The bar I was DJ-ing at last night had a Rane SL4 box. I installed the drivers for it and Virtual DJ detected the device successfully. So far so good.
The problems started when I tried to get the timecode signals from it. The Rane SL4 box has 4 input channels, but VirtualDJ only supports channels 1 & 2. The CDJ's were connected to Channels 1 & 4.
"No problem" says I "Use the Advanced configuration".
Nope - that didn't work either. I selected 2 timecode signals to read off channels 1&2 and 7&8 (I assume this is the equivalent of inputs 1 & 4 on the SL4 box). And then I selected output channels 1&2 and 7&8 for output. But VirtualDJ kept popping up and giving me an "Error ASIO Driver" message.
It really felt like Virtual DJ was giving me the middle finger. And, as usual, the Serato DJ's are laughing at my inability to use industry standard equipment.
So what's the deal here? How could I have got this configuration to work in VirtualDJ?
The problems started when I tried to get the timecode signals from it. The Rane SL4 box has 4 input channels, but VirtualDJ only supports channels 1 & 2. The CDJ's were connected to Channels 1 & 4.
"No problem" says I "Use the Advanced configuration".
Nope - that didn't work either. I selected 2 timecode signals to read off channels 1&2 and 7&8 (I assume this is the equivalent of inputs 1 & 4 on the SL4 box). And then I selected output channels 1&2 and 7&8 for output. But VirtualDJ kept popping up and giving me an "Error ASIO Driver" message.
It really felt like Virtual DJ was giving me the middle finger. And, as usual, the Serato DJ's are laughing at my inability to use industry standard equipment.
So what's the deal here? How could I have got this configuration to work in VirtualDJ?
Posted Sat 04 Aug 12 @ 11:10 pm
Has anyone got any advice regarding this? Is it a VirtualDJ limitation? How can I get around it?
Posted Thu 09 Aug 12 @ 5:14 pm
Not sure, but i don't believe
Guess the deal would be, RANE offers propper driver for industry standard and not only for their own standard.
Please let the Serato guys next time use another industry standard soundcard.
Then start to laugh too ;-)
djnanite wrote :
is industry standard.Channels 1 & 4
Guess the deal would be, RANE offers propper driver for industry standard and not only for their own standard.
Please let the Serato guys next time use another industry standard soundcard.
Then start to laugh too ;-)
Posted Fri 10 Aug 12 @ 5:25 am
Haui70 wrote :
Not sure, but i don't believe
djnanite wrote :
is industry standard.Channels 1 & 4
Rane hardware is industry standard. The Rane SL4 allows any combination of vinyl and CD over channels 1-4.
If Virtual DJ detected the Rane SL4 correctly, it should have an option to set any combination of channels 1-4, to match the unit's ability. Either that, or fix the Advance Configuration so I can manually set it.
Haui70 wrote :
Guess the deal would be, RANE offers propper driver for industry standard and not only for their own standard.
Please let the Serato guys next time use another industry standard soundcard.
Then start to laugh too ;-)
Please let the Serato guys next time use another industry standard soundcard.
Then start to laugh too ;-)
Rane will simply say they only design their hardware for Serato, and not other players.
Virtual DJ doesn't have a standard hardware interface like Rane/Serato, so it should work on any ASIO compatible soundcard. Rane SL4 is ASIO compatible I believe, and Virtual DJ's Advanced Configuration should work. But it doesn't.
Posted Sat 11 Aug 12 @ 1:20 am
I don't have an SL4 but is it possibly a problem with the asio drivers themselves? There have been quirks with SL asio drivers before.
Have you asked the hardware vendor?
You'll have to wait for someone to come along with experience with it. I'm glad proprietary devices aren't industry standard over here :)
Have you asked the hardware vendor?
You'll have to wait for someone to come along with experience with it. I'm glad proprietary devices aren't industry standard over here :)
Posted Sat 11 Aug 12 @ 4:34 am
Looking at a picture of a Rane SL4, on the back is a switch to change between 48kHz and 96kHz....
I think that could be the problem right there.
There was a post on here recently by someone from Atomix which stated that the VDJ 'advanced mode' doesn't play nice at frequencies higher than 44.1kHz.
I think that could be the problem right there.
There was a post on here recently by someone from Atomix which stated that the VDJ 'advanced mode' doesn't play nice at frequencies higher than 44.1kHz.
Posted Sat 11 Aug 12 @ 5:32 am
groovindj wrote :
Looking at a picture of a Rane SL4, on the back is a switch to change between 48kHz and 96kHz....
I think that could be the problem right there.
There was a post on here recently by someone from Atomix which stated that the VDJ 'advanced mode' doesn't play nice at frequencies higher than 44.1kHz.
I think that could be the problem right there.
There was a post on here recently by someone from Atomix which stated that the VDJ 'advanced mode' doesn't play nice at frequencies higher than 44.1kHz.
I tried that, but that switch didn't make any difference.
No - the problem is that VirtualDJ only offers the option of picking up timecode signals from channels 1 & 2, whereas the Rane SL4 has 4 channels to choose from. Since I couldn't choose channels 1 & 4, I was only able to get a timecode from channel 1.
So - Atomix/Support - what *should* I see if the Rane SL4 has correct ASIO drivers? Would I see an option to choose from more than 2 channels in the timecode section?
If not, would I have to to Advanced Configuration?
Even though Virtual DJ correctly picked up channels 1 & 2 in the standard configuration, I could not even get the Advanced Configuration to use the same setup configuration as the standard (i.e. channels 1 & 2). I always got the ASIO driver error.
But it can't be an ASIO driver error if the standard configuration is able to pick up the card correctly, can it?
So what does the Advanced Configuration do that is different to the standard setup configuration? Why can one use the correct channels and not the other?
Posted Sun 12 Aug 12 @ 2:21 am
djnanite wrote :
I tried that, but that switch didn't make any difference.
No - the problem is that VirtualDJ only offers the option of picking up timecode signals from channels 1 & 2, whereas the Rane SL4 has 4 channels to choose from. Since I couldn't choose channels 1 & 4, I was only able to get a timecode from channel 1.
So - Atomix/Support - what *should* I see if the Rane SL4 has correct ASIO drivers? Would I see an option to choose from more than 2 channels in the timecode section?
If not, would I have to to Advanced Configuration?
Even though Virtual DJ correctly picked up channels 1 & 2 in the standard configuration, I could not even get the Advanced Configuration to use the same setup configuration as the standard (i.e. channels 1 & 2). I always got the ASIO driver error.
But it can't be an ASIO driver error if the standard configuration is able to pick up the card correctly, can it?
So what does the Advanced Configuration do that is different to the standard setup configuration? Why can one use the correct channels and not the other?
groovindj wrote :
Looking at a picture of a Rane SL4, on the back is a switch to change between 48kHz and 96kHz....
I think that could be the problem right there.
There was a post on here recently by someone from Atomix which stated that the VDJ 'advanced mode' doesn't play nice at frequencies higher than 44.1kHz.
I think that could be the problem right there.
There was a post on here recently by someone from Atomix which stated that the VDJ 'advanced mode' doesn't play nice at frequencies higher than 44.1kHz.
I tried that, but that switch didn't make any difference.
No - the problem is that VirtualDJ only offers the option of picking up timecode signals from channels 1 & 2, whereas the Rane SL4 has 4 channels to choose from. Since I couldn't choose channels 1 & 4, I was only able to get a timecode from channel 1.
So - Atomix/Support - what *should* I see if the Rane SL4 has correct ASIO drivers? Would I see an option to choose from more than 2 channels in the timecode section?
If not, would I have to to Advanced Configuration?
Even though Virtual DJ correctly picked up channels 1 & 2 in the standard configuration, I could not even get the Advanced Configuration to use the same setup configuration as the standard (i.e. channels 1 & 2). I always got the ASIO driver error.
But it can't be an ASIO driver error if the standard configuration is able to pick up the card correctly, can it?
So what does the Advanced Configuration do that is different to the standard setup configuration? Why can one use the correct channels and not the other?
SBDJ wrote :
You'll have to wait for someone to come along with experience with it. I'm glad proprietary devices aren't industry standard over here :)
Well, 'over here' (i.e. New Zealand), you would be hard pressed to find a single bar/club that *doesn't* have a Rane/Serato setup of some kind. And virtually all (laptop) DJ's over here use Serato.
I've so far resisted moving over Serato (despite the fact it would make my setup in bars/clubs infinitely more straightforward) because I prefer Virtual DJ's interface and features. Other pro DJ's in this country look down on Virtual DJ because they don't see it as being in the same professional league as Serato. When Virtual DJ fails to play ball with with Rane's hardware, and I have to jury rig my own setup, it's hard to disagree with them...
:-/
Posted Sun 12 Aug 12 @ 2:29 am
djnanite wrote :
I tried that, but that switch didn't make any difference
Of course not - because it switches between 48kHz and 96kHz, and (like I said) the VDJ advanced config works with 44.1kHz (CD quality).
You do realise that Serato software is free?
As long as you have access to a Rane SL box, it'll run (the box is the dongle).
Use the software that the interface is designed for. It won't cost you anything!
Posted Sun 12 Aug 12 @ 6:21 am
The quick fix would have been to replug one of the CDJs into the next consecutive channel.
Groovin may be correct - Virtual DJ runs at 44.1KHz and I do remember from the MC6000 discussions that some people have issues with non-44.1 devices in advanced mode.
The good news for you is that one of the things announced in the v8 preview is support for increased sample rates.
Groovin may be correct - Virtual DJ runs at 44.1KHz and I do remember from the MC6000 discussions that some people have issues with non-44.1 devices in advanced mode.
The good news for you is that one of the things announced in the v8 preview is support for increased sample rates.
Posted Sun 12 Aug 12 @ 6:51 am
I'd like to see a picture of his advanced configuration screen cause I use an SL3 and I can use timecodes on any of the channels from 1 through 6 in any combination (1/2, 3/4, 5/6). Or it could be what SBDJ and Groovin are talking about........
Picture please.....
Picture please.....
Posted Sun 12 Aug 12 @ 9:13 am
groovindj wrote :
Of course not - because it switches between 48kHz and 96kHz, and (like I said) the VDJ advanced config works with 44.1kHz (CD quality).
Ah! Good point! I misread that. OK, that's probably the reason, and when Virtual DJ adds support for higher rates then it should work.
groovindj wrote :
You do realise that Serato software is free?
As long as you have access to a Rane SL box, it'll run (the box is the dongle).
Use the software that the interface is designed for. It won't cost you anything!
As long as you have access to a Rane SL box, it'll run (the box is the dongle).
Use the software that the interface is designed for. It won't cost you anything!
As you say, the software won't run without the dongle. Since I don't have a dongle, I can't really practice on the software. And I don't want to have to play on unfamiliar software during a live performance.
Plus, it's a pain to have to maintain 2 music libraries on 2 separate DJ packages.
Posted Sun 12 Aug 12 @ 5:08 pm
SBDJ wrote :
The quick fix would have been to replug one of the CDJs into the next consecutive channel.
True. But I didn't want to have to start changing the bar's default setup that all their other (regular) DJ's use without a problem. Plus it'd mean every DJ coming on after me would have to change their setups to use the new configuration.
Posted Sun 12 Aug 12 @ 5:10 pm
djnanite wrote :
Since I don't have a dongle, I can't really practice on the software
What is there to practice? Just select your songs and play 'em!
On the other hand you could pick up a used SL1 box on eBay.
Posted Mon 13 Aug 12 @ 5:29 am
groovindj wrote :
What is there to practice? Just select your songs and play 'em!
You would use a newly installed, unfamiliar and untested program during a live performance, and would be confident it would work first time without a hitch?
I admire your optimism. Given how long it's taken me to get Virtual DJ working reliably, it either says a lot for the reliability of Serato, or a lot about the reliability of Virtual DJ...
groovindj wrote :
On the other hand you could pick up a used SL1 box on eBay.
If I did that, I would be struggling to find a compelling reason to ever use Virtual DJ.
Posted Mon 13 Aug 12 @ 3:26 pm
This is where people get confussed I think about Serato and VDJ. Serato does so little where as VDJ does SOOO much MORE, in my mind of course Serato is gonna be more stable from the get go but once VDJ is dialed in
BOOM ITS ON AND IS UNMATCHED
Which is why you'd rather use VDJ then Serato...........
BOOM ITS ON AND IS UNMATCHED
Which is why you'd rather use VDJ then Serato...........
Posted Tue 14 Aug 12 @ 12:22 am
beatbreaker1 wrote :
This is where people get confussed I think about Serato and VDJ. Serato does so little where as VDJ does SOOO much MORE, in my mind of course Serato is gonna be more stable from the get go but once VDJ is dialed in
BOOM ITS ON AND IS UNMATCHED
Which is why you'd rather use VDJ then Serato...........
BOOM ITS ON AND IS UNMATCHED
Which is why you'd rather use VDJ then Serato...........
Hmm...no doubt that explains why it is held in such high regard(!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMSkb5dbhHs
And why even Virtual DJ's own help pages recommend using Serato's products over their own:
http://www.virtualdj.com/wiki/TimeCode%20Config.html
And why Serato is able to:
* Allow 2 DJ's to smoothly transition using a single audio interface without interruption (Rane SL4).
* Support playback rates at 48 KHz and 96 KHz.
* Properly resize it's user interface.
* Show colour coding in their waveform display to indicate different frequency levels.
* Work reliably and accurately, such that some of the best DJ's in the world endorse their product: http://serato.com/icon
Look, I don't want this to be a slanging match between Virtual DJ and Serato. Virtual DJ's range of features and versatility is what attracted me to it in the first place. But if it can't compete with other products in terms of reliability and updates, and when forum users suggest getting my own Rane hardware, and when Atomix themselves recommend using Serato's own timecode CDs/Vinyls over their own, and when I live in a country where all the best DJ's use Serato, then I have to wonder whether it is worth punishing myself further by continuing to use Virtual DJ.
Posted Tue 14 Aug 12 @ 5:40 am
djnanite wrote :
* Allow 2 DJ's to smoothly transition using a single audio interface without interruption (Rane SL4)..
I dont need a SL4 to do this, I switch from VDJ to Serato all the time......Sure I have to use a record or a CD but you'd never know the difference......
djnanite wrote :
* Support playback rates at 48 KHz and 96 KHz..
It will in the next update and its not like Serato has been doing this from the start, I'd say a couple of years now.......
djnanite wrote :
* Properly resize it's user interface..
Again this will happen in the next update.......which is shown in the video of VDJ8, but you already know this.......
djnanite wrote :
* Show colour coding in their waveform display to indicate different frequency levels..
Again this will be in the next update even though you mix with your ears and shouldnt be wave riding..........
djnanite wrote :
* Work reliably and accurately, such that some of the best DJ's in the world endorse their product: http://serato.com/icon
This I just find funny, have you ever heard the pharse "Money talks and bullsh*t walks". If you pay anybody enough money theyll say and do whatever you want. As of late I havent heard any big DJ's endorse their stuff in fact alot have moved on to Traktor, which blows Serato and VDJ out of the water but they dont do video.......And as far as their ICON thing goes, most of those people are has beens...........peep their forums, there loosing peoples faith everyday. Most of the features they ask for over there we can and have already been able to do.
Im out, use what you want but you excusses are lame bro.......
Posted Tue 14 Aug 12 @ 7:41 am