DENON DJ MCX8000 Standalone DJ Player and Serato 4-Channel DJ Controller User Guide

DENON DJ MCX8000 Standalone DJ Player and Serato 4-Channel DJ Controller

Introduction

Box Contents

• MCX8000
• USB Cable
• Power Adapter
• Software Download Card
• Quickstart Guide
• Safety & Warranty Manual

Important: Visit denondj.com and find the webpage for MCX8000 to download the complete User Guide.

Support

For the latest information about this product (system requirements, compatibility information, etc.) and product registration, visit denondj.com.

Setup

Important: Occasionally, we may update MCX8000’s firmware to improve its performance. Visit denondj.com to check for available firmware updates, especially after you update your software (firmware updates may address new software features).

Note: Items not listed under the Introduction > Box Contents are sold separately.

1. Visit denondj.com and log into your account. (Create an account if this is your first Denon DJ product.)
2. In your account, download and install the latest versions of Engine and Serato DJ.
3. Windows users only: In your account, download and install the latest Windows driver.
4. Connect input sources (microphones, CD players, etc.) to MCX8000.
5. Connect output devices (headphones, power amplifiers, loudspeakers, etc.) to MCX8000.
6. Plug all devices into power sources, and turn on devices in proper order:
   • When starting a session, turn on (1) input sources, (2) MCX8000, (3) output devices.
   • When ending a session, turn off (1) output devices, (2) MCX8000, (3) input sources.
7. To use Serato DJ: Using a standard USB cable (included), connect the USB port on MCX8000 to your computer. Open Serato DJ and go! For more information on how to use Serato DJ with MCX8000, visit serato.com/dj/support and select Denon DJ MCX8000.
   To use Engine (standalone playback): Insert a USB flash drive (with an Engine-configured music library) to one of MCX8000’s USB ports.

Features

Top Panel

1. Input Selector: Set this switch to the desired audio source from this channel: PC (a track playing on that layer in the software), Line (a device connected to the Line Input on the rear panel), or Engine (a track on a connected USB flash drive; Decks 1 and 2 only). Please note that the Line/Phono selector switches on the rear panel must also be set properly. Also, a channel’s controls will only send MIDI information when its Input Selector is set to PC.

2. Channel Level: Turn this knob to adjust the level of the pre-fader, pre-EQ audio signal for the channel.

3. Channel Level Meters: These LEDs display the audio signal level of the channel.

4. Channel EQ: Turn these knobs to boost or cut the high, mid-range, and low frequencies for the channel.

5. Channel Filter: Turn this knob to adjust the filter applied to the channel. Turn the knob counterclockwise to apply a low-pass filter. Turn the knob clockwise to apply a high-pass filter.

6. Channel Cue: Press this button to send the channel’s pre-fader signal to the headphones’ cue channel.

7. Channel Fader: Use this fader to adjust the channel’s volume level.

8. Crossfader Assign: Routes the audio playing on the corresponding channel to either side of the crossfader (L or R), or bypasses the crossfader and sends the audio directly to the
   program mix (center, Thru).

9. Crossfader: Use this crossfader to mix between the two active decks.

10. Channel FX: Use these buttons to apply Effect A and/or B to the corresponding channel.

11. Sampler Volume: Turn this knob to adjust the volume level of the software’s sampler.

12. Master Level Meters: These LEDs display the audio signal level of the master mix (sent out of the master outputs).

13. Master Level: Turn this knob to adjust the volume level of the master outputs.

14. Booth Level: Turn this knob to adjust the volume level of the Booth Outputs.

15. Booth EQ: Turn these knobs to boost or cut the high and low frequencies for the Booth Outputs.

16. Mic Level: Turn these knobs to adjust the volume levels of the corresponding microphone inputs. The Peak light next to each knob indicates the current signal level by its color: green (low), amber (normal/optimal), or red (maximum/peak).
    Important: The audio signals from the microphones are routed directly to the Master Outputs.

17. Mic EQ: Turn these knobs to boost or cut the high and low frequencies for the corresponding microphones.

18. Echo On/Off: Press this button to activate/deactivate the reverb effect on the microphones’ audio signal.

19. Mic Echo Level: Turn this knob to adjust the amount of the reverb effect on the microphones’ audio signal.

20. Mic On/Off: Press this button to activate/deactivate the microphones.

21. Talkover/Post: Press this button to use the “talkover” feature, which automatically reduces the volume level of the master mix when you speak into the microphone.
    Press and hold Shift and then press this button to activate/deactivate the “post” feature. When on, the microphones’ signal will not be sent to the Booth Outputs.

22. Phones Level: Adjusts the volume of the headphones.

23. Phones Mix: Adjusts the software’s audio output to the headphones, mixing between the cue output and the master mix output.

24. Split Cue: When this switch is in the On position, the headphone audio will be “split” such that all channels sent to cue channel are summed to mono and sent to the left headphone channel and the master mix is summed to mono and sent to the right channel. When the switch is in the Off position, the cue channel and master mix will be “blended” together.

25. X-F Link: Press this button to link or unlink the Serato Video crossfader to the audio crossfader.

26. Deck: Selects which deck in the software is controlled by that hardware deck. The left deck can control Deck 1 or 3; the right deck can control Deck 2 or 4.

27. Shift: Press and hold this button to access secondary functions of other controls.

28. Sync / Sync Off: When using Serato DJ, press this button to automatically match the corresponding deck’s tempo with the tempo and phase of the opposite deck.
    When using Engine, press this button to automatically match the corresponding deck’s tempo with the tempo of the opposite deck. The Sync button on the master deck will flash. Press and hold Shift and press this button to deactivate Sync.
    Important: Sync is not possible between Serato DJ and Engine.

29. Cue / Track Start: During playback, press this button to return the track to a temporary cue point. If you have not set a temporary cue point, then press this button to return to the start of the track. (To set a temporary cue point, make sure the track is paused, move the platter to place the audio playhead at the desired location, and then press this button.) If the deck is paused, press and hold this button to play the track from the temporary cue point. Release the button to return the track to the temporary cue point and pause it. To continue playback without returning to the temporary cue point, press and hold this button and 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 start of the track.

30. Play/Pause / Stutter: This button pauses or resumes playback. Press and hold Shift and then press this button to “stutter-play” the track from the last set cue point.

31. Platter: This capacitive, touch-sensitive platter controls the audio playhead when the wheel is touched and moved. When the Vinyl button is on, move the platter to “scratch” the track as you would with a vinyl record. When the Vinyl button is off (or if you are touching only the side of the platter), move the platter to temporarily adjust the track’s speed. While editing a loop, move the platter to adjust the Loop In or Loop Out point. Press and hold Shift and then move the platter to move quickly through the track.

32. Stop Time: Controls the rate at which the track slows to a complete stop (“brake time”).

33. Vinyl: Press this button to activate/deactivate a “vinyl mode” for the platter. When activated, you can use the platter to “scratch” the track as you would with a vinyl record.

34. Pitch Fader: Move this fader to adjust the speed (pitch) of the track. You can adjust its total range with the Pitch Bend buttons.

35. Pitch Bend –/+: Press and hold one of these buttons to momentarily reduce or increase (respectively) the speed of the track.
    Press and hold Shift and then press one of these buttons to set the range of the pitch fader.

36. Key Lock / Key Sync: Press this button to activate/deactivate Key Lock. When Key Lock is activated, the track’s key will remain the same (0%) even if you adjust its speed.
    While using Serato DJ, press and hold Shift, and then press this button to automatically match the corresponding deck’s key with the key of the opposite deck. You can use this if you have installed the Pitch ‘n Time DJ plugin from Serato.

37. Pads: These pads have different functions on each deck depending on the current Pad Mode.

38. Cue / Cue Loop / Flip: This Pad Mode button switches the pads between three modes: Cue Mode, Cue Loop Mode, and Flip Mode. When the button is unlit, the first press will always select Cue Mode. See the User Guide for more information.

39. Roll / Saved Loop: This Pad Mode button puts the pads in two modes: Roll Mode and Saved Loop Mode. When the button is unlit, the first press will always select Roll Mode. See the User Guide for more information.

40. Slicer / Slicer Loop: This Pad Mode button switches the pads between two modes: Slicer Mode and Slicer Loop Mode. When the button is unlit, the first press will always select Slicer Mode. See the User Guide for more information.
    Important: While using Serato DJ, your track must have a set Beat Grid for Slicer Mode or Slicer Loop Mode to work.

41. Sampler / Velocity Samp.: This Pad Mode button switches the pads between two modes: Sampler Mode and Velocity Sampler Mode. Sampler Mode is available in Serato DJ only. When the button is unlit, the first press will always select Sampler Mode. See the User Guide for more information.

42. Auto-Loop/Reloop: Press this button to create an auto-loop with the length that is set in the software. Press and hold Shift and then press this button to skip to the last-played loop and activate it immediately.

43. X 1/2 Loop / Loop In: Press this button to halve the length of the current loop. Press and hold Shift and then press this button to create a Loop In point at the current location.

44. X 2 Loop / Loop Out: Press this button to double the length of the current loop. Press and hold Shift and then press this button to create a Loop Out point at the current location.

45.  / Param 1/2: Use these buttons for various functions in each Pad Mode.
    Press and hold Shift and use these buttons to access secondary parameters.

46. Slip: Press this button to enable or disable Slip Mode. In Slip Mode, you can jump to cue points, trigger loop rolls, or use the platters, while the track’s timeline continues. In other words, when you stop the action, the track will resume normal playback from where it would have been if you had never done anything (i.e., as if the track had been playing forward the whole time).

47. Censor / Rev: Press this button to activate/deactivate the Censor feature: the playback of the track will be reversed, but when you release the button, normal playback will resume from where it would have been if you had never engaged the Censor feature (i.e., as if the track had been playing forward the whole time). Press and hold Shift and then press this button to reverse the playback of the track normally.

48. Adjust/Set: Press and hold this button and move the platter to “warp” the entire Beat Grid. Press and hold Shift and then press this button to set a Beat Marker at the Audio Playhead’s current location.

    • Important: Your track must have a set Beat Grid for the Adjust feature to work. Also, using the Adjust feature will change the track’s BPM.
    • Important: This feature is not available while using Engine.

49. Slide/Clr: When using the software’s Beat Grid, press and hold this button and move the platter to “slide” the entire Beat Grid to the left or right. Press and hold Shift and then press this button to delete the entire Beat Grid.

    • Important: Your track must have a set Beat Grid for the Slip / Clear button to work. Important: This feature is not available while using Engine.

50. Display: Use the screens to view performance information, waveforms, and your library. See the User Guide for more information.

51. View/Utility/Column: Press this button to switch between the library view and track view. Press and hold this button to open the Utility menu. See the User Guide for more information. Press and hold Shift, and then press this button to change the column type in the library view.

52. Select/Load Knob: Turn this knob to navigate through lists. Press the knob to select an item or load the currently selected track to the deck.
    Press and hold Shift and then turn this knob to browse quickly through the tracks in your library.
    Tip: Press it quickly twice to load the same track to both decks (“instant doubles”).

53. Back/Clr: Press this button to move to the previous window. When viewing a list, press this button to clear all filters.

54. Crates/Playlists: While using Serato DJ, press this to show the different panels. Press and hold Shift and then press this button to change the view layout. While using Engine, press this to view your crates. Press and hold Shift and then press this button to view your playlists.
    Important: You must use the Engine software to configure the music library on your USB flash drive before connecting them to MCX8000. See the complete User Guide at denondj.com to learn how to do this.

55. Load Prep / Open Prep: Press this button to load the currently selected track to the Prepare Crate. Press and hold Shift and then press this button to jump to the Prepare Crate in the software.

56. Needle Drop Strip: 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.

57. Zoom In/Out: Press this button to zoom into the waveform in the display. Press and hold Shift, and then press this button to zoom out of the waveform in the display.

58. Single/Cont / Load Lock: Press this button to switch between Single Mode (tracks will play one at a time) or Continuous Mode (once a track is done, the next track in the playlist, crate, or folder will start playing). While using Engine, press and hold Shift and then press this button to enable or disable Load Lock. When enabled, the deck will not load a track during playback (to prevent you from unintentionally interrupting the current track).

59. Time: Press this button to switch between showing the Time Remaining and Time Elapsed.

60. FX Level: Turn this knob to adjust the level of the corresponding effect. The FX On button under the knob must be lit for this knob to function.
    While using Serato DJ, press and hold Shift and then turn this knob to scroll through the list of effects. While using Engine, the effects are limited to Echo, Phaser, and Noise.

61. FX On / Select: Press this button to turn the corresponding effect on or off. Press and hold Shift and then press this button to select an effect in Serato DJ. While using Engine, the effects are limited to Echo, Phaser, and Noise.

62. FX Beats: Turn this knob to adjust the rate of time-based effects on that deck.

63. FX Tap: Tap this button repeatedly at the desired tempo to set the rate of the effects’ low-frequency oscillators (LFOs). Press and hold this button to reset Beat Multiplier to the Deck’s BPM.

64. USB 1/2 Ports: Connect standard USB flash drives to these USB ports. When you set the input selector on Channels 1 or 2 to Engine (the center position), you can use the display on each deck to select and load tracks on your USB flash drives to each deck.
    Important: You must use the Engine software to configure the music library on your USB flash drive before connecting them to MCX8000. See the complete User Guide at denondj.com to learn how to do this.

65. USB 1/2 Eject: Press each button to eject your USB flash drive from the corresponding USB port. Make sure MCX8000 is not playing a track on the drive before pressing it.

Front Panel

1. Phones Outputs (1/4” or 1/8” / 6.35 mm or 3.5 mm): Connect headphones to these 1/4” (6.35
   mm) and 1/8” (3.5 mm) jacks for monitoring the signal. The headphone volume is controlled using the Monitor Level knob.

2. Crossfader Contour: Adjusts the slope of the crossfader curve. Turn the knob to the left for a smooth fade (mixing) or to the right for a sharp cut (scratching). The center position is a typical setting for club performances.

Rear Panel

1. Power Input: Use the included power adapter (12V DC, 5A, center-positive) to connect this input to your power source.

2. Power Button: Press this button to power MCX8000 on or off. Power on MCX8000 only after you have connected all of your input devices and before you power on your amplifiers and loudspeakers. Power off your amplifiers and loudspeakers before powering off MCX8000.

3. Cable Restraint: You can secure the power cable to this restraint to help prevent disconnecting it accidentally.

4. USB Port: Use a standard USB cable (included) to connect this USB port to an available USB port on your computer. This connection sends and receives audio and control information to and from the computer.

5. USB Hub to PC: You can connect an optional USB hard drive (not included) to this powered USB port. This hub will connect to your computer; you cannot access its content using MCX8000.

6. Master Outputs (XLR, balanced): Use standard XLR cables to connect these outputs to loudspeakers or an amplifier system. Use the Master knob on the top panel to control the volume level.

7. Master Outputs (RCA, unbalanced): Use standard RCA cables to connect these outputs to loudspeakers or an amplifier system. Use the Master knob on the top panel to control the volume level.

8. Stereo/Mono: Use this switch to set the channel configuration of the Master Outputs: Stereo (binaural audio using separate left and right channels) or Mono (summed monaural audio through both left and right channels).

9. Booth Outputs (XLR, balanced) : Use standard XLR cables to connect these outputs to booth monitors or a booth amplifier system. Use the Booth knob on the top panel to control the volume level.

10. Line Inputs (RCA, unbalanced) : Use standard RCA cables to connect these line-level inputs to an external audio source.

11. Line/Phono Inputs (RCA, unbalanced): Use standard RCA cables to connect these line-level or phono-level inputs to an external audio source.

12. Phono/Line Switch : Flip this switch to the appropriate position, depending on the device connected to the Line/Phono Inputs. If you are using phono-level turntables, set this switch to Phono to provide the additional amplification needed for phono-level signals. If using a line-level device, such as a CD player or sampler, set this switch to Line.

13. Grounding Terminal: If using phono-level turntables with a grounding wire, connect the grounding wire to these terminals. If you experience a low “hum” or “buzz”, this could mean that your turntables are not grounded.
    Note: Some turntables have a grounding wire built into the RCA connection and, therefore, nothing needs to be connected to the grounding terminal.

14. Mic 1 Input (XLR or 1/4” / 6.35 mm) : Use a standard XLR or 1/4” (6.35 mm) cable (not included) to connect a standard dynamic microphone to this input. Use the Mic 1 Level knob on the top panel to control the volume level.

15. Mic 2 Input (1/4” / 6.35 mm): Use a standard 1/4” (6.35 mm) cable (not included) to connect a standard dynamic microphone to this input. Use the Mic 2 Level knob on the top panel to control the volume level.

16. Kensington® Lock : Use this slot to secure MCX8000 to a table or other surface.

17. Link: Use a standard Ethernet cable to connect this port to a computer. MCX8000 will send time, BPM, and other track data to your software over this connection.

References

• Professional DJ Equipment | Denon DJ | Embrace The Future

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