I have used the AMX on two out of my four MacBooks (due to having only one license) and I do not have this issue. One is at 1ms the other was at 2 ms. Both are i7's w 16GB RAM but the oldest MacBook I am running is a 2012. Have you used other controllers/mixers/SL boxes with SDJ without any issues?

Aside from the AMX I have the Rane 64, Pioneer DJM-900SRT, DDJ-SZ & Rane SL4. They all run DVS fine as well. I am wondering if it is the DVS expansion giving you grief or DVS itself with SDJ. So again have you ran DVS with SDJ on any other hardware with success?

BTW.

Both MacBooks are using the same external libraries. I use two different libraries and both work perfect. One is USB 3.0 and is about 350 GB the other is 90K + songs on a thunderbolt drive.

unfortunately no, this is my first time using SDJ. I was actually in the market to upgrade to a 62, but i saw the AMX, and decided to give it a try before dropping $1600 on the 62. I really like the AMX and i think it would be the perfect solution along with an AFX... if i can get it to work. If not, then I'll take it back and go with a 62.

what OS X version are you running?

10.8.5 on the 2012 and Mavericks on the 2013.
This would make me a little nervous. Before purchasing the 62 I would ensure it is not my setup or some sort of incompatibility. In other words how do you know it is the AMX and how do you know the issue would go away with the 62 if you have never used DVS with SDJ let alond SDJ altogether? Know what I'm saying?

Yosemite is not yet supported so as much as I want to I would obviously not use it yet. That would be suicide LOL

ok so you are still running mountain lion using the AMX. So you haven't tried the AMX on Mavericks yet, correct?

I still have my trusty old ttm57 and SSL, which is running perfectly on my mac. I figured it would be a lot easier to return a $250 item back to GC than a $1600 62...lol.

oh no doubt...lol. I initially thought this would be the problem, so thats why i did a clean install of mavericks on another partition, with absolutely nothing running but SDJ... but that didn't work.

I'm going to try and find a Mountain Lion CD and try running a clean install on a separate partition and try it out.

Like I said

&

&

So YES I have used AMX with Mav's.
You just gave a perfect example of why it would be a bad idea to purchase a 62 while still having these issues. If you have issues with SDJ/DVS/AMX you will most likely have issues with SDJ/DVS/Rane 62. I doubt it is the AMX to blame here.

So
like I said would not be the answer IMO. I would ONLY consider the 62 IF I got the AMX/DVS working as a matter of fact.


Either way like I said I am unable to reproduce the issues you speak of on either OS with ANY of my hardware. Good news for you though as rest assured there is a light at the end of the tunnel. As I said earlier I don't have any MacBook older than 2012 so that is the closest I can come to your setup. Hope this helps.

Mid 2010 Macbook Pro 13"
8G ram upgrade
1TB SSD upgrade

Akai AMX
Currently with a Denon DN-S1000 in one of the audio inputs (I have 2, no room on the coffee table where the laptop is and no need as I am moving the studio)..

No major issues

I do get some glitches if I leave Serato up and running in the background and open/sleep the laptop. I just restart Serato. I would NOT be doing this at a gig or in the middle of a mixing session.

I've had some "sound quality" issues at the one gig. Noticeable to me, but not to the audience. I suspect, that its due to poorly ripped MP3s. The song lost some "expansiveness". Bear in mind that I mix down to MONO to use with a single Bose L1 Model II with 2 B1 bins. So the mono mix down may be causing the artifacts.

OSX 10.9.5

One of my favorite players EVER!!! LOL. You simply can NOT beat the size/performance ratio of these players.

Well the DN-S1200 is similar is size and function, is it not?

and, as far as I can tell, the Numark NDX500 is a DN-S1200 that is 2" deeper (11" vs 8.5") that is also Native mapped (accessory) to Serato DJ.

I have one at the office (shipped there) - I'll be picking it up later today to report

I meant at the time. I got rid of them YEARS ago. I have since moved on to just about everything else www.dropbox.com but the S-1000's were one of my favorite pairs.


The 1200's were made after Serato made its impact on me so they were deemed useless (to me) just as much as the S-1000's were. In terms of current players I have been spoiled by my CDJ-2000Nexus's so there's really no going back from there. Ill be first in line when the newer versions are released though.

Let me know how the new Numark works out. I am very hesitant when it comes to Numark gear. Not trying to call them flat out junk like most people do though. I am a fair person and try to keep things the same. The NS7II impressed me enough to purchase it and I must say it is a true controller. I can just as quickly admit that ALL other Numark gear I ever purchased let me down including the NS6.


I feel like current Numark gear has a higher standard which is why I try not to let past experiences with Numark get in the way. Afterall I am LOVING this AMX and it is madeby the same parent company InMusic.

Im old enough to remember using Numark 11xx series mixers in "clubs".
We dreamed of getting our hands on a Rane MP44 or a UREI rotary or even a mid tier Vestax.

Even then, Numark were "toys", but at least better than Gemini (and were affordable - $200 or so for a decent basic model if I recall circa late 80s)

So I fully understand the hesitance to get a Numark - I did too.

But, as you point out, InMusic owns em all these days. (Numark, Akai, DenonDJ, and some others I am sure).

I haven't ripped my library, and am still hauling cases of CDs (and vinyl to some gigs).
This digital thing is a slow evolution for me.

(clicks the drop box link)
Thats some audio pile deejdave!

LMAO......................... it's only getting worse.
EXACTLY!! I can honestly say I am super happy I didn't let that get in the way of my NS7II. I am confident your new Numark player will prove to be solid as well.
Nothing wrong with that. Believe it or not (as weird as this sounds) I have a small collection of CD's (not my main obviously) that I will NEVER rip. Stuff I haven't been able to find digitally (MP3) too. Just an incentive to use the CDJ's a CDJ's every now and them and is a real nostalgic treat when I do. I know getting rid of the optical drive is probably being considered over at Pioneer for the next generation of players (hell many here are even begging for it) but I for one will ALWAYS have a need for them. You never know what you will come across and almost half the time people (at private events) have "their song" that they want you to play it is on a CD. The other half is almost always a phone so an Aux is important for me as well. I almost never get people with USB sticks believe it or not. I do when I am dealing with a customer and they give it to me beforehand though.

Either way right there with ya on the CD's!!!

There's one gig I do where there is huge incentive to break out the old skool 12" singles.
Skips, pops, scratches and ALL

Its a retro event - spinning club tunes from 82-92 with the same dancers and DJs who were THERE back then (and their like minded friends who appreciate it). The dancers KNOW where the scratch on the record is (hell - they probably know who hit the TT to MAKE the dang scratch and will hit em on the dance floor when the scratch drops).

Now THAT event is a treat to spin at.

I played with the Numark "spinning controller" thing at Guitar Center the other day.
Its a neat concept - it feels (IMHO) nothing like a real 1200. Not worth the effort to drag that coffin thing to an event. If I really want that - I'll drag the 1200s out.

Many of the CDs that I have are odd ball indie tracks.
I've not been happy with the sound on a big PA via the AMX
Not anything I expect the dancers will notice, but the DJs sure will.

I'm gonna experiment with AIFF files next

NAILED it!! I got the NS7II (The spinning controller) as more of a curiosity thing as SOOOO many people were saying how great it was. Similar to TT's sure as in they spin. IF I want this I go for the real thing though as you said. Built like a tank? sure but I do NOT need that durability in exchange for the weight believe it or not. TT's have weight becuase they NEED to with vibrations and what not. I take care of my gear so the extra "tankness" is something I personally could care less about.

Tell me more about the sod with the AMX on a PA. I did this week one with my AMX but not since I got the DVS upgrade TBH. Choppy, harsh? As stated the AMX is my official bedside controller so I am not too worried but I know for a fact there will be many using this as a primary so................

You using MP3's strictly. How about FLAC or Wav?

I have FLAC
Off the cuff - Serato does not support FLAC

The problem with WAV is no "tags" in the file

I have no idea if Serato supports "Broadcast WAV" (a tagged WAV file - I think it exploits "banks" in the Orange Book format for WAV)

So I was thinking of AIFF

I have a RipStation - so re-ripping is a PITA, but once I set up the Production process, its just a load and go to bed thing.

Absolutely DOES.
There ARE but not all of the fields. No Art work (for FLAC either actually).

Also some fields (key comes to mind) don't always save for FLAC.

tries it - YUP

ahh....

(test track was Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky)

Hand claps, triangle and fuzz!

as far as Key etc, I'm old skool and wont resort to that kind of "trickery" (yet)
Looks like the NOTES field will save. Thats more than enuff for me (for now)

thanks DJ Ed Wong for listing your info... much appreciated.

Bear in mind, that this was played BEFORE I got DVS
So I had a Rane MP2 mixer so I could play CDs
The AMX fed into the MP2 as an analog source (Phone 1, with the source set to LINE not Phono)
And the Rane MP2 fed into a Bose ToneMatch which handled the mix down to MONO and connected to the Bose L1 Model II / two B1 bass bins

Some tracks lost a certain "expansiveness"

The problem APPEARS (but has not been verified) to be an issue with the MP3 rip.
The Rips were done by the RipStation software, the bit rate was set to 320, BUT the "speed" was set to FAST (which is dumb, because I load the stack of CDs onto the device and go to bed - so who cares how long it takes as long as the stack of 50 are done in the AM)

I suspect that what I was hearing was a slight phase shifting / reversal between the left and right channels. And thus certain "psycho acoustic" effects were manifested in certain frequencies / instruments resulting in certain frequencies being "weaker" than they ought to be.

This was not something that anyone noticed.
It was something that **I** noticed - and it annoyed me to no end.

This effect, BTW - I've also noticed in clubs etc.
I suspect that it can also be caused by acoustic effects of the room itself.

Bear in mind, that I have significant hearing loss. So that I have a built in "gate" in my hearing. So I notice dB separation issues more than other people - because to me the tone has disappeared, when to others it is merely slightly lower.

None of this will stop me from using the AMX for smaller events.

And for the one big event I do - the dancers demand the original vinyl anyway!

Whay do you (lucky AMX owners, especially you DJ Ed Wong ) think about the AMX output level?

I mean the AMX is USB powered only so I'm afraid this unit lacks terribly some sound power (reminds me the vci 300 mk1).

So can you please tell me how is the sound compared to a cdj or even a vinyl source when it is plugged into a "real" mixer as an analog source? and when it is plugged directly into a powered amp ?

Thanks ;)

I've been running AFX and AMX since last Friday and on the whole its been pretty smooth.
System specs are:

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012)
2.3 GHz Intel Core i7
16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 512 MB
original 500GB HD (with 6GB free)

Yosemite 10.10 (beta version still)

Running SDJ 1.7.1

The only issue I've had once or twice (but can't replicate) is a small dropout when switching mid tune from DVS to INT mode and back again. I find closing all background apps/tasks, Little Snitch etc minimises issues.

@Djkom - It doesn't sound too shabby as it is, but I'm sure the DACs won't be great in there. Since there is a way of recording the output of the mix directly in Serato, essentially before the signal is being sent back to the controller, there should be a way of routing that audio to another, higher quality sound card. It may need some hardcore fiddling or an added feature from Serato.

I use the AMX mostly as a "bedroom studio" right now. So I listen via headphones.

But I did buy it for and use it at a paying wedding gig.

AMX was connected to a Rane MP2 which was running the two CD players
(This was BEFORE I found out that the DVS opens up THR, and thus I didn't need the Rane MP2 at all)

The Rane output ran to a Bose ToneMatch which handled the Mic (its easier to use the mic there, plus it has built in anti-feedback controls) which then sends the audio to a MONO Bose L1 Model II / two B1 setup. The ToneMatch sends a DIGITAL audio to the "powered speaker" (the ToneMatch and L1 are designed to work together)

I did NOT attach the AMX to a "scope" so I can not attest to this from a specification standpoint.

But the AMX appears to conform to the Consumer Line Level Standard

en.wikipedia.org

To put it this way - I had the AMX connected to the PHONO input RCA on the MP2, with the selector switch set to LINE (level).
When I switched from P1 (AMX) to L1 (CD) and back, I did NOT have to fiddle with the input gain level on the MP2, the level out of the AMX appeared at the same volume as the CD player (Denon DN-S1000)

The input trim on the channel being played on the AMX was adjusted as necessary to show a yellow bar and preferably no red (although the red might flash once or twice in the song)

The Channel Strip level, strangely, needed to the set to the TOP/MAX of the channel (I'm used to Rane mixers, and pro broadcast boards where you NEVER get about the 7/10 mark)

The Master LED levels seems to show "one bar less" than the channel bar does (with only 5 bars - theres not much resolution anyway)

The Master GAIN was set to about 7/10

Its FINE in terms of output levels (and consumer grade stuff Line Level isn't that high a peak to peak voltage anyway).
If you were going to make a "long run" to the amp (100' of cable etc), I would use a line driver and balanced cables - I use a Rane SM26 for that when I need that - which - now that I have one, I don't actually recall every having to do...

Thanks a lot for the input.

Whoua, I I would not have expected that much!! Thank you Dj Ed Wong for all these details !

So my fears are almost proved :(

To have a "decent" sound level with the AMX, we need to put each level near the max so this will probably introduce some distortions, saturations or sound clipping ...

No. No noticeable clipping or distortion when the levels were all **properly** gain staged to the PA.

The slider was set to "max", but the audio levels were NOT "maxed" (on the VU meter), nor was there distortion on the mix in the headphones or the PA.

I think they designed the mixer to be used by ham fisted bedroom DJs, and not DJs who were TAUGHT and ACTUALLY monitor their levels.

Remember, the sliders do NOT have audio going through the slider - the audio is being mixed in DIGITAL in the laptop. My guess is that there is a D/A chip just before the RCA output on the AMX "sound card".

The sound was "fine" for pro/sumer grade stuff.

Its not a RANE mixer, nor is it PRICED like a RANE mixer.

And its a HECK of ALOT better sounding than a 1980s era Numark 11xx mixer.

Its FINE for what it is.

but UREI, it ain't.

LOVE my Urei LOL!!
www.dropbox.com

this right here.

i actually turned my master volume all the way up in SDJ, so that gives me plenty of head room on my master knob on my AMX.

but the sound quality is much better than the ttm57.

Checks the inter webs
TTM57 is circa 2010

Has technology changed that much that a $250 mixer can now sound as clean as a $1000+ mixer?

Has the price and quality of D/A chips improved that much?

Yes & no. The TTM57SL was notorious for its sound although I didn't mind it all that much. Compare it t a Rane SL 3 or 4 or a RAne 62/64 and you will hear it straight away though. The AMX is better than the 57 but I have not tested it thoroughly enough (on my actual PA's) to make a statement about the comparison to my other mixers, soundcards & controllers.
Improving all the time. Look at the stats of the SL1 to SL2 same will be seen. Look at DDJ-SX to SZ even.

a little update:

i hooked the AMX up to my wife's 2010 MBP 13 with a 240gb hard drive, core 2 duo processor and 4gb of ram and OS X Mavericks.

Everything played pretty much perfect. I had PnT enabled on both decks, both turntables going. The CPU meter in SDJ remained at a consistent 60% but played like a champ.

The only usb drop outs i received were when i changed the latency setting. but for the most part 5ms latency was the most stable.

so I'm really wondering my my 2011 higher spec'd MBP is giving me problems.

Okay so I have a bit of insight from a different angle. I have onlyu owned the AMX mixer for 2 whole days but in this time I have tried different configs. Yes I experience some latency issues when running serato dj. I have 8 gb of ram amd a6- apu with radeon hd graphics ghz. So first things first I attempted to use the AMX with avids Torq 2.0 which worked just fine not so sure if w/o the DVS expansion if the old Torq Vinyl worked or not but now it currently does(after the DVS expansion) I am not so certain if I attempted to use it without the DVS expansion.

I do wish I would have tried because as soon as I installed the latest version of SDJ 1.7.1 I was introduced to the Serato store where it was an extra 99 USD to make my technic 1200s work with the software. So as reluctant as I can be I shelled out the money. I was hesitant because I was unsure if I had the proper control vinyl or not. I did however have brand new in thre box two control vinyls made for scratch live. thankfully the download did work with my technics. Also introduced were some latency issues in SDJ.

When I go back to Torq 2.0 the latency issues are gone. And my old torq control vinyl works fine through amx. Hoping I didn't just throw money at something to fix it when it was not a problem but lets stick to the point here.

Thus the ONLY difference that I have noticed is that the audio driver when using SDJ is forced into a 96000 kHz mode. When I tried to change it the software interface wont let me change it in SDJ.

When using Torq I have the option to change the sample rate which works just fine at 48000 kHz. Which leads me to the question which only a tech can answer......Is there any way to get the SDJ app. to NOT takeover my AMX sound card driver when it starts. Or at least have an option to change it.
Hopefully my experiments will lead to a better experience for all involved in this thread. If anyone can figure out a fix I actually DO want to use SDJ and this is why I bought the AMX not to get away from torq but I like the seamlessness of the AMX running SDJ and in Torq it requires a bunch of programming I don't want to have to do. It is just a temporary workaround for me.

serato.com

deejdave I have already been using the beta when I posted the previous message......to no avail. Still in the same boat but thanks

Got an AMX too and wondering if you guys got abny weird behaviour on latest beta...works good most of the time...

but: i had my crossfader reversed once for no reason (switch was normal of course)...I recycled the switch and played with it a couple of times and came back to normal..

Also i did get some volume issues...one on master volume and one on headphones volume...Sound was lost for no apparent reason and came right back as soon as i barely twisted the already set to desired level knobs...

Anybody experienced similar issues? Usinf latest beta build 59...havent tested any other version.

Cheers
Nik

P.S. It looses time-code signal if you continuesly spin the platters ffwd or backward on vinyl mode...If you just run them normally, either mixing or scratching...there is no problem. That happens on all latency settings...btw am running on 2ms with no other problems

I have just received the amx, great build quality and portability,

But I have been having huge issues with audio dropouts, I have changed the buffer to the highest setting and I have a good laptop -

Gigabyte P35k ultrablade with a intel core i7 4700HQ

I ordered it so I could play a set whilst abroad, I received it yesterday and worked out a set today to play,

I went to play my first set at a bar, but the audio drop outs where so bad I had to stop!

Very annoyed right now, why are the audio dropouts so bad?!

Cant say much about your laptop....but i can confirm that 1.7.2 it works dropout free on Yosemite and my 2011 Macbook pro...

Do you have any other serato hardware to plug there and compare if you get the same issues?

My guess is the laptop TBH. I know this is NOT what you want to hear but by a simple, quick & obvious process of elimination it just screams laptop. Do you have your laptop optimized for SDJ? This still will not guarantee it will work but at least you will have a better chance.

support.serato.com

&

support.serato.com

&

support.serato.com

Thanks for the replies,

I have SL3 at home and this works on this laptop with no issues at all, with turntables attached and scratching!

I had a look at the links, to be honest I don't really want to mess with my laptops settings as it works fine with all my music production software which I use for my 9-5 job at the moment,

I can't believe that my laptop it is not good enough to run this software. It plays highly CPU intensive games and runs top end music software,

Is there any kind of software clash or driver settings I'm missing?

I noticed that when I was adjusting the settings the sample rate was at 9600 and I could not change it, usually software I use runs at 44100 so is it anything to do with this?

Remember GOOD enough and compatible are two VERY different things. From the sounds of it you've got yourself a great PC. I happen to use PC's for everything BUT music as this is a business for me as well. That being said I use my MacBook's for the music end (both DJ and production software).


Anyways the point here is you could have a cutting edge PC developed by NASA and this STILL does not mean it will work with all software. This is a very common thing with Serato.


Have you tried moving the buffer to 10 ms or so?

I am confused because the program works, it is obviously compatible, and it works with SL3 with no issue,

I have tried using a low buffer but it is even worse with stuttering and bitcrushing a lot,

So this is absolutely specific to the AMX for you? I have the AMX but I again don't use PC so I can't be of much help to you.


Did you open a help request? Let them know you are running FINE with your SL3 and just NOT with the AMX. THIS will get their attention more as it is maybe not just simply a laptop related issue as I though.

Open help request here - support.serato.com

By reading your posts, a useful remark i can make to maybe clear some things up...Lowering the buffer settings is actually increasing your cpu load...Can you try increasing the buffer at 10ms through the AKAI utility? i think 10ms corresponds to either 384 or 512 buffer size on the AKAI utility...as far as the sample freq...just change the number while AKAI is disconnected and that should set it to your preference.

Try with settings on 10ms and then on 5ms and see how that goes (in case you havent)...What you are describing is strange because the SL3 is more CPU demanding than the AKAI..ANyway Tell us how that goes..

Cheers
Nik

Hi, I have tried it on pretty much all buffer settings, obviously the one with he least dropouts was the highest number, but still unacceptable dropouts, I mean at least one serious one every 5 minutes,

Which SDj version are you using?....

Make sure you are using the latest SDJ 1.7.2

Try using the SL3 cable instead on a port you absolutely know the SL3 runs fine...Since your SL3 runs fine on your laptop this could point that the AMX driver is not very happy on your system for some reason..

I d take this unit and test it on another computer just to be sure everything is ok with the hardware...Preferably use a MAC if you can and hook it on the SL3 USB cable...it does run fine on my PC though, can tell you that...but driver interaction on windows can misbehave on different hardware...could be running fine on my pc and glitchy on yours

I d also open up a trouble ticket and talk to support directly.

Cheers
Nik

Since music production is your 9-5 job and priority then the Akai AMX clearly is NOT. I would recommended you return the Akai AMX asap if at all possible until your priorities change and you are willing to put the needs of the Akai AMX first in regards to troubleshooting, tweaking and optimizing. So just return it and be happy with scratchlive......

Or we could recommend you a Mac that will work....:)

Are you serious pdidy!

I can't work out if you are joking

Or are you really telling me to optimise my entire £1200 computer around a £200 piece of equipment? Or buy another brand of computer? Seems a bit ridiculous!

I bought the amx to be able to mix on the move, surely at this price point and with its portability factor this is what it is designed for?mi would love to have keeled using my sl3 setup but 1210s are rather bulky to carry when on the move,

Also the fact that everyone is being forced to buy mac computers because developers cannot be bothered to optimise the software to work with pc components annoys me and a trend I am not going to be sucked into.

I do not want to start a mac pc debate but for me pcs are a far more viable option because of the upgrading capabilities, programming options and lower base price. If other people enjoy using macs that's fine but it's not for me and I refuse to be muscled into buying a certain brand of computer because a piece of software requires it.

That is why I stopped using logic and Final Cut Pro, I think that apple cornering the market and making people buy their computers if they want to continue using a certain brand of software is almost a bit like a industry dictatorship and not something I want to put my money into. I have owned mac computers but I found them overpriced and nearly un fixable without the help of the "geniuses" who to be honest are mostly smiling morons.

Surely if I have to buy a £1000 pound mac to make this £200 software work then serato/akai should not have advertised it to work with pc?

Some have gotten the AMX/Serato to work on their PC's. It has happened. Two things to consider though.

1.) There must be a will to do quite a bit of tweaking & optimazation and even still things may not be perfect but a little closer to how Serato is on MAc's.

2.) Even if you do get it working it will still not be all it is on MAcBook's so possibly the way of logic and Final Cut for Serato. It simply is NOT for everyone that is for sure.

Your reasons for employing PC's are sound. I agree with you even. I just employ Macs for anything related to my business is all while using PC;s for just about everything else.

Got some choices to be made here........... I wish you luck.

Are we just talking about serato dj and the AMX here or all serato products? Because sl3 works for me on this laptop with no optimisation, really is this seratos view? Is serato now really a mac only product?!? I hope you can understand my confusion, for me sl3 was a plug and play piece of hardware, I cannot understand why this software/hardware is so different?

Unless there is something wrong with your AMX, the problem lies in your PC configuration on your laptop. If you are not willing to tweak it, there is probably nothing Serato can do for you to fix your problem. Just because the SL3 works fine, doesn't mean you don't have to tweak your computer to get the AMX to work. Even if you get a MAC, you have to tweak that too.

While it is never quite this simple this is kind of the way it is. I am not saying I agree with it nor am I saying it is the way it SHOULD be....................... just the way it is.


My guess is not so much the hardware itself but somehow a driver compatibility issue of sorts. I would have to guess this if in fact your SL3 IS working with SDJ.


BTW JUST to be sure are you even saying your SL3 works with SDJ or did you mean SSL.
If your SL3 DOES work with SL3 then scratch the advice on getting a new laptop. It becomes a narrowing down of where the issue lies within your configuration and the AMX then. The real difference between the AMX and the SL3 is things are mixed internally with the AMX while the SL3 everything is done externally. This even though the AMX costs less and is the "inferior" sound card the AMX is actually more demanding so to speak.

I have an issue where plugging in/activating my AMX on a new computer disables the ability to adjust the internal Brake "Stop Time" in the Setup menu (it gets greyed out). This happened on my Late 2012 iMac 27" and my Late 2011 MacBook Pro 15" unibody. Both are running SDJ 1.7.2 and OSX 10.10.1

Has anyone else noticed this?

I am assuming this is without the DVS expansion pack?

The MacBook has the DVS expansion pack but the iMac doesn't... same issue regardless.

Yup, I've got the same issue plus Smart Sync disabling itself when AMX is connected.

There is no Smart SYNC with DVS. This (No smart SYNC) applies to ALL DVS devices.

Make sure Serato DJ is on INT mode when you try to adjust the stop settings...its always greyed out on REL.

It's a logged bug serato.com

The smart sync worked fine until I bought the DVS expansion pack?

There before you had DVS........... GONE after you activate DVS? What would this tell you?


serato.com

www.djtechtools.com

www3.serato.com

serato.com

Watchwww.youtube.com


There is a "little" info available on this if you search.

I was well aware of this, I was unaware the expansion pack needs to be disabled for the functions to work when not using timecoded vinyl and the units were being used stand alone....

It's been a back & forth venture with the DVS/Smart SYNC. TBH I don't even know where it currently lies in terms of priorities or requests...........

As for the breaking issue....If you go to settings (AKAI UNplugged) you will be able to adjust breaking time...indeed it ain't working as expected on INT with the unit hooked up....A workaround is to adjust to your liking before connecting the AKAI and it will stay there for your session.

Cheers
Nik

"The thing is you CAN adjust the brake time but you must do before connecting."

From the link I provided earlier.

serato.com

Serato is aware of this and there will be a fix.

Just an update,

I followed all of the steps to optimise my laptop but no joy, the dropouts where reduced to one every ten minutes but were still unacceptable for performing live etc,

Really disappointed in this product, great build quality and idea, but if it is unable to work with my 6 month old top of the range laptop I worry for the product in general,

I am returning the product, I am now thinking to replace it with the reloop terminal 2? Does anyone know if I am going to have the same problems there?

well you got it half right by retuning the product as I recommended but you're apparently a gluten for punishment by considering another Serato dj product while you are unwilling to own a mac.

I recommend you switch to virtual dj, I hear they work well with pc.

So I HAVE to buy a Mac to run Serato software?

Except I have SL3 running fine on this laptop and the three previous laptops, so this isn't true

You do realize that macs run on intel processors so are internally the same as pcs, the only difference is the OS?

I wonder how serato feel about you telling people they have to have a mac to run their software?

Or are you just being a troll pdidy? Why don't you go and buy another overpriced silver box for twice the price of the equivalent pc.

no those are your words not mine, there are people who claim great results with pc so your welcome to test your luck.

but this topic is about the fact that you can't run the akai right ?

your a lil late to the party an this is old news. The difference in OS is a BIG DEAL and the sole reason we are having the conversation.


Guess who wrote this?

"As for a recommended laptop, we would recommend a Macbook Pro. I know they are a bit expensive, but they are the most stable computers for use with music/dj software. In my opinion "You get what you pay for" is definitely a term that encapsulates the PC/Mac debate.
There are usually more issues that appear regarding Windows builds than Mac computers due to driver errors and incompatibility, but if you are wanting something fast and cheap, I guess stability, recovery and reliability are not a priority for you."



Just because you don't like what I say or agree with it doesn't mean that I'm trolling.

I think that everybody needs to slow down a little bit...Serato does NOT officially states that you need to own a MAC...and nobody should be talking in such manner to somebody asking for help here...I am a mac user also and Its a known fact that MASs are better solutions but i know people working professionallly on 8hr sessions on PCs, so enough with that..

Pdidy If you cant help a forum member, please don't state things like WE recommend (sounds you are affiliated with Serato carrying some kind of company message)...and who gives you the right to anyways tell him what computer to buy? Quoting each sentence on somebody's help thread with a confronting answer, does not show any will to help rather than just opening an argument. The guy is just trying to make his controller to work with his pc ..As long as Serato supports Windows he shouldn't have to buy another computer and he is sure right about that.

PjBridger all the Serato products i owned worked fine on my pcs as well (SL2-3-4, AKAI AMX, VCI380-300, DDJ SX & SR...Unfortunately in the case you run on to problems, it will need more care and caution to identufy them and work properly on WIndows. That does not mean that you wont make it happen...I would open a trouble ticket to directly talk with Serato Supporti regards to the AKAI and before i open up any discussion, i d install on a second to DJ only dedicated partition and follow the Serato guide and link below to optimize. Be sure you open that trouble-ticket with Serato thought.

www.djtechtools.com

Cheers
Nik

@ nikodb, I recommend you re read the thread slowly and correct your comment accordingly.

If you are in need of help identifying where you are in error, just ask and I will gladly help.

Cheers
Pdidy😄

Pdiddy I wouldn't write mentioning your quotes if they weren't following these previous statements you made:



and this :


I apologize if i sounded a bit harsh for a moment, that was not my intention...if a guy has a windows pc and asks for help with Serato on it (especially an SL3 problem free user)..its meant for that pc and the help should not be on the form of ''either buy a MAC'' or ''Switch to VDj'', cause you aint really helping there....I d be so pissed if somebody told me to switch to VDj as a solution (you know what i mean?),So, Please do correct me if i am wrong here also. I totally agree he is not very cooperative on troubleshooting his pc, but that does not mean we have to beat him also...Either help positively or ignore him.

Serato Products DO work well with PCs after all...I am stating that from personal experience and from other people i also know...and all i read (bottom lines) in this thread by all of the people who wrote to this guy including you, is to get a MAC...Though MACs are indeed better and I ve had my fare share of Win PCs problems on the past, they DO work correctly after all...That's the bottom line...I get the same glitches on my AKAI on both my PCs and MAC, does that mean i need to change to Linux? or just switch to another software? That just aint right man...

Cheers
Nik

p.s. Corrected and Clarified.

Are the issues you are experiencing the same issues you mentioned previously in this thread. I haven't been able to duplicate any of these except the one with the brake time and the smart SYNC as this is not a bug at all.


I tried SDJ/AMX on one of my PC's but it was just too glitchy to continue. As you mention it CAN be done and if I didn't have any other options I would in fact invest some time attempting to tweak & optimize but alas this would be time wasted for me specifically.

Which issues are you currently experiencing on your Mac?

TBH my PC laptops are nothing to brag about anyways. Both 2013's one Dell and one Toshiba Satellite but I don't even know the specs off hand.

I have no problems like so, on my dual core G2020 Pentium 1155....neither on my quad i5 2500k...issues on my Mac and PC are the same, but none affect usability as such...you can scroll up and check the discription on this thread.

Cheers
Nik

And btw, Serato Dj is giving me sound crackling issues at 1ms even with the Sl4 on my i7 Macbook as well as my pcs..so lets not hurry up to blame the AKAI exclusively on that...i am just suggesting that we should be more carefull to what we say to people who are asking for help here, thats all.

I would def look into that as well. I wouldn't think that either the SL4 or the AMX are to blame there. If some are able to use either at 1ms then chances are the actual hardware as a whole is not to blame. Always a possibility of compatibility issues as well as computer variables.
I did. When is said "any of these" I meant this page as a whole. I do not pretend to know off hand what is causing issues for you or anyone though as I do not have the ability to troubleshoot anything but what is in front of me naturally.

In all fairness I was responding t a direct question. I personally made no claims that this is ONLY Mac or that PC does not work but I like you have no issues saying what is what.

Okay... So I experienced something pretty similar to the OP's issue and it took me a while to figure out what caused the issue.

This possibly isn't your issue but it matched your symptoms and that was glitchy DVS with popping, crackling and FX distortion.

The power management had been set to "power saver" when I'd been downloading tracks to save juice and I'd not cranked the power profile back up.

It was like it for a few hours before I realised so although it probably isn't the same cause, it's worth checking everything is set to max or 100% in your power options. Also check your USB cable isn't faulty in anyway.

I hope you get to the bottom of it as it does seem a pretty big showstopper for you.

^^^^ I have done this myself LOL. A serious WTF moment when I remembered haha.

Totally!!!

I rarely do it so it slipped my mind to check for the reduced power plan but found out the AMX/AFX really don't like anything under 100% warp speed juice down them USB cables.

It was drop-out central!

Not quite sure what you mean, kind of lost you....I though you asked me what kind of AMX issues am i getting on my MAC...You can read the description of my issues and Akai Amx i observed exacly the same, on both my Mac and PC,...The discription for that is earlier on this very same thread....

never mentioned any sync or brake times...these were other peoples observations..i may have answer on the brake time to give a workaround...but my problems were likited to me descrption and timecode signal loss was a cdj thing afterall...we figured tat out with supprt...the rest remains as is,

Cheers
Nik

Break down..............

"Are the issues you are experiencing the same issues you mentioned previously in this thread." Which I obviously saw already being I knew they were mentioned previously in this thread.

"I haven't been able to duplicate any of these except the one with the brake time and the smart SYNC as this is not a bug at all." Applied to all the items mentioned in this entire post. I realized it was a bit vague so I tried to clarify with

Simply put I saw the things you mentioned earlier........ I was asking for your current status on your previously mentioned issues or any new ones which I see you just answered with:

As I mentioned earlier I have not been able to duplicate ANYTHING from this entire thread except the two I mentioned earlier which one is logged already and the other is not a bug at all. I notice some things I would like changed but nothing I could call a bug as everything is functioning as intended thus far. I have really been knocking around the AMX. Like 2-4 hrs. a night and even keeping it bedside and use DVS via tonetable LOL. I do love this little thing.

Hopefully this clears this up.

Man..i really don't know why you writing me all that stuff....i just answered your question before because you correctly quoted the phrase i said "you cam scroll up and check description on this thread"...i meant the description i wrote in regards to MY issues..and thats all..

i've just unpackaged mine and plugged in my gemini pt-2000s , before this i was running scratch live with a numark 4 track mixer i borrowed off a mate and it worked fine, but now the turntables will not play through the mixer, i can only control through the amx. its all connected correctly as far as I know and the grounding cables are attatched. anyone know a fix for this (it is very likely im just being a noddy)

There should be a "thru" button somewhere in the gui, look for that. If not open a ticket for serato help.

THRU costs $99 BTW...

You need DVS expansion pack to use THRU is what DJ Ed Wong is saying.

ta thanks guys i'll try it and let u no if it works

Increase your USB buffered latency by sliding it all the way to the right or 20


d2r1vs3d9006ap.cloudfront.net

do the dropouts stop ?

I have done that a few times. I get the same results. It is better then 10 but still drops out. I wonder if its actually AKAI AMX and not Serato

This is where AKAI screwed up. My opinion...the ability to change kHz. The AMX is stuck on kHz 96 which is great for recording but take a up a lot of processing. I bet you money if AMX can change to kHz 48. There would be no complaints or mentions on serato forums. The rane SL 2 thru 4 operate at kHz 48 and no one has issues of drop outs.

Does anyone know he w to change kHz on the AMX. I would to test it at kHz 48 and see if I get drop outs

have you optimized you pc ? and if so what were you DPC checker results ?

for example....heres a screenshot of my 2008 macbook pro DPC checker results while running windows. i26.photobucket.com

You should be able to change it in the Akai driver when it's plugged in. Give it a try and see if it works.

I get no dropouts using AMX and my intel 2.9 dual core 1155 pc with SDJ 1.7.2 @5ms..but its a very clean mini machine running nothing else but Serato..

As for the frequency just use the AMX Control panel on windows to change the kHz..If i remember correctly, you can only preset those values to 48 or as desired, but with AMX disconnected only...Whether i remember that correctly or not, you CAN cchange them through its control panel 100%.

Cheers
Nik

ps..could also be with AKAI connected but Serato not running...or something like that...you can sure change them though.

kk i now have DVS installed, have selected THRU mode, but when i press play on the turntable nothing happens; the scratch plate spins but no response from serato. however, if i press play on the amx it plays but no sound. any ideas?

Phono switches and ground wires ?

Make sure your in relative or absolute mode

Culprit is dead on...i thought you were trying to play regular vinyl on THRU..If you are using Serato Vinyls to control your mp3s...you need to be either on ABS or REL.

I thought this also, then I figured out what he meant it just wasn't communicated correctly

I change it but it default back to kHz 96. Any other options that is rock solid I'm not gong to get drop outs on my AMX with my laptop.

would dropping down to 48 kHz really take that much strain off my laptop if it were an option?

I don't know. That's why I wanted to try and see if it would help. I did read some where that the higher the sample rate the More process is uses

Hmmm. I wonder if Serato has any input on this. Maybe something Akai and Serato could make possible.

I don't think that the sample rate is such an add on strain..AMX is actually pretty light in processing compared to the Rane Cards,,,

Check your computer with DPC Latency app and make sure you got no Red bars...if you do have red bars then you have to start optimizing and possibly deactivate unnecessary devices for when you Dj, to pinpoint what is causing that latency...What are your computer specs by the way...?

I will give that a try

ok - something new for this thread -

I am getting distortion/clipped audio when using audio CDs in "thru mode"
The problem sounds like classic "clipping" - NOT Latency glitches.

My gain structure and all levels are fine (not in the red at AMX input, AMX master, SDJ deck input, SDJ master or PA).

Using DVS mode with timecode CDs is fine. Using SDJ standalone with the AMX is fine.

The same audio CD played through a generic mixer is fine.

I am using SDJ 1.7.2 on a 2.5Ghz i5 mac, 8GB ram, OS 10.10.1

Anyone suffering similar? Anyone willing to run some tests to confirm?

I'm thinking low-power AMX pre-amps could be involved?

Any comments?

@ blue foot, what year is your mac ?

late 2011

I have also seen reference to this signal clipping. The scopes also clip too, don't they? I think it's exactly what I've seen too.

If you play standard audio through the inputs and watch the scopes you will see the clipping appear. This is what I've seen.

do you mean the timecode calibration scopes on the "setup" pages mr Wilks?

If not which scopes do you mean please - I can test again on monday evening and have a look.

Sorry Bluefoot, yeah. The scopes have signs of clipping and it seems to be at a mixer level.ive seen another report of this too so I'll investigate more.

Take note if the calibration scopes when passing standard audio through it and you could see the result there. I think it clips all inputs but need to find out more.

When I'm not working I'll check.

Cool OK. I'll have a look at that when I get a chance. Cheers for the heads up.

Try recycling the phono-line switches, to phono and then back to Line..see if that does any good....

Does it clip all the way from very low master and gain volumes?...Do you get the same distortion on headphones too, or is it only on master output..?

Cheers
Nik

Hi,

I have a problem with it, first time I used it live it cut out 3 times, Serato dj carry on playing as normal, but the audio was. It coming thought the AMX, I had the sample on 96, so next gig I tried 48 I had the same thing but only happen once.

MacBook pro 13" 2012 16gb ram

Audio was not coming though the AMX, all the LED left right and master all stop no sound at all, but like I said it carried on normal screen on Serato dj, only fix was to pull the usb cable out & plug it back in, but sometime serato DJ said in the bottom left corner failed to connect to audio stream, I would just have off line mode showing.

Dvs pack & all working

Did you guys sent any support email brw??

Yes & I'm still waiting to hear back from them.

OK - results are in -
Recycling line/phono switches = No change.
Still clips in headphones = yes
still clips at very low volume = yes

Re - clipping calibration scope - I see no level meter in the scopes. I am using SDJ 1.7.2.

So far I hadn't done a help request as I don't like wasting the Devs time and always throw issues to the forum in case I missed anything obvious first. But am submitting support ticket now.

Yeah forums are great...but...problem is that with Seratos new system, not so much info is flowing around, especially on these new products...

I d really sent tickets to both Serato and AKAI....AKAI support identified my problem surprisingly quick

Cheers
Nik

Hi Park's,

Whats your ticket number? We still are out in the forum, checking to see if things aren't slipping through the cracks

I've noticed this happening if the AMX is redlining. The overload can cause a drop out and the audio stops coming out.
Not sure if its a driver issue, but it seems to be exclusive to the AMX in my experience.

Try keeping the gains well out of the red. (contrary to what Madlib might say)

Regards
Matt P

Ticket number is 63241

I use a SL4 sound card no problem at all since the update to 1.7.2 & no problem with update 1.7.3 all is good with the SL4 have usb buffer set too 2ms, recording my sets & have all the expansion packs activated. Every single one fx DVS flip & sp6 running with Serato remote on Ipad.
Plus im running with Safari open with facebook & chart webpage open no problem with SL4.

Any way all setup but just using the AMX no SL4 & it pop and make a click and all audio just stops, like the soundcard just disconnects. Shame you can't use a power pack to see if it helps. I had the buffer set to 2ms but move it to 10ms I can't get it to do it again I have been try at home but it will not happen again. I wanna see if moving the usb slider up to 10ms and moving back to 5ms to see if that fixes it rather than pulling out the USB cable.

What this all about keeping the gain down low so it gose not clip ?

I find'ed it hard to no where the gains are as it just gose round and round. Thinking of marking the nob with a mark to know where the 12o clock is.

I play normal records thought and its sounds all ok.

Thanks guy.

Park's,

Hey man, Looks like Luke is helping you out there.
I've let him know about your post here.

I'd suggest keeping an eye on the master gain in serato DJ (top to the right)

If you are constantly hitting the limiter, this may overpower the USB and make the signal cut out. If you are below the red, the signal should flow smoothly.

Regards

matt P

Thanks Matt, will have a look.

update - my ticket got a swift response from Ian Wan as follows:

"I just had a chat with one of the heads of product development. Were your CDJ's Pioneer? If yes then it would explain why as Pioneer CDJ's have a much hotter/boosted signal compared to other CDJs. If you tried this out with a Numark CDJ it would not have this issue.

They mentioned that they were aware of the issue and that the hardware lmitation was reported to Akai themselves. I would suggest getting in touch with Akai to see what their feedback is on this as it is a hardware limitation on their side and we were at Serato really only make the software that runs in conjunction with the controller."

So I have submitted request to Akai.

WoW...that is totally ridiculous...very poor choice by hardware design, if no workaround.

This ties up with the communication I have also received too.

Let's see what Akai say about it.

Making sure I understand the issue.....

Pioneer CDJ players run a "higher voltage" out of the RCA (i.e. Vpp is more like pro 3.47v vs consumer 0.89v)

The Akai can deal with the higher voltages and thus clips the input....

Can one insert a buffer amp in the line (i.e. Rane SM26B) or simply "pad" down the line?

Hi!

I've just got my AMX and I am trying to route the main output to my macbook soundcard using this guide:
support.serato.com
But when I try It, main out works well, but I can't use my headphones for cueing. Anyone had this issue?

Indeed

Yeah, this is the drawback of this setup. since you are bypassing the soundcard in the AMX

there is no way to cue with this setup

Matt P

for the "hot" Pioneer CDJ issue, can't one simply pad down the RCA input?

www.hlabs.com

I want to say yes, but I couldn't guarantee it.

Yes. If you want to get from 4 to 1, select the 12db models.

PS. I'll vouch for Harrison ^^^^. The old man has NO idea what a professional website looks like, But they been in the game forever and the product is solid. Just pay attention to that sneaky dropdown box for the attenuation level (again, -12db for 4->1)

Parts Express offers a price break if you find yourself needing 8 of them: www.parts-express.com

Annnd, there is an eBay presence: www.ebay.com

I have some Harrison Labs stuff.... from my car audio days
But I guess they are "pass filters" not pads.
In car audio, pads were the least of your issues (lack of voltage on long runs was)

In my case, I have a Rane SM26B - which can be configured as a buffer amp.
But I use DN-S1000 CD players or Technics 1200MK2 and haven't had an issue with a "too hot" signal.

No filtering. Just an R2R network to drop the signal intensity. The impedance curve would match that of an L-pad so i'd sooner call it a pad than a filter if we're using loose language.

FabulousFrequencies

Muy Bad

What I meant was, what **I have in a box somewhere** are Harrison "pass filters" not Pads.

In the car audio world, usually you have a lack of voltage ont he RCA jack, so there's rarely a reason to pad the line outputs...

I'd expect them to be a resistor pad of some kind - tho I never opened one up, nor have I seen (not that I looked) is there was a schematic for the pad.

Recently had a problem: Loud pop and then shit just went crazy:

www.dropbox.com

^^^

That what happen to me, I can use it out live, 😡

Can't

Nice portable but taking it back .

This sure looks like hardware failure

I mean in case you restart the software and it insists working like that, it sure looks like a hardware problem

I would say its a driver problem.

I think there are no AKAI Driver for MACs to be messed up, as if on Windows...You can try deleting the device from Mac Utilities Audio-Midi Panel and re-plug it, to have it re installed there on default midi properties and see if that helps...but it seems that the left RCA Master Outout is fried...

Could always be wrong about something

Cheers
Nik

I think there are no AKAI Driver for MACs to be messed up, as if on Windows...You can try deleting the device from Mac Utilities Audio-Midi Panel and re-plug it, to have it re installed there on default midi properties and see if that helps...but it seems that the left RCA Master Output is fried...

Could always be wrong about something

Cheers
Nik

Thanks that a great idea, will try deleting from midi audio on the Mac.

I just noticed its not your video...:P...Yeah check if that helps..

I also just noticed that On that video, seems like there is only one USB cable plugged and three devices are working there, so a hub is used for AMX as well...I am sure that can cause the unit to misbehave as well...

The AMX should always be plugged solo directly on the MAC with a good USB cable to be used (the one that comes with aint so good)...rest of midi devices can be on a powered hub to ensure proper power running on them...Also locating the Macs 'good" USB port for the AMx to be plugged to, may help as well...

Cheers
Nik

P.S.

So...If the AMX is plugged directly on the MAC and behaves consistently as such with the left Master Out dead...I d also want to test it on another computer....

If the same occurs on another computer, i d really be thinking of the scenario that its a hardware issue...really seems like a dead RCA port there...

Hey all - No word from Akai regarding audio distortion but meanwhile -

I was just testing the DVS using noise map vinyl NO issues with clipping - but all of a suddenhad the same loud pop followed by no audio/no level lights issue described above.

I turned it off and on again.

It worked again, but same issue occurred on the other side not long afterwards.

No issues using either vinyl deck (1210s) through generic mixer.

It's not looking too great for the AMX over here :(

How bout trying the AMX with other software just for the sake of it then..after three similar reports, does look like it is software after all...guess i was wrong

I d map it on Tractor or any other program really quick to check its soundboard outputs and take it from there

Hey nikodb.... i restarted my MBP and everything worked like normal after that... but every now and again, i get loud ass pops, I'm afraid my speakers are going to blow one of these times.

i get these pops with and without the AMX going through the powered hub. i've also tried the AMX by itself in all three usb ports on the mac. but the pops still continue every so often.

I've gotten many loud "pops" coming from SDJ, but this was the first time the master channels went dead like that.... really weird..lol

seems like you got some good stories for support here :)...... did you hit them up? please post any solution if you guys deal with this...

yup... and here is seato's response via email:



"Thanks for that video.

Would try asking you to go into:

Applications > Utilities > Audio MIDI Setup.

In this window, can you see your controller? Can you click on it and in input, change the Format to 48Khz instead of what its set to at the moment (96Khz)

Does this help? Please let me know how you get on."

so i followed the above advice and played on 10.8.5 for an hour and had zero dropouts on 2ms latency. PnT deactivated.

later tonight i will mess around with it on 10.10.3 and toggle the PnT and ill post my results.

SDJ didn't seem to appreciate the VCI-400 deviating from 48khz either.

(citation: support.serato.com)

Although I don't recall any other software version on planet earth having these issues.

Although not dropouts, SSL would have issues with playing back at 48khz in the offline player. After using SL4/68 the mac/offline player would default to 48khz instead of 44,1khz and the bass would distort badly... Not all versions of SSL, but I remember reporting it in several versions...

My problems with the AMX/serato dj is with the video plugin. It freezes. Sometimes I can video mix for 20 minutes, sometimes 5 minutes. But, eventually it will freeze where I have to force quit serato. It freezes when I load a track. BTW I'm of course using the DVS plug in. I never had these problems with scratch live whenever i had to connect to a rane 62 and I only had 4 gigs RAM. However I have no problems when the video plug in is NOT activated. I can still use mp4 files. So to start, yes I have the latest SDJ and Video installed. Have a late 2011 MBP with 8 gigs RAM with Lion. I've done all the optimizing suggested from Serato (turning off spotlight, disabling energy save, analyze files, etc.) and changed the buffer settings, output settings exactly how serato support told me to via email but the damn beach ball keeps coming back to haunt me

I just wanted to give you guys an update,

I returned the AMX and replaced it with a Reloop controller,

With this controller I have had absolutely no problems, I have played live using it on over 6 occasions, all without incident, on the same PC Laptop I was using previously with the AMX,

It has been tested with serato intro and my friends full dj software and i have had no problems whatsoever,

I only post this update because of the member @pdidy, who was telling me that it was a problem with my computer and to get Serato to work properly i would have to buy a new computer,

This is not the case, it was obviously an issue with the AMX or its drivers that was causing the problem,

Any other PC users do not be told by any Mac fanboy idiots on this forum that you have to buy a Mac to resolve your issue, if your PC is high spec enough Serato should work!

Have you tried video mixing with it? That's my issue...look at my post right above yours...I can video mix for a little but then I have problems

Sorry Biggtone, I haven't bought the video upgrade so I cant test it,

No problem...which exact controller did you get?

Reloop terminal mix 2, cant recommend it enough, got it AMX, and you can scratch on it pretty well for a controller!

Nice...have fun and rock those gigs !

I am strictly a MAC user at work by personal choice, simply because during all the years i am into Serato since 2007... i have found out that its by FAR a much more stable platform to run any Dj Software, not only Serato..Its not all about specs.

However I do also remember backing you up here before and stated clearly more than once, that my AMX and Serato still works fine on both my PCs at home...You can refer to a person in name, if you just want to pass a message here...Calling names in plural for people that just prefer alternate OS is faulted...and just makes you a PC fan-boy after all.

Hi all!!
I recently purchased the controller Akai pro AMX, and I downloaded the expansion for DVS timecode vinyls.

The controller produces audio drops and not to adjust the latency buffer usb. The sample rate can not be lowered to 96000 and consume all computer resources.

I'm using the controller with Serato DJ software that came included and expansion Serato vinyl dvs for use with timecode.
The computer I use is a portable pc, lenovo brand, AMD RADEON HD GRAPHICS APV E1-1200 1.4 GHz, 64-bit operating system, processor x64, Windows 8.1 sound card AMD High Definition Audio Device.
I've also used a mac laptop and is exactly the same.

In the control panel pc, if I go into the controller, all connected and off program (hardward conected, not streaming), the sample tab rate appears active and can vary the latency to 44100, but when I connect the program jumps to 96000 and sample rate tab is disabled and can not be modified.

In all this time I have not been able to make it work, I turn off all computer applications, disconnect internet and antivirus, and always is the same.

greetings and thanks

AMD processors are not supported by Serato. See requirements here: serato.com

As for your MAC, in order to change your sample rate you need to go on the Audio MIDI panel located in the Utilities folder and need to make that change there with the AKAI hooked up...Please confirm that's how you try to change it..What kind of a macbook do you own?.. Please write you full specs as some may be under-spec'd...

As for your PC, its an AMD which is not supported anyways and even for the case you were willing to try it out anyways, its specs are also way below Serato minimums..

Cheers
Nik

Hey JESUSPR

Have you tried changing the sample rate with the device disconnected?

Also JESUSPR, this is the support issue for the AMD processors.

It's not that AMD don't work, it's just that Serato won't give support on them. There is many AMD processors that do work but for the few that don't work properly and Serato don't want to be dedicating time and effort into exploring them so write them all off.

These are the support issues... support.serato.com

You could get lucky and have zero issues but you may also be unlucky and have nothing but problems.

The macbook was an intel core 2 duo 2.2 Ghz and RAM memory expanded to 4GB.

We have made all possible checks and gave the same error. Today I'm going to try on an iMac. if this works Well, I'll have to buy a laptop with those specs.

Thanks for all! And forgive me for my bad languaje.

this was actually suggested to me by Serato tech support, and seems to be a decent fix. Since changing the AMX sample rate, I haven't had any of the problems i've normally had.

I'm curious to know how the higher sample rate directly affects stability in SDJ with the AMX.

Dj remix Detroit what sample rate are you using ??? 41 or 48 samples ?

Thanks KP

In the imac works perfectly.
I had'nt read the minimum program requirements. AMX is a good product! thanks for the replies!

I used my AMX for a gig on Friday and twice I experienced audio level drops. Both lasted for about 10-20 seconds.

Audio level "came back" on its own or did you have to change something?

How about music stopping all together thats what happens to me ? & dose not come back.

Both times i slightly adjusted the master knob and the audio came back immediately. I've had the issue at home with the headphone levels too, but this was the first time with the master and it happened out at a club.

I'm speaking to my local Akai rep tomorrow about a replacement unit, can't have that happening at gigs.



Thankfully no, this hasn't happened to me.

In the future you may want to inquire with Akai Technical Support if you are having difficulties with the hardware. This thread is very long, and checking with our Technical support department there are no inquiries regarding this report. While we do check the Serato forums actively, reporting hardware or driver issues directly to Akai Professional would be highly appreciated!!

While I completely agree with you there is nothing wrong with talking amongst our community for some pointers and I absolutely feel this thread has done MORE than its share of helping individuals. If nothing else there is comfort in knowing you are not alone when you are experiencing issues.

As DNA said though in purchasing any given hardware you are entitled to a certain degree of support and the developer is almost always an effective source of results. Plainly put there is literally no way to fix a problem if you do not even know it exists.

It's always nice to hear from the source themselves so thanks for that DNA!!

Just called Akai support today and tech support issue a Return Authorization for replacing my AMX. The tech I spoke to thinks it may be a hardware issue based on what i told him. so we will see what happens.

Having the same problem. Might have to do the same as you unfortunately.

I want to to test something with who ever has a a AKAI AMX mixer. I had massive drop out and did everything I can to fix it.
First open Serato with out any music in Serato. Then plug in a flash drive(usb) or hard rive with music. It will load up and Serato. When I did this, it worked no freaking dropouts. Idid it to 2 different computer.
Can some of you try this and let me know if it works. if you dont get dropout. It can be the speed of the internal harddrive. It cant keep up. working music and software at same time. i know some laptops have 5200 and 5400 rpm. I bet money AKAI need to have a 7200rpm hard drive or soild state to work properly

I havent had any drop outs (yet)….and still using 1.7.3 i believe my internal is 5400. My only problem is freezing when using videos

what are the specs of your computer?

Also curious as to the type of external HDD you have as in USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Firewire or thunderbolt. While the 5400 RPM may be sufficient I don't think using a USB 2.0 external HDD would be doing you any favors. I doubt you are using one as they don't even sell these anymore at most stores but I figured it doesn't hurt to ask.

The connection type matters just as much in this scenario as the storage type. As a matter of fact most USB thumb drives are slower than even 5400 RPM external HDD's. Reason being is the vast majority of USB thumb drives sold at Best Buy, etc. are still using USB 2.0 believe it or not. On the other hand I have not seen anything but USB 3.0, FW or thunderbolt in quite a while. Flash technology itself is a much faster technology in terms of accessibility, etc. but the connection type will in most cases restrict the transfer speed.

Using a Lacie 1TB 5400 rpm USB/FIREWIRE . I use the firewire connectivity as both my usb ports are in use .

late 2011 MBP
specs: 2.4 GHz intel i5
8 gig memory 1333 MHz DDR3
500 gig internall with about 250 gig free
Graphics Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB

I have absolutely no problems video mixing in scratch live

I wonder if that is contributing to the issue. Even FW 800 is considerably slower. TBH if I remember correctly USB 3.0 is over 5 x as fast as FW 800.

Serato DJ as a whole is quite a bit more demanding than SSL so this would make a little sense but overall it seems your specs exceed the system requirements. Have you tried putting a bunch of the videos in question on the internal and seeing if the problem goes away? If things work better with the internal you can pretty much be sure the FW is restricting the data. I understand the want/need to use FW and I get reducing stress on the bus etc. but in this scenario an exception may need to be made.


If I remember correctly 2011 is prior to the Thunderbolt port is it also prior to the USB 3.0 ports? If so maybe internal is the answer. Possibly even removing the optical drive and replacing with a 1-2 TB HDD as well.

I have not tried what you suggested BUT I did try connecting thru USB and same thing happened. My MBP is USB 3.0 Compliant and I have 2 thunderbolt ports (1 regular and 1 mini)

Don't mean to be the bearer of bad news but if this is in fact your MacBook Pro:

Apple MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.4 13" Late 2011www.everymac.com

Then it is in fact USB 2.0 not 3.0. Also there is only one size thunderbolt port which I believe your laptop only has one and the other may be the FW800 port.

If I am not mistaken from left to right it goes:
Power supply port, Ethernet Port (CatV), FW800, Thunderbolt, USB 2.0, USB 2.0.


If not then it would be the 17" model www.everymac.com

which again has USB 2.0.


The reason this would not help is USB 2.0 is actually half the speed of FW800 so USB 3.0 is over ten times as fast.

Are either of the above machines your laptop?

Apparently there is even a 15" in that size and year LOL www.everymac.com BUT again USB 2.0

I stand corrected...I always thought Ethernet port was a thunderbolt port because I use to connect to Tvs thru that port. And yes u are right about USB 2.0....maybe I do need a new MBP with USB 3.0 then I'll use a powered hub for the amx, dicer, and external

No worries. I had a feeling it was the FW and/or USB port. I've had similar issues in the past. I can say that USB 3.0 made quite the difference for me. I use the Thunderbolt drive as my primary but I literally have NO issues with the USB 3.0.

Let's put it this way.

I have the same external library I have used for years and added a little bit but the same core library for the most part. It has been about 900 GB for quite a while anywho these are the times it takes to copy identical library from identical source on the same laptop.

Lacie Rugged Thunderbolt 2.5 Hrs.
USB 3.0 Seagate Backup Plus Slim 4 hrs
USB 3.0 G Drive Slim 4 hrs. (Just over)
USB 3.0 WD Passport Ultra 5 hrs.
USB 3.0 Toshiba Canvio Slim II 5 hrs.
USB 3.0 Toshiba Canvio (regular)
USB 2.0 Any Drive 12 hrs. +

This is using standard finder method and the same collection. This is just a small guideline though. There are plenty of people who know more than I on this. Also I understand there are better drives than the Lacie Rugged Thunderbolt but it has been super solid for me. Not for nothing a lot of people hate on the Seagates and while they do not last as long as the WD's they pretty decently out perform in terms of raw speed I have found.


Anyways I think we have derailed quite a bit LOL and YES while getting a new machine with USB 3.0 etc. would certainly get things moving for now though why not go for a Thunderbolt drive or try the internal option. These could actually be the answers to your prayers no?

Man, this sounds more like a USB issue period. I remember there being some issues with the macbook pro's, 2011 models, that you had to have a USB stick in order to operate the ports correctly with certain hardware. I don't think the issue was ever isolated to just serato software. I don't remember what forums I saw it on, but I know some people on this forum had the same issue and it was solved with the same procedure of having a USB stick as well as the hardware connected to get it to work.

Yes I might consider a thunderbolt drive as oppose to buying a whole new MBP...thanks

I've just picked up an AMX, so far very satisfied, the only slightly disappointing thing is the poor resolution for pitch control. Anyone know if serato can do anything to fix this in the SDJ software?

It's been improved with the latest public beta serato.com but it's not perfect. It's not like you'd expect but it's better.

Also, there is issues with that particular beta as it's introduced dropouts. The next one should be okay (hopefully).

The AMX is great. Have fun with it!

Im using 1.7.3 and it's working fine for me except video mixing - freezes

Thanks for the replies.

The best resolution I can get for pitch control is 0.3 (of a bpm) which is pretty poor for beat matching. Does 1.7.4 beta improve this closer to 0.1? I'm having to use sync most of the time just to match bpm and then manually nudging the track if its a little out.

1.7.4 gives you 0.1 at low pitch values. It's not ideal but better.

Thanks Mr Wilks, I'll keep my fingers crossed that the full release of 1.7.4 fixes the dropouts you mentioned.

Check out the new 1.7.4 beta 3.

It fixes many issues and think you'll be happy with it. I am.

The release notes state it's fixed. Let's go!

Awesome!

Didn't know there was a beta 3 already!

YESSSSS, Serato finally read my post. which oddly I cant find. I stated the sample rate on the AMX needs to be set at 4800khz not 9600. Well AMX is now playing at at 4800khz and i have no DROPOUTS. yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.!!!!!!!! it was never a computer issue

so weird, but good to hear.

I have been discussing the same issues with AKAI and they have also just yesterday agreed with this - I noticed sample rate was changing each time i setup and enquired if this could be a hardware or software issue - they have now confirmed that the sample rate switches to 96khz when the SDJ Software is booted, not when the AMX is plugged in - I'm still going to do further soak tests and will not be using the beta in a rush but from now on everytime I load up I am attaching amx, then loading SDJ, then checking utilities/audiomidisetup/sample rate - and seeing how it goes.

just turned on - tested sample rate - 44.1
plugged in amx - tested sample rate - 44.1
booted SDJ - tested sampler rate - 44.1
so above quote by me doesn't seem to be perfect - but nevertheless by ensuring sample rat ei snot 96 I am definetly getting better results.

still testing...

does 44.1 vs 96 khz make that much of a difference to affect stability? i'm not too familiar with how the sample rates work but i'm just curious to know how it's affected.

There are many factors affecting latency. Its worth checking the audio optimisation thread on this forum but I can't link as am on phone.

If using vinyl tinecode there are many other variables including stylus quality, cable condition etc etc which all need confirming before asking for a return authorisation. Nothing worse than being charged for a repair which wasn't needed because the problem was with user setup.

But my issues with cut outs and AMX fails seem to be related to sample rate.

Still testing.

Being on Windows I had the option to change it in the AMX driver and it stayed at 44,000 every time.

I think it could just be a Mac thing.

I'll say that the latest betas were introducing drops outs for my SX too and also SRT users along with Rane guys were all getting the issues.
It was an issue for most people using the 1.7.4 betas.

Okay, I've been using AMX with DVS plugin and a pair of turntables for over 3 months already and there are lots of issues I ran into - I finally decided to write this post because it's getting more and more annoying. Here's what I already ecountered:

1) While scratching - usually after very quick crossfader clicks the crossfader often reverses by itself. For a while I thought it's due to unfortunate placement of this tiny switch (combined with the fact I scratch regular with right hand on the record) so it could be caused by my fingers nudging it slightly - but it's not. I made sure to rule this possibility out before reporting and I tried everything - I taped few layers over this switch so that the surface was smooth and it was impossible to switch it, I put a camera right next to crossfader to make sure my fingers are far away from the switch and I even changed the way I hold the fader so that there's no possibility I touch the switch by accident. It still happens no matter what, the only way to fix it is to switch to reverse (nothing happens) then back to regular again (and it suddenly starts working properly again).
I haven't seen this issue reported yet? It's the most common problem for me but also the least annoying.

2) Second one is quite similar - crossfader loses its sharp cut curve randomly. Again, I though it's due to placement of this annoying knob but it's not - I did everything to ensure I keep my fingers away from it, I even removed this knob cap completely and it still happens from time to time. It's also not a minor change, it seems to turn around all the way to completely smooth transition.
In order to fix it I just have to gently touch the knob and it comes back to the right setting.

3) Audio dropouts - it's been mentioned here over and over already, in my case it's either a single channel losing signal, or - more often - master output dying. In this case slightly turning master volume knob up or down usually fixes the issue, however…

4) There's also a second kind of audio dropout - one that makes the whole device freeze. Both seem equally random, however in this case the only way to unfreeze AMX is to unplug the USB and connect it again.

I'm using MacBook Pro 13, Mid-2014 Retina with Serato DJ 1.7.2. Sampling rate is set to 44,1khz all the time and latency in Serato setup to 2ms. Tried everything from 1ms all the way up to 10ms and it does not make any difference regarding the amount of issues. I'm also using the USB port on the left side, closest to power plug. AMX is connected directly without any USB hubs whatsoever.

Also, could somebody please tell me why it's not possible to use front headphone output to monitor system sound coming from USB?
This is the single biggest annoyance I've got with AMX. I wanted to use AMX as main soundcard with Ableton or MPC Studio and I can't do it for this sole reason...

does that happen as you try to increase your master volume?

There's no sound coming out of the front headphone output from anything but Serato. Master output (RCA) on the rear works fine, but all the system notifications, Spotify music, YouTube, etc will play only from the rear master output and there will be absolutely no sound in headphones no matter what I do. Unless I'm doing something wrong? I really hope I do...

Try it yourself, set AMX as your main system output and try to play some music from iTunes or whatever - you probably won't be able to hear anything using front headphone output.

Nope, it's totally random, happens even when I haven't touched line faders, master volume knob nor even gain in a long time. Increasing master volume just a bit usually fixes the issue (or lowering it, basically just moving the knob a little in either direction).
I scratch pretty much all the time though - not that it should matter, but could be worth mentioning considering the fact volume depends on my record hand movements a little bit.

or youtube

Not through Serato, through AMX itself. Forget Serato for a moment, you can use AMX as sound card/audio interface for any DAW (like Ableton for instance) or the OS itself. It was advertised as the "mobile studio-quality travel-friendly audio interface" and turns out it isn't because it lacks the most basic functionality - there's no way to use AMX as the main interface with headphones so it is useless on the road because you can use it only with external sound system lol.

You can play iTunes/Youtube/whatever you want through AMX simultaneously with Serato using the very same master output though so yeah, this way you can do it. Thing is there is no way at all to listen to that on your headphones what I simply can't understand.
Unless I'm missing something here.

Use should download 1.7.3 - i think that version officially supports AMX

I wouldn't do this. The ONLY thing positive added by 1.7.3 was the support for the XDJ-1000 (if you check release notes you will see all the same as 1.7.2) along with that a few issues have been reported by people who for some reason unknown by me (as they do not even own the XDJ-1000) downloaded it anyways. If you are hopefu for results I would try the 1.7.4 public beta. Make sure you go for Beta 3 as again the earlier versions had bugs that have since been taken care of.

serato.com

The good news is unlike 1.7.3 there have been improvements and bug fixes that directly relate to the AMX/AFX hardware as well as applicable software changes.

The other good news is once you try this you can write up a report of your findings and any issues you encounter. The fastest way to get your issues taken care of is when they are actively working on the next version with the public's help.

Well for me, I cant go to 1.7.2. When I got my AMX, it was 1.7.3 that was out, unless there's a link to downgrade? I have no problems with 1.7.3 unless i'm video mixing

Every version ever released serato.com


If it works for you by all means go for it. I am speaking of individuals who were running 1.7.2 then upgraded for no reason. My policy has always been when it comes to my business I ALWAYS keep things at the last KNOWN stable release. I will use some of my MacBooks for new OS's and new SDJ versions etc. but I always have at least two at last known stable OS and SDJ version.

Just something to think about. I would never try to tell anyone that I know best................. you know what I'm saying I hope. Just trying to help.

try getting a replacement or take it back.

Ok, just reporting back from personal experience the AMX on the latest beta of SDJ (1.7.4) is working great, they've got the resolution on the pitch control sorted, now done to 0.1 bpm so perfectly possible to beat match without sync involved.

Do you find that as you increase the pitch from 0% that the problem gets introduced again? For small pitch ranges is fine but for larger ones it's still not massively accurate, unless it's just me being picky?

It's a 100% improvement over the 0.3% jumps before touch so I'm not complaining!

Don't complain Mr Wilks! They might remove it ;)

I've tried the pitch range between 10 bpm seems fine. Not really tried anything larger than that.

Haha! Totally!

The next time you try then wind up up and see the accuracy go down. It's no issue but thought I'd put it out there. I'm used to the Twitch having a truly endless encoder.

NO..... 1.7.3 does not support AMX

there is a 1.7.4 beta 3 its better the beat 1 and 2

You are wrong.

have you read this

we've had various reports of audio dropouts and distortion, which we hope to have resolved in Beta 3. Please update your version and report back to us if you continue to experience these issues. SDJ-14351

Serato DJ 1.7.4 Beta 3 (9467)

Bug Fixes

SDJ-14306 • Files become corrupt after editing tags or loading to deck
SDJ-14278 • Loop Roll pads save into Saved Loop slots when used
SDJ-14312 • NSFX does not switch FX output routing
SDJ-14156 • Serato DJ crashes on connecting or disconnecting a device
SDJ-00192 • Added Primary Deck option from Allen & Heath Xone:DB2/DB4
SDJ-13670 • Possible hang on connection with Pioneer DJM-900NXS on Windows
SDJ-14281 • Make EQ/fader mappings follow primary deck option
SDJ-14154 • Akai Pro AMX Connects At Wrong Sample Rate
SDJ-14083 • Improve album art in FLAC file handling
SDJ-14323 • Denon DJ MC6000MK2 cue buttons do not stutter correctly
SDJ-10821 • Serato DJ corrupts some WAV files when analyzed
SDJ-14352 • Using History Export can causes hang
SDJ-14333 • Loop Roll gets stuck in on state when changing loop range
Quote· Report· Permalink


from SERATO...... 1.7.3 had issues I couldnt get it to work. No 1.7.3 doesnt support AMX. if you have issues then it doesnt support it. 1.7.3 was out before AMX came out.

Support for Akai AMX was introduced with SDJ 1.7.1. serato.com

I have NO idea how you think the AMX was out prior to 1.7.3

If anyone actually listened to you then what you are saying is that there is NO actual release supporting the AMX being 1.7.4 is not publicly released yet.

1.7.3 added the Kaos DJ controller and the XDJ-1000 other than that the release is identical to 1.7.2. The thing is there were some issues brought on by 1.7.3 so it is not worth it for anyone who does NOT own the above two devices to download it but that does NOT mean it was not supported in 1.7.3........................

Just because AMX was connecting at wrong sample rate does not mean it was not connecting.

I still get the problem of the music cutting of what ever sample rate.

It make me took a T**t twice now in a live gig. It's a £180 brick sat in it's case.

That is NUTS!! I heard of a similar situation where it is cutting out on Master only. Can you confirm if the headphones still works after the master cuts out?

I can't confirm the headphones working. It just dropout & cut out completely. No leds on AMX no sound. Pulled usb cable out and replug it in.

First night of using it 3 times it happen

Second night of using it 2 cut outs.

First time of using the AMX sample set to 96.

Second time of using it sample set to 48.

I have not try since, waiting for update 1.9.4. But I gotta use it this Saturday so will let you know what happens.

You are right

Seriously

hi

i have some problems from the start when i bought AMX.

1st one is that it doesn't always want to connect. I have to replug it a few times until it works. sometimes it connects, shows the levels on the meters, but no audio comming out. could be really stressful when you don't have much time to set up before the gig....

2nd - the touch future goes completly crazy, i posted an video to show you guys what i'm talking about..faulty unit?

yt link:
youtu.be

my mac is:
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)
2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
500GB 5400-rpm hard drive
4GB RAM

Serato DJ 1.7.2 + DVS

Video is set to private.

fixed:)

We nearly have the same specs...maybe the controller itself...do you or someone you know have a MacBook pro you can hook it up to and try there? Only difference between you and me is I'm using 1.7.3

whoa!

just checked on my stationary hackintosh and it seems to be fine!

so maybe there is an issue with Macbook's usb powering?

Maybe...(on yours)...you tried it on both USB ports? I know it's recommended to use the one nearest the power port

This happened to me while using at a gig last month. Sent the unit back and their engineers emailed saying there was nothing wrong with the unit on inspection and sent it back to me.

Same thing has happened twice since.

Its the software. Akai offered for me to send mine back in, but im not even gonna waste my time.

So tired of these companies pushing products out so fast without making sure its stable first. Smh

Picking up a 62 tomorrow and going back to SSL where its safe

You guys are killing me. I'm about to get an RMX for a gig in a couple of weeks. Are these problems consistent on all Windows machines with 1.7.3? Should I re-think my purchase?

For me, my only problem is video mixing where it freezes. Other than that, it's works well enough that I use it at my venues

I've not had any issues on Windows at all.



I've not noticed this with the AMX exclusively but I get SV freezing with all my controllers (SX etc).

The AMX is great for me on Windows.

The funny thing is, i bought a $20 monthly subscription to virtual dj and used the amx. No cpu spikes or dropouts with it at all.

So im really raising my eyebrow at SDJ

Just brought the AMX 5 days ago - wish I had read these posts first.

Long time user of DJ hardware/software - no problems really.
Laptop is a decent spec - 8gig, intel i7, windows 7 64bit.
Optimized for DJ work etc

I have been running VCI-380, DDJ SX, DDJ SZ and Traktor S4 with no problems over the last 4 years.

Akai AMX comes along - install the driver and works ok for a few hours.
Nek minute USB freezing, audio pops and CPU going crazy.
Tried with Traktor and Virtual DJ - same problem.

Job logged with AKAI - will see what they come up with.

Had mine for 2 weeks and been using it on my gigs with dvs, flawless performance so far :)

Do you video mix?

Yes, once in a month :)

Windows or os? I installed all my windows updates, and it seemed to help. Had it running fine for hours with no problems. Went to use it at a gig and it lost audio a few times during the night. Back to pioneer for me....

using both, windows and mac :) allways test my equipment with both.

Windows 7 or 8

My flatmate uses a 2014 MacBook Pro and had lost master out on it live during a gig.

He turned down the master all the way then up and it kixkstarted it back again.

Is it a MIDI issue I wonder?

Windows 8.1

Hi all,

If you're having issues with CPU and the AKAI AMX, please try Serato DJ 1.7.4. We fixed an issue where the AMX was connecting at 96kHz instead of 48kHz, which would increase CPU usage. You might find this solves other issues that might not seem CPU related. Please give it a try, and if you're still having issues please contact our Support Team.

Download 1.7.4 here -> serato.com
Open a help ticket here -> support.serato.com

Cheers,
Michael.

I haven't updated to the latest version yet but one thing I've noticed about the AMX is the fact that you really need to keep the master volume down low. My dropouts are directly tied to my master volume. As long as I keep it low everything is fine. This is why I always use it with an outboard mixer to compensate for the low output.

This has got volume limiter written ALL over it. You understand there are two warning lights correct? One is for USB dropouts the other is for the limiter which is as you said directly related to gains and master volume.

I didn't know that. I guess that makes sense now. I still hate to see that red light, so my master volume stays a the 9 O'clock position.

Is this limiter a laptop or AMX feature?

Its a SDJ software feature.

update - done everything right, even tried alternative macbook - still get random Pops when using timecode vinyl which result in cutout of all audio and require reboot of software.

Also still getting horrid distortion when playing CDJs in thru mode.

I'm not laying blame on Serato or Akai but have done everything suggested and still cannot rely on this combo of software and unit.

So today I call AKAI for a return authorisation. Fingers crossed they actually find a fault and can fix it, or I'm in the same boat as all the above playing guessing games.

as usual will update here for the good of the community.

Put some testing, ur problem is real.

My setup:
amx master at 9 o'clock, master in serato 12 o'clock, limitter set in serato to 89db
when scratchingn, gonna take ptn off, that evades usb dropouts. try these steps.

ptn?

PNT he meant.

Upgraded to the latest Serato DJ 1.7.5
Working away nicely last night until the midi functions dropped out. Tried a few things to bring the midi functions back without unplugging the USB cable - nothing worked that I could think of. Ended up pulling the USB cable in and out losing sound but bringing midi back.

Plugged in a Behringer DV1 Midi controller to assign some Midi control functions - everything went crazy and CPU went nuts. Unplugged the DV1 and had to restart to get everything working again.

Restarted again without the AMX and just plugged in my DV1 to test. Everything works well. Add my DDJ-SX with the DV1 and everything is still honky dory.

Logged a job with Akai a while back, still to here from them.

Can anyone confirm they are able to use other MIDI controllers with the AMX?

I rebuilt my laptop to Windows 8.1 last night, will do some testing tonight.

I think you get distortion when running CDJ's in THRU mode, since the CDJ's have a very hot output signal. The input gains of the AMX are probably calibrated for turntables (dVs) which have a much lower output volume than CDJ's.

I don't think this is a easy fix, since it's hardware / firmware related.

No. Problems since upgrading to Windows 8.1 even my midi mixer is working fine with the amx. A little relieved at the moment but still sucks that it wouldn't play nice with seven

How long did you test it for?

It works with my Denon HC-1000S

Yep, I've tested with hc1000s, ddj-sp1, afx, novation launch control, akai apc...

This is a hardware issue, and as far as I am aware it doesn't happen with all CD players, just those with a very hot output (e.g Pioneer CDJ's).

Only a few hours. About a 30 minute session before rebooting it and going for another 30 minutes. Rebooted, and left it on autoplay for 3 hours. Did another 30 minute session and went to bed.

Going to test again tonight, and give some feedback.

Play min.4 hours straight with dvs and all packages unlocked. That testing, of course it gonna work as controller playing auto play, it practically dont do anything. And 30min isn't worthy to call testing. 4-6h active playing and testing features is what gives u results.

Heads up tested pnt issue this night.
Serato eq set to 89dB, pnt disabled, I was able to do my gig with 1ms latency, checked that serato vu meter dosen't hit yellow or red. with no usb drop out warning when did complicated scratches. Second test gig with these settings and flawless night again :)

Well, thats all the time I had but I thought I should list my findings - better than nothing. Good to see your successful testing - planning on doing a lot more tonight.

And the problems are back. After 1 hour of mixing I loaded a song onto deck 1 in internal mode, turned the volume nob on the AMX to see what kind of volume I could get. Started hitting red in the AMX levels, so I went to pull it back....

Red light in Serato came on in the top right corner to warn there is something wrong, CPU levels were all good but everything slowed to a crawl. Turned all the levels down and waited - no change.

Restarted Serato - same problem.
Restarted the PC and unplugged/plugged back in - same problem.
Just doing another restart and will see what happens without the MIDI controller.

Seems like ur new at digital dj:ing?? Stop restarting it in every spot, u cannot do it at gig, continue play with it untill something goes wrong, then adjust and try again. Every time u restart like that u just denying all the possible solutions u might find. U will ever get a stable gig setting with serato like that.

First of all, next time that light flashes, enable "info" tab from right upper corner and point ur mouse in that position on screen where that light flashes, this will give u suprise suprise info about what that light means. Why no straight answer?? Cauze u dont learn if u dont do.

Second, youtube.com and find serato optmization for pc, first watch "basic" then "advanced".

Do as those videos say, then play around 3-4hour set, if problems occur, write them here. If not, then play another one on another time and so on...

Fuck me Tommy, Ive been in the game for a loooongggg time, I gig pretty much every Weekend for what seems like forever, and yeah I know how to optimize and sort my shit out. I have two laptops purely for gigs - and run Traktor/Serato smoothly for what seems like forever - until this AMX shows up.

I cant fucking try "things" to fix the problem because Serato staggers, freezes and locks up.

I restart to try and replicate the problem, so I can see whats triggering it. If I know whats triggering it then I can fix it? Make sense?

Something somewhere is fucking it up, and Im not sure what. The chance of a "bung" laptop (well 2 of them) would be odd, considering Im running (im sure I mentioned) an SX, SZ, Traktor Z2 and S4 = without problems - EVER.

3-4 set you say? I havent got that far yet, it fucks out after an hour and Im trying to find the trigger.

But ah thanks for your help anyways....

Sorry for ruining ur day :/ didn't ment to. only seemed that ur not familiar these kind of issues cauze u linked flashing light to cpu usage which it isn't related :)

I know exactly what ur going trough but in this discussion there have been all the answers to ur problem allready, if familiar to optimization then this issue is the easiest one that there is :)

This is actually a little comical. The top right red warning light is the audio dropout warning light which is ABSOLUTELY linked to CPU usage. The volume limiter warning light is the other warning light which is located more centrally.


Where he went wrong here though is that changing the levels would not affect the USB dropout warning light but the volume limiter warning instead.

Man thats so confusing, we need them to clarify what light is which inside the gui like black and white. For professional software and us to not know what problem to diagnose is ridiculous. Please update the gui and make it simple to understand...

In other words add 2 black dots, label them usb and limiter and call it a day...

This is actually as easy as it gets. Red light in the top right corner it is dropout warning light. The only other warning light (besides track end warning etc.) is the volume limiter which is not at the top right but more centrally located.

Any confusion as mentioned above click info and you can see for yourself. I don't get dropouts or peak warnings so I am happy they are not on my screen at all and I think it should stay this way.

I rarely get the drop outs myself, but I have seen this come recently in threads since the release of the amx.

Am I imagining it or did it used to say CPU in SSL or Itch?

I think to replace it with LIMIT and CPU in red/orange text would be better. Ideally we shouldn't see it but unfortunately many do and think a little clarification wouldn't go a miss as it seems a design choice to look minimal but feel it should have function over style.

The people who fully understand it's function are the people who rarely see it! Kinda ironic really that the people it's meant to help can get confused by which one is which.

I'm up for a colour changing text to be more helpful.

I've had an issue using the AMX/AFX combo with 1.7.4. Two times while a song was playing on the TT in Rel mode I triggered the SP-6 sampler using a Kick Loop effect and second time using Subdrop effect and the system crashed, quite violently I might add. I honestly thought my speaker blew(Yamaha DXR10's). The second crash caused my MBP to restart on its own.
I run the AMX through a Yamaha MG06X mixer.
Has anyone ever had an issue like this? I have started a help request with support. Any thoughts? Both times it was all good until I hit the sampler, it was loud, is it possible its a limit issue?

propably the volume issue, chance settings so the vu meter in serato never hits yellow/red and tune volume from ur additional mixer the way u like. :)

The volume would never reset the software. Even if you were clipping for days you could potentially cause damage to your system with square waves etc. but the software would never crash due to anything volume related.

If there is a bug related to this I have yet to hear about it.

i was able to reproduce this, with amx connected, when limitter hits red, speakers pop and amx master vu is killed. so there is master volume related problem.

Hmmm, well I guess I'll wait to see what the Serato Support has to say.I've used Tommy's recommend settings. At lower levels there would appear to be no issues. I really would like to try the AMX/AFX combo at a live gig but after reading about issues I'm just not sure if its ready for that. This has been the only glitch I've ever experienced using Serato DJ. I really like practicing with the AMX/AFX, super fun! I'm sure this will be figured out.

Wouldn't reproducing this include Serato crashing and your MacBook resetting?

There is certainly a master volume related problem. This just seems a bit more severe in nature.

deejdave which crash did i say i reproduce from those two ;) there was 2 individual crashes.

@ Tommy I remember you saying you run both Windows and Mac but I don't remember seeing if you were able to reproduce above issue on both. Is that the case?

Did you have any crashes or just the volume cutting out. @ BigWave by crash in scenario a & b did the software actually shut off? That is what I got out of what you said above and I am just trying to clarify.

nope like said, master vu got killed. other thing BigWave, if u have pnt, disable it. Did help with my audio dropouts which occured while scratching. Vu meter issue is only on amx, ns7II or my other eq dosen't have this issue.

Deejdave, yep reproduced this with both platforms but i dont have any issues, my setup works fine after my workaround.

U should start giving also help and stop questioning other peoples helping ;)

I'll try and get my flatmate to add input on this. It's hard as he's away forming on a cruise ship and bought the AMX to take with him. He reported a total loss of master out.

He's a pro with Serato and he was stumped.

He said turning the master to minimum then back up fixed it but has left him nervous.

I'll honestly say I think there's a pattern developing here. I need to get more info from him but he described exactly the same symptoms. I think there was a pop too but can't confirm.

**working on

come to think, I also had a 1 second drop out and I lowered my volume and it was fine after. This was when i first got the amx. A couple of days after i bought a small mixing board (because there is no mic input on amx)and kept the master volume down and i don't think i had that problem again.

yep. 90% of amx problem is solved by putting autogain on serato dj to 89dB that allows u to put ur amx master between 7 o clock to 1 o clock. without making the vu meter hit yellow or red which causes the audio kill and pop. using other mixer to adjust volume output and its all fine then. rest 10% is solved by taking off pnt.

just a shot In the dark for osx users have you tried checking your midi audio output settings?

FTR all my recent performance updates have been tested with AMX and since 1.7.4 beta2 I have been able to consistently run SDJ at 1ms with al expansions (including PNT) active. Even DVS.

and how this helps people who have problems?? :)

I can also run amx on 1ms with dvs and all expansions enabled. but that info dosen't help other people?? :)

@culprit I have them the way Serato told me in support ticket.

I am still running 1.7.3 because I've seen too much negative stuff about the new update with the exception of Dj Dave

And I still need to test Serato video for about 3-4 hours to make sure it doesn't freeze on me. When I had Serato video freezing on me it I was still on Lion. I upgraded to Yosemite and had no problems with video but I only tested it about an hour.

@tommy lol

@biggtone i know double lol...

I am not trying to rub this in anyone's face. I am saying that I am consistently having the same results. If I understand correctly you are saying you are able to both reproduce these issues AND have flawless results. This makes me wonder what your issue is. Do you have a step by step method on how to reproduce above results or are you lost yourself?

I am not into pissing matches. I also am not here to judge who is new, experienced or somewhere in-between at best. I am also not trying to pretend there are not issues with SDJ but I do try to step in and prevent incorrect info being passed along when I see it which is the only reason I spoke up at all.


I understand there is a volume related issue. I have been trying to reproduce it myself. At the same time I am trying to understand where the software "crashing" fits into this and being you were able to reproduce this I again am curious as to the step by step on how to reproduce the crash.

Bottom line I am not able to reproduce any of the above issues but you ARE able to so if you have any consistent methods on how to reproduce any of the above issues I am all ears and would be more than willing to attempt myself as I am not into surprises and try my best to stay ahead of the curve the best way I know how. One of these ways is to be proactive on any/all issues I can be.

Serato DJ just froze in both cases. The second one was were the computer actually rebooted without any input from me. The first crash was when I was scratching on one deck and running a kick loop from the sampler. Crash 2 was playing a song on the same deck as crash one and pressing the Subdrop Effect in the sample bank on the AFX. In both cases the music was IMO not that loud with the AMX Master @ 9 Serato @ 12 and the line/master on the Yamaha MX06G mixer at there marked levels. I'll definitely turn the PnT off for the next practice sesh and see if there is any issues.

It sounded like the software literally stopped working I was just making sure. I haven't seen any others reporting volume related freezing or crashing just loss of audio but hopefully Tommy is able to give some feedback as he was able to reproduce the freezing.

@bigwave, have you had any other issues with your mbp on it its own?
A few friends of mine have reported similar behaviour with their mac's, but not related to sdj.
The mac would either crash or instantly reboot, normally without any user input. Worth looking into IMO.

@BigWave issue still on??

Am a idiot,saw the amx and afx,bought the afx first by mistake and was there in the box for months(as i refused to use it without the amx)got it no net so had to go to a freinds, got sdj,rushed home hooked it all up,oh sorry let me rewind,like a idiot isold my sl2 and s3,tried to play decks1210s dicers,nothing was working coz i needed to buy more ram,so i put more ram in,and then it still wouldnt work coz i had to buy a expansion pack,and then it sounded terribe cracking n poping and crashing,so it took about a month to get it going,now yesterday i read turn gains down turn off and turn back on and its made a big difference,but am still not happy,when i bought the afx n amx i was under the impression you could use the pair with sl2; dont fall for the same trick i did, myadvice stick with scratch live,dont get me wrong serato dj could be wicked when serato send the update,but for now sl2wins hands down,

Maybe learn to read, thats gonna help you a lot. Both with buying descions and also with writing and general communication, because you dont make any sense at all.

many lines of nothingnes...

@WrapNote, I have never had any issues with the MBP. I only use it for DJing and downloading songs. That was the only time that has happened. The only small issue I've had with SDJ is the program hanging on launch. Its happened several times after the computer is moved(like across the room 10ft even) the program will hang on launch. It did this on my MBA as well. No problem if turned off and restarted as well as no issue if SDJ is open and I move the computer. No other performance issues that caused a train wreck..lol

@Tommy Deem , I used your settings yesterday with the PnT off and the db89. No issues. I'll see if there's any issues this week when I'm practicing. Thanks for the advice.

good to hear :) U should now be able to adjust ur amx master output from zero to 2 o clock position with out the serato vu meter hitting yellow or red :)

Please elaborate what you are asking. The way you quoted that it looks as if you said it all but I know I have at least a sentence or two myself in there.

I was just giving out to some information on what worked for me with the AMX controller issues. I was having issues with audio drop outs and click and pops. I have a MBP OSX yosemite what I did was changed the audio bit rate from the default 48000 to 44000 and that worked for me so far with this setting I haven't had any drop outs or clicks.

Here's a stupid question:
where do I check the output rate of the AMX? ie set from 96khz to 48khz to 44.1khz.... ?

On the Mac type midi into the finder then click on midi setup make sure your AMX is plugged in the usb port you should see the AMX in the midi setup window from there you could change the output rate

Ah thanks!! Should have figured so much :-)

Hey guys, I purchased AMX right after it was available here in the UK and been using it with DVS pretty much on a daily basis since. Shweet little unit and a great way to try and get hooked up on Serato. So far I haven't had any issues, dropouts and stuff all working nice and smooth however last night funny thing happened as the crossfader started working in a reversed way all of a sudden by itself. I had to flick that xfade rev switch on and off for it to get back to normal. Wot dat, a bug innit? Or did I miss something?

Yes it is a common bug...it happens to during intense fader movement when scratching...have not found a fix for it

Ah ok, I see. Cheers BiggTone

I've had it too with no intense scratching (as I can't). Mine happened on startup.

It's definitely a strange one.

I used my AMX out live for the first time on Friday and got the master volume dropping out. Had to slightly move the knob and it would come back.

Is there a better thread to be posting this issue in?

You're in the right thread ... @Dj Do It found a fix - something about changing the audio bit rate.

Wow, first gig... first transition - boom, sound cut completely off on the left deck! OSX 10.8.6, SDJ 1.7.5.

It looks like the audio was ok on the right deck though (that was when I panicked and quickly connected my SL3). Also the VU meter on the SDJ gui showed that no audio was coming from the left deck, but as far as I can say I was still able to control the left deck.

No, not a corrupt file, this file was played dozen of times without any problem.

so...some bugs in there...

Yup. Master dropping out is a problem in our household too.

A wiggle if the master out encoder fixes it though but still shouldn't happen.

Yeah same here, no scratching at all at that point just spinning some tracks nice and easy

So I finally gave up looking for software bugs and sent my AMX for repair - they returned it with a fully replaced main PCB.

So I plugged it in, loaded up, went at it and guess what - "POP!" and cut out again.

SO... I went back to square one - checked all my optimisation settings, checked SDJ version (now on 1.7.5) etc etc.

Since then I have altered settings and enabled/disabled most things one at a time to see what results in cut outs - and I have had no Pops.

NOW TELL ME IF I'M BEING CRAZY HERE: I think the reason for the cutouts etc may not be due to settings or optimisation or any of those factors - i think it is related to how long I leave the system to load and prepare itself before I start hard scratching.

i.e. in the past I was excited and would plug in AMX, load SDJ, wait for it to say iTunes library was loaded and I was off - scratching, looping etc - what I would do on normal vinyl.

Now I allow the system longer on load up and even just play a tune or two on each deck - and it seems that even with wifi on, spotlight on, pitch n time on, Traktor F1 controlling Loops, hot cues and fx and with me doing the hardest scratching I can - I have not achieved a Pop or Cutout since.

13inch Mid 2012 2.9 ghz i7 (8gb ram) Macbook Pro running OS 10.3.3 SDJ 1.7.5 and DVS expansion.

Your thoughts ladies and gents please...

I definitely find, that even with a massive 1TB flash drive, that I need to let Serato "load up" first before doing ANYTHING.

Tho I have never had a "pop" issue (I mostly use the AMX with headphones), I have had "screen freezes" (but the music never stops).

The is particularly so if the Serato is still loading files etc. (the file locations are still flashing at the bottom of the screen)

Thus I wait 10min or so before "doing anything".

I seem to have had good luck? The only "crash" I've had (about 90 min into a 4 hour Live Broadcast FM radio set), turns out to have been totally unrelated to Serato (it was a problem on the T1 line between the Broadcast studio and the Transmitter)

Have you tried NOT letting the iTunes library load at all? Perhaps this is just another case of iTunes muddying things up.

2nd gig... 15 minutes into the set - same issue. Boom. Sound completely cut off. :( this time I had my sl3 already pre wired, so I could quickly get the music running again.

So far (finger's crossed) I have never experienced this issue. I've played 3 hour gigs at high volume output on the AMX with no drop outs or pops at all. I run pitch n time and DVS plugins on a 2012 Macbook Air, 4GB Ram 1.8Ghz (fairly modest spec). I use all factory settings. I don't import iTunes library and I wait a minute or so after plugging in the AMX before I started loading tracks etc. I always run the latest version of SDJ.

I wonder why some of us are consistently experiencing problems and others are not. Either there is inherent fault in the hardware or it's the confiuration of our computers. Would be great if someone from Akai could monitor this thread or offer some insight.

Hi guys,

Just letting you know that we've been able to re-create the sound cutting out issue in house. We are looking into what the cause is and will update you when we know. I have found that moving the crossfader hard to the left or right brings back the sound (this is just from my experience, I can't guarantee this as a workaround).

Cheers,
Michael.

That's useful to know Michael. Thanks.
Do you have a consistent trigger that causes the sound cutting?

Cheers Ed Wong.

And - That is great to know Michael R - judging from the variety of scenarios and possible reasons for the cut-outs that users have already posted it must be a tricky one to lock down.

If you need any beta testers, feedback or anything else don't hesitate to PM me - I've stuck with it this far and want to help make it reliable.

this should shut up all the cats saying the issue is to update your computer.

I'm able to reproduce it by doing fast crab scratches and eventually the master cuts out. If I then bring the cross fader across to the hard left position the sound returns. We will need to do some investigation into this and will keep you guys posted :)

I am still experiencing occasional session ending audio pops, drop outs and Serato DJ crashes. MBP has been optimised as advised in the thread, bit rate lowered and audio limit lowered in software. The only way I can continue after these is full laptop & software restart.

I also have the master drop out problem - resolved by adjusting Master Out knob and I've also had exactly the same issue with the headphones, likewise this has been sorted by adjusting the headphone volume knob.

Regardless of the issues I've still been using the AMX/AFX with DVS expansion for gigs (usually two hour sets) and thankfully the recent problems have only occured in my own studio.

What I have observed is that the software pops/crashes usually happen while cueing and/or dropping the next track in (in DVS expansion mode AND stand alone controller) or when turning on the AFX's FX banks on during playback.

Somebody mentioned letting Serato load up for a while, I'm not sure if it's a mental comfort thing but what I've been doing recently is turning up at the club a few hours early, setting up and doing a full run through of my set before the club opens and leaving the software open until I'm due on.

Not ideal, but like I say I thankfully haven't had a problem at a gig since the one in early March that I reported back on here.

Really hope and am looking forward to problem free AMX/AFX & Serato DJ usage because the combination of these units and SDJ is genuinely fun and exciting to use.

FYI I mapped the AMX to DJay Pro (Algoriddim) last night. First I must say even though it is not yet a native device it is SUPER easy to map. Secondly with the vast amount of settings and options within the midi menu I might go as far to say I can do more with it using Djay. Just as an FYI if anyone gets to that point. That being said I am having zero issues with it with SDJ although I have seen plenty are. Hang in there!!

The high/low pass filter works the same way in DJay? Just curious

Yes. You must make it that way. I mapped the filter fine but I am trying to think of something else for the secondary (touch) functions. I ended up mapping the SYNC & CUE buttons to cue point 1 and 2 respectively which is cool too.

On mine, if the audio dips, turning the curve control knob brings it back, but if the audio drops out completely I have to restart.

I had these problems but no more but I did so many things, Im not sure which one solved them! I upgraded to Yosemite, I turned off WI-FI, I make sure my master volume is 3/4 and gain etc not too high (though hard to tell what its exactly doing) basically I try to keep it out the red like on normal mixer.... I wondered if it was that was pushing it too much (the sheer power of volume going through it) and it was cutting out...

I couldn't use it out anymore but now I use it at gigs every weekend and its fine... BUT TOO QUIET....

Anyone know how to get the volume up? Anyone find it too quiet? I also tried mapping it to TRAKTOR to see how it worked but the filter pass didn't work :( which is my fave bit :)

plug it into another mixer. I'm pretty much on the same discovery as you. Keep the red lights off the AMX and it works great. There is some bug between the gain and the GUI and something else wrong that makes it too loud when opening.

..the program

I have had the same issue with sound cutting out,just using the filter to much causes it for me,unless thats a coincidence?.i use it with vdj and traktor hooked up to dvs,not had the same problem.but i dont use traktor and vdj much with the amx so maybe the same issue are there as well

I'm going to buy a USB powered hub with AC adapter, see if that helps with volume as suggested by CHEZ P i will report back after weekend!

I haven't had a "too quiet" issue...

But I feed either a Bose ToneMatch mixer or other mixer before the amps - so I have plenty of gain staging available after the AMX.....

I just started having the audio drop out issue...just simple mixing, no scratching, no hamster...it goes out for a second then returns...since then i've raised the master volume (on software) to about almost 3 o-clock position and kept the master knob on amx at about 9 o-clock position and it seems to work fine...

OK - so like M-pop my issues seem to have gone away and I have no idea what fixed it.

I tried so many things and eventually sent the unit for repair - it came back with a new PCB - first time i tried it after the repair it popped - but since then it hasn't.

I've even tried it with wifi on, spotlight on and going straight at the scratching once I see iTunes library loaded message (I had started waiting even longer).

To really put it through it's paces I've let some of the students at my djschool use it and tried it on multiple Macs with lower spec processors and RAM - this is what I really bought it for - so students could try serato with noise map without me spending a fortune on race! (we already have traktor timecode control via a NI Z2).
Anyway - no issues even with kids let loose on it.

So I have no idea why but my issues seem to have stopped - maybe it was the Akai repair, maybe it was the latest SDJ update, maybe that final POP was just the unit having a bad memory lol!

I'll keep testing and will update if it goes again - but otherwise- here endeth the weirdest, unfathomable, un-testable, un-repeatable, intermittent fault I've ever had on any bit of kit.

I bought amx last week, added dvs expansion and tested for 10 minutes and all seems good. Amx feels good and dvs working well on a pair of technics.

At weekend I tried to record a mix and about half hour in sound cut on left channel. I thought it was phones but tested three others and all the same. Only way of returning sound was detaching and restarting. Not sure if just unplugging would have done it. It was long blend house stuff so no cross fader action. I was playing with touch eqs

I have not had time to test further but came looking for info and found this tread and seems I am not alone. This sounds like a hardware or software issue. I have limited test time at moment and concerned that hardware is faulty and I will miss return window. How are others getting on. I will attempt 44hz things and see if I can repeat as this seems to me like only sensible choice.
For information I was running p&t the pc is windows i5, 8gb ram as said technics attached and iPad remote. I do not want to run without p&t but willing if this will be sorted. Remote I can leave but also have ddj sp1 which I am looking to run. A lot of info above but is anyone clear on what fixed issue of is this still ongoing?

The powered USB didn't really improve volume but may be that I bought a rubbish usb hub?

On Saturday the left or right deck would occasionally stop working. The controller and the software would not respond to pressing play. Anyone know why this would be. Think I'm going to stop using the AKAI AMx now as I can't rely on it. Luckily I play vinyl too and could switch to vinyl records when it refused to work :( waste of money

Check answers above.... had same kind of issue and worked it around,

Hello Guys (and Gals if any)!

I've bought the AMX and AFX combo last year in November when it appeared on the market and haven't used it since because of the following problem (that I have reported to Serato - and their solution wasn't working so I have just ditched the whole topic):

- I'm dropping the output signal while at aprox. 1.5 - 2 hours in the mix, there is no sound on the output at all.

Headphone monitoring works just fine and, because I'm using in-ear monitors, at the only gig I attempted to play with the rig a girl approached me saying that since like a minute or so the music has stopped. In my ears it was working just fine.

- In the software everything is working properly and in order to have back the output signal I need to restart my Mac.

- Sound is crystal clear and crisp, no problems on the volume or quality of the playback

The problem has occurred twice, once at home and second time at the gig I already mentioned.

My setup:

Retina Macbook Pro with 2GHz intel Core i7, 8 GB DDR3, 512 GB SSD, OSX 10.9.5
Serato 1.7.4 with the DVS expansion pack, at 1 ms latency
Turntables with timecoded vinyls.

Anybody has encountered this?
Somebody at a time was suggesting that I should buy an external powered USB hub and that shall solve the problem.

Thanks in advance for your replies!

All the best!

The issues i've had.on start up,volume to low or to high,have to toggle something on amx then normal volume kicks in..sound cutting out,once again having to toggle something on amx to get back sound.tried setting the amx and software levels per advice..makes no difference

woah, that sucks

Ughh!! Ouch.. yes this needs to be fixed :(

Akai must be aware of this...
At least they must get feedback from Serato from threads like this.

It would be reassuring if someone from Akai posted on this thread to at least tell us they are aware of the problems and what they hope to do about resolving them.

Am I asking too much?

I'm scared to use my AMX in a gig situation which makes it a redundant toy for home practice.

I have posted a new problem report on Akai forum so perhaps +1 to get them to respond if you have not yet. I notice a YouTube video posted about amx problem and akai responded direct very quickly so I am sure they are monitoring social media

Do you have the link to the YouTube video?

Links?

This is the link

Watchwww.youtube.com

Unit shown is very problematic where as mine is more sound cut out but there are similarities

The akai forum problem link I posted

community.akaipro.com

Thanks Bones666

man, so weird, looks like a grounding issue? or something wrong with the board. They should of used plastic knobs

Plastic knobs would eliminate the Touch feature though.

Got it, I was unaware there was a touch feature. I will look up what the touch feature does.

1.7.6 has started the volume drops for me

OK, asked this before but before I stick a note in to support, has anyone manually adjusted their innofader to a smaller cut in distance for scratching & noticed this alters the central position when you change the curve for a softer mix? If I turn the curve adjust knob anywhere beyond the middle position (12 o'clock) I get a volume dip well before centre on both channels when using the crossfader which is totally unusable. I assume I've altered the crossfade calibration points for the software mixer by manually adjusting the innofader, which is perfectly normal for a scratch DJ & I've done on another mixer I own, but can't see any way of re-aligning it in Serato.

Haven't notice that but I'm now noticing that when I do adjust the curve sharper, my scratching is sounding staticky

Have you taken the innofader out to adjust the cut in? Mine was set to about 5-6mm each side out of the box & pretty useless for scratching so I did like I have on my other innofader & recalibrated it to about 1.5mm. I'm guessing I may find I'm off centre on each channel now by 3.5-4.5mm giving a noticeable drop in volume for up to 9mm in the middle which is pretty shocking.

I've emailed support so let's see if there's a fix or I have to manually recalibrate the cut ins so you could drive a tank through the gap.

No I haven't tried that...I don't even want to scratch on it anymore because sometimes the hamster mode will come on and I don't even touch the switch for it or if I have it on hamster mode it will go back to regular without touching it at all.

To illustrate this, for anyone who may want to also suggest we be allowed to configure the software mixer to what our crossfaders are actually doing, I took some shots of the meters whilst using the crossfader with a slow curve. I set a 4 bar loop up so the same part of the track would be playing at all times & here are the results.

Deck A playing with crossfader fully open

i1253.photobucket.com

Same track, same position in track with crossfader in the middle

i1253.photobucket.com

After reading about some Numark controllers having the same issue & the temporary fix being to change the "Linear" setting to "Power" in setup, I did that & used it as above with the same track in the same position

i1253.photobucket.com


As the meters only has 5 LEDs you can probably guess the effect on volume.

I realise Serato may not want us to mess with their software, but this really is quite bad & needs addressing. All it needs is some way of identifying the centre point on the crossfader in the software to determine the drop off point for either channel. This shouldn't be that hard to do, or detrimental to the integrity of the software considering we can midi-map the life out of just about everything else on there.

I sent my amx back to akai and they replaced the motherboard.

Anyway anyone know what the name of the filter is on the AMX as I wish to replicate it on other hardware and software -thanks!

Are you talking about "high/low pass filter" ?

any luck with that?

I didn't think I was experiencing some of the things that have been bought up in this thread but after using the AMX over this weekend I can confirm that I am experiencing following:

Popping/static noise randomly happens.
The volume lowers and jumps randomly when playing.
When I release a loop the volume jumps higher.

This went on for the first hour of spinning before I switched over to my SL1 and Vestax mixer. I've never really noticed any of this before and I haven't updated to the latest version of SDJ yet.

I've used this for longer gigs in the past and never noticed it, possibly because those gigs were very low key and didn't require more than just mixing from one song to another. I think I need to do some more testing.

Did it solve anything?

Stopped using it with serato.volume dipping.cutting out.not had the same issue with vdj or traktor.be interested to see if bigg tone408 issues are solved now by replacing the motherboard

All those problems were solved by simple task, check that vu meter in serato or in amx dosen't hit red or yellow at any time. That solved all of my problems once and all,

All I've had is problems with this mixer. Sad because I do enjoy how small it is and crazy how much function there actually is in the this thing, but the main function i need is it working lol

Mines getting worse too with more dropouts starting with all the meters freezing then total loss of external control in Serato despite both decks being visible, meaning it still recognises the unit is attached. I'm starting to think we've all basically bought a plastic toy to play with for a few months then throw away.

I agree, except for VDJ users who are having no problems with it. I stop using it awhile ago and got me a Rane 62 and back on scratch live. Haven't really tried it with Serato DJ yet

Still, AMX works great, no actual issues after few workarounds, doing live gigs with this unit and it performs great :)

I've used it at a couple of easy gigs when I first got it, but now I use it primarily as a backup device when I'm out doing gigs and for recording mixes in the lab.

Just used the AMX for a actual gig this past Saturday. The first time I have done so and no issues. Generally it never leaves my bedside LOL.

Used twice in two live gig, 1.7.6 dropout & no audio at all & nothing coming from the mast output, only fix to unplug usb lean and plug back in to reset AMX sound come back.

My SL4 now with Serato 1.7.6 dropout more & pop and click more with this update, is anyone getting the same problem.

if i install 1.7.5 it goes away.

running on a Macbook Pro

OS?

OS X Yosemite 10.10.4

Welcome to to the Club. While there lots have no issue, a large number of people experience dropouts running OS Yosemite.

Used the AMX this past Friday - no real issues with the unit BUT stupid user mistakes.....

I set up by plugging into one of the channels of the clubs old 4 channel Behringer mixer using one turntable and instant doubles for the AMX. I play some music - hmmmm no high end - all muddy bass coming thru both channels - I check the filters on the Behringer = Off and on the AMX - turned DOWN to minimum.... Un plug, re plug, fiddle, then I remember - the AMX needs to be at 12:00 to play right not at minimum - DOH!!!

I play most of the night - light crowd - get a few shitty requests....

A early one from a birthday lady who is hanging with her girl and wants to hear something "More Danceable" than the Neo Soul and Urban Adult contemporary that I am playing (again early in the night) . She doesn't know what or any artists because she listens to cultural and world music (GTFOH!!!)

I told her I would pick it up later when more people get here but play Uptown Funk - she dances by herself along the edge of the dancefloor. I mix in Cold Blooded by Rick James and then she comes to hit me with another request.

"Can I get some more upbeat stuff???"

I say like what?

She says "I like Prince - play the corvette song"

Blank stare - I say ok.... And when Cold Blooded says - FREEZE I snap in Little Red Corvette then she proceeds to horrible stripper dance to the slow parts, I just Serato face in my library to ignore her and that image,

Later I get requests for Bootsy Collins because he played elsewhere downtown that night and I was doing good later - no issues - until in the middle of a old school set - the vibration from the bass caused my external hard drive to fall and disconnect (bad part - it was a video drive - I was going to play video but night was too light and birthday lady irritated me)

Serato DJ froze.... FML

^^^ I forgot to add - that drive disconnect thing happened once before years ago with ScratchLive and I think SSL and the Mac OS just gave me the drive unplugged with ejecting message - SSL kept playing fine and I just replugged drive back in...

No crash if I remember right (and I wasn't playing a video file during the SDJ set but might have had one in prepare)

I've had it crash on me too a few times. SSL used to eject it with no crash but SDJ didn't like it at all.

Not so much out a dropout, the audio cut off completely No sound or LEDs on amx channel one & two and master output dead, headphone dead no aduio,

I used to have an issue where my recordings would stop around the 52 minute mark. Last night I did a mix and was able to get past that. I'm not sure what was different this time, but i am glad it let me finish the recording.

are you guys using the amx via usb2 ports or usb3 ports?

I would say it's a USB 3.0, my MacBook is 13" mid 2012 both USB ports.

USB 3.0 on a late 2014 mac mini

I believe there is a possible solution coming in 1.8. I was afraid it could be a usb 3.0 compatibility problem, but some users with new macbook pro's are having little issues with the unit. I was going to mention testing a usb 2.0 hub, similar to this -> www.amazon.com

Mine is USB 2 and I have drop out problems

That Sir is the best idea I have heard in a long time. Will try with my SL4 too.

Thank you KP

I tried USB powered hub too but same thing

Well really I feeling rip off, I have a SL4 & a AMX both dropout and the AMX just cut off. I feel that a £600 soundcard a SL4 should not do this.

You're getting dropouts with your SL4 box on SDJ?

Not so much dropouts lots of noise pop and clicks.

Wow, these issues are not just with AMX. I wonder if other people with other controllers are having these issues. Maybe the AMX isn't bad after all since VDJ users are having no problems with it

DDJSX dose the same as well pop click more with update 1.7.6

Geez...hopefully all this will be ironed out when the pioneer djm s9 comes out since it will only support sdj.

I don't need any thing new, maybe Setato should get the stuff working right be for adding more Mickey Mouse stuff to go with serato DJ.

+1

Anyway bsck on topic, has anyone try'ed a thunderbolt dock or a thunderbolt to USB ?

I was wondering if running the soundcard or the AMX off the thunderbolt to USB 3.0 would work better.

It's so interesting. I have my new mac, my old windows laptop running win10, and everything runs smoothly. And believe me, I had same issues that are posted here. But like I allways say, put the same amount of effort to workaround those issues tha posting "it dosen't work for me, it's shit" and U would propably allready living easier life with ur equipment.

90% of these issues usually comes when user don't know how to make hardware work. Or if theres a problem, theres usually an easy solution.

Yes, tried it Park's, no issues but usb3.0 hub is more than enough :)

Thank you, I already have a USB 3.0 hub.

I use it all the time. But always have soundcard plug right in to MacBook.

I was thinking about getting the thunderbolt 2 dock from owc since my mbp has USB 2 ports

I could be wrong but is there power through Thunderbolt?

I believe it's bus powered yes

Google instead of making this mystic.

This the 1 I want

eshop.macsales.com

And I thinku U see that it's not bus powered?? :D

? It is

This 1 is not

no post fader effects?

is that true?

Amx, yes they are xD

I can't actually get mine to work at all tonight, get a few bars in, couple of pops, the meters all go red & it continues to play in Serato with 2 decks showing but absolutely no control whatsoever from the AMX. I've unplugged, replugged, restarted, unplugged again, replugged again & the same thing every time.

If anyone suggests that I should optimise my system they can do one, there's only Serato installed on this laptop as I got it specifically for DJing & almost everything is disabled apart from core functions. Also if it's suggested I get a Mac, do one, as your sales bollocks states it will work on windows, unless that's a known lie of course in which case you're in breach of the law of almost every country on earth. Your name is on the bloody useless plastic box I'm looking at in bemusement so get your shit together & work out why 80+% of owners are unhappy. Also my crossfader issue I was told was a hardware issue, is likely to be totally untrue as this has parameters set by the software & it works fine in my other mixer. So, basically..

CAN SOMEBODY SORT THIS SHIT OUT ONCE & FOR ALL!!!

Can you honestly say that 80+% of the owners are unhappy or are you just basing this on the complaints in this thread? Do you really know how many units have been sold and how many people are unhappy with them?



If it works fine with one mixer but not the AMX then that sounds like it's definitely hardware related. Have you tried return the unit? It may be faulty. Have you opened up a support ticket with Serato? What did they say?
If you really want help from the community you could at least give us more info such as what kind of computer you are using and it's specs. Does your computer use an AMD processor? What operating system are you using? What version of Serato DJ are you using?

I'm amazed no-one from AKAI has responded to this thread.

Right now I don't trust my AMX enough to use it for gigs, which is ridiculous!

Akai rushed this product out without proper testing.

Sadly, this is the world we live in now. Manufacturers rush products out to get the cash and we are the product guinea pigs. Once they realize there are a shit ton of problems, its too late because by then, they already have a version 2 out.



A few people have had amx units andswapped them via akai support. And even the new units have had the same problems.

62 and SSL is the safest bet.

I think they should offer all owners of the AMX a free upgrade to the AMX2 whenever that comes out.

Amx works with 0 problems :)

That would be nice, but probably not happening.
I'm actually satisfied with my AMX purchase. Sure there were a few minor glitches at first but now I'm able to use it for my smaller gigs with no problem. I done several gigs that went for 5+ hours with no shut downs or crashes.

I'm happy with what the controller does for not much $

It aint fancy - and actually - I'd prefer an even simpler controller - but then I use it as an expensive "iPod" for broadcast radio use (i.e. I can stop bringing all my back crates and use the laptop and the AMX as my back library and use CDs (better sound) for the "live crate"...)

Good news, used my AMX this Friday & Saturday night both 5 hours gigs, both nights MacBook Pro 13" i5 16gb ram usb 3.0 hard drive with music on all worked with out problems all night. Plus MacBook was on the internet too.

dunno what I missed but promised I'd update any new findings - I said before that after a repair I had no issues... But then the pop came back.

Since then I went into settings etc and checked the audio/midi utility on my Macs.

I noticed some of my students had enabled Pitch N Time.

I have now tested 3 macbook pros with my AMX running SDJ DVS with noise maps - All of them had pops and problems -

UNTIL I SWITCHED PITCH N TIME OFF.

When I switch PnT on - I get issues again, on all 3 MACs.

Now I'm rocking whichever Mac I use, even with a NI F1 controlling hot cues, loops, SP6 and FX.

It may not be the cause of all, but using old key lock gives me a much better response than using PnT.

Hope that is of some use to someone.

years and models of these 3 MBP's?

This I could believe & is very true when using pitch & time.

aye my bad, not in studio now and notes are incomplete (no year for one of them) -

but anyway they are :
2.4 i5 (13-inch, mid 20 <missing data>)
2.9 i7 (13-inch, mid 2012)
2.7 i7 (13-inch, Early 2011)

If i get round to it I'll test the rest under similar conditions but it's not too often I have chance. We have 8 MBPs in total and most are either hooked up to mix tracks or ableton. The oldest and slowest is a 2.26 intel core 2 duo (13-inch, mid 2009) so I'll test that first.

Problem has been stated with ns7 2 and all other controllers, so u did find out what most of users know :)

My Akai AMX is essentially crashing Serato DJ whenever I plug it in. Tracks load & analyze fine when I'm disconnected from the device. When the AMX is connected, tracks only partially load (the waveform shows up in the smaller needle search window but the track can't be played even though the program as a whole isn't frozen). Then when I try to close the program, I get the spinning wheel & I have to force quite the program.

Everything was working fine for the first few days I had the AMX, then Serato DJ crashed randomly and the AMX (ebay purchase) hasn't worked since. I'm using a mid-2014 Macbook Pro Retina with OS X Yosemite 10.10.5

Have you followed the optimization suggested by Serato in Support? Give that a try. Mine is working flawlessly and it's the only controller that is working now. VCI380 and NS7FX are buggies...

What i have noticed with the amx is,when closing it takes longer to close down than say my denon does..if you get impaitent and click on it twice to close down thats when you get the spinning circle,,not saying that what you doing..but that is what happens with me on the amx

I think you have to click twice to close...

Tweaked a few optimization suggestions via support and it's working better now. Lemme know if y'all have other ideas on preventing this from happening again. Thanks!

Ok one more random question-- do I need to purchase the DVS upgrade to use any RCA line in with the AMX even if it's not turntables & I don't need to use control vinyl timecode? Thank ye.

I wish Serato would make some type of shut down indicator or progress bar/icon. When launching - you get the Text at the bottom telling you what it is doing.

When closing - you click "Yes" and it changes a different color and then NOTHING???

After a few drinks or if you are talking to someone - you think "did I click shut down"????

Yes. All input functions (including Record) require the purchase of the DVS expansion pack with the Akai AMX.

Ugh, it's doing this again. (Serato works fine with the AMX connected, won't load tracks and crashes when AMX is connected). could this be a faulty hardware issue? any ideas? I have a gig tonight. :-(

did you optimize your setup?

what exactly do you mean by optimize? just this? support.serato.com

then yes

Every one should have working backup hardware so u don't have to make big scene about that ur hardware isn't working and u have gig today. Basics, allways have something that works night and days :)

Good point. I will certainly be bringing a foolproof backup mixer option to the gig. That said, I think I may have found the solution. Mono audio was inexplicably enabled in my system preferences and since I disengaged that it's been smooth sailing.

This mod solves some problems people have been having.

serato.com

Hmmmm
Interesting...

Hey Akiem - did you see this announcement today (scroll down):
serato.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HARDWARE REMAPPING
Supported hardware* is being opened up for user remapping of Serato DJ features. For advanced users wanting custom control, remap parts of your controller for quick access to features you use regularly.

*Official Serato Accessories do not support remapping at this stage.

*There are some limitations for specific hardware. For specific information on remapping your controller, refer to individual controller quickstart guide.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wonder if the AMX knob can be midi mapped in the near future to avoid the above mod and voiding the warranty??

Not at this stage....

Yes it can. The Akai AMX is a Serato controller not an Official Serato Accessory (OSA).

I am definitely remapping the endless encoders for pitch control!

Come on 1.8! We need you! When's the release likely?

I'm having trouble with my AMX, it randomly disconnects on my late 2013 MBP. Device seems to freeze.

Yup this happens to me all the time.

My AMX doesn't connect properly since upgrading to SDJ 1.8! The browse encoder works and I can load a track to either deck but it will not cue or play or allow any transport controls.

Thinking of rolling back to 1.7.8

I'm running OSX Yosemite 10.10.5 for reference