My DDJ RR has developed a weird fault

My DDJ RR has developed a weird fault this week.

On the left deck, the "Hot Cue" button above the pads no longer seems to respond.

It still lights up fine when powered on and stays lit (as that's the default mode) when Rekordbox is up and running

However, if you select any of the other 3 modes using the buttons, you can't then select (nor illuminate as a result) the "Hot Cue" mode? Also what seems odd is that if you select "Beat Slicer", the waveform on Rekordbox then has the beat slice sections highlighted as normal, but if you then select, say, the "Samples" button - the samples button is illuminated to show it's in that mode, samples fire off as usual using the pads, but on the waveform, the beat slicer highlights are still active. They only deactivate if I press the "Pad FX" button. If I then press "Samples" again it's all lit up fine as it should be.

The pads themselves do what they are supposed to do in every mode except "Hot Cues", obviously.

The right hand deck works just fine in all modes, and everything else on the controller works perfectly too.

I've taken a punt that it's the left deck pad circuit board has goofed, and got one on order, but just wanted to see if anyone could confirm that's the likely culprit (because I can return the board if it's something else!)

It's not had anything spilt on it or anything, so that won't be the cause.

It's running off a power supply, but the fault still exists if it's powered solely by the USB as well.

Literally nothing has changed with the setup (be that the macbook pro it's connect to, software, or the controller itself) and it only ever gets used at home, so it's not being connected and disconnected and moved around.

Thanks

Russell

Russell Jones August 09, 2021 12:17 Answered

Official comment

Russell,

I'm sorry to hear that things are working, however our support agent was correct in that we do not provide end-users with the technical details nor instructions regarding repairs.

We can't diagnose the PCB simply by your description, which is why you were directed to contact a service shop who has the service manuals and can properly assess the fault.

The DDJ-RR was discontinued in September of 2018, however we are required to maintain availability of parts for repair for a minimum number of years after that (I believe it's 4?), so while the parts may not be immediately or widely available, we do still have the DWX3902 board available for order (for example, our US parts supplier shows it's not in stock, but can be ordered).

Again, I'm sorry it has failed unexpectedly, but we'll direct you to contact a Pioneer DJ authorized service centre in your region to have your controller repaired.

Thank you for your understanding.

Pulse August 12, 2021 19:25

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3 comments

Ok, so now I'm a bit buggered. The part DWX3902 is not available anywhere in the UK...nobody has any stock. Pioneer don't have any stock.

I swapped the left and right pad PBC's over to see if the fault followed the suspected dodgy pad PCB and it does. So I'm assuming it's definitely something on that board.

I'm hoping it's just the tactile switch/button associated with the "Hot Cue" mode selection. Local DJ repair shop have these and so are going to have a look for me.

Have to say, I wasn't very impressed with Pioneer tech support on this. Response I got, having sent videos and pictures as requested, was "need to send it for repair". When asked if they could possible speak to their tech guy to ask if he thought it likely the pad PCB was at fault, I was told "we can't share any technical information or service manuals. Feel free to ask one of our technical repair places".

What the hell.

I am only trying to find out if the PCB is the likely culprit - I don't need to know how to do it (that bit looks pretty straight forward - 6 or so screws and a ribbon cable).

It's either that or the button itself - I am hoping it is the button, but it still clicks the same as all the others, so I'm not convinced it is that if I'm being honest.

All I'm after is a little advice (and hope!)...anyone?!

Got a horrible feeling that Pioneer have now made this DDJ-RR obsolete by no longer stocking spare parts, so I'm stuck with a faulty unit, or shelling out £700 or so for something new of similar quality, which is proper crap....as the rest of the unit is mint and works perfectly, and although second hand to me (£500), I've only had it about 9 months or so.

Russell Jones August 11, 2021 15:36 0 votes

So, thought people (perhaps Pioneer too?!) would like know that the problem was indeed with the PCB.

Russell Jones September 21, 2021 19:43 0 votes