CDJ-2000Nexus HID Control with Serato Scratch Live

Pri yon Joni Giglog 7/27/2013
Joker's Club, Des Moines, Iowa

With the brand new firmware and software update Pioneer and Serato released last week, we are so pleased to finally use the CDJ-2000Nexus's along with the Rane 62 mixer in full HID control setup. Special thanks to DJ Soulless for helping me setup the new firmware for HID mode.

Purpose:
To be able to use the CDJ's in HID mode along with Serato, while using a Rane 62, and a midi controller (Korg PadKontrol); while being able to easily switch to USB source mode, or CD mode (for those people who are have not updated, or are not comfortable using HID and prefer to use timecode configuration). I have also discovered since the Rane 62 is made to switch laptops, the CDJ HID control is easily switchable, simply by disconnecting and reconnecting to the next computer.

Gear:
(1) Apple Macbook Pro (i7, 4gig RAM)
(2) CDJ-2000Nexus
(1) Rane 62
(1) Korg PadKontrol
(1) Powered USB hub
(2) Passive USB hub
(1) Ethernet cable (linking both CDJ's)

Software:
Pioneer CDJ-2000Nexus Firmware Ver.1.13
Serato Scratch Live Ver.2.5

Setup:
-Both CDJ's are linked using Ethernet cable for when using USB source.
-Both CDJ's USB outputs are combined on the 1 passive USB hub for HID control.
-Powered USB hub takes in the Rane 62, Padkontrol (MIDI controller), and the passive USB hub. From here is connected directly to the computer.

Report (Pros, Cons, Discoveries, and Go Arounds):
-This setup makes switching between SSL, USB, and CD mode easier.

-This setup makes switching between SSL and Traktor possible (if native control update for Traktor is available), utilizing the HID control.

-This setup allows the following controls on SSL that is not available in TIMECODE mode: on screen CDJ control of crates and track selection, full functional CUE and PLAY buttons, on deck range and tempo buttons, on screen BPM display with hundredth of a decimal accuracy, CDJ HOT CUE parallel to SSL HOT CUE, and CDJ loop functions. By using SSL in full HID mode, the CDJ's control SSL in a way that is mirrored to how the CDJ's function exclusively. It makes SSL feel like you're completely playing off the CDJ's with CD's.

-All native functions of CDJ-2000Nexus AND Rane 62 ALL WORK.

-Scratching sounds better in HID mode. It seems to have less digital crushing and screeching treble heavy noise.

-Unlike TIMECODE mode, HID mode has a fixed rotation marker on the center of the jog dial of the CDJ that seems to be relative to the song. When scratching and juggling in TIMECODE mode, I click my HOT CUE when the marker is at 12 o'clock. It is difficult to beat juggle fast when markers start anywhere else. I do not have this option in HID mode. Firmware/Software update from Pioneer/Serato, is to allow HOT CUES to be parallel with the rotation marker on the screen, or to begin at 12 o'clock for every HOT CUE point.

-When switching from SSL HID mode to a USB source on the CDJ, it is a little tricky. Let's say CDJ 1 has a USB flash drive plugged in, you simply press the USB button to switch to the flash drive. HOWEVER, on CDJ 2, given that your ethernet wire is connected between both CDJ's, you have to press LINK to open the USB source on CDJ 1…THE PROBLEM IS, if you are in HID mode, that option is not available. The current solution to this problem is, simply disconnect the USB wires that are connected to the CDJ's. This will disable the HID link, and allow you to open the USB flash drive from CDJ 2 when you click LINK. Firmware update I request from Pioneer is, when you click LINK, allow selection between USB source and HID mode.

-Because the Rane 62 is made to be able to easily switch between two laptops, it is possible to SWITCH HID CONTROL TO THE SECOND LAPTOP. In order to do this, you can simply DISCONNECT THE CDJ USB WHILE PLAYING. The music will continue to play in the software and not stop. In our setup, you simple disconnect the passive USB hub the CDJ's are connected to and transfer it to the second computer. You have to simply press LINK again on both CDJ's, and select DECK 1 for the left CDJ and DECK 2 for the right CDJ again.

-If in the event you want to switch from SSL HID mode, to SSL TIMECODE mode, simply have the SSL timecode disc inserted in both decks. Selected CD on the non-playing CDJ, and select REL or ABS on the corresponding deck on SSL.

-Because everything is now controlled internally without timecode CD processing, buffer setting can be lowered, however screen lag seems to be a little bit strong but this can either be a hard drive related issue or a RAM related issue due to heavy use of multiple USB devices. I predict a simple RAM upgrade should fix this problem.

-Not related to the HID mode but about using a MIDI controller, the Rane 62, unlike the Rane TTM57, requires of you a few things when using a MIDI controller. Typically, when preparing for a gig, you assign your MIDI parameters and save them in SSL. When using a TTM57 or any SL interface, your last setting will open when you open the software. HOWEVER, when you using a Rane 62, you have to ENABLE MIDI devices (for your first time) and manually load your MIDI settings. A software request from Serato, to allow last MIDI settings to open with the software no different from when using it with an SL1, 2, 3, and so forth.

-This configuration: 2 CDJNexus's, Rane 62, and PadKontrol, allows the user 3 sources of HOT CUES and 3 different ways to loop. DJ can use the functions from the CDJ, the mixer, and/or the MIDI controller. While the functions are similar, the positioning and slight variance in how they are enabled, allow ergonomic control increasing creative freedom.


Software Update Requests:

Pioneer:
-When switching from SSL HID mode to a USB source on the CDJ, it is a little tricky. Let's say CDJ 1 has a USB flash drive plugged in, you simply press the USB button to switch to the flash drive. HOWEVER, on CDJ 2, given that your ethernet wire is connected between both CDJ's, you have to press LINK to open the USB source on CDJ 1…THE PROBLEM IS, if you are in HID mode, that option is not available. The current solution to this problem is, simply disconnect the USB wires that are connected to the CDJ's. This will disable the HID link, and allow you to open the USB flash drive from CDJ 2 when you click LINK. Firmware update I request from Pioneer is, when you click LINK, allow selection between USB source and HID mode.

-Unlike TIMECODE mode, HID mode has a fixed rotation marker on the center of the jog dial of the CDJ that seems to be relative to the song. When scratching and juggling in TIMECODE mode, I click my HOT CUE when the marker is at 12 o'clock. It is difficult to beat juggle fast when markers start anywhere else. I do not have this option in HID mode. Firmware/Software update from Pioneer/Serato, is to allow HOT CUES to be parallel with the rotation marker on the screen, or to begin at 12 o'clock for every HOT CUE point.

Serato:
-Not related to the HID mode but about using a MIDI controller, the Rane 62, unlike the Rane TTM57, requires of you a few things when using a MIDI controller. Typically, when preparing for a gig, you assign your MIDI parameters and save them in SSL. When using a TTM57 or any SL interface, your last setting will open when you open the software. HOWEVER, when you using a Rane 62, you have to ENABLE MIDI devices (for your first time) and manually load your MIDI settings. A software request from Serato, to allow last MIDI settings to open with the software no different from when using it with an SL1, 2, 3, and so forth.

-Unlike TIMECODE mode, HID mode has a fixed rotation marker on the center of the jog dial of the CDJ that seems to be relative to the song. When scratching and juggling in TIMECODE mode, I click my HOT CUE when the marker is at 12 o'clock. It is difficult to beat juggle fast when markers start anywhere else. I do not have this option in HID mode. Firmware/Software update from Pioneer/Serato, is to allow HOT CUES to be parallel with the rotation marker on the screen, or to begin at 12 o'clock for every HOT CUE point.



Written July 28, 2013,
Pri yon Joni

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