ION Discover DJ works intermittently

[jakediddy]

Hi all,

First off, the website is telling me that my serial number is of an incorrect format (which is true when you look at the two formats), so I can't set my serial number .

Anyway, I just bought an ION Discover DJ with Cross LE to experiment with. My desktop (Vista on Core2 1.8GHz/4GB RAM) will allow me to use the scratch functionality for a few seconds, and then the CUE button blinks in both Cross LE and on my Discover DJ controller and I can't scratch anymore on that track.

When I use the controller with Cross LE on my Vista laptop (Core2 Duo w/2GB RAM) on battery power, I have relatively few run-ins with the above problem.

As soon as I plug my laptop into the wall for A/C power, the same issues happen on my laptop that happen on my desktop.

I have decreased the buffer to the smallest amount (64 samples) and this makes the desktop a little better, but still not very satisfying.

Might my integrated sound card cause this? Or does it sound like more of a USB power issue? I'm just baffled by the fact that it works better on battery power!

Thank you in advance,
Jake

[UncleVibes]

does it sound like more of a USB power issue?

It looks like a ground loop from your laptop ac power plug. try to unplug the ground on the Ac plug with an adapter.

[phadedvision]

Hi all,

First off, the website is telling me that my serial number is of an incorrect format (which is true when you look at the two formats), so I can't set my serial number .

Hi Jake,

Welcome to the forums! Don't worry about your serial just yet, Cross LE is brand new so there aren't any updates for it, which is why you can't enter your serial number.

Anyway, I just bought an ION Discover DJ with Cross LE to experiment with. My desktop (Vista on Core2 1.8GHz/4GB RAM) will allow me to use the scratch functionality for a few seconds, and then the CUE button blinks in both Cross LE and on my Discover DJ controller and I can't scratch anymore on that track.

When I use the controller with Cross LE on my Vista laptop (Core2 Duo w/2GB RAM) on battery power, I have relatively few run-ins with the above problem.

As soon as I plug my laptop into the wall for A/C power, the same issues happen on my laptop that happen on my desktop.

I have decreased the buffer to the smallest amount (64 samples) and this makes the desktop a little better, but still not very satisfying.

Might my integrated sound card cause this? Or does it sound like more of a USB power issue? I'm just baffled by the fact that it works better on battery power!

Thank you in advance,
Jake

That's a very strange problem, I haven't heard of anything like that before... Maybe we can get a developer in on this, but maybe it has to do with some grounding issues? At any rate, we'll get this sorted out for you.

Cheers,
Phaded

[jakediddy]

Hey guys, thanks for the warm welcome and responses. I'm not sure if it's a hardware or software issue, or an unfortunate combination of both just by chance.

Reason to suspect software:
Decreasing audio buffer amount to minimum allowed reduces problem.

Reason to suspect hardware:
When running on batter power, works fine; when plugged in, works intermittently at best.

I would have gladly accused the power connection for my laptop of having ground loop issues, but it's odd that the same problem occurs when I use my desktop (on another circuit in my apartment, if that means anything). It's almost as though the equipment works best when it's under-powered...

Regardless of the outcome, thank you both for your help so far. I'm trying to get in touch with ION for support as well (in case it's not a problem with the software), but they haven't responded to my support request and it's been over 2 days already. Might have to call their tech support and wait 20 minutes instead.

[djwildchildex]

Hi all,
I am having a similar problem of Jake's I have a Desktop 1GB RAM AMD 2.Ghz Processor and a Macbook Core 2 Duo 2 Ghz 1GB RAM. My problem is when I use the Discover DJ and try to scratch it sometimes stops responding. I think it has something to do with the MIDI communication. I am thinking that I should go to target and exchange it for another unit to make sure.I have had it less than a week and it has been doing this from day one. I really hope someone can help me cause I like the unit and the idea behind it. But, an idea implemented that doesn't work properly should have been better tested before presentation to the masses.

[polocorp]

reducing the audio buffer gives you better latency and is more strainfull for your system. it's weird that reducing the buffer to the minimum latency gives you better results. weird in a good way though.

However if the issue only occurs when plugged in then it is most certainly a ground mass loop. In this can you can pick up a small adapter to turn you three pin plug into a 2 pin plug (without the ground). At radioshack or worldplugadapter.com

[djwildchildex]

My problem is occurring even though the power plug to my Macbook is not a three prong plug. And now the left platter barley works at all.

[jakediddy]

I've since returned my unit to Target and bought a Wii Fit Plus package and have been skatebording in front of my TV instead. Perhaps I'll look into the product again in the future, but considering I never received any communication back from ION regarding my support request, I'll wait until another company comes out with one.

But to recap the details of my problem (and djwildchildex's)...

Mine:

• Laptop with Vista, PC with Vista, PC with Win7
• Laptop has ground connection on plug
• Works the same on all three, but works best when I use the laptop, and it's not plugged into the wall
• Equipment communication seems to hang after a certain amount of time on the jogwheels
• Left wheel rattled a bit, right wheel felt solid
• CUE button blinks when having issues (also blinks within the Cross LE interface on screen)

wildchild's:

• MacBook laptop
• MacBook does NOT have ground connection (simple 2-prong)
• Hangs after use
• Left platter not as functional

Hopefully this information will assist ION/MixVibes in fixing this issue, I am now certain that it isn't a user electrical issue. Now I'm leaning more towards an electrical issue with the equipment's design, as it is both platform- and ground- independent.

Thanks to all for your contributions, however! I hope this thread continues to be visited for the benefit of wildchild and others.

[DJ-KSH]

I had a similar issue with the left platter freezing after 5 minutes or so. I also found out that the unit and software both work well in older PC's with Win. XP.

I still have to find a sound card that will let me both listen through the headset and live airplay. This is an issue that I do not know as of yet.

Compaq Evo D500
P4 1.8GHz
1024 Ram
Ion Discover DJ
MixVibes Cross LE, Version 1.0

If there is an update, I do not know how to get to the right link and what to select.

[hemskoc]

I had a similar issue with the left platter freezing after 5 minutes or so. I also found out that the unit and software both work well in older PC's with Win. XP.

I still have to find a sound card that will let me both listen through the headset and live airplay. This is an issue that I do not know as of yet.

Compaq Evo D500
P4 1.8GHz
1024 Ram
Ion Discover DJ
MixVibes Cross LE, Version 1.0

If there is an update, I do not know how to get to the right link and what to select.

You need a soundcard that has at least 2 stereo outputs minimum - *one set of stereo to 'monitor'(headphones)- the upcoming 'unheard' track, and one stereo out to hear the 'live'(house) mix.
There are lots of different sound cards on the market that you can use from around $100US bux up.
Cheers