Played out for my 1st gig, 6.5 hours. Aweseome! Traktor skipping/stalling issues

Home :: General Discussion :: Played out for my 1st gig, 6.5 hours. Aweseome! Traktor skipping/stalling issuesReply
Played out for my 1st gig, 6.5 hours. Aweseome! Traktor skipping/stalling issues
Posted on: 07.04.2013 by Logan Hochendoner
Had a blast. Being a bedroom DJ, I was a little surprised when a friend asked me to play a party. It was an awesome experience to prepare for and do. The crowd went crazy and had a freaking great time. It was great to test out my QSC K10's and K181 sub as well.

So about 2 hours in my 6.5 hour performance, I started noticing songs randomly nudging out. It started small and then came huge swings. It got to the point where I was feeling nervous having two songs playing at once so I starting shortening up the transitions. Eventually, it got so bad that a song wouldn't play at all. There was complete silence for about 20 seconds. I pressed play like 15 times before it would start playing the track again. It literally, just stopping playing a track for no reason and wouldn't start it again for 20 seconds. All is good though; I got a TON of compliments last evening and people of all types and ages where having a crazy good time. What a difference live performance is.

Here is my setup. MBP 17', 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7, 8GB DDR 3 Ram, standard 5700 RPM Sata drive. I had wireless off and nothing else running. I did a cold boot with my Traktor S4 USB plugged in, and proceeded to turn on Caffiene and then traktor. Traktor Pro 2.6.1 (everything up to date), and running in full screen. I never had more than 2 decks running at once.

The load meter never displayed anything but the lowest blue bar.

All last evening and this morning I have been believeing something is up with my Macbook Pro, but now I am wondering if its an issue with my S4. This problem never happened before. I have used my setup for 5 hours in a row before at home. The only thing different this time though was that we had the music blasting and TONS of bass. I wonder if the issues I was having was not a load/traktor issue, but rather an issue with my S4's platters vibrating from the music...

Any ideas/help?
Jetta Drenzek
10.04.2013
Originally Posted by ClrCreekRdr
This is great to hear. Have you heard about what that process looks like? Local service center or do I have to ship it to Germany?

Thanks
Unfortunately I'm not entirely sure. I imagine they'll have a local(ish) service center though.
Logan Hochendoner
10.04.2013
Originally Posted by Sambo
From everyone I know that has an S2/S4 that's been faulty, NI have sorted it pronto.
This is great to hear. Have you heard about what that process looks like? Local service center or do I have to ship it to Germany?

Thanks
Logan Hochendoner
09.04.2013
Originally Posted by Karlos Santos
If you attempt to fix it yourself you invalidate your warranty.
The only way to open an S4 is by sticking a screwdriver through the warranty sticker to get to the screw below.

There are no user replaceable parts in an S4.

Just send it back.
Thanks for the help everyone. Yeah, I won't be repairing it myself. I am handy with electronics, but I bought this less than 45 days ago and I expect NI to handle it. I submitted a ticket to NI last evening , I wonder how long it will take for them to respond. If it doesn't go well, I will try and use the insurance on my credit card to cover it.
Logan Hochendoner
10.04.2013		Thanks everyone for the help. I contacted NI on the phone. I showed them the video. They deemed it as defective on purchase. Because of this, they told me to go back to Guitar Center and tell them this and if I had any problems to contact them. I followed their direction. After about 30-45mins in store and a call to NI, a swap for a new S4 was authorized. I went home yesterday with a new S4. I set it up and tested the same way as I did in the video. This one has no problems.

NI and guitar center has earned my business and a happy client. This kind of service means a lot to me.
Alphonso Deitchman
10.04.2013		There's an office in LA you might be able to send to.

http://www.native-instruments.com/en...t-ni/?src=navi
Jetta Drenzek
10.04.2013
Originally Posted by ClrCreekRdr
This is great to hear. Have you heard about what that process looks like? Local service center or do I have to ship it to Germany?

Thanks
Unfortunately I'm not entirely sure. I imagine they'll have a local(ish) service center though.
Alphonso Deitchman
10.04.2013		It takes a few weeks to get a replacement sent out. If Guitar Center won't help you should contact NI to arrange the return.
Logan Hochendoner
10.04.2013
Originally Posted by Sambo
From everyone I know that has an S2/S4 that's been faulty, NI have sorted it pronto.
This is great to hear. Have you heard about what that process looks like? Local service center or do I have to ship it to Germany?

Thanks
Jetta Drenzek
10.04.2013		From everyone I know that has an S2/S4 that's been faulty, NI have sorted it pronto.
Logan Hochendoner
09.04.2013
Originally Posted by Karlos Santos
If you attempt to fix it yourself you invalidate your warranty.
The only way to open an S4 is by sticking a screwdriver through the warranty sticker to get to the screw below.

There are no user replaceable parts in an S4.

Just send it back.
Thanks for the help everyone. Yeah, I won't be repairing it myself. I am handy with electronics, but I bought this less than 45 days ago and I expect NI to handle it. I submitted a ticket to NI last evening , I wonder how long it will take for them to respond. If it doesn't go well, I will try and use the insurance on my credit card to cover it.
nayit ruiz jaramillo
09.04.2013		If you attempt to fix it yourself you invalidate your warranty.
The only way to open an S4 is by sticking a screwdriver through the warranty sticker to get to the screw below.

There are no user replaceable parts in an S4.

Just send it back.
Alphonso Deitchman
09.04.2013		Seems more likely to be a faulty sensor under the jog wheel.
Doreen Schurle
08.04.2013		Dry solder joint somewhere. If the unit is still warrantied, or you're not handy with a soldering iron, send it back for repair... if it was me, I'd just strip the entire unit down, find the joint, and re-solder it.
Logan Hochendoner
08.04.2013		Here is the video on how I can reproduce the jog wheel failure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni4Ep...ature=youtu.be
Logan Hochendoner
08.04.2013		Ok well, the problem is back. I can reproduce it 100% of the time. I am making a youtube video now so I can contact NI to show them the problem. SIGH!!! And I just ordered a Kontrol F1 last evening .

On another note, I contacted Guitar Center since I bought the S4 back in February. They wont help me. They said contact NI. That is a disappointment. I will link up the youtube video here shortly.
Logan Hochendoner
08.04.2013
Originally Posted by makar1
Audio in general works better on OSX than Windows, but your problem doesn't seem software related anyway.

As you have a subwoofer and other large speakers you could try directing some vibrations at the S4 to try and recreate the jog wheel fault. I'd put in a warranty claim if it happens again.
Not a bad idea. Maybe I will setup my S4 on my bass speaker for a little while. That should rattle it a bunch.
Alphonso Deitchman
08.04.2013		Audio in general works better on OSX than Windows, but your problem doesn't seem software related anyway.

As you have a subwoofer and other large speakers you could try directing some vibrations at the S4 to try and recreate the jog wheel fault. I'd put in a warranty claim if it happens again.
Logan Hochendoner
07.04.2013		Well, I have both Mac's and PC's. I have been working in IT supporting windows 99% of the time for about 23 years. I choose Mac for my laptop. I thought about setting up my Lenovo Ideapad Yoga (windows 8) laptop with a full copy of my Traktor setup. Though, I was under the impression that Traktor worked better in OSX.
Shawn Vanhaitsma
07.04.2013
Originally Posted by makar1
Mac and Windows PCs both have their uses. People involved in live audio performance don't buy Macs for the brand name.

This problem sounds like a hardware fault with the S4; I had a similar problem during a performance which is one of the reasons I got rid of the controller.
You are right they buy them because Macs are easier to setup and they are completely computer inept in which they have road techs who handle all of that for them. Who also probably are not all that quick upstairs with that kinda thing either :P
Logan Hochendoner
07.04.2013		On another note, on my way to the gig I had put my S4 in my RoadRunner hard case. It's a wonderful case and the S4 is perfectly protected. Though, I had put my XLR cables this time on top of the S4 before closing the lid to the case. They were probably sitting right on the platters. I wonder if this is what made things go bad. I wont be doing that again.
Logan Hochendoner
07.04.2013		So I pulled the platter off using that youtube video (holding the nudge area tight with one hand, then turning the top platter clockwise). I then re-installed it (counter clockwise).

I re-ran the calibration and it calibrated right up immediately (no issues). I can't get it to fault again, but I am unsure of a quality test.

Does anyone have pre-gig test they use to ensure their controller setup? Like maybe a test for the jog wheels. Maybe another test to push the limits of the load to see how the system is performing?

I just want to have confidence in my gear . It's not like my confidence is completely blown with this issue. Problems can happen with anything, but it's not a situation I would like to repeat.
Federico Vilas
07.04.2013
Originally Posted by Oevl
Yeah, for the same reasons I cut meat with stones and I take pictures with this :
Attachment 16843

Fuck the digital, fuck 2013, fuck the people, I'll Dj alone.
I still like digital but will never fully depend on a midi controller alone. S4 is a midi controller only. Not as dependable as a analog/digital mixer

When i had my S4 I ran it out to a 2 channel analog mixer just in case there were issues
Alphonso Deitchman
07.04.2013
Originally Posted by balakoth
While id sentiment get a PC.. we cant start that here.. Ive read so many people here that ditch their Windows machine to pay an extra 1 grand for the Mac OS. To each their own, you wont convince them otherwise, a brand is a brand and the logo is what sells anymore, no matter the over inflated price.

(Buddy almost crapped his pants when I showed him what it would cost to build my equivalent studio machine from the Apple store, and that's without the Liquid Cooling I have and Crossfired ATIs hehe.) If it works it works, if you got the cash to burn, whatever.
Mac and Windows PCs both have their uses. People involved in live audio performance don't buy Macs for the brand name.

This problem sounds like a hardware fault with the S4; I had a similar problem during a performance which is one of the reasons I got rid of the controller.
Trista Karle
07.04.2013		Speak and spell and dr boss sampler for back up
Ellsworth Moroni
07.04.2013		Yeah, for the same reasons I cut meat with stones and I take pictures with this :
old-camera-viedma.jpg

Fuck the digital, fuck 2013, fuck the people, I'll Dj alone.
Federico Vilas
07.04.2013		Classic example of why i will always have analog mixer.
Shawn Vanhaitsma
07.04.2013
Originally Posted by b1sh0p
It's not as if its a common problem.

@ the OP. Get a PC.
Bass calibrating the kit? So only certain S4s are that cheeky? SEems like it would be common, I bet a lot of people who own an S4 don't typically play in large sound systems to report this issue anyways.

While id sentiment get a PC.. we cant start that here.. Ive read so many people here that ditch their Windows machine to pay an extra 1 grand for the Mac OS. To each their own, you wont convince them otherwise, a brand is a brand and the logo is what sells anymore, no matter the over inflated price.

(Buddy almost crapped his pants when I showed him what it would cost to build my equivalent studio machine from the Apple store, and that's without the Liquid Cooling I have and Crossfired ATIs hehe.) If it works it works, if you got the cash to burn, whatever.
Sonja Roybal
07.04.2013
Originally Posted by balakoth
Wow, that seems like a horribly unacceptable side effect. Id be ripping my hair out a piece of kit at that price marketed towards "professional" djs.. couldn't handle.. bass... the main prevalent thing inside of a club hehe.. Scary beans.

Glad I stuck to a traditional mixer and some K2s awhile back heh
It's not as if its a common problem.

@ the OP. Get a PC.
Logan Hochendoner
07.04.2013		So, interesting enough I tried to recalibrate the jog wheels. The right one, no problem at all. The left jog wheel (the side I realize now that was causing me all my issues during my gig) won't calibrate. It just keeps saying "Recalibration failed". Guess my S4 is defective.
Shawn Vanhaitsma
07.04.2013
Originally Posted by Karlos Santos
I'd say its highly likely that if your S4 was very close to that sub and on a hard flat surface that it was being slowly knocked out of calibration.
It happens. The S4 is a rigid unit and can be easily knocked out of calibration. I have mine on a raised stand with rubber feet and I still have to calibrate it once in a while.

A track not playing after the play button is pressed is often due to calibration issues.
Were the Load Buttons flashing like crazy when play was pressed but the track was not playing? If so you needed to recalibrate.


It may also be possible that you had previously knocked/jolted the S4 and calibration was already off and that the sub simply exacerbated the problem.
Wow, that seems like a horribly unacceptable side effect. Id be ripping my hair out a piece of kit at that price marketed towards "professional" djs.. couldn't handle.. bass... the main prevalent thing inside of a club hehe.. Scary beans.

Glad I stuck to a traditional mixer and some K2s awhile back heh
Logan Hochendoner
07.04.2013
Originally Posted by Karlos Santos
I'd say its highly likely that if your S4 was very close to that sub and on a hard flat surface that it was being slowly knocked out of calibration.
It happens. The S4 is a rigid unit and can be easily knocked out of calibration. I have mine on a raised stand with rubber feet and I still have to calibrate it once in a while.

A track not playing after the play button is pressed is often due to calibration issues.
Were the Load Buttons flashing like crazy when play was pressed but the track was not playing? If so you needed to recalibrate.


It may also be possible that you had previously knocked/jolted the S4 and calibration was already off and that the sub simply exacerbated the problem.
Yes. That time it would not play any track at all the load buttons where flashing very fast while pressing play.
nayit ruiz jaramillo
07.04.2013		I'd say its highly likely that if your S4 was very close to that sub and on a hard flat surface that it was being slowly knocked out of calibration.
It happens. The S4 is a rigid unit and can be easily knocked out of calibration. I have mine on a raised stand with rubber feet and I still have to calibrate it once in a while.

A track not playing after the play button is pressed is often due to calibration issues.
Were the Load Buttons flashing like crazy when play was pressed but the track was not playing? If so you needed to recalibrate.


It may also be possible that you had previously knocked/jolted the S4 and calibration was already off and that the sub simply exacerbated the problem.
Jetta Drenzek
07.04.2013
Originally Posted by ClrCreekRdr
... rather an issue with my S4's platters vibrating from the music...

Any ideas/help?
From what I recall, the S4 has some sort of magnetic breaking system that holds the platter in place to avoid such a thing happening, same reason you can't do epic CDJ style backspins on it. I use my S4 in a loud club environment and I've not had that issue, just the occasional (every 45-60 minutes) audio lag for 5 seconds or so, which I still haven't got to the bottom of.

<< Back to General DiscussionReply

Copyright 2012-2023
DJRANKINGS.ORG n.g.o.
Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan

Created by Ajaxel CMS

Terms & Privacy