Pioneer has announced a new DJ mixer, the DJM-2000, that’s the iPad of DJ mixers.

The DJM-2000 is Pioneer’s most powerful performance mixer and is designed to be the perfect match for CDJ-2000 digital decks. It features a 5.8-inch LCD multi-touch panel display, a first on a DJ mixer.

Other features include Beat Effects, Instrument FX, serious connectivity, a live sampler, USB audio interface, 3-band EQ, digital audio in and three different mixing modes.

All that sexy comes at a price, though. The DJM-2000 is expected to be available in June 2010 with a suggested retail price of $2,999.

Features:

• Mixer Layout – The DJM-2000 inherits a larger foot print than its predecessors to accommodate a sectioned layout of features as well as cosmetically match the latest Pioneer CDJ series of digital media players. On the top center section of the mixer resides its EFX capabilities to give DJs a bounty of digital effects. Located on each side of the middle section is its audio mixing controls for connection of up to four digital or USB sources. Across the middle section, Pioneer added new INST FX (Instant Instrument FX) functions which allow DJs to further alter and create more sound effects. And, at the bottom center of the mixer is a large LCD touch display that provides DJs a window for remixing beats and adding effects with the ease of a simple touch of the screen.
• Industry First Multi-Touch Panel – A first in the industry for audio mixers, the DJM-2000 incorporates a full-color 5.8-inch LCD multi-touch panel for adding audio effects. Users can simultaneously manipulate the displayed controls on the panel by touching different areas of the screen. Three different performance modes are available including;
  • Frequency mix – Enables more precise mixing within seven frequency ranges. For example, users can enhance the bass region within the music they’re mixing.
  • Sidechain remix – DJs can create seven different dynamic audio effects with touches and movements on the screen.
  • MIDI mode – Allows the user to assign various controls displayed on the LCD screen to control DJ software via MIDI. Four types of MIDI modes are available for more performance flexibility.
• Evolved Beat Effects – A section of the mixer resides an Evolved Beat Effects adopted from earlier versions of the DJM series of mixers to generate a multitude of sound effects. Numerous buttons were added for selecting multiple effects and beat parameters for additional performance capabilities. Further manipulation of the sound effects can be made using the Effect Frequency knobs that changes the low, mid and high frequency bands of the music. Turns of the knobs enhances the effects to each frequency band, i.e., an echo added specifically to the vocals of the music or a doubling of the hi-hat rhythm, providing incredible performance options.
• Instant Instrument FX – The INST FX (Instant Instrument FX) provides six additional audio effects that include Noise, HPF, LPF, Jet, Zip and Crush. Each of the effects can be induced into the channel with a turn of the Filter knob. Additionally, the Parameter knob allows the effects to be fine tuned.
• Pro DJ Link – When used specifically with Pioneer’s CDJ-2000 or CDJ-900 turntables via Pro DJ Link, the DJM-2000 becomes an even more powerful musical tool. The mixer incorporates four Ethernet ports in the back of the unit allowing up to four of the most recent CDJ turntables to be connected (via LAN cables) while sharing only one music-filled SD card2 or USB storage device. In addition, up to two laptop computers pre-installed with Pioneer’s music management software rekordbox™ can be interfaced with the DJM-2000 via LAN cables, in cases that two DJs are transitioning for their individual performances.
• Live Sampler – A cool feature of the mixer is its Live Sampler capability which allows the sound from a microphone or from the MASTER output to be recorded directly into the mixer. The “sampled” sound can instantly be transferred via LAN cable to a CDJ-2000/900 for scratching.
• Link Monitor – When linked with the CDJ-2000 player, the mixer informs the DJ of its connected status. The JOG rings of the turntable changes in color based on the current on-air status or channel number connection, providing quick visual indications to the DJ.
• USB interface – The DJM-2000 features a USB audio interface3 that allows direct computer connection without the need for an external sound card. Up to four audio sources can be assigned to each channel providing even more flexibility. For additional convenience, the MASTER output can be connected directly to a computer for recording4 of performances
• Sound Quality – Continuing the prestigious reputation of Pioneer mixers, the DJM-2000 provides excellent sound quality. By utilizing balanced hybrid op-amp and a perfectly balanced output circuit in the analog processing stage, Pioneer managed to significantly decrease induced noise resulting in a dynamic range of 107dB with 0.004% THD for an extremely clean and powerful sound.

Additional features of the DJM-2000 include:

• Switching 3-Band EQ/Isolator – Equipped with a switching 3-band EQ (+6dB to -26dB) and 3-band Isolator (+6dB to -?dB) on each channel
• Digital In – Permits audio signal of each channel with no deterioration in sound quality
• Fader Start Play – Connection with CDJ player(s) with PRO DJ LINK or control cable allows the mixer to start the turntable by switching faders
• Talk Over – Lowers the volume of the music when a connected microphone is used
• Peak Level Meter – Displays input levels at a glance
• Cross fader Assign function – Allows the flexible assignment of the input on each channel to the cross fader
• Fader Curve Adjust function – Allows changes to cross fader and channel fader curves

Cutting Order From Kaos
Radio 1’s hard dance champion Kutski puts Korg’s new do-it-all unit,
the Kaossilator Pro through its paces…

Korg have been one of the most reputable companies in the electronic music scene since pioneering the keyboard market as far back as the ’60s, but didn’t really make a splash into the world of performance DJ accessories until the late ’90s, with their now-legendary Kaoss Pad effects unit. Let’s take a look at their latest creation — a Frankenstein-style fusion of both their synthesis and DJ FX, in the form of the exciting new Kaossilator Pro.

If you’re into your DJ technology, you will be familiar with Korg’s original Kaossilator, which was a pocket size synth that could simply be hooked up to anything that had an audio input. Despite it gaining a hardcore cult following, the slightly fragile nature of the unit and its lack of features lead this to be more of a cool toy to play with, rather than something that would be of use in a professional capacity. However, this all promises to change with the latest revision, in the form of its big brother, the Kaossilator Pro.

It is designed to be a stand-alone synth, drum machine, effects unit, and even a very basic sequencer which could be used as part of a studio setup for live performances, or as an addition to your DJ setup to add textures to your sets. It comes with 200 preset sounds, covering just about every perceivable style of music that producers would wish to make, from jazz to dubstep. The presets are broken down into leads, acoustic instruments, one-hit drum samples, sweep effects and drum loops.

The method in which these instruments are played is completely unique to the Kaossilator Pro. The Kaossilator uses the same XY pad that users of Korg’s other DJ style product the Kaoss Pad will be familiar with. With musical presets such as piano emulation, the ‘X’ axis controls the note that is being played, whereas the ‘Y’ axis applies modulation, which depending on the preset, varies from filters to reverbs, distortion and the likes. Another aid Korg have thrown in to help the less tactile musician amongst us is the gate/arpeggiator. It will re-trigger or gate the note that is being played to a musical timing that can be adjusted with a fader, so no need to worry about repetitively hitting the pad in sync. Adjusting the fader whilst simply sliding your finger randomly around the pad can produce some epic, complex-sounding riffs.

The drum samples are broken up into one-shot kit samples and loops. The one-shots allow you to tap different regions of the pad to trigger different hits within the set, effectively allowing you to play in your own drum patterns, much as you would in an MPC-style sampler, and when used in conjunction with the gate arpeggiator, this can produce some heavy sounding drum rolls. The unit also comes with an array of spooky space-style sweeps and effects that would even make Doctor Who’s panties moist!

As with all gadgets like this these days, the Kaossilator Pro has midi function, albeit quite basic. This is where the unit loses marks. Despite having full midi and USB connectivity, users are very limited to how it can be used. My first instinct was to connect a midi keyboard and play the instrument in a more traditional way but this is not possible. I understand the charm of the unit is its unique interface for performance, but if the ability to connect in a more elaborate way is there, I cannot understand why they wouldn’t make use of this opportunity. To add to the frustration, even though the unit can receive midi data from a DAW such as Logic or Ableton Live, and it detects clock tempo changes etc, there is no way to sync them up, so it will constantly be playing out of time. This leaves the midi functions limited — it just feels like it could so easily do so much more.

Overall, this is a great new addition to what is possible with live performances these days.  The interface and how it is used is really refreshing. With Korg having thrown the traditional rulebooks away, they have succeeded in making this the professional version of the original Kaossilator, listening to the users, adding all the missing links, and packaging it in a robust body casing, and despite some minor midi issues that I’m sure could be fixed in firmware, the Kaossilator Pro is ideal for aspiring and professional DJs and musicians alike. Being such a flexible tool, I’m quite excited to see how different artists will find different ways to use it.