DDJ SX Microphone Distorted

Using XLR or 1/4 jack doesn't make any difference, it still sounds horrible. I've tried a wired Sennheiser E845 and a wireless Shure PG58. The gain is put at minimum, the signal is green, not orange or red!

For me it is also a major issue. Please help!?!

@Didier

I surprised the E848 didn't pair up well since its 1K Ohm impedance but since the preamp is too hot drop a -10dB or -20dB mic pad inline.  Should clear up the problem.

Pioneer has made so many mixers (I had a DJM500, DJM600, DJM700, DJM350, DJM5000) and all of these mixers worked fine with any microphone. I still don't get why they put such a preamp in the DDJ-SX?

There is too little info right now to speculate why it is doing what it is.  

It could be an design flaw.  

It could be designed the way its supposed to.

It could "possibly" be fixed with a firmware update (very unsure but plausible).  

It could be rectified in the next production run.

It could "possibly" be fixed by a internal adjustment.

Whatever the case is, currently it can be rectified fairly easily until we get some official word on what if anything is going on.  What I don't see going on is Pioneer collecting serial numbers from people having these problems to see if it is a issue with a batch run or something similar.

Please tell us that no more units will be shipped with this issue, one of the main reasons I want to buy this unit is because the mic input on my DDJ-S1 sounds crap!!!!

 

It´s not only the mick channel that having problem with dist.

I have the same problem on all channels.

Then Pioneer and Serato tells me that i should lower the gain. Ok if i do that and there is only 1-2 green lights at the VU-bars it sounds good but i have to turn up the master to get good volume. Then the limiter kicks in.

Maybe this unit isent made for club and partys? Only to use at home?

Dont come with this bullshit about i should buy another mic.

The one i have is working on all other mixers controller that i have tryed.

My mic is the one thats sounds good to my voice.

Is it a software problem or hardware? You need to sort this problem NOW!

joalim

i've had to change the autogain level in the software. by default it's set to 92db and the software was showing the vu hitting red. i reduce it to 90db and it now matches my channel gains/slider where i like to keep it at 0db or 6  green leds.

as for the mic, yes its not good. Pioneer have released a statement about this which you can see on the Serato forum. basically saying if you have the gain too high on a wireless receiver then reduce it. if its wired then bring the mic away from the mouth and increase the channel gain.

Hi Gilbz. I did try to non select autogain and it dident change a thing. Will try 90 db.

I have a ddj-s1 and there i dont have any problems with the mic. If i will have the mic longer from my mouth there be feedback like hell.

I have a wired mic.

I was getting a slight distortion and popping and noticed the software was clipping slightly, adjusting auto gain to 90db keeps the music in the green, occasionally in the amber. As I said my hardware (SX) is kept at 0db and the main output goes to whatever I need it to be to be loud enough for the venue. I was running a 7k JBL rig Sat night and the sound was the same volume coming from my Pioneer DJM 3000.

My 3000 I have no issues with microphones, it just seems Pioneer have redesigned the mic channel. Just like the Denon MC6000 which was hellish to balance out without distortion. My SX is now working perfectly.

Don't take this the wrong way but if you're like me then you love your mixing/ music and performing. The microphone I just bought with no consideration as to what the mixer requirements are. Bit like adding the wrong oil to your car engine.

Reading the Pioneer statement it appears Pioneer have changed the mic inputs to give a clearer better sound. Problem is they don't advertise or teach you to use a mic that HAS to have a certain output/ ohms.

On the Serato forum a guy who knows his stuff said he wouldn't touch a mic lower that 600ohms, favouring 1000ohms. I still know very little about microphones but can understand this guys comments and why Pioneer have upped their mic requirements, better sounding output from the mic makes them look better. BUT they don't put the point across about what works with the SX

Here's Pioneers statement~

The MIC input of DDJ-SX is designed to output clear and crispy sound if it is used under the optimal conditions.

However, depending on the usage of microphones, distortion may occur. Such distortion is caused when the mic input level is so high that it exceeds the tolerance level of MIC Amp circuit.

If this happens, no matter how you adjust the TRIM knob on DDJ-SX, distortion will not disappear.

If the gain level can be adjusted on a wireless microphone, it is recommended to lower the gain level until distortion is not observed.

When distortion occurs even though you are using wired microphone, it is

recommended to set the TRIM knob higher to avoid excessive input.

When excessive input is prevented, optimal sound quality without

distortion can be output.

The statement reads under optinal condtions. This wasnt is there manual or advertisement stuff. What mobile dj or club dj has optimal conditions. This is a massive screw up and i would hope this will be fixed and quick. Either a recall or a fix. This isnt how comapnys are aloud to do business.

FIX FOR DDJ-SX MIC BS!

I had a buddy of mine, DJ Toad out of Cinci, explain to me that Shure has a -10db setting UNDER the mic head.  I literally had to unscrew the mic head from the base to find it, it was pretty well hidden.  I did this and the mic worked great at my gig on Sunday, no issues at all.  The Pioneer statement tells you this:

If the gain level can be adjusted on a wireless microphone, it is recommended to lower the gain level until distortion is not observed.

I think they should have given us better instructions, or made it like any other type of gear that I have owned with no issues, but hey...at least there is a fix.

-DJ Terry Moran

www.DJTerryMoran.com

Thanks for the tip Terry.  That almost resolved my problem with my SM58.  Sounds still not as good as my DJM800, but is mostly OK.

Still sad there is no solution from Pioneer.  I'll probably buy a small compact mixer for the mic.

Pioneer's statement here:

http://forums.pioneerdj.com/entries/22474272-regarding-the-microphone-input-on-the-ddj-sx

Nicolas, I have a SM58 head on my wireless sure.  Once I clicked over to -10db (actually I couldn't see what it said, but I assumed this was the switch under the mic head) it worked great.  Shure mics do not have a gain on the receiver like they used to.  That should work for you.  Good luck.

-DJ Terry Moran

www.DJTerryMoran.com

In responce to Pioneers most recent post on this topic.

This is obviously a flaw in the product. In my 20 years of purchasing DJ equipment I have never had this problem or even a problem resembling this. We should not have to watch the way we speak into the microphone, that is nonsencical. Every person speaks into the mic a different way. 

I love the DDJ-SX product you have put out and I will continie to use it. however please do not try to weasel your way around the fact that your product has a defect in the microphone configuration.

Thank You

DJ Mike Breul

I tried two of my Sennheiser Evolution Wireless Microphones, I have a G1 and G3, in the Serato forum i read one users setup with the same mic. I get some distortion on my G1, and no distortion on my G3.  So I'll be using my G3 with the SX, problem solved!!

Having to use one mic unit over an other is not a solution.  This solution can only be solved by Pioneer and their engineers.  To have a mic work properly on any mixer should not be any kind of issue no matter what make or price point.

Pioneer please do us a solid.

Tony

I would like to clarify my above comment; my issue with the ddj-sx unit is that a 1/4 inch jack got stuck in mic ch3 input.  It was so stuck, when using force to remove it the jack broke inside the unit. Oppose to distortion with my mics,  I am waiting for Pioneer's response to this.  With all said, it seems to be a great unit and very good software (Serato dj).

Peace.

Well after my first weekend of playing out with the DDJ-SX I love the unit. But hate the mic input. Distortion should not happen. I've ordered a 20db and a 40db in line xlr mic attenuator to see which of these (if any) cures the problem when using both Shure SM58 wired and SM58/PGX2/PGX4 wireless mics. Failing that, has anyone tried wiring a mic thru a DI box into a line level input? I'm not into moaning about problems with the mic input on the DDJ-SX, I'd just like a solution so I can continue to use it without having to wire it through my DJM800, so I can use the mic on that. 

This Mic issue is obviously not a user end issue.  I have DJ'ed for years, on many set ups, I have taken the same corded mic to countless gigs, and used it on 20+ different set ups, and now, it is user error that is causing the issue?  The moderator needs to show some respect to people looking for Pioneer to step up and take ownership of this issue.  

I would be willing to put teh full pruchase price of the unit on the fact that I could set up 10 different DJ's on this unit, tell them to plug in a mic of their choice, and every single one will have an issue, because my unit, like many others is flawed.  

I don't need to be "educated" on plugging in a 1/4 jack, and adjusting levels.  It doesn't work.  I should not have to take apart my mic to fix the issue.  I should not have to jump through hoops to make a basic function of ANY mixer work as it should.  It is not our problem as end users to find a workaround for this issue

The "official" mic statement is BS.  I would love to have a pioneer rep face to face and have them work some "common sense" magic to make this unit work.  

 

I just read your comment on Facebook Doc Lawless.

I have resolved my mic issue by reducing the gain on the mics receiver unit.

However I do agree that it is wrong to have a unit, especially Pioneer where they have changed the requirements of mic which will work with the SX.

I have one wired mic which doesn't work, much distortion which is low impedence. The other mic which has a high impedence works perfectly.

Both mics and the wireless has been in  use with many many different mixers over the years with no problems.

Why Pioneer have done this I don't know, I can understand why by looking at the thread on the Serato forum but it doesn't help the many people who don't have high impedence or a wireless with adjustable gain

So a person on serato forum said a pioneer person said they held back sending more out to fix issue? can a pioneer rep say if this is true?

need I say I to have issues with the mic!sure wireless pgx4 xlr or 1/4 inch no sound at all! how is this even possible?I think I want a refund! I ran to the store for this on day one had the unit over thirty days now and i have several issues that have not been resolved.drop outs file tab nnot responding when hardware is plugged in and the headphone split tab is also a no go! 

Same mic issue, killed me because I had 3 shows that day, all of which required more mic work than mixing, using both XLR and TRS, dropped auto-gain, lowered wireless mic internal amp and other was a handheld corded,  and still having issues. 

Jason Huggins

Island Sound

@Jere > If thats true, its the first I've heard of it.

Thanks for replay Gavin. I guess we are just wondering if pioneer intended to make mic inputs that much hotter or if it was a mistake?

Back in November, I wrote that I had a 1/4 inch Hosa jack get STUCK in Ch3 input,  after that gig I took it home and had to force it out by trying to pull it out with much force.  It did finally come out, except the tip of the jack remain inside the unit.  I tried to resolve the issue with Pioneer, but they wanted me to pay for shipping of this brand new unit for repair.

part 2: After some back n forth with Pioneer, I decided to contact my vendor Musician's Friend and they replaced the unit at no charge or hassle.  As soon as I got the new unit I tested the jacks and seemed to be ok.  However, tonight when I decided to test the mic quality the 1/4 jack got stuck in this unit in the dual xlr/phono jack ch 3 again.  This time I will leave it in until I hear from Pioneer.  The brand of cable is HOSA, has anyone had this issue?

Thanks.

Hi every one, here italy is calling, i have problem for  the Track Gain Adjust of every channel, every time i put a new song in the channel the gain level change and i have to take the mouse with the hand and adjust it on the computer, there is anyway to adjust it with the ddj sx without leave the hand from it?? thanks!!!!

Hello everyone. I am very disappointed with the horrible sound that comes out of my ddj sx mic channels. I have lowered my gain on the mic receiver almost to the point of 0, and I still sound distorted, especially when I raised my voice. And yes, I do increase my distance from the mic as I increase my vocal level. Pioneer staff, please don't make us sound unprofessional, this is what we do.