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2 turntables, 2 laptops piggyback style on 68/SL4 (Like the 2 x SL1 method)
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2 turntables, 2 laptops piggyback style on 68/SL4 (Like the 2 x SL1 method)

WarpNote 10:47 AM - 16 August, 2011
Have any of you guys tried it out?
A little while ago when playing back-to-back, before getting the 68 & SL4,
we would connect the through from "SL1 Box A" to "SL1 Box B" then use
all 4 channels on the mixer when playing back to back.

www.juno.co.uk
So similarly, I could connect some piggyback cables "piggy part" to channel 1 & 2
on the 68/SL4 then the other end to channel 3 & 4. And just connect the turntables
to the "piggy part" on 1 & 2.

Obviously it will be a few more cables during setup, but would leave deadicated channels
for output even if sharing turntables. Latop A = channel 1 & 2, laptop B = channel 3 & 4
Ie: less fumbling on-screen turning USB channels on & off in the virtual decks.

I know, piggyback cables are known to cause all kind of troubles and bad signals,
just wanted to know if you have ever tried it out?

BigWiz, or anyone else?

I mean, if the internal routing in SSL could have the input CV signal duplicated from channel 1 to 3 and 2 to 4 there would'nt be any need for such a workaround...
WarpNote 1:16 PM - 30 August, 2011
No one?
Well I went to my local dj store today, picked up splitters, well let you know how it works out.
DJBIGWIZ 8:57 PM - 31 August, 2011
I haven't tried this or seen anyone set it up this way with the 68 or the sl4. Sounds interesting though.
erange 12:33 PM - 1 September, 2011
I'm confused.
are you hooking up 4 sources or 8?
WarpNote 5:36 PM - 1 September, 2011
Only 2 sources, but 2 laptops. sources are splitted into 2 signals each, so that laptop A plays channel 1 & 2, while laptop B plays channel 3 & 4, no need to choose back and fourth between available channels in software.

Then again if they would enable both input and output matrix in the software I would'nt need this cable hack. Ie make input signal from input 1 on SL4/68 available to any channel...
djmallon 6:48 PM - 1 September, 2011
Erange, he's basically splitting the signal out of one turntable/cd deck and having it go into two inputs on the 68. Negates the need to switch stuff internally when switching DJs.
erange 8:20 PM - 1 September, 2011
I got you.
2 dj's, 2 laptops.
2 tables.
One record each...
TAG TEAM :)

Check out the Magma Switchbox.
WarpNote 9:22 AM - 3 September, 2011
Erange, Tag team - exactly...
I know about the different switchboxes, the split cable is a bodge solution for easy setup,
looking to keep setup as easy as possible, ie less wires & boxes..
WarpNote 7:33 PM - 4 September, 2011
Tag team night yesterday, gotta say the rca splitters is a way more comfortable
way of spinning with only 2 physical decks on 4 channels.

In short, I bought 4 of these ones: www.hotchip.com.au
Snapsnots showing connection: (excuse the crappy iphone quality..)
-> www.flickr.com
-> www.flickr.com

Setup: -> www.flickr.com
Laptop A on the left with dicers, laptop B on the right with Denon HC1000s,
using all 4 channels on the Sixty Eight, only 2 tech 1210's.

Maybe I should start a request thread for this functionality inside the software...
I mean if more people are interested ....?
DjkNEW 3:48 PM - 11 November, 2011
How about 2X2?
Four techs, how has that worked? Is there no way to play with four decks at once? Yet?

Brent
WarpNote 4:58 PM - 11 November, 2011
No problem, just plug in regularly into the SL4/Sixty Eight...
nik39 8:37 AM - 18 November, 2011
Quote:
I mean, if the internal routing in SSL could have the input CV signal duplicated from channel 1 to 3 and 2 to 4 there would'nt be any need for such a workaround...

Exactly. The changeover process is unnecessary complicated. It would be nice if Serato/Rane would improve it. Give us the option not having to use "turn deck 1 on laptop a off, now go to laptop 2, takeover usb 1 on deck 1, now go back to laptop b, turn deck 2 on laptop b off, now go to ... bla". Not user friendly.
Rane, Support
Zach S 6:08 PM - 18 November, 2011
This was improved in the latest update.
Now you don't need to turn off the USB channel on the first computer prior to using it on the second computer.
Just selecting it on the second computer will automatically turn it off on the first computer as long as there isn't a song playing on the first computer.
DJ Dub Cowboy 10:41 PM - 18 November, 2011
that's good news

I still would like to see a smooth method of controlling 3-4 decks with 2 turntables
erange 12:50 AM - 19 November, 2011
'instant doubles' for a group.
radikarl 12:52 PM - 8 December, 2011
what i have proposed somewhere is:

connect turntables to input 1 and 2
connect output 1 and 2 to input 3 and 4 on the SAME SL4 (YES!! )
now connect output 3 and 4 to mixer.

you can now switch decks the same way as with two times SL2 (thru mode engage/ disengage)
Niro 4:16 PM - 17 December, 2011
The piggy-back method would be better, than you don't loose the functionality of the mixer. The new improved way of switching over is really easy now. Just turn on the next computers USB and switch over. But what's really nice about the piggy back method is you can also put the current song on Internal and mix into it on the same deck it was assigned too, essentially 3 deck mixing on 2.
WarpNote 3:29 AM - 18 December, 2011
Quote:
Just turn on the next computers USB and switch over.

That's really the beauty of the 4 channel piggyback connection, as radikarl described.
I'm now using that setup on my 68 and also the SL4. No need to switch any usb's at all.
Just lower the line fader, the other dj plays on channel 3 & 4. It would be nice if Rane/Serato implemented a input matrix in software, just like the output selection on each deck currently. It would make the 68/SL4 even more flexible.

I'm sorry for any typos, just home from a gig and my ears are riiinging bad,
and had a "few" drinks tonite :) ....
intellekt 5:25 AM - 19 December, 2011
One of my friends just picked up the SL4 and we've been playing out with it for the past month using the piggyback setup with the female ends on top of the male ends. This set up works perfectly for two DJs, two computers, one set of turntables and mixer, but the piggyback cables I have are super long (6ft). We've been using these because its something I just dug up from a closet but I've been looking for smaller ones though the shortest I could find is 3 ft. Is there anyone out there that makes something around 1.5 ft or shorter? Custom cables?

Also @warpnote, can you explain your setup with www.hotchip.com.au in a bit more detail? I was trying to figure it out with the pictures but they are kind of blurry. It seems like those cables are a lot shorter and wouldn't take up a lot of space.

How does it work? You are doing 2 djs + 1 set up on a 4 channel mixer correct? Let me know. Thanks!
WarpNote 11:40 AM - 19 December, 2011
Yeah intellekt, that setup is dumb easy, a little bit of hazzle to label the cables first time but works well for my needs. Referred as piggyback style, the more accurate word would be rca splitters in my case. I basicallly use 4 of those short rca splitter cables, hooked up like this:

farm8.staticflickr.com - close up image here: farm8.staticflickr.com
(shown on my SL4, my 68 stayed at a friends house this weekend.)
As you see, labeling them will save you a lot of time when time is short in a busy dark club.

So yeah, you're right, 2 djs, 2 laptops, 4 channel mixer only one set of turntables.

It woud be nice if Serato/Rane implemented a input matrix in software.
That way, we would'nt need this "hack"...

This is basically how we would tag team back when using 2 SL1 boxes.
Res-Q 3:37 PM - 19 December, 2011
dunno if its possible but that would def be great if a fw update could implement a input matrix on the 68
WarpNote 4:13 PM - 19 December, 2011
As SSL 1.9.2 and earlier versions had the input reverse switch, (back when SSL was strictly a 2 channel application) I don't see any reasons why not a input matrix should be possible ?
erange 7:09 PM - 19 December, 2011
yo rane/serato, tell those software writers to ease up with the inter-office sword fights & give us some customer ordered updates!
WarpNote 8:32 PM - 19 December, 2011
Wiz, and the rest of you lot, I made a suggestion over here > serato.com
If you like the suggestion please show your support.
Thanks, Warp
intellekt 12:29 AM - 20 December, 2011
Quote:
Yeah intellekt, that setup is dumb easy, a little bit of hazzle to label the cables first time but works well for my needs. Referred as piggyback style, the more accurate word would be rca splitters in my case. I basicallly use 4 of those short rca splitter cables, hooked up like this:

farm8.staticflickr.com - close up image here: farm8.staticflickr.com
(shown on my SL4, my 68 stayed at a friends house this weekend.)


Oh okay. Those ones look a little different from the ones you originally posted. Where did you pick those little guys up? Thanks!
WarpNote 2:20 AM - 20 December, 2011
Actually you are quite right! The ones orignal posted are 1 male split into 2 female rca.

What you want is 1 female that splits into 2 male rca. If you can find 2 units that are colored red (the whole thing) and 2 other that are colored differently (ie white, blue or green) that would be the optimal solution, as it would make it even easier for connection.
(just make sure each unit have an even color, or it might get confusing quick)

I would take time to mark them, as it makes it so much easier to connect.

Mark them like this:
First Red unit: female end = 1 > male ends = 1 & 3
Second Red unit: female end = 2 > male ends = 2 & 4
First White unit: female end = 1 > male ends = 1 & 3
Second White unit: female end = 2 > male ends = 2 & 4

I bought mine in my local dj shop, shouldn't be to hard to find... Best of Luck!
nik39 2:26 AM - 20 December, 2011
Quote:
I bought mine in my local dj shop, shouldn't be to hard to find

I only found longer cables.
WarpNote 2:40 AM - 20 December, 2011
Ah I see, didnt realize they were hard to find, think mine were standard hosa brand...
Did a search now and found these www.audiogear.com

But there's probably cheaper ones around, also these might get confusing due to separate color for each male connector...
WarpNote 2:49 AM - 20 December, 2011
www.amazon.com
www.amazon.com
www.amazon.com
www.amazon.com
www.amazon.com
www.amazon.com
www.amazon.com
nik39 3:05 AM - 20 December, 2011
Thanks Warp :)
nik39 6:07 AM - 26 December, 2011
Damned it.. If I only had these piggyback cables with me this night.

4 times the audio complete cut out when I wanted to assign a channel from one computer to the other using 2.3.3. :-(

At the end we kept the deck assignments and just swapped the input/cables.
DJ Dub Cowboy 6:13 AM - 26 December, 2011
is that a new bug^^?
nik39 6:16 AM - 26 December, 2011
Who knows. Maybe it has been there for a longer time.

It all worked a few times, and suddenly it didn't. We had to use real vinyl to do a proper takeover. Then we had the idea if swapping the cables from the turntables to the mixer using different inputs.

Sucks.
WarpNote 1:46 PM - 27 December, 2011
Ive had this bug in 2.2.2 myself.
All hail the software input matrix.... ;-)
> serato.com
VJ Justin Allen 8:11 PM - 1 September, 2012
Interesting thread. How would you handle the USB connection if you were using an SL1 and a SL3, with 2 DJ's?
erange 11:44 PM - 4 September, 2012
i would plug the ac adapter into SL1 while I disconnect the USB from SL1 and plug the usb into SL3.
VJ Justin Allen 1:53 AM - 5 September, 2012
That's a thought. It kind of takes away from 2 DJ's kind of playing one then the other, then back to one again.

Thanks erange!
WarpNote 6:57 PM - 5 September, 2012
Yep, thats how we used to do it before I got my 68 and SL4.
We actually "Serial connected" 2 SL1 boxes and a SL3 to the same mixer at one stage...
VJ Justin Allen 10:13 PM - 5 September, 2012
Now you don't need to do it that way...right. Need to do more research on the 68.

Looking for 2 dj's that swap off every few songs.
VJ Justin Allen 10:13 PM - 5 September, 2012
opps...both doing video
VJ Justin Allen 10:25 PM - 5 September, 2012
OK, back after research..68 seems to have issues...62 will not do what I want.

Bah.
WarpNote 1:43 AM - 6 September, 2012
What 68 issues are you thinking of Justin?
Unless you´re "hardcore cue point juggler" the 68 is great.
Playing 2 DJs on the 68 back to back is quite smooth.
If you´re both doing video you obviously need some video switch/video mixer.
Still love my 68...
WarpNote 1:45 AM - 6 September, 2012
But if you already have a pioneer 4 channel you could hook up a SL4 box then midimap it to ME for both computers, but you´d still need a way to switch the video signal...
VJ Justin Allen 2:08 AM - 6 September, 2012
I have a variety of easy ways to switch the video signal...I don't have an SL4 box however, just an SL1 and a SL3 so it's just as easy to buy a new mixer and use the DJM-800 as a backup.

As to the 68 issues, I kinda paid attention to them over the last year but never really got into it...seems many people on the boards that are using them don't really like them...you excluded :)

Shrug...maybe someone will drop a new mixer this week.
manak 11:55 AM - 8 September, 2012
Hey Warpnote

I tried your method last night, but no matter how I connected the inputs into the splitters, or splitters into my inputs, my virtual turntables always played backwards.. Is there something I'm missing?
erange 5:18 PM - 8 September, 2012
All of the 68 bitching is re: cue points. I personally have no complaints, not even cue points.
This mixer is great and highly slept on.
If you have an SL1 & SL3, I would suggest selling them off & getting an SL4.
WarpNote 6:26 PM - 8 September, 2012
Quote:
Hey Warpnote

I tried your method last night, but no matter how I connected the inputs into the splitters, or splitters into my inputs, my virtual turntables always played backwards.. Is there something I'm missing?

Thats wierd, did you mark your cables to make absolutely sure everything went into the right connection? Might sound excessive, but with all those connections its easy to get something wrong.
Also, are your turntables internal grounded or do you have the ground wires hooked up?

I would try trial and error method, ie first connect deck 1 the regular way to make sure its working, then use the splitter, only for channel 1, then add to channel 3. If working, then continue with channel 2 and 4. If you still have issues, you probably either have an issue with the splitter cables or the turntables themselves...
manak 12:58 PM - 13 September, 2012
Thanks for your reply... I didn't use turntables.. I used CDJ's.. Will this only work for turntables on the SL4?
manak 1:00 PM - 13 September, 2012
I followed your diagram exactly. Could be an issue with the splitter cables as I tried all different types of variations with the cables
WarpNote 2:21 PM - 13 September, 2012
Should work even better with cdj´s, as they have a stronger output signal.
Make sure the switches are set to CD (not phono) for all channels though.
WarpNote 2:21 PM - 13 September, 2012
And turn off master tempo for your cdj´s
Niro 4:02 PM - 16 September, 2012
I'm not sure what the thread is about anymore, but yes you can piggy back on your 68 without an SL box.

Also I have no idea what VJ Justin Allen is talking about.

If your songs are playing backwards than your are mixing right and left RCA cables.
WarpNote 10:05 PM - 16 September, 2012
Thread sort of went into general "piggyback connection issues" I guess.

About Justin, I have a feeling he mostly does his gigs solo, and therefore didn't try to piggyback 2xSL1 boxes back before the days of 57, 62 & 68? Back then, the piggyback connection was the only way to tag team on separate computers. Especially, tag teaming 3xsl boxes, 3xlaptops was somewhat messy. These days, we just swap usb connections on the SL4 or 68/62. Sooo useful feature.
VJ Justin Allen 1:01 AM - 17 September, 2012
That's about it WarpNote. I just solved the issue by getting a Pioneer DJM-900 and a SL-4
Niro 4:20 AM - 17 September, 2012
I see.
manak 7:50 PM - 17 September, 2012
Yeah.. The switches are all set to CD. Master tempo is off on the CDJ, but on by the Virtual decks.. I tried again over the weekend and always got a reverse virtual deck with a red line. Maybe it could be the splitters, but don't see why they would be any different to others.
WarpNote 8:09 PM - 17 September, 2012
Manak, did you mark your cables?
manak 8:11 PM - 17 September, 2012
No.. But I've done them exactly the same way you've shown in the photo you uploaded.
WarpNote 8:52 PM - 17 September, 2012
Reason I'm asking is I did the wrong connections the first time when not marking up cables...
WarpNote 8:54 PM - 17 September, 2012
Also, just making sure, you did try the trial method? ie:
Quote:
I would try trial and error method, ie first connect deck 1 the regular way to make sure its working, then use the splitter, only for channel 1, then add to channel 3. If working
manak 9:32 PM - 17 September, 2012
I have.. I soon as I take the splitters away the deck works perfectly fine.. No matter how I plug the CDJ's into the splitters, or alternate the cables it still goes backwards with a red line. I'll try some news splitters and let you know!

Thanks for the help!
DJ Dub Cowboy 2:18 AM - 18 September, 2012
You may have splitters that are combining the signal into mono. Just an idea. I know not all splitters/adaptors are made the same way.
WarpNote 2:56 PM - 2 October, 2012
Did you get it working manak?
Check your scopes, if you´re seeing either a horisontal, vertical or diagonal line,
your cables are combining the signal into mono.
Perceptron 8:02 AM - 15 February, 2013
I've tried the piggyback RCA method but Serato is still requiring one laptop to wait until the other has channel 1 de-selected from the drop down menu above the virtual deck.

Any idea what could be wrong?
WarpNote 2:19 PM - 15 February, 2013
You´re missing the point, DJ A uses channel 1&2, DJ B uses channel 3&4.
All driven by only 2 turntables. More hazzle at setup time, less hazzle during tag team playback. Re-read post1, its all there...