VDJ Ron
Yesterday I wanted to test moving from cd, to USB stick, to midi (VDJ8.1) using Denon equipment, and I thought using my Audio 2 DJ might help to avoid VDJ crashes. My two Denon CDJ's were set up as midi controllers, and my Audio 2 DJ was used as an external sound card. Of course this meant I had to install N! drivers. It all went well.
Today I practiced for a while with Remotebox, and Rekordbox. All went well.
Next it was time to check VDJ8.1, and my XDJ R1. VDJ8.1 would not play. The audio wave display twitched like it was trying to start, but no music was played. I've had trouble with NI before so I immediately uninstalled their drivers. VDJ8.1 then played without issue.
I use Denon, Pioneer, and Ableton software and they all appear to be compatible.
However when NI software is involved compatibility issues arise.
Are they just incompetent ?
Somebody is messing things up.
Note: I have paid for a full Traktor Pro license but can't use it because it creates conflicts with other software. I'm persistent, so one day I will buy an extra laptop dedicated just to Traktor Pro. I've used Traktor Pro 2.6 for a while and came to the conclusion it was inferior software. Nevertheless I will try it once more in the future.
Today I practiced for a while with Remotebox, and Rekordbox. All went well.
Next it was time to check VDJ8.1, and my XDJ R1. VDJ8.1 would not play. The audio wave display twitched like it was trying to start, but no music was played. I've had trouble with NI before so I immediately uninstalled their drivers. VDJ8.1 then played without issue.
I use Denon, Pioneer, and Ableton software and they all appear to be compatible.
However when NI software is involved compatibility issues arise.
Are they just incompetent ?
Somebody is messing things up.
Note: I have paid for a full Traktor Pro license but can't use it because it creates conflicts with other software. I'm persistent, so one day I will buy an extra laptop dedicated just to Traktor Pro. I've used Traktor Pro 2.6 for a while and came to the conclusion it was inferior software. Nevertheless I will try it once more in the future.
Posté Tue 15 Dec 15 @ 9:26 pm
Nelumb
Hi Ron,
I've tried Traktor for some months and finally decided to don't use it never again. The traktor's sound is very clear and good, the response from the hardware is also very good, but the stability is frustrating.
Other thing I don't like with traktor is that this software needs a large ammount of hard disk space to create his database.
This is my experience, I prefer virtualdj for his stability. I personally think that if you prepare a laptop with traktor, you will need a lot of time trying to obtain a good experience with, and maybe you will never get a totally stable system.
I've tried Traktor for some months and finally decided to don't use it never again. The traktor's sound is very clear and good, the response from the hardware is also very good, but the stability is frustrating.
Other thing I don't like with traktor is that this software needs a large ammount of hard disk space to create his database.
This is my experience, I prefer virtualdj for his stability. I personally think that if you prepare a laptop with traktor, you will need a lot of time trying to obtain a good experience with, and maybe you will never get a totally stable system.
Posté Wed 16 Dec 15 @ 10:47 am
VDJ Ron
I've found another problem with my XDJ R1, and that is using VDJ8.1 the channel level meters don't reflect the trim, or eq positions, In fact before I reinstalled the Pioneer driver I also did not get full kill on the eq's. Since I've been using the XDJ R1's hardware mixer I find that strange. The VDJ mixer appears to work fine, but I want the Pioneer Color Effects.
It was ok over the weekend.
When I looked in the registry I found loads of Native Instrument entries, some of which I could not delete.
I have uninstalled all their software from the Windows 7 programs list.
NI are not the only ones who make a mess of the Windows registry, but they are a main offender.
Also I had an issue with a new 64gb USB flashdrive which is only fit for the bin.
I have messed around far to much, and the time may have come for a format.
It only takes a few hours.
It was ok over the weekend.
When I looked in the registry I found loads of Native Instrument entries, some of which I could not delete.
I have uninstalled all their software from the Windows 7 programs list.
NI are not the only ones who make a mess of the Windows registry, but they are a main offender.
Also I had an issue with a new 64gb USB flashdrive which is only fit for the bin.
I have messed around far to much, and the time may have come for a format.
It only takes a few hours.
Posté Wed 16 Dec 15 @ 10:40 pm
VDJ Ron
I'm worried by bloatware, privacy issues, and operating system security.
Everyone seems to want to create more complications which then lead to problems.
On installing Traktor Pro 2 Native instruments installs drivers for all their hardware range, they cannot make do with just the relevant driver for the hardware being used.
At the moment Kuvo is being forced on Pioneer Rekordbox users, and it invades the individuals privacy.
The aim is to make DJ playlists public, we have just had a similar thing introduced in VDJ.
A lot of Pioneer DJ's have been complaining on their forum, although VDJ DJ's have been silent about the collection of yet more data.
The security threats to the likes of Win 7 seem to be at an all time high, and many experts recommend formating compromised systems, as opposed to repairing them, which once was the norm.
I'm not sure that a DJ can safely coexist with the Internet.
Everyone seems to want to create more complications which then lead to problems.
On installing Traktor Pro 2 Native instruments installs drivers for all their hardware range, they cannot make do with just the relevant driver for the hardware being used.
At the moment Kuvo is being forced on Pioneer Rekordbox users, and it invades the individuals privacy.
The aim is to make DJ playlists public, we have just had a similar thing introduced in VDJ.
A lot of Pioneer DJ's have been complaining on their forum, although VDJ DJ's have been silent about the collection of yet more data.
The security threats to the likes of Win 7 seem to be at an all time high, and many experts recommend formating compromised systems, as opposed to repairing them, which once was the norm.
I'm not sure that a DJ can safely coexist with the Internet.
Posté Wed 16 Dec 15 @ 11:42 pm
dcomo
If NI doesn't announce a new version of Traktor at NAMM this year, I think they are done... Traktor 2 is WAY too old and so behind the times now...
Posté Thu 17 Dec 15 @ 5:39 am
blckjck
I have been using an Audio 6 card for over a year now without issue. I use it in ultra low latency mode with NI ASIO drivers running 2 deck timecode.
They use a lot of the same driver parts as the Audio 2. I wonder if you should keep investigating.
As far as Traktor 2, I have not taken the time to get used to it. Timecode worked as expected. I keep the library updated and test it out every month to make sure it will work as a backup just in case. But, it doesn't come close to what I can do in VDJ. There is no reason for me to have it other then a backup.
They use a lot of the same driver parts as the Audio 2. I wonder if you should keep investigating.
As far as Traktor 2, I have not taken the time to get used to it. Timecode worked as expected. I keep the library updated and test it out every month to make sure it will work as a backup just in case. But, it doesn't come close to what I can do in VDJ. There is no reason for me to have it other then a backup.
Posté Thu 17 Dec 15 @ 5:45 am
PhantomDeejay
I have pretty much installed most of NI gear drivers on my dev/test machine among their hardware.
They didn't produce any issues. It's just the Audio 2 card (the original one, not MKII) that it's not as good as their rest gear. Several users have issues with that soundcard.
Other than that I can't comment on Traktor itself for obvious reasons. But their gear is well built and their drivers are stable. The only exception I have found so far as I said above is Audio 2.
They didn't produce any issues. It's just the Audio 2 card (the original one, not MKII) that it's not as good as their rest gear. Several users have issues with that soundcard.
Other than that I can't comment on Traktor itself for obvious reasons. But their gear is well built and their drivers are stable. The only exception I have found so far as I said above is Audio 2.
Posté Thu 17 Dec 15 @ 9:03 am
PhantomDeejay
bigron1 wrote :
I've found another problem with my XDJ R1, and that is using VDJ8.1 the channel level meters don't reflect the trim, or eq positions, In fact before I reinstalled the Pioneer driver I also did not get full kill on the eq's. Since I've been using the XDJ R1's hardware mixer I find that strange. The VDJ mixer appears to work fine, but I want the Pioneer Color Effects.
It was ok over the weekend.
It was ok over the weekend.
VU-meters on VirtualDj are always mapped PRE-FADER. This means that when VU-METERS are handled by the software they should reflect all changes you make on EQ, Gain, e.t.c. except channel volume.
If vu-meters are handled by hardware then it's up to the device's firmware (not drivers) on how it handles them.
However, please note:
For hybrid devices that can work both as standard hardware mixer or MIDI mixer, when you don't use the official mapper you need to ensure that you have made all the proper changes to handle the "mode" change.
For instance you need to ensure that you set "fake" commands on the <ONINIT> key of your device to eliminate double EQ, Gain, e.t.c processing. Also you need to disable the software sending MIDI messages to the vu-meters as these should be handled by the hardware now.
In other words: Please check all your settings and your mapper. Changing "mode" on the mixer is not as simple as using different sound settings. That's the drawback of having a hybrid mixer!
Posté Thu 17 Dec 15 @ 9:11 am
VDJ Ron
It's the early NI sound card.
I think that mixing all the different types of software is asking for trouble, that's what I've been doing.
Hence I expected problems.
I've retreated from using the Pioneer hardware mixer, VDJ will do fine.
At 5 o'clock in the morning a chess computer was beating the hell out of me, but I normally put up a good show. I sometimes play chess on-line whilst waiting for my laptop to do something. Anyway by 6am I had a nice fresh install of Win 7, complete with VDJ8.1.
Without doubt the VDJ8.1 effects mappings for the XDJ R1 don't work properly. A new mapping may have been issued with VDJ8.1, anyway it's still badly wrong, and caused a loop freeze. The relevant button/mapping is TRANS. Oh I've gone back to the original mapping. I'll post my suggested fix, but it may be moving beyond my abilities, I only partially understand the mapping. Anyway I'm happier than ever with VDJ8.1, but I suffered last night.
I think that mixing all the different types of software is asking for trouble, that's what I've been doing.
Hence I expected problems.
I've retreated from using the Pioneer hardware mixer, VDJ will do fine.
At 5 o'clock in the morning a chess computer was beating the hell out of me, but I normally put up a good show. I sometimes play chess on-line whilst waiting for my laptop to do something. Anyway by 6am I had a nice fresh install of Win 7, complete with VDJ8.1.
Without doubt the VDJ8.1 effects mappings for the XDJ R1 don't work properly. A new mapping may have been issued with VDJ8.1, anyway it's still badly wrong, and caused a loop freeze. The relevant button/mapping is TRANS. Oh I've gone back to the original mapping. I'll post my suggested fix, but it may be moving beyond my abilities, I only partially understand the mapping. Anyway I'm happier than ever with VDJ8.1, but I suffered last night.
Posté Thu 17 Dec 15 @ 3:13 pm
VDJ Ron
Hm maybe the factory mapping is correct?
It may offer the possibility of selecting any effect in slot 1.
Slot 1 being used as a kind of floating slot.
I had two flangers running when I pressed either the TRANS, or FLANGER button, and was not impressed, that's beside the loop freeze.
Maybe the idea is to select the effect from the gui, say maybe backspin?
It may offer the possibility of selecting any effect in slot 1.
Slot 1 being used as a kind of floating slot.
I had two flangers running when I pressed either the TRANS, or FLANGER button, and was not impressed, that's beside the loop freeze.
Maybe the idea is to select the effect from the gui, say maybe backspin?
Posté Thu 17 Dec 15 @ 6:01 pm
VDJ Ron
It should be noted that when I had the loop freeze early today that all I had to do was switch to Rekordbox on the USB stick, remove the USB cable, and reconnet, then it was on with the show. Almost seamless.
Posté Thu 17 Dec 15 @ 6:10 pm
PhantomDeejay
Please try not to mix your topics. The effect mapping has nothing to do with the NI hardware or software used on your computer.
Also there's no need to post the entire mapper (especially the official one) when all you want to do is to correct/fix/change one button.
Back on topic:
I have all major dj-ing software titles installed and licensed on my gig laptop without any issues. Most of the time real issues start when users try to "tweak" things around without actually knowing what they're doing!
I still remember the old days when some users tried to apply some "gaming pc" tips to improve performance of their computers and they disabled printer spool service which in Windows XP would also make most serial and usb to serial devices stop working!
Also there's no need to post the entire mapper (especially the official one) when all you want to do is to correct/fix/change one button.
Back on topic:
I have all major dj-ing software titles installed and licensed on my gig laptop without any issues. Most of the time real issues start when users try to "tweak" things around without actually knowing what they're doing!
I still remember the old days when some users tried to apply some "gaming pc" tips to improve performance of their computers and they disabled printer spool service which in Windows XP would also make most serial and usb to serial devices stop working!
Posté Fri 18 Dec 15 @ 7:09 am
VDJ Ron
Phantom, you offer so much help to the people posting on this forum, every comment of yours is worthy of analysis.
bigron1 wrote :
I've found another problem with my XDJ R1, and that is using VDJ8.1 the channel level meters don't reflect the trim, or eq positions, In fact before I reinstalled the Pioneer driver I also did not get full kill on the eq's. Since I've been using the XDJ R1's hardware mixer I find that strange. The VDJ mixer appears to work fine, but I want the Pioneer Color Effects.
It was ok over the weekend.
VU-meters on VirtualDj are always mapped PRE-FADER. This means that when VU-METERS are handled by the software they should reflect all changes you make on EQ, Gain, e.t.c. except channel volume.
If vu-meters are handled by hardware then it's up to the device's firmware (not drivers) on how it handles them.
However, please note:
For hybrid devices that can work both as standard hardware mixer or MIDI mixer, when you don't use the official mapper you need to ensure that you have made all the proper changes to handle the "mode" change.
For instance you need to ensure that you set "fake" commands on the <ONINIT> key of your device to eliminate double EQ, Gain, e.t.c processing. Also you need to disable the software sending MIDI messages to the vu-meters as these should be handled by the hardware now.
In other words: Please check all your settings and your mapper. Changing "mode" on the mixer is not as simple as using different sound settings. That's the drawback of having a hybrid mixer!
Thank you for this comment, I was tired when you posted, but I now have a renewed interest.
I will attempt to modify the mapping so that it is suitable for use with an external mixer.
You helped me by going off topic, as I think we should on occasion.
I know I don't know what I'm doing, which is why I have set things up so I can delete the windows partition on my laptop, and reinstall my operating system in a couple of hours from a clean Microsoft Win 7 disk. I have the system drivers, and anti virus software ready.
It should be noted that I had a freeze on a clean untweaked system.
I was hoping for some more useful tips about the XDJ-R1 mapping, again you are one of our best.
Anyway you have already given me a lot, thank you.
Back to NI.
bigron1 wrote :
I've found another problem with my XDJ R1, and that is using VDJ8.1 the channel level meters don't reflect the trim, or eq positions, In fact before I reinstalled the Pioneer driver I also did not get full kill on the eq's. Since I've been using the XDJ R1's hardware mixer I find that strange. The VDJ mixer appears to work fine, but I want the Pioneer Color Effects.
It was ok over the weekend.
VU-meters on VirtualDj are always mapped PRE-FADER. This means that when VU-METERS are handled by the software they should reflect all changes you make on EQ, Gain, e.t.c. except channel volume.
If vu-meters are handled by hardware then it's up to the device's firmware (not drivers) on how it handles them.
However, please note:
For hybrid devices that can work both as standard hardware mixer or MIDI mixer, when you don't use the official mapper you need to ensure that you have made all the proper changes to handle the "mode" change.
For instance you need to ensure that you set "fake" commands on the <ONINIT> key of your device to eliminate double EQ, Gain, e.t.c processing. Also you need to disable the software sending MIDI messages to the vu-meters as these should be handled by the hardware now.
In other words: Please check all your settings and your mapper. Changing "mode" on the mixer is not as simple as using different sound settings. That's the drawback of having a hybrid mixer!
Thank you for this comment, I was tired when you posted, but I now have a renewed interest.
I will attempt to modify the mapping so that it is suitable for use with an external mixer.
You helped me by going off topic, as I think we should on occasion.
I know I don't know what I'm doing, which is why I have set things up so I can delete the windows partition on my laptop, and reinstall my operating system in a couple of hours from a clean Microsoft Win 7 disk. I have the system drivers, and anti virus software ready.
It should be noted that I had a freeze on a clean untweaked system.
I was hoping for some more useful tips about the XDJ-R1 mapping, again you are one of our best.
Anyway you have already given me a lot, thank you.
Back to NI.
Posté Fri 18 Dec 15 @ 3:04 pm