Pioneer DDJ-800 User manual

Operating Instructions

DJ Controller

DDJ

pioneerdj.com/support/ rekordbox.com

For FAQs and other support information for this product, visit the above site.

800

How to read this manual

! Thank you for purchasing this Pioneer DJ product.

Be sure to read this manual and the “Operating Instructions (Quick

Start Guide)” included with the unit. Both documents include important information that you should understand before using this product.

! In this manual, names of buttons and terminals indicated on the

unit, names of menus in the PC/Mac screen, etc., are indicated within square brackets ([ ]). (e.g. [FILE], [CUE] button, [PHONES] output terminal)

! Please note that the screens and specifications of the software

and the external appearance and specifications of the hardware are subject to change without notice for improvement and may differ from those described in this manual.

! Depending on the operating system version, web browser

settings, etc., operation may differ from the procedures described in this manual.

This manual consists mainly of explanations of functions of this unit as hardware. For detailed instructions on operating the rekordbox software, see the rekordbox Operating Instructions.

! The rekordbox Operating Instructions can be downloaded from

the following site.

rekordbox.com/manual

Contents

Before start

Accessories ........................................................................................................5

Viewing Introduction / Operating Instructions of rekordbox ...............................6

rekordbox ...........................................................................................................6

Installing rekordbox ............................................................................................8

Part names and functions

Top panel of the unit .........................................................................................11

Browser section ................................................................................................12

Deck sections ...................................................................................................14

Jog dial display section ....................................................................................22

Mixer section ....................................................................................................26

Rear panel ........................................................................................................31

Front panel .......................................................................................................33

Basic operation

Example of connections ...................................................................................34

Starting the system ...........................................................................................39

Turning off the system ......................................................................................44

Advanced operation

Using 4 beat loops ............................................................................................45

Using manual loops ..........................................................................................45

Using the performance pads ............................................................................47

Switching the mixer mode ................................................................................57

Using slip mode ................................................................................................58

Using the fader start function ...........................................................................62

Using effects .....................................................................................................63

Using the BEAT FX function .............................................................................64

Types of BEAT FX ............................................................................................66

Using the SOUND COLOR FX function ...........................................................74

Using a microphone .........................................................................................77

Using external inputs ........................................................................................79

Changing the settings

Changing the settings with the unit ..................................................................83

Changing the settings with rekordbox ..............................................................84

Setting utility software ......................................................................................91

Additional information

Troubleshooting ...............................................................................................94

Liquid crystal display ......................................................................................101

Signal flow ......................................................................................................101

Specifications .................................................................................................102

Using this unit as a controller for other DJ software .......................................104

Trademarks and registered trademarks .........................................................114

Cautions on copyrights ...................................................................................115

Before start

Accessories

! AC adapter

! Power cord

! USB cable

! Warranty (for some regions)

! Operating Instructions (Quick Start Guide)

! rekordbox dj license key card

1 Products for Europe only. (The corresponding information is

provided on the back cover of the “Operating Instructions (Quick Start Guide)” for Japan, and on the last page of the English and French versions of the “Operating Instructions (Quick Start Guide)” for the North American region.)

2 For the latest information, see the site below.

rekordbox.com

Cautions

The license key cannot be reissued. Be careful not to lose it.

Before start

Viewing Introduction / Operating Instructions of rekordbox

! For setting up rekordbox, see Introduction.

! For using Collection, EXPORT mode and PERFORMANCE mode,

see Operating Instructions.

1 Launch a web browser on your PC/Mac and access the

following site.

rekordbox.com

2 Click [Manual] under [Support].

3 Click the required language of rekordbox Introduction or

rekordbox Operating Instructions.

rekordbox

! rekordbox

rekordbox is music management software for DJs to prepare

tracks and perform DJ play.

! rekordbox dj

The DJ performance function of rekordbox is called rekordbox

dj. rekordbox dj can be used by simply connecting the unit to a PC/Mac. If you wish to use rekordbox dj on a PC/Mac without connecting the unit, enter the license key shown on the rekordbox dj license key card included with this product to use rekordbox dj.

* For the latest information, see the site below.

rekordbox.com

Before start

Operating environment

Supported operating systems CPU and required memory

Mac:

macOS Mojave 10.14 macOS High Sierra 10.13 macOS Sierra 10.12

(latest update)

Windows:

Windows Windows Windows

32-bit version or 64-bit version (latest service pack)

Others

USB port

Display resolution

8.1 7

A USB 2.0 port is required to connect the PC/Mac with this unit.

1 280 x 768 or greater

Intel

4 GB or more of RAM

Intel

4 GB or more of RAM

processor Core™ i7, i5, i3

Internet connection

! Operation is not guaranteed on all PC/Mac, even if all the required operating

environment conditions indicated here are fulfilled.

! Depending on power saving settings, etc. of the PC/Mac, the CPU and hard

disk may not provide sufficient processing capabilities. For a laptop PC/Mac, in particular, make sure the PC/Mac is in the proper conditions to provide constant high performance (for example, by keeping the AC power connected) when using rekordbox.

! A separate contract with an Internet service provider and payment of the

utilization fee are required to access the Internet.

! Use the latest version/service pack of the operating system. ! For information on the latest system requirements, compatibility, and

supported operating systems of rekordbox, see the site below.

rekordbox.com/system

An Internet connection is required for registering the rekordbox user account and downloading the software.

Before start

Installing rekordbox

Preparing rekordbox

Install the software by following the procedure below when you use rekordbox for the first time or if you are using rekordbox 4.x or an earlier version. If rekordbox Ver.5.x is already installed, update rekordbox to the latest version using Update Manager which is shown when starting rekordbox.

! The user is responsible for preparing a PC/Mac, network

devices, and other elements of the Internet usage environment required for a connection to the Internet.

Installation procedure

The installation procedure depends on the operating system (OS) of your PC/Mac.

 Installation (for Mac)

Do not connect this unit and the Mac until installation is completed.

! If any other programs are running on the Mac, quit all of them.

1 Unzip the downloaded rekordbox software file.

2 Double-click the rekordbox software to launch the installer.

Before start

3 Read the license agreement, and select [Agree] if you agree to

the terms.

! If you do not agree to the contents of the license agreement, click

[Disagree] to cancel the installation.

4 If the installation completion screen appears, click [Close] to

close the rekordbox installer.

 Installation (for Windows)

Do not connect this unit and the PC until installation is completed.

! Log on as the user which was set as the PC’s administrator before

installation.

! If any other programs are running on the PC, quit all of them.

1 Unzip the downloaded rekordbox software file.

2 Double-click the rekordbox software to launch the installer.

Before start

3 Read the license agreement, select [Agree] if you agree to the

terms, and click [Next].

! If you do not agree to the license agreement, click [Cancel] to cancel the

installation.

After the installation destination is specified, the installation starts.

When the installation is completed, an installation successful message

appears.

4 Click [Finish] to close the rekordbox installer.

The installation is completed.

Part names and functions

Top panel of the unit

1 Browser section

2 Deck sections

3 Mixer section

1111

Part names and functions

32 4

Browser section

1 LOAD button

Press: The selected tracks are loaded to the respective decks.

Press twice: Loads the track loaded in the deck not being operated to the deck on the operation side. The playback position is also loaded in the same state. (Instant Doubles)

2 BACK button

Press: Moves the cursor between the tree view and track list each time the button is pressed. Also, if the cursor is on a folder, closes that folder.

If the playlist palette is displayed, the cursor can be moved among the tree

view, the track list, and the playlist.

The tree view, track list, and playlist palette are in the browse section of

rekordbox dj. For details, see the rekordbox Operating Instructions.

[SHIFT] + Press: Displays or hides the rekordbox dj playlist palette.

Part names and functions

3 Rotary selector

Rotate: Moves the selection cursor in rekordbox dj.

[SHIFT] + Rotate: Zooms in/out the enlarged waveform of rekordbox dj. Rotate to the right to enlarge the waveform, and rotate to the left to reduce.

Press: Moves the cursor between the tree view and track list each time you press the button. Also, if the cursor is on a folder, opens that folder.

If the playlist palette is displayed, the cursor can be moved among the tree

view, the track list, and the playlist.

The tree view, track list, and playlist palette are in the browse section of

rekordbox dj. For details, see the rekordbox Operating Instructions.

4 VIEW button

Press: Reduces the size of the rekordbox dj deck and expands the browser area. Press again to undo the change.

[SHIFT] + Press: Moves the cursor to [Related Tracks] in the tree view area.

Press + Hold: Registers or deletes the selected track to [Tag List].

Part names and functions

42 5 76 83

Deck sections

This section is used to control the four decks. The buttons and controls for operating decks 1 and 3 are located on the left side of the controller, and those for operating decks 2 and 4 are located on the right side of the controller.

1 LOOP IN/4 BEAT (IN ADJUST) button

Press:

f g h i

Sets a loop in point.

Press during loop playback: The loop in point can be fine-adjusted using the jog dial.

Press for over 1 second: Turns the auto 4-beat loop on.

Part names and functions

2 LOOP OUT (OUT ADJUST) button

Press: Sets a loop out point and starts loop playback.

Press during loop playback: The loop out point can be fine-adjusted using the jog dial.

3 RELOOP/EXIT button

Press: Returns to the last set loop in point and resumes loop playback.

Press during loop playback: Cancels loop playback.

[SHIFT] + Press: Switches the loop saved in the track between active and non-active. (Active Loop)

When you press this button while pressing the [SHIFT] button in playback

mode, the loop closest to the playback position becomes active.

When you select a loop in a track and press the button while pressing the

[SHIFT] button, the loop becomes active/non active (toggle feature).

4 QUANTIZE button

Press: Turns on the quantize function. If the quantize function is turned on, hot cue point, etc. is automatically set to the nearest beat position.

The resolution of the quantized beat can be selected in [Preferences] of

rekordbox.

Press (in standby mode): Cancels standby mode.

This operation is limited to the button of the deck on the right side.

Part names and functions

5 CUE/LOOP CALL, c (LOOP 1/2X) button

Press: Select and call a cue point or loop point stored in a track.

Press during loop playback: Halves the loop playback length.

Even if you press the button, the length of the loop will not change while

playback is paused at a loop in point.

6 CUE/LOOP CALL, d (LOOP 2X) button

Press: Select and call a cue point or loop point stored in a track.

Press during loop playback: Doubles the loop playback length.

Even if you press the button, the length of the loop will not change while

playback is paused at a loop in point.

7 DELETE button

Delete a cue point or loop point.

Deleting cue points (p. 56 )

8 MEMORY button

Stores a cue point or loop point.

Setting cue points (p. 56 )

9 JOG FEELING ADJUST control

Adjusts the load when you spin the jog dial. Turn clockwise to increase the load, and turn counterclockwise to decrease the load.

Part names and functions

[

±6%

][

±10%

][

±16%

][

WIDE

]

a BEAT SYNC button

Press: Automatically synchronizes with the tempos (pitches) and beat grids of the deck set as the master for synchronization.

[SHIFT] + Press: Sets the deck whose button is pressed as the master deck for synchronization.

b KEY SYNC button

Shifts the key of the track that's played on the deck to the same key as the target track, to a dominant key (5 degrees higher), or to a subdominant key (4 degrees higher).

[SHIFT] + Press: Resets the key of the track that's played on the deck to its original key.

c TEMPO RANGE button

Changes the [TEMPO] slider’s range of variation each time the button is pressed.

d MASTER TEMPO button

Turns the master tempo function on and off. When the master tempo function is on, the key does not change even if the playback speed is changed with the [TEMPO] slider.

e TEMPO slider

Adjusts the playing speed of tracks.

f HOT CUE mode button

Press: Sets hot cue mode.

Using hot cues (p. 47 )

[SHIFT] + Press: Sets keyboard mode.

Using the keyboard mode (p. 53 )

g PAD FX1 mode button

Press: Sets pad FX mode 1.

Using the pad FX (p. 48 )

[SHIFT] + Press: Sets pad FX mode 2.

Using the pad FX (p. 48 )

Part names and functions

h BEAT JUMP mode button

Press: Sets beat jump mode.

Using beat jump (p. 50 )

[SHIFT] + Press: Sets beat loop mode.

Using beat loops(p. 54 )

i SAMPLER mode button

Press: Sets sampler mode.

Using the sampler function (p. 51 )

[SHIFT] + Press: Sets key shift mode.

Using the key shift function (p. 55 )

Part names and functions

j PAGE c, d button

Press: Switches the page of the pad in each pad mode.

Using the performance pads (p. 47 )

[SHIFT] + Press: Switches the sampler bank.

k Performance pads

Achieves various performances.

Using the performance pads (p. 47 )

l PLAY/PAUSE f button

Plays or pauses the track.

m CUE button

Sets, calls, and plays cue points.

To set a cue point, press the [CUE] button while the track is paused.

During playback, press the [CUE] button to return to the cue point and

pause playback. (Back Cue)

After the playback position returned to the cue point, you can keep playing

the track by holding down the [CUE] button. (Cue Sampler)

[SHIFT] + Press:

Brings the playback position to the beginning of the track.

n TRACK SEARCH m, n/SEARCH button

Press: Searches for the beginning of a track.

Press + Hold: Fast-forwards or rewinds the track while the button is kept pressed.

Part names and functions

o SHIFT button

You can access an alternative function when operating a button while holding down the [SHIFT] button.

Press twice: Press this button when changing the display between the INFO screen and ARTWORK screen.

ARTWORK screen (p. 25 )

p Jog dial display section

Jog dial display section (p. 22 )

q Jog dial

Turn on VINYL mode and spin the top of the jog dial: Scratching.

Spin the outer section, or, spin the top of the jog dial when VINYL mode is off: Pitch bend (adjusting the playing speed)

[SHIFT] + Spin the top of the jog dial: The beat grid interval for the loaded track can be adjusted.

[SHIFT] + Spin the outer section: The entire beat grid of the loaded track can be slid to the left or right.

[TRACK SEARCH] + Spin the top of the jog dial: You can fast forward or rewind the track at a high speed. (Super Fast Search)

r SLIP button

Press: Turns slip mode on and off.

Using slip mode (p. 58 )

[SHIFT] + Press: Turns VINYL mode on and off.

Part names and functions

s SLIP REVERSE button

Press: Plays a track in the reverse direction while this button is pressed, and resumes normal playback when the button is released.

Normal playback continues in the background of the reverse playback. If

the button is released, normal playback resumes from the current point playing in the background.

Slip reverse play is automatically canceled after 8 beats and normal

playback resumes even if the [SLIP REVERSE] button is kept pressed.

[SHIFT] + Press:

Plays a track in the reverse direction. Reverse playback is canceled and normal playback resumes when the [SHIFT] and [SLIP REVERSE] buttons are pressed again.

Part names and functions

9 a

Jog dial display section

INFO screen

When a track from rekordbox is loaded, the following information is displayed on the jog dial display section.

1 Deck number

The number of the deck currently being operated lights up.

2 Artwork

Displays the artwork of the track loaded in rekordbox dj. You can change whether to display or hide the artwork in [Preferences] of rekordbox.

Changing the settings with rekordbox (p. 84 )

3 Key variation

Displays the variation between the track’s original key and the current key.

4 Key

Displays the current key.

Part names and functions

5 CUE SCOPE

Indicates the cue points, loop points, and hot cue points set from 4 bars before to 16 bars after the current playback position. When cue/loop point is set/called, markers are indicated for 4 bars from the set/called the point. You can change whether to display or hide the CUE SCOPE in [Preferences] of rekordbox.

Changing the settings with rekordbox (p. 84 )

6 Deck status

The current status of the deck is indicated by the background color. White (bright): Deck 1 or 2 is selected and on air White (dark): Deck 1 or 2 is selected and off air Blue (bright): Deck 3 or 4 is selected and on air Blue (dark): Deck 3 or 4 is selected and off air Red (bright): Slip playback

The slip playback takes precedence regardless of the on-air state of the

deck.

7 Cue point

Displays the position of the set and called cue point.

8 BPM

The current BPM is displayed.

9 Playing speed

The value changes according to the position of the [TEMPO] slider.

a Playing speed adjustment range

Displays the range that the playing speed can be adjusted.

b Waveform

Displays the waveform of the sound. The waveform is displayed according to the settings of [Waveform] in [Preferences] of rekordbox, so you can change the color and format ([Full Waveform]/[Half Waveform]) at the Preferences. For details on the changing of settings, see the rekordbox Operating Instructions.

Part names and functions

c Cue/loop/hot cue points set in the loaded track

Displays the cue points, loop points, and hot cue points set in the loaded track.

d Playback position

Displays the current playback position.

e Time (minutes, seconds)

Displays the remaining time or elapsed time. You can change the displayed information in [Preferences] of rekordbox.

Changing the settings with rekordbox (p. 84 )

The number of loop beats (loop length) is displayed during loop playback.

f MASTER

Lights up when the deck being operated is set as the master.

g Playback status

Displays the current playback position. Rotates during playback, and stops when paused.

h SYNC

Lights up when [BEAT SYNC] is turned on.

Part names and functions

ARTWORK screen

The following information is displayed on the jog dial display section.

1 Deck number

The number of the deck currently being operated lights up.

2 Playback status

Displays the current playback position. Rotates during playback, and stops when paused.

3 Artwork

Displays the artwork of the track loaded in rekordbox dj.

4 SYNC

Lights up when [BEAT SYNC] is turned on.

5 Cue point

Displays the position of the set and called cue point.

6 MASTER

Lights up when the deck being operated is set as the master.

Mixer section

1 2 3 4 6 7 4

Part names and functions

r rs s

1 MIC ON, OFF selector switch

Turns the microphone on and off.

Using a microphone (p. 77 )

2 Microphone indicator

Using a microphone (p. 77 )

hijih

Part names and functions

3 PHONO/LINE, DECK3, DECK1 selector switch

Selects the input source for each channel from the components connected to this unit.

[DECK1], [DECK3]: Select this to use the track loaded in a deck of

rekordbox dj.

[PHONO/LINE]: Select this to use a phono level (for MM cartridges)

output device (analog player, etc.) or a line level output device (DJ player, etc.) connected to the [LINE/PHONO] input terminals.

Using external inputs (p. 79 )

4 TRIM control

Adjusts the level of sound output from each channel.

5 Master level indicator

Displays the level of sound output to the master channel.

6 CLIP indicator

[CLIP] blinks when the output level is too high.

— Blinking slowly: indicates that the sound is about to be distorted.

— Blinking quickly: Indicates that the sound is distorted.

7 DECK2, DECK4, PHONO/LINE selector switch

Selects the input source for each channel from the components connected to this unit.

[DECK2], [DECK4]: Select this to use the track loaded in a deck of

rekordbox dj.

[PHONO/LINE]: Select this to use a phono level (for MM cartridges)

output device (analog player, etc.) or a line level output device (DJ player, etc.) connected to the [LINE/PHONO] input terminals.

Using external inputs (p. 79 )

8 MASTER LEVEL control

Adjusts the level of sound output to the master channel.

9 MASTER CUE button

Outputs the sound of the master channel to the headphones.

Part names and functions

a BOOTH LEVEL control

Adjusts the level of sound output to the booth channel.

b Effect section display

Displays the effect name, BPM, effect parameter, etc.

c BEAT c, d buttons

Press: Set the beat fraction to synchronize the effect sound with.

Press [SHIFT] + [BEAT c]: Sets the mode for automatically measuring the BPM from the input audio signal.

Press [SHIFT] + [BEAT d]: Sets the mode for inputting the BPM manually.

d BEAT FX SELECT control

Sets the BEAT FX type.

e BEAT FX CH SELECT control

Switches the channel to which the BEAT FX is to be applied.

f BEAT FX LEVEL/DEPTH control

Adjusts the BEAT FX quantitative parameter.

g BEAT FX ON/OFF button

Press: Turns BEAT FX on and off.

[SHIFT] + Press: Turns on rekordbox release FX.

Using the BEAT FX function (p. 64 )

Part names and functions

h Headphones CUE button

Press: Outputs the sound of the channel for which this button is pressed to the headphones.

[SHIFT] + Press: The tempo for each deck can be set by tapping this button. (Tap function)

i Channel fader

Adjusts the level of sound output from each channel.

j Crossfader

Outputs the sound of the channels assigned to the left and right sides of the crossfader.

k HEADPHONES LEVEL control

Adjusts the level of sound output to the headphones.

l HEADPHONES MIXING control

Adjusts the balance of the monitor volume between the sound of the channels for which the headphones [CUE] button is pressed and the sound of the master channel.

m SOUND COLOR FX SELECT buttons

Turns on and off SOUND COLOR FX.

Using the SOUND COLOR FX function (p. 74 )

n AUX TRIM control

Adjusts the sound level of the AUX input.

Using the AUX function (p. 82 )

o MIC EQ (HI, LOW) control

Adjusts the sound quality of the [MIC 1] and [MIC 2] channels.

p MIC 2 LEVEL control

Adjusts the level of sound output from the [MIC 2] channel.

Part names and functions

q MIC 1 LEVEL control

Adjusts the level of sound output from the [MIC 1] channel.

r EQ (HI, MID, LOW) control

Boosts or cuts frequencies for the different channels.

s Channel level indicator

Displays the sound level of each channel before it passes through the channel faders.

t SAMPLER LEVEL control

Adjusts the sound level of the sampler.

u COLOR control

Changes the parameters of the SOUND COLOR FX of the different channels.

Do not pull out the channel fader and crossfader forcibly. The controls have a structure that prevents them from being pulled off easily. Pulling the controls may damage them.

+ 85 hidden pages

Pioneer DDJ-800 User manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Before start

Accessories

Viewing Introduction / Operating Instructions of rekordbox

rekordbox

Installing rekordbox

Part names and functions

Top panel of the unit

Browser section

Deck sections

Jog dial display section

Mixer section