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January 31, 2005 ../ Pioneer Announces DJM-800 Digital MixerDJ Mixer Technology Explosion Continues With The Sequel To The Popular DJM-600Pioneer has taken their industry standard DJM-600 to the next level with the announcement of the DJM-800. The new DJM-800 mixer incorporates 4 channels of digital input, 24 bit/96kHz analog to digital conversion, 61 assignable MIDI controls and a new "Harmonic Mixing" technology that automatically stays in key when pitch adjustments are made.
The DJM-800 features SPDIF digital inputs on four channels at 44.1/48/96kHz, as well as a SPDIF digital out at either 48K or 96K for a pure signal. Analog to digital is handled by a 24bit/96kHz converter and then fed into the new 32bit signal processor. Speaking of the signal processors, arguably one of the DJM-600 greatest strengths was its killer beat-synced effects. With its excellent built-in BPM detection, DJs were able to incorporate the 600's effects in a musical manner that lead to very creative mixing possibilities. The engineers at Pioneer understood the impact of this attribute and decided to up the ante. Sound Color Effects Pioneer has incorporated what it calls Sound Color Effects into the 800 to create a "new style of mixing" according to their press release. The sound color technology utilizes Harmonic Tuning, which takes whatever key the source audio is in and adjusts the pitch until the key reaches a standard note. Therefore, pitch (turntable speed) adjustments will no longer affect a records original key. This would be cool if the 800 could match the pitch of two different records via DSP, but the preliminary specs don't confirm this. However, Pioneer's marketing department has determined that "World class DJs currently spend hours learning the keys of their music and re-mastering their library to be in perfect pitch" - unfortunately, we have yet to meet a working DJ who performs this extremely time consuming task. Again, the Sound Color effects sound cool, but how will DJs utilize it in the real world has yet to be determined. One thing is certain - Pioneer is pushing the envelope.
Deep details on the DJM-800's MIDI implementation are not available, but Pioneer states "MIDI signals can be sent from almost all knobs and switches on the surface of the DJM-800 (a total of 61 assignable controls) to external MIDI equipment." Very cool and a feature that most high-end mixers will incorporate from now on, With full MIDI, the DJM-800 can also be used to control Native Instruments' Traktor, Ableton's Live, as well as lighting rigs and video mixers. The Pioneer DJM-800 will be available some time in April; a retail price has not been announced. Rotary volume knobs are available as an option. For the latest information hit: PioneerProDJ.com The Future: It wasn't going to be long before an industry innovator like Pioneer raised the bar on its DJ mixers. The DJM-800 looks like a very exciting upgrade to the 600 with MIDI implementation, a true digital signal path for pristine sonic quality and groundbreaking (and usable) DJ-oriented effects. Hopefully, this is just a primer for Pioneer's rumored DJ/VJ monster mixer.
Copyright © 2006 Futuremusic® All Rights Reserved. |
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 As the name correctly implies, Experiments In Sound, is Futuremusic's latest endeavor for pushing electronic music technology to the very edge of what's possible. Experiments In Sound grew out of Futuremusic's avant-garde events in New York City that featured DJ's taking mixing and live sound reinforcement to a whole new level with the very latest gear and software. Now Experiments In Sound has become The Ultimate Mix Contest...
After the tremendous success of our groundbreaking The Next Big Thing DJ Contest, Futuremusic has decided to once again create a new paradigm...
Futuremusic wants to thank everyone who participated in The Next Big Thing 2004. John Digweed, Beatport, Alienware, M-Audio, Native Instruments, IK Multimedia, PVDJ, PK Graphics, Ableton, The DubHouse, Propellerheads, Technics, FreeFloat, The Church, PCDJ and every DJ who entered this year's event thank you. From the sheer number of quality mixes, we can tell you that dance music is thriving in the United States. The amount of outstanding talent and creativity really blew us away, and every DJ who's putting their heart, mind and soul behind the music is a winner. John Digweed has made his decision and the winner is... Think you got skills?? Then start practicing!
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