If you're experiencing any bleed or balance problems with your Numark Scratch crossfader, it may be time to re-calibrate it. A crossfader is a "wearable" part of any DJ mixer, meaning that it's a high-interaction component, and as such, will wear down over time depending on how heavily it's used. Thankfully this often just means that the calibration of the sensors will need to be reset occasionally. In the guide below, we'll demonstrate how you can access the crossfader calibration button on your Numark Scratch and how to perform the calibration process.
Video Demonstration
What You'll Need:
- Numark Scratch mixer and AC Power Cable
- Speakers and cables to connect to Scratch mixer
- Phillips-head screwdriver
- Lint-free cloth (to avoid touching any sensitive components)
- Any sound source, such as a CDJ or other DJ media player (you just need something to send signal through the crossfader for testing)
Opening the Scratch
Note: This will require that the mixer is opened, which will expose some components and wires. Always take precautions to ensure your working area is clean of any dirt or debris, and be very careful not to damage or stress any of the wires or internal components. Use an insulated plastic or rubber knob on the fader stem, and keep hands, body parts, and conductive metal objects far away from sensitive circuitry to the left of the calibration button.
- Make sure the Numark Scratch mixer is turned off, then connect the AC power cable.
- Connect your sound source to channel (set Line/Phono switch as needed)
- Connect your speakers to either the RCA or XLR outputs
- Using the screwdriver, remove the lower four screws on the top mixer plate, then remove the four screws on the front plate.
- Once the screws are removed, carefully pull out the front plate. The headphone port will still be connected to the front plate, so be careful not to pull or put stress on any of the wires.
Now that the bottom of the crossfader is exposed inside the mixer, take note of the calibration button. This will be found on the left side, on the bottom of the crossfader.
Calibrating the Crossfader
- Start by pushing the crossfader stem all the way to the right side, and set the crossfader slope switch to the right side.
- Power on your sound source, the Scratch mixer, and your speakers.
- With the channel faders still down, start playing your sound source through Channel 1 and set the gain using the LED meters. Turn up the Channel 1 channel fader when you're ready.
- Gradually move the crossfader stem all the way from the right to the left, and take at least half a second to get from one side to the other. Slower movement will improve the accuracy of the calibration.
- The next step will depend on the goal of the calibration:
- If you have been experiencing "dead space" or "dropouts" at the very ends of the crossfader, squeeze the crossfader stem and hold it tight to the left side. Using the lint-free cloth, press and hold the calibration button for at least 1/4 second, then release the button and release the crossfader stem.
- If you are experiencing bleeding at either end of the crossfader, squeeze the crossfader stem and move the crossfader back towards the center by 1-2mm. Using the lint-free cloth, press and hold the calibration button for at least 1/4 second, then release the button and release the crossfader stem.
- Now, to calibrate the right-side. Move the crossfader stem all the way from the left to the right, and take at least half a second to get from one side to the other. Again, slower movement will improve the accuracy of the calibration.
- Repeat the same process from Step 4 according to your calibration needs for the right-side:
- If you have been experiencing "dead space" or "dropouts" at the very ends of the crossfader, squeeze the crossfader stem and hold it tight to the right side. Using the lint-free cloth, press and hold the calibration button for at least 1/4 second, then release the button and release the crossfader stem.
- If you are experiencing bleeding at either end of the crossfader, squeeze the crossfader stem and move the crossfader back towards the center by 1-2mm. Using the lint-free cloth, press and hold the calibration button for at least 1/4 second, then release the button and release the crossfader stem.
This completes the calibration process, but be sure to test this using your connected sound source. Move the crossfader left and right to check for dead spots or bleeding. If only one sound source is connected, use the Crossfader reverse switch to assign your signal to either the left or right sides of the crossfader and test as needed.
Repeat the calibration steps as needed until there are no longer any dead spots or bleeding in the crossfader path. Both sides must be calibrated together for the entire calibration to work. This may take a few tries to get right.
Important: After calibration is complete, make sure the power is turned off before disconnecting the AC cable. Otherwise, the calibration will be lost.
Further Technical Support
Whether you are a customer or dealer, if you already own a Numark product, or if you just have pre-sales questions, the Numark technical support team is available to help!
Visit the link below to connect with any of the following support options: online community support, phone support, email support.