FUNCTION WINDOW

Vinyl / CDJ / External Audio Control

Not available in House Edition Upgrading Deckadance will unlock this feature.

Controls

Pitch control and tempo variation are achieved by tracking the pitch and phase of a signal from a record or CD. Select the input for decks A and B using the Setup options dialog opened from the main Menu Bar (see the screenshot below).

• Scopes - The oscilloscopes provide a display for the quality of the tracking signal. A good signal is indicated by a clean circle that fits inside the scope window (50-75% of the diameter).
• Tracking mode - The images of turntables and laptop to the left of the oscilloscopes allow you to select:
  • Absolute tracking (top deck) - Deckadance will locate a position in the track automatically, depending on the position the needle is placed in the vinyl (or CDJ track position).
  • Relative tracking (middle deck) - Relative mode changes only the playback speed and direction based on Vinyl input (or CDJ track input).
  • Internal tracking (bottom PC) - Deckadance transport is controlled internally, external timecode control is disabled.
• INVERT PHASE - Inverts the phase of the input signal. Try this button if absolute mode does not work. The control is only visible for 'Deckadance Control CD'.
• Timecode source - Use the left/right arrow controls to select your timecode source format:
  • Timecoded CD (CDJ) - Select 'Deckadance Control CD'. To create a Deckadance Control CD use the Global Options > CONTROL CD CREATOR. This will create a 26 minute .wav file ready to be burned to CD for use in your CDJ. Deckadance's timecode is ultra-accurate with twice the 'control frames' per-second compared to other leading control CD formats and so is designed to work with Deckadance to deliver the tightest control possible. In addition it includes time feedback auto-correction so that the CDJ and time displayed in Deckadance are always in perfect sync. Deckadance will behave as if the music was coming from a CD in the CDJ itself.
  • Vinyl - Select ms PINKY gen 1,2,3,4 or CD, Torq or Reflex PCDJ. If you have any other brand of timecoded vinyl, set mspinky generation to "4" and use the LEARN TIMECODE function as described below. Supported formats - Fully tested and supported formats include: Final Scratch, MixVibes, ms PINKY (Gen 1 to 4), Serato Scratch Live and Torq timecodes. All other control sources are supported through the vinyl control record speed 'LEARN TIMECODE' system.
• INPUT THRU - Passes audio inputs through to the output of Deckadance. Use this to play regular vinyl records (make sure the associated deck is 'Internal tracking' so the input from the turntable is not treated as a control signal). If you are using a control vinyl when INPUT THRU is "on" you'll hear the tracking signal "whistle" in the mix. Useful when setting up your rig, but your audience probably won't like it if you forget to turn in off :)
• LEARN TIMECODE - Calibrate Deckadance to the default speed of your timecoded vinyl (if you are using a CD see the section on Timecoded CD (CDJ) above). To obtain the most accurate vinyl calibration:

  1. Ensure your setup is fine and that you have a 'healthy' tracking signal on the input, at approximately 50%-70% amplitude.

  2. Play the record or CD at normal speed (important with normal/reset pitch in your turntable!).

  3. Press 'learn' and hold for 3 to 4 seconds.

  4. Release 'learn' and you're done!

• GAIN - Adjust the input level for the associated deck. Tips to obtaining an accurate lock on the tracking signal on the record. The signal level from your turntable is important, it should be set to about 50-70% from the center of the oscilloscope window to the edge. A signal which is too loud will clip and degrade the tracking signal. A signal which is too low can lead to phase ambiguity and so affect spin direction detection.

• RUMBLE - Rumble Threshold, ignores input audio signals below the threshold level. Use Right Mouse Button to reset to -50.0 dB.

• LEAD IN - Coming soon.

Setting the input control signal

Use the Gain knob to set the amplitude so that a circle is formed about 50-75% of the maximum diameter that will fit in the window. Use the Rumble knob to clean up scatter or noise in the signal, compare the screenshot above to the one below, not the cleaner looking circle below.

Setting Control Deck A/B inputs

Audio INPUTS are used to receive the control signals from external Vinyl or CDJ decks. INPUTS are selected and set in the Audio Settings page.

Additional Settings

Between the Vinyl / Extended Controls for Decks A and B are several additional settings:

MONITOR CONTROL

• Monitor Mix Fader - An independent monitor fader that blends between Main and PFL (Pre Fader Level) outputs on the phones.
• Monitor Level - Use to adjust the global monitoring level.
• PHONE SPLIT - L/R monitoring. When selected, you will hear PFL in your left headphone and Master in the right one, assuming that your monitor setup is routed to your headphones and you have them on the correct way around. Perhaps we assume too much?! :)
• OVERDRIVE - Colors the monitor signal and boots levels to make it easier to distinguish from the PA. Watch your ears! Note: Consider investing in a good set of 'in-ear' monitors, these effectively reduce the noise from the club PA, allowing you to monitor at levels significantly lower than normal, don't lose the beat..

MASTER CONTROL

• MASTER LEVEL - Main output levels from the program, usually this is the feed to the club's PA.

CROSSFADER CONTROL

• CURVATURE SLIDER - Adjusts between a very narrow/quick curve (left), useful for turntablism/scratching, and a more gradual X fade (right).
• REVERSED - Reverses the crossfader curve, i.e. Deck B is silenced when the crossfader is set to the right.
• LINEAR MODE - Bypasses the default fade curve and engages a simple linear fade curve. Most commonly used mode by DJs.

SAMPLER

• 8-BIT MICROSAMPLER - Record (right click to lock) and Play (right-click to lock) buttons. A simple inline master sampler with two basic functions: Record and Trigger. It is possible to record the master output mix (what you hear is what you sample) and then trigger it later in the mix. Note: Record time is limited to ~10 seconds. There is a full disk-recorder located on the central main display above the Function Window switches.