PIONEER DDJ-SX3
SETUP
Firmware & Drivers
Drivers For both Windows and Mac OSX, download and install the necessary drivers from https://www.pioneerdj.com/en/support/software/DDJ-SX3/
Firmware : Update the device firmware to the latest available version from https://www.pioneerdj.com/en/support/software/controller/ddj-sx3/#firmware-update
VirtualDJ Setup
Once VirtualDJ is launched, a Connect Window will appear. Login with your virtualdj.com account.
A Pro Infinity or a Pro Subscription License is required to fully use the Pioneer DDJ-SX3. Without any of the above Licenses, the controller will operate for 10 minutes each time you restart VirtualDJ.
https://www.virtualdj.com/buy/index.html
Click on the "DDJ-SX3" button and make sure you have your speakers connected to the Master Output of the DDJ-SX3. You can still change the Audio Setup from Settings->AUDIO tab.
Click to OK.
The unit is now ready to operate with VirtualDJ.
MIDI Operation
The unit should be visible in the MAPPING tab of Config and the “factory default” available/selected from the Mappings drop-down list. The factory default Mapping offers the functions described in this Manual, however those can be adjusted to your needs via VDJ Script actions.
Find more details at https://www.virtualdj.com/wiki/VDJ8script.html
AUDIO Setup
The unit has a pre-defined Audio setup and a special button in the AUDIO tab of Config to provide that. Since the DDJ-SX3 requires an "External Mixer" audio setup, your speakers need to be connected to the Master Output sockets at rear panel of the unit.
Please read the manual of DDJ-SX3 for further functionality https://www.pioneerdj.com/en/support/documents/ddj-sx3/
For further software settings please refer to the User Guides of VirtualDJ.
https://www.virtualdj.com/manuals/virtualdj/index.html
LAYOUT
The functionality of each button, knob and connection per section (as shown in the image above) will be explained in detail in the following chapters
S SHIFT Hold this button down to access secondary functions of Pioneer DDJ-SX3 (mainly in black lettering inside a gray box)
A Mixer Controls
B Deck Controls
C Effects
D Browser Controls
E Pads
F Front & Rear
Mixer Controls
- CROSSFADER: Blends audio between the left and right assigned channels.
- CROSSFADER ASSIGN: Assign each deck on the left (A position) or right (B position) side of the crossfader, or alternatively bypass the crossfader entirely (THRU position)
- VOLUME: Alter the sound of each deck. While SHIFT is held down, the VOLUME faders will stop the deck at the previously selected Cue point when these reach the minimum level (zero - Fader Stop) and they will start the deck - synced to the other deck - if those are moved away from the zero position. (Fader Start)
- PFL: Press this button to send this channel's pre-fader signal to the Headphones Channel for monitoring. When engaged, the button will be lit. Press SHIFT and then one of the PFL buttons to manually tap the tempo of the loaded track.
- MASTER PFL: Press this button to send the Master Output to the Headphones channel (Hardware operation)
- COLOR FX KNOB: Adjust the selected Sound Color FX (middle position is Off position).
- COLOR FX: Select one the available Sound Color Effects (Echo, Jet, Noise and Filter).
The Echo, Jet and Noise Color FX are applied from the DDJ-SX3 (hardware effects) and cannot be changed/replaced.
The Filter Color FX is applied from VirtualDJ and can be replaced/changed from GUI or custom mapping. - * EQ-LOW: Adjust the Equalizer low (bass) frequencies of the corresponding deck.
- * EQ-MID: Adjust the Equalizer middle (mid) frequencies of the corresponding deck
- * EQ-HI: Adjust the Equalizer high (treble) frequencies of the corresponding deck
- TRIM: Adjusts the audio level (gain) of the corresponding deck. When the “GainSliderIncludesAutoGain” option inside VirtualDj’s configuration is set to yes (default) then the normal (park) position is 12 o clock.
- PFL VU METERS: Shows the strength of each channel’s pre fader signal.
- SOURCE SELECTORS Select the Source of each Mixer Channel. Set to USB A or USB B (depending on the USB port you have connected your computer to - rear panel) to control a VirtualDJ Deck and route its audio signal to the corresponding mixer channel.
Set to LINE/PHONO/MIC1/MIC2 to route the audio signal of the selected Input (connection at the rear panel) to the corresponding mixer channel. When set to one of these positions, the audio signal from VirtualDJ Deck will be muted) - MASTER VOLUME. Adjust the level of the Master Output. Hardware operation, not visible on the VirtualDJ GUI.
- MASTER VOLUME VU-METERS: Shows strength of the master output signal.
- BOOTH MONITOR LEVEL: Adjust the level of the Booth Output. Hardware operation, not visible on the VirtualDJ GUI.
- SAMPLER VOLUME: Adjusts the Master Volume of the Sampler
Note * The device is offering Full Stems controls. See details at EQ Modes
Deck Controls
S SHIFT Hold this button down to access secondary functions of Pioneer DDJ-SX3 (mainly in black lettering inside a gray box)
- PLAY/PAUSE: Plays / Pauses the track. Press and hold SHIFT and then press this button to "stutter-play" the track from the last set Cue Point.
- CUE: When the Deck is paused, you can set a temporary Cue Point by moving the Platter to place the Audio Pointer at the desired location and then pressing the Cue Button. During playback, you can press the Cue Button to return the track to this Cue Point. (If you did not set a Cue Point, then it will return to the beginning of the track.). If the Deck is paused, you can press and hold the Cue Button to play the track from the Temporary Cue Point. Releasing the Cue Button will return the track to the temporary Cue Point and pause it. To continue playback without returning to the Temporary Cue Point, press and hold the Cue Button, then press and hold the Play Button, and then release both buttons.
Press and hold SHIFT and then press this button to return to the beginning of the track. - SYNC: Press this button to automatically match the corresponding Deck's tempo with the opposite Deck's (or the Master Deck’s if using a 4 decks Skin) tempo and phase. Press and hold SHIFT and press this button to set this deck as Master Deck (for 4 decks skins).
- QUANTIZE: When enabled, several actions such as Hotcues and Loops will be quantized (snapped to the nearest beat or other fraction of a beat depending on the GlobalQuantize setting)
- DECK SELECT: Select the VirtualDJ Deck that the left/right side of the DDJ-SX3 will control. Left side can be assigned to decks 1 or 3. Right side can be assigned to decks 2 or 4.
When both 1/3 or 2/4 buttons are pressed, the corresponding side of the DDJ-SX3 will be assigned on both decks and several actions such as scratching, play, loop etc will apply on both decks. Useful when wanting to start/stop both left (1 and 3) or right (2 and 4) decks at the same time. - KEY DOWN: Use this button to set the Key of the track one semitone down (-1). Hold SHIFT and then use the same button to reset the Key of the track to its original value
- KEY UP: Use this button to set the Key of the track one semitone up (+1). Hold SHIFT and then use the same button to match the Key of the track with the one of the opposite deck.
- CENSOR: Press and hold this button to play the track backwards. On release the track will continue from the position it would have been if the button was never pressed. Hold SHIFT down, and then press this button (momentarily) to play the track backwards. Repeat the procedure to play again forward.
- STRIP SEARCH: The length of this strip represents the length of the entire track. Place your finger on a point along this sensor to jump to that point in the track (song position). Please note that while a deck is playing “on air” the strip search will not function in order to prevent sudden accidental jumps that may occur if you touch the stripe by accident while you operate other controls. If you want to jump on a new position while the track is “on air” please hold down SHIFT button first and then touch the strip to bypass security.
- JOGWHEEL: Touch sensitive platter for scratching (vinyl mode) or bending (CD Mode). The white inner leds will rotate according to the software jogwheel position and they will also blink at the last 30 seconds of a track. The red leds will blink if you scratch while Slip Mode is active or will turn on when you touch the touch-sensitive surface.
- SLIP: Enables Slip Mode. When enabled (led is lit), several software functions (such as Jogwheel movements, HotCues and Loops) will apply temporarily on the track, and the track will return to the position it would have been if those functions were not triggered. Hold SHIFT and press this button to toggle between the JOGWHEEL between Scratch and Pitch Bend modes.
- KEYLOCK: Press this button to "lock" the track's pitch to its original key. The track's tempo will remain at the speed designated by the Pitch Fader. Press and hold the button for more than 1 second to smoothly reset the Pitch of the track to zero (original tempo).
Hold SHIFT and then press this button to cycle through the available pitch range values. - PITCH: Controls the track's playback tempo.
- FLIP BUTTONS: These buttons do not perform any predefined action in VirtualDj. You can use them to map any action you want.
- AUTOLOOP: Sets an Auto Loop in beats equal to the selected size. Hold SHIFT and press the same button to activate the 1st Saved Loop. When the Saved Loop is active, the track will jump to its position when current track's position is later to the position of the Saved Loop.
- HALF: Halve the size of the Loop. Hold SHIFT and press this button to move the active loop backwards in beats equal to the length of the loop
- DOUBLE: Doubles the size of the Loop. Hold SHIFT and press this button to move the active loop forward in beats equal to the length of the loop
- IN: Use this button to set the begging of a manual Loop. When loop is enabled, press this button to set the Jogwheel to Loop In Adjust (led will blink) and use the jogwheel to fine adjust the loop's in (start) point. Repeat the procedure to set the jogwheel back to its original operation (will be automatically reset when exit the loop).
Hold the same button for more than 1 second to activate a 4 beat Auto Loop.
Hold SHIFT down and then press this button to Save a Loop (at 1st slot). While SHIFT is held down, press and hold this button for more then 1 second to delete the Saved Loop. - OUT: Use this button to set the end (Out) position of the manual Loop. When loop is enabled, press this button to set the Jogwheel to Loop Out Adjust mode (led will blink) and use the jogwheel to fine adjust the loop's out (end) point. Repeat the procedure to set the jogwheel back to its original operation (will be automatically reset when exit the loop).
Hold SHIFT down and then press this button to enable the last triggered loop and jump to its position (re-loop)
EFFECT CONTROLS
The Single Effect mode offers one effect slot but more parameters controls per effect.
The Multi Effects mode offers 3 effect slots (to trigger more than 1 effect at the same time – chained effects).
The selection between Single and Multi FX modes is done via the VirtualDJ GUI
A 3rd mode, Sampler FX, is offered to apply VirtualDJ Effects to the Sampler Output. Note that there is no information on the default VirtualDJ GUI about the selected Effect on Sampler.
Single Effect mode
In this mode a single Effect is controlled with up to 6 Parameters and 2 Effect buttons. Only the first 2 Parameters are visible on the GUI. More Parameters and Effect buttons can be viewed in the FX GUI (opened from the + button on the GUI or using SHIFT+FX1 ON button on the DDJ-SX3)
- FX1 ON. Press this button to enable/disable the selected effect to the Left/Right selected deck.
Hold SHIFT down and then use this button, to open/close the FX GUI of the selected Effect on the right side of the Browser and view all the available Parameters and Buttons. - FX2 ON. Press this button to select the previous effect from VirtualDJ Effects list.
Hold SHIFT down and then use this button, to enable/disable the 1st FX button of the selected effect (if available). - FX3 ON. Press this button to select the next effect from VirtualDJ Effects list.
Hold SHIFT down and then use this button, to enable/disable the 2nd FX button of the selected effect (if available). - FX1 knob. Controls the 1st Parameter of the selected effect.
Hold SHIFT down to control the 4th Parameter of the selected effect (if available). - FX2 knob. Controls the 2nd Parameter of the selected effect.
Hold SHIFT down to control the 5th Parameter of the selected effect (if available). - FX3 knob. Controls the 3rd Parameter of the selected effect.
Hold SHIFT down to control the 6th Parameter of the selected effect (if available).
Multi Effects mode
In this mode 3 different Effects can be applied and controlled with up to 2 Parameters for each FX slot. Only the first Parameter is visible on the GUI (and the 2nd Parameter while SHIFT is held down on the DDJ-SX3). More Parameters and Effect buttons can be viewed in the FX GUI (opened from the + button on the GUI)
- FX1 ON. Press this button to enable/disable the selected effect of FX Slot 1.
Hold SHIFT down and press this button to select the next available effect for FX Slot 1. - FX2 ON. Press this button to enable/disable the selected effect of FX Slot 2.
Hold SHIFT down and press this button to select the next available effect for FX Slot 2. - FX3 ON. Press this button to enable/disable the selected effect of FX Slot 3.
Hold SHIFT down and press this button to select the next available effect for FX Slot 3. - FX1 knob. Controls the 1st Parameter of the selected effect of FX Slot 1.
Hold SHIFT down to control the 2nd Parameter of the selected effect of FX Slot 1. - FX2 knob. Controls the 1st Parameter of the selected effect of FX Slot 2.
Hold SHIFT down to control the 2nd Parameter of the selected effect of FX Slot 2. - FX3 knob. Controls the 1st Parameter of the selected effect of FX Slot 3.
Hold SHIFT down to control the 2nd Parameter of the selected effect of FX Slot 3.
Sampler Effect mode
Hold the CH1 FX ASSIGN button (44) for more than 1 second on either Left or Right side, to set the Left/Right FX unit to Sampler FX mode (led will blink)
In this mode a single Effect can be applied to the Sampler Output and up to 6 Parameters and 2 Effect buttons can be controlled. Note that the default GUI of VirtualDJ is not offering information about the selected Effect on Sampler, neither the status or its Parameters. You can either use a Custom Skin or hold the SLICER Pad mode button for more than 1 second to view the necessary information on the Pads section of the VirtualDJ GUI.
The operation of the FX Knobs and buttons is similar to the Single FX mode above
VIDEO EFFECT & VIDEO TRANSITION CONTROLS
- BEATS. (Left side - Video Transition Controls)
Use the left-side encoder to select a Video Transition.
Push the left encoder to trigger the selected Video Transition. The selected Video Transition will automatically apply when the Crossfader is moved from one side to the other and the AUTO or LINK Video Crossfader modes are enabled.
Hold SHIFT down and then use the left encoder to adjust the 1st Parameter of the selected Video Transition (if available). The Parameters of the selected Video Transition are not visible on the default VirtualDJ GUI.
Hold SHIFT down and then push the left encoder to open/close the FX GUI of the selected Video Transition at the right side of the Browser to view all of its Parameters (if available)
- BEATS. (Right side - Video Effect Controls)
Use the right-side encoder to select a Video Effect for the Master Video Output
Push the rightencoder to trigger the selected Video Effect.
Hold SHIFT down and then use the right encoder to adjust the 1st Parameter of the selected Video Effect (if available). The Parameters of the selected Video Effect are not visible on the default VirtualDJ GUI.
Hold SHIFT down and then push the right encoder to open/close the FX GUI of the selected Video Effect at the right side of the Browser to view all of its Parameters (if available)
OTHER FX CONTROLS
The CH ASSIGN buttons are mostly used to assign a VirtualDJ deck to a side of the Video Crossfader. If not manually assigned the selected Left and Right decks will be automatically assigned to the left/right side of the Video crossfader respectively.
- CH ASSIGN 1.
Use this button on the left side of the DDJ-SX3, to manually assign Deck 3 as left side of the Video Crossfader (LED will be lit). Press to disable manual assignment (LED will be off) and allow VirtualDJ to automatically assign the Left side of the Video Crossfader based on the Left selected Deck.
Use this button on the rightside of the DDJ-SX3, to manually assign Deck 2 as right side of the Video Crossfader (LED will be lit). Press to disable manual assignment (LED will be off) and allow VirtualDJ to automatically assign the Right side of the Video Crossfader based on the Right selected Deck.
Hold SHIFT down and then use the button on the left side of the DDJ-SX3 to enable/disable Auto Video Crossfader mode. When enabled, the Video Crossfader position will be smart positioned by VirtualDJ based on the Decks that are currently playing on air
Hold SHIFT down and then use the button on the right side of the DDJ-SX3 to enable/disable the 1st FX button of the selected Video Effect (if available)
Hold down this button for more than 1 second to set the Left/Right FX unit to Sampler mode (its led will blink). Repeat the procedure to set the FX unit back to the normal Simple/Multi FX mode. - ASSIGN 2.
Use this button on the left side of the DDJ-SX3, to manually assign Deck 1 as left side of the Video Crossfader (LED will be lit). Press to disable manual assignment (LED will be off) and allow VirtualDJ to automatically assign the Left side of the Video Crossfader based on the Left selected Deck.
Use this button on the rightside of the DDJ-SX3, to manually assign Deck 4 as right side of the Video Crossfader (LED will be lit). Press to disable manual assignment (LED will be off) and allow VirtualDJ to automatically assign the Right side of the Video Crossfader based on the Right selected Deck.
Hold SHIFT down and then use the button on the left side of the DDJ-SX3 to enable/disable Link Video Crossfader mode. When enabled, the Video Crossfader position will follow the one of the Audio Crossfader
Hold SHIFT down and then use the button on the right side of the DDJ-SX3 to enable/disable the 2nd FX button of the selected Video Effect (if available)
BROWSER CONTROLS
- LOAD: Press this button to load the selected track from the VirtualDJ Browser to a Deck. By default the order of the LOAD buttons (same as the mixer) is set to Deck 3 (orange) - Deck 1 (red) - Deck 2 (red) - Deck 4 (orange).
Fast double-press this button to load the other's deck track to the corresponding deck (clone)
Hold SHIFT down and then use the..
- Deck 3 LOAD button to sort the tracks of the Songs list by KEY
- Deck 1 LOAD button to sort tracks by BPM.
- Deck 2 LOAD button to sort tracks by Title.
- Deck 4 LOAD button to sort tracks by Artist. - BROWSE Turn this knob to scroll through tracks or folders, depending on the focused Browser List
Hold SHIFT down while turning the knob to scroll faster
Push this knob to toggle focus between Songs/Files and Folders Lists
Hold SHIFT down and then push the knob to .set the focus to the Sideview List. - BACK: Sets focus to the Folders list. If focus is on the Folders List, use this button to open/close sub-folders.
Hold SHIFT down and then use this button to cycle through the Mixer Panels of the default VirtualDJ GUI (MIXER, VIDEO, SCRATCH and MASTER) - LOAD PREPARE: Use this button to add the selected track to the Automix list of SideView. Hold Hold SHIFT down and then use this button to cycle Sideview through the available views (Automix, Sidelist, Sampler, Karaoke and Clones)
- LIBRARY A/B: When 2 computers are connected to the USB ports of the DDJ-SX3 and VirtualDJ (or another compatible software) use these buttons to assign the above Browser Controls to Computer A or B
These buttons have no functionality when a single computer (to any USB port) is connected
PADS
The 8 RGB Pads offer various functions, depending on the selected Pad mode (12 in total). Each of the 4 Pad mode buttons offers 2 modes (hold SHIFT and then press the PAD MODE button to access the additional mode). 4 additional modes are available when mode buttons are pressed for more than 1 second,.
The modes represent a page of the PADS section on the default VirtualDJ GUI.
- PAD MODE: Press any of the 4 available Pad mode buttons to set the Pads to Hotcues, Loop Roll, Slicer or Sampler mode.
Hold SHIFT down and then press one of the 4 Pad mode buttons to set the Pads to CueLoop, Saved Loop, Beatjump and KeyCue mode.
Hold Pad mode buttons for more than 1 seconds to select the Scratch, Edit Grid, Sampler FX and Sampler Velocity modes.
All 12 available Pad modes are explained in details in the next chapters - PADS: The 8 Pads offer different functionality depending on the selected mode. See next chapters for further details.
- PARAMETER: These buttons control the Parameters of the selected Pad mode.
PADS - HOT CUES
Press the HOT CUE mode button to set the PADs to Hot Cue mode.
Each one of the 8 pad assigns a Hot Cue Point (1 to 8) or jumps the track to that Hot Cue Point (if assigned).
When a Hot Cue Button is unlit, you can assign a Hot Cue Point by pressing it at the desired point in your track. Once it is assigned, the Hot Cue Button will light on.
The color of the Pad depends on the setting nonColoredPOI or the assigned color from the POI Editor.
Hold SHIFT and then press a pad to delete its assigned Hot Cue Point.
Use the PARAMETER buttons to jump the song to the previous/next assigned HotCue point.
Hold SHIFT and then use the PARAMETER buttons to jump 1 beat backwards/forward.
Read further details about Pads in the VirtualDJ 8 manual
LOOP ROLL
Press the ROLL mode button to set the PADs to Loop Roll mode.
Press one of the 8 pads to trigger a momentary Loop Roll. Once the Pad is released, the track will resume playing from the position it would have been if the Loop Roll was never triggered. The exit point will be visible on the waveform of the VirtualDJ GUI with an additional “running” play marker.
Hold SHIFT to get a ½, ¾, 1 and 2 beats Loop Roll sizes for the 4 low pads.
Use the Page menu to apply the Loop Rolls to Video.
The PARAMETER buttons have no functionality in this mode.
Read further details about Pads in the VirtualDJ 8 manual
PADS - SLICER
Press the SLICER mode button to set the PADs to SLICER mode.
The 8 pads represent 8 sequential "Slices" in the Beat Grid. The currently playing Slice is represented by the currently green lit pad. The light will move through the pads as it progresses through each 8-Slice phrase. Press a pad to repeat that Slice (hold it down if you want to keep looping it).
Once the Pad is released the track will continue to play from the position it would have been if the pad was never pressed.
Hold SHIFT down and then use the Pads to repeat the memorized Slices (the Slices played/repeated last time)
Use the PARAMETER buttons to adjust the length of the Loop applied to the slice. Hold SHIFT[/color] down and then use the PARAMETER buttons to adjust the step (size) of the Slices
Read further details about Pads in the VirtualDJ 8 manual
PADS - SAMPLER
Press the SAMPLER button to set the PADs to Sampler mode (Led will be lit in orange color).
Each one of the 8 pads triggers a sample from the selected Sampler Bank of VirtualDJ. If a bank has less than 9 samples, both sides of the DDJ-SX3 will control the same samples. If a bank has more than 8 samples, the left side of the DDJ-SX3 will control samples 1 to 8 and the right side samples 9 to 16. The PAD will be lit if a sample slot is loaded and will blink if triggered.
Press the pads to trigger a sample. Depending on the selected trigger Pad mode, use SHIFT and the same pads to stop the sample.
By default the Samples will play at a volume designated by the strength that the Pad is pushed (Velocity).
You can choose from 2 kind of Velocity, (Normal and After Touch) from the unit's Settings (read Pioneer's manual) along with the curve of the Velocity. This functionality can be turned on/off by pressing the SAMPLER mode button for at least 2 seconds (long press). The led of the SAMPLER button will be red when velocity is turned off and orange if turned on. The selection is saved and will be remembered across sessions.
Use the PARAMETER buttons to select the Sampler Bank (previous/next).
Hold [SHIFT down and then use the PARAMETER buttons to select the Trigger Pad mode (on/off, hold, stutter or un-mute)
Read further details about Pads in the VirtualDJ 8 manual
PADS - CUE LOOP
Hold SHIFT and then press the HOTCUE mode button to set the PADs to Cue Loop mode (Led will be lit in green)
In this mode each one of the 8 pads assigns a Hot Cue Point or jumps the track to that Hot Cue Point, but in both cases, it also triggers a Loop at that point (momentary or toggle depending on the selected mode from the Page menu).
Hold SHIFT and then press a pad to stutter/jump to the Hotcue (loop will remain triggered)
Use the PARAMETER buttons to half/double the size of the triggered Loop.
HoldSHIFT and then use the PARAMETER buttons to select the On/Off (Toggle) or Hold (momentary) Loop trigger mode.
By default the Cue Loops will be quantized. This can be turned off/on from the Page Menu on the GUI.
Read further details about Pads in the VirtualDJ 8 manual
PADS - SAVED LOOPS
Hold SHIFT and then press the ROLL mode button to set the PADs to Saved Loops mode. The led of the ROLL button will be lit in green
Each one of the 8 pad represents a slot to save and recall a loop.
Press a Pad to save (and trigger at the same time - if not already) a Loop at the current position.
Hold the same Pad down for more than 2 seconds to delete the saved loop from the slot.
When a Loop is saved to a slot, use the same Pad to load* (enable) the saved loop, but not jump to its position if the loop is saved to a later position than the current one (loop load and prepare).
Hold SHIFT and then use the same Pad to load* (enable) the saved loop, and jump to its position.
*Note that only 1 Loop can be enabled each time.
Use the PARAMETER buttons to half/double the size of the Loop.
Hold SHIFT and then use the PARAMETER buttons to move the Loop back/forth in time by 1 beat steps.
Read further details about Pads in the VirtualDJ 8 manual
PADS - BEATJUMP
Hold SHIFT down and then press the SLICER mode button to set the Pads to Beat Jump mode. The led of this button will be lit in green
In this mode, the 8 Pads will jump the track backwards/forward by the amount of beats depending on the selected Beatjump page (from 1/8 beats to 32 Bars)
Use the PARAMETER buttons to select the Beatjump bank page (previous/next).
Read further details about Pads in the VirtualDJ 8 manual
PADS - KEY CUE
Hold SHIFT and then press the SAMPLER mode button to set the PADs to Key Cue mode. The led of the mode button will be lit in green.
Each of the 8 Pads triggers the selected Hotcue point (or the Temporary Cue if none selected or not available) at a selected Key semitone (from -7 to +7).
Eight different pages/banks are offered with various semitone values to use and a 0 value in order to reset the key to its original value is always offered in all pages.
Each time a Pad is pressed, the track will jump to the selected Hotcue point and will also alter the Key of the track to the value designated by its assigned value.
Hold SHIFT and then press a Pad in order to select a different Hotcue for the Key pads to trigger.
Use the PARAMETER buttons to adjust the Key of the track without triggering the Hotcue.
Hold SHIFT and then use the PARAMETER buttons to select a different page/bank with different key semitone values.
Read further details about Pads in the VirtualDJ 8 manual
PADS - SCRATCH
Hold the HOT CUE mode button for more than 1 second to set the PADs to Scratch mode. The led of the mode button will be lit in orange.
In this mode each Pad performs a different pre-defined Scratch routine of 2 Beats
Hold SHIFT and then press a Pad to open the Scratch DNA Editor and modify the scratch routine
The PARAMETER buttons have no functionality in this mode.
Read further details about Pads in the VirtualDJ 8 manual
PADS - EDIT GRID
Hold the ROLL mode button for more than 1 second to set the PADs to Edit Grid mode. The led of the mode button will be lit in orange.
Note that this special Pads page that will be displayed on the GUI will be available only if the DDJ-SX3 is connected.
In this mode the 8 Pad performs the following operation
- Pads 2 and 3 will slowly move the Beat Grid of the track backwards/forward while pressed
- Pads 1 and 4 will fast move the Beat Grid of the track backwards/forward while pressed
- Pads 6 and 7 will slowly decrease/increase the width of the Beat Grid pattern while pressed, same as if the BPM of the track is increased/decreased
- Pads 5 and 8 will decrease/increase the width of the Beat Grid pattern while pressed, same as above, but with faster steps
Use the left PARAMETER button to set the current track's position as First Beat. Any adjustments made to the width of the Beat Grid pattern (using Pads 4 to 8) will have this position as reference (steady point)
Hold SHIFT and then use the PARAMETER buttons to half/double the BPM of the track.
Read further details about Pads in the VirtualDJ 8 manual
PADS - SAMPLER FX
Hold the SLICER mode button for more than 1 second to set the PADs to Sampler FX mode.
Note that this special Pads page that will be displayed on the GUI will be available only if the DDJ-SX3 is connected.
In this mode the 8 Pad performs the following operation
- Pad 1 will turn on/off the selected Sampler FX
- Pads 2 and 3 will select the previous/next available Effect for the Sampler slot
- Pad 4 will open/close the GUI of the selected Effect on the right-side of the Browser in VirtualDJ GUI, to see all available Parameters of the Effect.
- Pad 5 offers a List of the available Effects to select, using mouse/keyboard), so mostly used from GUI
- Pads 6 to 8 will control the FX Buttons 1 to 3 (if available) of the selected Effect.
Use the left PARAMETER buttons to decrease/increase the amount of the 1st available Parameter of the selected Effect.
Hold SHIFT and then use the PARAMETER buttons to decrease/increase the amount of the 2nd available Parameter of the selected Effect.
Note that the same functionality (apply Effects on Sampler Output) can be performed from the FX units of the DDJ-SX3 if the FX CH1 button is pressed for more than 1 second (Sampler FX mode) and this Pads page is mostly an aid to see which Effect is selected and applied on the Sampler, as the default GUI of VirtualDJ is not offering this information.
Read further details about Pads in the VirtualDJ 8 manual
FRONT & REAR PANELS
- MASTER OUT1: Master signal output connectors (XLR – Balanced). Use this to connect on your pro grade amplifier or self-powered speakers.
- MASTER OUT2: Master signal output connectors (RCA – Unbalanced). Use it to connect with another mixer, or consumer grade amplifier.
- BOOTH OUT: Booth signal output (TRS – Balanced). The strength of the signal is controlled by “BOOTH MONITOR LEVEL” knob at the top panel. Use it to connect your booth speakers, or an amp that needs different sound output level than master output.
- CH INPUTS: Use these inputs to connect any analog source to the DDJ-SX3, such as CD players, turntables, Microphones or other media sources. Use the SOURCE switchers at the top panel of the DDJ-SX3 to route their audio signal to the Master Output. Their signal can be routed to VirtualDJ as Line Input when the corresponding Source switcher is set to USB (A/B), mostly useful for DVS Control. See Advanced Setup for further details.
. - USB CONNECTORS: Use a standard USB cable to connect DDJ-SX3 with your computer using A or B ports. 2 Computers can be connected at the same time, and control left/right side of the DDJ-SX3 and their mixer channels, depending on the SOURCE switchers position at the top panel.
- POWER: Connect the supplied power adapter and turn on/off the power on the device.
- HEADPHONES CONNECTOR: Use one of the two jacks to connect your headphones.
- HEADPHONES LEVEL: Adjusts the Headphones (CUE) Output Volume (Hardware operation, not visible on the VirtualDJ GUI).
- HEADPHONES MIXING: Use this knob to blend in Headphones the audio signal from the Master Output and the Decks that are sent to Headphones Channel via the CUE/PFL buttons. (Hardware operation, not visible on the VirtualDJ GUI). When the knob is at the minimum position, only the Decks that have been selected with the CUE/PFL buttons (at the top panel) will be heard in Headphones. When the same knob is at the maximum (right) position, the signal from the Master Output will be heard in Headphones.
- CROSSFADER CURVE: Select a curve for the crossfader (Smooth, Full, Scratch)
- MIC3 Input: Use this socket to connect a Microphone. This input is directly sent to the Master Output and cannot be included in VirtualDJ Audio Setup or apply Effects.
- MIC3 Level: Use this knob to adjust the Volume of the Microphone 3 Input. (Hardware Operation - cannot be assigned to any VDJ action)
- MIC3 On/Off: Use this switcher to turn Microphone Input 3 on/off. (Hardware Operation - cannot be assigned to any VDJ action)
ADVANCED SETUP
RECORDING
The DDJ-SX3 offers a dedicated Record Input and can be used to record your mix along with any analog input (Microphone, Analog Source etc) connected at the rear panel. This input is included in the default Audio configuration of the unit and no further adjustments are required.
TIMECODE CONTROL (DVS)
The DDJ-SX3 offers 4 Inputs suitable for Timecode Vinyl/CD. Connect your Timecode units (Turntables/CD Players) at the CH1 to CH4 inputs at the rear panel and make sure the SOURCE switchers at the top panel are set to USB A or USB B (depending on the USB port you have used to connect your computer.
Open the AUDIO tab of VirtualDJ Settings and click on the TIMECODE SIGNAL button at the top-right, to automatically add the necessary timecode lines to the Audio setup. If line inputs are in the audio setup (offered by default), click on the LINE INPUT button as well, to remove the linein lines.
Click to APPLY.
Use the TIMECODE ON buttons from the VDJ GUI to enable the Timecode controls to a VirtualDJ deck.
MICROPHONE INPUTS
The DDJ-SX3 offers the ability to connect up to 3 Microphones (2 at the rear panel and a 3rd one at the front).
The front MIC3 input is directly routed to the Master Output and only a Volume control is available.
The other 2 Microphone inputs MIC1 and MIC2 (connected at the rear panel) can be routed to a DDJ-SX3 mixer channel via the SOURCE switchers at the top panel on mixer Channels 3 and 4 respectively. This means that for 3 microphone inputs, you will be able to control only 2 VirtualDJ decks via the DDJ-SX3 mixer.
None of the Microphone Inputs can be included in VirtualDJ Setup (Hardware inputs), nor can be controlled from VirtualDJ. However, all 3 of them can be recorded along with your mix.
Further adjustments for the Microphone Inputs can be done via the DDJ-SX3 Settings Utility
