Native Instruments has announced Traktor 2.5, the latest version of their popular DJ software.

Version 2.5 introduces Remix Decks, a feature that seems to have taken a little inspiration from the Session View of Ableton Live. Remix Decks give you 64 slots, each able to hold loops, samples or entire tracks.

Here’s what’s new in Traktor 2.5:

Remix Decks:

• Remix Decks let you select from up to 64 loops and one-shot samples per deck. Any of the four decks in TRAKTOR PRO 2.5 can be switched to be a Remix Deck
• Each Remix Deck offers four different Slots (columns), ideal for arranging sounds and loops by instrument groups e.g. different drum, bass, percussion loops. Play one sound per column – a total of four samples at any one time.
• Use loops from the included sound content or import any loops and sounds of your own
• Develop your own unique trademark sound and build a personal arsenal of sounds by live-capturing your favorite loops while DJing

New Performance Options:

• The stylish multi-color pads and ergonomic faders make TRAKTOR KONTROL F1 the ultimate controller for a Remix Deck. Any sound or loop can be assigned a specific RGB color, either in the software or via the controller
• A Remix Set™ is the combination of 64 loops and one-shot samples and their respective beat grids and BPMs – stored and loaded just like a regular track in the browser
• Control the entire Remix Deck via Native Scratch timecode control with vinyl or CDs – or scratch using the TRAKTOR KONTROL S4/S2 jog wheels. Each Remix Deck has its own transport, sync, and tempo master controls

Deep Control:

• To add more flavor you can choose which slots are fed through TRAKTOR’s FX units, or even play samples in reverse
• The Punch mode allows for instant switching between different loops in one instrument group, in perfect phase – switch from one drum loop to the next exactly on the 2 and 4 snares
• Additionally, the Remix Deck quantize can be set to different values for full control of the musical phrasing

Improved BPM Detection

• Rewritten tempo detection for improved accuracy, developed from analysing thousands of tracks from various genres
• New “downbeat” auto-detection improves auto-beat-gridding and phase recognition
• Convenient analysis options when importing files to your collection – set the tempo range by BPM
• Much improved BPM detection on tracks with variable tempo, (such as “live” drummer genres) – now detects average BPM
• Rewritten Tempo-Tap – instant and simple realignment anytime your tracks drifts away from the grid over time
• Manually adjusted grids, (and all BPM-locked tracks) keep their position and tempo from previous versions

Traktor 2.5 is expected to be available May 30th.