BPM reads correctly but timing drifts on SC Live 4

Engine DJ Hardware Standalone Controllers
,
1

I experienced an issue yesterday while preparing a set.

I was transitioning from a track at 138 BPM to one at 142 BPM. Both tracks are electronic with consistent timing, and all tracks in my library have manually checked beatgrids.

I cued the 142 BPM track, set a loop, and reduced it to 138 BPM. When attempting to beatmatch using the jog wheel, the track would not lock in. Although the display showed 138 BPM, the timing drifted continuously and could not be stabilised. The waveform also failed to align and moved inconsistently.

I reset the tempo back to 142 BPM and then to 138 BPM several times, but the issue persisted.

After restarting the controller, the problem disappeared and did not recur for the rest of the session.

Has anyone experienced similar behaviour or identified a cause?

In a live setting this would be a significant issue, as I rely on stable tempo and manual beatmatching.

I’m running 4.3.4.

2

Sounds like the BPM of one of the tracks was not correctly set.

After restart, when you say the problem disappeared - when doing the same transition with same 2 tracks? Or you mean you continued mixing other tracks without having the same problem with other tracks in your library?

3

The BPM of both tracks are correct and were displaying on screen as fixed at 142 and then 138. The waveforms are steady and precise, being psytrance.

The wandering beat stopped after I restarted, with the same tracks, and didn’t occur with other tracks.

4

Did you notice that one of your jogwheels was detecting touch even when you hand was not on it - basically flashing white?

5

My guess would be Slip Mode, it might have been switched on.