djprofitt
I have a pair of Numark NDX800 CDJs. Problem is, one stopped reading discs. I have a warranty, but with a 5-6 week turnaround time, I've been hesitant to send it off (from Halloween to present, I am swamped with gigs) until things slow down for me. Until then, I've been using the one timecode setup, which is fine, but I was wondering if there is a way to set up VDJ7 to recognize one timecode and the other NDX800 as a midicontroller? If you have done this before (I'm assuming the brand of equipment shouldn't matter, one would be analog the other midi) please let me know
geposted Thu 13 Jan 11 @ 9:25 am
djprofitt
Well I tried it last night, and here are the results:
It works, when I was just using just the one timecode, I had "Tab" mapped on the keyboard to toggle between deck 1 and deck 2 to control with the timecode. Adding the other NDX800 as a midi device does this - I can tell it to control deck 1 or deck 2 with the Eject button, no matter if I am using the timecode on that deck or not. I still use "Tab" to toggle deck 1 and 2 with the timecode, but the midi controller, even when paused or stopped, will immediately play seamlessly when you toggle decks 1 and 2 with it.
(ex - deck 1 is playing, toggle TC to deck 2, add song to deck. Using the second NDX as a midi controller, I adjust pitch, set up loops, add cues, etc, and then use the TC to scratch it in, make the transition, then toggle back to deck 1 with both to set up next song)
Advantages - With the NDX800, as with any CDJ that can be used in midi format, you now have buttons mapped out (stock or as you wish) to control features of VDJ. Cue points, pitch control, and browser scroll are my favorites.
Disadvantages - Since the scratch quality is nowhere as good as TC, I hardly scratch with it, so I keep it on my right (I scratch with my left) and i'd like to be able to blend more and more with midi, but the "feel/control" on the platter is not there. Maybe my settings are wrong? Another disadvantage is that, I was used to just dealing with the timecode, (going from 2 TCs to 1 was hard enough) but now I am adding the midi controller and all I can really say is, practice, practice, practice. Even when I get it fixed, don't know if I will go back to two TCs, because I do like the advantages.
It works, when I was just using just the one timecode, I had "Tab" mapped on the keyboard to toggle between deck 1 and deck 2 to control with the timecode. Adding the other NDX800 as a midi device does this - I can tell it to control deck 1 or deck 2 with the Eject button, no matter if I am using the timecode on that deck or not. I still use "Tab" to toggle deck 1 and 2 with the timecode, but the midi controller, even when paused or stopped, will immediately play seamlessly when you toggle decks 1 and 2 with it.
(ex - deck 1 is playing, toggle TC to deck 2, add song to deck. Using the second NDX as a midi controller, I adjust pitch, set up loops, add cues, etc, and then use the TC to scratch it in, make the transition, then toggle back to deck 1 with both to set up next song)
Advantages - With the NDX800, as with any CDJ that can be used in midi format, you now have buttons mapped out (stock or as you wish) to control features of VDJ. Cue points, pitch control, and browser scroll are my favorites.
Disadvantages - Since the scratch quality is nowhere as good as TC, I hardly scratch with it, so I keep it on my right (I scratch with my left) and i'd like to be able to blend more and more with midi, but the "feel/control" on the platter is not there. Maybe my settings are wrong? Another disadvantage is that, I was used to just dealing with the timecode, (going from 2 TCs to 1 was hard enough) but now I am adding the midi controller and all I can really say is, practice, practice, practice. Even when I get it fixed, don't know if I will go back to two TCs, because I do like the advantages.
geposted Fri 14 Jan 11 @ 6:40 am