Pioneer CDJ-900 User Manual

MULTI PLAYER

CDJ-900

Operating Instructions

http://www.prodjnet.com/support/

The Pioneer website listed above provides answers to frequently asked questions, information about software, and other up-to-date data of assistance to our customers.

http://www.prodjnet.com/rekordbox/support/

For inquiries on rekordbox, please see the support site indicated above.

Thank you for buying this Pioneer product. Please read through these operating instructions so you will know how to operate your model properly. After you have finished reading the instructions, put them away in a safe place for future reference. In some countries or regions, the shape of the power plug and power outlet may sometimes differ from that shown in the explanatory drawings. However the method of connecting and operating the unit is the same.

Contents

How to read this manual

The names of displays, menus, and buttons in this manual are enclosed in brackets. (e.g. [MASTER] channel, [ON/ OFF], [File] menu)

Before start

Features ...........................................................................................................................5

Before you start

What’s in the box .............................................................................................................7

Discs/ files playable on the CDJ-900 ..............................................................................7

Part Names and Functions

Control Panel ...................................................................................................................9

Rear Panel .....................................................................................................................10

Front Panel.....................................................................................................................10

Main unit display ...........................................................................................................11

Jog dial display section.................................................................................................11

Connections

Basic style ......................................................................................................................12

Using in combination with rekordbox .........................................................................12

Using other brands of DJ software ..............................................................................13

Connections for relay play ............................................................................................13

Playback

Loading discs.................................................................................................................14

Loading USB devices ....................................................................................................14

Using the PRO DJ LINK function ................................................................................14

Playback .........................................................................................................................15

Setting Cue ....................................................................................................................16

Setting Loop ...................................................................................................................16

Setting the loop automatically based on the track’s tempo (Auto Beat Loop) ........17

Storing cue and loop points .........................................................................................17

Operating the jog dial ...................................................................................................17

Using the [SLIP] button ................................................................................................18

Operating the CDJ-900 in combination with other devices ......................................18

Using the [BROWSE] button .......................................................................................19

Using the [TAG LIST] button .........................................................................................19

Using the [INFO] button ...............................................................................................20

Changing the settings

Using the [MENU/UTILITY] button ...............................................................................21

About the rekordbox software ......................................................................................22

About the driver software .............................................................................................25

Using other brands of DJ software ..............................................................................26

Additional information

Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................27

Error messages .............................................................................................................28

List of icons displayed on the main unit display section ...........................................28

Cautions on use ............................................................................................................29

Handling discs ..............................................................................................................29

Disclaimer ......................................................................................................................30

Specifications ................................................................................................................30

Before start

Features

The CDJ-900 is a multi player for professional DJs, offering the variety of functions, durability and operability required for working in discos and nightclubs.

MULTI MEDIA, MULTI FORMAT

The CDJ-900 can play not only discs (CDs), but also music files recorded on USB devices (flash memory drives and hard disks). Supported music file formats include not only music CD (CD-DA) and MP3 but also AAC, WAV and AIFF.

rekordbox

The included rekordbox music management software can be used to prepare playlists, cues, loops, hot cues and other data required for DJ play unhurriedly at home ahead of time. This allows you to devote all your attention to DJ play at the disco/ nightclub, with total assurance. From acquiring music files to DJ play, all steps in the cycle of the DJ’s work can be accomplished smoothly. rekordbox is an application for managing music files which are used for DJ play with a Pioneer DJ Player (i.e. CDJ-2000, CDJ-900). Data that has been detected and measured, as well as any points which have been set and stored using rekordbox, can be used in combination with a Pioneer DJ Player (i.e. CDJ-2000, CDJ-900) to achieve outstanding DJ performance.

PRO DJ LINK

Functions include “USB Export” using USB devices (flash memory drives and hard discs) and “rekordbox LINK Export” using the computer on which rekordbox is installed.

 USB Export

This function can be used to transfer rekordbox music files and management data using USB devices. This eliminates the need to take your computer to the disco or club.

At home/In a studio

Computer

At the disco/club

- Add to and analyze the collection.

- Prepare with rekordbox.

Load the USB device into the DJ player.

Write the rekordbox data onto a USB device.

- Play using the rekordbox data.

- Share rekordbox data using PRO DJ LINK.

The playing history is stored on the USB device.

Check and manage the playing history with rekordbox.

Load music files onto the computer from the Internet or discs.

rekordbox

DJ player

 rekordbox LINK Export

When the CDJ-900 and computer are connected by LAN cable, the rekordbox music files and management data can be transferred directly between them. This eliminates the need to export data to USB devices.

- Connect the computer and DJ player.

- Load the rekordbox data into the DJ player.

rekordbox

At home/In a studio

Computer

At the disco/club

- Add to and analyze the collection.

- Prepare with rekordbox.

- Play using the rekordbox data.

- Share rekordbox data using PRO DJ LINK.

Load music files onto the computer from the Internet or discs.

DJ player

Computer

Switching hub

SOUND CARD

The CDJ-900 is equipped with exclusive interface and MIDI interface for controlling the DJ software of other brands. There is also a built-in sound card, so other equipment can be connected easily.

DISPLAY

The combination of a GUI displaying music file information in easily understandable fashion and a rotary selector with easy operation lets you select tracks with no stress.

WAVE DISPLAY

This unit is equipped with a 100 x 7 dot WAVE display.

TAG LIST

In addition to playlists prepared using rekordbox, tracks to be played next can be temporarily collected inside the CDJ-900. The music files added to the tag list can be displayed as a list. This function is extremely convenient for selecting tracks during live performances.

KEYWORD SEARCH

Keyword searching, letter jumping and other functions let you quickly and precisely search for the desired music file.

HISTORY MEMORY

The CDJ-900 is equipped with a history function storing the playing history of music files. Playlists can be created from this playing history using rekordbox.

0.5 FRAME STEP

The minimum frame has evolved from 1 (1/ 75 seconds) to 0.5 frames. This makes it possible to set the cue and loop points with greater precision to achieve accurate, advanced DJ play.

QUANTIZE

The CDJ-900 is equipped with a quantize function for putting a track on beat even when the button is pressed roughly, as long as the track has been analyzed with rekordbox. When setting real time cues and auto beat loops, the beat is automatically set to the beat nearest the position at which the button was pressed.

HIGH SOUND QUALITY

The CDJ-900 is designed for thorough improvement of the sound quality, for both the digital and analog outputs. For the digital circuitry, the CDJ-900 is equipped with a high performance Wolfson D/ A converter. For the analog circuitry, a hybrid OP amplifier is used to reduce to the utmost limits that inaudible noise of 20 kHz and higher that can blur the original sound. Unwanted digital noise is shut out to achieve clear, highly transparent sound faithful to the original.

Before you start

What’s in the box

 Audio cable  Power cable  Control cord  LAN cable  Disc force eject pin  CD-ROM (rekordbox)  License key  Warranty card  Operating instructions (this document)

Discs/ files playable on the CDJ-900

Playable discs

Discs including the following marks on the disc label, package or jacket can be played.

Types of discs that can be played and marks

CD-TEXT

CD-R

CD-RW

Discs playable on this player are as shown below.

 CD-R/ -RW discs recorded in music CD (CD-DA) format  CD-R/ -RW disc containing music files (MP3/ AAC/ WAV/ AIFF)

 Discs that cannot be played

 DTS-CD  Photo CDs  Video CDs  CD Graphics (CD-G) discs  Unfinalized CDs  DVD-R/

-RW

 DVD+R/ +RW  DVD-R DL (dual layer)  DVD+R DL (dual layer)  DVD-Video discs  DVD-Audio discs  DVD-RAM discs

 Playback of discs created on a computer

Depending on the application’s settings and the computer’s environment settings, it may not be possible to play discs created on a computer. Record discs in a format playable on the CDJ-900. For details, contact your application’s selling agent. It may not be possible to play discs created on a computer due to the disc’s properties, scratches or dirt, or poor recording quality (dirt on the recording lens, etc.). See Handling discs on page 29 for instructions on handling discs.

 Creating backup discs

When CD-R/ -RW discs are paused or left in the pause mode at cue points for long periods of time, it may become difficult to play the disc at that point, due to the properties of the disc. Also, when a specific point is looped repeatedly an extremely large number of times, it may become difficult to play that point. When playing valuable discs, we recommend making backup discs.

 Regarding copy protected CDs

This player is designed to conform to the specifications of the audio CD format. This player does not support the playback or function of discs that do not conform to these specifications.

 About DualDisc

This player is designed to conform to the specifications of the audio CD format. This player does not support the playback or function of discs that do not conform to these specifications.

 About 8 cm single CDs

8 cm single CDs cannot be played on the CDJ-900. Do not mount 8 cm adapters on CDs and play them on the CDJ-900. The adapter could fall off as the disc spins, damaging the disc or the player.

 About CD-Text

The CDJ-900 supports CD-Text. Titles, album names and artist names recorded in CD-Text are displayed. When multiple text data is recorded, the first text data is displayed. The supported character codes are shown below.

 ASCII  ISO-8859  MS-JIS  Mandarin Chinese character code

About CD playback

Music files (MP3/ AAC/ WAV/ AIFF) recorded on CD-R/ -RW discs can be played.

Folder layers Max. 8 levels (files in folders beyond the 8th level cannot be played)

Max. number of folders

2 000 folders per disc (folders beyond the 2 000th folder cannot be displayed)

Max. number of files

 999 files for each file format  3 000 files per disc (files beyond the 3 000th folder cannot be dis-

played)

When there are many folders or files, some time may be required for loading.

About USB devices

Music files (MP3/ AAC/ WAV/ AIFF) recorded on USB devices can be played. Such data as disc identification information, cue points, loop points and hot cues can be recorded on USB devices.

Folder layers Max. 8 levels (files in folders beyond the 8th level cannot be played)

Max. number of folders

Unlimited (folders beyond the 10 000th folder within a single folder cannot be displayed)

Max. number of files

Unlimited (files beyond the 10 000th file within a single folder cannot be displayed)

Supported file systems

FAT, FAT32 and HFS+

 The CDJ-900 supports such USB mass storage class USB devices as external hard discs,

portable flash memory drives and digital audio players. External DVD/

CD drives and

other optical disc devices cannot be used.

 When there are many folders or files, some time may be required for loading.  If multiple partitions are set for the USB device, the device may not be recognized.

 Cautions on using USB devices

 Some USB devices may not operate properly. Please note that Pioneer will

accept no responsibility whatsoever for loss of data recorded on USB devices.

 USB hubs cannot be used.  USB devices equipped with flash card readers may not operate.  If a current above the allowable level is detected in the CDJ-900’s USB port,

it could happen that a warning message is displayed, the power to the USB device is cut off and signal transfer is stopped. To restore normal operation, remove USB devices connected to the player, then press USB STOP. Avoid reusing the USB device for which the excess current was detected. If normal operation is not restored after performing the above operation (if signals are not transferred), try turning off the player’s power then turning it back on.

 Depending on the USB device you are using, the desired performance may

not be achieved.

About MP3 files

MP3 files can have a constant bit rate (CBR) or a variable bit rate (VBR). Both types of files can be played on the CDJ-900, but the search and super fast search functions are slower with VBR files. If your priority is operability, we recommend recording MP3 files in CBR. The CDJ-900 supports MP3 files in the formats shown below.

Compatible formats

MPEG-1

Audio Layer-3 sampling frequencies of 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz, and bit rates of 32 kbps – 320 kbps are supported.

MPEG-2

Audio Layer-3 sampling frequencies of 16 kHz,

22.05 kHz and 24 kHz, and bit rates of 16 kbps – 160 kbps are supported.

Track information

ID3 tag versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 are supported. Titles, album names, artist names, etc., are displayed here.

File extension .mp3

About AAC files

 AAC is the abbreviation of “Advanced Audio Coding”, a basic format of audio

compression technology used for MPEG-2 and MPEG-4.

 The file format and extension of AAC data depends on the application used to

create the data.

 In addition to AAC files encoded with iTunes

and with the extension “.m4a”,

files with the extensions “.aac” and “.mp4” can also be played on the CDJ-

900. However, copyright protected AAC files purchased for example at the iTunes Music Store cannot be played. Also, some files may not be playable, depending on the iTunes version used to encode them.

 The CDJ-900 supports AAC files in the formats shown below.

Compatible formats

MPEG-4 AAC LC

Sampling frequencies of 16 kHz, 22.05 kHz, 24 kHz, 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz, and bit rates of 16 kpbs – 320 kbps are supported.

Track information

aac

ID3 tag versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 are supported. Titles, album names, artist names, etc., are displayed here.

Extensions other than aac

Meta tags (embedded tags) are supported. Titles, album names, artist names, etc., are displayed here.

File extension .m4a, .aac and .mp4

About WAV files

The CDJ-900 supports WAV files in the formats shown below.

Compatible formats

The 16-/ 24-bit non-compressed PCM format and sampling frequencies of 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz are supported.

Track information

LST chunk Titles, album names, artist names, etc., are displayed here.

File extension .wav

About AIFF files

The CDJ-900 supports AIFF files in the formats shown below.

Compatible formats

The 16-/ 24-bit non-compressed PCM format and sampling frequencies of 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz are supported. Titles, album names, artist names, etc., are displayed here.

File extension .aif, .aiff

About rekordbox

 rekordbox is an application for managing music files which are used for DJ

play with a Pioneer DJ Player (i.e. CDJ-2000, CDJ-900).

Data that has been detected and measured, as well as any points which

have been set and stored using rekordbox, can be used in combination with a Pioneer DJ Player (i.e. CDJ-2000, CDJ-900) to achieve outstanding DJ performance.

 Install rekordbox from the included CD-ROM onto a computer. For instruc-

tions on using rekordbox, see Using in combination with rekordbox on page 12 and About the rekordbox software on page 22.

Part Names and Functions

MULTI PLAY ER

CDJ-

900

PLAY / PAUSE

CUE

TRACK SEAR CH

DIRECTION

LINK

USB

DISC

MASTER

TEMPO

WIDE

10 16

TOUCH/RELEASE

VINYL

SPEED ADJUST

OFF ON

POWER

DISC EJECT

STANDBY

BACK

BROWSE TAG LIST INFO MENU

UTILITY

AUTO

BEAT LOOP

USB

STOP

TEMPO

REV

FWD

CUE/LOOP

DELETE MEMORY

SLIP

CALL

OUTRELOOP/ EXIT

LOOP

IN / CUE

3 /

1 /

/REMOVE

TAG TRACK

TIME

MODE

AUTO

CUE

IN ADJUST

OUT ADJUST

REV

BEAT

SELECT

JOG MODE

VINYL

POWER

AUDIO OUT

CONTROL

DIGITAL

OUT

7 6

bcde fgh

p q

i jk

Control Panel

Rear Panel

Front Panel

yz ABx

Control Panel

1 PLAY/PAUSE and PLAY/PAUSE indicator (page 15)

This lights when playing tracks and flashes when in the pause mode.

2 CUE and CUE indicator (page 16)

This lights when a cue point is set (except during track searching), and flashes when a new cue point can be set in the pause mode.

3 SEARCH/  (page 15)

4 TRACK SEARCH/

 (page 15)

5 DIRECTION REV and REV indicator (page 15)

6 LOOP IN/

CUE (IN ADJUST) (page 16), LOOP OUT (OUT ADJUST)

(page 16), RELOOP/EXIT (page 16)

7 BEAT SELECT (page 17)

8 AUTO BEAT LOOP (1, 2, 4, 8) (page 17)

9 Beat select indicator (page 17)

The indicator for the row selected by pressing [BEAT SELECT] lights.

a USB device insertion slot, USB indicator and USB STOP (page 14)

b LINK, USB, DISC (page 15)

c TIME MODE/

AUTO CUE (page 16)

d Main unit display (page 11)

e BROWSE (page 19)

f TAG LIST (page 19)

g INFO (page 20)

h MENU/UTILITY (page 21)

i BACK (page 19)

j TAG TRACK/

REMOVE (page 19)

k Rotary selector

When selecting tracks or setting items, the cursor moves when the rotary selector is turned. Press the rotary selector to enter.

l STANDBY indicator (page 21)

This lights when in the standby mode.

m DISC EJECT and DISC EJECT indicator (page 14)

n VINYL SPEED ADJUST (page 18)

o CUE/LOOP CALL/

 (page 17), DELETE (page 17), MEMORY

(page 17)

p JOG MODE, VINYL mode indicator and CDJ mode indicator (page 18)

The mode switches between VINYL and CDJ each time this is pressed. The indicator lights when the VINYL mode is selected.

q SLIP (page 18)

r TEMPO ±6/±10/±16/WIDE (page 15)

s MASTER TEMPO (page 15)

t TEMPO (page 15)

u Jog dial (– REV/

+ FWD) (page 17)

v Jog dial display section (page 11)

Rear Panel

w POWER ON OFF

Press to turn the power on and off.

x AUDIO OUT L/ R (page 12)

y AC IN (page 12)

z CONTROL (page 18)

A Kensington security slot

B DIGITAL OUT

C LINK (page 12)

D USB (page 12)

Front Panel

E Disc insertion slot

F Disc force eject pin insertion hole

About ejecting discs by force

 If the disc cannot be ejected by pressing [DISC EJECT], the disc can be

ejected forcibly by inserting the disc force eject pin all the way into the disc force eject pin insertion hole on the main unit’s front panel.

 When forcibly ejecting a disc, be sure to do so following the procedure below.

1 Press [POWER] and wait at least 1 minute after the set’s power has turned off.

Never forcibly eject a disc directly after turning off the set’s power. Doing so is dangerous for the reasons described below. The disc will still be spinning when ejected and could hit your fingers, etc., causing injury. Also, the disc clamp will rotate in an unstable way, and the disc could get scratched.

2 Use the included disc force eject pin. (Do not use anything else.)

The included disc force eject pin is mounted on the CDJ-900’s bottom panel. When the pin is inserted all the way into the insertion hole, the disc is ejected 5 mm to 10 mm out of the disc insertion slot. Grasp the disc with your fingers and pull it out.

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