Assigning decks to controllers

[DJ Vintage]

Hi all,

Have looked but couldn't find an answer to the following question. If there is one already, just point me in the right direction please. If not, then I would appreciate some help

My current setup is:
2x Denon SC2900
1x Denon SC2000 (two switchable decks)
1x Denon X1600 (MIDI)mixer

I have tried changing the MIDI channel on the SC2000 but without succes (will check with the guys over at the Denon forum about that), so for the moment let's assume that the SC2000 uses midi-channels 1 and 2. I have set the 2900s to channel 3 and 4 respectively.

When I start Cross, everything seems to work ok, but with the SC2900s hooked to decks 3 and 4, which is not what I want since they are my primary decks.

Is there a way to tell Cross which MIDI channel goes with which deck?

Thanks in advance for any tips.

Greetinx.

[FigDJ]

I assume you are using your SC 2000 in hybrid mode. If you are then the MIDI map determines the channel.

[DJ Vintage]

I am using the 2900s in full MIDI mode (seems to work better than hybrid for me). The 2000 doesn't "do" hybrid so is full MIDI.

So effectively MIDI channel 1 will always be chained to deck 1 and so on?

[FigDJ]

I am using the 2900s in full MIDI mode (seems to work better than hybrid for me). The 2000 doesn't "do" hybrid so is full MIDI.

So effectively MIDI channel 1 will always be chained to deck 1 and so on?

In full MIDI the map determines the channel. You could have a player output set to channel 1 and the map for player 1 set for channel 3 and it won't work. Your controller needs to be set a a channel that matches the map.

[DJ Vintage]

In which case I am sure you could tell me how to adapt the map so I can assign a different deck (say MIDI 3 to deck 1, MIDI 4 to deck 2 and MIDI 1/2 to deck 3 and 4 respectively).

Does that involve a lot of map changing?

Thanks for your advice again.

[DJ Vintage]

Hi guys,

Setup has changed in the meantime. I never got the previous one setup to work correctly.

Currently I have a DDJ-SX and two Denon S1200s.

Decks 1 and 2 in Cross are channels 1 and 2 respectively on the SX (middle fader pair), leaving channels 3 and 4 for decks 3 and 4 respectively or for mics or for external line inputs. Using the deck change button this works fine.

I have my S1200s connected via RCA to channels 3 and 4 on the SX. They server primarily as backup and as option to play CDs and USB sticks.

However, as in the previous case I can't seem to get things to work as I like. I have already been playing around with setting MIDI channels for the S1200s to 3 and 4 for example.

What I'd like to achieve is the following:

DDJ-SX: channel 1 stays connected to deck 1 in Cross
DDJ-SX: channel 2 stays connected to deck 2 in Cross
DDJ-SX: channel 3 plays sound from S1200 Left in line input setting
DDJ-SX: channel 4 plays sound from S1200 Right in line input setting

S1200 Left: connect to deck 3 in Cross. Output (sound) going back to S1200 Left (select deck output in options) and then as a regular line source to channel 3 on the DDJ-SX
S1200 Right: same as left but for deck 4/channel 4

I have already set an aggregate audio device on my MBP with most recent OSX version.

Anybody shed some light on this?

Thanks in advance & greetinx,
Chuck

[discopex]

Did I understand correctly that you sometimes use Denons as standalone players and sometimes as deck 3&4 controllers? this would most probably mean dedicated mappings for each purpose.

[FigDJ]

What I'd like to achieve is the following:

DDJ-SX: channel 1 stays connected to deck 1 in Cross
DDJ-SX: channel 2 stays connected to deck 2 in Cross
DDJ-SX: channel 3 plays sound from S1200 Left in line input setting
DDJ-SX: channel 4 plays sound from S1200 Right in line input setting

S1200 Left: connect to deck 3 in Cross. Output (sound) going back to S1200 Left (select deck output in options) and then as a regular line source to channel 3 on the DDJ-SX
S1200 Right: same as left but for deck 4/channel 4

I have already set an aggregate audio device on my MBP with most recent OSX version.

Anybody shed some light on this?

IMHO The best way to achieve what you want is to

1. Make sure you connect all devices and your audio is correct.
2. Duplicate you DDJ-SX map and call it something else.
3. Point all devicess to use the duplicated file.
4. Make sure your S1200s are to MIDI channel 3 on the left and 4 on the right.
5. Map your S1200 controls
6. Save you map.
7. If you already have a map for the S1200, copy the MIDI output section of that file to the MIDI output section of your duplicate and newly mapped file.
8. Make sure all S1200 output commands (LED command from Cross to the 1200s) are set for channels 3 and 4.
9. Test, test , test.
10. Modify as appropriate and test again.
11. Repeat 9 and 10 until completely satisfied.

[RoJeC]

You nailed it again FigDJ,

The issue was the 1200 channel 3 overruled MIDI channel 2 of SX.

Likely your suggestion is the ticket for success

[DJ Vintage]

mmm ... more difficult than I had hoped, but great feedback FigDJ!

There are standard mappings for the S1200 in Cross, they are on "the list".

What I failed to grasp was the concept of having to make one BIG mapping for all of it.

It seems to me (and I might be wrong, but I thought that is the way Traktor does it too) that every device uses it's own mapping and you can then associate the device with a deck of your choice (bit like the way you assing outputs to decks.
Apparently it is more like making an aggregate device in OSX.

Since I am totally alien to anything more difficult than adding a task to a button where mapping is concerned, I am not sure this is gonna be worth the trouble for me. I am in a place right now where I can't handle much extra frustration and somehow all this mapping adaptation just to get two additional controllers to work seems too big of a risk for frustration :-).

I primarily use two channels, (very) occasionally the sampler. I thought it would come in handy to have the Denons set as the permanent deck 3 and 4 controllers. I'll probably end up just using them with CDs/USB and as backups in case of laptop/HD crash.

Perhaps if I can find my panic medication I will give it a shot this weekend though. Thanks again all for the responses.

Greetinx,
Chuck