GRIP2 v1.3.2 - Traktor Pro mapping for Akai Apc40 Mk2, & GRIPZ 3+7 Energy Mixing Method ©

Note to users of previous versions:

Based on your past purchase you get v1.3.2 for free or reduced price.

Just send an email with subject "v1.3.2 discount code" to maarton@gripz2.nl to receive your discount link.

-----------------------------------------

Welcome and introduction

------------------------------------------

"Creating energy so that people get moved."

------------------------------------------

Hello and welcome to

• The GRIP2 v1.3 MAPPING: ultra fast workflow and unmatched operability, mapped for your Akai APC40 Mk2 controller to perform as DJ or live with Traktor Pro;
• The GRIPZ 3+7 ENERGY MIXING METHOD: develop your own unique way to create tangible energy and connection between you and the audience, using three basic musical elements and seven 'energy tactics'. You choose which and when to make it a set or performance that is really you(rs).

"GRIP" stands for having a grip on the music as DJ or performer and affecting the energy of people, space and sound so that people get moved.

Besides experimenting with sound through production and DJ'ing, my inspiration for this method and mapping has come from great composers, performers and DJ's, like Vangelis, Jean-Michel Jarre, Grandmaster Flash, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Delia Derbyshire, Carl Cox, Speedy J, Richie Hawtin, Chris Liebing and Ean Golden.

I have been developing the mapping and method from 2018 onwards, starting with a mapping for the Akai APC Mini to control up to three or four decks, or rather, three to four parts of music. Looking for better and more 'grip' I started programming the APC40 Mk2 in 2021. A great controller with more and bigger pads, knobs, pots and faders, but very complex to map for the functionality and ultra fast Traktor workflow I wanted it to have, not available on standard DJ-controllers.

Note: The 3+7 energy mixing method can be used with or without a mapping and regardless of any type of controller, device, software, digital or vinyl.

Once you have tried the mapping or method, please drop a rating and comment here because your feedback is helpful in my mission to get space for you and me in DJ-booths, to be able to create energy so that people get moved!

If you have any questions, feedback for future improvements or if you are interested in a GRIP2 or GRIPZ course (private, group, on-line, in person), feel free to contact me. You can also find me on social media and YouTube (links at bottom of page) including videos of me performing with the mapping and method.

Thanks for using, supporting and sharing. Enjoy playing and performing!
MAARToN

GRIP2 v1.3 MAPPING: purpose and features

------------------------------------------

"Grip to perform."

------------------------------------------

In developing the mapping and method I had the following goals in mind for DJ'ing and performing, in my case Techno:
- Create and mix compositions of unique parts and sounds from two, three or four tracks;
- Have direct performance control over these parts with a controller;
- Be able to create a desired energy by playing, triggering and mixing or layering parts based on their energetic character.

After the past years of creating the mapping, experimenting and playing gigs with this setup and method, I can say it gives me a lot of performance possibilities and freedom to create a certain energy with different musical elements, it really gives me grip to perform.

GRIP2 v1.3 summary

Versatile hybrid DJ performance mapping for Akai APC40 Mk2 – Traktor Pro 3 and Traktor Pro 4.
Full and simultaneous control of 4 track decks, 32 hotcues, 4 stem decks, 4 MFX + Filter, 4 FX units/4 Pattern players, 6 FX presets, 8 macro FX, Filter, 16 Stems, 16 Slices, automatic GUI layouts, back-up 4 channel mixer and more.

USAGE TIP: choose the combination of operation modes (not all) that gives you the best workflow.

Key features

• Eight operation modes: Hotcues, Hotcues + Stems, Stems, Freeze & Slice, Freeze & Slice + Stems, Pattern Player, Preparation, Mixer;
• Direct and simultaneous access to the 4 decks’ transport controls (Play, Cue, Flux), Load, Loop, Move and FX1/2 on/off controls. No deck switch or shift needed, fast and easy workflow;
• Direct and simultaneous control of either the 4 decks' 32 hotcues, 16 slices, 16 stems or 16 slices and 16 stems combined! No deck switch or shift needed, fast and easy workflow;
• True knob takeover with actual Led feedback: function dependent knobs, leds and parameter settings are in their right position and value when switching, meaning knobs, encoders and leds return to correct settings where you left them;
• Easy browsing through your tracks and collection tree with browse knob and buttons, in-line or full screen;
• Direct and simultaneous control of 4 FX in Single mode with 16 knobs and 16 buttons or 12 FX in Group mode;
• 4 Mixer FX (MFX) + Filter, each independently assignable to a deck or one to all decks (as on Kontrol S4 mk3);
• 6 Button operated custom FX presets for Delay and Reverb;
• 8 Fader operated custom Macro FX for Ramp Delay, Reverse Grain, Tape Delay, Gater, Iceverb, Peak Filter, Formant Filter, Beat Masher;
• Full and simultaneous control of 4 Stem decks with 16 stems total, 8 Stem volume faders, 16 x Stem Filter and FX, even Stems + Freeze & Slice. No standard controllers have direct access to 4 decks, 4 FX units, 32 hotcues or 16 slices or 16 stems or 16 stems and 16 slices combined!;
• 4 Pattern Players with each 4 Knobs, 4 buttons and 16 pads to manually control all Pattern Player steps, including full Led feedback of 2 × 16 Pattern Players steps simultaneously (drumcomputer style);
• Auto-GUI layouts: Function dependent GUI layouts are activated automatically when using it's function: Beat grid Prep mode, Loop Recorder, Audio Recorder;
• Switchable deck layouts: classic and parallel;
• Managing the Advanced Tab on the fly: activating and skipping through a deck's Advanced Tab to see your Move, Cue and Grid settings;
• Back-up 4 channel mixer with Volume faders, EQ, Gain, Cue, Cue Volume, Mix Volume, X-fader A-B.

APC40 setup size is less then 1 CDJ and fits in your backpack. Functionality of the GRIP2 mapping is more then 4 CDJ's..? The price of 4 CDJ's is..

GRIPZ 3+7 ENERGY MIXING METHOD: creating energy so that people get moved

------------------------------------------

"It's the energy inside that counts."

------------------------------------------

The skill of a DJ is knowing what music to play when.

Assuming that music, people and everything is energy, a force which can not be seen but can be felt physically and emotionally, the GRIPZ 3+7 energy mixing method is a DJ and live music performing method that helps you to:

• Decide what to play when by considering the present energy of people, space and sound;
• Create or maintain an energy so that people get moved physically and emotionally.

This is done throughout your performance or set as follows:

• Recognize the type of present energy of the people, space and sound by sensing and 'seeing' it, the starting point of DJ'ing;
• In response, affect the energy in a way that is needed, by playing, triggering and layering or mixing parts of tracks, based on their unique, suitable energetic character and capability to affect the present energy as desired.

These have been my main goals when developing the method and mapping, as described earlier. The mapping supports the method with color coded leds for hotcues.

When and why could this be interesting for you?

Applying the method is ofcourse optional and there are many other ways to DJ and perform live. Maybe this one fits you or maybe it can just be an inspiration, it all depends on your own mission and needs.

In any of the following cases the 3+7 approach can be worthwhile:

• You want to be better able to create a certain energy so that people get moved;
• You don't want to do traditional mixing of track after track;
• You would like to distinct yourself, not only with track selection but with sound selection and performing;
• You would like to use a controller more as an instrument to make music with sounds rather than to press play, cue and mix tracks;
• You want to be better able to put your feelings, passion and energy into the sound;
• You want to get more joy out of DJ'ing or performing and spread more joy by doing so :-)

This method gives you the possibility to develop an own, very personal way of performing, by working directly with the energy of yourself, people, sound and space to connect with your audience. You could say, it combines physics and spirituality.

Key components: seven 'energy tactics' for three types of musical elements

The method can be applied regardless of type of controller, device, software, digital or vinyl. It involves the use of seven 'energy tactics' to affect the energy on the dancefloor or in the existing space, applied with three types of musical elements of a track or song: fills, breaks and rhythms.

What are the seven 'energy tactics'?

The energy tactics are seven unique intentional actions which you can apply at any given moment and as often as you want in your DJ-set or live performance, in response to the present energy of people, space and sound. Each action involves the playing, layering or mixing of consciously chosen parts from fills, breaks or rhythms, based on their unique energetic character. The aim: affect the present energy in such a way that people will get moved. In other words, affecting energy with energy.

The seven energy tactics that can be applied are, and are meant to:

- Spark the energy with a (part of a) fill

- Break the energy with a (part of a) break

- Build the energy with a (part of a) break

- Kick the energy with a (part of a) rhythm

- Boost the energy with a (part of a) rhythm

- Peak the energy with a (part of a) rhythm

- Rest the energy with a (part of a) rhythm

Each tactic is described in detail further down below. First something about genres, hotcues and the three musical elements being your sources: fills, breaks and rhythms.

Genres

In my case this is mostly for Techno but the method can be applied with other genres too, like House and Hip-Hop, or by combining (elements of) genres, for example Techno, House, 80's, Disco, Dub, Electro, Dub-step, Dance-hall and so on.

Because the specific energetic capability of sound and music is the basis of this method, instrumental music lends itself very well for it, but basically any parts of tracks, songs or other musical pieces can be used.

Hotcues or not?

------------------------------------------

"You get to know the music you're playing deeply."

------------------------------------------

The use of hotcues is optional but I find they give the best and fastest workflow for performing. Besides, setting hotcues in advance is ofcourse a great way to learn and understand tracks, songs and other musical pieces, especially their structure and the energy of the different parts within. This way you get to know the music you're playing deeply and you will be able to apply the method best for your DJ'ing or performing.

Fills, breaks and rhythms

As mentioned, the three types of musical elements which form the basis of this method are fills, breaks and rhythms. Here, rhythms are parts containing at least bass and percussion, giving a distinct, moving energy. In traditional song structure these rhythmic parts are usually the verses and choruses, but in this method they do not necessarily have to be that. It's the energy inside that counts, not their position in the track or song. This applies to all used parts. More on rhythms, as well as on fills and breaks, below.

The capability of the seven energy tactics and why to use them

So, for the seven energy tactics, which are based upon these three types of musical elements, I have chosen names that relate to energy: Spark, Kick, Break, Boost, Build, Peak and Rest. These names refer to:

1. parts of a track or song, and/or,
2. the specific energy of these parts, and,
3. the magical effect they have when playing or triggering them: changing the energy according to their name.

Here are the details on how the seven tactics are divided over fills, breaks and rhythms, and for those who are using the GRIP2 mapping, between brackets is how they are set up in there:

Fills (Yellow – Hotcues 1 and 2)

Fills can be used as an intro, outro, short intermezzo or to add energy on top of other parts playing. They are distinctive audio pieces of a track which ideally do not contain kick drums or no percussion at all. They can be short in length, used as loops or as one-shots or samples, and may contain for example synth sounds, a particular hook, chords and melodies or vocals.

Tactic 1: SPARK the energy

The energy tactic for using fills is called SPARK, referring to an electrical spark, as fills can be seen as sparks.
Aim: To suddenly ignite the energy, to excite, to surprise, by playing specific fills of a track.

Breaks (Green – Hotcues 3 and 4)

Breaks are energizers, divided into two energy tactics, BREAK and BUILD. Like fills, they ideally do not contain kick drums, to provide a break after or in between heavier parts to regain energy. They can be used as loops very well, be layered on top of each other for more intense breaks or for extended breaks.

Tactic 2: BREAK the energy

The break, a quieter part usually before a new rhythmic part with percussion and bass starts or before a drop, the point where the bass and percussion kick in heavily.
Aim: The BREAK tactic can be applied to lower the energy or to draw attention.

------------------------------------------

"Affecting energy with energy."

------------------------------------------

Tactic 3: BUILD the energy

A quieter part usually before the main drop in a track.
Aim: BUILD can be applied to briefly lower the energy, to create and build up tension.

Rhythms (Red – Hotcues 5-8)

Rhythms are where the dancing is happening. They are divided into four energy tactics: KICK, BOOST, PEAK and REST. These tactics are rhythms with at least some bass and percussion. They can be an intro or the main parts of a track or an outro and can be layered with sparks (fills) or exchanged with breaks and builds.
In techno, KICK in my method is not much more than a kick-drum. BOOST contains an extra bassline or extra percussion like hi-hats. PEAK is where all instruments play together. REST is a step down in energy and in terms of number of instruments and is usually towards the end of a track.

Tactic 4: KICK the energy

The aim of KICK is to really move the energy and the crowd initially or it can serve as a step back from more intense percussion parts.

Tactic 5: BOOST the energy

BOOST is to step-up and higher the energy to a next level.

Tactic 6: PEAK the energy

The aim of PEAK is to climax the energy.

Tactic 7: REST the energy

REST is to release high energy and let it flow for a while, cooling down so to speak, and to transition into another energy. It can be used as a loop very well.

Getting it to work and preparing your set

------------------------------------------

"Your set becomes the track."

------------------------------------------

So, this explained the three musical elements and their seven energy tactics: Spark, Kick, Break, Boost, Build, Peak and Rest.

As explained, making the method work is by sensing, 'seeing' and responding to the energy by applying the suitable energy tactics accordingly. This way you build your own sequence and composition of parts and sounds from different tracks, creating an energy so that people get moved. Your set is not just made up of tracks, your set becomes the track.

Finally and firstly, to prepare for using the method and hotcues, simply follow these steps:

1. Determine and categorise parts of your tracks based on their types of energy and their fit as:

a) one of the three musical elements: fills, breaks or rhythms;

b) one of the related seven energy tactics: Spark, Kick, Break, Boost, Build, Peak or Rest.

2. Optional: decide whether these parts should be loops and if so, determine the length/size of the loops, for example 4, 8 or 16 beats;

3. Optional: store your selected parts as hotcues.

Now you are armed with your own personal energy tactics, ready to perform and create a special energy to make sure people get moved.

Good luck and have fun!

ZIP file content
. 1 GRIP2 mapping file (tsi)
. 1 Release and installation notes plus usage tips document (pdf)
. 9 GRIP2 mapping pictures including guides (png)
. 6 GRIPZ 3+7 energy mixing method pictures (png)

Socials
Linktree
YouTube
Instagram
Facebook artist page
Facebook personal page
TikTok
SoundCloud
MixCloud
Beatport

Contact
Email: maarton@gripz2.nl
Or connect with me on my social media profiles.
Thank you.

🙂 Based on your user experience, drop a rating and comment. Your feedback is very much appreciated in my mission to get space for us in DJ-booths everywhere and to create energy so that people get moved!

GRIP2 - Release notes

V1.3.2, March 2, 2025
Overall: This release contains a few new functionalities, improvements and fixes for EQ kill switches, Key Lock, Move, and Mixer View.

Added
EQ kill switches INIT(ialize):
- The High/Mid/Low kill switches are now switched off when pressing the INIT(ialize) button;
- When using Mixer type “Xone”, the MidLow kill switch is switched off and the MidLow adjust is reset when pressing the INIT(ialize) button.

Changed
Key Lock INIT(initialize):
- Key Lock is set to On when pressing the INIT(ialize) button, as was the case was before V1.3.1. This prevents having to switch Key Lock on manually often.
Please note: Key Lock can cause audible loss of audio quality.

Fixed
Move:
- The Move function was not functioning when triggering a hotcue of the type “Cue” after triggering hotcue 8.
Please note:
- When triggering hotcue 7, Loop Active is automatically activated so that hotcue 8, if a loop, will automatically loop, preventing the track to end;
- When triggering a hotcue of the type “Cue” (except hotcue 7), Loop Active is switched off to prevent a succeeding hotcue of the type “Loop” to automatically loop;
- Loop Active can be switched on/off manually by pressing SHIFT + LOOP IN/OUT.

Mixer View:
- When switched from MIXER MODE to PREP MODE and pressing SET/DEL MRKR, the Mixer View was disabled while Mixer was On, causing the Mixer View to be not visible when exiting PREP MODE, going back to MIXER MODE and Mixer View.

V1.3.1, August 30, 2024
Overall: This release contains several new functionalities, improvements, fixes and now supports Traktor Pro 3, Traktor Pro Plus and Traktor Pro 4.

Added
DAW view:
- Switch DAW view on/off in Stems mode. When activating Stems mode, DAW view is automatically switched on.

Freeze and Slice:
- For Track decks, Freeze and Slice is now available without Stems functionality;

- Freeze off now also switches Loop off.

Changed
Stems:
- Stems mode can now only be switched on in a Stem deck, not in Track decks, Remix decks and Live input decks;
- Stems mode is now switched off when loading a new track;
- To switch a Stem’s Filter on/off, now press FILTER ON/OFF and STEM 1-4;
- To switch a Stem’s FX on/off, now press FX ON/OFF and STEM 1-4;
- INIT now switches all Stem slots’ FX on (not off) and resets all Stem slot FX amount to 0;
- KEY+FX Ø does not switch all Stem slots’ FX off anymore, allowing for FX tail when on, same as for normal FX;
- KEY+FX Ø switches all Stem slots’ Filter off;
- In Stem decks, Stems mode is not automatically switched on anymore when exiting the Pattern Player grid;
- Stems mode is not left on anymore after switching off Freeze + Stems mode.

FX1+FX2 presets:
- Default FX1 and FX2 functionality is now available in Prep mode instead of FX1 and FX2 presets.

Freeze and Slice:
- Freeze button is only for switching Freeze on. Freeze off is now done with STEMS button.

Fixed
Macro FX:
- After updating to Traktor Pro 4, the eight Macro FX were altered in the mapping to other FX.

FluxRev:
- FluxRev was switched on/off when assigning FX3 to a deck.
- Switching on FluxRev in Stems mode caused hotcues and hotcue leds to become active.

Freeze and Slice:
Freeze view stayed on when switching Freeze off in a stopped deck.