[SOLVED] CDJ2000NXS Auto-Sync, Dynamic Mode Grids, and Non-quantized Tracks

@Andrei > Yes, it will keep the two BPMs matched up in relation to how they are analysed. Of course, just like Serato, analysis is based on a specific algorithm so you may need to make some adjustments in the software.

Gavin, 

Thank you. Yes, of course I'll prob have to edit and tweak lots of the grids with warp markers on my soul/funk tracks, but that's to be expected and really interesting. Neither Serato (Itch) nor Traktor can do what you confirmed can be done so this could be the end of DVSs as we know it. Good riddance of the computer, I say! 

Is there any way I could go somewhere to try this out prior to purchasing them that you can suggest? (I don't know of any friends/clubs that have them in my area yet - Austin, Tx, and [retailer] does not have a setup on display.) Or alternatively, is there anyone on the forums here that would be willing to go through the trouble of showing adjustments of a non-quantized classic song with dynamic grid turned on and then sync working flawlessly with it, speeding or slowing down the beats as needed seamlessly across the songs? If it does indeed work like this, its game over imo, for the competition.

Andrei

@Andrei > Just before you proceed, will you let me check with the engineers just to make sure I am correct...

Cool, sounds good Gavin, thank you very much. I def. want to avoid restocking fees if this isn't working like I'm thinking it will.

I've created a ticket for the CDJ engineers - I'll report back what they say.

Hey Gavin, any word back from the engineers?

@Andrei > Just heard back. Ultimately, the answer is 'yes'.

However, none of the engineers have a definite answer for the question if what Traktor or Serato cannot do can be done by rekordbox.

The engineers would like to know more details about what you really want to do with your CDJ2000nexus / rekordbox combo.

Andrei I think you hit the nail on the head!! I think this is Pioneer's master plan for now and the future... To get rid of DJ s/w all together. When you think about it... We really don't need any dj s/w anymore with these new players and Rekordbox.Teamed up with any of Pioneer's Effect units, you can pretty much do anything. Even as powerful and great Traktor is. I don't see myself using it anymore. 

That was always seemed to be the plan - give the DJ to take the option of using his / her laptop or leaving it at home altogether. I think its a nice plan.

Thanks for your continued support Gavin. Here is a bit more detail. In loud, echoy environments, Serato has the vertical wave forms to visually pitch ride. I know that you should DJ with your ears vs. your eyes, but when its super-hard to hear the nuances of your music, its occasionally really nice. With CDJ2000nexus's, you don't have this luxury of stacked waveforms so I was wondering if:

• You have a floating bpm classic/soul/funk track and you grid it in dynamic mode, and the grid looks right, will the sync automatically "warp" the track to stay in time? How will it sound? Can you hear the track speeding up or slowing down or is it pretty smooth? In Traktor or Itch, this is not possible as from everything I know and have tried. Ableton does, it however.
  

I'm sorry for the repeat explanation but I'm hoping I'm clarifying sufficiently. Any video out there with someone mixing old music on CDJ-2000 nexus's with sync on? 

@Andrei > I've gone back to the engineers again... ;)

Gavin and all,

I've been able to get my hands on two CDJ2000 Nexus's to test. I took two classic disco tracks which had severely shifting grids, (needing adjustments both forwards and backwards, almost every 4 beats), analyzed them in dynamic mode, and then manually gridded them dropping the "make an adjustment from the current position" makers on almost every red down beat then slipping the grid forwards or backwards as needed.

Then, I exported to a flash drive, and tested it out. WOW! Sync works in this fashion and well! Not only does it work, but its keeps the two tracks in time as the bpms shift. You'll see the bpm oscillating/fluctuating every so often on BOTH tracks keeping things at same tempo. Occasionally, a little manual nudging is still needed (I probably wasn't as perfect with the gridding as I could have been) but doing so puts it in tempo sync vs. beat sync mode and thus keeps both tracks still perfectly in time as you fine tune. Really nice.

So, yes, this is a viable solution for funk/soul/disco DJs who like longer blends and don't always have edits to play. I'm not a fan of using sync in general, but for floating tracks, it can be a great help.

Tracks like this do take a long time to grid (8-10min per track) but its surely quite a bit easier than warping in ableton and exporting. This is quite impressive.

I did notice that when scratching a song in, while sync is on, sometimes the song stutters, as well as if you turn sync on or off, (traktor does NOT do this) but I haven't yet researched the forums to see if its a common problem. I'm sure it is, but its not a deal breaker in my opinion.

Just thought I'd give you guys the update. Now, more than ever, I'm thinking about these decks. Just trying to figure out if I'll be ok with leaving my 1200s behind forever and moving my library from serato to rekordbox. Its probably a somewhat limiting move, but I'll experience much greater technological benefit too.

Let me know if anyone has any questions about what I've discovered. I've got access to these decks all this month and can test whatever you'd like.

Andrei 

I would just like to say thanks for the investigation and information Andrei. :) I have been wondering about the same.

@Andrei > Thanks for that, thats great information and I'm glad it works like how you wished it would.