: £ When the PRIME GO from Denon DJ arrived for review, I was excited to see how this compared with the already popular PRIME 4 and PRIME 2. As a new concept from Denon DJ, I was eager to find out how this small battery-powered controller would fit in with my workflow as a DJ and see if this is set to ‘disrupt’ the DJ controller market in general. 72 72 sponsored by From first impressions, the box that the PRIME GO is supplied in does not disappoint.

You don’t need to see the unit inside as the box itself is a design joy to behold, which tempts you in to see what is on the inside. So, what is in the box? Alongside the PRIME GO itself, there is a user guide, screen wipe, VIP lanyard and some PRIME GO branded stickers. There is also a PSU, which is just like a laptop charger with a cloverleaf-style mains plug.

This can be used both for charging the battery and to allow use of the device directly from mains power. Since it is a compact unit of just under 12 inches wide, the layout of the PRIME GO is smaller than its siblings in the PRIME range. However, the controls are extremely well laid out, making excellent use of the available space and it features the same 7” gesture touch screen that is used on the PRIME 2. Size matters and, weighing just 3.5Kg, the PRIME GO will easily fit into the kind of backpack that you would normally use for the average laptop.

This makes it a great piece of kit to travel with and Denon DJ has produced a variety of marketing shots showing it being used by DJs on planes and trains (the idea being that jet-setting DJs can prep their sets on the go). Once setup, the PRIME GO sits flat and the screen cannot be adjusted to an optimal viewing angle for the user, which – at least to me – is a bit of a letdown. If the unit had a small kick stand built into the base then that would have also worked, assuming that a variable-angle screen couldn’t be included.

The PRIME GO is the first ever standalone DJ controller to be truly portable, as it is powered by an internal Lithium-Ion battery. Once fully charged, the unit boasts an impressive running time of four hours of use, which will no doubt be enough for most DJ sets. A nice addition to the OS is the battery indicator, which shows green for full charge, yellow for partial, and red for low. When the battery hits red, plugging in the PSU will allow continued operation from mains power while the battery simultaneously begins to charge.

A nice design touch is that there is a separate illuminated charging icon next to the ‘Denon DJ’ logo on the top left of the unit to indicate charging whilst the unit is switched off. The PRIME GO itself has all the functions we would expect from any controller or standalone system. Although the unit is compact, the layout has clearly been thought out well. Alongside its 3” DENON DJ PRIME GO touch-capacitive jog wheels, you the PRIME GO will also find Sync, Vinyl Mode, horizontally, Pitch Bend, Cue and Play / Pause think I would buttons, which are solid plastic and actually soon not rubber.

The Pitch slider moves is also a Sweep easily with precision and has that channel, with distinctive locking click for the Option 1 is the home point, something which is 2 is Wash Out. lacking from the larger PRIME 2 easily adjusted and PRIME 4 units. yet sophisticated In addition to the basic functions There is also a there is also a performance pad including Echo, area of four buttons, which can be Scratch and assigned Hot Cues, Loops or Rolls few – built into across multiple Banks.

These are these are rubber-based buttons, which make panel situated it easier on the fingers to control the unit. The and, in my opinion, make the selected via the performance pad area a joy to use. the effect menu You will also find a very responsive main screen. Auto Loop rotary control, which is activated by adjustable from ¼ to 32 bars. channel 1, 2 or push buttons. Most of us are used to having and Wet / Dry EQ knobs in a vertical alignment used to customise above each channel slider but on it works well in STAYING DENON DJ MOBILE PRIME GO Denon DJ PRIME GO they are laid out In the middle of the PRIME GO’s something I didn’t front panel are the standard level adjust to easily but faders along with the crossfader. got used to.

There These are shorter than most FX dial for each of us are used to, but fit well two option buttons. considering the overall size of the Filter whilst Option unit. I think they will also work well Both are clean and even with the biggest of hands as to create a simple they are spaced away from other feel to your mix. functions, so there is no chance of accidentally hitting another bank of 13 effects – button whilst in the mix. Hall Echo, Flanger, Reverb, to name a The PRIME GO empowers DJs the Engine OS and with an innovative user interface, controlled via the FX acce ssed thro ug h the 7” at the top left of touchscreen, which makes music effect of choice is library navigation easy.

You can FX Select dial with search, manage playlists and load popping up on the tracks – all with the touch or swipe Once dialled in it is of a finger. Just like the rest of assigning it to either the Denon DJ PRIME series, the both with dedicated GO features the Engine OS, which FX Time / Parameter allows for easy transportation knobs can then be of music files between PRIME the FX to ensure platforms. Equally important, it also your mix. THE EARLY DAYS 7733 Denon DJ PRIME GO allows more features to be added as front of the unit. and when Denon DJ release them.

A back may cause a future-proof system some may say remove / replace a and, yes, I believe that as well. set – an accidental switch or knock to For such a compact unit, the PRIME find the sound being GO boasts an impressive array of a party is in full-on input and output connections. It offers both balanced XLR and RCA As the PRIME GO master sockets, with a switch that unit, it is nice to allows selection between mono jack and 3.5mm and stereo output.

There is also a connecting headphones separate Booth output provided via front panel, along a pair of 1/4” TRS jacks. Inputs wise, and Level controls. there is a stereo pair of RCA sockets panel is also where that allow for an Auxiliary input Level control for for adding music from an external source such as CD player, mobile Setting up your music phone etc. But what really impressed the PRIME GO is me was the two independent mic since the latest inputs, each offering a combination DJ’s Engine Prime ¼” jack / XLR socket.

Sadly, no mic you to import EQ controls are included, only gain, libraries from which can be adjusted within the rekordbox and iTunes. OS in the Utilities under the Mic music has been sorted Attenuation section. in Engine Prime, it to export it to a USB The unit features a USB type Once done, you’re B connector on the rear panel, and play on the PRIME which you can use to connect it to your computer for updating the The PRIME GO also firmware, and also an Ethernet in Wi-Fi connectivity, socket for use with the Denon DJs to play music DJ StageLinq protocol.

There are music streaming two ports for connection to your is currently supported digital music files. The main USB GO comes with a connector is on the rear of the trial subscription) unit, which can be used to connect Beatport and either a USB stick or external HDD. is coming soon. The other source of input is an SD card slot at the front of the I can see the PRIME unit. From a mobile perspective, I perfect solution would have preferred the USB port events such as mounted either on the top or to the parties but I would 74 74 Having it on the using this in conjunction with a failure if trying to battery-powered speaker (such as USB stick midthe Bose S1) for outdoor wedding hit of the power ceremonies or drinks receptions. the cables could Unfortunately, due to the lack muted whilst of Bluetooth, you will still need a dance mode. cable to connect to your speakers.

Although this is a standalone unit is a portable aimed at the party market or DJ see both 1/4 on the go, with the Engine Prime jack sizes for music library system at its heart, on the the PRIME GO is also a worthy with Cue Mix complement to a PRIME 4 or The front PRIME 2 to act as a backup unit. you’ll find the the Aux input. Due to the compact nature of the PRIME GO, I am surprised that for use with Denon DJ has been able to pack easy, especially so many features into it without version of Denon compromising on quality.

You can software allows easily prepare sets on the go, as existing music this is truly lightweight and easy Serato, Traktor, to carry, but it is also robust and Once your tactile enough to use for playing and analysed out live. Some critics may say that, is an easy task due to the price, they will stick media device. with their existing controller. But, ready to plug in when you take into account that GO! you also need a laptop when DJing with a controller, the PRIME GO offers builtactually represents exceptional enabling value for money as a true all-in-one from various standalone system. services.

TIDAL (the PRIME Overall, this unit gets the thumbs FREE 3-month up from me as a worthy contender and Soundcloud, in the standalone market with the Beatsource support added bonus of battery-powered operation. However, I really do wish that it had Bluetooth connectivity GO as the to allow for truly wireless DJing, as for numerous well as those mic EQs and that kick beach or house stand to adjust the angle of view also look at for the screen. DENON DJ PRIME GO READY, GET GO!

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