Allen & Heath DX ...?

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Allen & Heath DX ...?
Posted on: 23.09.2009 by Shameka Wartgow
Whats this i spy?

http://www.xone.co.uk/dx/
Madlyn Trocino
19.04.2010
No it has nothing to do with removing the crossfader....The crossfader is miles aways from any machinery in the unit. It just sits all by itself with only one wire connecting it to the board (which is miles away from the crossfader).

I find it hard to believe this is isolated to my unit only. I suspect people and their love for this unit (and the money they spent on it) will have them either NOT doing the test and saying they did or not doing it properly or just being in total denial completely. Im not saying this is the case for you hesitant, buti ts just one of those things people dont want to except. If this is the case they will find out soon enough when they play in clubs with actual sub woofers....
Yon Gigler
19.04.2010
Originally Posted by hesitant

I will check with my unit toevening when I get in and let you know how I get on.
Well got my dx running just now and I've tapped it everywhere between the cue and play buttons, crossfader and random places on the unit and nothing happens. And they have pretty hard taps too.

Sounds like your unit is faulty.

Don't believe its this but do you believe its anything to do with removing your crossfader?
Yon Gigler
19.04.2010
Hey thictool that not good at all.

I will check with my unit toevening when I get in and let you know how I get on.
Leann Zugay
18.04.2010
Rough, looks like you'll need some foam for the time being, that's what I had to do with my VCI...hope they work that out for you
Madlyn Trocino
18.04.2010
I have a major problem with the DX unit. I took it to a club to work over the weekend and I noticed that the PLAY and CUE (Silver Buttons) on each side of the unit were dis-engaging themselves based on the vibrations of the bass in the DJ Booth. The bass in this DJ Booth is not that extreme and I have worked this booth before while using a VCI-100, Xponent and DJ TECH units with no problem at all.

This was really a problem because tracks were just stopping dead cold in the middle of my set. thankfully I was using Traktor and I had the option of unmapping these buttons and used the "hot cue" buttons below the PLAY & Cue buttons.

When I got home I did a little test of my own to see how sensitive to vibration these buttons (PLAY & CUE) accually were. What I uncovered was pretty shocking. All I have to do is tap the DX on its top surface anywhere near the PLAY & CUE buttons and it trips those buttons to engage depending on what state they are in. Meaning - if they are on an "OFF" state, they will engage, and if they are on a "ON" state, they dis-engage.

I know what the VCI-100 users went through in the early stages of development with their jog wheels being too sensitive to bass vibration. Vestax eventually built a feature into the hardware that allowed users to diable the platters if this created a problem.

The DX problem is far worse because these are affecting the PLAY & CUE botton, which are the most highly important button for a DJ.

I am in the proccess of creating a YOUTUBE video to document the problem.

Can anyone please try and re-create this issue?

As I said basically all you have to do is tap the unit in the general area of the buttons to get this behaviar. I even got this behaviar while tapping the unit near the crossfader.

I also created a trouble ticket thru A&H



HERE IS A VIDEO SHOWING IT IN ACTION http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWrqoIfOBPQ
Kecia Wnukowski
15.04.2010
I'm quoting myself from last page
I've received the coloured knobs from Djs Face so now my unit as a related colored faders to the deck's colour (red and green) and orange knobs for the fx knobs (I'll post a picture later).
I've been a bit disappointed by the knobs to be honest as they're supposed to fit but in fact they don't... the hole is not deep enough and the black adapter that comes with them rest on the metallic part of the shaft so they're way too elevated. I had to dig the hole, remove the black adapter and then use some milliput ( a two part paste that strengthens when dried) to mould the interior of the hole so it fits the shaft... meh....
MadMan Ajms
14.04.2010
Originally Posted by Yul
Dx with green and red faders to match decks' colour, orange knobs for fx units and Xone blue ones for top row of mixer's knobs.
looks cool.which knobs are they?
Toshia Shirey
10.04.2010
Waw.
.....Well, what I say .... You can take a thing worthy. But first need to sell all of their VCI, sound card, a couple of other subsidiary controllers, add some money and .... and it is yours.
Of course it will be interesting to twist a knobs and all there faders!!! )))))))))))))
Kecia Wnukowski
10.04.2010
Dx with green and red faders to match decks' colour, orange knobs for fx units and Xone blue ones for top row of mixer's knobs.
Yon Gigler
08.04.2010
Done a quick video showing the issue I'm having if I move the xfader. Forgot to show in the video but when I move the fader a few lights come on randomly on the dx such as the effects ones.

Hope someone can shed a little light on this. Oh and I've tried a different tsi and it works fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVdpYRN2fGw

VIDEO NOW REMOVED
Kecia Wnukowski
08.04.2010
Ok it's a feature but an unwanted one from me I must admit.
I'm always playing with the key lock on usually. Let's say I'm playing a track at pitch +5%. The key is set at 0.
I mapped a reverse function using pitch bend (Ali's trick): it stops the deck, un-engages the key lock, pitch bend the track so it plays now backwards and if I push the button once more, it starts again the track, reset the pitch bend and re-engages the key lock on....and this unwanted feature now adjust the key to a value relative to the pitch. Meh......


Ok, by bye reverse trick....
Brant Briski
08.04.2010
that's how key lock works - it corrects the key according to the playback pitch. when it's engaged, it tries to maintain the native/original key of the track, which is an offset of any pitch adjustment you've made for beat matching/sync.

i didn't believe much of it before the other evening , since i usually don't have the key/filter knobs displayed in the gui. then i mapped a button for key on/off and the pitch control on a modifier for key adjust, and saw what you are describing. but it makes sense... traktor will display the key adjustment separate from the key knob if you have it selected in the deck gui...
Kecia Wnukowski
07.04.2010
mmh, something's weird.
Could someone check the following: map a button to toggle key on/off for a given deck.
Play that deck and adjust the pitch to any value apart from 0.
Toggle off and then toggle on, my key 'knob' on Traktor drifts to the left or right by a value related to the pitch
Why? Why? Why?
I have nothing mapped (nothing active) that relates to Key apart from this button. I just don't understand AT ALL. The same behaviour happens even if I use another button on a different midi channel.

Is this a Traktor flaw. Any clue? Am I the only one? Is a default in Traktor 125 that I'm not aware of (if it's a known bug sorry for asking).
Yon Gigler
07.04.2010
Thanks very much Tim. Appreciated.
Brant Briski
07.04.2010
here are some freshly baked .tsi for anyone interested...

http://www.mixarchitekt.com/teknik/m...p125v4-tsi.zip

new documentation will be coming soon, but you'll find most of what you need to know if you check the previous doc - here

the new stuff is as follows:

3 flavors of effect control
1. 1 fx per deck/layer
2. 2 fx per side
3. 2 fx only

master tempo adjust via shift+scroll
master tempo pitch bend via shift + < and > buttons
key adjust via shift + pitch
hot cue led's are now active... for cid k.

yay.
Madlyn Trocino
06.04.2010
Hey Hesitant....THANKS FOR THE UPDATE BRO !!!!!!!!!!! The Jogs act exactly as they should.

Here some shots of my new Xone DX

My only beef with this unit is its complete in-ability to be seen in the dark.

Even with a UV light, the buttons are impossible to see. And the LEDs are located beside (?) the buttons (instead of on top or beneath) so finding them can be troublesum.

And hell some buttons dont even have LEDs for some unknown and ridiculous reason that problably has SERATO's name written all over it...

So I went to Staples and went sticker crazy.

I also used some Green Knobs and Faders I got from DJTT. Remember that the Black strip on the Green Knobs from DJTT will most certainly fall off at some point - I super glued mine, and I would suggest everyone do this because the Black strips are soooo small. Ive lost a couple in dark rooms never to be found again. Also the Green Knobs have a square peice in the bottom of them that allows you to change the position of where the Black strip sits. So the virtually work for any unit.

Also I removed the crossfader which was as easy as unscrewing 8 srews and lifting the top up about 4 inches. You dont even have to take off the knobs and faders to do this. This thing is really interesting inside. Well built and seemingly lots of room for Mods.

Even with the complaints I have about this unit....Its bad ass...and blows away anything in the market to date. You truely have to feel & hear one to believe it.
Kecia Wnukowski
06.04.2010
thanks for the link.

I've received the coloured knobs from Djs Face so now my unit as a related colored faders to the deck's colour (red and green) and orange knobs for the fx knobs (I'll post a picture later).
I've been a bit disappointed by the knobs to be honest as they're supposed to fit but in fact they don't... the hole is not deep enough and the black adapter that comes with them rest on the metallic part of the shaft so they're way too elevated. I had to dig the hole, remove the black adapter and then use some milliput ( a two part paste that strengthens when dry) to mould the interior of the hole so it fits the shaft... meh....

One thing I really miss on the DX is the fact that the jogwheel isn't sensitive.
I'm using the jog wheel to manage fx parameters and not having a note on when touched is a serious lack. Well, I managed to do almost what I wanted but still that would have been a nice addition.

Apart from that, the unit rocks.

By the way I hate NI to not allow us to have a better management system of the mapping. Once a deck is mapped I have to duplicate the deck 3 times for the 3 others decks, change each line one by one....and it's a pain in the ass.
Any chance someone knows a simpler (and free) way to do that (duplicate the file and change the midi channel...)?
Yon Gigler
06.04.2010
Update now available to fix the right jog wheel slip.

http://www.xone.co.uk/community /community _po...?TID=3505&PN=1
Madlyn Trocino
04.04.2010
Ok I got it....Ive never ran a mic through traktor so I have to start this proccess as a newbie....But got it figured out....

Main thing was to figure out that the channel in Traktor (A-B-C-D which ever one you decide to use) was set to External.
Yon Gigler
04.04.2010
Originally Posted by thictool
Hey is anyone using Xone DX with Traktor?

If so have you had any luck with using the mic?

I get NO MIC SOUND from the Front Mic Input. Not sure whats going on but, perhaps the mic only works while using ITCH?

Anyone?
Hey thictool, Yeah I've used the mic a couple of times with traktor and it works fine. Only used it on my laptop though and not my pc which I'm on just now. Have you setup the inputs? (I can't remember the channels, but believe its 7&8). And whatever deck you have it set to is it on the audio through? I've had no issues with mine and actually had a good laugh running the effects over my voice.

I will check my settings on the laptop and let you know.
Madlyn Trocino
03.04.2010
Hey is anyone using Xone DX with Traktor?

If so have you had any luck with using the mic?

I get NO MIC SOUND from the Front Mic Input. Not sure whats going on but, perhaps the mic only works while using ITCH?

Anyone?
Wilford Bakalian
03.04.2010
So i compared side-by-side and I got the lag as well on the jog wheel. But i've been playing every day and have had 2 gigs out so far and it's been working pretty good. The lag doesnt really effect how i play so w/e.

Fortunately it hasnt happened out at a gig (yet) but I've been receiving some crackling/pops/glitches when playing (as others have on the serato community s). Fingers crossed that's a higher or same priority is a jog lag.

Meanwhile, I just made my first promotional mix using the XoneX. I don't mean to try to sell myself here, but it's a look into what can be done with the DX utilizing 4 decks and I've only had it 2 weeks. Dubstep, Glitch-Hop, DnB with splashes of Breaks and Downtempo.

http://soundcloud.com/bitcrush/bit-c-rush-reborn-phoenix-cloud-9-promo-mix
Roselle Mcnaul
02.04.2010
shit like this is exactly why I didnt drop money on a 4D. Theres plenty of issues they need to address with it, even as far as releasing functional 64 bit drivers (seriously?), and even in spite of charging the premium they do - treat their community like shit (their community s are always a blast to read).

Honestly, I hope they release a fix for the DX soon, can't say I was surprised by everyones complaints, but my sympathy goes out to anyone who drops $1500 for something that doesn't perform like it, much less being at the mercy of R&D Dept. over at A&H :/
Yon Gigler
01.04.2010
I wonder if this is something to do with the mapping I have.

Well at least they have found a problem with the unit. Hopefully it wont be too long before a fix is released. I've got another gig this weekend and still a bit nervous about taking this unit out. The first time which was 2 weeks ago was fine but just can't help wondering how it will be until the unit is flash updated
Madlyn Trocino
01.04.2010
I havent noticed this behaviar and tryed to duplicate it as you decribed.

However I have experienced a weird 'default" Midi CC partern with certain Buttons. It seems CC 38 is some kind of default message which seems to "counter" whatever CC number these buttons have when they are not in use. Oddly it popped up a bunch

Of course this only happened once while I was head long into making a TSI from scratch and im not sure if perhaps I had "Double" booked a perticular funtion to a single button. It only happened once, and hasnt happened since.

BTW I got another responce from the "Crack" (really?) R & D team over at A & H.

Seems they have found the problem with the right jog wheel (ummm hello...) and are trying to figure out the best way to release the fix. Surely it will be in form of a flash update....but they were completely unclear as to how (or when) they were going to implement it.

Great news.....so this 1500 dollar unit remains colecting dust in my basement while A & H sits around "believe tanking....."....BRILLIANT !!!!!
Yon Gigler
31.03.2010
Has anyone experienced any sound problems when moving the x fader or right jogwheel?

The x fader is not assigned to anything but if I move it Traktor sort of freezes for a split second or 2 and the sound cuts off. I was trying to pitch bend with the right jog last evening and it started doing the same thing. I've tried moving the x fader and jog in itch and everything is fine and working.
Roselle Mcnaul
26.03.2010
I'm glad I held off buying one of these lol. Maybe if A&H sorts out the issues Im reading, I'll consider it.
Madlyn Trocino
26.03.2010
Originally Posted by kaib0rg
i havent compared them side to side but i scrub around with both of them throughout mixes and i havent noticed any kind of lag.
Seems ur not really interested in looking too deeply. Virtually eveyone I can see on this community , as well as the Serato and A&H Forums are experiencing the exact same problem. So it's pretty safe to assume it's affecting all units. This was also confirmed by the Tech over at A&H also.

kaib0rg - it's not that the problem doesn't allow you to scub thru tracks...You can use the Jog to scrub, scratch & pitchbend, however the rate in which it does these things is WAY off while going in a backwards motion on the right jog wheel.

Also I checked out the unit using Bomes midi translator and it shows that the right jog is sending a different scale of CCs when scrolling backwards compared to the left jog. It's a totally different spectrum of CCs.








pared to the left jog wheel. It's a totally different spectrum of CCs.
Wilford Bakalian
25.03.2010
man i hate this community , all kinds of buggy login issues :-/

anywho, i'm using Itch 1.6 on OSX10.5.8. nothing but praise so far for the DX + Itch from me.
Wilford Bakalian
25.03.2010
i havent compared them side to side but i scrub around with both of them throughout mixes and i havent noticed any kind of lag.
Clarice Papenfuss
25.03.2010
Originally Posted by thictool
Hey Felpz or mix architekt .....Are either of you experiencing the Right Jog Wheel lag issue on your DX?
I am using windows 7 with Traktor pro 1.2.4 and I notice the same problem on the right jog.
Madlyn Trocino
25.03.2010
Originally Posted by kaib0rg
i read about the issue on the serato community s and am not experiencing it with mine.
Seriously?....Judging from the rep I spoke with at A & H, this is problably effecting all units.

Did you compare Jogs? Are you using Itch or Traktor?
Brant Briski
25.03.2010
yes, mine shows a difference between the wheels. support is on it...
Wilford Bakalian
24.03.2010
i read about the issue on the serato community s and am not experiencing it with mine.
Madlyn Trocino
24.03.2010
Hey Felpz or mix architekt .....Are either of you experiencing the Right Jog Wheel lag issue on your DX?
nayit ruiz jaramillo
24.03.2010
Ah yeah get ya. Yeah take Native Girl at NI for instance, shes very well versed in the technical details and a great DJ.
Totally see your point about "well polished reps" theres nothing worse than being brow-beaten by a salesman rather than someone passionate about the gear.
Corine Kasman
24.03.2010
I just meant that if you ask for "well polished" reps instead of "well informed" ones, we could end up with used car salesmen.

I work in a kind of R&D environment and , i agree, that development peolpe are not always the best to take out in public (what are communication skills?).
That said, we send technical people to trade shows to spy on the competition.

Phil.
nayit ruiz jaramillo
24.03.2010
What im sayin is that the Serato lady and Native Girl at NI know there stuff inside out and do a great presentation job.

They can have guys from the Tech team there, thats a different dept to R&D

I dont believe the R&D guys can do the job the right way but more importantly they should be in the lab looking into these bugs.

No point in showing off buggy gear when no-one is available to take the concerns of early adopters on board.



Why do i need to be very careful?
Corine Kasman
24.03.2010
Originally Posted by Karlos Santos
What the fuck are the R&D team doing at Messe ?
They should be fixing stuff on their brand new baby not going on Jollys.

They shpuld have some fit broad in the booth like Serato do or the lovely Native Girl like NI do not some dry boring technocrats who probably have no social skills,

Regardless, its not good that R&D are absent when their newest and most exciting bit of kit is released.

Poor show A&H. Shame on thee.
Karlos, be VERY careful here. You remeber the guy Newmark had in the booth at NAMM (the used car salesman introducing the N7)? A couple of tech guys is cool, the whole team (unless the whole team is a couple of guys, LOL) is overboard.

Phil.
nayit ruiz jaramillo
24.03.2010
Originally Posted by thictool
Please bear in mind that our R&D team are away in Frankfurt at Musikmesse between the 22-26th March so they won't be able to act on this information until the week beginning 29th March when they will be back in their offices.
What the fuck are the R&D team doing at Messe ?
They should be fixing stuff on their brand new baby not going on Jollys.

They shpuld have some fit broad in the booth like Serato do or the lovely Native Girl like NI do not some dry boring technocrats who probably have no social skills,

Regardless, its not good that R&D are absent when their newest and most exciting bit of kit is released.

Poor show A&H. Shame on thee.

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