Hello Pioneer-Forum,
I recently discovered that when I turn on the keylock function on my CDJ900NXS, the sound comes out pretty distorted, especially at mid/high frequencies, and even with low pitch % (so no 'extreme' pitching). Here is an example (pitch was around -5%):
without keylock: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/56323442/no_key.aif
with keylock: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/56323442/with_key.aif
a few notes regarding this problem:
- I am not redlining the mixer.
- No effects or other devices are connected between the CDJ and mixer.
- As soon as I turn off keylock, the file sounds just fine.
- Happens with AIFF, WAV, MP3. I also tried many different songs.
- Firmware v1.30
- both CDJs are affected
- Traktor doesnt seem to have a problem playing those files with keylock on (dont want to say it is better than the CDJ, it was just an observation ;-) ).
So I guess this could be a firmware problem? Is anyone else experiencing this? Any advice?
Cheers!
Post is closed for comments.
I got a pair of 900NXS and experience no problems using the Master Tempo function, even to extremes around +- 10%. If you want, I can pitch your file exactly the same amount and send it back to you, so you can compare the results.
Hey! That would be very kind of you! :) I attached a small crop from the song, so you can test it. I only cropped the song, didnt change anything else.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/56323442/crop.aif
In my sample from the last post, I pitched it down about 5%.
looking forward hearing from you!
I can confirm that I get the same distortion as you do. Tried it +5, -5 at both +-6% and +-10%. It actually occurs already at +0.10! The weirdest thing is that if I play it at +0.10% with master tempo on, reset the tempo and play the song again, it will still distort for a limited period of time.
I pay a lot of attention to sound and play regularly on really good systems, including Funktion 1. There is no way this problem is common because I would have noticed, every time I play on original 2000's i keep the master tempo turned off because I can't stand it even at very low levels of pitch.
The only thing I can think of is that the master tempo logarithm just can't handle your clip, some combination of sounds throws it completely off balance. Maybe someone with 2000NXS or 2000NXS2 can try it as well? It would be very interesting if we get the same results on those units...
Hey!
Thanks for you very quick reply! :)
I am both glad and sad by hearing these news - glad that my CDJs are not defective, sad that there doesnt seem to be an easy fix for it.
In an old thread from you I read that the CDJ900NXS and 2000NXS use the same algorithm for master tempo. Nevertheless, it would be nice to have s.o. try it on a 2000NXS.
I normally dont use the MT feature either, Ive just been experimenting with some new music styles where I have to often pitch +-16%, and that just sounds awful without MT.
So I guess it is a firmware issue - any idea how to write a support ticket to Pioneer?
Thanks again for your time.
Cheers!
Update:
Yesterday I did a 6 hour gig, played 110 tracks on my 900NXS with MT on and really payed attention to the sound. Crappy monitors but decent headphones, Sennheiser HD-25. Every time I heard any kind of distortion we have experienced above I turned MT off for at least 30 seconds and checked if the suspected sound was intended or not. Every time the song played as it should, the MT didn't add any distortion. At some times I even tried to turn MT off, cue up again, play again, turn it on etc. to make sure I was not mistaken, almost missing a few mixes in the process, but the answer was still that none of the 110 tracks I played yesterday was distorted by the MT.
My conclusion is that in some cases the 900NXS MT can add some distortion, as proven above, but so rarely that it is of no concern. If you happen to play one of these fluke tracks the audience will not notice the slight distortion anyway, for them it will sound like a part of the track :)
Hey! Thanks for the heads up, and your very long test run! :)
I agree with you, it only seems to affect a certain type of songs - mostly slower ones with lots of mid-hi frequencies.
Unfortunately, it affects about half of the songs where I really need the master tempo function. I guess you are right about only few people noticing the flaws in the club, but it is especially bad for recording mixes at home.
So until they fix it I can only spin in HID mode with traktor, which seems to work fine with keylock on.
Would be nice if someone from pioneer would see this, I can provide additional information if needed.
Cheers!
Some new feedback:
I just started recording a new mix and when I listen carefully with good monitors I start to hear slight distortion and artefacts in a lot of songs. As I wrote before, this is not noticeable in a live environment, but i agree that for recording the master tempo is not up to par. I guess that hardly any listener, even if they know the tune, would notice the slight distortions and artefacts but it is very annoying.
Can you send me the file again? Checked the link but it has expired. Just got a residency at a place sporting 2000 NXS2's and would like to do a quick sound test before my next gig there. If these new units also distort and produce artefacts like the 900 NXS Pioneer should really do a major overhaul of the master tempo function.