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Forum: VirtualDJ 8.1 Technical Support

Topic: Help please.. Sound cutting off for a few seconds when using smoke or bubble machine

This topic is old and might contain outdated or incorrect information.

I don't know whats happening or why. Recently every time I have used the smoke machine or bubble machine, the sound just stops for 2 seconds and then starts again. I have tried making sure the smoke or bubble machine is on a different power outlet each time and this does help occasionally, but still every now and then it does it again. If the smoke machine or bubble machine is not used then it works fine.

Its making me look a right tool, in the middle of set then the music just stops!

Please can anyone advise, this happens in loads of different venues. Only started happening since using 8.1. I am using a clean windows 10, with only vdj 8.1 on it, its a toshiba satellite, i5 processor, 8gb ram so I am not worried about the spec of the laptop.

thanks in advance..
 
Posted Fri 18 Mar 16 @ 10:49 pm
 
WOW! Didn't think of googling it first!

Of course I did. There is not real answer that I can find. It only happens when using VirtualDJ 8.1, my other DJ software has no issues, I have tried a different laptop and it does it, the only way it does not happen is if the power supply is not plugged in. I always ensure that my speakers, laptop and lights are on different power outlets when possible. Does not seem to make a difference at all.

I was hoping for some quick fix, as by the looks of it lots of people are having this issue..

thanks in advance
 
I have had this problem of music stopping for a second or two on my last two gigs, Last Sunday music stopped within first 10 mins . I restarted Laptop and had no problem for 4& half hours then music stopped again for a second or two. The weekend before had the problem 3 times duing similar lengh gig, at same location. Both with latest update, no smoke machine used .
 
DJ Starlight Party wrote :
There is not real answer that I can find.

So you've tried using surge/spike protectors then?

You've also answered your own question - it doesn't happen if the power supply (presumably for the laptop) is not plugged in.

Therefore it's the laptop PSU that has the issue. It's letting the glitches from the smoke/bubble machine reach the laptop. Not enough protection circuitry in its design.

You need to either stop the glitches coming from the smoke/bubble machine, or prevent them reaching the laptop.
 
groovindj wrote :
DJ Starlight Party wrote :
There is not real answer that I can find.

So you've tried using surge/spike protectors then?

You've also answered your own question - it doesn't happen if the power supply (presumably for the laptop) is not plugged in.

Therefore it's the laptop PSU that has the issue. It's letting the glitches from the smoke/bubble machine reach the laptop. Not enough protection circuitry in its design.

You need to either stop the glitches coming from the smoke/bubble machine, or prevent them reaching the laptop.



What i don't understand this does not happen with my traktor software, it never used to happen!!! and I have used Virtual DJ for years. It happens in different venues, it happens on two different types of smoke machines and 1 bubble machine! I refuse to believe it has anything to do with a decent laptop, expensive smoke and bubble machines or every venues electrics are so poor they can not handle less than 3Kw in total?


 
it really is a cheap fix to use a power filter on your laptop power and see if the problem goes away .............

the people telling you this have experienced this issue learn from that :-)
 
Hi , after going through the same experience i was shocked to find how poor the power conditioning is on some smoke and bubble machines. In my case the machine that was causing me issues was a smoke machine that had a mains voltage level footswitch - LOTS of electrical noise created by this config whenever the footswitch was used. My New machine has logic circuit voltages - ie 5v - to the remote timer/switch with much better mains isolation for the pump and heating element in the unit. Nothing to do with venue conditions in my case. I also put ferrite cores on the laptop power lead near the laptop end (they clip on) which provides some additional protection.

 
wickedmix wrote :

the people telling you this have experienced this issue learn from that :-)


Indeed, I remember the first time this issue hit the forums, it was quite a head-scratcher
 
time to get a Battery operated wireless control Bubble Machine.

Been looking at the ADJ Bubbletron Go.
 
The Magic.DJ wrote :
time to get a Battery operated wireless control Bubble Machine.

Been looking at the ADJ Bubbletron Go.


There is even a cheaper solution
 
wickedmix wrote :
it really is a cheap fix to use a power filter on your laptop power and see if the problem goes away .............

the people telling you this have experienced this issue learn from that :-)


any suggestions on what one to use?

I also use the Numark DJIO external soundcard, this is USB powered. I have been advised to buy a power adapter for it, so there is less strain using the USB and also a wireless smoke / bubble machine might avoid a powersurge on the depress of the switch. Happy to try anything as long as its not going to cost too much. I pay enough for the software as it is. I have a friend who is going to look into the strain virtual djs coding is causing on cpu and what other little processes its using as I still think this is a software issue.

 
 


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