Hey Craig Dalzell,

Thanks for getting in touch,



Check the files permissions. Are the files set to "READ & WRITE"?
1. Right click the file.
2. Select "Get Info"
3. A window will load up. At the bottom you will see "Sharing & Permissions"
- Make sure you have every user in there set to "READ & WRITE"
4. Close the Get Info window.

Does this resolve your issue?
If you are still having problems are you able to attached a couple files this happens with to this thread, I will then look into them further and get back to you.

Thanks :)

will give it a go and get back to you, thanks

Hey Craig Dalzell,

Cool. Sounds good :)

Thanks.

Hi Jamie, i still can't say whether changing to "READ & WRITE" has made a difference for all tracks, some that were losing grid'ing before aren't anymore after changing to that option although some are still messing about, basically a work in progress as i come across relevant tracks i know have been previously grid edited.

have a new issue which might possibly be related which i've tried the "read & write" option on with no luck, when loading some tracks and also sometimes when instant doubling my DENON DN-HC freaks out and starts flickering which causes the screen to jump/freeze, i then have to unplug and plug several times a few tracks later, i'm also using the VFX & Dicers which also have to be disconnected and re-connected, 1 gig i done i had to finish without the DENON as the only way i could've got it back on would be to have restarted the program which wasn't an option.

i've tried different cables with the DENON but the problem still surfaces occasionally, any ideas on rectifying this as it's a real nightmare mid set?

Thanks Craig

Any ideas? this is really hampering me at the minute, it's a problem i've never had before so no idea what to do and nothing has changed in terms of my powered USB splitter and the MIDI controllers i'm using etc, i'm trying to prep a set for a gig right now and it's happening!!

Hey Craig Dalzell,



Where are you downloading files from?
-- Some sites put restrictions on changing file information.
-- You will need to go through each file to check it has "read&write" enabled.
-- Downloading tunes from places like iTunes / Beatport / Juno dont require you to do this.



Can you explain to me how you have things setup?

1. Always have the Denon DN-HC connected directly to your Macbook Pro.
-- This is carrying the audio information from your computer to your Denon DN-HC audio card.
-- The faster this information can be transferred the better performance you will have.
-- Any USB hubs / other devices sharing the same USB port can cause problems for the audio card.

2. I notice you are using a USB hub.
-- What devices do you have plugged into this?
-- Can you try using another USB hub?

3. Try taking the USB hub out of the equation.
-- Can you connect one USB device to your Mac along with your Denon DN-HC?

Do you have the same issues?

Let me know how you get on :)

Ok Jamie here's an update..

so i re-grid edited several tracks last night and changed to "read&write" for all of them and on relaunching Serato just now they appear to be fine so hopefully that's sorted, quick question though, why have i never had to do this before? as the tracks have been in my library and played for years, also in answer to your question a lot of the tracks where the grid edit problem arose are vinyl rips i'd done myself and not downloaded files from the net.

I have 2 USB Hubs 1 for home & 1 for gigs and i tried hooking both up...

The 1 for my home setup is always powered via the mains and is never disconnected, i've been using it to run the DENON/APC20/VFX/DICERS for a couple of years with the only trouble arising when i introduced the APC shortly after the bridge was released, i was getting a bit of MIDI conflict-ion and after starting a help request at the time i was told to go into SETUP-MIDI- then create a preset, after doing that all 4 controllers worked fine, nothing in my setup has changed since then

I don't seem to be able to recreate the problem when the Denon is plugged directly into the Mac but obviously that's not an option as i can't use my other controllers without running through a hub...


OK whilst writing all that and trying different hook up methods i now have everything working without the issue in the video happening, with difficulty of getting every controller hooked in due to varying length of cables i've managed to remove the USB extension cable that was running from the Mac to the Hub, don't see why things now appear fine after removing it as it's been used like that for a couple of years with no problems, any ideas on why?

More importantly though things now seem to be functioning but if you can keep this discussion open for a couple of days until i've had a bit more play time to determine whether it's 100% fixed, i'll pop you another message to clarify

Fingers crossed and i'll be in touch again soon

Cheers Craig

This is a must!!! do not use USB extensions in your setup. They will cause extra power to be drawn from the hub and the hub might not be able to keep up.


Also you should note what USB ports you are using. Heres some info you should know. a USB port (or USB host controller) has max bandwidth of 480kbps. I too run a TON of midi controller (3 cdj2000's in HID, apc 40, MPD32, DJM2000). Now generally all of those controller wont use up all 480, but you need to know how the internals of you mac work. I'm assume you have a 15 or 13 inch pro. in your system preferences when you expand the USB hubs you can see that there is a USB hub internally in you mac. this is common on almost all laptops. That hub allows your mouse (trackpad), keyboard, bluetooth and wifi to connect to the motherboard. You should figure out with port has the least amount of devices hubbed off of it. and use that for your MIDI controllers. The suggestion from serato in the past is to use that port for your SL4 box, but unless you're using 4 decks and the aux in and out you shouldn't need it. I have had to make note of what cables get used for which devices and found that not all USB cables are equal. I have tossed more than a couple because of there none reliability. I would not suggest LED lit cable either. They draw more power also. I would go buy single run cables that are long enough for what you are doing and only use those. I have no clue if this is hurting you grid issue but its good knowledge to have for any dj using lots of midi devices. Also I have had MIDI conflict issues in the past also. I suggest you change the MIDI channel on each controller. even though each controller doesn't overlap signals i have had more stable results when each controller has its own channel.

Hey Craig Dalzell,



Good work with the several files you tested out!

It sounds like you may have the "vinyl ripping" preferences set so you cannot edit file ID3 tag information. Therefore everytime you scan a file it shows up in Scratch Live fine, but as soon as you close the application it cannot write that information to the files ID3 tag so it gets disregarded.

1. What recording software do you use to rip your vinyls?
-- Check the saving preferences
-- Try another saving preference. (WAV. MP3. AIFF)



Cables become faulty over time. They dont last for ever.
USB cables are so cheap these days.

Think about how many times that cable has been plugged in and out of that USB hub, think of how many times you would have twisted it up when packing down after a gig.

What Code:E has stated is correct. This is great advice.
Especially --> Dont use USB extension cables.

The same goes with audio cables, the less extension joints in the cable the less chance you have introducing noise into the audio signal path.

I will keep this thread open and wait to hear back from you after the weekend :)

Thanks :)

Cheers Code:E will take that on board :) i do use all 4 turntables and the AUX for my APC so will figure out which port is best to run either the SL4 or the USB hub, noticed the same thing with certain cables also mate, real pain at times


Hey Jamie, i recorded my vinyl in Audacity and exported as MP3 320kbps

False hope!!!!

When playing around today the problem STILL exists, i haven't even introduced the APC yet which i will be using in the set i have planned if i can ever get this resolved, the hub is running direct to the Mac, i tried a new cable for the Denon & switched the ports the hub or SL4 are connected too and every time it's the same outcome.

Not that i've had to do it before as all 4 controllers have been running stably together for the last year but how do i get each MIDI controller running on it's own MIDI channel?

I don;t know if this was asked. where are your tracks located? are they on an internal or external drive?

Internal Code:E

I've been prepping a few sets for the last 12hrs and after losing all patience i unplugged the Denon, since then every other controller has worked 100% i even had the APC and the bridge running the whole time

The Denon is the root of the problem without a doubt

Hey Craig Dalzell,



Try the following test,

1. Export a test recording as a .WAV file.
2. Export the same recording as a .MP3 file.

3. Right-click on each file and select "get info"

Are either of the files READ only?
Or are the both read&write?

4. Load both files into Scratch Live.
5. Anaylze them.
6. Close Scratch Live.
7. Reopen Scratch Live.

Has the correct BPM information been saved to the files?


Just to clarify you are using a Denon DN-HC 1000 midi controller, correct?

How long ago did you purchase this controller?
Is there a DJ store locally to you that could maybe take a look / service this controller for you?

Thanks.

Hi Jamie, i'll give that wav/mp3 test a go

Yeah the dn-hc1000s, bought it when it first came out, 2009 i think that was. i'm in Belfast so no specialist stores locally, i buy all my stuff from England, the top 2 cue buttons went a few years back and i couldn't even find somewhere to fix it. The controller works fine when it's plugged in without anything else though so a fault with it not be doubtful?

i have a few friends that have the controller so will try at least 1 different dn-hc1000s to see if i can recreate the problem, hopefully in the next few days

You live in a city with a population of nearly 300,000 and there's not one "specialist" music store that sell DJ gear or service center?

Hey Craig Dalzell,



You dont think these could be causing issues?
Maybe they are sending weird midi messages randomly that interfere with other USB devices when its being used in conjunction with them?




Perfect. Let me know how you get on :)

Thanks.

Hard to believe Code:E i know, the ONE specialist electronic store that's left in Belfast City Centre who sell DJ equipment don't stock everything Serato related, i went in to buy the S-120 (Serato-Ortofon) Cartridges and they hadn't a clue what i was talking about, that's what i'm up against and why i have to order everything from mainland UK

Don't thinks so Jamie, everybody i know with that controller have the same issues with their buttons wearing out sooner than they should, a known problem with the dn-hc1000s. Also i don't need to trigger the cues in question with the controller as i have my dicers for cue points therefore no MIDI data being sent from it.

Hopefully will be clearer when trying 1 or 2 different dn-hc's

I can't comprehend on how anything MIDI related would be causing any issues with the beat grid's not writing or being saved.

Hey Craig Dalzell,



Sounds good, I will wait to hear back from you.



Different issue. Ripped vinyl records that are being saved as MP3s are being created as READ only files. So when tags get updated this information doesn't get saved with Scratch closes.

The Midi issue is in regards to the Denon HC1000.

Still waiting to get my hands on a different Denon DN-HC Jamie

I have other bugs that have been ongoing for a long time but are now more frequent and escalated so possibly related, only you will know if that's the case.

They are..

1. When exiting ScratchLive the program crashes around 3 out of 5 times! I therefore i lose what i've been working on, this has caught me out before so i always take a screen grab before closing so i can then open the program again and re-order tracks i've built in crates for sets and mixes after having to force quit the application

2. My VFX doesn't always apply the correct effect, for example if i want to "roll out (fast)" it does an ongoing stutter, i have to flick between different effects triggering on and off before it does what is expected.

I'm off to Ibiza in a month to take up my summer residency's and have no confidence in any of my equipment at the minute due to all these issues, really need to get all this sorted

Hey Craig Dalzell,



1. Are your music files on your internal hard drive or are they on an external hard drive?
-- How much free space do you have on your internal hard drive?

2. Do you start disconnecting cables before Scratch Live has closed?

3. Do you have any lost files / corrupt files in your library?
- Any "?" or any "lighting bolts" icons beside tunes in your library?



How many midi controllers do you have?
-- Are any of the midi controllers mapped to perform the same functions?
-- It sounds like you have "midi-conflicts" happening / controllers are sending the same messages.

I would advise you look at remapping the controllers, making sure you dont map a button twice?

If you are still having issues once this has been done, I would advise you take your controllers to get serviced. If they are randomly sending midi messages to your computer you are always going to run into issues. So its best we check they are working correctly.


Thanks.

Hi Jamie,

Quote1..

My tracks are on my internal drive, it's 1TB with around 600GB free, i also have 8gb RAM installed

I got rid of all corrupt files a long time ago so my Serato Library is as clean as they come

On launching ScrachLive i always have my phono cables & MIDI controllers connected before powering on my Mac, bit of a ritual actually! & i always close the program before disconnecting the USBs


Quote 2..

I have 4 MIDI controllers in total.

DENON DN-HC 1000s
NOVATION DICERS
VESTAX VFX-1
AKAI PC 20

The APC is the only controller that i don't alway's use so normally will be running the other 3 together

I have banks 3 & 4 on the Denon mapped to control a couple of things the APC & VFX are pre-mapped to do for when i only happen to have it with me at a gig and not the other controllers, when i borrow another Denon i'll map it the same as my own and see if i can recreate any of the problems. I can't recall having mapped any buttons twice but will have another look!

How do you change the MIDI channel for each controller as Code:E mentioned earlier in this thread? I don't understand that

Hey Craig Dalzell,

Thanks for that information,

Quote 1.

1. Navigate to the folder where you save all your music.
-- Right-Click this folder and select "GET INFO"
-- A window will launch. At the bottom of this window you have "Permissions"
-- Make sure Permissions are set to "READ & WRITE" for all users you have setup.

2. You may have a corrupt database_V2 file.
-- If this becomes corrupt changes you make during a performance may not be getting saved to the database_V2 file, therefore the program is crashing when its closing.
-- READ THIS ARTICLE --> serato.com
-- It walks you through the steps to create a new database file.

Does this resolve the crashes when you close the program?

Quote 2.

Having two controllers mapped to the same feature can cause mixed messages.
-- Changing the midi output channel for each controller might help this.

Do any of your midi controllers come with a "controller editor" or "midi mapping" program you can use to edit what messages the midi controller sends?

Hi Jamie, i changed all the permissions of the folder i keep my music in to "read & write", i also created a new database v2 file via the article so will see if the crash problem is resolved once i've opened and closed Serato a few times.

I have another Denon DN-HC in my possession so going to map it identically to my own and play around to see if i can replicate the problem using it


I'm not aware of any additional software for my MIDI controllers, the only mapping i've ever done with them has been from within Serato

Hi Jamie here's an update and it's not good.

So i've lost grid editing again on tracks that i recently re-grid'ed after changing all permissions to "read & write", they were fine when playing and launching the program several times recently, that problem looked like it was fixed, now that's not the case.

I tried a different Denon DN-HC and was able to recreate the MIDI controller problems within 2 minutes of using it so that rules out a fault with my own unit and also the cables as i've tested with a couple.

I've just unmapped every controller including the additional banks of my Denon so all it does now is control the primary decks on bank1 as it does when opened out of the box, no other controller is mapped to do any other functions within Serato that they don't do originally pre mapped when first plugged in and the problem is still there!!

Crashing when closing is still happening on occasions, in fact it crashed the first time i closed the program after changing all the permissions of my main folder where i keep all my music to "read & write" and also after i created the new database v2 file as you suggested, also crashed today after i added new crates of music


What can we do here? Major problems!!

Hey Craig,

Thanks for that information. I have sent you a private message - please check your messages :)

Thanks.

Hi Jamie, obviously a load of months have passed since this thread was last open and over that time running different setups with different cables i seem to have narrowed the MIDI confliction problem down to certain cables so all good there..

Still hampered by 1 big problem though and that's the folder saving glitch that's plagued me, SSL still crashes sometimes on closing and i'm still losing beat gridding on tracks over and over again after redoing them several times, real pain!!


cheers as always Craig

Hi Craig Dalzell,



I assume you've been using SSL for some time.. Have you checked your "recording" folder within the _Serato_ folder? often there is a lot of extra information that gets written in there that you no longer need, which slows the program down when closing down.
Can you try cleaning that out and also the "Crates" folder of unused crates.

Matt P

Hi Matt,

I'll have a look through the crates folder see what's going on there, i don't have a recording folder for some reason though

Hi Craig Dalzell,

Thats odd, you should have a Recording and a Recording Temp folder. We may want to look into renaming the _Serato_ folder to eliminate a possible corrupt folder in there somewhere.

Just to try it out, follow these steps :

Close all Serato Applications
Navigate to the "My Music" folder and locate the _Serato_ folder
Rename _Serato_ folder to _Serato_old (Don't worry about the backup folder)
Open Serato DJ
This will create a new _Serato_ folder in your "My Music" folder and create a blank template with no crates or any other stored information.

Either copy the Subcrates folder info into the new _Serato_ folder or load a small folder of music in and see how it loads. If you use itunes you can also just select the read itunes library in the set up screen tab.

To regain information as you left it
Close Serato DJ
Trash new _Serato_ folder
Rename _Serato_Old back to _Serato_
Open Serato DJ
Everything should be back to normal.

Matt P