PIONEER DJM-A9




for VirtualDJ 2023
Last Update : August 2023




 

SETUP


Connections






Firmware & Drivers


Windows : Install the Windows Driver from https://www.pioneerdj.com/en/support/software/mixer/djm-a9/#drivers

Mac : No driver is required for Mac OS computers, but it is highly recommended to install the DJM-A9 Utility Software from https://www.pioneerdj.com/en/support/software/mixer/djm-a9/#drivers in order to make changes to the audio channels routing.

No firmware update is available at the time this manual is written, but it is advised to check at Pioneer's website https://www.pioneerdj.com/en/support/software/mixer/djm-a9/


VirtualDJ Setup


Download and install VirtualDJ from https://www.virtualdj.com/download/index.html (in case you have not done already)
Once VirtualDJ is opened, a Connect Window will appear. Login with your account credentials.

A Pro Infinity or a Pro Subscription License is required to use the Pioneer DJM-A9. Without any of the above Licenses, the mixer will operate for 10 minutes each time you restart VirtualDJ.
https://www.virtualdj.com/buy/index.html



A Detection window will appear next, to verify the proper detection.

Click on the “DJM-A9” button and VirtualDJ will automatically create and apply the default audio configuration using the built-in audio interface of the Pioneer DJM-A9

Click to OK.


The device is now ready to operate with VirtualDJ.


MIDI Operation


The device should be visible in the MAPPING tab of Config and the “factory default” available/selected from the Mappings drop-down list.



Note, that nearly all buttons, knobs and faders of the DJM-A9 offer hardware/firmware/internal functionality, thus it is highly recommenced not to change the assigned actions, as the hardware functionality will still apply. Some of the device's keys are pre-mapped to "fake" mode actions, just as a mixing aid (show status on the GUI).


AUDIO Setup


The device has a pre-defined Audio setup and a special button in the AUDIO tab of Config to provide that. Alternative setups can be applied in the same window. See Advanced Setup



For further software settings please refer to the User Guide of VirtualDJ.
https://www.virtualdj.com/manuals/virtualdj8/index.html
 

CONTROLS


The Pioneer DJM-A9 offers mostly hardware/internal functionality for which you will need to read the Pioneer DJM-A9 manual from https://www.pioneerdj.com/en/support/documents/mixer/djm-a9/

In this manual we will describe only the additional software functionality and options when using VirtualDJ

SOURCE SELECT


Make sure all the Mixer Channels are set to Computer (USB) A or B source (depending on the USB port of the DJM-A9 you used to connect with your computer) in order VirtualDJ to receive and send Audio and MIDI functionalities.

If any of the Mixer Channels are not set to USB A/B source, then VirtualDJ will not be able to send or receive Audio and MIDI from those Channels.



CHANNELS LAYOUT


By default VirtualDJ is using a 3-1-2-4 Channel order.
This means that from left to right the channels are Deck C, Deck A, Deck B and Deck D
A different Mixer Channel Order can be set via VirtualDJ Settings->OPTIONS tab with the MixerOrder setting.




EQUALIZER & STEMS


The Pioneer DJM-A9 is applying its own 3-Band Equalizer, thus VirtualDJ will not apply its internal one. By default the EQ knobs are assigned to fake EQ mode actions, so that they will show their positions on the screen just as a mixing aid.

Using Stems separation via the EQ knobs is possible only when using 2 VirtualDJ Decks (Decks A and B) and the 2 middle Channels. In this case, you can use the outer mixer channels to apply Stems.





Read more info about Stems at https://www.virtualdj.com/manuals/virtualdj/interface/stems2.html
 

ADVANCED SETUP


The DJM-A9 offers 2 built-in USB Audio interfaces (sound cards) by connecting the device with a USB port of a computer using the USB A or USB B sockets and each one of them offers 10 Outputs and 12 Inputs. The Inputs and Outputs Channels routing is available from the Pioneer DJM-A9 Setting Utility.

You can open the Utility window with the following ways :
For Windows computer: :
Click on the ASIO button from VirtualDJ AUDIO tab of VirtualDJ Settings,
or navigate using [Windows START] menu [Pioneer] [DJM-A9 Settings Utility]

For Mac OSX computer:
Navigate to [MACINTOSH HD] icon [Applications] [Pioneer] [DJM-A9 Settings Utility]



Pioneer DJM-A9 Utilities - Inputs



Pioneer DJM-A9 Utilities - Outputs


POST-FADER SOFTWARE EFFECTS


Hardware Effects applied from the DJM-A9 are always Post-fader. For VirtualDJ Effects (applied from skin or other MIDI device), you will need to have the following settings.


RECORD & BROADCAST


Recording your mix with a mixer applying it's own audio mixing, Equalizer and Effects, requires a dedicated Recording Input. By default VirtualDJ is using Inputs 1,2 and the special record input is included in the pre-defined Audio setup of VirtualDJ
Just make sure your Audio setup and Pioneer Settings Utility have the same Channels.





RECORDING LEVEL


By default when you are recording with a dedicated Record input, VirtualDJ has no control over the sound levels of the recordings. The Pioneer Settings Utility offers some options over the sound level that it sends back to VirtualDJ for recording. The default value is 0 db but if your recording is low in level, you can change that value to a higher one, from Pioneer Setting Utility.



TIMECODE - DVS


By default up to 4 Timecode inputs can offer DVS control to 4 VirtualDJ Decks, using CH Inputs 1 to 4. Read further information for Timecode Inputs at VirtualDJ Manual


Make sure you use the same Input channels in both VirtualDJ and Pioneer Settings Utilities.


VirtualDJ Audio Setup with 4 Timecode inputs




Pioneer DJM-A9 Utilities - 4 Phono Inputs



Pioneer DJM-A9 Utilities - 4 Line Inputs


HID VIA LINK


Pioneer DJM-A9 supports Pioneer's "HID via LINK" protocol when used together with compatible devices (CDJ-2000NXS2 and/or CDJ-3000).
"HID via LINK" offers the ability to use only one USB connection (that of the mixer) in order to control all supported devices connected on Pioneer's "LINK" network.
For more information on how to use "HID via LINK" protocol with DJM-A9 and supported devices please read HID via LINK Setup Manual



For further Technical features and specifications, visit

Pioneer DJM-A9
Product's Page





Hardware Integration Department
2023 - ATOMIX PRODUCTIONS


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