Setting Up Pioneer’s TORAIZ SP-16 With CDJs + In Studio

The new TORAIZ SP-16 sampler and sequencer has a ton of layers to it, but so far, very few tutorials on the internet. Today, DJTT contributor Stu G is sharing a new video showing how to link up and sync the unit with a CDJ setup. For studio producers, he’s also sharing a technique for routing tracks out through it as an effects unit. Watch the full thing inside!

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Setting Up TORAIZ SP-16 To Sync With CDJs

In the video above, you see the complete walk through of how to set up the TORAIZ SP-16 with a CDJ setup. For reference, here’s the steps and tips:

• Attach a Link cable (ethernet) to each of the CDJs and the SP-16 (also if you have a Pioneer DJM mixer, that too!). You will need an ethernet hub.
• On the SP-16, in settings, change SYNC from INTERNAL to PRO DJ LINK
• Also, change PRO DJ LINK SYNC SETTING to your preferred mode. The modes are: BPM, BARS, BEAT – syncing to various levels of quantization.
• In the BPM/QUANTIZE menu, turn the Master Player Select to AUTO (whichever player is the master will control the SP-16)

Now any changes you make to your BPM will automatically be reflected on the SP-16 instantly.

NOTE: Automatic master syncing is limited right now to just the newest models of CDJ. We’re hoping at least the CDJ-2000NXS also gets this functionality – see the ominous chart in the addendum manual here: 

Using the SP-16’s Dave Smith Filter In The Studio

As with syncing with CDJs, setting up the SP-16 so that you can pass audio through it is fairly simple once you know how. In the video above, I’m using the device as an external processing unit, specifically to run individual tracks through the powerful Dave Smith filter and adding analog overdrive to it.

Here’s how to set this up:

• Send a pair of external outputs on your soundcard into the 1/4″ stereo inputs on the SP-16
• Send a pair of 1/4″ stereo outputs from the SP-16 into a stereo input on your soundcard
• Select a new scene and insert a blank pattern
• Select any track, and change the track type to “THRU”
• Adjust the level knob on the back of the SP-16 to get a good signal level
• Set the outputs on a track in your DAW to the same outputs on your soundcard, and make a record track with the SP-16’s inputs

Now you can record a processed version of any track easily – it’s an easy way to add analog warmth to bass lines, etc.

Jam Session

Watch Stu’s full jam session with the SP-16 and CDJs in the video below:

What tutorials and tips would you like to see next with the TORAIZ? Share in the comments!

The track used in the video is Stu G’s own new release with Mr. Bootsauce, “Get On Up“.