Pioneer CDJ-100 problem...I think??

[dj-d3]

So, I got my hands on a Pioneer CDJ-100 a few weeks ago and I've noticed something strange and wanted to see if other owners of this unit have the same problem...

When I beatmatch the CD, it seems to constantly slightly drift and this seems to happen on every track every time I mix with the CDJ unit (And NO, it's not my mixing skills! ). For example, I'll have it matched at +3.6. Then, it'll slightly drift a little too fast...so then I drop it down to +3.5. Then, it'll slightly drift a little too slow! This happens 100% of the time! Is this because the accuracy of .1 is not good enough?? Or is there something wrong with my motor??

Any feedback would be helpful..I'm trying to decide if I need to take this in for warranty service.

Thanx!!!

 

[verbal]

I think it's what you said. I notice the same thing with mine.

Isn't accurate enough.

Verbal

 

[Alex TC]

Hmmm.... What type of music do you spin? And most important, what type of file is in the CDs you're mixing? Most mp3 files have irregular BPM so it's easy to notice they drift a little during a more spot on, long mix.

Converted mp3 files (WAV., etc...) also drift, original CDs are more regular. In fact, everything drifts while mixing, it's hard to keep 2 tracks perfectly matched for longer than a couple of minutes. Sometimes it's close enough to mix and go unnoticeable, sometimes not.

The CDJ100S is a pretty basic CDJ yet it's very good for plain mixing. I have one that I use a lot at home and never felt abnormal drifting, I doubt it has anything to do with the motor (has no relationship with the laser reading tempo) or the beam. Pitch accuracy goes to 0.1% tough, only the CDJ1000 and CMX3000 have more accurate pitch increments (0.05 on +/-10% and 0.02% - the later on the CDJ1000 and in +/- 6% only)

 

[dj-d3]

Hey...thanks for the info guys. I do burn a lot of MP3's onto CD and mix with that...and that might be my issue.

I spin mainly progessive house, tech-house and tribal. So, I'm always looking for the looooong 2-3 min mixes. It doesn't drift immediately usually...I would say over a 25-30 second timeframe. So, I just do in-the-mix adjustments since I know the high/low range. Seems to work fine. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't defective equipment.

 

[Alex TC]

Nah, when digital equipment fails, it fails baaaad. Usually mechanical or software problems, causing either complete shut off of the sound, skipping frames or bad sound coming out(flanging, etc... as in the CD302). MP3's do tend to fluctuate in BPM so even (seemingly) perfect matched songs might drift indeed. Keep your hands in the pitch during the mix, that's the only way

 

[digitalfactor]

hey
i have a couple of cdj100 and it could be the same, you should adjust in the mix... so after 30 sec - 1 min a little drift just touch a little the jog dial and it is matched for a minute more... anyway in my opinion cdjs speed control is by far much better than the technics one...
I also burn mp3.. specially for out of catalog or hard to find songs.. sometimes they are ripped from vinyl and bpm are not so perfect...

I think every body here could agree that for a 2-3minutes mix (most likely remix) you need keep and ear always even if it seems perfectly matched.

see this:
0.1% adjust on a 130bpm song means 0.13 beats difference so after 30 sec you can have some audible drift...
to make your matches last more time you also can try to move the pitch without seeing any difference in the player screen, just a little.

 

[Alex TC]

... anyway in my opinion cdjs speed control is by far much better than the technics one...

I disagree with you, digitalfactor Perhaps for those who mix with CDJs only but if you mix using the pitch on both you're much better served with the feeling of the mechanical-acting, fast responding pitch of the Techs.

You also have the visual (tune speeding up/slowing down, the strobe dots, etc..) to help you with the sound on the phones - which is pretty much all you have when mixing and matching with CDJs.

 

[digitalfactor]

sure, alex nothing like the feeling of 2 wheels of steel... and the fresh vinyls, I also own a couple of 1200

I was talking about technical issue only, I think you mentioned the cdj controls speed by laser beam, so a +2 in the pitch it is not the same in each TT... of course mixing and matching is funnier with the 1200. but if you left two vinyls for 2 minutes alone you will probably hear the drifting sooner with the TT, than the cdjs



Anycase there is not a perfect mixing machine, mixing machine is you with your ear and your fingers... just an opinion

 

[Alex TC]

Indeed you always need a touch to help on loooong mixes, but I also need that when mixing with CDJs. Depending on how good you are and also on the conditions of the deck (TT's not CDJs as those won't loose precision or have worn pitches) it's possible to keep 2 songs matched for longer than 1 minute. I've noticed that it's slightly more precise with the 0.02% increments of the CDJ1000 but even in this case, the're also need of a help...