Yamaha Djx 2 Manual

Panel Controls
11
Rear Panel & Connections
CD MD
A standard pair of stereo head-
phones can be plugged in here for 
private practice or late-night play-
ing. 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 head-
phones at high volume for long 
periods of time. Doing so may 
cause hearing loss.
•  Connect the DJX-II to external 
equipment only after turning off 
power for all devices. To prevent 
damage to...

12
Setting Up (Power supply connections)
Although the DJX-II will run either from an optional AC adaptor or batteries, Yamaha rec-
ommends 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 • • • • • • • • • • • • 
1Make sure that the STANDBY/ON switch of the DJX-II is 
set to STANDBY.
2Connect the AC...

13
Switching On the Power
Once youve set up your DJX-II, try turning the power on.
Make sure your sound systems main level/volume control(s) and the DJX-II volume control 
are turned all the way down prior to turning the power on. 
•  Even when the switch is in the “STANDBY” position, electricity is still flowing to the instru-
ment at the minimum level. When you are not using the DJX-II for a long time, make sure 
you unplug the AC power adaptor from the wall AC outlet, and/or remove the batteries from...

14
1Work out with the Patterns
Here’s where it all starts!  
Hit one of the keys (1 - 10) in the PATTERN PLAYER section — and the Pattern starts immedi-
ately.  Hitting another key instantly switches to a different Pattern (actually, a Variation on the 
main Pattern).
Since the DJX-II starts the Pattern right away, be careful to press the key in time with the 
rhythm. 
Practice this a while — there’s no better way to get your timing tight and develop a solid sense 
of rhythm!
To stop the Pattern, press...

Chapter 1 Pattern Player Basics
15
2Mixing Main and Fill-in Patterns
Try mixing it up!
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 transi-
tions.)  
In general, the higher the Variation number (1 - 10), the busier or 
more complex the Patterns become.
Listen carefully to each Pattern — remember how each of them 
sound — then play them one after...

16
4Exploring other Patterns
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. 
But wait!  The new Pattern doesn’t actually start until you press PATTERN/ENTER again!  Wait until 
the previous Pattern loops through, then press PATTERN/ENTER on the “one”...

Chapter 1 Pattern Player Basics
17
5Go 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... The DJX-II changes the Pattern as soon as you hit the key!
6Keep the bpm steady!
Once you’ve started a Pattern, its better to keep it playing at a steady bpm — unless you’re aiming 
for special effects and sudden tempo...

18
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.
7Work 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.
Each of the keys...

Chapter 2 Activator Basics
19
9Explore 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.  The new Activator kit is the one that best matches the 
selected...

20
10Put ‘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.
11Activator 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.  
First, select P09 and A05, then press...