leaving the EQ al so goes to the Channel Volume fader. This is the pri mary volume
control for the channel (though it is subordinate to t he crossfader) which work s just like a volume fader on a tr aditional
mixer. You can match volumes of the two tracks using the Channel Volume faders. However, some DJs prefer the technique
of leaving the Channel Volume faders fully up —you then match the volumes of the songs using the Gain knobs . The reason
for this is that you’re then free to use the Channel Volume faders for ot her effects such as volume fad es, cuts, and stutter
effects, simil ar to the scratch techniques used on the Cross fader. Whichever approach you choose is entirely up to you.
Note: You can quickly return a Channel Volume fader t o full volume by holding SHIFT and clicki ng on the fader.
Line Input Buttons
Located above the PFL icons in each channel of the Mixer is a Line Input icon. Clicking this icon will activate the line input for
that channel. This w ill allow you to feed audio from an external audio source (such as a CD player or turntable connected
to your audio interfac e) for mixing with Torq’s Mixer. All functions, such as EQ, Gain, E ffects, and PFL, wi ll still work even
when using external audi o sources.
Note: In order for Line In put to work you will need to assign audio channels to the Line Inputs in t he Audio tab of the Preferences.
See the Preferences sect ion for more information on setting up these in puts.
Crossfader
After the audio leaves the individual mixer channels via the Channel Volume faders , the signals enter their respective
sides of the Crossfader. The Crossfader is t he large horizontal fader just below the M ixer. As you will see, its name is very
appropriate as it allows you to fade between the two channels in a motion that goes side to side across the mixer. When
the Crossfader is in its middle locatio n, you will hear both of the mixer channels. If you move the Crossfader all the way to
the left, you will o nly hear the channel for the left D eck. Similarly, if you move the Crossfader all the way to the right, you
will only hear the right Dec k.
The Crossfader was invented to offer DJs an easy way to fade out of one song while fading in another while only using
one hand. Indeed, it st ill performs this task quite wel l. However, since its introduction, DJs have taken this sim ple tool and
transformed it into a virtual ra zor blade that allows t hem to perform light ning-fast cuts, scrat ches, and a myriad of other
techniques.
Note: Torq’s Crossfader has been designed to be very quick and responsive. However, if you are only us ing a mouse to control Torq,
you probably won’t be able to use the Crossfader for mor e than fading between songs. If you want to use the Crossfader for cu ts and
scratching, we recommend you control the Crossfader using one of the r eal crossfaders fo und on M-A udio controllers. The tactile
response of the Crossfader compr ises part of the scratching technique.
< Crossfader Curve
Speaking of scratching, one of t he improvements to crossfader design is an adjus table Crossfader Curve. Thi s
refers to the rate at which t he songs fade in and out as the crossfader is moved from one side t o the other.
At one extreme is the E qual Power Contour, which is good for sl ow fades between two song s. As you move the
fader from the e dge toward the center, it will slowly fade in one song. H owever, as it is fading in this so ng, it will
also start fadi ng out the other song. The end result is that the overall volume remains t he same as you fade, even
when both songs are playing at the s ame time.
At the other extreme of the adjustable rang e is the Hard Cut. This shape causes a song to fade in to full volu me
almost immediately after moving the fader inward from the edge. Similarly, the other song will not begin to fade out
until the crossfader is almost all the way at the other edge. Then, right before the crossfade r reaches the edge, the
other song will fade down. This is the sha pe preferred by scratch DJs as they can cut in a track to full volume wit h
very little mo tion of their hand. When p erformed quickly, you don’t even hear the volume fade up and down— it
sounds as if the sound is being abr uptly cut in and out.