in my experience it's a good idea to follow a certain order:
1. connect the denon and turn it on (wait for the initialization)
2. start ITCH

the other way around didn't work so well for me

hello I have the same problem, buy the HC5000 2 months ago, I use three events and play freezes after a while of use d. Use windows 7 64bist and i5 + 4GB Ram. To go back is to reboot, help please!

Hi.
I think you mean me as "the other guy".
serato.com
It's still not fixed, but I just saw now that the tread has been closed from Seratos side without answering my last quistions?
But now I will try version 2.1 and see if this fixes it..

DJ Tupsy, yes, you are "the other guy" haha... I just installed 2.1 and it froze up again. Left deck won't play without a reset. This is NOT good. I am a new user to ITCH and I LOVE everything about it, except for that. I was also having audio glitches, but I think those were fixed by switching USB ports on my Macbook Pro. Anyway, bros djs is having same problem on Windows 7, I'm using a Mac, so it's obviously a problem with the controller or something in the software communicating with the HC5000. If I can't get this fixed (and soon) I will sell the HC5000 and use alternate software. I don't want to, but I can't have this quit working at a "live" gig! Darn it!

Does anyone use a controller with a Macbook Pro that has worked perfectly for them? I will consider a different controller if I know it's not gonna freeze up. It's sad that the Denon does this. Denon makes quality products and this is very discouraging.

does it also happen with 2.0.1?

R-A-C ,,, yes, it does it with 2.0.1 as well as 2.1 ... it's a bummer. I guess it's back to the only 100% stable software I've ever used (I won't mention it by name as to not start a flame war, not my intent) ... I really wanted to give ITCH a chance, but this issue is not good. I don't want to have to say to a bride "Oh, hold on a minute for your first dance while I restart my software... play button won't work"... Not good. :(

sure this is odd. especially since it happened to you on the mac and Tupsy on windows. still no indication for a fault of the Denon tho or ITCH. could be something else.

did you try the usual measures like for example:
- rename the library and start without?
- starting with a fresh profile (by renaming ~/Library/Preferences/com.serato.itch.plist)
- did you start ITCH after connecting the Denon?
- does it happen with different files?
- what file did crash? same format (mp3, ogg ...) every time?
- tried using a different user account on the mac?
- removed any external hardware you might have?
...

Hi R-A-C
I have tried all the things you mentiond there.
Still the same.
Buy I have only seen it a couple of times.
And typicaly if I had a brake from playing, let the computer stay (with the software on) for a while and then come back again and start playing.
All sleep funktions has been turned off on the PC as well.
BUT I have also seen it in the mittel of a session.
So now I always have a cd in my spare cd player, just in case. :-(

more things i could think of:

- different usb cable
- increasing the latency
- hard disk > turn any sort of energy saving modes off

also i assume while you play you don't run any sort of security programs?

I tried those things as well... and different USB cable and both USB cables work just fine with other software and a different controller. It's ITCH specific. :(

I've read that people with other controllers are having issues as well. I guess for now, I will go back to other software. If this issue does get resolved, I will switch to ITCH for sure because I love the way it works. The looping is fantastic!

Yes..
Have tried that too.
But still there. :-/

I was all excited when I saw version 2.1 was out. I was hoping it would resolve this, but it didn't.

okay so this happens with all 2.x versions so far?
how about the last 1.x?

I didn't see it in version 1.7.
But.. I also only used it for a few weeks.
Så 2.0 is the version I have used mainley.
I plan to upgrade to 2.1 this weekend and see what happends.

anyone that works with ITCH correctly Win 7 or Mac OS? and someone working with VDJ Pro?, I ​​know it has support for the HC5000. Is another alternative, I think

me, osx 10.5.8 and 10.6.8 no problems at all :-)
and i guess everybody else who doesn't post here :-P

I think you are mistaken. The HC5000 is "ITCH only". The HC4500 works with vdj.

no, the hc5000 is fully supported by VDJ and can be midi mapped for every other software out there. it's a full featured midi device and can be used that way. there is no "ITCH only".

there is no difference between the hc5000 and any other midi controller. it's neither exclusive nor proprietary or something like that. it just has native ITCH support in addition to all regular features.

Hey Mike,

This isn't very good :( Can you please let me know if the unit still sends MIDI from the play button when you run into this problem? You can use MIDI Monitor to check this, there is an article which explains how to use it here:

serato.com

Let me know how you get on.

Sam.

Sam, sorry but I sold the HC5000 and moved on to other software. I don't have time to troubleshoot and I had to use something that I know doesn't lock up. It's very unfortunate because as far as functionality goes, I think ITCH is amazing. DJ Tupsy was having the same problem, so maybe you can work with him? If this does get resolved, I would switch to ITCH in a heartbeat.

Hi..
I hope to test it this weekend.
I have had a DJ'ing break for while, but is now up and ready again.
So I will upgrade to 2.1 and install the MIDI tracker software and try to test it.

DJ Tupsy...

Please keep us posted. Like I said, if someone can figure out a "fix", I will jump back to ITCH, no question!

just curious, why did you sell the hc5000? it great with other apps, too

R-A-C ... in trying to be respectful to Serato on the forum here, I was trying not to mention other software. Since you asked though, I sold the HC5000 because it doesn't work properly with OtsAV (The HC4500 does, which I already own). I know the 5000 can be mapped to work with vdj or traktor, but vdj is the absolute worse piece of DJ software I have ever seen and although I like Traktor, I am spoiled with Ots because of it's Dynamic Compressor and intelligent fade points and automated beatmixing capabilities. It's an amazing piece of software. I've used it since 1999 at hundreds of gigs and NEVER once had it lock up or crash. It's ROCK SOLID. The reason I looked at ITCH is because I'm trying to get away from Windows. Ots doesn't make a Mac version, so I have to run bootcamp on my Macbook Pro. I have tried every piece of DJ software I could get my hands on and the only thing that could sway me is ITCH, but when it froze up on me more than once, I realized I can't have that happen. And again, if this play button freezing up issue gets resolved, I will buy an HC5000 again and use ITCH as my main DJ software.

aha interesting, thanks for the post :-)

Samuel, any luck with this?

Have you been able to check if the unit is still sending MIDI? Without some help to troubleshoot this problem there isn't much else I can do sorry.

Sam.

Samuel, in my HC5000 MIDI indicator disappears to freeze it help for my problem? thanks

Hi All.

I have been running test this weekend.
I updated to version 2.1 and installed the MIDI tracker.
I have then been testing for about 15 hours whitout seeing any freezing. :-)
I will keep testing, but until now I have no "goodies" for you. :-/

Update:
I did another test yesterday for about 5 hours.
No errors at all. :-)
Next step is to test it without opening the MIDI monitor software and see if it's that software running in the background that keeps it "alive"..

good thinking, thanks for the helpful info

DJ Tupsy,

Is the MIDI monitor software available for Mac as well? I am having same issue as you on the Mac side.

Keep us posted. Thanks!

that app *is* for mac :-D
www.snoize.com

R-A-C..
+1
;-)

Now I am confused Tupsy. I thought you were using Windows 7...

I am using Win 7 Mike.

The midi tracker version I use is this one for Windows:
serato.com

Oh, OK... so there's one for both. Got it! Have you tried it again without the Midi tracker running to see if your problem is resolved?

Yes. I was testing last evening.
But "only" for about 2 hours.
Still no problems..
I will test again to night.

But until now it looks like version 2.1 has solved it for me..
Maybe there is a differens between the version for Win and for Mac.?!

hmmmmm... maybe. I sold the HC5000 but maybe I'll buy another one and try it out again. I really like ITCH a lot, so I might give it another shot.

Mike, I have the HC5000 and continue with the same problem.

Small status from me.
Testet it for about 4 hours yesterday without the Midi tracket started.
Still no problems..

bros djs --> Are you using Mac or Win?

I use W7 and the problem is that MIDI communication is cut with ITCH. I know because it shows the display of the HC5000.

Hmm, I think you may have a differend problem then.
I newer saw any changes in the display on my HC5000 the times I had this problem.

but works perfect with VDJ Pro, I do not understand...

Hmm, sounds like it is a bug in the ITCH software..
But maybe you still should try to run the MIDI tracker together with teh Denon and ITCH.
Then we know if it is the hardware that is loosing the MIDI connection or if its ITCH that is not knowing that there is something connected to the computer..
If the denon says no midi and the tracker still can see the midi or even keep the midi alive then it must be in the ITCH software..

Sounds right, or??

I Thought i had seen the last of this too, however just this last weekend the controller froze.... wouldnt do anything except play the current track, couldnt even load a track into the oposite deck. Luckilly i loaded a cd sharpish, but odly enough as soon as that track played out to the end all the buttons on the controller came back to life and responded again. then no probs for the rest of the night. Very odd.

Must be, so now how to use the midi tracker Dj Tupsy? and Johnny my HC5000 is froze for a few seconds and then returns to normal working but that's impossible to work all night.

Hi bros djs..

It's very simple to use it.
Just download it, install it and run it..
Then you will be able to see the MIDI input into the computer everytime you push a button on your controller.
Please try it and return here with the result.
I don't see the problem anymore (at least in the tests I have been dooing) so I can't tell if the controller still sends out MIDI or not.
Hope you will try it so we can find out where the problem is and return that answer to Serato. (Hope Samuel S is still reading this tread)

ok thanks, but when I travel these days I'll come back to test.

one more, when download midi tracker?

Here it is for MAC: serato.com

And here for Windows: serato.com

Any test resulte for us?

Update:
Made a 3 hours job yesterday.
Worked perfecktly.. :-)

2 Update..
Made another 4 hours job last night..
Still worked perfect..

Is anyone else gone "dead" in this thread?

I have switched software, so I gave up on this.

Instead of this issue being resolved, I see other similar threads being posted. There is obviously something wrong with the HC5000 and ITCH. I am currently using other software but if this problem gets fixed, I would definitely like to use ITCH again down the road.

Hey guys,

Sounds like a tricky situation, I will try and do some investigation into this.

Just to clarify a couple of things, it could potentially happen regardless of whether I connect the denon unit before or after opening ITCH?

Does the play button still send MIDI messages after it has cut out?

What other steps can I take to try and reproduce this?

Hi.
I have "always" connected my unit before I startup the software. (I have tried the other way around, but that gave som strange results in the Denon display.)

But as I wrote further up in this thread, I have not been seeing the problem since I upgardes to version 2.1.
But at the same time I now also always start up the MIDI tracker software at the same time.
So if it's becaus of the upgrade to 2.1 or because the MIDI tracker software is "keeping the MIDI alive" i'm not sure.

Hmm ok thanks DJ Tupsy.

I have continued to try this out but can't get it happen.

So you would recommend trying out this test with ITCH 2.01 or below?

Have you tried using ITCH 2.2? Is anyone else in here still experiencing this with ITCH 2.2?

Hi.
I'm using version 2.2 now and still have no problems.

"So you would recommend trying out this test with ITCH 2.01 or below"
Yes, at least that is where I saw this the last time. (But Mike have been seeing this on newer versions as well, but on a MAC. I'm using a WIN 7, PC)

Martin, like DJ Tupsy said I am on a Mac and I upgraded to 2.1 and still had the problem. It occurred on two different Macbook Pro computers. I never got a chance to try version 2.2 because I sold the Macbooks. However, if this problem seems to be resolved, I will buy another Mac and give it a whirl. I am not a windows guy myself so if this can work with Mac and work well, it would be a dream come true.

So DJ Tupsy,

Have you ever at any point, regardless of what version, has this issue come up, and then had MIDI Monitor open, and witnessed the results? Does the play button still send a message even though it is no longer operating in ITCH, or is it not longer sending a MIDI message?

The answer to this question would help a lot I think in solving this mysterious issue! I have still had not luck in trying this out with multiple versions of ITCH, but will continue to test.

@ Mike Sinclair, I truly could not say for sure whether this problem is resolved at this point, I cant be sure whether it is the hardware, the software, or potentially a computer issue, however if you say that you had the issue on TWO macbook pros, I am less inclined to think it is an issue with the computers.

So now using the same unit with your Windows computer, you have NOT experienced this issue since using ITCH and your denon unit? Or have you not used ITCH since being on Windows?

Hi Martin..

"Have you ever at any point, regardless of what version, has this issue come up, and then had MIDI Monitor open, and witnessed the results? Does the play button still send a message even though it is no longer operating in ITCH, or is it not longer sending a MIDI message?"

No, I have never seen this issue when the MIDI tracker is running. (Thats why I have an idear that its maybe the USB ports or something that is kept alive when the MIDI tracker is running)
When I have seen this problem, it has normal been when I have had a brake from playing on the DENON/Software (and just left everything running) and came back again to play.
To get it up running again I "just" needed to close the software and start it again.

Hmmmm, so that is pretty much when the problem happens? How long do you leave the software/Denon unit running for but not using it?

Is this the same for you Mike Sinclair?

It happened to me at random (not while taking a break) but I could be hitting buttons doing loops and such and BAM! The one deck play button quits responding. I've never tried it with the MIDI tracker, just running the software and playing songs.

Ok thanks guys. I would really appreciate that you have MIDIOX installed www.midiox.com and when this problem does happen, open the program and let me know if the play button still sends messages.

I'm not sure where to go from here at this point until I can find that info out.

Martin, unless I'm looking at it wrong, it appears that MIDIOX is a Windows Program. I want to use ITCH on a Mac. And, on that note, let me ask, do you recommend the Windows version of ITCH over the Mac version? If so, maybe I'll look at that instead.

Sorry Mike, you are correct MIDIOX is for Windows. There is a pretty much identical program free to download for Mac called "MIDI Monitor" www.snoize.com

No, I usually recommend using ITCH on a Mac computer personally, I feel less users have less problems on Mac when compared to Windows. Not that either are completely immune from experiencing issues, but I do help a lot of people with Windows computers on these forums... at the end of the day though, its about finding what works best for you.

Martin, thanks so much for keeping in touch with me through all of this. I am going to buy another HC5000 this weekend and a new Mac (I'm thinking of a 13" Macbook Air - do you foresee any problems with an Air vs a Pro?) ... Then I will try it out again and I'll run snoize. I will report my findings here. Quick question: is there a controller that you would recommend OVER the Denon? What I mean is: does there seem to be an ITCH controller "of choice"? I like the Denon because I am an old-school rackmount guy and it's a 19" rackmount unit. Thanks again.

Hey Mike, no worries man, I'm keen to investigate this problem as best I can. Not only for your sake to be able to use your controller of choice with out software, but also if there is something in our software that causes this issue, it is my job to report the issue so that it can be fixed in the future!

What are the specs of the Macbook Air you are looking at exactly? You can give me a link if its easier. Macbook Pro, usually a bit beefier on specs, but I know of plenty of uses out there using Macbook Airs without issue.

As far as ITCH controllers, well, the Denon is the only rack mount controller.

My personal favorite is probably the Novation TWITCH. Small, light, packed full of features and although the idea of no platters seems weird at first, its a whole new take on controller DJing I think.

The Vestax VCI-300 has been a favorite with many because of its simpleness and portability and being the oldest ITCH controller is probably the most tried and tested.

What features are you after really? Do you want RCA or XLR outputs? Do you want FX controls on board? Mic input/s? 4 decks? rotating platters? and of course there is always, how much do you want to spend?

Happy to help you out with your decision if you are considering moving away from the Denon.

Here is the ITCH page with the list of all of the supported ITCH controllers: serato.com

Martin, the specs for the Air are: Processor

1.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 with 3MB shared L3 cache
4GB of 1333MHz DDR3 onboard memory
Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor with 384MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory
128GB Solid State Drive

It has two USB 2.0 ports and Thunderbolt (whatever that is).

My music library is around 60gb so 128 will be fine for awhile.

Anyway, thanks for your input on the Twitch and the Vestax controllers. I currently have a cabinet that I carry with me (wedding DJ) and I really would prefer to get the Denon to work (if possible). If we can't, then I will consider other controller options.

I will report back here in a few days when I get a chance to mess around.

Cool thanks Mike, yeah your specs look fine to me! I would expect it to run with no problems.

Thanks Martin. I bought a new HC5000 and I have the Macbook Air on the way (I hope to get it tomorrow). I'll let you know how it goes once I can mess with it.

Hi guys install ITCH program firmware v2.2 and run for 2 hours, there was almost no promblem, except that there was an interruption of the sound from both decks for 2 sec. I was running but also the registration midiox no interruption in sending midi data.

Good!, maybe the new version fix the problem and I can leave aside the other software de Dj "virtual" jaja, for now ... NO VIDEO SERATO q and has support for Intel graphics cards and the "other" software Yes!. Sorry for my English I'm from Argentina Buenos Aires and I use google transalte jeje.

Mike give another chance to HC5000 I'm also old school and I refuse to change the MC6000 because the use my old DNDN4500 and some backup CDs.

Looking forward to hear how it works out for you Mike.
We have been talking about this for quite a while now.. :-/
I have a 8-9 hours job this weekend and will as always have the Midi tracker running in the background to see if anything happens..

Hey bros djs,

If you had an interruption of the sound after 2 hours, I would recommend starting a separate help request so our support team can assist you individually.

The issue you describe sounds unrelated to the one that DJ Tupsy and Mike Sinclair have experienced.

Thanks :)

Well, I ran ITCH in "Continue" mode and let it run constantly for over 12 hours and after the 12 hours, I loaded a few songs in manually back and forth in both decks and everything seems to be working. I haven't installed a MIDI tracker yet (I wanted to see how it worked "out of the box"). Maybe my issue was with my older MacBooks or an earlier version of ITCH? This is my first time using 2.2. I will mess around some more to see if I can re-create the issue. But, so far, so good! :)

Ok Martin but my first problem with HC5000 was exactly as that of Mike Sinclair, and the new update (2.2) works fine. Now, the interruption of the sound, I'll continue testing Thanks.

Like.. :-)
+1

Hmmm, well it sounds positive so far :)

Yes sir. I am going to mess with it like crazy all this week before my "Wedding Season" gets going and really put ITCH through the trenches. I have high hopes for it.

Did the 9 hours gig last night.
Including playing for about 1 hour with the "autoplay" = not pressing at the Denon.
No problems what so ever.
Just ran great and smooth. :-)

Glad to hear it and as of today, I haven't had the problem happen again either. I am going to mess with it harder before this weekend. All in all, I LOVE this software!

Awesome guys, although it does make it hard to investigate that play button issue, hah!

Thanks for the updates though :)

Just another quick update.
Played another 9.5 hours gig this weekend without any issuses at all. :-)

Thanks mate, thats good news.

Is it ok if I close this thread? You will be able to open it at any point should you run into any issues (only Mike Sinclair, being the creator of this help request can do this)

If you were to run into anything you can create a help request DJ Tupsy, and I can continue to help you.

Martin,

Yeah, I would say it's safe to close this thread. I couldn't get the problem to re-occur with the new system, and now I have my sights set on the Vestax VCI-380. I pre-ordered one.

Excellent! I am looking forward to getting my hands on a VCI-380 soon too!

Remember you can post back up here whenever necessary. Thanks :)