I picked up a Z2 a couple weeks ago when it went on sale. I then ordered a Denon SC3900 and it arrived last night. I was able to get it to work for the most part but I am having some issues.
1st in the Midi Hybrid mode under preferences on the SC3900 it will not allow me to change the PC/MAC setting to MAC. When I turn the SC3900 on and use the midi mode it links as a PC and will not let me change to a MAC. I have updated the firmware and configured the MAC audio/midi setup on my laptop. The SC3900 midi controls (cue points, loops, browse knob, etc) works in Traktor but it will not let me switch from PC to MAC.
2nd the timecode does not calibrate and is very glitchy. If I run the track deck in thru mode I can hear the hybrid timecode signal coming through and changing when I move the pitch slider. Sometimes the play/cue buttons will start a track, sometimes not. My biggest issue is the pitch slider, it will be at zero (in the middle) but Traktor will show it all the way up or down plus it is greyed out so I cannot change it manually.
I have a week before my next gig and would like to use this set up if possible. I do still have my S2 if all else fails.
My current set up is a mid 2010 Macbook Pro running the current version of Mountian Lion, Traktor Scratch Pro 2.6 with the Z2 & SC3900.
Are you sure there is a “Mac” setting? It sounds like the player is working fine in PC mode already?
Edit: Looks like there is indeed an OS setting. Have you tried changing this option with the deck disconnected from everything besides its power cable?
Have you tried using the Traktor Timecode CDs in regular CD mode (not hybrid)?
It does seem to work fine in PC mode but I am not sure there is a difference. I have been search around but have not found anything about why the computer setting will not change. I may have to call Denon to find out. There is a utility setting on the SC3900 to select the type of computer you are using as well as setting up timecode among a lot of other features I have not even got to yet.
I did try the traktor timecode cds and got the same result as the hybrid set up. TBH I am a noob to DVS systems so it may be user error. lol I was using a kontrol S2 before this set up so I am learning how the DVS system should be set up/calibrated and work. Since I can hear the tone in hybrid mode I believe it is working on the SC3900 but I may be missing something in Traktor. I am at work now and have been researching and thinking about it today and I have a few things I am going to try when I get home.
Any advice to a noob on DVS systems would greatly appreciated.
Couple of things to try. Turn on the 3900 and do not enter any modes such as midi. Hold the UTIL button and navigate to the OS setting and change to Mac (you cannot change this setting if your in one of the midi modes IIRC).
Now if you have two 3900s you might need to groom your AudioMidi devices in the ‘Audio Midi Setup’ application. Turn both 3900s off and then run ‘Audio Midi Setup’. Highlight the two 3900s and delete.
Now reboot the mac and turn on the two 3900s. Enter Hybrid midi mode on both. Launch traktor. Go into controller manager and select the correct decks - BTW I use the mapping from Denon DJ forums - it works fantastic - Engine DJ Community - Product Resource & Community
Now hold UTIL and navigate to the timecode settings and pick the 3k timecode.
This is how I run my two 3900s. The only negative thing is I have to select Deck B in controller manager on each startup but honestly thats not that big of a deal.
PS: timecode calibration will fail - this apparently is OK according to Denon.
GeekGod - I will try changing the computer setting before I enter a mode. I am only using one SC3900 (all my budget will allow). I am using the timecode setting at 2.5k so I will try the 3k as well. I am also using the mapping on the SC3900 page, is the mapping on the DenonDJ forum page different?
Makar1 - The SC3900 is connected through USB and the line inputs of the Z2. I did not see any line/phone settings in Traktor settings but I will double check tonight. I will post screen shots of my setting tonight if I cannot get it to work.
Timecode will not start instantly with cue/play the way it does with MIDI controllers, you have to slip-cue. I know someone who wasted £400 on an Audio 10 because he didn’t realise the inherent limitations with timecode. Unfortunately, it’s basically the only option you’ve got when using the SC3900 due to the moving platter.
No, but I want to learn. I am a mobile DJ and was on the fence on whether to get turntables or cdjs. I want to learn how to scratch but I also need a cd player due events and weddings I may need to play a cd so someone can sing or perform.
Hmmm… if I was in your situation, and I wasn’t 100% a scratch DJ, the frustrations with timecode would drive me insane to the point where I’d probably buy a different deck. Unfortunately, because Traktor doesn’t natively support moving platters, the only real options are the SC-3900 (which still suffers from the timecode issues EVERY other deck does) and the SCS.1d, which - although I could be wrong as I haven’t used one in real life - judging from the YouTube videos has a MUCH tighter implementation of a hybrid MIDI/timecode setup. From the looks of it, all the transport controls use MIDI to actually control Traktor, and only use the timecode signal when you’re manipulating the platter. Only downside is you have to sacrifice that CD slot, although you could still have someone give you an MP3 on CD or USB stick and load it into Traktor during your set.
The SC3900 manual seems to suggest that only the Play/Pause button and the pitch fader are used for Timecode, making no mention of the Cue button which is the main issue with timecode.
In what way does the SCS.1d have tighter implementation of hybrid timecode?
The SCS.1d is garbage (I am not being dramatic).. I have one sitting here collecting dust. It uses a 3rd party piece of software to sit in between itself and traktor. It crashes all the time by simply speeding up or slowing down the tempo. Avoid it if you are serious about Traktor.
The place I ordered the SC3900 has a 30-day return policy so if I cannot get the timecode to work or it just drive me crazy I will be returning it. lol I friend of mine uses timecode turntables & cdj with serato and I am planning on getting together with him to compare how serato scratch works compared to traktor scratch. Not that I am planning on switching sides but I would like to compare the two. I have had to load a cd onto my laptop and load into traktor while I was spinning before but I would like to avoid that if possible. I also want to have two cd/media player so I can begin to practice spinning with out using a laptop. I do DJ some places where I would not need my entire libary of music and can just take a select list of tunes with me. I doubt I would ever spin on vinyl but would like to learn from cds or usb drives.
Have you tried it with the latest firmware/version of DaRouter? I’ve heard nothing but good things about it recently… saying that, if you want to sell yours to me for $50 I’ll happily take it off your hands !
From what I can gather, DaRouter generates a timecode signal when the platter is moving; transport controls are handled through MIDI so basically hitting Cue/Play works as normal, but when the platter is up to speed it starts sending timecode. I think nem0nic knows more about this if someone wants to ask him specifically.
Kinda like the SC-3900’s hybrid mode, but with transport duties done via MIDI.
There’s a video here which shows the lack of lag compared to the 3900:
That’s not entirely true for the Denons m8.
With the 3700 and 3900 hybrid mode (midi and timecode ) you can set the timecode control to relative mode and set a cue at the start of the track so when you want to drop the track you can use the cue to start instantly from the cue, like you can with a controller.
I’m not sure but I think I remember seeing that the player will not actually say Mac linked after you select Mac. I think it always says PC. Traktor will always say calibration failed, but it won’t affect it’s use in hybrid MIDI. Make sure you have the 2.5 KHz setting checked not the 2.0 KHz.
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) you can set the timecode control to relative mode and set a cue at the start of the track so when you want to drop the track you can use the cue to start instantly from the cue, like you can with a controller.