Helping father upgrade his DJ equipment - Looking for advice

[deevey]

update. The Rane Arrived! Does anyone know off hand how the CDJ's shouldbe connected to the Rane then to the computer? the instruction manual is calling for a router... hes very confused and im not in fl to help

Page 26 http://pioneerdj.com/support/files/img/DRI1124B.pdf

If he intends using rekordbox on the imac, yes he'll need an ethernet router of some description (anything 10/100 or higher with more than 3 ethernet sockets will do the trick and should not cost more than $20-$30 for a decent one).

[lcmnsky]

Update: My father has been reading documentation and attempting to set this up since the 10th or so. He manged to play it yesterday and it brought him to tears. This is stuff hes really passionate about and has dreamed of a rotary mixer for decades it seems.

Today he used the DVD and looks to be on his way. Hes still not 100% sure about the whole setup or the best way to do it. He does not plan on using Rekordbox - and wants to use the SPDIF connection? (im not sure why). I am in NY and can't help much other than sending him the documentation. Im not a DJ remember... Does anyone here care to take an offer to get him up to speed quickly on this digital world? Im sure he has simple questions. I'm not rich but willing to pay $25 an hour for a quick call or remote session into his mac. If anyone is interested let me know. He's a good guy and old school DJ since the 70s and would love the geek talk.

[lcmnsky]

Still in need of help

Currently, CDJ's and Rane are plugged into the MAC via USB.
Audio MIDI device is listed as an Aggregate device
http://screencast.com/t/bNUrZn0Hv6Z

Photo of VDJ Settings
http://screencast.com/t/bNUrZn0Hv6Z

Sound plays if we use "RaneMP2015".
Both CDJ's play out of Deck 1.

is anyone available to take up this offer? Not sure what else to do or try

[lcmnsky]

We just ran the Pioneer CDJ Aggregator, which will allow us to use the CDJ-2000 as the Sound Card. Again, it's been pretty confusing as none of the documentation has been relevant. SHOULD the CDJ-2000 be the sound card or should the Rane? Currently everything is plugged in via USB.

[deevey]

1. Use the RANE as the soundcard in VDJ, I'm guessing there is might only 2 channels currently active in the Mac Audio/Midi Setup utility (default for newly detected soundcards) There should be no need to use the aggregator at all and IMHO better off using the RANE as the primary soundcard and the CDJ's only as the deck controllers.
   
2. Set up the CDJ's via HID in Virtual DJ (software which I assume he' sticking with
   
   
3. SPDIF > Mixer (in case he wants to use regular CD's or USB sticks with the CDJ's)

I'd be happy to have a chat with him and talk to him on the phone if you like

[lcmnsky]

1. Use the RANE as the soundcard in VDJ, I'm guessing there is might only 2 channels currently active in the Mac Audio/Midi Setup utility (default for newly detected soundcards) There should be no need to use the aggregator at all and IMHO better off using the RANE as the primary soundcard and the CDJ's only as the deck controllers.
   
2. Set up the CDJ's via HID in Virtual DJ (software which I assume he' sticking with
   
   
3. SPDIF > Mixer (in case he wants to use regular CD's or USB sticks with the CDJ's)

I'd be happy to have a chat with him and talk to him on the phone if you like

So quick update:

Hes using Rane as the default sound card. I think the problem lies iwth the "HID" (whatever that is). He can only control one CDJ-2000 (they both seem to be dock-a). He tried every input output setting in VDJ with no luck.

Hes available Friday if you want to chat, we can certainly pay.! let me know and thanks so much

[deevey]

So quick update:

Hes using Rane as the default sound card. I think the problem lies iwth the "HID" (whatever that is). He can only control one CDJ-2000 (they both seem to be dock-a). He tried every input output setting in VDJ with no luck.

Hes available Friday if you want to chat, we can certainly pay.! let me know and thanks so much

Sounds like he's almost there, I get the feeling its a setting in VDJ and/or the deck number assignment on the CDJ itself (utility menu and browse down to deck number) which is duplicating the deck features.

It should be on the mapper page, last section should be the only one applicable to him as he already has the sound card working.

http://pioneerdj.com/support/files/i...-VDJPro-EN.pdf

Happy enough to give you a buzz on Friday (assumming I'm not toasted already with the 12+ hour time difference )

[lcmnsky]

Deevy, I was told that this setup *must* be used. http://screencast.com/t/eTgeT9GC
Which is different from your suggestion. He would be available Friday very early morning to accommodate you. Say 7am?

[deevey]

Deevy, I was told that this setup *must* be used. http://screencast.com/t/eTgeT9GC
Which is different from your suggestion. He would be available Friday very early morning to accommodate you. Say 7am?

No prob, I should still be Vertical that time of the evening hehe, PM me with his details.

[lcmnsky]

Will do. I read on another forum:

First of all this is how it should look like: http://pioneer.jp/support/connect/dj...0/draw.html#04 (the picture in the bottom)

After pluggin in the USB and chinch cables correctly you will have to put the CDJ into the MIDI mode. When done you'll need to use the Aggregator for Mac to make "one audio device out of two" (CDJs). This allows you to use the two audio interfaces (one in each CDJ) as one output device with two stereo output channels. Than what you will have to do is set up the audio in VDJ accordingly. Use the aggregated device as the audio output with deck1 channel 1&2 and deck2 channel 3&4. Last thing you'll need to do is assign the mappings in VDJs settings. Assign each deck to each virtual deck.

There is a video here for VDJ7 and Windows so there are some differences (Windows won't use the aggregator and you'll have to install drivers, which you don't for the Mac), but the idea is the same. Good luck and feel free to ask some questions if it doesn't work.



Which seems different than your approach. Hes trying it tomorrow. Will certainly IM you and thanks!