Torq 1.5 User Guide Chapter 1 62Torq 1.5 User Guide Chapter 10 62PFL/Headphone Cue
Once the audio signal leaves the EQ, it is sent to two d ifferent locations. One location is t he PFL Button, which looks like
a pair of headphones. PFL stands for Pre -Fader Listen, which refers to h earing an audio signal without being under t he
influence of the Volume fader (on some mixers, this func tion is called “Cue”). That definition may not make sens e if you’re
not familiar with a mixer, so think of it as a way to private ly hear the music in a mixer channel regardless o f what your
audience can or cannot hear.
This is what a DJ uses to listen to the next son g before he plays it for his audience. When you press the PFL b utton, that
channel is sent to the PFL section, w hich is described below. You’ll be able to hear the music on the headpho nes and you’ll
even be able to record it into the Sampler.
Channel Volume Faders
Besides going to the PFL, the aud io leaving the EQ also goes to the Channel Volume fader. This is the prim ary volume
control for the channel (though it is subordinat e to the crossfader) which works just like a volume fader on a t raditional
mixer. You can match volumes of the two tracks using the Channel Volume f aders. However, some DJs prefer the
technique of leaving the Channel Volume fader s fully up—you then match the volumes of t he songs using the Gain knobs.
The reason for this is that you’re then free to use the Chan nel Volume faders for other effects such as volu me fades, cuts,
and stutter effects, si milar to the scratch techniques used on t he Crossfader. Whichever approach you choose is entirely
up to you.
✓ Note: You can quickly return a Channel Volume fader to full volume by ho lding SHIFT and clicking on the fader.
Line Input Buttons
Located above the PFL icons in each channel o f the Mixer is a Line Input icon. Clicking this icon w ill activate the line
input for that channel. This will allow you to fe ed audio from an external audio source (such as a CD player or turnt able
connected to your audio interface) for mixing w ith Torq’s Mixer. All functions, such as EQ, Gain, Effects, and P FL, will still
work even when using external audio sources.
✓ Note: In order for Line Input to work you will need to a ssign audio channels to the Line Inputs in t he Audio tab of the
Preferences. See the Preferences sec tion for more information on setting up these i nputs.
Crossfader
After the audio leaves the individua l mixer channels via the Channel Volume faders , the signals enter their respective
sides of the Crossfader. The Crossfader is the large hor izontal fader just below the Mixer. As you will see, its n ame is very
appropriate as it allows you to fade betwee n the two channels in a motion that goes side to sid e across the mixer. When
the Crossfader is in its middle location , you will hear both of the mixer channels. If you move th e Crossfader all the way
to the left, you will only hear th e channel for the left Deck. Simila rly, if you move the Crossfader all the way to the right,
you will only hear the right Deck.
The Crossfader was invented to offer DJ s an easy way to fade out of one song while fading in anot her using only one
hand. Indeed, it still perform s this task quite well. However, since its introduction , DJs have taken this simple tool and
transformed it into a virtual r azor blade that allows them to perfor m lightning-fast cuts, scratch es, and a myriad of other
techniques.
✓ Note: Torq’s Crossfader has been designed to be very quick and res ponsive. However, if you are only using 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 cuts and scratching , we recommend you control the Crossfader using one of t he real crossfaders found
on M-Audio controllers , such as Xponent, since the tactile r esponse of the Crossfader comprises part of the s cratching
technique.