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Topic: Firewire devices supported by VDJ

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Hi guys,
Perhaps some people are in the same boat as me.

I have a Macbook Pro, and both 13" and 15" versions have only 2 usb ports.
When playing out, I plug in either 2 x CDJ400's, 900's or 2000's. (whatever is going).

Whilst I have creatively mapped EVERY button on each controller as best I can to suit my needs, I STILL NEED MORE BUTTONS !!!
Basically, with no free USB ports left, I need a Firewire controller of some sort. Something like the Korg Nano-Kontrol, but that plugs into my firewire port (instead of a USB port).
Does anyone have any suggestions? I feel as though I have scoured the web for one, with no success.

Hell, I'd even be happy to plug in a small Firewire mixer, and just map the buttons and knobs to control effects etc, if I knew it could be done.
Any suggestions VDJ Team, as to a mappable Firewire Controller of sorts?
 
Posted Wed 16 Jun 10 @ 11:06 am
Why not just get a powered USB hub and add more ports?

Roy
 
unfortunately (as far as I know, and according to pioneer's website), you cannot run two cdj400/900/2000 controllers through a usb hub from a single usb port.
i tried it once, and everything went bung up; it stuffed up the way the sound cards worked on the players etc.
So, i really have both USB ports taken by the players.
 
I'm afraid the only available options are MIDI-capable mixers with built-in Firewire sound card; Ecler EVO5 and Korg Zero8.
 
wow, is that the only two? or will the korg zero4 etc work as well?

surely there is some money to be made in this?!
i mean, how many people must...

- own 13 or 15 inch macbooks?
- use them to dj using 2 midi controllers
- use both usb ports on their computer (whether by limitation or choice, ie. using some little known brand 'Pioneer') :)

..... and want some sort of effects buttons/pad !!
 
haydos wrote :
unfortunately (as far as I know, and according to pioneer's website), you cannot run two cdj400/900/2000 controllers through a usb hub from a single usb port.
i tried it once, and everything went bung up; it stuffed up the way the sound cards worked on the players etc.
So, i really have both USB ports taken by the players.


Why not plug one into a hub and the other directly through the other usb port
 
I use the Korg Zero4. The Korg Zero8 is the same with twice the inputs. Almost every knob, button and slider can be programmed. It is a bit expensive and not small.
 
Thanks NoDoubtDJ's,
I was curious if anyone was using this with VDJ.
The only thing that put me off was the size, and of course, there doesn't seem to be that many buttons
(unless the knobs are push-knobs?)

I also had my eye on this litle bad boy, but again, not really many buttons, just lots of knobs...
http://www.storedj.com.au/products/product.php?id=2338

Wondering if a Pioneer rep could answer whether as per suggested, you could infact plug one CDJ900/2000 directly into USB port,
and plug the other into say a USB hub, and use additional hub port(s) for other devices.

Is this possible,recommended?
Is more or less ports better?
Is powered or unpowered usb hub better?

Cheers guys.
 
djjameslake wrote :
Why not plug one into a hub and the other directly through the other usb port


Think you missed this comment... This would solve the problem wouldn't it? You plug one directly in to one port and the other via the hub... Both independently connected but with extra ports for you to play with.

Cheers,

Roy
 
There are many Firewire cards that you can use with VDJ. I use Korg Zero8. Before I used Presonus Firebox (discontinued). And many more can be used! Like Stanton Scratch amp.....
 
djfilosoff, you didn't quite understand what haydos wanted. He wants the ability to send MIDI-control information via Firewire, not just a Firewire-soundcard.

HOWEVER this gave me an idea; If you have a Firewire-soundcard, which has a MIDI-in like most devices do, you can attach any MIDI-capable controller device to your FW sound card and re-route the MIDI-data to your laptop.
 
That will only work if the MIDI controller has traditional MIDI in/out ports.

Most DJ MIDI controllers are USB plug 'n' play with their own built-in USB MIDI interface and do not have MIDI in/out ports.
 
Are you using an external hard disk with USB? You could get a firewire drive instead and that would then free up a usb port

You could also just use keyboard shortcuts for extra buttons
 
thanks guys. really helpful
i'm still wondering if someone from Pioneer or VDJ can answer the following USB Hub question I posed above, namely...

"In hooking Controller 1 direct to USB port, and Controller 2 to a USB Hub...."

Is this possible,recommended?
Is more or less ports on the usb hub any different/better?
Is powered or unpowered usb hub any different/betterr?

Cheers!
 
resurrecting this post in the hope that someone from pioneer can answer.
 


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