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VMS4 Discussion Central - discuss and solve VMS4 issues

FM Former Member
I am making this thread as a central place for all the (hardware) issues to be discussed and ranted about. So that they may be addressed and fixed soon and everyone can soon be a happy VMS4 owner.
There seem to be quite a few issues that need to be addressed for many people who have already purchased the VMS4, some of them might have simple solutions, others may be more complicated.

The issues are laid out below, so if you had these issues, found a way around for them, have an answer to some of the issues, you can post them here.
If more issues pop up, please describe with detail so someone can possibly also help fix them.
Would be great help for all other users and potential future buyers of VMS4.

Firstly, a few things to get out of the way;

A)The jogwheel platters require the rubber ON in order for it to have its dual function (pitchbend, scratching) [read below as to why that is]

B)Having the Master volume/output around +4db gives you the optimum sound, set the amplifier, gains, etc, accordingly.

C)As explained by 'emarx': "If you want to check the VU meters on an individual channel, just hit the CUE button on that channel. This will both allow you to cue the channel in headphones and will switch the VU meter to display the CUE audio level. So here adjustments to the master volume will have no effect on the VU meter display."
If you deactivate the CUE on all of the channels, then the VU meter will display the master audio level.

D)In order to have the eq bands (highs, mids, lows) to move on the software (i.e. to use the software eq) you need to switch the VMS4s settings to have its eq section switched to midi. By default, the VMS4 uses its own eq no matter what software you use. This is also why if you use VDJ's internal recording feature, the mix will not record properly as the VMS4 eq is being used. [consult the manual to see how to switch]

E)To get support via email from americandj on issues email support@americanaudio.us (for those of you in the US)
Another email address that might get you some luck with issues; service@americandj.com or service@americandj.eu (for people in Europe)

Now on to some of the pressing issues\complications with VMS4, with answers (hopefully) to be found in the discussions/posts by others:

1a)First off, (asio) driver issues, if the supplied CD is not getting you the drivers you need, a look on the VMS4 website will get you all that you need - documents, midi files and drivers;
VMS4 drivers/files download
For Mac drivers, they are located on the provided CD; name, install_virtualdj_le_vms4_v6.1.mpkg (a simple search on the CD should get you the location)

2a)To get this out of the way. Jogwheel stiffness: this cannot be changed, it is the way it is.
2b)Regarding the jogwheel function(s), see point 8.

3)There is another issue with gain changes and master volume and the fact that they are both linked on the same VU meters. When using a software (VDJ, Traktor) it should not be much of an issue as there is internal meters to help out.

4)Using samples over a track causes the sample EQ as well as the track playing to decrease in volume.

5)Master volume has no output under a certain level. Problems with the mic channels being too noisy. And a buzzing sound pulsing together with the play button LED.

6)Problems with using the VMS4 with Traktor (Scratch Pro). People cannot get it started with Traktor, or have to restart multiple times before it starts to respond. Some only get midi signals through but not on the rotaries (eq bands).

7)Solution to sound problems and quality can be found here;
http://www.vms4dj.com/Files/vms4.pdf
page,19 (starting on 17)
It requires a bit of work, but should solve sound issues.

8)Regarding the Jog Wheels! and the rubber on the sides: a user on the virtualdj forums pointed out an issue;
"I noticed for a start the outside of the jog wheel pitch bended and the inside scratched, after removing the rubber it's not doing that any more. In the manual it says the outside and inside of the wheels work independent of each other?"
-Apparantely (according to another user) the jogwheel metal acts like a conductor, so the touch of the finger (i.e. skin) sets off its scratch ability, thats why on the sides it has the rubber so to avoid touching the metal and setting off the scratching mode...and keeping it for scrubbing, searching etc.
(Someone from the american audio really needs to clear this up!!!)

9)If you have issues with the mic, check out page 3 of this thread...it has discussions and possible solutions to mic related issues.
Last edited {1}
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FM Former Member
Here are my issues as emailed to Brian...

excitedly received my vms4 today and I'm having massive problems.

My jog wheels are off centre (this cannot be right)

The sound quality varies a lot from excellent to very poor and distorted. (all these songs play perfectly from my computer normally)

Sometimes the sound cuts out completely especially when in the mix.

The sound stutters a lot of the time ie rapidly going on and off and distorting especially when in the mix but often when playing one song.

When I press the 3rd cue button the fourth one comes on. (only when the usb is plugged in)

The cue mix knob leaks the song playing from the master output when I have it turned all the way anti clockwise (This should only give the song I'm cueing in the headphones).

The pfl levels are wildly inaccurate

The vu meters on the screen in vdj show much higher levels than on the vms4 unit

When I adjust the Channel upfaders and crossfader this isn't represented on the screen in vdj

After many hours using vdj le and suffering these problems I decided to try the 20 day trial of vdj pro and all these problems remain.

I decided that it could be the vdj software and decided to check your forum and people are having similar difficulties with tractor.

When I power the vms4 up it shows 3 lights on the left vu meter and 8 on the right (so that's correct according to your forum).

That's about it so far at the moment, the unit it completely unusable and thank god I didn't take straight to a gig. (looks very pretty though)

Also I live in the UK so your free helpline is no good to me.

This is nothing to do with my computer I use a macbook pro and my dj partner is an apple mac mechanic.
FM Former Member
I think everybody's jog wheels are off centre!

Seems there's no point me sending my unit back to the retailer for a swap either, if we're all in the same boat.

As for the faders not moving on screen, you have a real mixer (the VMS4) you don't need the onscreen one!

Although I agree it does seem to throw lots of first time users - they do expect the faders to move on screen.

In VDJ Pro, you can set 'external mixer' and the controls don't show.
FM Former Member
The jogwheels being off-centre is a bit of a bummer...! But its not a big issue, more an imperfection, maybe they get it right in the future builds. But the one or two posts regarding the sound quality does bother me. But I guess a soundcard, or routing it through to another mixer (at clubs) as final output are always two options.
D dustyMember
Mine as well has off-centre jogs.

I agree with GroovingDJ and confirm that there is no way to use the unit w/o power supply. I tried on a desktop PC (Asus PQ5 mobo, 1kW int power supply) - none of the free usb ports (front/back panel) were able to power the controller that it would function properly. Same story on MacBook.

Confirm the "3+4" cue issue. Tested on Mac/PC.

Available Traktor's mappings don't work properly. On MacBook by fiddling with mappings I was able to fix some issues like x-fader functionality and effects select/control but I'm not really an expert there.
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by Deephouser:
Also the asio drivers on the supplied cd do are not recognised by my Mac "Unrecognised format or corrupt file"


Hi Mate

How did you get the LE Installed to work on your Mac then?

My Mac files are corrupt also! Any help would be awesome mines just collecting dust at the moment.

Cheers mate
FM Former Member
Hi guys
Got mine yesterday and here is my experience so far:
Got out of box - mmm nice...
Had trouble installing the ASIO driver - would not run just came up with a black box and closed again. Emailed AA europe tech support but message rejected..
Finally decided to install VDJ & the ASIO driver installs as part of that - phew...
Then downloaded the tsi for traktor pro and then ran traktor & used the vms4 - all the mapping is in a mess - knobs and sliders adjusting all sorts of the wrong controls on screen - I feel a bit gutted right now...
So, we need a proper TSI file.. As for the jogwheels, one is more resistant than the other and does not spin down gradually, both spin down within 2 seconds - not sure how i feel about this as yet..

my system:
Dell D820 2ghz core 2 duo, win 7 32bit ultimate, 4gb ram, traktor pro 1.2.6

UK based
FM Former Member
quote:
Deephouser, when you talk about distortion and sound cutting out - are you running with the PSU plugged in, or just with USB power?

I do remember reading somewhere that trying to do too much when running on USB juice will stress the VMS4, which is why the PSU is provided.


I had the power supply plugged in yes.
FM Former Member
quote:
Hi Mate

How did you get the LE Installed to work on your Mac then?

My Mac files are corrupt also! Any help would be awesome mines just collecting dust at the moment.

Cheers mate


I just installed the vdj le as usual in my mac. AA tell me the asio drivers are for pc only. I have done everything to the letter and it doesn't work properly. I'm pretty gutted thought this was gonna be the dream machine. Seriously thinking about sending it back and buying an alternative. Frowner
FM Former Member
I think for a product that was 'extra' delayed, or in other words put off for launch until a much later date then first scheduled with the main reasons given by officials that it was being tested and then to come with such issues, it really is disappointing.
In all this time that the product was delayed, what were you guys doing at the ADJ with the product...picking your noses?
All ranting aside, from the couple videos I have seen of the product it does seem to work, also the ones from once it was 'launched' and made available, so then why the issues with some of these VMS4s people got...?
Hope you guys at the ADJ get it solved for people fast.
FM Former Member
Still no reply from the four any of the support emails I sent to four addresses. Also I have been reading a thread on the VDJ forum about the vms4 and it looks like the clear plastic rings that come around the jog wheels are supposed to stay on lol! I assumed they were to protect the jog wheels but people are arguing they are to give you a jog wheel effect when using the vms4's jog wheels in vinyl mode! Can someone from ADJ or AA clear this one up pls?

"Also, you need to have the rubber strips on the jogs if you want bending capabilities while in Vinyl mode."

http://www.virtualdj.com/forum...ntroller.html?page=6
FM Former Member
Maybe I didn't make myself clear above but if this is the case it's an absolute toy! These jog wheels are described as legendary in the promotion! They are off centre and now we have to have clear rubber rings around them to use them? Or not? With the rings on they scratch and look and feel whack!

But yes indeed you do get a pitch bend effect in vinyl mode instead of the track scratching.

Also after another play with it the I've noticed the leaking headphone fader as described in my earlier posts only happens when cueing channel 3 and not when cueing channel 2.
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by Deephouser:
Maybe I didn't make myself clear above but if this is the case it's an absolute toy! These jog wheels are described as legendary in the promotion! They are off centre and now we have to have clear rubber rings around them to use them? Or not? With the rings on they scratch and look and feel whack!

But yes indeed you do get a pitch bend effect in vinyl mode instead of the track scratching.

Also after another play with it the I've noticed the leaking headphone fader as described in my earlier posts only happens when cueing channel 3 and not when cueing channel 2.


Hi all

I hope no one from VDJ gets upset with this but I just downloaded Traktor, it works better on there demo version than my pro edition VDJ. I hate to admit it but it just seems to have been set up with the Mac in mind user in mind.

Try for yourself it just seems a better set up, so once I have the readies I am off to TRAKTOR!
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by Deephouser:
Maybe I didn't make myself clear above but if this is the case it's an absolute toy! These jog wheels are described as legendary in the promotion! They are off centre and now we have to have clear rubber rings around them to use them? Or not? With the rings on they scratch and look and feel whack!

But yes indeed you do get a pitch bend effect in vinyl mode instead of the track scratching.



Hi deephouser,

this is based on a simple technical background. since the jogwheels are made of one metal piece, there only can be one function assigned to it, when the rubbers are removed. if you would like to have more functions, like in vinyl mode, you need to have the rubbers attached in order to have scratching and pitch bending.

Another solution is to use a button on your VMS4 a s a"switcher" between thos 2 functions in order to not use the rubbers.

@ souf: please edit your first post in this thread, the correct email adress is support@americanaudio.us - the .com one is wrong. my fault!
Last edited by Former Member
FM Former Member
Deephouser, regarding the jog wheels; I think they function as 'advertised' although its true that American Audio conveniently did not mention that the rubber looking thing cannot be taken off if one would want to continue using the two features of the platter. And due to the fact that they were always on, even when DJ Freshfluke used it during the promos, it kind of became apparent that they are meant to stay on. Although I must admit at first I thought it was just a protective measure.
But aside this fact, I think the equipment has more pressing issues that need to be taken care of.
FM Former Member
quote:
functionality

@Souf: I think things will run and sound much better if you allow the VU meters to peak at roughly +4 when checking the Master audio (no channel CUE buttons are engaged). Many DJs run the sound way too low - down in the -20dB or even less - and then crank their amps way up, which will definitely result in much worse S/N performance.
FM Former Member
I just figured out it is the midi setting.

But I also found a bug in the jogwheel midi control (only used post-fader mode, don't know if pre-fader mode gives off different notes (?)

@Emarx:

Let's say I'm using the deck B jogwheel with the rubber rims.

The platter gives 3 midi notes (without the shift key, than it has an additional 3 notes):
- No touch - Ch01.Note.G#5
- Surface touch - Ch01.CC.050
- Jogwheel spin - Ch01.CC.050 + Ch01.CC.051

I've configured the jogwheel to have it in scratch mode when spinned on the top surface, and pitch bend when spinnened on the outer rubber rim.

I noticed that the touch sensitivity is not accurate, when I spinn the wheel, it should give midi message Ch01.CC.050 + Ch01.CC.051, and when released Ch01.Note.G#5.
But most of the time it hangs on midi message Ch01.CC.050 + Ch01.CC.051, instead giving message Ch01.Note.G#5 when released.

Can you confirm this?

The workaround I used is to have the rotary sensitivity all the way down to 2% and acceleration to about 10%. So when I use the wheel for tempo bend I slightly push it the opposit direction after the pithbend so it drops back to midi message Ch01.Note.G#5

Still annoying though.
Last edited by Former Member
ihearyouamericanaudioihearyouamericanaudioMember
quote:
Originally posted by Deephouser:
Still no reply from the four any of the support emails I sent to four addresses. Also I have been reading a thread on the VDJ forum about the vms4 and it looks like the clear plastic rings that come around the jog wheels are supposed to stay on lol! I assumed they were to protect the jog wheels but people are arguing they are to give you a jog wheel effect when using the vms4's jog wheels in vinyl mode! Can someone from ADJ or AA clear this one up pls?

"Also, you need to have the rubber strips on the jogs if you want bending capabilities while in Vinyl mode."

http://www.virtualdj.com/forum...ntroller.html?page=6



Yes the Rubber ring have a puspose they are insulators so that you dont set of the touch sensor on the jogwheel around the edge.
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by Johnny R.:
A bit lame that wasnt statet anywhere about these rubber rings..

So this is the only way pitch bend and scratch will work on the jogwheel in Traktor?

Well then send me some new ones... threw them away becuase i thought it was for protectional purpose only...

Cheers!


send me your adress and we will send them out to you.

@ deephouser: what do you complain????
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by GroovinDJ:
I think everybody's jog wheels are off centre!

Seems there's no point me sending my unit back to the retailer for a swap either, if we're all in the same boat.

As for the faders not moving on screen, you have a real mixer (the VMS4) you don't need the onscreen one!

Although I agree it does seem to throw lots of first time users - they do expect the faders to move on screen.

In VDJ Pro, you can set 'external mixer' and the controls don't show.


who gives a sh!t if the jog wheels are "off center"???
they are NOT "motorized" jog wheels guys...
this is not a turntable platter
that spins continuously to the point where you would even notice the "wobble"..
and what do you mean jog wheels are too "firm", how far back of a "backspin" are you trying to do? i mean c'mon really guys??
the jog wheels main function on this thing is to do some basic cueing, slow the songs down from the edges of the platter, do a pitch bend when the vinyl button is NOT on, and to do some simple to semi-complex scratching when the vinyl button IS on...
FYI - virtual DJ has a "backspin" effect built in, right outta tha box on VDJ LE...
i suggest maybe a shot of WD-40 to the platter to loosen it, but i think the firmer the better...
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by GroovinDJ:
Well maybe you've got $625 to throw away on something that's not made very well, but a lot us haven't.

Have you even got your VMS4 yet?

Let's see how you feel once you've actually tried it for yourself....


PMSFL!!

That's why mines gone back now lol, I got a Numark Omni & Traktor Control x1
FM Former Member
My first gig with the vms4 -
pretty good apart from crap sound on the mic input.. Big problem for me unless i can get a inline mixer with mic input because if i cant use this for mic use then i will have to set up another mixer alongside which is really inpractical. Does anyone know what the mic quality is like on the jockey controller?
FM Former Member
I've solved my mic problems:

Radio mics: Gains turned way down max 25% and I get a non distorted sound.

Lead mics: Both mine are relatively cheap backup mics and both work ok, but with the gain at no higher than 10-15% before peaking the master VU's

My usual config is with added bass and enough treble so that I can be heard clearly. However in testing the mic EQ's don't appear to be making much of a difference.

Cheers,

Roy
FM Former Member
From a clean install I did the VDJ LE edition and updated the firmware to 3.11 right away and installed my pro VDJ software when I did that I only got sound out of chan 2 for both the R/L decks but all sliders worked properly. So I uninstalled all the software including the ASIO drivers and did fresh install again. This time I get sound on my chan 1-2 even with all my sliders down to off, with the lights for the gains still showing as if theyre up and active. Also now my cross fader isn't working so I am left scratching my head at this point. I have everything set properly to USB settings and also the 4 not 8 setting as I saw posted on forums. I am open for suggestions at this point
FM Former Member
here are my testing impressions, i have tested the vms4 a whole day with traktor scratch pro using an audio8 and a denon 3700 and the mapping of dj freshfluke. posted the same in the ni forum.
----------------------------------
today the unit arrived.

+ weight, size, this unit is not looking toyish
+ overall quality
+ button quality
+ buttons and knobs are lit
+ diversity e.g. in connectivity
+ .tsi from our native girl

- the filter knobs are located to close to each other, meaning you can't completely turn a knob from 100% to 0% without touching a neighbour, biggest K.O. from my point of view
- the filter section of the unit is not really compatible with traktor, because the filter section is mixed with rotaries and knobs
- knobs are not working precise enough in internal mixing mode
(meaning: e.g. you turn an eq knob to 50% and the setting in tsp is 93%)
therefor a usage in internal mode is not conceivable
- the crossfader is only sending one midi note, meaning there is no way to set on, off positions like it was possible with the vci
- the shift button on the unit is not sending a midi not at all and therefore completely useless for midi assingments
indeed the shift button not even toggles, meaning you have would have to hold the button pressed to handle deck c and d. a workaround using modifiers would be thinkable but is not the same
- mousepad is not working precise enough, even though i have tested several settings in the mouse system control and therefor worthless and not usable instead of the touchpad

will sent the unit back soon, and still use my vci :-(

cheers
chill
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by chill:
here are my testing impressions, i have tested the vms4...
cheers
chill


@ chill...
The thing with internal eq is quite odd, but maybe see if others had this problem as well, I think that it might be more about playing around with the settings and mapping it correctly inside Traktor. Also try mapping a couple things you are having trouble with from scratch, that way you can definitely see if its a real problem or not.
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