XDJ-RX Sound Quality Issue

As sound can be a bit subjective, it's hard to say without hearing a recording comparing them, or to compare it to another XDJ-RX. If you have the time / ability to do that, it would really help.

Thank you for the reply,

I was thinking i should purchase another xdi rx and compare the two and return it after. I haven't tried recording a mix and listening back on it to see how the audio sounds. Would the sound card affect the way the recording sounds? Or is it strictly for how the sound outputs to speakers?

That depends entirely if/where the problem exists - if you are confident that the same cables and speakers with another device playing the same songs sounds different, it would point to the audio device (controller) or its drivers as being the culprit.

Are you testing with audio from a USB drive or from your computer?

I am certain that there is a difference between the two controllers, using the exact same speakers and cables. Ive also played the exact song on both devices for two other people and they both picked out which one sounded better ( older controller ). Ive tried with USB drive and from rekordbox DJ on a MacBook and i get the same audio quality.

I just placed an order online for another xdi rx and will receive the unit next week, i will compare the two units and see if there is a difference.

I too am finding the recorded sound quite muddy on my new XDJ-RX. I previously used a Kontrol S2 with Traktor & recorded all of my mixes which gave a nice full range of bass, mids & highs. After listening to my first recording on the RX I am amazed at the low quality sound.

I'm hoping there is some solution available or unfortunately I will be returning the unit.  

Hi MekoSix, There may be an issue with my XDJ-RX as well.  I have posted my findings in another thread here.  In order to help expedite your request, the following information will be helpful:

1) What is the firmware version of your XDJ-RX?
 
Turn on the power of XDJ-RX
Press the [MENU(UTILITY)] button for over 1 second to open the [UTILITY] screen. Press the rotary selector to check the version.
Press the [MENU(UTILITY)] button to close the [UTILITY] screen. 

2) Are you using the XDJ-RX standalone with USB sticks, or with DJ software?  If using DJ software, which one and what version?  

3) What is the trim knob (channel volume) setting used for your recording?  

4) Have you opened the recorded WAV file into a program such as Audacity, or a DAW such as Ableton or Logic?  If so, can you post a screenshot of that recording?  

My recordings appear to be clipped or significantly brick-wall limited, even at very low recorded volumes (with trim knob 10 o'clock, recorded around -15db).  In my post (https://forums.pioneerdj.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/115002182026-XDJ-RX-Recordings-Clipping-at-Low-Volume), you can see some screenshots of recordings that I've made for comparison purposes.  

My experience has been that it's difficult to assess the situation.  Sound quality involves some judgment, but if you're not happy with it then my candid advice would be to return the unit within the return period absent any other solution.  I wish I had known about the issue in time since it's still unclear after months of research whether mine has an issue.  Hope this is helpful, and please let us know how it goes.  

Thanks for your reply Don Herman, sorry to hear you are having issues as well.

• The firmware is the latest version available 2.20.
• I was using the Pro DJ Link via ethernet cable to my Macbook Pro running the latest version of Rekordbox.
• Trims were around the 11 0'clock mark with only 2 of the 4 orange master level LEDs at peak. (It did sound a bit louder through my powered speakers than my previous equipment - I didn't change the speaker volume).
• I will have to look at the waveform when I get home tonight but as with all my previous recordings, I run the recorded wav through Platinum Notes to get a consistent level.

I will add extra information when I have it but I have the feeling my unit may be faulty :(

Thanks for your update as well.  I recommend trying the following:

1) Use a USB cable from the XDJ-RX to the laptop.  I believe the Ethernet cable is for use with compatible CDJs only.  If you don't have a USB cable handy, try recording using USB to USB, which will take Rekordbox out of the equation, except for pre-analysis of tracks.  And you could load a raw file onto the source USB to take Rekordbox completely out of the equation as well.  

2) Turn the trim knobs down until the channel LED's do not go above 0db.  It's mentioned elsewhere in the XDJ thread that the XDJ-RX recording level is rather sensitive.  Any recording levels above 0db may result in distortion.  

Interesting to note that the firmware version of your unit is 2.20, same as mine.  But until trying the above, there are too many other variables here.  Again, hope this helps!   

Screen Capture of section of recorded wav shows only very slight clipping but nothing drastic.

Was this recording made using a USB cable instead of the Ethernet cable, or USB to USB?  What was the trim knob setting used?  Any difference with the audible sound quality of recordings after making these changes, or still same as before?

That waveform looks zoomed in pretty far, and I believe it only shows about 4 beats.  Mine were either not zoomed in or enlarged just enough to show the complete waveform for the mix or track in question.  In the mix I recorded with the XDJ-RX, nine out of ten tracks were "flatlined."  I even had a friend record the same track on his XDJ-RX and then recorded it on mine.  The waveform from his recording looked normal, while mine looked "flatlined."  His unit is still on firmware version 2.10 and mine is on 2.20.  I still think there's something odd with how mine records audio, as two XDJ-RX's recording the same track should show the same waveform (aside from minor trim level adjustments, and we had both set ours at 10 o'clock for this test).  

If it were possible to flash the unit with firmware v. 2.10 again, I could test to see whether the firmware version is causing the difference.  But I don't believe there's any way to do it,  once a newer version is released then the old ones are no longer available.  I still think there may either be a defect with my unit, or firmware v. 2.20 somehow records the audio differently than v. 2.10.  I've stopped using the XDJ-RX and there's just a little over three months left on the warranty, so it has basically become a large, heavy and expensive paperweight.  If you're not satisfied with the sound quality, I would make sure to get it back to the store before the return period is over.  Let us know how it goes, and good luck!     

I returned the RX to the store on Saturday and the sales guys tested the audio playback quality using tracks from his personal USB.  Without any other device to compare it with, the playback sound quality could not really be faulted (I could see this coming >:/ ).

He then recorded a track to a second USB and played that back using the deck on the right with the original cued up in the left deck. Swapping from one to the other, the difference was extremely obvious and he agreed that there is a real issue.

The unit is now being tested and I expect to hear a response this week. I will post when I hear more.

That's encouraging news.  I haven't tested mine that way yet, didn't think about playing back from the USB on the right side from which the recording had been made.  I've thought about taking mine back to the store, but it's well after the return period.  I nearly got Guitar Center's three year extended warranty on it but waited too long to add it.  I've read that extended warranties usually aren't worth it, but in this case it might take three years to figure out the issue!  

Good luck again, hope everything works out well with your new XDJ-RX.  Perhaps Pioneer will fix and/or replace it.  

Went to the store on Saturday to go through the issue again with another staff member.

Recorded a track and then swapped between the 2 as before. This time there was no audible difference.

I'm concluding that there is nothing further to pursue except maybe the quality and age of the USB stick.