FortMacDJ
Hey Everyone,
As some of you know, I was experiencing a very irritating, show-stopping problem with the RMX when I first recieved it. The problem was that at complete random, the RMX would 'stop' or 'spaz-out' on me. Sound would continue, but control would stop. Sometimes the sound would stop but control would work. Sometimes nothing would work! There seemed to be no definite root cause of the issue. The usb hub was working properly, drivers were working properly. USB power supply was sufficient, etc. All was 'good', sans the random failure of the unit.
Then it dawned on me. At home, in my room, on the same laptop I take the to club with me, is the only place the RMX would fail. It would not fail at the club in the DJ booth, ever. The only difference between the 2 locations: my room is carpeted, the DJ booth is wooden floor. Static Electricity!
Yes, believe it or not, the RMX is apparently very vulnerable to static electricity! I tested the theory by intentionally discharging my static on the RMX while playing (at home), and yes, every single time the RMX failed. Sometimes it was a large shock that I could feel, sometimes it was a very small, barely noticeable shock. So just a friendly note to all you RMX users in VDJ Land...make sure you discharge your static electricity before touching your RMX...or failure may shortly follow! (or find a way to 'ground' the RMX)
As some of you know, I was experiencing a very irritating, show-stopping problem with the RMX when I first recieved it. The problem was that at complete random, the RMX would 'stop' or 'spaz-out' on me. Sound would continue, but control would stop. Sometimes the sound would stop but control would work. Sometimes nothing would work! There seemed to be no definite root cause of the issue. The usb hub was working properly, drivers were working properly. USB power supply was sufficient, etc. All was 'good', sans the random failure of the unit.
Then it dawned on me. At home, in my room, on the same laptop I take the to club with me, is the only place the RMX would fail. It would not fail at the club in the DJ booth, ever. The only difference between the 2 locations: my room is carpeted, the DJ booth is wooden floor. Static Electricity!
Yes, believe it or not, the RMX is apparently very vulnerable to static electricity! I tested the theory by intentionally discharging my static on the RMX while playing (at home), and yes, every single time the RMX failed. Sometimes it was a large shock that I could feel, sometimes it was a very small, barely noticeable shock. So just a friendly note to all you RMX users in VDJ Land...make sure you discharge your static electricity before touching your RMX...or failure may shortly follow! (or find a way to 'ground' the RMX)
geposted Thu 11 Dec 08 @ 9:13 am
tayla
nice tip...
geposted Thu 11 Dec 08 @ 10:01 am
djprofe
any suggestions on how to ground it out? I had the same thing happen to me, but in a show. very embarrasing!! Theres was carpeting where I performed.
geposted Thu 11 Dec 08 @ 10:08 am
jimmy b
djprofe wrote :
any suggestions on how to ground it out?
Yeah, something like this would cure the problem. and it's pretty cheap aswell.
geposted Thu 11 Dec 08 @ 10:14 am
FortMacDJ
i just stopped wearing socks on carpet and wore shoes! lol
geposted Thu 11 Dec 08 @ 10:46 am
arfur
Or how about connecting the EARTH terminal that usually connects to decks EARTH, to the earth terminal of a plug?
I believe most laptop's PSU's isolate the laptop and leave it floating with regard to earth - grounding it from controller to plug earth terminal should provide a direct discharge path.
I believe most laptop's PSU's isolate the laptop and leave it floating with regard to earth - grounding it from controller to plug earth terminal should provide a direct discharge path.
geposted Fri 12 Dec 08 @ 3:15 am
yk23
Man Im zapping everything in my house since its cold outisde and the heater is on. Getting a humidifier will help.
-DJ Kavika
-DJ Kavika
geposted Mon 22 Dec 08 @ 11:42 am
Fotobro
FortMacDJ wrote :
Hey Everyone,
As some of you know, I was experiencing a very irritating, show-stopping problem with the RMX when I first recieved it. The problem was that at complete random, the RMX would 'stop' or 'spaz-out' on me. Sound would continue, but control would stop. Sometimes the sound would stop but control would work. Sometimes nothing would work! There seemed to be no definite root cause of the issue. The usb hub was working properly, drivers were working properly. USB power supply was sufficient, etc. All was 'good', sans the random failure of the unit.
Then it dawned on me. At home, in my room, on the same laptop I take the to club with me, is the only place the RMX would fail. It would not fail at the club in the DJ booth, ever. The only difference between the 2 locations: my room is carpeted, the DJ booth is wooden floor. Static Electricity!
Yes, believe it or not, the RMX is apparently very vulnerable to static electricity! I tested the theory by intentionally discharging my static on the RMX while playing (at home), and yes, every single time the RMX failed. Sometimes it was a large shock that I could feel, sometimes it was a very small, barely noticeable shock. So just a friendly note to all you RMX users in VDJ Land...make sure you discharge your static electricity before touching your RMX...or failure may shortly follow! (or find a way to 'ground' the RMX)
As some of you know, I was experiencing a very irritating, show-stopping problem with the RMX when I first recieved it. The problem was that at complete random, the RMX would 'stop' or 'spaz-out' on me. Sound would continue, but control would stop. Sometimes the sound would stop but control would work. Sometimes nothing would work! There seemed to be no definite root cause of the issue. The usb hub was working properly, drivers were working properly. USB power supply was sufficient, etc. All was 'good', sans the random failure of the unit.
Then it dawned on me. At home, in my room, on the same laptop I take the to club with me, is the only place the RMX would fail. It would not fail at the club in the DJ booth, ever. The only difference between the 2 locations: my room is carpeted, the DJ booth is wooden floor. Static Electricity!
Yes, believe it or not, the RMX is apparently very vulnerable to static electricity! I tested the theory by intentionally discharging my static on the RMX while playing (at home), and yes, every single time the RMX failed. Sometimes it was a large shock that I could feel, sometimes it was a very small, barely noticeable shock. So just a friendly note to all you RMX users in VDJ Land...make sure you discharge your static electricity before touching your RMX...or failure may shortly follow! (or find a way to 'ground' the RMX)
For clarification, does the alligator clip for the anti static wrist strap clip the the ground on the back of the RMX. I to had a gig in side with carpet and had to stay still or discharge on the metal chair I had behind the booth. It is very annoying dealing with the shutdowns and also the constant discharging.
Thanks
geposted Fri 02 Jan 09 @ 9:09 am
JD The DJ
This happened on my mac at a show and I could not get it working afterwards. The shock blew out one of my usb ports!
-Terry Moran
myspace.com/TerryMoran
-Terry Moran
myspace.com/TerryMoran
geposted Fri 02 Jan 09 @ 8:37 pm
sp842
Hey Everyone,
As some of you know, I was experiencing a very irritating, show-stopping problem with the RMX when I first recieved it. The problem was that at complete random, the RMX would 'stop' or 'spaz-out' on me. Sound would continue, but control would stop. Sometimes the sound would stop but control would work. Sometimes nothing would work! There seemed to be no definite root cause of the issue. The usb hub was working properly, drivers were working properly. USB power supply was sufficient, etc. All was 'good', sans the random failure of the unit.
Then it dawned on me. At home, in my room, on the same laptop I take the to club with me, is the only place the RMX would fail. It would not fail at the club in the DJ booth, ever. The only difference between the 2 locations: my room is carpeted, the DJ booth is wooden floor. Static Electricity!
Yes, believe it or not, the RMX is apparently very vulnerable to static electricity! I tested the theory by intentionally discharging my static on the RMX while playing (at home), and yes, every single time the RMX failed. Sometimes it was a large shock that I could feel, sometimes it was a very small, barely noticeable shock. So just a friendly note to all you RMX users in VDJ Land...make sure you discharge your static electricity before touching your RMX...or failure may shortly follow! (or find a way to 'ground' the RMX)
As some of you know, I was experiencing a very irritating, show-stopping problem with the RMX when I first recieved it. The problem was that at complete random, the RMX would 'stop' or 'spaz-out' on me. Sound would continue, but control would stop. Sometimes the sound would stop but control would work. Sometimes nothing would work! There seemed to be no definite root cause of the issue. The usb hub was working properly, drivers were working properly. USB power supply was sufficient, etc. All was 'good', sans the random failure of the unit.
Then it dawned on me. At home, in my room, on the same laptop I take the to club with me, is the only place the RMX would fail. It would not fail at the club in the DJ booth, ever. The only difference between the 2 locations: my room is carpeted, the DJ booth is wooden floor. Static Electricity!
Yes, believe it or not, the RMX is apparently very vulnerable to static electricity! I tested the theory by intentionally discharging my static on the RMX while playing (at home), and yes, every single time the RMX failed. Sometimes it was a large shock that I could feel, sometimes it was a very small, barely noticeable shock. So just a friendly note to all you RMX users in VDJ Land...make sure you discharge your static electricity before touching your RMX...or failure may shortly follow! (or find a way to 'ground' the RMX)
geposted Sat 03 Jan 09 @ 3:49 pm
sp842
wow that happened to me yesterday i'm glad you posted this...
geposted Sat 03 Jan 09 @ 3:52 pm
yk23
The main issue is the body is made of metal vs most outher controllers are mostly plastic.
-David
-David
geposted Sat 03 Jan 09 @ 7:18 pm
dj_netlist
Hi everyone,
The solution to the static issue is to provide the shortest discharge path from the --> main metal casing <-- of the RMX to the electrical earth ground.
As you will see on the back of the RMX, the ground screws for the turntables are fixed to a plastic black plate. They don't have a direct connection to the RMX metal casing. The black plastic plate is isolating these screws from the metal casing.
These ground screws are connected inside the RMX to the ground signal of the RMX circuit. If you expect that these screws will allow a nice static discharge path to the electrical ground earth, it won't be the case. Your static discharge will first go to the metal casing and will go through the board + electronics to go out of the RMX , that is not the shortest path for the static discharge. It is the proper ground connection for the audio but it is not the best one when the RMX is used in a environment full of static.
When you touch the RMX with a static discharge, it will first go to the main metal casing of the RMX. You need to use one of the 2 metal screws on the back of the RMX (the screws which are fixing the metal casing, the ones which are touching the metal casing, like the screw next to the USB connector, not the phono screws) and connect it to the ground earth. Use a "decent" wire size (=biggest is the better) to allow a good discharge path.
And I am not talking about connecting the wire to another device which should be "grounded" as a turntable for example. Connect the wire directly to the electrical house ground earth or on the metal casing of a desktop PC (not a laptop).
Since you have the issue in your room, I think you will accept that solution to work in private without any discharge issues ... anymore.
Keep me updated if you try that solution, it won't cost you a lot to try it :).
Sam
The solution to the static issue is to provide the shortest discharge path from the --> main metal casing <-- of the RMX to the electrical earth ground.
As you will see on the back of the RMX, the ground screws for the turntables are fixed to a plastic black plate. They don't have a direct connection to the RMX metal casing. The black plastic plate is isolating these screws from the metal casing.
These ground screws are connected inside the RMX to the ground signal of the RMX circuit. If you expect that these screws will allow a nice static discharge path to the electrical ground earth, it won't be the case. Your static discharge will first go to the metal casing and will go through the board + electronics to go out of the RMX , that is not the shortest path for the static discharge. It is the proper ground connection for the audio but it is not the best one when the RMX is used in a environment full of static.
When you touch the RMX with a static discharge, it will first go to the main metal casing of the RMX. You need to use one of the 2 metal screws on the back of the RMX (the screws which are fixing the metal casing, the ones which are touching the metal casing, like the screw next to the USB connector, not the phono screws) and connect it to the ground earth. Use a "decent" wire size (=biggest is the better) to allow a good discharge path.
And I am not talking about connecting the wire to another device which should be "grounded" as a turntable for example. Connect the wire directly to the electrical house ground earth or on the metal casing of a desktop PC (not a laptop).
Since you have the issue in your room, I think you will accept that solution to work in private without any discharge issues ... anymore.
Keep me updated if you try that solution, it won't cost you a lot to try it :).
Sam
geposted Tue 13 Jan 09 @ 9:44 pm
nimphphlown
took a flight from palm springs to denver had to mobb through the new backscatter and multimetter areas, got to dj destination and hurculis console hasent been working ever since ,,wow wtF ok so noticed before it really started to malfuction the fader was glitching at like half way also there seems to be a considerable amount of static in the area ,,for about 24hours now every computer i plug mu virtual dj console to it make the mouse inoperable and the que shoots to the top left conner screen and untill i unplug the hurculis console i cant even use mouse on computer ,,plese help :( !!,,
geposted Wed 03 Mar 10 @ 1:04 pm
Made In Breizh
Hello nimphphlown,
I don't think your problem is only related to static electricity. Can you try using your DJ Console with another USB cable?
What is your model of DJ Console?
I don't think your problem is only related to static electricity. Can you try using your DJ Console with another USB cable?
What is your model of DJ Console?
geposted Thu 04 Mar 10 @ 2:39 am
JD The DJ
I finally figured out how to fix this! I bought ther serrato video plugin and now don't have to worry about dj toys not working! Hoorah!
geposted Thu 04 Mar 10 @ 2:15 pm
mp3jrick
I had this happen with an MAudio Fast Track Pro once, when I plugged in my headphones.
That was a bad night, 'course, a teacher lifting my main power feed up over a door so she could wheel a cart by and in doing so up off the hook I was strain relieved to shutting things down, also wasn't a software or hardware problem either.
The key here is to recognize when static is present.
It makes no difference what hardware you are running, (software either for that matter), all electronics will fail when subjected to high voltage.
Serato included.
When we scuff our shoes upon a rug on a dry winter day, our bodies typically charge up to a potential of several thousand volts with respect to the ground. In physics this is a well-known fact, and is easily verified by meter measurements. Touch a grounded object, and a spark will leap between the object and your fingertip. This kind of electric spark can only exist when a high voltage is present. The tiniest spark requires about 500 volts.
That was a bad night, 'course, a teacher lifting my main power feed up over a door so she could wheel a cart by and in doing so up off the hook I was strain relieved to shutting things down, also wasn't a software or hardware problem either.
The key here is to recognize when static is present.
It makes no difference what hardware you are running, (software either for that matter), all electronics will fail when subjected to high voltage.
Serato included.
When we scuff our shoes upon a rug on a dry winter day, our bodies typically charge up to a potential of several thousand volts with respect to the ground. In physics this is a well-known fact, and is easily verified by meter measurements. Touch a grounded object, and a spark will leap between the object and your fingertip. This kind of electric spark can only exist when a high voltage is present. The tiniest spark requires about 500 volts.
geposted Thu 04 Mar 10 @ 5:24 pm
acw_dj
The best way to solve static issues is connecting to ground our RMX GND screw. To discharge any static energy we may touch any grounded case. In case of a ground loop noise, then just unplug RMX GND and leave the GROUND cable near, and touch it from time to time with your fingers, you will discharge any static you may have.
geposted Thu 04 Mar 10 @ 10:18 pm
acw_dj
DJ Terry Moran,
I respect your opinion, but I will tell you why I think video is best in VirtualDJ:
Best video quality is in VOB files today (since DVD is what you get on video companies , MP4 isn't. Also I just need 15 minutes to rip a full Promo Only DVD, while it could take 5 hours ripping it to MP4 (same 720x480 that is the source dvd quality and not 640x480 like many mp4 are).
Also audio quality could be a lot better using PCM16 1536Kbps and not just 160 or 192kbps. For me this has more quality in addition with a better sound card I could choose, and not just SSL1 or SSL3, I could use any sound card I could setup in my OS. Just an example for a better sound card than any SSL1 or SSL3 is Echo AudioFire 4 and there are others also that are better (Like RME). It's no sense to me to use a CDJ-2000 with an SSL1 when CDJ-2000 soundcard is a lot better than any SSL, but wait, if you use Serato, you can't use any other soundcard... mmm to bad.
I really appreciate that VirtualDJ Pro let me choose how I want to work with (timecodes, midi hid or serial devices, just PC playing audio, video, karaokee and wide supported file formats), so in that matter, this is the way to go for me.
I respect your opinion, but I will tell you why I think video is best in VirtualDJ:
Best video quality is in VOB files today (since DVD is what you get on video companies , MP4 isn't. Also I just need 15 minutes to rip a full Promo Only DVD, while it could take 5 hours ripping it to MP4 (same 720x480 that is the source dvd quality and not 640x480 like many mp4 are).
Also audio quality could be a lot better using PCM16 1536Kbps and not just 160 or 192kbps. For me this has more quality in addition with a better sound card I could choose, and not just SSL1 or SSL3, I could use any sound card I could setup in my OS. Just an example for a better sound card than any SSL1 or SSL3 is Echo AudioFire 4 and there are others also that are better (Like RME). It's no sense to me to use a CDJ-2000 with an SSL1 when CDJ-2000 soundcard is a lot better than any SSL, but wait, if you use Serato, you can't use any other soundcard... mmm to bad.
I really appreciate that VirtualDJ Pro let me choose how I want to work with (timecodes, midi hid or serial devices, just PC playing audio, video, karaokee and wide supported file formats), so in that matter, this is the way to go for me.
geposted Thu 04 Mar 10 @ 11:23 pm
DJNeidermeyer
Hi everyone,
The solution to the static issue is to provide the shortest discharge path from the --> main metal casing <-- of the RMX to the electrical earth ground.
As you will see on the back of the RMX, the ground screws for the turntables are fixed to a plastic black plate. They don't have a direct connection to the RMX metal casing. The black plastic plate is isolating these screws from the metal casing.
These ground screws are connected inside the RMX to the ground signal of the RMX circuit. If you expect that these screws will allow a nice static discharge path to the electrical ground earth, it won't be the case. Your static discharge will first go to the metal casing and will go through the board + electronics to go out of the RMX , that is not the shortest path for the static discharge. It is the proper ground connection for the audio but it is not the best one when the RMX is used in a environment full of static.
When you touch the RMX with a static discharge, it will first go to the main metal casing of the RMX. You need to use one of the 2 metal screws on the back of the RMX (the screws which are fixing the metal casing, the ones which are touching the metal casing, like the screw next to the USB connector, not the phono screws) and connect it to the ground earth. Use a "decent" wire size (=biggest is the better) to allow a good discharge path.
And I am not talking about connecting the wire to another device which should be "grounded" as a turntable for example. Connect the wire directly to the electrical house ground earth or on the metal casing of a desktop PC (not a laptop).
Since you have the issue in your room, I think you will accept that solution to work in private without any discharge issues ... anymore.
Keep me updated if you try that solution, it won't cost you a lot to try it :).
Sam
Thanks for the tip. I experienced the lockup of the software three times today at a gig. These lockups haven't happened since - you guessed it - last cold, dry winter. Last year I guessed static electricity and now I'd say that's confirmed, especially after finding this thread. I will try this grounding solution.
The solution to the static issue is to provide the shortest discharge path from the --> main metal casing <-- of the RMX to the electrical earth ground.
As you will see on the back of the RMX, the ground screws for the turntables are fixed to a plastic black plate. They don't have a direct connection to the RMX metal casing. The black plastic plate is isolating these screws from the metal casing.
These ground screws are connected inside the RMX to the ground signal of the RMX circuit. If you expect that these screws will allow a nice static discharge path to the electrical ground earth, it won't be the case. Your static discharge will first go to the metal casing and will go through the board + electronics to go out of the RMX , that is not the shortest path for the static discharge. It is the proper ground connection for the audio but it is not the best one when the RMX is used in a environment full of static.
When you touch the RMX with a static discharge, it will first go to the main metal casing of the RMX. You need to use one of the 2 metal screws on the back of the RMX (the screws which are fixing the metal casing, the ones which are touching the metal casing, like the screw next to the USB connector, not the phono screws) and connect it to the ground earth. Use a "decent" wire size (=biggest is the better) to allow a good discharge path.
And I am not talking about connecting the wire to another device which should be "grounded" as a turntable for example. Connect the wire directly to the electrical house ground earth or on the metal casing of a desktop PC (not a laptop).
Since you have the issue in your room, I think you will accept that solution to work in private without any discharge issues ... anymore.
Keep me updated if you try that solution, it won't cost you a lot to try it :).
Sam
Thanks for the tip. I experienced the lockup of the software three times today at a gig. These lockups haven't happened since - you guessed it - last cold, dry winter. Last year I guessed static electricity and now I'd say that's confirmed, especially after finding this thread. I will try this grounding solution.
geposted Sat 16 Oct 10 @ 12:52 pm
