[SOLVED] CDJ-400 using the compact disc players as controllers

@Matthew > If anything, I would connect the drive direct and connect the players both via the UBS hub.  This will provide a dedicated port for the hard drive which requires a more sustained data transfer rate than the CDJs do.

The first step you should take is to change the USB connections (as above) then once connected, load the Audio MIDI Setup app (under Utilities) and see that both CDJs are shown as MIDI devices.  From there, open Traktor and run your Setup Wizard (under the Help menu) and configure it to use the CDJ-400's.  Once that's complete, select PC MODE on the CDJs and you should see the prompt to select which deck each controls.

Hi Pulse,

Your advise is much appreciated. 

Your first paragraph makes sense regarding the data transfer rate, however now the Mac does not seem to recognise the decks when attempting to test them (ie there is no bleeping sound when pressing any of the buttons on the decks).  Although, Pioneer Corp now appears under the manufacturers drop down menu - this did not appear before?

There is also no Wizard on the help menu within Traktor.  The version I am attempting to set this up on is 3.4.1.040.  When going through the midi set up, it is possible to drill into a window, where there are a number of different controllers, however there are no pioneer decks displaying within this window.

I believe I have installed the latest updates for the decks in accordance with the instructions on the website.

Again, I am now completely stuck!  Clearly, either something  isn't functioning as per the instructions, or more than likely I am unable to assign the decks as per the instructions despite now spending hours trying to make this work?!

Whoah, what?  Version 3.4?  Wasn't that from their first generation of software?  I didn't think they ever implemented support for the CDJs within their setup wizard (but as you're saying, it doesn't even have one).  The last version of Traktor 1 was 1.2.7, the current version of Traktor 2 is 2.0.3.  I would suggest you double-check that update as it may be that you're seriously out of date.

Can you take a screen-shot of the Help > About (or Traktor > About) pop-up window that shows the version info?

Again, thanks for your comment.  

Whoah what!  The version I am trying to sort out is Traktor 3, not 1 or 2!  Anyway, I have attached this file along with this message and I have the latest updates installed, even though they are nearly 3 years old! 

By the sounds of what you are writing, it is only the later version of Traktor that are supporting the CDJ-400s as controllers?

Yeah, it's what I thought, Traktor3 is their OLD version; they have since updated the software twice!

The last version of Traktor (Traktor 1) is now out of production, but it supported the CDJ-400's from 1.2.x (I believe).  Their new version (Traktor 2) supports them as well -- you may want to contact Native Instruments re: an upgrade from your version.  The CDJ400's may be supported as MIDI devices, but you'll get a better experience overall with newer software.

Pulse,

Once again thanks for the comments.

I do have Traktor 2. The version I am trying to use the CDJs as controller is Traktor 3 which superseded version 2 - this was a free upgrade.  I appreciate that they then introduced Traktor Pro a couple of years ago, and then recently the next generation of Traktor DJ products.  So logically, if Traktor 1 and 2 supports the CDJ-400s, then version 3 should as well?

In effect from what you are saying, then it seems that if I want to use the CDJs as controllers, then I have to purchase the latest versions of the software, rather than being able to use current software.  My concern is, that if I am struggling to get the CDJs to work now, that I will still have this problem with the later versions - I write this as I believe the instructions for the CDJs as midi controllers came out before they released Traktor Pro, but whilst Traktor 3 was still the latest version.  And according the instructions, the beauty is that I will not have to assign any of the midi controls, as the template is already set up.

No, that's the original Traktor - which preceded Traktor Scratch Pro (version 1).  I know, it gets confusing - see the Wikipedia page for details.

You should still be able to use the CDJs as controllers for your version of the software, you'll simply have to map them out manually as MIDI controllers (and no, you wouldn't see that on-screen instruction (as noted in #2 of your original post).

hi mr pulse (if you are reading this!),

well i upgraded my version of traktor to the newer version (ie traktor pro 2).

i have managed to get either/or of the 2 pioneer decks functioning as a controller perfectly, but can not get the second deck to work simultaneously.  the decks are routed through a usb hub, and the apple recognises both of them, but traktor only seems to recognise one of them. i have gone through everything as suggested above. grateful for any help?

@Matthew > Do you have each deck set to a different MIDI channel?  That's required in order for them to speak to the software individually.

Hi,  I have one question.  If  I´m using a cdj400  + traktor  in my macbook pro.  is´t possible to connect a Traktor F1 Controler to mi Macbook pro??  How can i do it because my laptop only have 2 usb ports.    Its possible to use a usb hub or something like that or I needo something else to do de connection??  

Thank you!!!

@Carlos > Yes, you'll need a USB hub.