beatz_crazy said:
aren't they two diff types of applications?
Ableton live is more of mixing stuff live and the other is more of a sequencing deal....
In a sense you're right, although I think you meant it the other way around
Traktor is the software that is geared towards "traditional" live DJ mixing, having its multi-function interface built around two decks and a DJ mixer. It's a very capable program in this category, offering many sophisticated features that are implemented with that kind of core operation in mind.
Ableton Live is a sequencer, putting much weight on live usability, expanding the familiar project sequencing approach. Instead of having one linear sequencer project open, Live also offers a non-linear live set view in which you can launch and automate MIDI and audio parts and also record this kind of jamming into your current linear sequencer project. It's a full audio/MIDI multitrack sequencer with recording, editing, ReWire and VSTi hosting etc. Many people also use it as their main project sequencer, rarely going actually live with it.
I recently did a live audio installation covering a four-story building and its basement, and for that Ableton Live was the logical choice: I could launch something like 5-10 lengthy looping audio files live at the same time for a certain location in the building, for example, intertwining them and scripting their follow-action behaviour to meet my needs. I also sequenced some parts beforehand as a traditional multitrack project in Live, transferring them to launchable events afterwards.
I have also done some traditional soundtrack work in Ableton Live, sequencing the pieces as regular multitrack projects. In no part of those projects (among others) was there an intention to actually perform the pieces live, but Ableton Live stands very firm as a regular project sequencer, too.
The kinds of uses described above are not conceivable in Traktor, but they aren't even supposed to. Traktor's main goal is to be able to throw an unencumbered two-deck based DJ set with the benefits of modern software implementation, and for that it's a great application.
In other words, these really are two different types of applications, yet they are both very capable in live situations depending on your own approach. It's of course beneficial for the ones involved to compare them from the live DJ'ing point of view, but it's good to note that these products aren't actually competing of the exact same user base.
