XDJ-RX freeze, spinny wheel or "E" code errors

@Jeff > Does it consistently happen with specific audio files? If so, could you post one for us to test?

Hi everyone - having a similar issue with the unit freezing to Jeff, and I also have a temp workaround that I discovered last night at my residency gig (short version - use 2 USB sticks).

I use the -RX as a standalone, playing a set from one 64gb USB so that I can record with USB Slot 2. I get some kind of freeze whether I'm recording or not, after around anything from 2 - 3 hours.

Example 1: As I scroll through my tracks, I notice that suddenly the album art is starting to go missing. I select a song, and get a red error code on the deck I'm trying to load to. I cannot select any new tracks, but can still load previously played ones. This is the most common issue.

Example 2: While using the 'search' function during a gig two nights ago the screen went almost entirely white (I'm sorry it was during a gig, I can't remember what was left on the screen, possibly the search text alphabet) and the unit froze, although it still played the last song though. I can't remember exactly which button I pressed, but it probably happened when I pressed the back button, or selected 'enter'.

Example 3: During the set last night swapping between browse and the main playback screen, the waveform for the track that was playing vanished.  The waveform for the song I'd just loaded in the browse screen was there on Deck 2 though.  I couldn't access any music on the USB.

However, and this is my 'workaround', I always carry a duplicate / spare USB in case of technical issues, link cables coming loose etc.  Inserting that in USB 2 'refreshed' the unit, with everything for the rest of the night coming from that slot.  I didn't want to risk accessing USB 1 again.

So, I've tried solutions and I have thoughts on ways to solve this that I'm going to try.  First, I thought the 'cheap' USB's (Emtec 64GB USB 3) may be at fault so I bought new Sandisk sticks (64gb USB 3 also) - yet Ex2 and Ex3 above both happened with them.

Some further info on what I'm asking the unit to play.  My tracks tend to be 320mbps CBR, although some are straight from the iTunes store so I believe they are 256kbps VBR.  I'll have the odd song in there that's 192kbps from back in the day I haven't replaced yet but they're rare.  Each stick has about 35gb of music on it (3,800 tracks or so).  Sticks are formatted to Apple's OSX Extended / Master Boot Record as I found that Rekordbox worked way faster writing to them as opposed to when they're FAT32, although I appreciate that this may be the problem or part of it.

So, my 2 cents.  For me, and I'm not a software engineer just a DJ that's had computers and pieces of kit occasionally crash on him for a couple of decades, I'm asking the -RX to do too much, maxing out the processor or creating a bottleneck, and eventually it's just too much for the unit to handle playing a track while accessing the same USB to search, show info, waveforms etc. 

I'm going to format my USB's to FAT 32 today, rewrite them and use both USB slots / 2 USB's this evening and then I'll report back with how that goes (I play 5 - 6 hours a night so I'm sure if the issue is still there it will happen again).  When I have a day off and time to do some testing, I'll try the FAT 32 idea with just one USB and see how long the unit lasts.

Can't think of any more info you may need but fire away if so.  Thanks in advance for your help / advice - Brett

^ So, a couple of things to report.  The 'missing waveform' in Example 3.  That was actually a 50 minute pre-made mix I put on before I officially start work.  Last night I loaded a similar mix and the same thing, no waveform.  It still plays fine though.  I just think the song is too long to display the waveform, so strike that one.

My idea of going to FAT32 on my Mac just isn't practical.  I formatted a stick and the writing process was just as slow as I remember it being before we could use Apple's formatting.  There's just no way it's practical for me to use that, so I have to remove that as a viable solution (if indeed it would have made any difference anyway).

So last night I played using both USB ports and guess what - no freeze throughout my 5 hour set.  I was usually playing both songs from the same USB but this changed a lot, as I'd select an opposite port whenever I noticed I was doing this.  Ideally I'd have USB 1 with deck 1 and vice-versa, so I have to get in to the habit of pressing USB 1 or 2 instead of 'Browse' when I come to load another track.

Unfortunately, an issue has cropped up with the left Play button.  It's off-topic, so I'll only mention it, but stabbing the button with two fingers as I habitually do (and have always done) can sometimes cause the button to register two presses, effectively meaning it pauses the track.  This is bad as I have to speak in to the mic a lot and rely on a lot of crash transitions, so timing is everything.  I've had quite a few uncomfortable silences now, at first I thought I was doing something wrong, with a fader down maybe (don't forget I think I've just pressed play), but yeah - dodgy button.  I'm hoping as time goes and it gets used a lot the pad underneath will soften and only register one hit, as sending for service in the middle of high season would be a major pain in the ass.  Anyway, off topic but another teething problem I'm having with the deck.

Thanks - Brett

1&2) Could be caused by bad USB drives. Consider testing another make/model to see if that eliminates the problem.

3) Correct; I believe 16 minutes is the max length for the waveform to show, anything longer than that will play but without a waveform.

Hi Pulse.  90% sure not bad USB drives.  The Sandisks I bought to replace the cheaper ones were the most expensive I could find, claiming 150mbps speed.  

http://www.staples.com/SanDisk-Ultra-Flair-64GB-150-Mbps-Read-USB-30-Flash-Drive-Silver/product_IM12R5635

(They were a lot more than $33 ea in Spain btw!)

Using the two sticks in tandem has removed the lock issue (10 hrs playing time so probably safe to assume), so I'll keep using that way.  Not totally happy as I really wanted to record my live sets but there we are.  Meanwhile if you can recommend spec for USB sticks that would stip the deck from locking that would be helpful for as and when I upgrade.  You've mentioned never having any issues with the -RX the more you can share about the tech specs of your setup the better.  Thx - B.

The only SanDisk drives I've had success with are the Extreme Pro models, so if you could, please try testing with another make / model.