Owner's Manual
SPECIAL MESSAGE SECTION This product utilizes batteries or an external power supply (adapter). DO NOT connect this product to any power supply or adapter other than one described in the manual, on the name plate, or specifically recommended by Yamaha. WARNING: Do not place this product in a position where anyone could walk on, trip over ,or roll anything over power or connecting cords of any kind.
PRECAUTIONS PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE PROCEEDING * Please keep these precautions in a safe place for future reference. WARNING Always follow the basic precautions listed below to avoid the possibility of serious injury or even death from electrical shock, short-circuiting, damages, fire or other hazards. These precautions include, but are not limited to, the following: • Do not open the instrument or attempt to disassemble the internal parts or modify them in any way.
Congratulations on your purchase of the Yamaha DJX-II! The DJX-II is a complete dance-music workstation that can be used both as a real-time performance instrument and a powerful production tool. Its intuitive interface makes real-time operation exceptionally easy — whether you have a DJ background or not! Read this Owner’s Manual carefully while playing your new DJX-II in order to take full advantage of its various features.
What is the DJX-II? The new DJX-II is a digital DJ powerhouse! If you’ve dreamed of creating and performing your own cutting-edge, phat ‘n’ funky dance music, you’ve come to the right place... The DJX-II is a fully digital DJ machine — a revolutionary new instrument that blends the reliability and clean sound of digital with stunningly powerful and easy-to-use analog-like controls.
Contents Packing List...................................................4 How to Use the Manual.................................4 What is the DJX-II? .......................................5 Contents .............................................................6 Panel Controls....................................................8 Top Panel.......................................................8 Functions of the Keyboard ........................10 Rear Panel & Connections .........................
Contents Tip 60 Tip 61 Tip 62 Wah....................................................................... 46 One-hand Effector control! ................................. 47 Isolator to the max! .............................................. 48 Chapter 14 Part Mixer Power Tips ............ 49 Tip 63 Tip 64 Tip 65 Tip 66 Tip 67 Toggle the Part Mix.............................................. 49 Cool intro ............................................................. 49 Solo a single Part — instantly!.....
Panel Controls Top Panel This is the DJX-II! r !3 y !0 !1 o t !4 !5 !6 !7 !9 q STANDBY/ON switch................................ 13 Press to toggle the power on or off. (Power is on when the switch is pressed in.) w MASTER VOLUME .................................... 13 This determines the overall volume of the DJX-II. e DEMO button This is used to play the Demo songs that showcase the sophisticated capabilities of the DJX-II. Press this button to start/stop the Demo songs.
Panel Controls sound from a CD or MD player, and play the sound (from the SAMPLE PADS or the keyboard). Use the SAMPLING/STOP button to record (sample) the desired sound, then trigger the new sample by pressing one of SAMPLE PADS 1 - 6 or by playing the keyboard. e !8 w q !4 INPUT LEVEL knob .................................. 53 Use this to adjust the input level of the external audio source.
Panel Controls Functions of the Keyboard In a conventional keyboard instrument, the keys are used to play scales, melodies and chords. The DJX-II, however, is hardly a conventional instrument. For the dynamic DJ functions, it is better to think of the keyboard as a large bank of convenient buttons that are used to trigger and control the various Patterns and sounds of the instrument. Depending on the selected mode, the keyboard functions in one of two ways, as shown below. ■ Pattern Mode .................
Panel Controls Rear Panel & Connections A standard pair of stereo headphones can be plugged in here for private practice or late-night playing. The internal stereo speaker system is automatically shut off when a pair of headphones is plugged into the PHONES jack. • Do not listen with the headphones at high volume for long periods of time. Doing so may cause hearing loss. • Connect the AC adaptor (PA-5B, PA-5C or other adaptor specifically recommended by Yamaha) to the power supply jack.
Setting Up (Power supply connections) Although the DJX-II will run either from an optional AC adaptor or batteries, Yamaha recommends use of the more environmentally safe AC adaptor. Follow the instructions below according to the power source you intend to use. The batteries should be considered an auxiliary power source for data backup (page 13). ■ Using An Optional AC Power Adaptor • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 2 3 Make sure that the STANDBY/ON switch of the DJX-II is set to STANDBY.
Switching On the Power Once you've set up your DJX-II, try turning the power on. Make sure your sound system's main level/volume control(s) and the DJX-II volume control are turned all the way down prior to turning the power on. 0J'. Set the MASTER VOLUME knob to "min." Turn the power ON by pressing the STANDBY/ON switch. Press the STANDBY/ON switch again to turn the power OFF. • Even when the switch is in the “STANDBY” position, electricity is still flowing to the instrument at the minimum level.
100 Tips to be a DJ! This is NOT an owner’s manual! At least not an ordinary one. But, then again, the DJX-II is no ordinary instrument. It’s packed with exciting, easy-to-use dance music features that instantly sets it apart from run-of-the-mill conventional instruments! 14 This collection of 100 hot tips shows you how to get the most out of your new DJXII in the shortest time possible.
Chapter 1 Pattern Player Basics 2 Mixing Main and Fill-in Patterns Try mixing it up! Fill-in Patterns Each of the DJX-II’s Patterns has ten different Variations. Play the main Patterns with the gray keys and the fill-in Patterns with the black keys. (Fill-in Patterns are usually used as dynamic breaks or transitions.) In general, the higher the Variation number (1 - 10), the busier or more complex the Patterns become.
Exploring other Patterns 4 Try out some different Patterns now — the DJX-II has a ton of them! To change the Pattern, first press PATTERN/ENTER then turn the dial. Check the display to see what you’re selecting. The two numbers on the left indicate the current Pattern number, and the numbers on the right indicate the new one.
Chapter 1 Pattern Player Basics 5 Go back, go forward The NEXT and PREV keys let you select the next or the previous Pattern number. Hit the PREV key to go back 1 to the previous Pattern number. Hit the NEXT key to go forward 1 to the next Pattern number. Watch your timing...
Chapter 2 Activator Basics The Activator section adds to the power of the Patterns. It gives you a whole new set of rhythms and sounds that you can use to augment, complement, and spice up the basic rhythms of the DJX-II. 7 Work out on the Activator Try it out now! Just hit the One Shot 1 key in the Activator section — and the Activator sounds. Try hitting the Loop 1 key — and a special phrase starts. To stop the phrase manually, press the same key again or press PATTERN STOP.
Chapter 2 Activator Basics Loops 9 One Shots Explore the Activator kits! As we pointed out above, the DJX-II is loaded with a variety of different Activator kits. Select a few of them now, and try out their sounds. Press ACTIVATOR (the display shows “A 00”) and turn the dial to change the Activator number. Activator number 00 is a special kit called “Auto.” When Auto is selected, changing the Pattern automatically changes the Activator as well.
10 Put ‘em together! Get a Pattern going, then play the One Shots rhythmically along with the Pattern. Get into the rhythm, feel the downbeats and layer the One Shots on top of the main beat. 11 Activator intro textures Part of the key to a great dance track is how it starts. The DJX-II gives you the power to craft your own intros, and get people moving right from the get-go! Try this intro on for size! Here we’ll have a drum fill lead into the main Pattern.
Chapter 2 Activator Basics q p 09 w A 05 e r 12 Activator Loop bpm Here’s a real convenient feature! You’ll never have to worry about your loops drifting out of time — the DJX-II automatically matches up the bpm of the Activator Loops to the bpm of the Pattern. However, the DJX-II can’t sync up your loops if you don’t play them on time! Be careful to hit the Loops right on the beat — just as you did with the Patterns.
Chapter 3 Live Effector Basics The effects of the DJX-II are more than just frosting on the cake — they’re powerful tools that can completely transform the sounds and rhythms, and put a whole new spin on your tracks! 13 What is the Live Effector? Here’s where you can really get down and dirty with your beats! The Live Effector gives you a wide variety of real-time effects that let you mangle and munge the sound in wild and exciting ways.
Chapter 3 Live Effector Basics 14 Distortion This popular effect lets you distort the sound — from a soft grunge to a full-on metallic assault. Turn the CONTROL knob to the right for more crunch and bite. 15 Auto Pan Get your sound moving in space! This effect shifts the sound in the stereo image back and forth between hard left and hard right.
18 Phaser The Phaser effect is similar to Flanger (in Tip 17 above), but more subtle — not quite as dramatic. Phaser is good for adding a little bit of warm animation and movement to the sound. Use the CONTROL knob to change the speed of the modulation.
Chapter 3 Live Effector Basics 21 Echo Like Delay (in Tip 20 above), Echo produces repeats of the sound for rhythmic effect. However, the CONTROL knob is used to change the number of repeats (also called “feedback”). Naturally, the DJX-II automatically syncs this effect to the bpm of the Pattern. 22 Lo-Fi Need to grunge up your sound, but Distortion is too nasty for you? This useful effect lets you slap that retro, lo-rez sound onto your beats — just like they do in hip-hop, trip-hop and other styles.
Chapter 4 Isolator Basics More sonic control to you! The Isolator lets you tailor the sound just the way you want it — phat and round, thin and edgy, or big and banging! 24 Tweak the sound just right! Need a beefier low end? Want to put some edge and shimmer in the top? Tweak these knobs to your heart’s content, and get the sound just the way you want it! Try turning the Low and High knobs of the Isolator a little bit to the right, and make the sound more punchy.
Chapter 5 The Keyboard Hidden among the many wonders of the DJX-II is — surprise, surprise! — a conventional keyboard. 25 Play the keyboard You may not have realized it, but the DJX-II also has a regular, conventional keyboard in addition to its DJ Pattern-based one. Simply press VOICE/KEYBOARD to call up the Keyboard Mode, and play the keyboard normally. To switch back to the DJ functions — called the Pattern Control Mode — press PATTERN/ENTER.
Chapter 5 The Keyboard 26 Try some different voices! The DJX-II is chock full of a stunning variety of dynamic voices. Try some of them out right now! To get at these voices and play them, press VOICE/KEYBOARD (the display shows “Vxxx”), then turn the dial. U003 Indicates the currently selected voice. ● Try some different voices! Category HYPER MIX SYNTH PAD GUITAR SQUARE LEAD DRUM LOOP # 000 015 036 054 056 065 092 094 177 Voice Name DJX-II Wave 2001 Dist.
Chapter 6 Part Mixer Basics Now that you’ve got your rhythm chops up to speed and some DJ tricks up your sleeve, it’s time to work on the Parts! This chapter — and the two that follow — give you the keys to building interesting arrangements and instrumental textures. Not to mention some slammin’ and smokin’ tracks! 27 What is a Part? The DJX-II Patterns are made up of eight different instrument Parts: Kick, Snare, Hi-Hat, Percussion, Bass, and Phrases 1 - 3.
29 Combination keys Sometimes you’ll want to mute or sound a group of Parts at the same time. Rather than having to grab several keys simultaneously, you can use the special combination keys, and turn several parts on or off together — instantly! The combination keys are: BASS+KICK, PHRASE1+2+3, and KICK+HIHAT. For example, if you press BASS+KICK, the Bass and Kick Parts switch on and all the other Parts turn off.
Chapter 6 Part Mixer Basics 31 Extra texture! Work on your instrument textures. All the mixmasters and mixologists do it! Why? Because it works like a charm! Try turning all the Parts off — except the BASS Part — then select P05 and start V1. q w e p 05 Let the Bass carry on for a while. Then bring in the Kick. Let those two instruments simmer for a while, then start up the Hi-Hat. Pull in the Snare for a powerful beat. Then fly in some Percussion to spice things up.
Chapter 7 Part Selector Now that you’ve learned about the Parts and had a chance to fool around with them, let’s see what other magic you can work with them... 32 Grab a Part and tweak it! If you thought tweaking the effects (Tips 13 - 23 above) was a blast, wait till you start working on the Parts. This is where the fun really begins! Introducing the Part Selector and the Part Controller. By itself, the Part Selector doesn’t make any sound.
Chapter 7 Part Selector 34 Tweak the Activator sound! Guess what? The Activator is fair game for the Part Controller, too! Press the ACTIVATOR key in the Part Selector section, and you’ve just called up all of the Activator sounds for tweaking. In other words, the Part Controller affects ALL keys in the Activator at the same time.
Chapter 8 Part Controller In the last chapter you did some tweaking of the Parts. Now it’s time to dig in a little deeper and explore the Part Controller section. These little knobs can really open up your sound! 36 Cutoff and Resonance The CUTOFF and RESONANCE knobs control the filter effects.
Chapter 8 Part Controller 37 Adjust the Part volume Yes, the VOLUME knob is a simple control for the volume of the Part — but the simplicity is deceiving. By letting you adjust the volume for each Part, you can perform various arranging tricks on the fly, like fading specific parts in and out of the overall mix — while the Pattern is running! 38 Tweak the cutoff Set RESONANCE to about 2 or 3 o'clock, then select PHRASE1+2+3 with the PART SELECTOR.
Chapter 9 Key Shifter As a dance production powerhouse, the DJX-II naturally excels in the realm of rhythm. However, it’s got important harmonic bases covered as well. One of these is the convenient Key Shifter. 39 Transpose the key The Key Shifter section of the DJX-II lets you take the pitch (or “key”) of the overall sound, and transpose it up or down — instantly! Believe it or not, changing the key of the overall sound makes subtle but fundamental changes to the character of the sound as well.
Chapter 9 Key Shifter 40 Create your own chord progressions! Naturally, you can use the Key Shifter to change chords on the fly, and create your own original chord progressions — as you perform! Let’s try it out. For example, select P08 and start V1. Then press the Key Shifter keys as shown below.
Chapter 10 Ribbon Controller The DJX-II is packed with knobs, pads, switches and dials that let you work the sound with your fingers. And here’s one more expressive tool that gives you hands-on control! 41 Do some scratching on the Ribbon! Work out on the amazing Ribbon Controller! It sounds just like scratching a turntable — and it takes up a whole lot less space! Select Scratch 1 (press the SELECT button). Now touch the Ribbon Controller and hear the characteristic vinyl “noise.
Chapter 11 BPM/Tap Basics Control over bpm means control over the dance floor! Some mixologists have this down to a science. Use these tips to get started with your own bpm explorations. 43 Change the bpm Another sure-fire way to stir things up is to play with the bpm. Turn up the bpm and turn up the heat! Press BPM/TAP once and turn the dial. For you techies, the bpm range is 32.0 - 280.0.
Chapter 12 Pattern Player Power Tips 45 Hitting a new Pattern and Variation — at the same time! There will be times when you’ll want to change not only to a new Pattern, but to a specific Variation — instantly and at the same time. Here’s the best way to do that! First, press PATTERN/ENTER and turn the dial to call up the new Pattern number. Then, while the first Pattern is playing, press the desired Variation key. Both the Pattern number and the Variation number change simultaneously. Flashes q q 01.
Chapter 12 Pattern Player Power Tips 46 Step up to the next Pattern and Variation Here’s a “Variation” on Tip 45 above. This lets you select the next Pattern number and one of its Variations at the same time. Press NEXT and the desired Variation key in the Pattern Player. Both the Pattern number and the Variation number change simultaneously. Naturally, you can do the same with the PREV (Previous) key as well.
48 Creative fill-in 1 Select P03 and start with V1. Then, hit the V1 key in the following rhythm. One Two Three Four Start! One Hit it here... ...and here! V1 49 Creative fill-in 2 Select P03 and start with V2. Hit the V2 key repeatedly in the following rhythm, then play the V3 key on the “one” to change the Pattern! One Start! Two Hit it here... Three ...and here! ...and here! Four ...and here! One ...and here! ...
Chapter 13 Live Effector Power Tips 51 Distortion This little trick can kick your tracks into high gear! Use the Distortion effect selectively, applying it only to certain beats in the Pattern, places you want to add an accent — such as on the 2nd or 3rd beat of the bar. This gives you a massive, in-your-face sound — right on that all-important backbeat — and takes the rhythm to a new level! In a Variation on this technique, bring in the Distortion repeatedly and rhythmically.
52 Auto Pan Tweak the knob until you hit the “sweet spot” — the point at which auto panning syncs up to the bpm and gives you the rhythmic effect you want. q w q 1 beat cycle e 7 r 6 5 4 3 2 8 9 10 11 12 w 2 beat cycle 13 Fast speed for special effects.
Chapter 13 Live Effector Power Tips 55 Phaser Tweak the knob until you hit the “sweet spot” — the point at which the Phaser’s modulation cycle syncs up to the bpm and gives you the rhythmic effect you want. (See the illustration in Tip 52 for details on how the knob settings relate to bpm.) 56 Slice The different rhythm feels that Slice creates depends on the Pattern you’ve selected as well as the CONTROL knob setting.
58 Echo Many styles of dance music use echo effects in surprising, unique ways. The DJX-II’s Echo effect lets you use the popular 3/4 beat delay to build up dramatic rhythmic rolls and fills. It also gives you some fascinating echo textures to use in transitions and endings. Here’s a cool trick you can use in your own music! Select P08 and start up V1 with only the Kick. Set CONTROL to about 2 o’clock and BALANCE to roughly 12 o’clock (center).
Chapter 13 Live Effector Power Tips 61 One-hand Effector control! This technique may take a little practice and some digital dexterity — but once you’ve got it down and are able to play in the pocket, you’re on your way to being a true DJ wizard! Grab the Control knob with your forefinger and thumb, and use your middle finger or ring finger to flick the effect switch on and off.
62 Isolator to the max! Play the Isolator in real time! Get the Pattern running, then tweak the knobs to their extreme settings for radical changes to the sound — on the fly! For example, try cutting back Low and Mid to zero, and bring High up to the max — for a really brittle, tinny sound. Or try boosting Low to the max while taking Mid and High all the way down — for a boomy, bass-only sound. Or go for the sound of an AM radio by setting Mid to max and cutting Low and High.
Chapter 14 Part Mixer Power Tips 63 Toggle the Part Mix Here’s a quick and really powerful way to break up the beat! The Toggle key lets you switch between two opposite arrangements of the rhythm. For example, if the Bass is off and all the rest of the Parts are on, pressing the Toggle key instantly switches the Pattern so that only the Bass is on, and all the rest of the Parts are off.
65 Solo a single Part — instantly! Here’s another useful mixing and arranging trick! Use this after a climactic part, and bring the whole sound down to one certain instrument — like the Bass, or one of the Phrases. Here’s how: When all the Parts are on, press one of the Part keys and the Toggle key simultaneously.
