Pioneer DDJ-SX2

The Pioneer DDJ-SX2 is a 4 deck all-in-one controller that provides intuitive control of all of Mixxx’s features.

New in version 2.6.

User Options

To change the mapping’s user options, go into Mixxx’s Controllers Settings and change the options:

  • PioneerDDJSX.NeedleSearchBehaviour: Allow to use needle search when a song is playing. If disabled, you can use Shift + NeedleSearch to use the needle search when a song is playing.

  • PioneerDDJSX.safeScratchTimeout: Safe Scratch Timeout (ms) (20ms is the minimum allowed)

  • PioneerDDJSX.UseShiftToBreak: Use Play instead of Shift + Play to brake/soft start.

  • PioneerDDJSX.SoftStartTime: Soft Start Factor (Higher is faster) (disable with -1)

  • PioneerDDJSX.BrakeTime: Brake Factor (Higher is faster) (disable with -1)

  • PioneerDDJSX.CenterRedLightsBehavior: Bar-by-bar central red LED counter (Beat-By-Beat if disabled)

  • PioneerDDJSX.CenterWhiteLightsBehavior: Show track progression instead of rotation in the center white lights.

  • PioneerDDJSX.DoNotTrickController: Do not send Serato mode keep-alive when enabled. Note that center lights, spin alignment and slip flash will not be available.

General Functions

Group

Figure

Control

Description

5 - BROWSER

2, 3, 4, 5

LOAD

Loads the highlighted track from the Library into the selected deck

5 - BROWSER

2

SHIFT + LOAD

Sort the current library by BPM

5 - BROWSER

3

SHIFT + LOAD

Sort the current library by song title

5 - BROWSER

4

SHIFT + LOAD

Sort the current library by track number

5 - BROWSER

5

SHIFT + LOAD

Sort the current library by artist

5 - BROWSER

1

Rotary Selector

Scrolls up/down through the Library list

5 - BROWSER

1

Rotary Selector (press)

Opens or loads the selected Library item

5 - BROWSER

6

BACK

Moves focus to the Library’s left panel (crates, playlists, etc.)

5 - BROWSER

6

SHIFT + BACK

Toggles between 2 or 4 decks

5 - BROWSER

7

LOAD PREPARE

Preloads track metadata (BPM, Key) and displays waveform preview without loading the track

5 - BROWSER

7

SHIFT + LOAD PREPARE

Toggles the maximized library

3 - MIXER

1

Crossfader

Blends audio between decks assigned to side A and side B

3 - MIXER

2

Channel fader

Controls the output level of the deck

3 - MIXER

3

TRIM

Controls deck gain

3 - MIXER

4

EQ HIGH

Controls deck’s equalizer/filter high frequencies

3 - MIXER

5

EQ MID

Controls deck’s equalizer/filter mid frequencies

3 - MIXER

6

EQ LOW

Controls deck’s equalizer/filter low frequencies

3 - MIXER

7

CUE

Toggles headphone pre-listen (PFL) for the deck

3 - MIXER

7

SHIFT + CUE

Sends BPM tap input for manual tempo detection

3 - MIXER

8

MASTER LEVEL

Controls the hardware master output level (independent from Mixxx)

3 - MIXER

8

MASTER CUE

Routes the master output signal to the headphones (independent from Mixxx)

3 - MIXER

8

SHIFT + MASTER CUE

Enables split-cue mode (cue in one ear, master in the other)

3 - MIXER

1

Crossfader Assign

Crossfader assignment, deck to crossfader (left (A), right (B) or center (THRU))

3 - MIXER

13

HEADPHONES MIX

Controls headphone’s audio source (cue, main) (independent from Mixxx)

3 - MIXER

11

Sampler Volume

Controls the global output level of all sampler slots

3 - MIXER

15

BOOTH MONITOR LEVEL

Controls the hardware booth output level (independent from Mixxx)

4 - FRONT PANEL

1

Crossfader curve

Adjusts the hardware crossfader response curve (smooth to sharp)

4 - FRONT PANEL

2

INPUT SELECT

Selects the physical input source for the deck (PC, MIC, CD, PHONO, LINE) (independent from Mixxx)

1 - DECK

25

PANEL SELECT

Shows or hides the Sampler panel and the Effects rack in Mixxx

Note

The MASTER LEVEL, MASTER CUE, HEADPHONE MIX, BOOTH MONITOR LEVEL and INPUT SELECT controls directly affect the controller’s sound card, so adjusting these will not change anything on screen in Mixxx.

Deck Functions

The controls listed here are documented in Section 1 (“Deck”) of the owner’s manual.

Figure

Control

Description

1

PLAY/PAUSE

Starts or stops playback at the current playhead position

1

SHIFT + PLAY/PAUSE

Starts or stops playback using brake/soft-start

2

CUE

Sets a cue point or returns playback to the stored cue point depending on deck state

2

SHIFT + CUE

Instantly jumps to the beginning of the track and stops playback

3

Jog Wheel (platter)

Vinyl mode ON: scratch when pressed and rotated. Vinyl mode OFF: performs pitch bend.

3

SHIFT + Jog Wheel (platter)

Moves the playhead quickly through the track for fast navigation

3

Jog Wheel (side)

Applies temporary pitch bend when rotated

3

SHIFT + Jog Wheel (side)

Moves the playhead quickly through the track for fast navigation

4

TEMPO

Adjusts the deck’s playback speed (pitch/tempo)

5

KEYLOCK

Toggles keylock to maintain musical key when changing tempo, holding the button will reset the tempo to the default value of the track

5

SHIFT + KEYLOCK

Toggles between for values for the tempo range : +/-8 ; +/-16 ; +/-32 ; +/-64

6

NEEDLE SEARCH

Jumps to the corresponding absolute position in the track when track is not playing (A setting can allow jumping when a track is playing)

6

SHIFT + NEEDLE SEARCH

Jumps to the corresponding absolute position in the track at any time

7

DECK 1

Switches left deck to DECK 1 control and illumination

8

DECK 2

Switches right deck to DECK 2 control and illumination

9

DECK 3

Switches left deck to DECK 3 control and illumination

10

DECK 4

Switches right deck to DECK 4 control and illumination

11

SYNC

Toggles beat sync for the deck

11

SHIFT + SYNC

Toggles sync lock mode for continuous tempo alignment

12

AUTO LOOP

Creates and activates an automatic loop at the current play position

12

SHIFT + AUTO LOOP

Activates or deactivates the currently defined loop

13

LOOP 1/2X

Halves the length of the active loop

13

SHIFT + LOOP 1/2X

Moves the active loop one beat backward

14

LOOP 2X

Doubles the length of the active loop

14

SHIFT + LOOP 2X

Moves the active loop one beat forward

15

LOOP IN

Sets or adjusts the loop-in point

15

SHIFT + LOOP IN

Activates the current loop, jumps to the loop-in point, and stops playback

16

LOOP OUT

Sets or adjusts the loop-out point

16

SHIFT + LOOP OUT

Toggles reloop/exit for the active loop

18

SLIP

Enables slip mode, allowing temporary actions without altering track position

18

SHIFT + SLIP

Enables or disables the Vinyl mode for the current Deck (LED ON = Vinyl mode ON, LED OFF = Vinyl mode OFF)

17

CENSOR

Performs a temporary reverse roll while held

17

SHIFT + CENSOR

Toggles continuous reverse playback

19

GRID ADJUST

Adjusts the beatgrid tempo up or down

19

SHIFT + GRID ADJUST

Sets/translates the beatgrid to the current play position

20

GRID SLIDE

Hold and touch/rotate Jog dial to set/translate beat grid earlier/later

20

SHIFT + GRID SLIDE

Resets the beatgrid to its previous state.

25

SLOT

Reset the track key (Pitch)

25

SHIFT + SLOT

Set the track key DOWN (Pitch)

26

REC

Toggle the Quantize function (LED ON = Quantize enabled for the current deck, LED OFF = Quantize disabled)

26

SHIFT + REC

Set the Repeat mode for the track

27

START

Toggle the Loop Anchor function (LED ON = Created from ending point, LED OFF = Created from starting point (Default))

27

SHIFT + START

Set the track key UP (Pitch)

21

SHIFT

Enables access to secondary (shifted) controls, no direct function

Performance Pads

The performance pads support multiple different modes. The controls listed here are documented in Section 6 (“Performance Pads”) of the owner’s manual.

Figure

Control

Description

9

HOT CUE mode

Switches pad control and illumination to HOT CUE mode

9

SHIFT + HOT CUE mode

Switches pad control and illumination to HOT CUE LOOP mode

10

ROLL mode

Switches pad control and illumination to ROLL mode

10

SHIFT + ROLL mode

Switches pad control and illumination to SAVED LOOP mode

11

SLICER mode

Switches pad control and illumination to SLICER mode, in SLICER mode switches between continuous slice mode and loop slice mode

11

SHIFT + SLICER mode

Switches pad control and illumination to SLICER LOOP mode, in SLICER mode switches between continuous slice mode and loop slice mode

12

SAMPLER mode

Switches pad control and illumination to SAMPLER mode

12

SHIFT + SAMPLER mode

Switches pad control and illumination to VELOCITY SAMPLER mode

HOT CUE Mode

Figure

Control

Description

1

PAD 1

Sets or triggers Hot Cue 1

1

SHIFT + PAD 1

Clear Hot cue 1

2

PAD 2

Sets or triggers Hot Cue 2

2

SHIFT + PAD 2

Clear Hot cue 2

3

PAD 3

Sets or triggers Hot Cue 3

3

SHIFT + PAD 3

Clear Hot cue 3

4

PAD 4

Sets or triggers Hot Cue 4

4

SHIFT + PAD 4

Clear Hot cue 4

5

PAD 5

Sets or triggers Hot Cue 5

5

SHIFT + PAD 5

Clear Hot cue 5

6

PAD 6

Sets or triggers Hot Cue 6

6

SHIFT + PAD 6

Clear Hot cue 6

7

PAD 7

Sets or triggers Hot Cue 7

7

SHIFT + PAD 7

Clear Hot cue 7

8

PAD 8

Sets or triggers Hot Cue 8

8

SHIFT + PAD 8

Clear Hot cue 8

13

PARAMETER LEFT

No function

14

PARAMETER RIGHT

No function

14

SHIFT + PARAMETER RIGHT

No function

14

SHIFT + PARAMETER RIGHT

No function

HOT CUE LOOP Mode

In this mode, hotcues will have a loop enabled and saved.

Figure

Control

Description

1

PAD 1

Set/activate Hot cue 9

1

SHIFT + PAD 1

Clear Hot cue 9

2

PAD 2

Set/activate Hot cue 10

2

SHIFT + PAD 2

Clear Hot cue 10

3

PAD 3

Set/activate Hot cue 11

3

SHIFT + PAD 3

Clear Hot cue 11

4

PAD 4

Set/activate Hot cue 12

4

SHIFT + PAD 4

Clear Hot cue 12

5

PAD 5

Set/activate Hot cue 13

5

SHIFT + PAD 5

Clear Hot cue 13

6

PAD 6

Set/activate Hot cue 14

6

SHIFT + PAD 6

Clear Hot cue 14

7

PAD 7

Set/activate Hot cue 15

7

SHIFT + PAD 7

Clear Hot cue 15

8

PAD 8

Set/activate Hot cue 16

8

SHIFT + PAD 8

Clear Hot cue 16

13

PARAMETER LEFT

No function

14

PARAMETER RIGHT

No function

14

SHIFT + PARAMETER RIGHT

No function

14

SHIFT + PARAMETER RIGHT

No function

ROLL Mode

By using the PARAMETER LEFT and PARAMETER RIGHT buttons in ROLL mode (default parameter set: 1), you can change the pad-assigned loop size. The following table shows the possible assignments (unit: beats).

Set No.

Pad 1

Pad 2

Pad 3

Pad 4

Pad 5

Pad 6

Pad 7

Pad 8

0

1/2

1

2

4

8

16

32

64

1

1/4

1/2

1

2

4

8

16

32

2

1/8

1/4

1/2

1

2

4

8

16

3

1/16

1/8

1/4

1/2

1

2

4

8

4

1/32

1/16

1/8

1/4

1/2

1

2

4

Figure

Control

Description

1

PAD 1

Toggle Beatloop roll length index 1 (according parameter set)

2

PAD 2

Toggle Beatloop roll length index 2 (according parameter set)

3

PAD 3

Toggle Beatloop roll length index 3 (according parameter set)

4

PAD 4

Toggle Beatloop roll length index 4 (according parameter set)

5

PAD 5

Toggle Beatloop roll length index 5 (according parameter set)

6

PAD 6

Toggle Beatloop roll length index 6 (according parameter set)

7

PAD 7

Toggle Beatloop roll length index 7 (according parameter set)

8

PAD 8

Toggle Beatloop roll length index 8 (according parameter set)

13

PARAMETER LEFT

Decrement active looproll-interval parameter set (0-3)

14

PARAMETER RIGHT

Increment active looproll-interval parameter set (0-3)

14

SHIFT + PARAMETER RIGHT

No function

14

SHIFT + PARAMETER RIGHT

No function

SAVED LOOP ROLL Mode

This mode has pre-made loop that can be toggled.

SLICER Mode

This mode is used as a beatjump, the four top pad jumps backward and the four bottom pad jumps forward.

SLICER LOOP Mode

Same as SLICER mode.

SAMPLER Mode

Figure

Control

Description

1

PAD 1

Sample deck index 1 (according sampler bank) - empty: Load selected track into sample deck, track loaded: start play (default, see user options) sample deck

1

SHIFT + PAD 1

Sample deck index 1 (according sampler bank) - playing: stop deck, stopped: eject track

2

PAD 2

Sample deck index 2 (according sampler bank) - empty: Load selected track into sample deck, track loaded: start play (default, see user options) sample deck

2

SHIFT + PAD 2

Sample deck index 2 (according sampler bank) - playing: stop deck, stopped: eject track

3

PAD 3

Sample deck index 3 (according sampler bank) - empty: Load selected track into sample deck, track loaded: start play (default, see user options) sample deck

3

SHIFT + PAD 3

Sample deck index 3 (according sampler bank) - playing: stop deck, stopped: eject track

4

PAD 4

Sample deck index 4 (according sampler bank) - empty: Load selected track into sample deck, track loaded: start play (default, see user options) sample deck

4

SHIFT + PAD 4

Sample deck index 4 (according sampler bank) - playing: stop deck, stopped: eject track

5

PAD 5

Sample deck index 5 (according sampler bank) - empty: Load selected track into sample deck, track loaded: start play (default, see user options) sample deck

5

SHIFT + PAD 5

Sample deck index 5 (according sampler bank) - playing: stop deck, stopped: eject track

6

PAD 6

Sample deck index 6 (according sampler bank) - empty: Load selected track into sample deck, track loaded: start play (default, see user options) sample deck

6

SHIFT + PAD 6

Sample deck index 6 (according sampler bank) - playing: stop deck, stopped: eject track

7

PAD 7

Sample deck index 7 (according sampler bank) - empty: Load selected track into sample deck, track loaded: start play (default, see user options) sample deck

7

SHIFT + PAD 7

Sample deck index 7 (according sampler bank) - playing: stop deck, stopped: eject track

8

PAD 8

Sample deck index 8 (according sampler bank) - empty: Load selected track into sample deck, track loaded: start play (default, see user options) sample deck

8

SHIFT + PAD 8

Sample deck index 8 (according sampler bank) - playing: stop deck, stopped: eject track

13

PARAMETER LEFT

Selects previous sampler bank (Up to 64 samples)

14

PARAMETER RIGHT

Selects next sampler bank (Up to 64 samples)

14

SHIFT + PARAMETER RIGHT

No function

14

SHIFT + PARAMETER RIGHT

No function

VELOCITY SAMPLER Mode

Same as SAMPLER mode, but with Velocity on the pads.

Effect Functions

This controller mapping uses the standard Mixxx mapping for effects sections on controllers. The controls listed here are documented in Section 2 (“Effects”) of the owner’s manual.

Figure

Control

Description

1 (L)

FX1-1

Focused effect none: Controls EffectRack1-EffectUnit1/3-Effect1 meta, Focused effect 1..3: Controls effect parameter 1 of effect in EffectRack1-EffectUnit1/3

1 (L)

SHIFT + FX1-1

No function

1 (R)

FX2-1

Focused effect none: Controls EffectRack1-EffectUnit2/4-Effect1 meta, Focused effect 1..3: Controls effect parameter 1 of focused effect in EffectRack1-EffectUnit2/4

1 (R)

SHIFT + FX2-1

No function

2 (L)

FX1-2

Focused effect none: Controls EffectRack1-EffectUnit1/3-Effect2 meta, Focused effect 1..3: Controls effect parameter 2 of focused effect in EffectRack1-EffectUnit1/3

2 (L)

SHIFT + FX1-2

No function

2 (R)

FX2-2

Focused effect none: Controls EffectRack1-EffectUnit2/4-Effect2 meta, Focused effect 1..3: Controls effect parameter 2 of focused effect in EffectRack1-EffectUnit2/4

2 (R)

SHIFT + FX2-2

No function

3 (L)

FX1-3

Focused effect none: Controls EffectRack1-EffectUnit1/3-Effect3 meta, Focused effect 1..3: Controls effect parameter 3 of focused effect in EffectRack1-EffectUnit1/3

3 (L)

SHIFT + FX1-3

No function

3 (R)

FX2-3

Focused effect none: Controls EffectRack1-EffectUnit2/4-Effect3 meta, Focused effect 1..3: Controls effect parameter 3 of focused effect in EffectRack1-EffectUnit2/4

3 (R)

SHIFT + FX2-3

No function

4 (L)

FX1 BEATS

Turn: Controls EffectRack1-EffectUnit1/3 mix. Click: Cycle through the different effects values. By default each knob controls the main value of all 3 effects, when clicking the BEATS knob, the effects knobs will now set the value for the different elements of the effects (For example, Decay/BW/Dampling for the Reverb effect)

4 (R)

FX2 BEATS

Turn: Controls EffectRack1-EffectUnit2/4 mix. Click: Cycle through the different effects values. By default each knob controls the main value of all 3 effects, when clicking the BEATS knob, the effects knobs will now set the value for the different elements of the effects (For example, Decay/BW/Dampling for the Reverb effect)

4 (L)

SHIFT + FX1 BEATS

No function

4 (R)

SHIFT + FX2 BEATS

No function

5 (L)

FX1-1 ON

Toggles EffectRack1-EffectUnit1/3-Effect1

5 (R)

FX2-1 ON

Toggles EffectRack1-EffectUnit2/4-Effect1

6 (L)

FX1-2 ON

Toggles EffectRack1-EffectUnit1/3-Effect2

6 (R)

FX2-2 ON

Toggles EffectRack1-EffectUnit2/4-Effect2

7 (L)

FX1-3 ON

Toggles EffectRack1-EffectUnit1/3-Effect3

7 (R)

FX2-3 ON

Toggles EffectRack1-EffectUnit2/4-Effect3

8 (L)

FX1 TAP

Sets whether to mix as wet/dry or wet+dry for FX1

8 (R)

FX2 TAP

Sets whether to mix as wet/dry or wet+dry for FX2

8 (L)

SHIFT + FX1 TAP

Expand or collapse the FX1 effect panel

8 (R)

SHIFT + FX2 TAP

Expand or collapse the FX2 effect panel

9, 10, 11, 12

FX1 ASSIGN

Assign EffectRack1-EffectUnit1/3 to specific deck

13, 14, 15, 16

FX2 ASSIGN

Assign EffectRack1-EffectUnit2/4 to specific deck

17, 18, 19, 20

FILTER

Control QuickEffectRack1 super1 knob (e.g. moog filter)

Troubleshooting

If you experience any strange behavior of a button or a LED (e.g. wheel LEDs not working), make sure your controller is set up correctly to work with Mixxx. The DDJ-SX2 provides several settings, which can be changed in a special Utility-Mode. Please look up the official manual before changing anything in Utility-Mode.

Utility-Mode

  • Disconnect USB-cable.

  • Switch off STANDBY/ON the unit.

  • Hold SHIFT button and PLAY/PAUSE button at the left deck while switching on the unit STANDBY/ON.

  • Now Utility-Mode is activated.

  • For saving and exiting Utility-Mode, switch off the unit again STANDBY/ON.

Setting for usage of Serato DJ

To use the DDJ-SX2 with Mixxx, the controller must be configured for the usage of Serato DJ. You can check/change this setting by pressing the KEY LOCK button at the left deck.

  • KEY LOCK button off: Controller is configured for using Serato DJ (default).

  • KEY LOCK button on (lit): Controller is configured for using different DJ-software.