anyone using a DJM-800 with Live?

Danny Futuro · Post by **Danny Futuro** » Tue May 30, 2006 7:37 pm

just curious to see how well it works, and if its worth the investment.

Marquis · Post by **Marquis** » Wed May 31, 2006 1:12 am

I just looked online at the DJM800 specs, and at first they seem fantastic. But how well does the switch between mixer and midi mode work? Is this unit designed to be in mixer mode OR in midi mode for a whole set, not in both?

What happens if you set the Channel 1 trim on the MIXER setting (say a record), then switch to midi mode and tweak up an effect in Ableton you've assigned to the same channel 1 trim knob? So far so good.

But if you then switch back to mixer mode, what has happened to the trim of the record? Is it louder because the knob was moved louder in midi mode?

Or if not, and you then turn down that trim knob, does it suddenly JUMP to the higher setting to match your movement? Could be very noisy!

(Not sure I am being clear here, but I am thinking along the lines of the problem you get when you use Ableton Live scene BPM tags AND hardware controllers for tempo. If you change your BPM via a scene tag, the hardware controller doesn't know, and when you then use the hardware tempo controller the tempo "jumps" to match the new CC value sent by the hardware controller. not very smooth)

I'm only guessing, but can the DJM800 be used in both modes at the same time. I'm not sure how that would work ubless the faders and knobs were all motorised (or digital) and reset each time you switch between mixer/midi modes.

Also, I think there might be issues at least for the next little while as clubs install these things as their main mixer. It requires all the laptop performers who wish to use the house mixer as a controller to have their live set already all correctly assigned.

Would you rock up and start a song and then quickly go into midi mode and assign 61 different controllers so you can use the mixer as your controller? I know I wouldn't. I'd just take my own controller, all set up, assigned and ready to play.

robtronik · Post by **robtronik** » Wed May 31, 2006 2:33 am

I am. here are my thoughts:

http://www.ableton.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=39073

I like it. You need to think about how you set it up of course, but it can work very well if you think it through.

rob.

macca · Post by **macca** » Wed May 31, 2006 9:56 am

I just got 1 last week, havent had much time to try it out due to work.

It is brilliant for use in live.

I was hoping rob would post his .als file....

robtronik · Post by **robtronik** » Wed May 31, 2006 2:43 pm

macca wrote:I just got 1 last week, havent had much time to try it out due to work.

It is brilliant for use in live.

I was hoping rob would post his .als file....

I describe my set up in detail via that linked thread. Its actually better if you go through the steps to set it up yourself. That way you can deconstruct my method and decide if it is workable for you.

i've recently started to use all four channels just for Live (a one to one relationship with Live's tracks rather than try to combine 2 Live tracks on one DJM channel utilzing the crossfader). This works exceptionally well in my opinion except for when you want to sync external gear as well - then you need to give up a channel or two on the DJM to connect everything.

rob.

macca · Post by **macca** » Wed May 31, 2006 3:30 pm

Cheers Rob...its very detailed, very good of you to take time out to post it.

I will run though at the weekend. Ive been using 4 channels aswell, now ive got the 800 i put my cdj through another channel. Came into some issues with cueing the cdj via the headphones...along with the other channels....

Found a workaround which wasnt ideal, by going into my fw410s interface and enabling/disabling.

Thanks for the info.

robtronik · Post by **robtronik** » Wed May 31, 2006 4:21 pm

sure, no problem. Keep in mind that my set up doesn't necessarily make needing the cue to pre-listen to tracks as a priority since everything is sync'd up already (via Live or drum machines, etc via MIDI clock).

i can see how using the cue buttons on the DJM as an assignment button in Live might cause a problem if they aren't set to do the same thing. (I have them set to mute or unmute a track in Live currently).

there is a workaround fix for assigning all four blue buttons on the DJM as well. If you run into that problem, there is a long thread at the pioneer pro dj forum where we got an answer from Japan on how to assign all four.

http://www.pioneerprodjforums.com/ubbth ... o=&fpart=1

rob.

robtronik · Post by **robtronik** » Wed May 31, 2006 4:26 pm

Marquis wrote:I just looked online at the DJM800 specs, and at first they seem fantastic. But how well does the switch between mixer and midi mode work? Is this unit designed to be in mixer mode OR in midi mode for a whole set, not in both?

What happens if you set the Channel 1 trim on the MIXER setting (say a record), then switch to midi mode and tweak up an effect in Ableton you've assigned to the same channel 1 trim knob? So far so good.

But if you then switch back to mixer mode, what has happened to the trim of the record? Is it louder because the knob was moved louder in midi mode?

Or if not, and you then turn down that trim knob, does it suddenly JUMP to the higher setting to match your movement? Could be very noisy!

(Not sure I am being clear here, but I am thinking along the lines of the problem you get when you use Ableton Live scene BPM tags AND hardware controllers for tempo. If you change your BPM via a scene tag, the hardware controller doesn't know, and when you then use the hardware tempo controller the tempo "jumps" to match the new CC value sent by the hardware controller. not very smooth)

I'm only guessing, but can the DJM800 be used in both modes at the same time. I'm not sure how that would work ubless the faders and knobs were all motorised (or digital) and reset each time you switch between mixer/midi modes.

Also, I think there might be issues at least for the next little while as clubs install these things as their main mixer. It requires all the laptop performers who wish to use the house mixer as a controller to have their live set already all correctly assigned.

Would you rock up and start a song and then quickly go into midi mode and assign 61 different controllers so you can use the mixer as your controller? I know I wouldn't. I'd just take my own controller, all set up, assigned and ready to play.

there is no switching between modes. they co-exist at the same time.

This is part of the challenge of the mixer - figuring out how to assign knobs, faders, and buttons to affect Live without adversely affecting the output of audio coming out of the mixer.

Its definitely doable for DJing. I would't say that it was quite as adept at it if you were doing tons of loops and audio snippets of original material. But it could be done but then I might recommend a Xone:3D or just a standard MIDI controller at that point.

But the DJM-800 is a great option for those of us who DJ with Live, like the tactile interface of a DJ mixer, like having external effects w/ no latency issues, and a way to easily mix external gear too - and not have to pay the $$$$ for xone:3d.

it has its compromises, but what doesn't?

rob.

macca · Post by **macca** » Fri Jun 02, 2006 12:07 pm

Hi Rob,

I had trouble with the Level/Depth Knob for navigating scenes. I assign to scene 1, when i turn the knob it doesnt flick over to the next scene. If I click a different scene using the mouse then turn the knob it goes back to scene 1 but no others.

Also - Beat Buttons under Display - left button/set loop (In), right beat button/set loop (out).

Are you doing this within the clip view? Or can you loop on the fly as a track is playing?

Cheers
Macca

Marquis · Post by **Marquis** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 3:52 am

macca - sounds liek you are assignign the knob to Scene 1 launch, not the scene select. If you click midi map mode in Live, then the scene select is underneaththe master channel, You have buttons for forward and back one scene (great for buttons) and a scene selector - forgive my not remembering the exact term, I'm at work - which just scrolls the scenes vertically, with the "selected" scene being in the middle of your display.

Try it - shoudl solve the problem.

jeskola · Post by **jeskola** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 1:44 pm

still not sure about these midi mixers - i dont really see the point in having to humph these things to your gigs (unless you got a rider and can get it shipped!) ... i mean whast wrong with just using the house mixer for standard audio control, and a controller for everything else. Unless your minted and have some spare cash for it in your home set up personally dont think its worth the hassle.

Last year i must have played over 50 gigs around the UK and theres no way i would be carrying someting the weight of an 800 or xone aswell as the rest of my kit!! might aswell just take a box of records

Nixon · Post by **Nixon** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 2:11 pm

I don't see the point pioneer is trying to make...They put in these a/d/d/a converters, but no connection to your computer...sound unlogical right?!

robtronik · Post by **robtronik** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 3:05 pm

the point is that it is an option, another capability, for those that want to take advantage of it.

As far as why we might be interested in lugging it around, the way I see it is that the 800 is a tactile interface, mixer, effects unti, and MIDI controller all in one.

I have that and my laptop with my MOTU ultralite. Its easy to set up.

And to me, its never been about what is lighter or more easy to move around, its been about what allows me to express my selection of tracks better than anything else.

It helps that the 800 is inexpensive compared to the 3D or even the Lemur (which is a whole different ballgame, actually).

rob.