Hey SoundManJer,

- When this happens, does nothing on your controller work? i.e pressing the buttons etc does nothing?
- How often does this happen? Are you doing anything in particular when this happens?
- Can you make sure you have the latest firmware for the VCI-300. You can check in the Hardware tab of the Setup screen. If an update is available it will say 'Click to Update Firmware'. Note : If you are updating the firmware make sure you are using version 2.0.1 of ITCH and NOT 2.0.0.
- Do you have anything else plugged into your computer other than the VCI-300? Make sure you are plugging it in directly to a USB port and not via a USB hub or splitter.

Let me know :)

The controller stops working primarily when I'm mixing from one deck to the other. My firmware and software are both up to date. I have the controller plugged directly into a USB port along with my external hard drive and mouse. I have been using yhe same laptop and configuration for about 2 years. I uninstalled 2.01 and reinstalled 2.00 and have not had the problem since.

Oh...and when it happens the controller today completely dead...the software remains running and playing whatever was coming out of the output. (Ie: if I have deck 1 playing while I'm cueing deck 2 then it will usually freeze up right when I'm going to fade from one deck to the other and it keeps playing whatever the output has coming out but doesn't let me control anything...no volume no buttons nothing works.) Once I shut the software down and restart it I can continue mixing again.

That's very strange. So this definitely only happens with version 2.0.1, correct?

The only thing that changed from version 2.0.0 to 2.0.1 was a fix for a firmware upgrade bug with the VCI-300. It shouldn't have changed anything else at all. Which makes me think that if you aren't getting this problem with 2.0.0 then it is probably gone for good.

A couple things I would recommend you do is :
- Analyze your entire library and remove all corrupt files that show up. To analyze your music disconnect the VCI-300 and click 'Analyze Files'. When it's done remove ALL songs with the lightening bolt logo which indicates they are corrupt. These can cause all kinds of crashes.
- I would recommend NOT using your external mouse whenever you DJ. Wireless and USB mouses can quite often cause conflict and result in hardware not being recognized or not working. This sounds quite similar to what you were experiencing so I would recommend not using it if you can avoid it.

Ok, I ran 2.00 for a few days without incident. I then uninstalled 2.00 and reinstalled 2.01 and had the problem about 3 hours into running. This is DEFINATELY an upgrade issue. I have been using the same configuration on my laptop (mouse, external h.d. and controller) for 2 years and have had no issue at all until now. I have reinstalled 2.00 until this can hopefully be fixed. I'm not sure if it's a bug related to my o.s. or what, but I do know that my firmware is up-to-date on my controller and my Windows updates are all current.

Please let me know if anyone has this problem and when you think a new version might be released.

Thank you for all your help!

Im having the exact same issues, I did exactly the same with uninstalling and reinstalling on two differrent computers. There is a problem with 2.01. And yes it only happens when mixing.

We have an update of ITCH going into Public Beta other day or tomorrow so I'd like to get you try that when it comes out.

Is there any chance you could upload a quick video of this happening? If it's a big hassle then please don't worry.

Also, did you have a go at reproducing with everything else disconnected? i.e your mouse.

Cheers :)

I did not try disconnecting the mouse, but if I can get some downtime to reinstall 2.01 then I will try to video it and disconnect the mouse.

Dd you have a go at using the VCI-300 with the mouse not connected? Did this fix the problem?

Can you please have a go at using the ITCH 2.1 beta and let me know if you still get this issue : serato.com

Because of the holiday weekend I have not been able to try out the Beta version yet, but I did disconnect the mouse and run the software and it still dropped communication with the controller. I am hoping in the next week to try out the Beta version to see if that works.

Cool let me know when you've tried the beta.

Can I just confirm one more thing : when this happens, is the software actually freezing? i.e the waveforms stop and you can't click anything with your mouse? Or does it not freeze but the controller just stops working with it?

Let me know :)

I still havent been able to install the Beta version...I am booked solid with events and I don't want to run it when I'm at a gig.

To answer your question, when it happens the software keeps going..the hardware freezes and wherever the controller is set at the time of the freeze the software will keep playing the tracks I just cant do anything with it. It will let me exit out and it will even save my data.

I made a support request for the same problem (didn't see this post) But I'm having this issue as well.

SoundManJer,

This will show you how to have both versions on your computer at once, so that you can still use 2.0.0 to perform and do tests at home with the 2.1 beta : serato.com
There's no rush but It would be great to know if 2.1 fixes this or not.

If anyone else is experiencing this same issue (and I mean exact same), do you only get this issue in 2.0.1 and not 2.0.0?

If anyone else is experiencing this same issue (and I mean exact same), do you only get this issue in 2.0.1 and not 2.0.0?

i been having this issue before 2.0.1, 2.0.0, i think from after 1.7 which i must say 1.7 was best wish i could go back but keep the new feat...

I noticed it in 2.0.1

dj lashes I'll reply in your thread.

Mic Terror, it might be handy if you start your own thread too, i'll keep track of all of them and find out if the same thing is happening with all of you.

SoundManJer,

Let me know when you've had time to test the beta. In the mean time I will talk to one of our developers to see if perhaps they can shed a little light on what might be happening here.

I'm actually going to have a slow weekend with the holiday so I am planning on running this between my short down time.

And for the record, yes, 2.01 is the only version I have this problem with.

Thanks for all your help Logan!

No problem. Let me know how you go and if it still occurs in 2.1 we'll keep troubleshooting :)

OK, so I finally was able to install and run the beta version and I could NOT duplicate it. I almost want to try and run it live to see what happens. Odvously New Years Eve won't be slow nights, but if my other nights are, I will try to run it live and see what happens...but so far so good.

That's great to hear. Has this issue occurred again since you have been using 2.1?

Actually it's happened several times this week all of a sudden. I noticed that the software seems to bog down before it happens. I'm even having the problem on 2.0 now. Is it possible that maybe it has something to do with Windows Updates? I only use this laptop for DJing and rarely even go online with it so I'm sure it's not a virus. I didn't have this problem before so I'm just thinking maybe it's an update issue....

Are you guys going to have any tech people (maybe even yourself) at the NAMM show this weekend?

Sorry this is taking so long to sort out, it's a strange one I'm still trying to pinpoint exactly what is causing this.

What are your computer specifications?

When this happens, does the CPU on your computer spike? The next time it happens can you please open up Task Manager and sort the processes by CPU%. Can you either take a screenshot or let me know what applications are using the most CPU%?

Also, can you tell me a little more about what actually happens. I want to be 100% I understand. From what you've told me, the software continues to play the song that is loaded and everything works with your mouse inside ITCH, but the controller itself doesn't do anything. i.e pressing a button or moving the platters does absolutely nothing? And the lights still work? Is that all correct?

If you aren't already, please make sure you are following our system tweaks : serato.com

I personally won't be at NAMM this year but we do have a team going over - and there will a couple 'tech' guys :)

It might even be worth calling Vestax Support just to see if they have heard of this issue before : serato.com

I'm sorry for the delays in responding and please there's no need to apologize for this taking so long. I understand that with so many different combinations of computers out there, it can be hard to pin-point a specific issue.

With that said, I did have a chat with the guys at Vestax during the NAMM show last week and one of the things they suggested was getting a power plug for my controller. I'm going to order one and see if that helps.

I also managed to get a broef video when it happened to me last saturday night. The video only shows what happens to the contoller after the computer has stopped communicating with it. My guess is that it has to do with overloading the USB, BUT, I have been running the EXACT same configuration (controller, mouse and external HD) for the past 2.5 years and have not had this problem until recently which is why I am on the fence with this one...oh and it did do the same thing without the mouse plugged in.

I will upload that video as soon as I can and I will also order the power supply to see if that helps.

Did you manage to try it with the power-supply yet?

If you could upload that video that would be great too, I'd like to take a look.

And let me know this whey you can :

I had the same problem: after playing 5-10 songs all of a sudden the VCI-300 became unresponsive, but track would continue playing. Had to turn off VCI, turn it on again and after 2-3 songs same problem again. That happened during my party and I was very disappointed. You see, I am an ITCH & VCI-300 lover...
I have tryed EVERYTHING, but nothing worked.
It came to my attention that just before the crash happened, I heard some static sound to my speakers. So I decided to Ground the "-" (negative) of VCI-300's output RCA (meaning, I conected a cable from VCI's Ground to the output RCA)... and that SOLVED the problem!!! My VCI was never more stable! From that day on there has not been any crash or a split of a second stalling or... nothing (I use the latest ITCH for many many hours).
I don't know if that is the issue here - I just want to share this with you.
Hope I help. Let me know...

Thanks Michael R.,

I don't see how grounding it would help but hey it's definitely possible! SoundManJer, perhaps you could give this a go too?

Maybe it's a hardware issue of my VCI-300, but it defenately worked for me.
Try it anyway... ;-)

I'm having the EXACT same issues as SoundManJer! Same version of Itch, similar PC settings, and nothing seems to work.

Correction, I have version 2.1 and its doing the same thing.

same problem here, with losing communication, thanks michael r. although i run my music out of my 1/4 inch. i'm gonna give your way a shot. not sure if u just wrapped a wire around your rca or while plugin in your rca negative you push the wire inside. i guess either way will work. ill try it b/c i really love 2.1. honestly 1.7.1 is the best as far not crashing. thanx

Right, 2.0.0 isn't available for download anymore. 1.7.1 is the only way.

Just wrapp a wire around your RCA connected with GRD (ground) - Don't push the wire inside!

Hey guys if you are having any similar problem please start a new help thread it's easier for us to deal with everyone that way. But by all means still follow this thread :)
P.S you can download earlier versions of the software here > serato.com (Including 2.0).

SoundManJer let me know this when you've had time.

I want to start off by apoloizing for not being on this thread in a while...I had a family emergency and I haven't been even DJing the past few weeks, So again, I apologize...

With that said, I can see where grounding it might be an issue but from an actual sound engineer perspective, I am honestly having a hard time seeing how grounding it externally would change anything...especially considering I use the 1/4" jacks and usually balanced cables at that. I will say that there is an issue with a hardware issue that all the early Vestax Itch controllers had with their 1/4" jacks which is something that I brought up to them at NAMM and was told how to address it. I will try this and see if it works. One of the main things that Vestax Techs told me when I was at NAMM is that if you are having contoller problems, then to use an external power supply and that usually solves most of the contoller issues.

I am going to simply go to Radio Shack and buy a power supply today and set this up in my studio to try and replicate it. Also, Logan, I tried to upload a video but the link is messed up, for some reason why I click it nothing happens. I will try to upload it to a private discussion or if it would be easier to email please advise....

Wait...I finally got it. Here's a video I did about a month ago showing what happens after the controller loses communication.

I have been trying to replicate this and have not been able to do it in my home studio. I'm beginning to think maybe it has something to do with the club I was working in...I will keep on this and see what happens.

Here is a screen shot of my computer specs

No need to apologize at all! Hope you and your family are okay.


That's interesting. Has it only ever happened at this one place? Has it happened since?

Are you able to try using a different USB cable?

You know...I haven't tried changing the cable...but I will. It also happened at more than one place so I don't think it's the venue. I'm starting a new club this week and I KNOW the electrical is in VERY good standing in this building so we will be able to eliminate that out of the list. I will keep on this only because it happened several times to me so I know it's not a fluke....

Hey SoundManJer,

Let me know you get on with a different USB cable, and try switching to different USB ports on your computer too! Really strange you are unable to have it happen at home :S

I've tried swithcing cables and so far so good. The real problem is the problem is so hit and miss and the only time I can get it to do it is if the conditions are just right. The problem is, I don't necessarily know what those conditions are.

If you want to close this for now and I'll keep messing with it. If for some reason I come across it again then I can let you guys know.

Thank you for all your help!

Hmm yeah definitely difficult to troubleshoot those ones.

If you ever do come across an easy way to recreate the issue, or can pinpoint the cause, let me know I can continue helping you for sure!

Thanks :)