Engine Connect failed connections to computer via Denon X1850 mixer and SC6000M's

Engine DJ Hardware Mixers
1

To Denon DJ Support Team,

I am writing to document a severe and recurring networking issue with my Denon DJ X1850 mixer (firmware 1.7), used in conjunction with two SC6000M players and a Apple computer running Engine DJ Desktop. This setup is connected via Ethernet (CAT cables) through a KPN Box 12 router, with reserved IP addresses assigned to all devices (computer: 192.168.2.100, SC6000M #1: 192.168.2.101, SC6000M #2: 192.168.2.102, X1850: 192.168.2.103). Despite these measures, the X1850 consistently fails to maintain a proper network connection, severely disrupting my workflow as a professional DJ. These addresses can’t be given with dynamic IP’s. You will lose connection to your machines. Write something about it please, these are networked devices, no LEGO.

Issue Description: When the X1850 experiences a network dropout (e.g., unplugging and replugging the Ethernet cable, which simulates real-world scenarios like cable swaps during setup), it fails to reconnect to the network and instead assigns itself an APIPA address (169.254.111.149). This renders the mixer invisible to the SC6000M players and the computer, breaking the Engine DJ ecosystem’s functionality. The SC6000Ms remain visible in the router’s DHCP table with their reserved IPs, but the X1850 does not advertise itself, and the computer does not appear on the players’ screens.

Failed Troubleshooting Attempts:

  • The X1850’s Utility menu has a “Reset IP” option, but it does not work. The mixer remains stuck on the APIPA address, as confirmed in the Utility, showing IP 169.254.111.149.

  • I’ve rebooted the KPN Box 12 router (soft reset via power unplug) and attempted to release/renew the X1850’s DHCP lease via the router’s web interface (https://192.168.2.254). The X1850 does not request a new IP and stays on APIPA.

  • Toggling network settings in the X1850’s Utility menu (e.g., switching Engine Connect modes) has no effect.

  • Enabling Wi-Fi on the SC6000M forces a proper DHCP lease (e.g., 192.168.2.103), switching back to cable works, but it starts nagging after a while. Not good.

  • Network commands from my computer (e.g., ARP cache flush, pinging the broadcast address 192.168.2.255) fail to stimulate the X1850 to re-request an IP.

  • The only reliable fix is a full power cycle of the X1850, which is unacceptable during live performances or extended setup sessions, as it disrupts all operations.

Impact: This issue makes the X1850 unreliable for professional use in this way. The need to power cycle the mixer after any network disruption (common in dynamic DJ environments) risks downtime during live sets, which is a critical failure for a device marketed to professionals. The SC6000M players and Engine DJ software are otherwise stable, isolating the fault to the X1850’s network stack. The players stay visible in my router table.

Analysis: The X1850’s behavior suggests a firmware-level bug in its DHCP client or network discovery protocol. After a dropout, it fails to renegotiate a DHCP lease with the router, defaulting to APIPA. The “Reset IP” option in the Utility menu is non-functional, indicating a deeper issue in firmware 1.7. Community reports on platforms like Reddit’s r/DenonPrime and the Engine DJ Community echo similar networking problems with the X1850, often citing APIPA addresses and the need for power cycles. Some users note that earlier firmware versions (e.g., 1.6) were more stable, suggesting a regression in 1.7.

Request:

  • Acknowledge this issue as a firmware bug and provide a timeline for a fix in the next update. The “Reset IP” option must be repaired, and the X1850’s network stack should be made robust against dropouts, automatically re-requesting a DHCP lease without user intervention.

  • Provide access to firmware 1.6 for downgrading, as a temporary workaround, since 1.7 is unusable in its current state for my setup.

  • Not to much is written in the manual about how to set this up, which ports connect to which layers, etc. Write a proper story about which machine you need to power on first. Too many stories float around.

This issue has persisted despite extensive troubleshooting, and I’m disappointed in the lack of reliability from a premium product like the X1850. I expect a prompt response and a resolution that ensures this equipment meets the professional standards Denon DJ claims to uphold.

Thank you.

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