- 4 0 0 : £. “Woohoo! Another Pioneer DJ controller has been released!” Said nobody in 2018… Pioneer has been DDJ-Busy in recent months with releases of new controllers such as the DDJ-1000 [ in Pro Mobile 88] – a rekordbox dj 4 channel, 2 laptop controller – and the DDJ-SX3 – which, in a nutshell, is a Serato equivalent of the above. However, Pioneer DJ’s latest offering is something that isn’t going to break the bank, or scare off budding digital DJs from getting behind the wheels of steel.

It’s a new entry-level controller that has been designed as an affordable introduction to the brand’s range of DJ tools. 82 82 sponsored by Before I go into detail about the new kid on the block, I will start by saying just how dominant Pioneer DJ is in the market right now. The team behind the brand constantly edges themselves forward with the creation of wonderful DJ tools that are continually pushing boundaries. However, I believe one of the key elements that has contributed to the Pioneer DJ success story is the consistent quality within the entire range of products of which we DJs have come to dote.

Another thing worth noting is the fact that Pioneer DJ has come on leaps and bounds recently with the development of its own rekordbox dj software. What began as a virtual ‘box of records’ allowing you to prepare your set on a USB device has now blossomed into a fully-fledged DJ software package to rival Virtual DJ, Serato and Traktor, amongst others. It offers a plethora of options for effects, deck layouts, beat grid adjustment, cue point labelling and loop saving.

Essentially it delivers the feature-rich music manipulation tools that we love from Pioneer’s hardware range in a new fully digital guise. Now, back to the new product in question. Pioneer DJ’s latest controller, the DDJ-400, serves as both an ideal entry point into the world of rekordbox dj – for beginners and experienced DJs alike – as well as a perfect backup option for professional mobile DJs who are already invested in the Pioneer ecosystem. On first impressions, the DDJ-400 really doesn’t look like a £250 controller, it looks like a professional weapon for the DJ booth.

Pioneer’s previous entry model, the DDJ-RB, was a great controller for its generation but the Pioneer design team have done much more than just tweak the aesthetics for this new controller; the layout has been redesigned to emulate the flagship CDJ-2000NXS2 and DJM- 900NXS2 combo. The vision here is for DJs to use the controller as a stepping stone to the larger format controllers and media players, so the arrangement and feel of the Play/Cue buttons, Loop markers and pads all hint at the richer fruits hanging in the Pioneer tree.

I really liked the familiarity of the controller – if you’ve used a CDJ or a DDJ in the past, it will be an easy transition. Included in the price is the full version of the rekordbox dj software (normally £120-something PIONEER DJ DDJ-400 on its own), so you’re ready to includes a tool go straight out of the box. For mixes to beginner DJs, Pioneer has also easy, complete added a handy tutorial mode in and track listings, their v5.3 software update.

This appeal to provides budding digital DJs with a step-by-step guide to basic When I first mixing techniques as well as the for review, I operation of the DDJ-400. The new in love with version of rekordbox dj also makes controller is. DJing easier and more accessible backpack with for those starting out with its weight of just ‘Track Suggestion’ function. This complete gig displays songs that will match well more than 5kgs with the current track playing, benefits from based on a variety of criteria so there is no including key, feel, label, artist and ‘wall-wart’ so on.

The updated software also Pioneer has SPTIOANYIENEGR MDJO BDIDLJE-400 Pioneer DJ DDJ-400 to make uploading class compliant too, so the OS Mixcloud and YouTube standard driver will be installed with timestamps automatically onto your computer which is sure to when you first plug it in. bedroom DJ users. The mic input circuit is nice collected this unit and clean, reducing the risk of immediately fell distortion even at the highest how portable the levels.

It also has a built-in sound You can get it in a card, so you don’t need to rely on a laptop and, at a the one in your PC/Mac or add in 2.1kg, it means my the further complication of an bag doesn’t weigh external device. The back of the - mental! It also unit features RCA phono outputs being bus powered to connect to your amp/speakers, need to carry a big while at the front of the unit the mains power supply. headphone connection is available made the DDJ-400 via a 3.5mm jack socket.

THE EARLY DAYS 8833 Pioneer DJ DDJ-400 When trying out the DDJ-400, my and Reloop/Exit hands were drawn immediately to In button doubles the touch capacitive jog wheels. auto loop too. I These behave in exactly the same be considered way as other DDJ controllers previous auto loop such as DDJ-RX and DDJ-SX3, but a little more intuitive. aren’t mechanical like the DDJ- by following the 1000 or CDJ media players. Again, established further it’s the familiarity of how they food chain, it means respond to your touch, the weight find it easier to make they have when you spin them, to the ‘club standard’ that makes them feel like home future.

Previously, for regular Pioneer DJ users. The loops the auto way, actual appearance and texture of to re-learn when the jog wheels is also nice: the the CDJs or XDJs. I top is glossy and the sides have a standardising is a rubberised grip, again hinting at Pioneer. what you can expect further up the DDJ/CDJ pecking order. The mixer section 400 reflects the A notable improvement over the much every DJM DDJ-400’s predecessor is the I’m really glad the size of the tempo sliders.

They is no longer above have been made longer, so you but consolidated in can make much more accurate section of the mixer. adjustments to song speed when through the FXs mixing two tracks together. dj and assign them Another big part of the layout channel 1, 2 or the change is the looping section. The with control over FX Pioneer product designers have also use your laptop’s binned the auto loop buttons in this, so you can favour of the CDJ-style In, Out method you find 8844 buttons.

The loop To wrap things up: I already own as a four-beat half a dozen DDJ controllers but guess this could the more I play with this new controversial, as the one, the more I want it! Do I controls are have a use for it? For sure; it fits However, the bill perfectly for me to stay standards familiar with the bigger DJM/CDJ up the Pioneer combinations without having to that DJs will fork out £6k! It’s also the perfect the jump up backup for professional mobile models in the DJs running one of the bigger you’d learn your DDJ units, such as the DDJ-1000. but then have Keeping this in your laptop bag leaping over to means that you can easily switch think that this to it if the worse happens and smart move from your main controller dies midgig.

Finally, it’s also the perfect controller to introduce the next of the DDJ- generation to the world of DJing. layout of pretty I can imagine using it to get my unit ever made! younger cousins behind the decks; FX selection the tutorial feature means they each deck, can learn the basics at their own the beat FX speed, and – who knows – one of You can cycle them may eventually become a within rekordbox DJ extraordinaire like their cousin to either Marcus!

For £250, I couldn’t think Master mix of a better way to make the jump level. You can into Digital DJing. I wish I had one trackpad for when I started! choose whichever easier. Happy Spinning!!

PIONTEHEER EDAJR DLYD JD-4A0Y0S NEW LIFTING TOWER NEMESIS > 3 leg positions dependant requirement and working > Special adjustment smooth usage without > Long life stainless safety > 28-35mm connector, no need for adaptors. > Steel construction, Black Finish. NEMESIS Maximum height: 4m Height folded: 1,55m Maximum load: 110kg £269 inc vat sales@ *all pricing is on elevation area. system that provides oscillation between the bars. pins. NEMESIS 80 Maximum height: 3m Height folded: 1,55m Maximum load: 80kg £199 inc vat 110 Vor tice AV Audio Visual Distribution I 01435 817190 subject to change