Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

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  • Dhar_2
    meat and potatoes
    • Jun 2004
    • 18917

    DJing Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

    So i finally took the plunge and decided to go digital. After having to leave my decks and records in the uk a few years ago, I have succumbe to the digital world. After a lot of faffing and some apprehensions about the set up and the annoying problem of getting the damn controller and traktor talking.

    On first impressions it’s a tidy piece of kit, weighty and well made. I’ve paired it with Traktor 3 and I have already been working on building up a library of tunes off beatport.

    So first things first. I have trawled the internet and for some reason I cant set my pitch fader to +-8% (i've only got 35%, 50% and 100%) Hence its is impossible to utilise the pitch faders (which are too small) for any sort of beat matching. One slight touch and its +- 0.7% pitch. Which basically means mixing is a farce! Anyone know why I havent got the 8% option?

    The Jog wheels are well made and weighty. Its nice to have something to knock a mix back into check. But they are completely useless for dropping in tracks and they have limited sensibility. You can catch a beat and hold it, but its impossible to drop it in, and I’ve had to resort to using the cue buttons for dropping in tracks. Winding tracks back as well is all wrong aswell, the wheel has a decvent forward motion but backwards its sluggish. God forbid that by mistake you touch the metal interior of the wheel instead of the glass edge as this pretty stops the track. Which brings me nicely onto Midi Mapping. How do you do it? Do u need a program or is it just code writing?

    The cross fader is cheap and plasticky compared to the volume faders which is a shame and the cue and stop buttons are located far too close to it. Hence I’ve managed to stop tracks mid mix.

    I’d like some advice of people who already have digital collections. I’m used to flicking through a record box not a bunch of files. A list of tracks is completely faceless, they is no sleeve or rating to help you identify what it is your looking at. Initially I tried to divide the releases into warm up, early set, mid set and peak folders. Whilst keeping them in their seprate release folders. The problem is in traktor it’s a pain going in and out of folders. But putting all the tracks individually in a folder means that finding what you want is a nightmare. How do you guys organise yourselves?



  • Haziel
    Likes a finger upthere
    • Jan 2007
    • 3195

    #2
    Re: Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

    I usually have 3 types of folders with their respective subfolders

    By genre
    by moods
    by action ( uplifiting , bomb , to start , to end , fillers )

    Congrats on going digital , a lot of people at live gigs are mixing their digital tracks with their vinyls and cds , which is what i will probably start doing when i get a decent vynil collection .

    Comment

    • panoulix
      MCast Resident DJ
      • Feb 2009
      • 737

      #3
      Re: Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

      If you loaded the proper official TKS file available from Vestax, you can go to Traktor 3 and set the pitch to the desired selection by the settings menu.

      It looks like you have the "ramp up" issue on your controller. Please tell me if you got your unit brand new or used, as I assume it carries an older firmware revision and you may need to get it upgraded by your nearest Vestax service center (or to order a firmware upgrading kit and do it by yourself).

      I had no issues with my VCI-100 when I was using it. I was navigating through folders via the buttons menu (there is a navigation cross on the top left hand side of the unit). Regarding the buttons distance, I had no problems at all even after gigging for 5 hours and I can assure you that I do not have thin fingers... I assume you will get used to it sooner or later.

      Regarding the build quality, I would agree with you. As most Vestax products, the faders and knobs easily wear out and feel cheapy. This is a common issue for most Vestax products. However you are lucky on the crossfader thing. The VCI-100 crossfader can easily be replaced by this: http://www.eclecticbreaks.com/proxfade/ .

      I hope this helps.
      http://www.panoulix.gr
      http://www.myspace.com/panoulix
      http://www.facebook.com/panoulix

      Comment

      • Dhar_2
        meat and potatoes
        • Jun 2004
        • 18917

        #4
        Re: Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

        I've already got the vestax tks file, the problem is that i havent got the option to select 8%

        traktorpitchfade.jpg

        I bought the unit new. lloking on the interwebz it should have a green sticker if its been upgraded and it hasnt, so i think i'm running firmware 1.0 or 1.1.

        tbh i'm rather pissed and by the looks of it vestax's support is shite here in italy! theres nothing on their site and i doubt there is anywhere i can take it to get it fixed here in italy! bollocks

        its one thing after another!

        Comment

        • panoulix
          MCast Resident DJ
          • Feb 2009
          • 737

          #5
          Re: Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

          Versions v1.0 and v1.1 have 100% the "rump up" issue, plus the firmware stucks easily. Mine was the v1.2 Black Edition and I also purchased a firmware upgrading kit from the US and upgraded it to v1.3 by myself.

          Since Vestax Italy fails to assist you, I still have the v1.3 kit and I can sell it to you, so that you can upgrade your unit by yourself (or via a friend who knows what to do). PS: PayPal or Bank Transfer only.
          Of course you can also order it from DJTechTools US (if it is still available in stock) http://techtools.myshopify.com/produ...-upgrade-cable (but if you order it from the US, it may have higher postage fees or customs duties and taxes, I cannot not sure on that). Anyway, the guys at DJTT are very cool and may also be able to assist you further on that.

          Of course plan B (sending the unit back and forth to a Vestax authorized service center abroad or to me, for an upgrade, may cost you a fortune in postage costs and may result in a delay as I already have a great experience on how Italian post works).

          PS: What is the version of Traktor 3 you are using? Is it the full and final retail version or the VCI -100 customized version that is Traktor 3.3LE that came bundled with your VCI?
          http://www.panoulix.gr
          http://www.myspace.com/panoulix
          http://www.facebook.com/panoulix

          Comment

          • Dhar_2
            meat and potatoes
            • Jun 2004
            • 18917

            #6
            Re: Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

            i'm goona look into the firmware issue! i'll give the shop where i bought it a ring and get them to deal with it if i can.
            How can you check which firmware your running? are there any tell tale signs (apart from this apparent green sticker)?

            I'm running the full version of Traktor 3.

            Comment

            • Dhar_2
              meat and potatoes
              • Jun 2004
              • 18917

              #7
              Re: Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

              had a look at the box and its says Ver.1.2.

              is there anyway to be sure?

              Comment

              • panoulix
                MCast Resident DJ
                • Feb 2009
                • 737

                #8
                Re: Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

                All Black Edition units carry the v1.2 firmware from factory.

                The Special Edition firmware is not supplied by Vestax anymore. It was a specialized firmware made for DJ Tech Tools and for the VCI-100SE that was sold in limited quantities by Vestax.

                You can quickly identify your firmware revisions by this post: http://www.djtechtools.com/forum/showthread.php?t=846

                The official way of identifying your unit firmware, is the Software EEPROM Programmer and Analyzer. However you will need the firmware upgrade kit as well as a TTL cable converter.

                If it is easy for you, plz upload a pic of what what you saw as v1.2 described.
                Normally if the unit is v1.2 this should be mentioned to the box near the serial number and the model revision and color description printed (or attached with a sticker) on the box surface.

                Please for safety reasons black out (erase or tamper) at least the last 4 digits of the serial number of the unit from the photo (if it is revealed after the photoshoot).

                And something else that may help:

                a) Since v1.3 is a limited edition firmware and specially designed for the VCI-100SE, Vestax will not support it anymore and will upgrade your unit to v1.2 and NOT to v1.3! Be aware of that.

                b) The firmware upgrading process is a task that is not covered by the warranty terms. This means that in case of upgrading your unit from v1.x to v1.2 at a Vestax Authorized service center, you will be charged normally for the labor according to their price catalogs.

                c) After upgrading your unit to the v1.3 firmware, you can switch to either v1.2 or v1.3 every time you power on the unit (with a combination of keys pressed while you power your unit on). This was very useful for me especially before gigging, as v1.3 needs a different TKS file and a layout mapping.

                I hope this helps and I'm sure that nobody on Vestax will be able to explain all these thoroughly to you
                http://www.panoulix.gr
                http://www.myspace.com/panoulix
                http://www.facebook.com/panoulix

                Comment

                • panoulix
                  MCast Resident DJ
                  • Feb 2009
                  • 737

                  #9
                  Re: Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

                  version 3.x.x.xxx ???? Plz identify what x.x.xxx stands for.
                  AFAIK the latest and most stable version of Traktor 3, is v3.4.1.040.

                  ...v3.2 and v3.3 had many issues and crashes.
                  http://www.panoulix.gr
                  http://www.myspace.com/panoulix
                  http://www.facebook.com/panoulix

                  Comment

                  • Dhar_2
                    meat and potatoes
                    • Jun 2004
                    • 18917

                    #10
                    Re: Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

                    Originally posted by panoulix
                    version 3.x.x.xxx ???? Plz identify what x.x.xxx stands for.
                    AFAIK the latest and most stable version of Traktor 3, is v3.4.1.040.

                    ...v3.2 and v3.3 had many issues and crashes.
                    no idea!

                    i've looked evrywhere and i cant find any info.

                    Comment

                    • Dhar_2
                      meat and potatoes
                      • Jun 2004
                      • 18917

                      #11
                      Re: Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

                      its all very confusing!

                      and yes you have explained it all a lot more fully than vestax or any of the forums i've been trawling.

                      i read this:-
                      the new ones have a one page piece of paper that details the features of the new firmware. One way to be able to tell if you have the new firmware is if you hit both "Vinyl" buttons at the same time, your jogwheel lights will go off because that is a new feature of the firmware, it allows you to turn off the jogwheels...
                      here:-http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55256&page=2

                      and mine does this! so i should have 1.2 - but if what they say on the DJTT site is correct

                      the firmware with the "ramp up problem"

                      the jog wheel touch sensor turns off when the wheel stops turning, not when you release your finger.
                      when i release my wheel whilst its in motion it remains red. hence it doesnt disconnect instaneously when you take your finger off.

                      heres a pic of the box and where i read the version 1.2.



                      its actually a sticker thats underneath the barcode and serial number sticker.

                      ?????
                      Attached Files
                      Last edited by Dhar_2; May 21, 2010, 03:42:23 AM.

                      Comment

                      • Dhar_2
                        meat and potatoes
                        • Jun 2004
                        • 18917

                        #12
                        Re: Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

                        finally got a reply from vestax! confirmed firmware 1.2.

                        next problem!

                        how the hell to do you write your own tsi files?

                        i'm using vestax's one at the minute but there are some things i'd like to change. anyone know how?

                        Comment

                        • panoulix
                          MCast Resident DJ
                          • Feb 2009
                          • 737

                          #13
                          Re: Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

                          I now saw the picture. Yes it's obviously a v1.2.
                          The only further upgrade for this is to the DJTT v1.3 VCI-100SE firmware, but you will also need the VCI-100SE layout and TSI file for that.

                          Regarding writing your own TSI file and since it will take ages and numerous posts that will get this thread totally out of topic, I redirect you to the Native Instrunments forum:





                          You will have more detailed replies there, as well as already written explanatory guides and FAQs.

                          You may need to register in order to post or browse some threads.

                          All the best,
                          Panoulix.
                          http://www.panoulix.gr
                          http://www.myspace.com/panoulix
                          http://www.facebook.com/panoulix

                          Comment

                          • Dhar_2
                            meat and potatoes
                            • Jun 2004
                            • 18917

                            #14
                            Re: Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

                            cheers mate,

                            i've already signed up on the NI board and the DJTT board

                            problem there loads of tsi's kicking about and they all have bits that work and bits that dont.

                            hopefully i'll find something that works for me.

                            Comment

                            • smighty
                              Fresh Peossy
                              • Jan 2008
                              • 3

                              #15
                              Re: Its all gone digital - Vestax VCI 100 and Traktor

                              I'm just about to make the plunge this week, decks have been locked up in storage with my records for ages. I've just spent €100 on digital tunes, and I'm about to go for the VCI 100 SE with Traktor Pro, I have no idea about mapping and firmware, but I assume i'll learn as I go.

                              Is there any reason I should be thinking about thte VCI 300 instead ???


                              Cheers.

                              Comment

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