Mixx 2.3.2 Going from AutoDJ (Playlist) - Mic - Single Track

[vajimb]

Bug Description

I upgraded to Mixx 2.3.2 on 19Dec22. Tonight (24Dec22) was the first night I tried 2.3.2 during my live show on Live365 and the Rode Procaster mixer.

The problem I encountered I believe is after playing a playlist (7 songs) I then would engage the Rode Procaster Mic (along with the mic setting on Mixx) and began to speak. This went fine, until I tried to play a separate audio file (Live365 advertisement). As soon as I hit play on the ad there was nothing. The Rode ProcasterPro has a setting to mute outputs (monitor speakers) which I used and before there was never a problem. After trouble shooting a few things, I reverted Mixx back to 2.3.1 and the playlist, mic, and ad file now plays fine. The sequence is - songs (playlist) - mic - ad. Not sure if this is a bug in 2.3.2. The playlist is being played through autodj while the ad file is on a separate audo/turntable player in Mixx.

Version

2.3.1 to 2.3.2 back to 2.3.1

OS

Windows 10

[daschuer]

The Rode Procaster Pro looks like a stand alone Mixer: https://rode.com/de/interfaces-and-mixers/rodecaster-series/rodecaster-pro

How is this connected with Mixxx? Does it feature an internal USB soundcard? How is the broadcasting connected?

Please post a screenshot of your sound hardware preferences in Mixxx.

[ronso0]

Also, please upgrade to current stable version 2.3.3 and test if the issue persists.

[vajimb]

Yes, the Rode mixer is a standalone and is connected to my Dell All-In-One PC (Win10) via USB. Not sure about it having a USB sound card. The broadcasting to Live365 was setup using the instructions provided by Live365 where I had to download the encoder and place it in the Mixx directory. Broadcasting and sound hardware settings attached.

I’ve also attached a pic of my hardward settting (in/out)

[vajimb]

Also, please upgrade to current stable version 2.3.3 and test if the issue persists.

I reverted back to 2.3.1 and the problem appears to have gone away. I would love to go back to 2.3.3 (newer version). I made a mistake in my original post; it was version 2.3.3 that I tried on 19Dec22. Looks like I by passed 2.3.2. Is there a way to save playlist that are already created in Mixx?

[ronso0]

The cause my simply be the ad file being encoded incorrectly. IIRC there were bugfixes in some 2.3.* release that are less error tolerant for the benefit of more reliable/flawless audio output.

In a new session with Mixxx 2.3.3, without mic configured and without AutoDJ, can you load and play the ad file in a main deck?
With the deck Vol fader up and the crossfader set accordingly this should be sent out the Master device (Rodecaster).

Before wiping your Mixxx installation and trying another version simply save your current Mixxx user data with the instructions from this wiki page
https://github.com/mixxxdj/mixxx/wiki/Testing#backup-settings-and-database

[vajimb]

What do you mean.."without mic configured?" Deck Vol fader up and the crossfader set accordingly ?

Thanks

[ronso0]

• backup your user data with the steps from wiki page I linked https://manual.mixxx.org/2.3/en_gb/chapters/appendix/settings_directory.html
• uninstall Mixxx incl. all user data
• install Mixxx 2.3.3
• configure only the master output
• try to play the ad file (drag and drop from file manager onto a main deck)
• describe what happens

By default all deck volume faders are at 100% and the crossfader is centered, so if you don't touch those you'll hear all playing decks in the main mix (master output).

[vajimb]

• backup your user data with the steps from wiki page I linked https://manual.mixxx.org/2.3/en_gb/chapters/appendix/settings_directory.html
• uninstall Mixxx incl. all user data
• install Mixxx 2.3.3
• configure only the master output
• try to play the ad file (drag and drop from file manager onto a main deck)
• describe what happens

By default all deck volume faders are at 100% and the crossfader is centered, so if you don't touch those you'll hear all playing decks in the main mix (master output).

OK...I'll follow your instructions. FYI.....here is where we get the Live365 ads. They call them ad triggers: https://help.live365.com/support/solutions/articles/43000533544-livedj-ad-triggers

[vajimb]

OK...I followed your instructions above. The first thing I noticed is Mixx looks a bit different which makes me think I didn't get a good install last week (19Dec22). I played one of the Live365 ads on deck 1 (left side) and it played fine. Keeping in mind, the problem before was coming out of a AUTODJ (playlist). running the mic for a few minutes and then trying to play an ad as it was loaded on the available deck as a single file play. Mixx looked like it was playing, but no sound. At what point can I install my user settings back?

[ronso0]

The first thing I noticed is Mixx looks a bit different

Since you removed the settings you now got the default skin, LateNight : ) (in 2.2 that was Deere)

I think the "issue" you run into is a recent bugfix.
Bug #10683 occurs with the crossfader mode set to 'Constant Power'.
The fix was to not reset the crossfader when AutoDJ stops to avoid the volume drop, see #4714. Admittedly (obviously ;) ) this fix breaks user's workflows, but is IMHO the correct solution to have a consistent UX (i.e. consistent behaviour regardless of the crossfader mode).

If you have the mixer visible while using AutoDJ you see that it uses the crossfader to blend tracks. Before the crossfader was always re-centered when AutoDJ stops. Now it doesn't anymore.
I suggest to keep the mixer visible in the GUI and simply right-click the crossfader. Or you create/change a keyboard mapping for [Master],crossfader_set_default, see https://manual.mixxx.org/2.3/Chapters/advanced_topics.html#advanced-keyboard
FYI Shift+R is unused in the official (english) keyboard mapping https://manual.mixxx.org/2.3/en/chapters/controlling_mixxx.html#using-a-keyboard

[vajimb]

ronso0: You were right about the re-centering of the crossfader and of course when I rolled the software back, I saw what I expected with the crossfader re-centering. Is the plan to set the crossfader behavior back to the way it was? I guess for me it was something I was used to but will keep an eye on it in the future. I was also able to copy back all my settings so the program is back where I was. Thanks for your help. Mixx is a great program, and a better program if the user pays attention. Thank you!

[ronso0]

You're welcome!

I reopened this because we obviously need a solution for this.
Simply rolling back the fix is no option IMO.

Ideas:

• add an option to the AutoDJ preferences (meeeh..)
• enforce showing the mixer (and the crossfader) when AutoDJ is enabled?
• show a one-time hint mentioning the crossfader behaviour (hmm..)

@daschuer What do you think?

[vajimb]

My vote: add an option to the AutoDJ preferences

[daschuer]

We already did some iterations in #4714 ...

A preferences option will probably not help a lot, because depending on its default value, the users will not notice that this is a regression they can fix by tweaking it.

Enforce showing the crossfader seems to be a reasonable solution. I cannot imagine anyway how to use the Auto-DJ reliable without the crossfader. Maybe it is a good Idea to display it in the Auto-DJ bar, in case it is invisible in the regular skin.

[ronso0]

Maybe it is a good Idea to display it in the Auto-DJ bar

Jup, good idea, that's better than reading & writing skin controls.

Though, stepping back a bit, maybe the "issue" is simply that AutoDJ is inviting for (beginner?) DJs who don't watch the GUI (mixer) and/or don't know the basics of DJ mixing (= mixing with the crossfader, compared to studio mixing with Vol faders only).
So maybe we should just wait if this comes up again before we consider chainging anything.

Btw it looks like making AutoDJ use the Vol faders would avoid this issue in the first place, especially if we think about adding a radio skin (mimiking a studio mixer without a crossfader, or with all main decks' xfader set to 'passthrough').

[daschuer]

We have an issue for this:
#7520

[vajimb]

From the live show DJ (stream broadcast) perspective, wasn't the function of the crossfader in the AUTODJ mode meant to return center before the last (?) Mixx update. For my live shows, the crossfader is 'nice' however, what I really care about is that any deck with a track loaded is ready to function (audio out) without having to worry about where the crossfader indicator is located. But again, I use Mixx mainly for my Live shows on Live365, not DJing where the manipulation of the tracks appears to be the focal point rather than just playing the music. At any rate, Mixx is a great program, and your team is doing a great job. Thanks.

[ronso0]

So your using like 5% of Mixxx' features and now you need to check the crossfader when you switch from auto to manual DJing and recenter with one of the methods I mentioned #11157 (comment) ; )

[vajimb]

So your using like 5% of Mixxx' features and now you need to check the crossfader when you switch from auto to manual DJing and recenter with one of the methods I mentioned #11157 (comment) ; )

Pretty much. I would list it at about 25% on my part. I don't think of it as bad thing. The main features I use in Mixx are:

Build playlist to use with the AUTODJ -being able to monitor playtime left
HOTKEYS (Samples?)
Direct connect to MusicBrainz for the Metatags
Easy integration with the Rode ProcasterPro

Was there a reason the change occurred to the fader? The change in the current release is something I can deal with. After all, I must be in the minority (Live stream DJ vs club DJ?) and without paying (although I have donated) for Mixx there is no demand on my part. What made it difficult was I didn't notice the change until I was live on the stream and wasn't clear on what was going on.

Thanks

[ronso0]

Was there a reason the change occurred to the fader?

I already explained the reason above #11157 (comment)

[vajimb]

Was there a reason the change occurred to the fader?

I already explained the reason above #11157 (comment)

OK....if I understand the reason, it doesn't appear to apply to me. I never noticed a drop in volume with the fader reset.

[em-hb]

Well I thing the problem is to use a deck to play that file. In some skin in older mixxx - version you can toggle between left - middle - and right for the deck so it doesn't mater were the crossfader is. That might be a problem when DJ'ing but when use deck 3 or 4? (autodj use deck 1 and 2). Or put that file in a sampler - player you switch to middle. These might be a soloution (sorry for bad english)