Absolute Mode is Missing

Questions
1

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  • Device model (e.g. 2020 iPad Air 4th Gen):
  • Version of operating system (e.g. macOS 14.4.1):
  • Version of djay (e.g. 5.1.2):
  • Hardware/controllers used (e.g. Reloop Mixon 8 Pro):
  • Hardware firmware version (e.g. 1.0.1):
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YOUR QUESTION:

  1. DDJ-SX2 DVS works in djay Pro 5.6.8 but Absolute Mode is unavailable

Screenshot 2026-08-06 at 4.07.21 PM
Screenshot 2026-08-06 at 4.07.21 PM1920×1080 313 KB

Hello Algoriddim Team,

I have successfully configured DVS in djay Pro 5.6.8 on macOS Tahoe using a Pioneer DDJ-SX2.

My setup is:

  • djay Pro 5.6.8

  • macOS Tahoe

  • Pioneer DDJ-SX2

  • 2 turntables (Technics SL-1200 and Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB)

  • VirtualDJ timecode vinyl

  • DVS calibration is excellent on both decks (clean circles, stable signal)

Everything works correctly in Relative Mode. Tracking is accurate and playback is stable.

However, Absolute Mode is permanently disabled (greyed out).

When I open the deck mode menu, djay displays the following message:

“Control signal supports relative-mode only.”

I would like to know:

  1. Is Absolute Mode intentionally disabled because the DDJ-SX2 is not officially supported for DVS?

  2. If I purchase the official djay Control Vinyl, will Absolute Mode become available?

  3. Or is Absolute Mode impossible with the DDJ-SX2 regardless of which control vinyl is used?

Since the DVS functionality itself works perfectly, I would appreciate knowing whether the limitation comes from:

  • the controller,

  • the control vinyl,

  • or a software restriction.

Thank you very much for your time.

Best regards,

3

Hi @djleokar, thanks for the setup details and screenshot. That message points at the control signal on the record, not the DDJ-SX2. djay doesn’t gate DVS modes by controller model. Absolute Mode needs the record to tell djay where the needle is, and djay isn’t reading positional data from your VirtualDJ timecode, so it’s offering Relative only. djay officially supports the djay Control Vinyl plus any standard 1 kHz timecode record. I suspect that your VirtualDJ timecode record may not be 1kHz.

In the meantime, you can get needle drops without Absolute: enable Settings > DVS > Needle drop in REL mode. Dropping the needle jumps to the matching point in the track, and unlike Absolute you keep your cue points and loops. I hope that helps!

4

Hi,

Thank you very much for your detailed explanation. That clarifies a lot.

I understand now that the limitation is related to the control signal from the timecode record and not to my Pioneer DDJ-SX2.

I have already enabled Needle drop in REL mode, and it works well.

I have one final question before purchasing new control vinyl:

Can you please confirm whether the official djay Control Vinyl will enable Absolute Mode with my current setup (Pioneer DDJ-SX2 + djay Pro 5.6.8 on macOS Tahoe)?

I just want to be sure before buying a pair of official djay Control Vinyl.

Thank you very much for your help and support.

Best regards,
Leonidas

5

Hi again @djleokar, yes, the djay Control Vinyl supports Absolute Mode with the SX2. Also, when ABS mode becomes available, REL tracking gets even better.