Headphone Problem while playing with Pioneer DDJ-FLX 4

Aleksandros_Panayoti · January 1, 2025, 7:42pm

Hi all…

I’m using the Pioneer DDJ FLX4 as a DJ controller with djay PRO’s latest update. I have serious problems with the headphone sound after playing three or four hours! I have to change the pre-cue ing to another source, apply and then again to switch back to ddj flx4 so that to make it work properly again and to hear a clear headphone sound!

Can you help me solving the problem?

DJ_Big_Blender · January 2, 2025, 10:33am

I also experience some problems with the pff headphone system.

What exactly are the problems that you stumble across?

Aleksandros_Panayoti · January 2, 2025, 4:04pm

While using headphones during DJ nights, after approximately 2-3 hours, the sound from the headphones starts to deteriorate. I begin to hear the song I’m listening to in a choppy manner, and the sound becomes distorted. When I unplug and replug the controller’s cable connection or change the headphone source and switch back to the Pioneer Controller, the problem gets resolved.

I also updated the firmware of my dj controller and also the version of my macOS but nothing changed. Last time I also supplied my djay controller with a power source - thinking that the problem may occur because of the lack of power - but again nothing has changed

Slak_Jaw · January 2, 2025, 5:08pm

Hi @Aleksandros_Panayoti, when creating new topics, please do not forget to answer the questions in our template with specific details about your setup not just “iPad” or “Latest Version”. This helps all of our community moderators to provide the most effective support to users with the utmost efficiency. Thanks!

Device Model (ex. 2020 iPad Air 4th Gen):
Version of operating system (ex. iOS 17.3.1):
Version of djay (ex. 5.1.3):
Hardware/controllers used (ex. Reloop Ready):
Hardware Firmware Version (ex. 2.7):

Are you running any other applications when DJing?
Do you have iCloud enabled for djay?

Aleksandros_Panayoti · January 2, 2025, 7:39pm

Device Model: MacBookPro, M1, 2020
Version of operating system: macOS Sequoia 15.2
Version of djay: 5.2.6
Hardware/controllers used: Pioneer DDJ-FLX4 (DJ Controller), Solid State Logic 2 (Audio Interface), Sennheiser HD-25 (Headphones)
Hardware Firmware Version: 1.0.6 (for Pioneer Controller)

I’m not running any other applications when I’m using djay Pro
I don’t know what is iCloud for djay Pro, but I have an active subscription and an active My djay Account and that is: alexpanayotidis@hotmail.com

Slak_Jaw · January 2, 2025, 7:47pm

Thanks for the additional details @Aleksandros_Panayoti. This is helpful. Regarding iCloud:

Choose Apple menu, System Settings, then click your name.
Click iCloud.
Under Saved to iCloud, click See All to see which apps are using with iCloud.

image1044×1023 135 KB

Slak_Jaw · January 2, 2025, 7:50pm

With your DJ hardware connected to your Mac, please also navigate to the djay Settings>Audio Devices and share a screenshot of this page.
How exactly are you connecting this hardware to your Mac (please share some photos if possible)? Thanks!

Aleksandros_Panayoti · January 2, 2025, 8:11pm

Yes, the iCloud syncing mode is on for djay PRO, I also checked it in the advanced tab of the djayPRO settings menu and I see that the iCloud Syncing Status seems to be Active.

Slak_Jaw · January 2, 2025, 8:19pm

Okay thanks for confirming. Please follow the process below to reset the iCloud state:

Quit djay.
Make sure you have a backup of your djay Media Library.djayMediaLibrary file on an external drive or in the cloud.
If you have previously disabled iCloud for djay Pro in System settings, please make sure it is re-enabled for djay Pro.
Open the app Terminal.app
Run this command: defaults write com.algoriddim.djay-iphone-free CMCResetCloudKitState -bool true
Launch djay

This will reset the cloudkit state and should clear up the issue. Thanks!

Aleksandros_Panayoti · January 2, 2025, 8:19pm

Slak_Jaw · January 2, 2025, 8:22pm

Thanks for the pictures @Aleksandros_Panayoti. I recommend that you also keep the FLX4 connected to a separate 9V 3A power supply when DJing and not rely entirely on USB bus power.

Slak_Jaw · January 2, 2025, 8:23pm

Also, are you using this audio interface in conjunction with the FLX4 or not?

Aleksandros_Panayoti · January 2, 2025, 8:31pm

As I said earlier, I also supplied my djay controller with a power source - thinking that the problem may occur because of the lack of power - but again nothing has changed.

Aleksandros_Panayoti · January 2, 2025, 8:37pm

I send another picture showing everything and that are; the power supply, the audio interface connection and the controller connection. You can also see on the screen, the audio devlces menu, with master output the ssl 2 audio interface and the ddj-flx4 for pre-cuing…

Aleksandros_Panayoti · January 2, 2025, 8:46pm

I copied and pasted what you wrote in Terminal app and then I pressed enter.

Then I launched djayPro. Everything looks fine, but to check if the issue is resolved I have to djay for a long time and that is tomorrow night and later on on I will let you know the result.

Is there anything else that I have to do?

Slak_Jaw · January 2, 2025, 8:57pm

Thanks for the additional photos and info @Aleksandros_Panayoti. There’s nothing else to do, but testing. Please report back tomorrow after your gig to confirm if that solved your issue. Thanks!

EDIT: one other thing to consider is your USB-C cables. Please make sure you are using high quality, properly shielded cables from reputable manufacturers.

EDIT 2: If the issue occurs again, can you please capture a Sample Process using Activity Monitor on your Mac while the issue is happening?

In the Activity Monitor app on your Mac, click the System diagnostics options pop-up menu, then choose Sample Process to create a report on a selected process over a period of 3 seconds.
Then upload the report to your Google Drive/Dropbox, enable sharing permissions, then share a link to the file here.

Thanks!

Aleksandros_Panayoti · January 2, 2025, 10:31pm

EDIT: In order to connect both my DJ Controller and my Audio Interface with my Mac, I use the original cables that came out of the boxes of each hardware. For my Mac I use also its own Mac charger. To provide power supply for my DJ Controller I use an Anker 67W Iq3 charger with a usb-c to usb-c cable of the brand Baseon Glimmer Series 100W model… I think each one of these connections are ok but it is good that you asked.

EDIT 2: I will do the activity manager sample process if the problem occurs again and I will share the report with you. In any case I will let you know the result.

I really appreciate your help!

Slak_Jaw · January 2, 2025, 10:44pm

You’re welcome @Aleksandros_Panayoti. Happy to help!

Aleksandros_Panayoti · January 6, 2025, 5:06pm

Hello again… Unfortunately the problem occured again and after 1.5 hours the headphone voice deteriorated.

I did another test at home today, with baseus connection cables, but it occured again and as you suggested I used Activity Monitor and I took a system diagnostic report:

I didn’t stop the session and after taking the report I realized that the headphone sound was fine again without restarting djay or changing the pre-cue source.

I don’t know if it will happen again or not but since you asked I share the log report with you at the google drive link to the file above…

Slak_Jaw · January 6, 2025, 5:30pm

Thanks for the additional info and sample process @Aleksandros_Panayoti. When this happened were you using your SSL 2 as the Main Output and the FLX4 as the Pre-Cueing? Does this issue happen if you only use the FLX4 for Main Output and Pre-Cueing? Thanks!