Did you activate the LF / HF Filter? My mic sounded lovely on the DDJ SX...

should i?


I am also having the mic issue. Praying for resolution, save us serato! This could be a deal-breaker as the microphone is very important for what i do (and toasts)

Mine sounded like ass this weekend too, more so than normal.

Mic does not sound good at all on the SX....sounds way better on the NS6.
Already done 4 gigs and tried to adjust my Sennheiser settings in every way possible no luck so far.

I find all pioneer mixers sound shite with microphones and they have always been weak in mic controll.

Hey djcaraby,

Thats doesn't sound flash. Would you say the quality is the same when testing at home?

Is there any improvement of quality if you dont have any tracks loaded to the deck?

its the worse i ever heard to be honest i was happy about everything until i plugged in a mic

also having the same problem...very dissapointed especially cuz i got this unit for the studio to host my radio show..very unproffesional doing a radio show when your mic sounds like shit...i did find a way around this tho..wich is a shame that i even have to do this..i hook my mic in to my native instruments sound card and go in to the mixer with rca in to one of my lines.

have you guys used Pioneer mixers for microphones before???

i only ask because i find them all shocking.

but if you have how do you compair the sound??

my 1/4" mic input 2 sounds great w/ my wired mic. have not tested xlr mic input 1 yet w/ my wireless. although if you are using a 1/4" cable to mic input 2 w/ a wireless mic i have always had issues w/ my wireless mic and 1/4" cable on my pioneer djm600 soundin sh*tty. i always use xlr out of wireless to mixer... hope this helps.

+1

+ 1

pioneer/serato we're going to need some feedback on this please before a bunch of controllers end up being returned

its not enough to be returned but its bad enough to get a small mixing board for 60 dollers

wow how bad of a problem is this...is it both inputs that are bad or just one of the inputs?...i'll surely test this out when i get mine in...

Mic is def very important since most of my gigs are mobile...may have to plug the mics into the K12 and mix out into the other speaker if its that bad for now...sucks but hopefully they fix the issue.

Sounds fine with my Line 6 wireless mic plugged into CH3 and a wired SM58 in CH4...sounds better than the Allen & Heath mixer I had...

Let me check it out guys, I will see if I experience the same thing.

If you had to describe it, in what way is it bad? Distortion? Phasing?

Is there any improvement of quality if you dont have any tracks loaded to the deck?

What about if you increase the buffer size in the setup screen all the way to the right?

My Shure SM58 hooked up via XLR sounded great. Used the houses wireless that was hooked up via 1/4 on the same channel and it sounded distorted. I'll use my controller tonight and my wireless and see if anything stands out....

1.So if i use XLR on channel 3 i'll be good but not 1/4 on ch 3?
2.Is Channel 4 ok with it's 1/4 only input?

Heyy it sounds distorted and not only the quarter inch i noticed it using xlr. its not clean at all.. i noticed tho that when i put a filter on the track that is playing while i speak in to the mc the mic sound improves a little wich i find extremely weird..its seems like the frequencies may collide and that what is causing the issue..and it has nothing to do with how i have my mic channel eq'd cuz ive tried adjusting the eqs in everyway on my mic channel..seems like it has something to do with the components on the mixer internally.

Hey filipporossi,

Which channel was the track playing on when you applied the filter? The hardware filter or a software effect?

Was this when using the XLR or 1/4 input for the mic?

The more clear detail you can provide the easier/faster I can reproduce this so I can report the issue. Thanks :)

the track was playing on channel 2 and it was the hardware filter that i used on channel 2. my mic was plugged in using xlr input.

So I have a Shure PG4 wireless setup... It has both XLR and 1/4. If I use the XLR it sounds great. If I use the 1/4 jack it sounds terrible on both mic channels. So I've used 2 separate wireless systems and 2 separate 1/4 cables and they both sounded bad. BUT... I plugged my head phones in (1/4) and used them as a mic and it sounded fine.

Martin, Are you telling us that the DDJ uses a software preamp, and not hardware mixing?

Why would the buffer, or a playing track have an effect on the system.

Does the Mic input work without the Computer being booted up?

That's a major flaw of many other controller/mixers.

They are either USB powered, or they use software mic preamps, so if the lappy crashes or something, you can't even use the mic to fudge for a minute while you go to plan B.

So, to confirm:

does the unit act as a standard analog mixer without USB power?
Does the mic have dedicated preamp circuitry, or is it feeding through the sound card?

Thanks!

yes the unit/mic/line/phono works as a standalonne mixer without usb power or computer present

i got through my first reception with it last night.

my microphone sounded okay after i trimmed it significantly and cranked up the master volume for toast/blessing.

maybe it will just take some getting used to but i feel like the microphone is not quite right. it was very hard to make announcements for everyone to hear without maxing out my master after i trimmed the mic to a point of non distortion.

so i guess my verdict is that if you want a mixer with a proper microphone preamp, sadly you will have to look elsewhere.

I just tested the mic inputs on my DDJ-SX and they all sound the same--horrible! Both 1/4 inch and the XLR sound very distorted when talking, and I don't even have a loud voice.

I hope the sensitivity can be fixed via firmware, if not, Pioneer needs to fix the problem for free. I'm keeping the box just in case I need to ship it back.

When I used mine for toasts it sounded fine. When trying to speak over music, it definitely sounds distorted. Hopefully they'll be able to fix.

I remember selling my VCI300 because i hated the mic.
Worst I've ever experienced on any mixer.

if this problem is not fixable they should def refunt every unit shipped...i mean cmon..i never had an issue trusting a pioneer or serato product...i will only buy pioneer products when it comes to djng cuz they always do it right...at this point i feel like a bought a numark product..where is the pioneer quality that they are known for?..if u cant make a decent mic input for this mixer then dont even offer it!

The ns7 mic definitely sounds better... Glad I didn't sell it. Will probably be returning the ddj sx this week. Shame.

If you kids wanna speed this 'investigation' up a lil, list not model #'s and inputs, but MIC specs.

Also FYI, the XLR jack is a COMBO jack. So if you have a 1/4" try both and post different results for each. And by specs I mean:

A) Pre-amplified? Wireless sets have a pre-amplifier w/gain. This will change the ballgame significantly. List specs.

B) Not Pre-Amplifier? List MIC element type and impedance.

This is going to be an attenuation issue, it usually is. Everyone blames the equipment, instead of their ability to match it. There is no 'standard' i'm afraid and you have to be mindful of that. I laugh when people say the VCI300 had a horrid MIC system, and i've never sounded better since I paired mine up with the type of MIC it's pre-amp likes to see.

- Matt

I use the XLR input with Shure SM58 and everything is OK. Sound´s great.

Specs for this model (for reference) are:

Type - Dynamic
Frequency Response - 50 to 15,000 Hz
Polar Pattern - Cardioid
Sensitivity - (at 1,000 Hz Open Circuit Voltage) –54.5 dBV/Pa (1.85 mV) 1 Pa = 94 dB SPL
Impedance - Rated impedance is 150Ω (300Ω actual) for connection to microphone
inputs rated low impedance

*side note* Waiting to hear back from Pioneer on the pre-amp specs for your units. Since they didn't really publish anything but the talkover specs.

- Matt

cool hope my situation is the same when i get my unit in...i got the Sure ULXP4 receiver with a Beta58 mic...so i guess the pre-amp in the receiver is helping out the DDJ-SX a bunch :-).

I'll just make sure i use XLR too,thanks for that info...can u try the 1/4 and let me know what happens on Mic 1 & 2

He never said he was using wireless, so that should be clarified if he is. Pre-amplifiers in receivers can be a curse actually.

i assumed he was i guess...btw...a guy on pioneer forum had issues too untill he used xlr on a shure wireless system and that fixed the issue...he didn't list specs.

Another guy with distortion issues plugged the mic into his NI soundcard first then into DDJ-SX and that fixed his distortion problems

so i guess we do need the specs of what works best for the mic section.

You can laugh all you want, however the VCI300 had a horrible delay.
It was definitely bad. It tried 5 different mics on it and they all sounded bad.

Shure SM58
Shure SM58 Beta
Sennheiser e935

Wireless
Shure PGX4 with SM58
older Shure wireless system with Beta 58 head

I continued using my 57SL and a Denon MC6000, which replaced that VCI300.

It really is what this all boils down to. I am a bit upset a lot of 'manufacturers' fail to list critical specifications on their electronics. A little more so surprised a lot of working DJ's don't understand some of it, but we're here to learn I suppose. I could break this apart into a really thorough explanation, but I found a nice quote elsewhere i'll paste that might help some of you without me doing all that work.

'On a mixer or audio interface, an XLR connector generally means a microphone input while a quarter inch jack normally carries a line level or instrument level signal. This is important because a line level signal is vastly louder than a mic signal--a difference of 40-60dB typically. This means that, if you use an XLR to jack adaptor cable and plug your mic into the jack socket, it will be so quiet you'll be lucky to hear anything. Conversely, plugging a line signal into a mic input will likely overload it and result in totally distorted sound.'

Note that some 'line level' inputs can be quite sensitive if you use a LOW impedance MIC element. Using higher impedance will be very low and possibly non-existant (none of this is pre-amplifier BTW). and if you adjust the EQ and trim right and find an impedance in the sweet spot you may report a perfectly good experience all around.

Conversely, wireless receivers have pre-amplifiers of their own and produce line level output. It is very very LOW line level, but it IS amplified.

Then there is phantom power..

To PROPERLY match you equipment, you should know the specifications of impedance and sensitivity for the entire chain. It will come down to attenuation

- Matt

'delay' is a product if the feedback loop via the USB. The lower your latency in ITCH, the less delay you would have. Try and bear in mind the VCI is not a stand alone mixer, the mc6000 IS a stand alone mixer. On the VCI all the channel mixing was done in the sound card driver and spit BACK to the mixer for final output. The higher your latency, the higher the delays. On the MC6000 the analogue is mixed on the device eliminating this loop. Again, it's about understanding your equipment and the VCI is not to blame for that. It functioned exactly as it was intended. There is virtually zero delay with the second lowest latency setting, and absolutely none detectable at the lowest (typically available on MAC's)

- Matt

Understood though I was using a MacBook Pro at the lowest setting possible, which I believe was 2. I had to purchase an separate mini mixer to bypass the mics.

I attached a vocal sample I just took using my equipment. All trim levels are centered, so I have tons of headroom to adjust. I use local monitors, and hear no delay up to a setting of 256 on the buffer size. I use a buffer size of 128 by default though and this was done at that default. (see attached file)

MIC unit here: www.radioshack.com

And it was a whopping $40. It's just paired up properly. I'm sorry to hear nobody else is having much luck with this.

- Matt

If you have trouble with that attachment: www.smallfiles.org

- Matt

Thanks for all the info Matt...granny always said Learning never ends...

With the info you just gave it'd seem the DDJ-sx is having issues with line level output...lower level xlr output seems to be a good starting point...that's what i picked up from your info...i'll start there on both mic sections

It really depends on how the engineer views the 1/4" jack. This is why specs are important, but my contact at Pioneer is taking a while. I figured if enough people posted the MIC they used, the jack they used and the experience (sound) I could try and determine that prior to hearing back for recommendations.

- Matt

ok so i just got off the phone with the store where i bought it...and pioneer is aware of this issue already apparently and are shipping new units that dont have the problem.

Recall

really? lovely

Don't suppose THESE units will come with specification data that will allow people to get the most out of the input? Because that sort of thing can still make or break you on your end. Regardless of what they found on their end, people with improper setups will still complain so it should be included.

It's very disheartening that a company which manufactures and designs in-house can't seem to locate the spec sheet on the analogue section of the unit. Doesn't speak much of quality control.

Anyone wonder why the Vestax forum has someone from Vestax assigned to it to help at times, and Pioneer just 'watches' this forum? Why won't they speak up? What about the first pile of units that shipped? And why haven't the registered customers been contacted?

I'll stick with Vestax (a lil quarky until ya understand them), Stanton (don't knock 'em till ya see the aftermarket support!), and Denon. Wish you cats luck though and hope the information I posted helps someone with choosing the right MIC for their unit.

- Matt

yea i found that weird that pioneer is aware of this problem and dosent let the public know about it...i bet you that they knew about this problem while they shipped the first 10 000 units..wich is prob why they included the free video license..think about it..

This sounds like the mic balance problem I've had with another brand of controller.. fixed with an xlr to 1/4 jack Shure line matching transformer (Model A85F - 150-600ohm). Not sure if this will help you guys, but I'll post my findings when I finally get my controller in the UK (not going to start this one in here lol... but we're still waiting!)...

wow...simply amazing.

wow so this is even gonna delay the pre-orders for another month :-(

Engineers & QC should get a final warning asap...

That's very troubling to hear for us early adopters.

I'm gonna wait for word from Pioneer or my retailer before doing anything.

Personally, I haven't noticed any distortion with my mic, I use a Shure PG48 with an XLR to 1/4" cable, I've tested both mic channels and it sounds fine to me, but I haven't used the controller out at a gig yet.

seems the mic section will take the mic nicely as long as the output is XLR which is quite lower in output than line level 1/4 output....i'll test this out too when i get mine...

Thanks for the feedback guys, let me contact Pioneer about this for further detail and I will post back when I get a reply.

Cheers :)

I was able to fix my mic distortion problem on the DDJ-SX.

First I made sure I was using all balanced microphone cables. I was previously suing a DMX cable.

I don't think that was the issue.

What made a huge difference was lowering my AF OUT (audio output level) on my Sennheiser ew135 G2 wireless receiver.

Here is my manual link.

www.sennheiserusa.com

Download the ew135 G2 manual. Its the PDF file on the far right .

Go to page 25.

AF Out is for the receiver
SENSIT is for the transmitter (hand mic).

I set the receiver AF OUT to -12db and the hand mic SENSIT to -20db.

After that I had 0 distortion problems. I used a powered Mackie 350 at my house for testing.

This test was performed on both mic inputs. In other words I went from the XLR output of the wireless receiver to the DDJ-SX XLR input. For the other DDJ-SX 1/4 mic input I converted it to an XLR and then plugged it into my XLR wireless receiver.

It should be noted when I used a hand mic there were no distortion issues.

My assumption is hand mics have low impedance therefore the DDJ-SX boosts up the mic input to give you a more powerful output.

I have a gig on Wednesday during lunch time so I will test it out using a powered Mackie 450.

I will update my findings when I get back.

John

Thanks very much Martin!

So basically we need the specs of the mic input section...

That's not how it works. The gain level is fixed on a hardware level, you're simply no longer over driving it. Glad you got it sorted, but it wouldn't be a guessing game if we had the specs.



That would be a great start, yes. Most sound guys are going to look at you guys and think 'What DJ doesn't know what overdrive sounds like?' In fact, they will wonder why nobody can figure out anything to do except complain. They often forget that a lot of DJ's get by fine without this knowledge and that 'controllerists' are not ALL a crowd of ex-turntablists that recall building their first belt drive.

In the controller market and in today's mobile DJ demand There will be VAST degrees of electronics and audio experience. On one extreme there will be the guy that knows how to plug it in and turn it on. On the other extreme there will be the guy who can engineer a better one. Somewhere in the middle will be a good chunk of people who still learn new things every day.

Not to mention Pioneer lives in this world where you have 'sound guys' to setup the event systems while you just walk out on stage and fist pump and mix. Anybody over there stop to think that you're trying to crack into a market where working DJ's are their own sound guys, Pioneer? They lug in a couple of monitors, coffin case, some other goodies. Plug it all in, set their levels and go. They're not going to pay a sound tech to setup for a party of 50-300, especially the wedding DJ's.

Pioneer needs to publish specs; ALL manufacturers do. Open a manual for a piece of consumer electronics, anything you own really. Try that home theatre system you bought that was engineered in the USA, company based in the UK, and manufactured in KOREA. Somewhere in that manual is a full list of specifications down to the tuner attenuation! Pioneer should be EMBARRASSED this was not published.

If Pioneer wants to make a meaningful impact in this particular market, they should reach OUT to you guys and offer this training and information. To make YOU the best sound and setup guy you can be. Offer you TOOLS instead of TOYS and the knowledge to use it for personal gain. Not hijack ideas from Numark & Vestax, hijack the future of a software program (Serato), and launch a unit with poor QC and no published technical specifications?!? MADNESS!!!

- Matt

+1

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER :-) MATT THE INFO YOU GAVE WILL HELP ALOT OF FRUSTRATED GUYS WHO BOUGHT THIS UNIT...some already returned cause they cdn't firgure out what seems to be a simple Fix...but like u said specs would have cleared this all up

Its not a simple fix boys.. Its confirmed a manufacture issue with the unit.. Next shipment will not have the issues.. If u choose to ignore me go ahead and boggle your minds..lol.. Even if you find a way to get to sound half decent.. Your doing things you Shouldent have to do to get it to sound the way you want.. Save yourself the hassel return the unit to your retailer and get the next shipment.

I just feel kinda bad for these guys honestly. I've been in consumer electronics for over 2 decades now. I've worked on topologies from pro-audio to the old vector display systems in arcade games from the 80's. I've touched so many platforms i'd like to forget I know anything about them honestly. Hell, i've even worked with bit slice processing. Your toaster has more detailed technical specifications published than this unit does. That should be seen as a red flag.

Then I see a group of folks who know little more than the reputation of a name jump all over this thing and none of them are in that trained position to speculate on it like I am. I try and throw a little caution tape out there and hope most will wait it out until real details surface on it, but everyone's gotta have the new toys. I'm guilty of that at times too to be fair. But companies change, Pioneer is HUGE and none of you have any idea WHICH engineer(s) they assigned to this project, what their past projects looked like, etc. You guys think the same people who did the CDJ's did the ERGO too? For all you know this project wasn't even handled in the same building!

Fillipp, if his information is confirmed by Pioneer; is correct. The information I gave is a nudge in the right direction of learning to 'make the best of what ya got' via manipulation. You will want to learn this stuff wether your equipment works properly or not to get the absolute most from your equipment. It can also save you in bad situations! So learn it for now, and apply it weather you got a good batch, or a bad one. You do after all have to work using this equipment (most of you).

- Matt

o.O Lookie here.. RANE is into the idea of educating their consumer base. Not just selling them something shiny and expecting them to run with it.

www.rane.com

Read up kids!

My favorite part: 'Determining input headroom compatibility requires knowing the microphone sensitivity rating and the maximum SPL allowed. The sensitivity rating is usually the easiest and least ambiguous number to find on the data sheet'

And where would these fine customers find that 'easiest and least ambiguous number to find', Pioneer?

- Matt

Found it for ya! It's in the QUICK START guide and not the main manual.. EPIC FAIL..

www.pioneerelectronics.com

And they don't give ya much to work with, but it's a start! Page 20, or for the lazy ones:

'MIC ......................................................................
.............–52 dBu/10 kW'

That is gain and input impedance, in that order. I think That's everything we need, with the exception of an answer from Pioneer regarding a possible recall.

- Matt

While it is inconvenient, this thing is still covered by most store's 30-day return policy. Swap it out asap. After being out of stock for nearly a week, my local GC just got a 2nd wave of units in today.

Why should there be a recall if the unit works by lowering you input level on your wireless receiver.

Hand mics work fine.

Maybe it's suppose to be that way.

I'm about to call Pioneer to confirm the recall.

John

A range of serials would be great if they did confirm a hardware issue.

Lol i just said recall as ifit IS a hardware fault and they have now fixed the hardware fault in newer made units then they SHOULD recall them and yes they would list the sn number. But they wont do that of corse it will just be if u send urs in they will repair/replace it.

Like vestax vci-380 first batch had faulty faders but they didnt recall just wait till they brake then replace them for free.

I know there is an audio sample in this thread but can someone with the issue put a vid on YouTube? The Pioneer forum is also reporting the same. May help gain more notoriety to the issue and force Pioneer to issue a recall or at least publicly address the problem.

i bought my unit at moog audio..(toronto) and they said they will have no problem switching my unit with the new batch of units that have that issue fixed even tho it is gonna be passed the 30 day return period.. any respectful dealer should do the same..new shipment come in dec at moog.

I just got off the phone with tech support at Pioneer.

Confirmed there is NO recall on the Pioneer DDJ-SX due to mic distortion.

This is the number I called: 1-800-228-7221

www.pioneerdjusa.com

Feel free to call them to confirm. He said there are only 3 open tickets for this issue. He needs more tickets before they do a recall which makes sense.

As Matt has state the mic input spec for the the DDJ-SX is -52db.

My Sennheiser receiver output spec is defaulted at +18db.

You will definitely get a huge distortion if you don't lower your receiver output level.

It did a quick comparison on my Rane TTM-57SL.

If I set my Sennheiser receiver output level to its maximum +18db I did not get any distortion but I had to set the mic level to 1 otherwise I got feedback.

I then set my Sennheiser receiver output level to its minimum -24db which required me to increase the Rane 57SL mic output to +10 to hear myself.

I think to cut costs Pioneer did not include an automatic distortion filter if the incoming level is set too high.

If you still feel like switching out your mixer for a new one it is highly possible the same effect will reoccur.

I do have an issue with non-vinyl mode and the new firmware update but will address that in another topic so as not to distract to this discussion.

John

I don't own it. I posted a sample in retort to someone who retorted about my VCI-300 MIC comment.

Using a general ratio of 1:10 MIC-imp:MIC-input a MIC of 1k impedance should fit the bill for the 10k input pre-amp. I realize a lot of people are using MUCH lower IMP units (150-300). Operating in this area will be louder than it's ideal mate, but the low end frequencies will far outweigh the top end (EQ bass down, high up seem familiar?). A higher impedance means LESS noise which is probably why Pioneer chose it. Weather or not the amplifier is operating properly or not is up to Pioneer to verify. Not to mention there is no note anywhere of weather the unit has phantom power. So if your MIC uses it, consider it useless unless you can confirm.

But if it's operating properly and you plug in a standard hand held unit with an impedance of 1kohm you should be thrilled. Lower, and you'll end up bassier. There are some cheap dynamics out there operating in the 600-1kohm range. Somebody should try one out for the team.

As for the wireless crowd, you'll need to lower the transmitter sensitivity and receiver pre-amp adjustment to the floor, center the MIC volume on the SX and work the sensitivity and pre-amp gain at the receiver up until you reach 'unity gain' giving you a good blend of clarity with headroom to increase volume or lower it at the SX. Make sense?

As john demonstrates with his Sennheiser unit, +18db pre-amp gain?!? You could get an adapter and plug that thing into an AUX jack with that kind of headroom! And if by distortion limiting you mean clip, John; Fat chance. There are indicators on some equipment to help you recognize clipping visually, in case you have no ears. But you're suppose to know how to match your equipment up and that's the bottom line.

People are just going to have to learn this stuff before they blame the equipment, it's not that bad once you dig your heels in.

- Matt

Mine works just fine with 600 Ohm mics, sounds about perfect with a Shure PG48. I tried a another cheap mic and would assume its around the same impedance and it works well too. No issues with any microphone used so far.

With a -52 @ 1,000hz rating @ 600ohms, that's actually a really good match for the SX. If you could muster the same spec @ 1kohm it would go from about perfect to perfect with just a little boost required. Nice choice, and affordable too. You might be disappointed with it's performance on the VCI-300 with it's 2kohm input rating. That unit would like 150-300 range MIC's. It's a learning curve, but it's worth it.

- Matt

Matt

Did you buy a DDJ-SX mixer.

If not why are you ranting on this forum.

Sound like you have an issue with Pioneer.

I solved the issue yet you are making it a point to say I am suppose to know how to match my equipment. Dude didn't I just do that.

If you look at the Sennheiser manual on page 42 it clearly states 18db.

Yes the rain 57SL clip light did light up at +18db.

Dude relax no one is perfect on this forum.

We are all trying to help each out.

That is the whole purpose of this help forum.

Matt keep your side comments to yourself.

John

I don't find the VCI-300 or any other controller that has to route analog signals through software suitable for any microphone use. If I had to use a mic with a VCI, I would just bring a small 4 or 8 chan mixer and drop it between the VCI and the PA.

Most experienced mobile DJ's would totally understand why.

John,

Nope, believe I stated that several times. I don't own it, won't own it, and feel bad for the people who do own it. Now if you would kindly recognize that despite all that I am trying to help when there is absolutely NOTHING in it for me to do so. A quality you won't find around here too much. I don't exactly see Serato or Pioneer jumping up and down to help anyone around here after they got their money. Do you feel i'm too abrupt? Not qualified? Should I be nicer? Offer lolipops?

Not to mention, my comments are geared towards the audience as a whole; Not just you. Sometimes I quote people to ADD, or reinforce something that OTHERS can read. It's an attempt to complete information. So if you're done feeling like a target, or special, or whatever you're feeling right now; the information is for everyone and they can pick apart the bits that are pertinent to them as individuals.

Lightning, I get it. In the event of software failure. Would it surprise you to know the addition of a switch would have allowed MIC through on that unit? Not sure why they didn't, but the input card is stand alone and sends line level to the MB. I added the MIC through on mine, but I still keep a 2 channel with me just in case. Good point BTW.

- Matt

+1

I owned a VCI-300 MK1 and I remember the mic being very bad on it. It was never loud enough, cranking the gain either on the controller itself or in the software only distorted it, and it really became impossible to use at gigs. I assumed it was an issue with the controller not being a self-powered standalone mixer, and having to run the mic signal through the software.

so "our" best bet is to return the defective SX's with bad mic output n wait the batch thats not effective , but what to do if even that one is bad also..smh ... bad that no one from pioneer has chimed in !!!! How hard is it to monitor a board for your ace of spade new product?

I thought my SX had a problem with the mic output then I looked at the cue button on Channel 3. Talk Over Function for the mic input. Not a problem at all and the mic sounded just fine. I'll test it out today after work with the wireless mic.

Hey guys,

Pioneer have informed me that they are deeply concerned about this issue and hope to get to the bottom of it.

They have asked me to collect model and spec information on mics that you seem to experience this issue with. So I would greatly appreciate that you could reply after this post with this information so I can pass it onto Pioneer.

It would also be very helpful that if you are NOT having any issues, that you do not post, however perhaps a separate general discussion topic could start, stating information about mics that seem to work well.

Thanks for your co-operation guys :)

Thanks, Martin.

I'm using the EV N/D767a: www.electrovoice.com

Shure SM58

LOL @ what MIC's seem to work well. This has pretty much been settled with a little math. It's a high impedance pre-amp and a lot of people use lower than optimal impedance MIC's. Conversely others are overdriving the inputs. If Pioneer is 'deeply concerned' They can:

a) Address the manual issues whereas the tech specs are in the QS guide, but not the main. Should be in the main, or both, but never excluded from the main.
b) Judge the market's offerings on MIC impedance (typically 150-600 span) and suit their pre-amp for the majority, not the minority. They could even offer a selection switch to suit both crowds.

Asking for a 'what do you use, and how does it sound?' thread will only draw the same conclusions that were logically deduced here. But don't let my statements get in the way :)

- Matt

Hey Matt,

Although your statements are most likely correct, I personally haven't done much thorough testing with the mic input to make an accurate comment, I am simply trying to help out Pioneer where I can to gather information.

If you think you know the resolution for this issue I strongly recommend you contact Pioneer directly or on their forum, I am sure they would appreciate your feedback

Thanks :)

: )

I'm inclined to help People, not Pioneer. Although I realize I could probably help more people by in turn helping Pioneer. But I don't have this issue or product, i'm just providing technical data based on the MIC input they spec'd at 10k. In my field I don't need to own a product or associate a name with it to understand it. Technical data is all I need, that's my job. I've already caught a comment for not owning it, I don't want to poke my head in on the product's forum, lol! Supposedly they have people who watch these forums, they can take note here or conversely someone here that has an account there could be a champ, patch up the notes on the input impedance and the deductions and paste it over there on my behalf.

It seems a little needless to sign up for an account over there to regurgitate this stuff ya know? I would have shot for an input impedance of around 4.7k myself, then with some minor EQ/gain tweaks the 150-600ohm crowd would be satisfied. The pre-amp crowd would still need a little advising in cases of overdrive. I've really offered all I can here. Maybe someone who is already a member could offer it over on Pioneers forum to help some people out?

- Matt

Sure, thats cool Matt, apologies if my comments seemed misinformed, but I am far from knowledgable about mics, as I mentioned I am just trying to gather information on Pioneers behalf.

Matt and Serato

The average DJ will never look at a mic spec on the manual nor try to match the impedance. Most Dj's will just plug their mic into the mixer and see if it sounds good. If it sounds like crap they are not going to spend more money to buy a new mic mainly because their mic sounded good before they purchased the mixer. Instead they will return the mixer thinking the mixer is crap. This of course is unfortunate as they are not going the extra mile to fix the issue. I for one originally thought there was an issue with the DDJ-SX and then solved it.

From talking to Pioneer tech support yesterday they only have 4 complaints in regards to the mic issue. They also informed me they will not recall any mixer for only 4 complaints. If people on this forum want a recall I suggest you call Pioneer and submit a trouble ticket. They will ask you for your serial number.

1-800-228-7221

If they receive hundreds of ticket reports I do believe they will recall the mixer.

4 tickets do not justify a recall.

John

+1 on this.. tried it last night and the XLR mic input distorts.. I was using a £20 microphone but to be fair it's never been a problem on any other system.

I used it on Tuesday and when the output went through the phono into another mixer the mic sounded fine but as soon as I used it as a stand alone, the mic levels we're quiet and when I added volume it just distorted.

Just got off the phone to Pioneer and they've said no one has phoned them with this problem in the UK and it might be the clubs setup thats making this happen. I'll test at another club tonight.

I owned a ns6 as well and the same issue. Mic worked great on a regular DJ mixer as well as on a ddjs1. If a controller required the mic to go through the decated line channel (similar to ns6 and DDJ SX) it would sound distorted. I have not checked out the ddj sx input yet but what people discribe here was the same issue as my ns6. Mic is a pgxd4 receiver pgxd2 handheld. Will try the mic today with ddj sx and see what it sounds like. If rumors are true , will be returning the device with in 30 days and get a new one from a different batch.

man this issue is really having me contemplate returning the unit cause this is not a good look..... but i really like it ...

Not to jack the thread but I'm on my second unit. First one loose XLRs and rattling piece inside when you moved the unit. My second unit, the right platter when spinning it either way makes a ticking noise and its not smooth, wobbles and sounds and feels like its hitting something internally. Will return this as well but GC is out of stock. Mic is not terrible but not at the quality it needs to be especially if you are in the mobile industry. The positive about the unit is that it "looks "pro but it doesn't seem to live up to it

yeah u right looking pro and being pro are two different things

I'm going to try my Mics today. I could almost swear the gain structure of the master gain and mic gains are a bit different than what we are used to. Coming from the ns6/NS7 I could set the master gain to 3 o clock and be at the desired volume without clipping on my recordings. On the Pioneer I have to set the master gain to a little bit under 12 o clock or else my recordings will distort all over the place. I haven't looked at the specs yet but I do believe the sound card in the unit is warmer or even more powerful and reaches distortion/clipping much easier.

Are you guys all keeping your mixer levels green? The top most green bar is +0db in Pioneers world. Yellow is +4db on the main mixer, Red is distortion for sure. I know with Numark/Vesxtax you could let it reach red occasionally and it would not distort. Maybe we are over driving the music channels and compensating the mic gains for that?

the solution: a mic cable with a 10 dB attenuation in the plug

wow why have i never had to by any special plug to plug my mics in a cheaper numark system but for a pro unit i have to do all these jumps and hurdles

Ok we used my DDJ-SX at a trade meeting here in the UK last night. The general consensus was that the mic channel was awful..however the actual Pioneer rep that was there would not comment or make any attempt to help with the problem.

Great!

YOUR solution. Please be careful with these statements. What worked for your mismatch will not work for everyone.

- Matt

It has a difference input impedance. This information is here. Why is everyone so sour about the decision to use a high input impedance? It might not be the status quo on the shelf mixers, I get that and people are having trouble transitioning with this. But it IS a decision the provides a lower noise floor when coupled properly. C'mon guys.. i'm not a Pioneer fan at all but I still can't stand to see the product repeatedly bashed over an equipment mismatch.

- Matt

Contribute by including the equipment you guys used with a model and perhaps I can point out where the issue may be.

- Matt

One thing we did discover...if you use a radio mic with a gain control on the actual RX then it drastically reduces the distortion to the point where it pretty much disappears.

I can't remember the exact model of mic sadly, but it's a JTS unit. We also had a Shure PGX2/PGX4 unit and that has no gain attenuator on it at all and that was distorting like crazy.

I reckon if we used an attenuator that would maybe kill the problem. Maybe the signal is too hot from our mic's?

Hello, I'm from Manchester UK. I'm a mobile DJ.

I use a MacBook Pro 2011, DDJ SX, 2 x RCF K12 Speakers 1000w each and a wireless Sennheiser Freeport Vocal Set Mic. I did my 1st gig on Sunday. Unit is ace!!! Mic sounds grainy and distorted. Very disappointed as I'm a full time jock who does 20 gigs a month. I can't sell my DJM 5000 until I sort this issue out as my mic is my essential tool!

P.s I'm using decent quality Van Damme cables too

This adapter solved my distortion issue. www.radioshack.com

I used a sennheiser e835 today on my DDJ-SX and it works fine no problem!!

Min. terminating impedance 1,000 Ω

PERFECT unpowered match for the input impedance of the SX.

- Matt

Matt
What about this mic?

c3.zzounds.com


I'm waiting to return my DDJ SX due to platter issue, anyone know if the new batches will have a mod for the mic line to work smoothly with all mics? Or pio has not even confirmed the "issue"

Thanks ,
Helios

It's wireless.. so you need to set it up for unity gain as per the thread. The only way pioneer can make it universal is to make it selectable. if you find the signal too hot, set the gains on the wireless system ALL the way down. Turn the MIC level on the mixer to HALF. Inch the transmitter and receiver gain up in unity till it sounds right. Then you have adjustment headroom in the mixer too. Hope that helps.

- Matt

I looked at that manual again, and it appears there is no receiver gain adjustment. But there is body pack and MIC fixed levels you can select. Try -10db on the MIC and -10db on the body pack. If it's still too hot, and you're using 1/4", move to the XLR. if you haven't bought it yet, look for a system that has a trimpot continuously adjustable gain on the RX unit. A lot of very inexpensive systems usually include this.

- matt

I posted this on the Pioneer Forum a few days back after testing and setting up my Freeport.
The gain setting on the reciever was around 11 oclock


''My microphone of choice is the Sennheiser Freeport wireless handheld mic.
I rigged up a pair of active speakers to hear what was going on.

First off I got a dance track playing and set the VU levels to 0db on the channel 2 and master output, speakers set to comfortable level

The best way I found to set the Mic up was set the channel Trim (ch3) to 12 o colock, ch3 slider to full. whilst talking over the mic I brought the gain down on the Mic receiver from fully open until there was no distortion.

It does appear the Trim pot on the mic (mixer) doesn't do a lot until it hits around the 9 oclock mark. I can turn the Trim up to 1 oclock and my mic volume is the same as the music output. The VU levels on the channel does hit the red but bringing the 'Low' pot down reduces this.''

Cheers Gilbz I'll have a play

No worries mate, I had the same issue on the Denon MC 6000.
For that controller I had to use a 20db attenuator to drop the signal down. On the SX I don't think I will have to use it, hopefully!

I DJ'd last weekend for 300 guests at a high school gym using 3 Electro Voice ELX112P tops and one ELX18P sub. I used my Sure wireless mic and it worked by turning down the gain on the receiver and adjusting accordingly. I did get distortion later on when I increased the master volume during general dancing. Overall, it's a pain to monitor and play this balancing game.

My question is, does anyone have a solution for the 1/4 mic 2 input to use with a corded mic? I have tried my SM58 and no matter what there is distortion. Pioneer said my unit is defective and to return it but it appears as though everyone is having this problem. Any thoughts?

The mic channel is a joke... Renders this whole £800 controller totally useless!

I hope pioneer can sort this out with a firmware update or product recall. I have worked with loads of different mixers over the years and never once had an issue with a microphone distorting!

The Sure sm58, albeit popular, if you look at the specs is too low impedance. I sound like a broken record here, the info is in this thread to pair a MIC with this thing. A 600-1,000 ohm wired mic, or use the gain process for amplified wireless units, or buy an adapter to use the XLR, or an attenuater. You cannot 'firmware update' your way out of a hardware level mismatch. The MIC's input resistance is dictated at a hardware level.

Of course, you could always use 1,000ft of poor cable to add the resistance you need, but I don't think that's very practical.

- Matt

So why does my sm58 work with EVERY other mixer I've used it with over 10 years but only distorts on the DDJ-SX?

It works fine on a DJM600, 800 and 900 Nexus all made by Pioneer so why would they change it?

The info is laced throughout this thread to answer any angle of that question already.

- Matt

With you on this Matt...still, I don't have any low impedance mics laying around but it does sound like anything less the 600 ohms needs a PAD or a 1:2 transformer on it to make it not so hot on the input.



Its because the the opamp in the microphone preamp section on the other gear will accept a low impedance input.
The SM58 rated impedance is 150Ω (300Ω actual) for connection to microphone inputs rated low impedance.
This is going to make it come in hot as hell to the SX and overdrive the preamp super easy.

Cheapest solution is put a pad on it or buy a cheap 600 ohm or greater microphone that works with the SX.

I still don't understand their logic....

Why build a unit that looks the equivalent to a djm800 and 2 x CDJs but with a mic channel that you can't use an industry standard SM58 with or a radio mic without it sounding like a load of shit.

I get better sound out of a £40 citronic mixer

Do you think it's 'good sound quality' to simply be clear? Or to have uniform frequency reproduction across the listening range (flat response) AND clarity? Higher impedance microphones will more faithfully reproduce (in practice, not on paper) the entire spectrum. They will be less 'breathy' and you won't sound as if 75% of your voice is being produced at the woofer. This has to do with proportionate voltages generated by the diaphragm motor and proper matching to the input amplifier. Low impedance MICs will be very aggressive with voltage generation in the low end of the spectrum. Matching that with an amplifier input with very little resistance will drive a signal into it that it's fixed gain is not ready to reproduce without clip. This is as laymen term as I can put this without writing a book.

From where I sit, I would PREFER high impedance MIC's and inputs. People will better hear the TRUE tone of my voice from top to bottom, which is part of my character. When properly matched, you'll throw your 'industry standard' into the trash and probably won't look back. The adage 'don't knock it till you try it' applies here. Now, can you pull off flat response with a low impedance MIC? Sure.. But that depends completely on design around that fact, proper matching still applies, and you WILL get what you pay for. How many recording studios in Hollywood are using an 'industry standard sure sm58' ? Nuff said. You might be thrilled with it, but that doesn't mean it's capable of audiophile grade response. Maybe this isn't a bad move by Pioneer? Maybe this is an offering of HIGHER grade audio potential and people just need to adjust?

'Lukedawg$~$ 6:18 PM - 20 November, 2012
I used a sennheiser e835 today on my DDJ-SX and it works fine no problem!!'

His MIC is a perfect impedance match, and he's not complaining. You have options here, some are very inexpensive. You can go for line matching devices, or even give the sennheiser e835 a shot @ 99 bucks. I would go no lower than 600 and would shoot for 1k ohms. Who couldn't use a backup MIC anyway? I urge people to give proper matching some time, some education, and a worthy effort. It may redefine your thinking of what 'sounds good'

- Matt

Good advice Matt! Even though I didn't have any issues with either of my mic channels, I'll check out that E835. Thanks!

Matt

Looking at the 2 mics that have been mentioned the Shure PG58 and the e835, both of these are corded.

How would one go about selecting a good wireless mic?
I've looked at the spec on my Sennheiser Freeport but theres no mention of impedence, is this because it can be controlled via the gain control knob on the receiver?

Been DJing for 18+ years and never had any issues with any mic until I've bought the Denon MC6000 and now the Pioneer SX, so saying that I am totally out of my depths on selection of the right mic. Everything in the past has 'just' worked!

Those near a Guitar Center... They have a Sennheiser E822s on sale today for about $30. Wired output impedance is about 1000 ohms. Much higher than the SM58 so it should be a good match for the SX.

And any sales associate worth a damn will let ya plug one in to the display unit :)
good look on the mention!

- Matt

The way I see it is it should work like all the other gear. Thing is... It's so damn cool that I'd buy a small mixer or a new mic to make it work without issue.

Haven't tried my SLX wireless yet but if it sounds bad, I'll just use my small mackie.

i just used my ddj-sx for the first time last night and the mix sounded liek ASS! i use the shure sm58, my mic cable goes from an xlr to a 1/4inch male...

so whats the solution?

any usa links people can send ?

Read this thread. SM58 is too low impedance and will distort the audio. A higher impedance mic will provide better results. Seems to be on both the XLR and 1/4" inputs.

Just a quick update on my distortion.

Senheisser Freeport wireless vocal mic.

Still got some distortion so I brought the gain down to around 9 o'clock.
Sounds lovely! Not a hint of distortion over some very clear & crispy JBL VRX line arrays.

Beautiful! Very happy!

Not so happy with why Pioneer have made the inputs so hot but like said above, maybe Pioneer have done this to get us to buy higher impedence mics, as Matt said higher impedence comes with better sounding mics making Pioneer sound better?

Yesterday I was using my Pio DJM3000 Mixer (10 years old) for wedding speeches with no problem.

In the evening I was using the SX and had distortion until I brought the gain pot down.

User error on my part. All mixers are different

great so i have to buy 2 brand new mics? one wireless and one wired mic?? because i use the wired mix for bar/nightclub gigs... and one wireless mic for all weddings and other events.. well all i gotta say is

FUCK YOU PIONEER!

pretty simple?

Or buy a cheap, small external mixer. I've always done it this way anyways.

Move with the times, it's technology after all! lol!

Wow if you would have read the thread you could use a Mic Pad or use a small mixer like a Xenyx 802. Its a fact of life, some mic will run hot on some inputs. When it does either change the mic or use a pad. ITS NOT A HUGE DEAL, $20 fix and I probably have 2 or 3 of them in my microphone box.

www.sweetwater.com

why should i have to use a small mixer when i spent good money on this? u guys love bending over and taking it in the ass?

lighting.. so i have to buy 2 of these to use 2 mics at once. i guess its an alternative.. but still this sucks!

can i use those mic pads on either end of the mic? what am i after is.. if i plug that that pad in the back of the mixer.. there might not be any room, so maybe i can use it towards the mic end instead?

Yes, use either end, and yes you would have to buy 2 if you want to use 2 mics at once.

I bought a 20db and a 10db pad from eBay for £5 each delivered. Worked well with the Denon

Yea, but I can't say if you need -10db or -20db Pads. Should be fine anywhere between the mic and the input. You might as well either make or buy some XLR pig tails, 3' would be about right and you can plug the pad between the mic xlr and the pigtail. If you get a case down the road for the SX pig tailing the inputs will save you a ton of time on wiring.


Call me old school or just seasoned, but I ALWAYS, regardless of the gear, have a mixer between the DJ equipment and the PA. They tend to line isolate better, better quality mic preamps and not to mention can save your ass if your DJ mixer or some other equipment breaks. Even if it doesn't get used, I always have one in trailer just in case.

sorry for being salty guys.. but its just stupid to buy extras to make this thing work properly, but i really appreciate ur help! and im still screaming "fuck pioneer" for this dumb mistake! someone needs to lose their job over this!

anyone know where i can find a right angle male xlr to female? that where the triangle of the pins would face up instead of down?

lightning, i actulally have a xenyx laying around. so are you saying ddj sx and mic(s) both plug into to the xenyx then out to pa? or mic(s) plug to the xenyx, then in to the ddj sx then out to pa? i havent played out with the sx, just want to be prepared...

I have the same problem. But not only with the mic.
If i gain the channels so all green led´s are flashing i get distortion.
I have to put the gain down to 1-2 green led´s. But then i have to turn up the master and then the limiter kicks in.
Moment 22.

Same with alla channels. Thats why the mic sounds shit for you. Its a big problem but it dosent feel like pioneer is taking this seriously.

I hope this is a software problem and that there will be a update.

Henry's favorite quote this one, wonder what the actual success ratio is?
Ie how many jobs been lost, vs how many times Henry said this... LOL

Sorry, Henry, I had to..

BTW Henry,
did you get the chance to snap some pics of the 62 with the chroma caps?
serato.com

What is the software VU meters doing?
I noticed Sat night Serato software was showing some tracks hitting the amber & red. But the SX was sitting in the green on the channels and the main output.

If the software is hitting the red then you will get distortion. I've just replied to a thread I started and someone have me some insight on setting up the software Autogain.

Is the problem both wired and wireless mics?? I can't find impedance specs on the wireless units....I need to get a Mic ASAP and I want to avoid the problem.

On wireless receivers you should have a gain/ volume control. If you get distortion then bring the volume down til its gone, then adjust the mixer Mic channel so the Mic is to a volume you want.

Wired mic's it's down to improper impedence match.

imo this is user error.

hey warp.
it is my fav line.. and seriously.. people need to lose their jobs over such dumb mistakes.

anyways with the chroma caps i didnt take any pics. i think some others have posted so i didnt bother.. but the caps are ok, i just dont like how u can not see the lines(markers0 in the caps

Ok I had a quick play tonight and the distortion is nothing to do with the mixer going into the red, it seems to just be the actual mic channel.

I know I'm going to get ohm's etc thrown at me now, and I am ordering a 1000ohm sennheiser mic tomorrow to test with it but I though ID post anyway.

Cable sm58 is ok as long as you hold it a few inches away from your mouth and speak normally, don't project your voice. As soon as you bring the mic close to your mouth it gives some really awful distortion without you even having to speak loud.

I tried my PG58 wireless mic which is apparently rated at 1000ohms when connected through a 3/4 jack however this was actually worse and improved when I connected it through the XLR output on the receiver rated at I think 200ohms.

From reading this thread I have been led to believe that 1000ohms would be suitable for this mixer not to distort?

I had all my gains low, everything in the green but regardless still get the same distortion wether the mic channel is turned up low or high

Hey guys,

Pioneer have issued the following statement:



If you haven't already checked it out, this discussion over on the Pioneer forum may be of some help also: forums.pioneerdj.com

Thanks :)

To be honest, more information is given on this forum than the Pioneer one.
And as quoted by yourselves from Pioneer it sums it up nicely.

As per my post on the Pio forum I have sorted my distortion.

You can buy an inexpensive mic preamp, or even a little 4 ch. behringer mixer, and feed line level into the CD input of the channel. that fixed my problem. I then had the lightbulb go off over my head,and I instead feed the output of the DDJSX through the mixer and run my mics directly off the mixer as well.

Problem solved for $50. It wasn't worth all the time I'd spend bitching at pioneer, sending a unit back, etc..

Right so me buying a microphone rated at 1000ohms will make no difference because the problem is due to excessive volume coming from the mic?

Pretty stupid really Pioneer, you give us a great unit to use in clubs but then render it totally useless by putting a mic channel in you have to speak softly into to avoid distortion! Doesn't really work in a club environment does it!!

Did a big test today in my studio here's what I found...

Wired SM58 plugged into XLR - distortion no matter what settings the Gain / EQ is at

PG24/PG58 plugged into XLR - lots of distortion, worse than cable SM58, knocking down the output to -10db in the mic improved it but it was still terrible

PG24/PG58 plugged in using 3/4 jack out into 3/4 jack in - even worse, output signal is so much louder and the mic channel can't handle it

PG24/PG58 plugged in using 3/4 jack out to 2 x phono connectors plugged into to LINE input - Crystal clear, even when going well into the red! You do need the switch inside the mic set to 0db and need to crank the gain on the LINE input quite a bit but there was absolutely no distortion

Trantec S2000 with SM58 head - a very old mic of mine with only a 3/4 jack output, but I love the sound as it's not as bass heavy as the Shure. This has a volume control on the receiver which I turned down to such a low level that I had to turn the mic channel up almost to full but there didn't seem to be any distortion, if any it was barely noticeable!

I've pretty much given up using either of the DDJ-SX mic channels as they just don't work for me... they might be "crisp and clear" but when you're in a club full of 1000 people and you want them to put their hands in the air holding a mic 15cm away from your mouth and speaking softly just ain't gonna work.

I'm going to try this weekend in the club using the PG58 radio mic plugged into the LINE input as this seemed the best sounding. Anyone with similar issues I would suggest either returning the unit and getting a refund, purchase yourself a small microphone mixer that outputs to a LINE level, or use a radio mic wired straight into one of the LINE inputs.

Hope that is of some help to anyone

Still can't believe Pioneer have made a massive balls up on this, they were so close to making the perfect controller!

@martin, so is pioneer gonna fix the massive screw up here and change what they put into these things or are they gonna keep the corporate line and be shitty. If all there other products dont have this issue then its there fault. period. People can say user error all they want but really its there issue. Im guessing we wont see a fix. they will just fix it for units down the road and not say a word. typical

Really they should recall all the units and replace the microphone pre-amp with one that actually works, but yeah clearly they won't actually do anything and no doubt fix it in the MkII version.

Seriously can't see them recalling 10,000 units or however many they've actually manufactured!

If you read pioneer's statement they make it clear that mic is fine under optimal conditions. well please explain what mobile dj or club dj has optimal conditions. what a joke.

Optimal conditions for Pioneer must be softly spoken DJs in Jazz clubs!

What happened is they screwed up and dont want to take the blame. If they dont fix the problem either hardware or with a software fix witch i cant see possible and recall the ones that are out there then they have serious issues at pioneer.

The manual doesnt say under optimal conditions nor does it say that any where in there material so lets see what they do. Ill give them some time but a short time.

Pioneer royally fucked up and we are paying for it.

Pioneer has also been known to try and shut people up threw their own forum, time n time again they have deleted pots or writings by others. ask anyone that uses the pioneer cdj-2000

Pioneer is a fuckin piece of shit of a company if they let this slide and i will forever blast them for this, need i remind those idiots that we live in the age of social media and open forums such as the serato, facebook, twitter and dozens of dj forums, forums where we can bash the shit out of them.


SO U BETTER DO SOMETHING PIONEER Watchwww.youtube.com

All they can do is change the hardware spec on feature production runs. Which im sure they wont but if they do they wont tell anyone and defo will not recall all the others. In there eyes the mic can work fine you just need togo and buy a new mic. I guess with this controller being so cheep they had to cut corners somewhere.

But yes i agree if you mic works fine on all pioneer mixers ever made and then they dont on this unit itis SHOCKING! And is defo an issue.

Lets face it quite alot of djs use the shure sm-58 hand held mic!! So you would have at least thought they would have specced it to that mic.

Just wait ive work for a insurance company and a big one and have number to attonery general and better business bureu. Ive had to complain before and you would be suprised the response so lets just see. Then its on.

+1

=]

sup GQ !

I'm using a Sennheiser e835 with no issues but i prefer to keep the channel open so I just copped one of these for $40 of Craigslist to run my SX, my partners CDJ setup and 2 mics when we go mobile.

www.mackie.com

@djmj, i have the little bigger one and will bring it just sucks you have to

Hi H!

I run sound so I have a few mic choices. Does it suck that you have to mate a mic to the input to get the best sound? Yes. Is it a deal breaker? Not for me. The convenience of setting up quickly and being familiar with my controls is worth it. No more worrying about rolling to a club and seeing a busted Denon rig or 2004 set of CDJs.

That being said, I totally agree that it should accept a mic standard like the SM-58. I won't be exchanging it for that though.

I'm getting another unit tomorrow because my right XLR won't lock the cable in it. Tried 3 different cable manufacturers. Not sure why but it would never engage the tab. Pulled out easily so that is a bigger problem for me.

The one I have now is build dated OCT 2012. I'll try the new unit out with the 58 and see if it's different. Doubt it but I'll give it a go.

Mine November 2012 and still shocking!

Me too, got my SX yesterday love it, played out tonight and found both SM58 and SM58 Beta working with XLR hard wired off channel 3 heavily distorting and HORRIBLE. Is there a fix for this ??? Need to be able to speak its a very important part of my job - every other mixer I have owned including other Pioneers my Mic's have worked fine. I dont want to return the SX its great BUT not sure what to do ??? Do I need to buy another MIC and if so which one is best. prefer not to go wireless route .... whats the fix in simple terms please I am no techno fiend

This topic has gotten pretty long but I suggest you review the details to get an understanding as to why this is happening.

I use a Sennheiser e835 with no issues.

I don't believe it's the type of mic, i think it's just any mic and how you speak into it!

Its that the mic output is hot so you have to use a mic you can adjust gain down. Thats the whole issue.

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE MIC INPUT ON THE DDJ-SX..

YOU HAVE TO TURN DOWN THE AF OUTPUT ON YOUR WIRELESS RECEIVER TO 0DB...

I HAVE A EW100 AND I WAS BUGGING OUT YESTERDAY AT A WEDDING.. UNTIL I LOWERED MY OUTPUT ON MY RECEIVER.

Yes there is problem.
I have a cable mic so please tell me how to turn the AF output down to 0db.
So take your bullshit somewhere els.

I have being dj for 20 years and I have never had this problem before.

A good mixer should work with all normal mic's.

Pioneer did fuck this up big time.

OK, CHAMP. I FORGOT IVE BEEN DJ'ING OVER 20 YEARS, TOO. DON'T COME AT ME TELLING ME TO TAKE MY BULLSHIT SOMEWHERE ELSE.. IM REITERATING MY EXPERIENCE SO FAR WITH THE DDJSX, NOT ASKING YOU HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN DJING. I CAN CARE LESS. AND YES, I TRIED MY WIRED SM58... WORKED FINE... MAYBE YOU SHOULD HANG YOURSELF AND YOUR DJ CAREER WITH YOUR WIRED MIC...

THANKS,

MANAGEMENT

oh boy lol

LOL - SORRY. SOME PEOPLE JUST DON'T KNOW HOW TO ACT..

All the answers are above.
If you still have problems then contact Pioneer.

No need to argue!

+1

no need to argue, but we have every right to complain, no offense but some peopel dont have mic volumes on their wireless mics. or wried mics. do wired mics even have a volume? lol

I GET IT, BRUDDAH. LOL - JUST NO NEED FOR WHOEVER THAT WAS TO TAKE ME OUT OF CONTEXT, THAT'S ALL. =P

I understand what you're saying totally.
If you read above there is information where you can buy a simple 'pad' to sort the problem. I had to do it with my Denon 6000, and that was a lot worse than the SX.
The pad costs £5 from eBay.

Go direct to Pioneer or even better 'THEIR' forum!

Well you are the one that tells all off us that having problem with mic input that there is no problem with it. And I said that I have been playing for over 20 years so I know that the problem isent a settings issue. Cuz I know something about settings.

You try to play The one who knows everything best by saying "just turn down the AF output to 0db"

If it worked with you wired sm58 then I guess you did try it on a gig for old ppl with low volume? I tried it last night in a club and it works if I play on low volume and I talk nice and easy in the mic. But that's not how I play. I play loud like it should be in a club but the SX fucked it up with the bad mic input that isent working like it should.

And please, I am old but I can play for ppl at the age 20 and up and I can also read so you don't have to use CAPS!

The data sheet on your test MIC suggests nowhere it is 1kohm:

www.shure.com

You're led correctly in the belief, you just got a bad spec on your MIC somewhere. Good luck with the new one.

- Matt

PS guys, for the SURE users.. there is an ENTIRE accessory line SURE provides to address attenuation. Here:

www.shure.com

Instead of everyone freaking out, relax. We got this ;) And instead of asking Serato and Pioneer to change something they either cannot or will not, call SURE. Says something clever like 'Hi, I have SURE model xxxx MIC, and am dealing with a 'insert pioneer SX spec listed in this thread' spec input. What plug in solution do you have to attenuate to this input properly?'

And you might just gt a tiny adapter to keep in the bag with your MIC that solves all your headaches.

- Matt

If you read my post correctly it was a PG58 wireless mic which, connected with a 1/4 jack is rated at 1000ohms

we need a like button :)

Amplifiers don't have output impedance spec'd, so they are claiming the 1/4" termination from the receiver unit measures 1kohm? Where might I ask did you get this spec?

- Matt

Better yet, How about the receiver model you use? My advice lay's out different directions for wired vs. wireless.

- Matt

I think the receiver is a PG24UK mate

My point to the whole thing is for mobile guys this does create un-needed headaches. It gives us a un needed problem when we have to plug a mic in on the fly last minute that a customer to venue drops on us. Ive been doing this long enough to know ill keep adaptors and extra stuff to handle the problem but its seem like it shouldnt have to be that way. Pioneer has releases tons of products were this was not a issue so people can say all they want read the specs and whatever else. Pioneer screwed up. period.

WORD!

Ok, great. Because they package the wireless form of that MIC with more than one receiver, I imagine for the dual setup. I read the spec sheet and seen where you got the numbers from so we're on the same page now. I did admittedly overlooked the 'wireless' part of your post, I guess shure is using the SM/PG58 element with a different body so they recycled the model # for several system type wireless and wired alike.

Here is the issue with that specification, it's a bit misleading. When you place a load at the output of an amplifier and then tap the output after termination you turn it into a transconductance amplifier (current, not voltage) and that resistance is necessary to produce output from the amplifier (pre-amp at the wireless receiver in this case). With a wired MIC, the resistance refers to the element itself not the back end of an amplifier. Furthermore the input impedance on the MIC input on the SX is an amplifier input termination to ground. So these are three different uses of impedance termination; all for different purposes.

If an amplifier has a termination spec listed, i would ignore it unless you know how to use it or why it's there. It's odd for me to see that in a data sheet honestly. In your case, as the case with all wireless systems this is why I outlines an adjustment process to attenuate the output. This is accomplished by clever gain control, EQ control, and in some cases PADS as people call them.

If you can't adjust your way out of this, and the output is so damn hot that a line level sounds great (which suggests the receiver produces 1vrms, which is HOT for an instrument level) I would call SHURE and get one of the attenuation adapters suggested. The sensitivity on the handheld unit needs to come down and so does the receiver output. Accomplish this in any way possible or by any means available to you.

This is a bit of a mess, and the data sheets on some of these MICS have some misleading numbers. I'm doing the best I can to sort through it. I know people have speeches to make on weeding day and it's annoying. I honestly think a call to SHURE to discuss equipment matching could help a lot of SHURE users.

As for those commenting on the bizarre change up in input impedance, it's relative. There is no real 'industry standard' adopted or agreed upon by everyone. It is 'typically' around 2k. So a lot of MIC companies just worked with the most common number. What you cannot do is hate someone for stepping out of this norm, especially if it has advantages somewhere. It looks like Pioneer and Denon decided to raise the input impedances, and if enough companies do this you'll probably start to see a new trend. This is just how life happens =\

I *could* tell you how a trip to radio shack and a voided warranty on your unit would permanently change the input forever.. But man I feel uncomfortable about that.. hahah!

- Matt

BTW, it looks like a -10db gain cut can be made on the MIC body:

www.shure.co.uk

Top right area of that DOC, but I have to be honest when I say I don't think that's enough.

- Matt

Has anyone tried any Mic Pads/Attenuation devices on Shure Wireless mics yet and achieved decent results? I've just ordered a 40db and a 20db Mic Attenuator from Studiospares UK. I'll let you know how it goes when I've tried it but wondered if anyone had already?

Having spoke to Pioneer UK today they were none the wiser. I nearly laughed when the guy suggested I use a Kam Mic, just because they have gain control on them!

Pioneer UK are quite shocking mate, called the tech guy about problems with my platter display lights flashing, which is wrong.
He told me to plug my SX into the mains rather than use the power from the USB as it 'might not work properly! :-s

I went back to the shop today and the sales guy rang the pioneer rep who confirmed on the phone it's a known issue that the mic channel is too hot.

They've suggested that one of these...
www.gear4music.com

Might fix the problem and have given me one free of charge... Although reading the description that sounds like the complete opposite of what I want as it says it converts High Impedence to Low Impecence! It's got an attenuation switch on for 20db or 40db.

I've also seen one if these and they e suggested trying it
mobile.maplin.co.uk

My only worry with that is I'm going to need loads of room behind the unit which isn't always available.

For info; I use a Rode Procaster and it works perfectly!
Impendance rating 32ohms

*320 ohms, with a sensativity of -56db or if you speak into it gently 1.6mv generated, not too hot ;) It is however pricey! nice MIC!




Maybe they're confused? you need to go DOWN in db. Ie. -20 -40 at the unit.



That is a 1:4 ratio and IIRC designed to actually plug into the bottom of the MIC, not the back of the unit? Somebody correct me as i've not used one yet. I would go base of MIC body to female 1/4" cable to male 1/4" extension. Might need a little gain on this one.

- Matt

Matt what adaptor should i buy to keep in my bag as a mobile guy to keep from having issues?

What are you using exactly?

www.musiciansfriend.com

Features
Prevents overload of sensitive input stages
Provides -10 dB, -20 dB or -30 dB attenuation
Compatible for use in phantom power applications
Durable steel case provides optimum shielding from hum
For use with balanced Lo-Z microphones
Can be plugged directly into an XLRF-type chassis-mount connector

^^^^^^ NOTE the connector type and 'balanced' if that might help anyone, it will allow you to select 3 different cut levels. Could be of use to someone, and there are other models. Shop around.

NOTE #2: Notice the attenuation in db is NEGATIVE '-' and when I say you need to attenuate UP I mean the MIC IMPEDANCE, NOT the db. Semantics at play here.

- Matt

So I've used my SX for 4 nights now. Here's what I've found:

Mic: corded mic sounds like crap!!!
Wireless Sennheiser sounded great with the gain turned down on the receiver.

However, halfway through the night the wireless mic faded until I sounded like garbage! I was doing a quiz night so was on the mic a lot. Battery was fine. It's never happend before on the DJM 5000.

Another problem I noticed was a serious flaw with the loop and auto loops. They are midges out. Some start off in line to the beat but then you see the syncs failing. Some BPMs refuse to fully match up.

Top piece of kit, I love the pads and slicer effects. But I wish I held of buying the SX until issues were fixed. Serato and Pioneer EPIC fail. Software seems rushed and only 80% complete. FX panels I can only get fx1 on both sides to work also

Urgh this is driving me INSANE!
Will this work.... www.studiospares.com

That's what I've ordered, it was dispatched yesterday, so if it arrives today I'll give it a test later and let you know my findings. I also considered buying the one from Maplins too, to match the impedance.

Can a mic attenuator and an impedance matching transformer be used in line at the same time?

I really dont know how to feel because my DDJ-SX is working absolutely as perfect as one can expect.

i tried using non-balanced 1/4 inch on MIC 1 and XLR and non-balanced 1/4 inch on MIC 2 with both a wired (non-powered) and a wireless MIC and both work fine.

The only adjustment I had to make was to reduce the volume (gain) on the wireless MIC's receiver unit.

On the non-wireless mic the sound is beautiful, probably the best sound I have ever heard from a DJ mixer.

On the wireless MIC the sound sounds the same as it did on the DJM 2000.

I can actually appreciate what Pioneer did with the sound on the MIC input because I always found it difficult to get the optimum gain just right on most mixers without getting feedback etc, but on this mixer its almost perfect without any adjustment to gain or eq.

I am using a BLUE en.CORE 100 MIC.

Smug?

lol!

Right, lol lol lol

LOL if smug means its all good, then im the smuggest mo fo on this SX, I guess. LOL

Did your connector turn up and did it work?

I got a 20db attenuator and it works an absolute treat with my SX.

Y i got connector and a small mic cable to put adaptor in the loop and its awesome.

The connectors have arrived, but I've wired it up through my DJM800 tonight. When I finish at midnight I'm gonna give it a go. Don't like testing it in a busy bar.

Discofever/Ian What mic are you using with the SX? and what Settings do you have the mic on if it's a wireless SM58? -10db, 0db ?

Cheers

Right, pleased to report that I think I've finally got the sound I want.
Here's what I'm running with.

Shure PGX2 Wireless Mic, with SM58 Capsule fitted instead of Beta58.
Gain on mic (under capsule) set to 0db.

Shure PGX4 Receiver
XLR-XLR Lead into Channel 3 Mic Input, with 20db Studiospares in-line XLR attenuator.



Trim set to just past 12 o clock.
Hi set to just past 1 o clock
Mid set to 12 o clock
Bass set to 11 o clock.

Master level at 3 o clock.
Channels 1,2,4 all trim controls set just below 12 o clock.

So it basically looks like the 20db att device does the trick.

I was hoping to use a cable SM58 but I think a -20db attenuator will make it too quiet to come through the mic channel.

I have the same radio mic as you and at 0db it's a LOT louder output than a wired one.

can someone post a link to purchase that 20db attenuator?

Both work brilliantly now.

Just tried the SM58 wired and that probably sounds better actually.

No distortion at all. And thats not talking into it quietly, thats using it like a pub/club dj would.


www.studiospares.com

Briefly tried with the 40db attenuator and that was barely audible.

thanks!!

www.musiciansfriend.com

Kinda why i posted a link to an adjustable one. It costs more, but ya get 3 levels of cut. Scroll back for it. Now isn't this nice, btw? :)

i posted link

Just seen that!




This be the one. Make sure you can use the XLR and you're working with a balanced MIC. This will allow you 'options' for dialing in making it more of a one-stop tool for most of your attenuation needs. At -10, -20, and -30 you should be able to dial in a LOT of stuff. Just a little less bulk in the bag.

- Matt

Just ordered myself one... fingers crossed!!!

Hi,

Would you be able to give us the details of the store? Really want to find out more about this mic channel issue before I purchase.

There is no reason you should "have" to buy this thing in order to make the mic channel work properly for so many people. This is certainly Pioneers error.
I have yet to play with the DDJ SX but just from reading this along would make me not get one after being very interested at first.

There is no issue with the MIC channel. The 'issue' is a misunderstanding among people. The MIC channel is nothing more than a dumb op-amp circuit with a feedback loop. It doesn't have problems, feelings, or care what MIC you use. It is pre-programmed by design, and running hot. Some people have to attenuate.



Yeah? Then why do they make 'this thing'? You know, I don't like Pioneer - at all. And yet i'm not here bashing them, but trying to find the working DJ's a solution to suits their setup. Since Microphones, depending on element type, etc, can range anywhere from 100 ohm to 10,000 ohm in impedance (which is a MOUNTAIN BTW) Where exactly would you have liked them to park the input differential on this op-amp? :) 1k? 2k? 4k? 6k? 8k? 10k? Pick a number, any number. You come in too hot, the low imp crowd is mad, come in too cold and the high imp crowd is mad. Come in somewhere in the middle and nobody on the top or bottom end is optimal. it might work, but it's NOT optimal. Learn to match your equipment, that's all there is to it.

I think a lot of things about the SX and the company, but the MIC channel is not one of them. It's just a circuit to me that is present throughout our lives. And personally, to me, long after this hobby got boring at times, I would be happy to learn something new. And I think what a lot of users learned here is not to call something broke if it isn't. There is another side to DJ'n, and it's audio. The guys over on production forums would be laughing at this thread until they passed out. They eat, sleep, and breathe this sort of stuff. And they LIKE it.

I think this is a fantastic wake up call and learning opportunity for everyone not savvy. Just wait until you guys turn into little rockit scientists bringing mobile studios to your audiences.. that's next level shit right there ;) I think I need to work on compiling the best data here into a single post and maybe the mod's will sticky it. It seems like enough data has been collected to put together a post without all the opinion and trial. Focus more on getting people where they need to be, and me off my soap box :)

- Matt

Why not just be the same range as a DJM mixer? There's obviously something different for forums, websites, blogs to go crazy & although I haven't used it myself yet, a friend I know who is also a professional DJ, bought it and had to send it back because of the mic channel..

I borrowed an Audio Technica 200 Series Freeway wireless system from a buddy for a wedding gig Wednesday, a yacht party last night and will be using it again tonight for a military holiday party tonight and another holiday party tomorrow night. No issues from the wireless system or my Radio Shack wired mic.

Because the odds that the same engineer(s) in charge of the DJM line is the same group in charge of the DDJ line are slim to none. And I think what you quoted me saying, if seen from outside the box, sums up a secondary answer nicely. Who said the DJM was optimal? And 'professional dj' doesn't make you 'professional sound engineer' so your friend should have been open to expanding his knowledgebase before he took the unit back. As someone else stated here, any real working DJ should have a small 2 channel mixer in the bag anyway. If you pack a laptop or cannot absolutely peg down the MIC's you'll be using for the evening, you should have a bag with a small standalone mixer, attenuator(s), and assorted cables and adapters. Even if the SX will run in standalone mode without the MIDI, what happens if the entire unit shits the bed?

It seems like some people are expecting this plug-n-play monster that works with anything you throw at it, and you're not going to get that at this price point. it's just not practical. if it doesn't work with what you have; adapt. That's really the bottom line.

- Matt

Great info Matt. Excellent resource to this thread.

Pioneer should be sending you a comp unit for fielding these posts with more REAL info than on their own forum.

Attenuate your low impedance mic or cop a high impedance mic. Simple as that. Eat. Sleep. Mix and move on.

^5

And I honestly don't know what i'd do with a compensatory unit. Like I said, I felt one out and without any real need for the drum pads; a lot of mixers could stand in it's place. Besides, after the way I openly slammed the backroom politics of this things release between Pioneer & Serato I doubt they're looking to thank me. Although to be fair, I did get a PM from an un-named Serato employee thanking me for helping here and that was pretty big of him and appreciated I might add. They're not all bad people, I just thought the way this launch played out was shitty in several areas and was pretty verbal about it.

I made it pretty clear Vestax could stand to gain from a private consult, and they aren't exactly beating down my door so I just don't think there's much interest in what I have to say with some of these guys. So be it, I just try and help the end user in hopes that some day, when I get stuck somewhere that is not my forte; somebody will help me. A lot of these guys are probably thinking i need to type less and mix more, but I put in 3 hours of practice last night and i'm feeling pretty good :)

Looking forward to the Denon MC3000 next on my 'shit I don't really need, but want' list to be honest. An authorized dealer is throwing them out the back door for 315 shipped. Solid little buggers with an oddball font and small jogs.. but i'll 'adapt' ;)

Somebody over on the Pioneer forums please do keep those guys updated on this thread or summarize it for them. It will honestly make them better professionals in the long run.

- Matt

Matt i dont get your message.
We are paying for this unit but we should not care if the mic channel works? We can by a standalone mixer then the prob is solve?

I don want more stuff to carry with me.

Also another problem is that the limiter kicks in even when the gain is low. Only green led on VU. Both in software and hardware.
It kicks in every time I do a mix. It's not the bas that make the limiter kick in. It's the high and mid.

Maybe I should stop beat mixing and the problem will be solve?

Maybe i did misunderstand you?
My English isent the best.

Misunderstand. Please start a new post with all your questions and comments. Post in English AND your native language there please. :)

- Matt

I'd just like to thank everyone who contributed to this thread in a constructive way, in particular, Matt (Fabulous Frequencies), for helping solve the distorted mic issue.

Second night of playing out with a 20db attenuator fitted and it sounds great.

I'd even go so far to say the boss said it sounds clearer than ever when i'm on the mic.

Cheers!

I'm knew here, I've been a PRO DJ for a very long time,used a ton of pioneer equipment over the years.Started off when you actually had to carry crates around along with your TECHNICS.This is one thing I will not except, Pioneer needs to recall these units.You all need to realize that if A PROFESSIONAL PRODUCT DOES NOT WORK WITH INDUSTRY STANDARD MICROPHONES there is something wrong.The only reason your trying to find a fix is because there is SOMETHING WRONG.

But doesn't technology move on?

I agree that it's put a lot of djs in a difficult place. Maybe (haven't looked) Pioneer screwed up by not mentioning what spec of Mic you should use.

Bit like some guys on here saying they use Itch or Intro with their Windows XP machines but want to use Serato DJ which requires 7, so they can't.
They will have to upgrade.

I know it's a poor comparison really but like Matt has said it's about using the right gear which is compatible.

I've sorted my wireless Mic issue by reducing the output gain from the receiver, sounds lively now.

Where not talking about tech moving on,where talking about a product that's not working properly with other standard equipment but yet they call them selves the industry standard.If you buy a new car and know the brakes are not working properly,are you going to keep on driving or are you going to return the car.I'm a professional at what I do and don't tolerate being sold a lemon by Pioneer or any other company,if we except products that don't work right out of the box,we're lowering standards for Pioneer and all the rest of these companies.I have of pair of CDJ 2000'S and DJM 900 when they shit the bed you think Pioneer will buy them back from me.

Pioneer will not recall the units, it won't happen. As there's nothing wrong with the DDJ-SX. After being educated on here by some very knowledgable people, it's clear that the mic issue is people not matching the correct mic to the correct input specification.

I know this because I was one of these people.

As I understand, the mic input is set at -52db. Most mics are set a lot higher than this, so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that you need to reduce the gain on the mic, before it gets to the DDJ-SX.

It's annoying that it had to be a case of trial and error before getting it right.

For anyone still having issues with distortion, try an xlr attenuation device. For the sake of £10 it's well worth it.

But the brakes came with the car? Yes return it.

With the SX you're required to plug in a 3rd parties product. Which has to work with pioneers specifications/ requirements.

This is where I think pioneer has failed as they don't promote/ advertise what the requirements are.

Like a most of you, I've been a dj for quite awhile (25+ years). This is the first time in my career that I ever had to get into specifics on mic specs, etc. Many of you are running into issues while at a gig (something you didn't expect to happen). I've come to expect that a professional product should work without a workaround unless it's a toy.
Pioneer and Serato are two industry standards that I expect to produce professional products and not toys. By suggesting work arounds or finding out what mic you're using and the specs, it sounds as if we're trying to put a bandage on a problem (not right).
Simply put, If there is a problem (which apparently there is) Pioneer and Serato needs to resolve this issue (recall, etc.) and get their names back in good standing.
We, as professional DJ's blindly trust Pioneer and Serato and expect your products to work right the first time and not to be embarrassed by product failures while performing.

By the way: Ordered my DDJ-SX the first week of November and it's still on backorder a month later (possibly due to this mic issue).

I'm giving mine one last chance tonight and if it still sounds like shit I will be retuning it Monday!

On a separate note does anybody think the output is lacking some mid / top end? It's got lots of bass but compared to the output I get from my SL3 box through a DJM900 it sounds poor.

It's not a bandage or a work around. It's part of the job, and some people have clearly led a very charmed life if they just come to 'expect' to not deal with it. Attenuators are not advertised anywhere as 'band aid's for manufacturers that fucked up'. But if you find an ad like that, feel free to post it.



I know people who don't blindly trust their spouses, and you view a brand name that way? I'm sure they counted on that when they launched this thing. Despite my protests in other posts about blindly following a name, it worked on a lot of people.



No they don't. They published the MIC spec in the manual and it performs accordingly. You think they should pay shipping both ways and tech time to make a topology change; Because it has a different input impedance than your last gear? And that's speaking on behalf of Pioneer as Serato has ZERO to do with a hardware design. Let me guess, Serato needs to issue a software update that changes a resistor value in the pre-amp? Leave them out of this. There's has been more help on this forum than Pioneers and it's not even their issue to deal with.



I've been a DJ for around 100 hours and I know my equipment front to back, spec for spec. If these are your 'tools' and you want to master them; I suggest you learn them. otherwise you can take the most expensive gear known to mankind; And you're *treating* it like a 'toy'. This is equipment, and you are an operator. I don't mean to be rude, but it really is that cut and dry.



Did you get the selectable model? er?

- Matt

Nice post Matt, and thank you for helping me understand and 'fix' my Mic!

An 'industry standard' in consumer electronics is a standard... well.. the entire industry agrees upon on a manufacturer level. Prove these manufacturers have all agreed on this. Let me help, there is no agreement.

- Matt

No problem man :) Thanks for taking the time to grasp the issue. It's clearly a little difficult for some to grasp. lol. Your post about them not being responsible for 3rd party equipment was spot on btw.

- Matt

Yeah, not rocket science is it ;)

Matt,
WATCH THE PROFANITY! You're missing the point and spoken like someone with 100 hours of DJ experience. As a radio/club/road performer (and I've been at it a little longer than 100 hrs), you sometimes pick up equipment on the fly. You choose certain manufacturers based on thier proven track record of reliability and quality and expect it to work. Once you get a few more hours under your belt, you'll find that you don't always have the time to leisurely check the "impedance of a mic" then pull of the handy user's guide to make sure it matches. I shouldn't have to baby sit equipment and have one type of mic to work with this product and another mic to work with another. If I have a high quality non-software based product that works well with similar products, why shouldn't I expect it to work with this one?

And to your point in 'Leaving Serato out of this', perhaps one manufacturer has more to do with the fix than the other, but both names are on this product so both are relevant (one can't finger-point at the other).

By the way, I own the DDJ-S1, bought it upon release two years ago and it has worked flawlessly (haven't had any issues to date). I can also say the same for my Rane TTM-57SL, CDJ-2000's, and my Technics 1200's (15+ years). As a long time user/supporter of Pioneer and Serato products, I'm hoping the issue will be resolved without end users having to add additional items to make it work.

You tell me to watch my mouth on a loosely moderated forum and then throw an insult at me based on my experience? You're more backwards than I thought. I quit letting my father tell me what to do 14 years ago, I won't let you start now, ok pop? ;)



And yet you've learned so little. Most of my time in has been building solid foundations and theory of operation. Perhaps you should revisit your foundation.



Your choice.



Your choice.



Your assumption.



Or i'll just keep a selectable attenuator on hand, a few adapters, a stand alone mixer, and my trusty multi-meter. You can just sit here and 'expect' things as usual. We'll see who's frustrated at the end of the day. It's a brave new world out there. I'm prepared to handle it, you're prepared to complain.



I shouldn't have to...
I expect..
I expect...

*yawn* perhaps These companies should all start expecting you to know your equipment and then you can cry yourself into the unemployment line, or take a different attitude toward your job. Clearly your 25 years has grown your ego more than your skill set.



I most certainly can, because my 20+ years as both a digital and analogue component level electronics tech and contracted engineering consultant; says I can. See how that works? The input impedance is set at the hardware level. Serato didn't make the hardware. /story



Then by all means, continue to use what works without troubling you with additional, undesirable, and 'icky' education. Heaven forbid that adapter (the size of a roll of nickles, BTW) should weigh the vehicle down so much that it won't roll to the gig.



Fat chance. Have a great night :)

- Matt

Wow....

When the next batch of units gets released without this issue,your all going to be singing a different tune.Or Pioneer is going to enjoy the reboxing.They also said there was no issues with the play button led of the CDJ 2000's,I had the problem with 2 of my units and Pulse knew it on Pioneers forum but if the percentage of the defective units is not high enough no company will fess up.So you believe whatever you wanna believe in your own little world,or you could have gotten your SX for a real SPECIAL PRICE.

Oh dear lol!!

Matt as you have experience in this matter can you answer this?

I heard that Pioneer is going to release a firmware which will correct the issues with the mic.

Can a firmware do this?
I know it's all chips inside this thing so I guess it could be done?

You should list a credible source with that statement, it's too late to edit out any panic it could create otherwise. be careful with the 'I heard's around here.



The mic channel input is analogue, and input impedance is set there, via a resistor shunt to ground after decoupling. Unless they use a digitally programmable (and controlled) resistor network at the op-amp; No they cannot control is via firmware. And it's incredibly unlikely anyone in their right mind would do this. That is not to say Pioneer is in their right mind. I suppose they could, much further downstream, compress and re-equalize the MIC channel like a pre-programmed FX curve. But then you would have to introduce a soft clip limiter and we all know how good that sounds..

- Matt

lmao! Yeah sorry I shouldn't 'add fuel to the fire' with that hearsay.

FORGET I SAID IT GUYS, I HEARD IT THROUGH A FRIEND OF A FRIEND WHO HORSE KNOWS MY PET PIG WHO GOT MARRIED TO MY NEIGHBOURS CHICKEN!

:-P

That would be an interesting family tree and and even more interesting thanksgiving dinner scene..

- Matt

It's behaving exactly as it should, and it's publicized in the specifications as such. If they revise the circuit they will revise the published specification. In any instance, you can't call it defective if it behaves as advertised; and it does. Not to mention that whole 'specifications are subject to change without notice' part they like to tuck away in the manuals allows them to do this justifiably. Welcome to consumer electronics ;)

- Matt

Pioneer should have added a hardware adjustable trim at the back of the unit. Changing their spec (in comparison to their wide spread djm 800) and causing such problems for many users is a fail in that area.

There is tech talk on one hand side and there is usability on the other. Everyone who has problems with the mic has the right to express their unhappiness on the manufactures forum (that includes Pioneer +and+ Serato 's forum).

The fact that a user havong to bother about a attenuator, just to avoid possible mishaps, where the user never had to worry about it when using Pioneer standard mixers is bad for the users, and in the end bad for the product and the involved companies.

Actually gobsmacked at the way this thread is going.

Solutions have been given to solve an issue, and people still keep banging on about product recalls etc.

I for one will not be returning my unit as the issue has been solved by means of an 20db Mic attenuator.

I hope people see sense and actually try these before returning what is potentially, in it's price range, the best controller that is out there at the moment.

And thats all I've left to say.

Hey matt i had a few friends say the 1/4 input for the second mic imput sounds like crap at -10db on the sure mic but it sounds good in the first mic input. what would cause that?

I would have to witness it myself. There is no advertised difference between the two with the exception of an XLR available on the one channel. The XLR would behave differently, but the 1/4" jacks are spec'd the same. I honestly don't think -10db is high enough for optimum, but it's helping some people.

- Matt

ill have to try mine and see and see if using my adaptor helps. strange stuff.

IMO a DJ who uses a windows to DJ with is mental. It's so unreliable. This why 99% of the industry use mac.

Also if you have XP surely it is time to upgrade..? New technology such as Serato DJ & ITCH has moved on.. and we require more power etc.

99% lol where did you get that from?

I've always used windows, 7 years in total and the ONLY time I've had a issue is when the screen failed. Nothing to do with the operating system.

I do agree with your second comment.

First comment, rubbish unless you can back up your statistics

I run winXP pro on an Intel 1.8ghz with 1 gig of RAM. Using ITCH 2.0 and all my kinks were worked out optimizing in the same manner a MAC user would, disable wifi, etc. Mind you, ITCH would like more horsepower than i'm using.

I honestly had it laying around, and the OS is matched well to the available hardware and then stripped down for pure function. I admittedly am looking to move forward to a macbook, but it's honestly just for the lighted keyboard so it hasn't been a priority.

To come out of pocket $1,000+ for an illuminated keyboard is pure luxury right now. But we're sort of headed off topic for the thread.

- Matt

I've decided to return my unit, not just because of the mic but that was the main reason.

I will await the MkII when clearly they will have fixed this issue.

It was a figure of speech the statistic.. maybe i shouldnt have used a figure. and i'll agree part of that view is blinded in that i am a bit of a apple with (iphone, macbook pro swear by them).

I see the only reason why most people havent chosen macbook or even an iphone is due to price. Apple can be seen a steep I believe it's value for just how well the products work. each to there own.

Apple has their history of product issues, c'mon now.

Start an Apple vs. The world thread *thumbs up*

- Matt

Matt I have a question for you... How can I record mic outputs on the DDJ SX using Serato DJ 1.1 [REC] option? The mic channel works fine but is not shown in Serato, is it possible for me to record the mic channel? Thanks dude you have been helpful!!
P.S~Can you make the DDJ SX light up like DJ X_Trodinaire??

If you start a seperate thread (for the sake of staying on topic here) I'll jump in and try and help.

- Matt

+1...I use a small Beheringer mixer. My mics sound great.

I feel bad for people that are frustrated with a minor MIC issue.

However, my DDJ-SX is working as perfect as once can expect with and without wired MIC's.

The the statements that really upset me here are calls for a recall or accusations of defects, etc. With the DDJ-SX you get a high quality Pioneer stand alone 4 channel mixer with two CDJ style jog wheels and Serato DJ built in for only $999 and some people here are behaving like they were ripped off because they dont own a well matched MIC. Really!

Your only paying $999 for all this performance and you cant invest in an adapter or different MIC that can help you use the gear to your liking on this awesome unit? Come on man!

For all those that say that they know Pioneer inside out...You should know Pioneer doesnt make a 4 Channel mixer under $1000. Yet on the DDJ-SX they gave us just that...4 channels, PLUS CDJ jogwheels, PLUS velocity trigger pads, PLUS Serato DJ native controll, etc.

Its like going to MC'Dees, ordering a 99 cent burger and getting upset because the sandwich comes with American cheese (fake cheese) instead of cheddar (real cheese).

Some people here may have legitimate frustrations, but some of you here have a nerve of getting all demanding for a unit with all this performance at this price point.

If you think $999 is a premium price for all this performance, you haven't really been around the DJ block. Sorry.

I'm happy with my Unit. No problems with the Mic Inputs and no Distorsion .

Wait a minute!!!!! McDonald's uses fake cheese........TIME TO PROTEST!!!!!

LOL

lol. lame.. i hate it when someone comes in and acts like "dad"

Who's doing that Henry?

If you're on about Matt with his answers then maybe you're just a moaner who doesn't/can't be bothered to try something different!

It's a great feeling to correct something that is out of the norm

Give it a go! ;)

I got these and seemed to be huge when not using my pgx4. great for wired and wireless witch you cant lower db

i950.photobucket.com

HI GUYS. I'VE BEEN READING ALL THE THREADS IN THIS FORUM BECAUSE I ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE MIC OUTPUT USING A SHURE WIRELESS SM58. I MANAGED TO PASS BY WITH A SHURE CORD THAT I USE AS A SPARE. I DID CHANGE THE OUTPUT CABLE WHICH WAS A 1/4 JACK FROM THE RECEIVER INTO THE DDJ-SX AND INSTEAD I GOT A MALE TO FEMALE XLR AND PLUGGED IT INTO THE DEVICES AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT IT SOUNDS BETTER THAN MY EX-DENON MC6000. CRYSTAL CLEAR SOUND. SO MAYBE YOU GUYS WITH THE SM58 WIRELESS MIC CAN TRY THAT AND HOPEFULLY WOULD WORK.

HI GUYS. I'VE BEEN READING ALL THE THREADS IN THIS FORUM BECAUSE I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY KEYBOARD!!!

lol

SMH you guys crack me up but it's all good as long as you leave with more knowledge than you came with good or bad lol.

NIK 39. YOU ARE A JOKE....

I used my Shure SLX with the sm 58 head and it sounded great i used the xlr output so i really can't say how the 1/4 inch sounded...

Hi all,

I just orderd the DDJ-SX after having horrible customer service with Numark and the NS6, so I sold it and moved to Pioneer and I hope that was not a mistake. I have a mic that I have been using with the NS6 that I purchased from Radio Shack and before you say anything I was in a bind and needed a mic and they were close but it has worked great for me so I left well enough alone. It is a Technology Plus Super-Cardioid vocal microphone and it works and sounds very good and the specs are;

Frequency response: 50-16,000Hz
Impedance: 300 ohms +/- 30%
Sensitivity: -74db +/- 3db

From everything I have gathered from this thread this mic should work fine with the DDJ-SX and my unit is being shipped out tomorrow from agiprodj.com so the first thing I will do is test the mic and post my results here to see if that helps anyone else out. On a side note the mic cost $29.99

- Fred

Hi everybody, I've used corded Sennheiser e815s through XLR output and it sounds great. Only thing I would like is to use effects on the mic output which is impossible at the moment.

Just a little update, I was in need of a mic upgrade as the only one I have is the Radio Shack mic that I mentioned above, so being that there have been issues with the mic sensitivity matching of the DDJ SX I decided to be proactive and order a few products to make sure mine will work correctly when I recieve it next week. Below are the products that were ordered and I will keep you posted as to how they work with the Pioneer when they arrive but I believe there will be no issues ;)

Mic: Line 6 XD-V75
Mixer: Mackie 402 VLZ3

ok, so i just received my SX, build date is December 2012. i'm using a Shure wired PG58 and also a Shure wireless SM58. Both distort and clip.

Update: We just did a gig this past friday and I used the Mackie 402 mixer with both the Line6 V75 wireless mic on channel 1, and the RS wired mic on channel 2. I used a balanced 1/4 to male xlr cable from the L channel output of the Mackie 402 to the channel 3 xlr mic input of the Pioneer DDJ SX. The output of the Line6 was at 0db and both mics worked perfectly with no distortion what so ever. I will do a test of each mic individually plugged into the Pioneer directly and post the results here in a few days.

Shout out to DJMJChicago for suggesting the Mackie 402 as this has worked perfectly.

Fred

yeah, but bringing an external mixer to a gig isn't really practical....for me at least. i have 2 good Shure mics. i hope theres other alternatives soon, if not, looks like i'll be looking into a new controller or new miss....i could deal with purchasing a new wired mic, but not sure if i want to invest in another quality wireless mic system.

Have you read the lengths of this thread? The only success anyone has had with an sm58 is via XLR. We have also listed several attenuators you can purchase to use the 1/4 jacks with it. We can only lead you to water.

- Matt

yeah, i've taken note of some of the work-arounds. the problem is, throughout the boards, there are a lot of conflicting results with similar mics. i'm not sure if guys aren't testing them thoroughly or some units might be built different from others (which i doubt).
i've tested my wireless sm58 with an xlr cable and it sounds like crap.

I read through this entire thread before I made my decision as to how I would address the mic situation for my needs. The Mackie 402 is probably one of the smallest and best mixers on the market and will not impact your overall setup by much, especially since you already have quality mics. As Matt stated there are other solutions, you will just need to read through and see what will work best for you. Another solution that I have not seen mentioned is a mic management system and basically you have 4 mic inputs and one mic output with a gain on each mic channel as well as a main output gain.

Nady, Rane, Rolls and Peavy just to name a few all make quality mic line mixers that have individual mic channel gains as well as an output gain. These work great because it makes it easier to keep track of mics if you are running multiples and yet only give up one channel on you DDJ SX.

Here is the botton line if you can adjust the db down on the mic you are using then you are fine. If the mic cant be adjusted you have to use a attenuators or mic mixer end of story. Thats what ive gotton from experience and follwoign this thread from beginning and also stick to xlr for the mics. They seem to work better then the quarters.

have you tried changing the db switch on the wireless sm58?

I'm new to dj mixers and was wondering if the SX supports condenser microphones and if it has phantom power automatically when I plug a condenser into the XLR mic input? If not, I guess I'll just plug my audio interface (Roland Octa-Capture). But even if I did connect it to the SX, using balanced cables of course, would it transfer the mic signal properly into the SX coming from the Roland Octa-Capture audio interface? Also, what other settings should I set on the audio interface besides obviously turning on the phantom power?

^^ it does not provide phantom power.

That's what I figured. I don't have an SX yet, but that's what I'm leaning towards when I decide to buy a DJ mixer. I was hoping it had phantom power for condenser mics. Also, good thing that I found this thread about the mic issues. I know it may seem like overkill to attach a high end audio interface to the SX just to use a condenser with it, but would it actually work well? And has anyone tried doing it that way with condenser mics?

im going to put it like this, the NS6 that i got rid of did not have this issue, i am using the same mics, and it sounds bad. Even after making adjustments, if i go up or down on the master, im going to have to adjust it again. We should be able to plug and play..........
I also have just sat back and watched, and this issue is not on all the units. Im hoping that my GC will do something or the GC pro coverage. But it needs to be replaced.

DJ SHorty SMooth - I Agree, that's why I kept my NS6

Hey Guys,

I am unable to provide any further information/updates on this, but I think this should continue to be discussed and here to help other users, I will move this over the general discussion area so it can continue.

Cheers :)

^
Why are you unable to provide any further information/updates?

because its out of seratos hands.. pioneer is the "fuck up" in this case

How about using this to adjust your mic:

www.samsontech.com

It is not that big to carry around and if you are a mobile you usually have the random need to hook up a guitar, piano, mic, etc for a special performance.

^ thats HUGE compaired to just buying an in-line attenuator.

here link for some ---> www.studiospares.com

I Bought this Mixer Like the Day it hit the Stores... Honestly.. it does everything it's Suppose to EXCEPT THE MIC.... So that being said... I have been using Pioneer Equipment for as long as they came into the DJ business... I am a DJ who Rocks the Mic all night long... and I used this NEw years eve at a huge gig ( facebook.com/djkucha - if you want to see the video ) and i hardly got on the mic.. yes .. rocked the party... but i have never stayed of the mic... because it sounds like shit.. and has too much feedback..

Honestly.. if they came out with a second version fixing the problem... I would pick it up again... its the best equipment ever.. if your not using the mic... lol ...

Cheers.. I will be giving PIONEER A CALL in the morning.

by the way .. I just ordered X-mix by samson its only $40 bucks but If it works.. ITs a Quickfix...

Cheers
Facebook Dj KUCHA

Dude.. watching you fist pump in a turbine just made my whole damn week.. NICE!

I seen you using a wireless unit, did you sift through this thread in regards to the adjustments for them? Nice club/setup BTW.

- Matt

@satbir, let us know what pioneer says. just curious there repsonse. I havent heard much of that there tech people think. I know they released that statement on the forum but honestly they have been really absent. That part seems weird to me. Thanks to help from this forum i was able to fix issue but i would like to hear more from them.

I would go to a DJ Kucha party...

I actually purchased the $40 mic from radio shack that was suggested earlier in this thread. I brought it home and hooked it up and it's working like a charm. I played the music and talked on the mic and it's working fine. I have a gig tomorrow night so I will report back on how it holds up. Crazy how one of the cheapest mics is one of the answers.

Cheap mic is NOT the answer LOL... they will sound like shit. Yes prob the spec will match so it wont sound distorted.

Again just buy one of these for your mics and plug into the back of the sx already!!!

LOL...actually it didn't sound bad at all when I tested it yesterday. I plan to get a wireless mic but I have a gig tonight and forgot to order one of those adapters so the radio shack will have to do!

where can i get an attenuator like this domestically (in the US)?

Ok so I had my first gig last night and believe it or not that Radio Shack mic was not bad at all. If someone needs a quick fix this is your answer. I will keep it as a back up but I'm going to look for a wireless mic next.

Google the model # and the name of a local chain? There is also the AT selectable model I posted and any GC will have it or order it.

- Matt

Make sure if you have to use the quarter inch in for second mic you have a att. Its a must have to mic sounds so bad you cant use it.

i'm sure this has been asked before, but what level of attenuator should i get....10db, 20db, or 30db? i found one online that has a 20db, would that work?

Get the one that you can choose all 3. I use that one and love it.

Found this on youtube. Solution: use a small mixer for mic input because the preamp gain on mic1 (channel3) is a little too hot and the fader volume and trim knob are only amplifying a distorted preamp signal.

Watchwww.youtube.com

^ you not read any of this thread??? Jesus.

If you watch the video, normal speaking is fine it's only when you start yelling then you get the distortion as if there is no more headroom to work with. It is demonstrated in the video. Using the 10db, 20db, or 30db don't work either. It just attenuates the signal that's already hot so you end up turning up your gain only to have the same issue once you starting yelling. Holding the mic the proper way is mute point as well (also demonstrated in the video). I've had my console for 1.5 months and used it on 5 events. I've tried 4 different mics plus I bought he damn attenuator with selectable db. My wired cheaper mics do sound better but my wired shure58 sound like crap (when yelling). Ok so don't yell, I had a bride give their Thank You speech (sounded great) and then she said "Let's get this party started!" and it sound like crap because of the distortion. I'm coming from a Denon MC-6000 and i never had this problem. Until pioneer can produce a firmware fix, I have to use an external mixer for my Mic just like the video. Yes I have read the thread. Jesus.

Gues thats what happens when you dont look at the video lmao. Thanks for the write up tho sounds like you have really tested this thing out. I sure hope pioneer do improve on this or at least on their next controller think about the shure sm-58 mic spec.

I watched it, and honestly I'm not impressed with how you sound on any of the devices, including the samson. You're entirely too bassy, you have zero mic technique (Google that before you assume it's a DJ term), and why is a 15" reinforcement driver facing you, 5 feet away, facing into a boxed in room? Those acoustics are begging for feedback. I also don't see the attenuator present anywhere in the video. What I see in that video is a comparison of MIC pre-amps, and you tend to favor the Samson.

- Matt

@matt, i have a question guys are calling the pioneer tech line to log in problems with mics and the tech guys are saying there is a problem and it needs to be fixed. That really makes all this confusing. Is there really a problem or not?

I don't own one of these 'things' so i've never looked, and I admitted that several times. LOL. What I work with, is what I have, the spec sheets. You can do a lot with a data sheet, ya know?

I play both tech and engineer depending on the job I take, and I know there is a dispair among techs and engineers in regards to working relationships. The engineers always think they did it right and the techs always think the engineers are assholes that always think they're right. It would be amusing if it weren't tragic in a way.

More than likely, the engineer(s) made some decisions the techs have to live with now, Ie support calls, returns, etc. and it's heating things up over there. If you see a revision, please don't use words like 'fix' when it's just what a revisions is; a change.

If they're (techs) tired enough of dealing with people calling, crying, sending units back, and so forth it might make enough noise to merit a revision to the circuit, but it's won't be a 'fix' it'll be a 'change' and it's important to know the difference. And now I will note once and for all, it will happen at a hardware level, not a firmware level.

That sum it up? I can't believe this thread is still alive! lol!

- Matt

Its alive becasue people go onto the pioneer forum and post stuff like they called last night and tech guy said there aware of problem and it will be fixed thats why. Makes it tough to let it die. I undertand the specs and addressed them so i was just asking. It seems like i offended you wasnt trying to was just asking your opinion.

I'm not offended at all, just figured there was enough info here to help some people out, but as it just grows and grows and grows the good information gets buried and replaced with casual conversation. I did ask for a volunteer from this forum to summarize the info contained here on Pioneers forums, I suppose nobody did?

- Matt

No they didnt and i think if pioneer came out with a statement other then the one they posted that might help. just my opinion.

Hey everybody - I don't own a DDJ-SX but want to buy one so this information is concerning to me - I am here doing research. One thing I do not see is mention of impedance and specific mic types, wiring etc. not from users or pioneer. I am a professional recordist. Mics will always sound like garbage under the wrong conditions. Maybe it is wrong of pioneer to not make a flexible mic input but ultimately with any device it is the USERS responsibility to match components.
Is there a preamp in the ddj-sx? If not should you be using to prepare your mics output for the unit? Is this preamp adjustable? if not are you better off using your own and sending the unit a line level signal?
are you using a condenser or a dynamic mic?
are you using a 3 connector xlr at one end and a 1/4" at the other?
by connecting an xlr -> 1/4" cable you are throwing away the reversed signal but NOT changing the impedance.

I would really like to know what a pro soundman thinks after experience with the unit - I doubt it is really broken but PROBABLY a case of DJs being used to doing something one way and not knowing how they need to interact with the DDJ-SX for the impedance's to be matched. NOT YOUR FAULT, ultimately Pioneers fault but still ON YOU to LEARN and SOLVE it yourself. Pioneer will never look like a fool at YOUR gig.

Hi crobo. I have the ddj sx since it came out gand had the same problem. I'm using A SHURE WIRELESS SM58 but was connecting it with a quarter inch jack. I then connect it the XLR connection mic base to ddj sx and problem solved. The cable only cost me ten dollars and that was it. I still read all these threads about needing a preamp or other low impendance mics.t try this first b4 anything else. Just remember to use XLR TO XLR connections.

Glad you got it working.

Using a XLR to 1/4" cable on a mic is generally VERY LAME - this is the sort of thing a dirthead rockband will do to plug a mic into a guitar amp because they don't have a PA.
If DJ's are doing the same or similar retarded things and blaming Pioneer that is really LAME.

Many people are using high impedance mics and this will distort the input if not buffered. Make sure to load all messages in this thread and search for - FabulousFrequencies - he says a lot of reasonable and accurate stuff about how to do it right and what is going on. I also read someone from Serato posted "Get a mic with a 600ohm or less impedance and everything will be solved"

If Pioneer designed something that was ignorant of the DJ community and how people work and use their gear that would be VERY STUPID especially for a company so big in this market. HOWEVER, saying "Duh, I plugged it in and it sounds bad, duh, that sucks bro" is pretty equally stupid. You wanna be a pro you gotta step up and learn how things work.

If you are ignorant, blaming the equipment just proves it.

FROM: pioneerdj.com...

Q

Microphone output sound is distorted.

A

Is the DDJ-SX unit connected to any device with high output level such as a wireless microphone?

If the output level switch or gain adjustment is equipped with the wireless microphone or other devices, please lower the signal level to the mic input of this unit.
For further details, please refer to the instruction manuals of such devices.

The standard input level/ input impedance of the mic input of DDJ-SX is -52dBu/10kΩ.

THIS IS ALL YOU SHOULD NEED TO KNOW

I am very impressed with this unit, but will not be purchasing one until the mic input issue is sorted from Pioneer's end. I would much prefer a dedicated mic section like on most of the DJM mixers, as I commonly run two microphones but also like the idea of having two Serato decks, plus a couple line inputs for karaoke, iPods, etc. without having to switch the channel selector every time. Oh well, I guess you can't have your cake and eat it too.

I knoiw alot of people have said the quarter inch is awful for the mics well if you have to use it and really isnt a choice if you use a second mic with the ddj i am using the audio-technica cp8201 microphone impedance matching transformer and with the sure wirelsss mics its sounds great so incase anybody wants to use the quarter inch in thats what to get. hope it helps again

New Pioneer DDJ-SX firmware 1.05 said to adress the high Mic impedance problem!

Go to Pioneer DJ support page for more info and free download.

Hey everyone,

As caliguy has pointed out, there is new firmware available for the DDJ-SX

pioneerdj.com

Thanks guys I guess Pioneer doesn't send out emails like Serato does when there's an update. If it wasn't for you guys were wouldn't know.

Thanks
D

Please report back people of this firmware really does solve the mic issue.

Mic issue solved!

Here it the link pioneerdj.com

@Dave The One.. Are you serious? The firmware upgrade fixed your mic issues?

I upgraded and it sound jus as bad..
Not a touch of a difference..

Am I the only one?

If this is an hardware issue, I'd be surprised to see it fixed by a software/firmware update.

ya couldnt really fix much since its a hardware issue. they might be able to add software to adjust for high db output mic but that seems almost impossible

Firmware update didn't change anything at all. The mic still sounds terrible. I've tried a ton of different mics/cord combos on both channels and they both sound like crap. If you are a working DJ, the mic issue is HUGE.

Anyone have any luck getting with Pioneer on this? I'm curious to see what the response is to such a MAJOR problem.

when i was at the namm show last month, i spoke with 2 different pioneer reps at the booth. they both confirmed it was a problem but said the next firmware update (which is the one that was just released) would fix the problem. i questioned if a firmware update can actually fix this issue and they both reassured me it would. i was kinda skeptic cuz i was under the impression that it was a hardware issue.

i got an error saying the unit is not connected when it was :(

@dj tom, you know a simple in line attenuator fixes the issue easily until pioneer does right?

you know, i bought one of those inline attenuator that had the adjustable db switch. i'm not sure if it helped much. it just muted the volume a bit, so i had to speak much louder to get the same level. its kinda tough to use cuz i find myself almost yelling just to be heard normally.

i have a macbook and tried downloading and opening the pioneer update, but it seems like its not working. is this a file for pc only ? im confused...

Hey Henry GQ, it sounds like you might need to start a help request so we can do some troubleshooting with you..that is no good if it is no longer connecting after a firmware update!

ok i just opened one.. its just confusing the hell out of me

Ok cheers, looks like Jamie has been helping you.

Thanks Henry, and good luck with the update!

ok got everything situated! thnx guys


i would like to point something to everyone doing the firmware update

u must have the latest version of the mac os 10.8, u also have to have jav to open the file

but more importantly...
before u open the file...
1. u must shut off the ddj-sx
2. before u turn it back on hold shift and sync button
3. turn on
4. open the file
5. shut off the ddj-sx and turn back on


i was getting stuck at.. opening the file before turning off the ddj-sx and holding shift and synx.. make sense ?

Just updated my firmware to v1.05 which is said to fix the awful sound. Still sounds unacceptably bad. My NS6 & my Xenyx 802 mic mixer using the same mic sound lightyears better. I will be returning my DDJ-SX until they can get this sorted out. This is my first pioneer product and I am very disappointed.

im gonna try it out again tomorrow night with the update and see where this takes me. i bought a little mic mixer just in case.

i also think that pioneer should give me $50 for this purchase of mine as well...

Hey guys,

I hope this doesn't sound antagonistic, because I don't mean it to be, but the firmware update reduces the distortion, it may not resolve it completely. Pioneer are definitely aware of the user feedback about this issue, and are doing what they can.

Cheers.

Michael R.. Thanks for the clarification..
I can say it definitely reduced the amount of Noise.. But didn't eliminate it..

Try changing your mic... I never had a problem with mine from day 1 in nov...

The attenautor for me made a night and day difference and if yuor gonna use quarter inch plus for second mic get the quarter inch version. For me It went from unusable for mic to aweosme. @steven, sounds like maybe a mic issue not pioneer maybe. What mic are you using?

Yeah I know. Went out yesterday and got one. Shouldn't have to though - that's the point here I guess. Hopefully they get it figured out soon. The unit is really good other than this issue.

According to people there isnt a issue. Keep getting misleading info. serato says pioneer is aware there is a problem yet people on here say there isnt a problem that it was designed this way and we are just using it wrong and not setting mics proper. Its all very confusing for sure.

Correct, it's technically not a bug/problem, it's just what the mic input specifications are. However Pioneer are aware of the issues this is causing users, and are working on ways to improve it.

I hope that helps :)

@michael, thank you that make sense then. Maybe pioneer should have not made such a drastic change for a piece of equipment that to be honest has alot of different users. Some of these users are new djs and dont understand yet how to adjust or fix the issue like some of us long time guys do.

Your last 2 posts are bang on mate, Totally agree.

Hi everyone, new to the forums here but I have read through this entire thread. I recently returned my Numark NS7FX due to the ridiculous weight of the unit in the Odyssey Glider case and have a DDJ-SX on back order through Guitar Center. The reason I'm posting is twofold. First to find out if this problem has been resolved via the recent firmware update. And if not, (which I'm assuming is the case since it's not really a "problem" in the first place) to ask for some advice on what I need to get my mic to sound good BEFORE I take it to a live event.

The mic I'm currently using is a Shure PG58 XLR. Admittedly I don't know a lot about attenuation but I have learned a lot from this thread alone. Matt in particular has done an amazing job explaining everything in layman's terms! Anyways, from Shure's PDF here are the specs:

Microphone Type Dynamic (moving coil)
Polar Pattern Cardioid (unidirectional)
Frequency Response 60 to 15,000 Hz
Polarity Positive pressure on diaphragm produces positive voltage on pin 2 relative to pin 3 of microphone output connector
Output Impedance (at 1000 Hz) 300 ohms
Sensitivity (at 1000 Hz) -53 dBV/Pa, (2.2 mV), 1 Pascal=94 dB SPL
Electromagnetic Hum Sensitivity 26 dB equivalent SPL in a 1 millioersted field (60 Hz)
Switch Built-in On/Off switch
Connector Three-pin professional audio connector (male XLR type)

Now I'm not against buying another microphone that would sound great on this unit, however, I'd like to know what would be the best route to get this one sounding the best it can? If for nothing else, I'd like to keep it as a backup. I've seen people mention a small mixer, the "pads" or inline attenuators as well as heaving EQ'ing and proper mic positioning.

As for buying a new mic specifically for this unit, what would you suggest? I'd prefer to get as much bang for my buck as possible. I'm almost certain my fiance would kill me for spending more than a couple hundred dollars on a mic after all the upgrades I've made recently. Thanks in advance for the help!

To get the SM58 to sound good with a DJJ-SX follow these easy steps...

1 - Adjust gain on Mic Channel to 3/4 or 3pm
2 - Speak very softly into the mic from a distance of at least 20 feet from your mouth to the mic
3 - Don't inject any enthusiasm or try to project your voice as this will result in distortion

:-)

There is no mic issue.

Oh that's right... "optimal conditions" I should probably request that crowd at my venue keep the noise down as well so that I'm sure to meet those conditions as well ;)

HAHAHAHAHAHAAH
I going to try that next event.. LOL

If you either

A: Go through a bunch of prep that really shouldn't be required (attenuator, switching mics, using 1/4" rather than XLR, etc.) as Pioneer had no real issues with the DDJ-S1 or their other gear.

B: Run your unit into an external mixer such as something like the Mackie 402 VLZS.

C. Use a different controller.

Wow my mic still sounds nice I think it's user error!

I was nervous when I got my SX, but I haven't had any mic issues at all.

I don't have a problem yet, I'm still waiting on my unit that is on back order. I was mainly posting to find a compatible mic / attenuator ahead of time so I don't end up mic less at a gig like some of the earlier buyers. I'm well aware that this isn't a hardware problem as much as it was a failure to inform buyers that they have changed to a hotter mic input.

If people have a hot mic then it has issues i havent had any on all of my mics now pardon the sarcasm i'm being like the majority here this is a different kinda forum lol.

No worries ;) Might I ask what make and model of the mics you are using are? If your not having problems I might just go ahead and buy another mic just in case mine has issues. It never hurts to be prepared I guess.

i use my slx shire wireless with a sm 58 head no probs and a radio shack idk but sounds good with a xlr cable & no problemo...

sorry shure stupid auto spell

If you have to jump through hoops to use the mic on the unit then there is definitely a problem. Also, why would they attempt to fix the problem if there wasn't one? If you think it is working perfectly for you great but it's not perfect for everyone.

Or maybe you are happy with mediocre quality.

well i wouldn't go as far as say mediocre... i use a house mic i found laying around in the club its a behringer something and trust me it works great as well as my wireless shure slx with a sm 58 head jhmo.

I really think katts don't know how to use their gear man. Such a shame. Buy something else and stop bitching at the world; there's plenty of other controllers out there.

Yea what he said.

---> i.imgur.com <---

I'm saying this first bit only for the sake of putting my comment into perspective: I am a 15-year veteran of the industry with expertise in not only the artistic aspects of our trade, but also the TECHNICAL ASPECTS:

Just because you have not experienced any problems with your unit or unit/microphone combination, do not ASSUME that those of us who ARE having problems (many of us), do not have valid complaints.

Making such an assumption would be nothing short of IDIOTIC (to say the least).

Oh really???

Well, if it's "just what the mic specifications are", then the mic specs for this unit are freakin' RETARDED.

Interestingly, I could plug my microphone into the mic input of ANY OTHER piece of professional sound equipment, and it would sound just fine. Meanwhile, it sounds like utter shit when going through the DDJ-SX. But it's not a bug, right? i.imgur.com

For the record, I'm using a Peavey PV-12

Not saying that the Pioneer didn't make a huge a blunder by not saying up front that the entire mic section has been changed, but saying that it's broken might be a bit of a stretch. To me it's like bitching that your new Ferrari won't run well with E-85 gasoline. Do you want performance or the industry standard (which could be sub-par)? I really wish this wasn't even an issue and the generic mics sounded good while the elite mics sounded amazing but unfortunately someone decided that it was time for a change and we became the guinea pigs. I personally have no plans to return an amazing piece of gear because I refuse to update something as simple as a mic, especially when doing so will just make me sound better anyways ;)

well i'm sure that posting your complaints here will def get you the results you seek it's a mirac, i've seen the light like magic my probs are gone thanks serato forum!

+1 except I am a 20+ year veteran.

To the people that have the mic system working perfectly for them...great. We are all happy for you. You can now move onto another thread. The rest of use that are continuing to have issues with it would like to see the problem addressed.

Ok form a line and I will put on my magic kreskin hat an robe and I will abolish your microphone problems with a wave of my magic wand...Shazam you are cured now move along boys nothing to see here... I kill myself sumtimes!

Sennheiser FreePort Wireless Vocal Mic works FLAWLESS with the sx...

dee jay bass i have that same mic it sounds like crap it runs out of head room even if you turn the volume almost all the way down on receiver unit

Do you have db at -10 or -20 controversial?

mine does not have a db setting on mic

www.google.com

thats the one I own

Did you check manual, i thought all sennheiser do otherwise you need a attutainor then. like 20 bucks. Will fix it. problem solved.

ill try that attenuator

Ya makes a huge difference. Should solve the issue

thanks will buy tomorrow and give feed back only thing is i have odyssey case gonna be hard 2 fit

I just ordered one of these:

www.ebay.com

I can live with a $20 workaround, but as a matter of principle, it's kind of f#cked up that I should even have to. This is the kind of crap that we would expect from one of the lesser brand names, not Pioneer.

i.imgur.com

Correction:

This is the one that I ordered:
www.ebay.com
(-20 db, not -10 db as linked in my previous post)

@controversial, I also bought a really small xlr so it wouldnt be a issue with case. Its like 6 inches. works awesome.

or what mannie bought above would work to really good. You have to get one for the quarter inch mic input to. that ones needs it the worst and get quarter to xlr. dont go quarter to quarter.

Correction.. MY Sennheiser FreePort Wireless Vocal Mic works FLAWLESS with MY sx...
Dont know what others are doing wrong

Yup, this thing: www.ebay.com did the trick.

Seems like -20db is a lot, though. Makes me wonder if -10db would have been enough.

Thats why i got. adjustable , -10 -20 -30

How does the -10 db work for you?

Seems fine. Ill try both here in a second and tell you exactly.

Just wanted to post an update on my previous concerns. I finally received my ddj-sx this week after a month on back order and I'm happy to report that the mic sounds fine with it. Admittedly I've only tested my wired mic (a cheap Shure PG58XLR) but I will test the wireless this weekend. I'm not sure if Pioneer changed something and didn't want to say it (which I suspect is the reason for the massive delay in shipping) or if I just got lucky but for what it's worth, my unit shipped with the newest firmware update installed (1.05 I believe). Either way I'm very happy with the results... now if I could find a decent case for it I'd be ecstatic. Unfortunately my Odyssey Glider case's shelf is VERY rough to the point that it should be called a Grinder case instead of a Glider.

I rubbed some bees wax on the rails and the grining stopped on my oddysey case...

That actually sounds like a good idea! I was thinking I need to lubricate it in someway but I didn't want it to get greasy. Good lookin out ^^

The wax is a great lube and not too greasy works great!

So can I get an unofficial survey of sorts?

For those of you that are using an attenuator, what are you guys rolling with, -10db or -20db ???

Can anyone confirm if the Firmware update makes any difference?

i sold my ddj sx. oh well

You should check out the Road Ready case with built in laptop stand.

I bought both wires after reading this thread since there was no answer to your question.

-10db = 70% less distortion (while speaking loudly on mic)
-20db = 80% less distortion (while speaking loudly on mic)
-10db & -20db daisy chained = 90% less distortion (while speaking loudly on mic)
*I don't see -10db & -20db as being an option since the gains on the mic, master and amp were "Roscoe Dash"
**I tested this on the DDJ-SX using firmware Ver 1.05

My Conclusion: Just pick up a $60 preamp mixer and run the DDJ-SX and mic through that. Do not use the mic inputs on the DDJ-SX at all, unless you speak very softly into microphones because your mom is sleeping in the room next door. Zing.

Not sure if you missed it, but as I stated earlier, I bought the -20db attenuator cable on eBay and it solved the problem completely FOR ME (obviously, other users' luck will vary depending on the specs of your particular mic).

Nonetheless, the reason that I asked, was that -20db seemed like a hell of a lot of attenuation in my opinion (for my mic, anyway).

However, a NEW DEVELOPMENT in this matter has just come to light.

Hint: This is BIG!!!

Stay tuned.

hu whats the new development? is pioneer gong to offer a fix?

Pioneer issued an INTERNAL DOCUMENT back in February acknowledging the issue. This document gives Authorized Service Centers specific, detailed instructions on how to perform the repair to correct the problem.

I highly doubt that Pioneer will ever admit to it publicly, but I can GUARANTEE you that this information is 100% accurate.

And sorry for tooting my own horn, here but <COUGH COUGH> serato.com

I have the document in my possession.

So post it. Because without seeing it, I call... serato.com

You better grab this and pass it around before it get taken down:

www.scribd.com

i.imgur.com

A totally justified gif, Sir.

I salute you!

i.imgur.com

And for those of you that had to wait for your units, check and see if yours has this mark on it:

i.imgur.com

If so, then you're all good (like this guy: i.imgur.com)

So manny do i call pioneer then to get it fixed?

So whats his name on here said there wasnt a mic problem. I would like serato to explain or pioneer what we do now seeing that doc. I have a unit original unit and have mic issues?

Yes what should we do?

somebody got some splainen to do alice

Wow!

interesting stuff indeed!!

I'm gonna call today and see what it's all about. I would like some answers

From serato to?

:)

Manny C dot com => THANK YOU

This is the holy grail I was waiting for.
Some people didn't believe me when I told them there had to be an hardware fix with the Amplifier circuits and that we should wait for new units (batch) with a new revision number.

Your document shows there are at least 5 different revisions on februari 20, so other things have been revised as well.

Plus, it shows people can have their unit serviced if they are having troubles with the mic inputs freely.
And finally, people buying the first units later on (second hand) shouldn't be stuck forever because their warranty is over if they have some electronic know-how.

god that solder job is ruff!! LOL

My sentiments exactly.

Regarding the internal document, I want to make a few things clear:

I am NOT affiliated with Pioneer nor Serato in any way, shape, or form. I DO NOT have any inside contacts with either company, nor their service centers or dealers.

I came across the above information simply by doing some deep digging online.

Whether or not they realized it, the above document was posted on Pioneer's own webspace. As a matter of fact, it's still there right now (although, probably not for long).

ausst01.pioneer.com.au$FILE/SQH13002.pdf

I didn't leak the information, I just publicized it.

If you want to express some gratitude, please do the DJ community a favor:
Download the document and spread the word on as many popular DJ forums as you can.

Thanks.

Manny C

It's A Conspiracy! glad mine works without mods jeez.

Serato will point you right back to Pioneer seeing as how this is totally a hardware issue.

Ya i know they will and i get it. Im calling pioneer now. lets see what happens

If you get some feedback, let us know what they said. Thx.

yep they said send it to them and they will fix the issue and send back. 3 to 4 week turn around. Im boxing it up now.

Pioneer electronics
1925 e dominquez st
long beach , ca 90810
please include all your info , email address and so on and they will ship back fixed.

Good man. Thanks dude. :-)

No problem. Just glad they will fix it. paying shipping sucks. They should be on the hook for facotry defect. not us.

Yeah, you would think. Do they pay the return ship?

3/4 weeks is a long time too!

3/4 weeks...yeah that sucks, I have 2 many gigs booked and I'm not trying to carry ns7 around without serato dj and mixed emergency.

They're probably just covering their ass with that estimate (under-promise, over-deliver), but who knows?

Yea maybe.

No way I would be able to go 3/4 weeks without my unit. I just bought a Pioneer Wego to use with Intro use as a backup, but no way would I use that as my main unit for 3 weeks while waiting for my SX to get back.
That is for backup only in case my SX or Serato DJ goes down!! lol

I see this thread still has legs. I can interpret the service order:

'1) Delete R236 & R296 2) Short between one or more of 14-16pin of IC24 and GND'

First they are first making two circuit revisions regardless of the finds. The removal of 2 resistors specifically. Then they are looking for a soldering or etching defect, which may not effect every unit with the issue. It just means they've found at least one with that problem, so it's on the menu. So #2 is more of a 'while you're in there look for' order and #1 is the primary and not a defect but rather a change. This is probably where they're *quietly* addressing the issue.

Glad the attenuators and impedance matching devices helped some working DJ's carry on. Hopefully you learned something new and will keep that stuff in your bags after this is all said and done, they will come in handy for other things. Pioneer on the other hand has some explaining to do and every working DJ that spent money to use the unit should be compensated somehow.

Maybe a free We-GO?!? I heard it does 4 channel now! Bwahahaha!

So effin glad i'm not a Pioneer kid.

Luckily you got that magic one.

LOL! I just seen the document has pictures! So I can elaborate some more. People love it when I talk =)

Sticking with my story on #1, although it's interesting they're only making a gain feedback revision to channels 1 & 2 and not 3 & 4. It's also interesting it's a feedback revision with no real effect on input impedance.

On the GND issue (#2), one photo illustrates some data lines on the firmware chip that are 'floating' You'll see them connected to a pad with a VIA that *should* take a path to GND. However, the mask shows no path to GND. Probably an auto route error in CAD and the dude that laid it out is getting a note to go see the principle after lunch. This would have no real effect on your audio issues and is a side issue. It's more common than you think in first run revisions.

Ok, carry on :D

hey guys, there is no issues with the mic input, you just have to know what youre doing and use the correct specs on your mic lol

lol lol lol.

You still do. In fact, the changes they made to the feedback gain of mic1 & 2 buffers does nothing to fix the impedance mismatch and is essentially treating you all like children and making a gain correction for you. Isn't that nice of Pioneer? :)

And you think *i'm* arrogant and condescending.. HA!

So the fixes are just reducing the gain so that it can not clip (but at the cost of not being able to turn up the mic volume loud enough?)?

Cheaper to remove parts than to exchange parts. They're removing the ground resistance from the negative feedback loop in the secondary gain stage, which will increase negative feedback voltage and thus reduce overall gain of the op-amp. It will also make a tiny improvement in distortion. I'm sure *somebody* will think it sounds better, but it's not how I would have fixed it. It's almost as if they don't even think they did anything wrong and are just looking for a cheap and quiet way to get the majority content with the output so the complaints stop. That's just my opinion though and a lot of people don't think that's worth much. They could have laid out a better gain stage with half the parts and a few N channel transistors honestly. Who knows WTF they're thinking any more. *shrug*

^ goes fills out job aplication for pioneer lol you know ya stuff!!

Appreciate the compliment, but even I screw up. It's been about 15 years since my formal education and I still catch myself wishing I could edit my posts because I noticed I was wrong. Nobody's perfect, eh?

If I had to come down on Pioneer for anything, it wouldn't be these mistakes. These things happen commonplace in product roll out sequence. What I *would* come down on them for if how fast and how hard they and Serato pushed this launch. Damage control thus far has been HORRIBLE. No, No, DISGRACEFUL by every stretch of the imagination. It's not the mistakes, or the bugs that are out of the ordinary here. It's the fact that they rushed this and let them all creep out the door.

PCB routing issues are suppose to be caught BEFORE production boards are run and if it's become accepted that this sort of thing being overlooked is commonplace then we just stepped back 30 years because in the 80's a lot of large companies already had checks and balances in place to address this sort of stuff pre-production. How on earth the shelves were stocked with units that had VIA's to nowhere is absolutely beyond me. Even hobby engineers look their PCB's over for these issues before they stuff them.

I gotta get off this soap box. This is just so bizarre.

Preach brother ... Your entire statement should be a sticky. :-)

I ve learned a ton from you so dont stop preaching. It also forced me to learn and step my game up. I did the research that night and he is right. The fix is really just a way for them to keep people happy and its a joke. The handled all of this so badly. Not how a company should do business.

They should just design a new board the way it should have been and replace the board. Not all that soddering and garbage. what a joke.

Wow so you guys really don't think that will fix the issue then. So can we proof anything of this to Pioneer . I feel like we should put it out there on national television and as many websites as possible. This is why I should have gotten the Denon Unit or the Ns7

Mine is aweosme with the attuntiuor so im good there. its fixed issue for me. Its a extra step but better then letting them jig it up.

Somebody should do a facebook group and let pioneer hear all the complaints.

Yeah, personally, I'd rather just keep using this thing www.ebay.com than ghetto-rig my board. But hey, that's just me.

I posted it onto the pioneer ddj sx group on facebook. People seem fine with it lol.

www.scribd.com
Heres a little something ive found as I want a send and return on the ddj looks like I can do it myself

By the way:

Don't say that I didn't warn you... Now that I publicly linked to the documents that Pioneer's Australian division accidentally made accessible online, they've gone and locked them down with a password. I hope enough of you downloaded the PDF when you had the chance.

ausst01.pioneer.com.au

Oh, and one more thing...

I like how there's been ZERO official responses in this thread since I blew the lid off of this little cover-up / scandal.

i.imgur.com

i.imgur.com

You one funny dude Manny. :-)

LOL - Looks like the Damage Control / Cover-up Machine is in HIGH GEAR now: i.imgur.com

Dam <smirk>.

Can we revive the 'Why it would be wise to invest in the DDJ-SX' thread yet? :)

Truth be told, I'm actually still very happy with my purchase. The one thing that I've learned over the years, is that none of these equipment manufacturers are perfect (ok, except Technics). They all screw up in one way or another from time to time.

What bothers me the most though, is how Pioneer handles their fuck-ups (deny, deny, lie, lie, coverup, coverup). However, at the end of the day, the DDJ-SX is still the best Serato controller on the market to date. And if a little microphone input flaw can be remedied with $20 cable, then I suppose it's not too bad of a price to pay for having the most badass controller out there (in my opinion).

But yeah, it shouldn't have been this way in the first place, and their response is worse than the fuckup itself was.

That's just my view. Some of you may feel differently.

Wait, I have to eat my words here. I completely forgot about the Technics SL DZ1200

Well I used an updated DDJ-SX version 1.05 tonight with a wired SM58 and the mic was just as awful as before!

you need to get it serviced for the issue tobe fixed.

so are the new ones manufactured now already modified?
this one was manufactured Feb 2013