Scratch pro "low input" message

Hi everyone,

Long time Traktor user, first time poster!

I've just upgraded from my S2 controller (5 years old) to a dvs setup. I have a Kontrol Z2 and 2 reloop 4000 turntables.

I upgraded the software to the scratch pro version and it's all working apart from the "low input" message, this is on both decks.

I've read a couple of threads on this and the common problem is solved by "check the settings under: Preferences > Mixer > Level > Headroom. It's probably set to -6dB.
Set it to "None" for the hottest output without any internal headroom."

I've tried this, without the z2 plugged in I set the headroom to none, however when I plug the z2 in the option to set headroom disappears.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Candyman

 

The "low input" message means that the timecode signal is not strong/good enough to be interpreted correctly by Traktor. We want this signal loud and clear. It is normal to get this message when the needle is in the locked groove since the locked groove doesn't carry any timecode information. When you get the message on other places of your vinyl it can have different reasons. Some are:

• not enough weight on the needle (I set mine to about 3)
• vinyl dirty
• cartridge not suitable for dvs
  
• audio signal volume from turntable is too low (built-in amp or audio interface need to be adjusted)

These are just general remarks. I don't own a Z2, so if it's something special related to Z2 settings I can't help. AFAIK the headroom setting is rather output related than input related, so I would doubt that it's of relevance here.

 

Not enough weight on the needle, as soon as I read that I realised I was being a frickin idiot, so had a look at the weight on the tonearm, was set to heaviest weight on the needle possible, pulled it back a bit and all started working perfectly with no error messages.

So it turns out it can be caused by too much weight as well as too little, everyday is a schoolday

Thanks for your help.

 

Update

After playing around with the tone arm weight I've discovered that with a lighter weight on the needle it doesn't come up with the "low input" warning but the audio is all over the place and the bpm fluctuates a lot.

Could it be the stylus? It's all brand new kit and the cartridge and stylus are the stock reloop ones that came with the turntables. Could new (better) cartridge and stylus be the answer and if so can anyone recommend what to get?

 

The whole timecode stuff is all trial and error. Make sure your scope view is displayed and experiment with the weight until you have a nice circle (see manual). I have the Ortofon DJ S, the weight is set between 3 and 3.5, and I have to brush the dust off the needle every 30min. Every tap on the turntable leads to a "low input" message (and I have the RP 8000 with midi controls). As a bedroom dj this is no problem for me, but I wonder how pro djs use dvs in a club environment.

 

Hey I think I figured out this issue as I struggled with the same error message. I originally had my Technics turntables plugged into the Line input on the back of the Z2. Once I plugged them into the Phono Input on the Z2 and flipped the switch from line to phono (don't forget to push the "Traktor button next to the switch) then it corrected the issue! Hope this helps someone out there.