Hands-on with the Pacemaker DJ system

We had a chance to get up close and personal with Swedish startup Tonium's portable DJ unit and paw this 120GB-storing mobile mixing and more device. Comparable in size to the PSP (a smidge smaller), the Pacemaker's integrated crossfader and multifunction touchpad at first blush provide a surprisingly intuitive way to control your mix. We're not gonna lie -- we kinda wish the touchpad worked more like a Kaoss pad than like ye olde iPod scroll wheel, but all the same it's pretty fun to get some pitch bending on with a device that fits in one hand. Also let's be honest, you're probably not gonna become the hottest thing in Ibiza with this thing, but at $700 it's a relatively low-cost convenient practice setup for DJs on the road or an attractive option for aspiring amateurs. Be sure to peep yourself some video after the break.

Gallery: Hands-on with the Pacemaker DJ system

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

[Ben @ Jul 8th 2008 8:08AM]

Umm.... Dj and pacemaker in same sentace... Its the DJ's heart.... Heartbeat... A DJ needs one to function.... A few things that i thought up

[daniel @ Oct 28th 2008 10:35PM]

What an excelent equipment...I am veryyyyyyyyyyyy happy with mine, we have done some partys in the beach with it that before where imposible... We just need the Pacemaker, a portable sound like the Bose or any Logitech, and thats all...

Thee is a Pacemaker group in Facebook with reviews and the people that join would be in touch with the latest info, and discounts... In here... http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42865663101

Daniel

[Tom @ Jan 26th 2009 9:02AM]

I love the idea of being able to try out new ideas/mixes on the go because I travel a lot but there are a few things which mean I'm not going to get this. The real deal breaker is the lack of stereo cue support, mixing on this thing is gonna be fiddly enough as it is without having to change whats coming out my headphones all the time! Especially if you DJ a style without very clear beats/cue points like jungle or dubstep lol also I dont like that you can only EQ one channel at a time, no quick switches of the bass back and forth. It has no line in for recording and £500 is waaay more than I'd be willing to spend on what is essentially a gimmick. If I had £500 to splash on new DJ gear I'd be getting a second pioneer cdj800.

Tom

[Dave @ Jan 7th 2008 7:28AM]

That's pretty sweet, a bit pricey though to catch the general hobby DJ I believe. I'd really like to try one.

[Sean Seibel @ Jan 7th 2008 7:49AM]

Great concept and execution. The design of the device along with it's onscreen interface is elegant and intuitive, but $700 is a bit high for a portable device. One key purpose that a physical DJ controller provides is showmanship for the audience to enjoy. This device is small and would provide very little entertainment to an audience. There are very robust and elegant software solutions for your laptop that would cost much less and if used with an inexpensive control surface, would provide enough presense to give the audience a show.

[pim @ Jan 7th 2008 8:29AM]

The Pacemaker is far too expensive, though a nice concept and high novelty value.

If it's a portable dj-toy you're looking for this is the only option, really only fit to toy around with, not to practise dj sets.

If it's home/hobby djing you want to go for the (likes of th) Hercules dj console.

If you're foraging into the digital dj'ing realm and looking for a decent controller buy the Vestax VCI 100, also less expensive than a Pacemaker unit.

Software for (starting/hobby) dj's is really, really inexpensive (Virtualdj and the likes)

I wonder how much units they'll sell...

[Shan @ Jan 7th 2008 9:41AM]

The Pacemaker is not too expensive... compared to what? Its the equivalent of having 2 ipods in your hand with a mixer all in something the size of a PSP. Any digital DJs who use laptops for their work would have had to factor in the cost of the laptop plus the DJ'ing software. When you see that professional DJ software such as Traktor cost around $200 and a decent laptop being much more, the pacemaker at $700 is nothing given how easy it is for portability and for them to be able to cram so much into it.

Anything else that is similar in terms of digital DJ'ing will still be much bulkier to carry. The Vestax VCI 100 may cost $500, but given that it still requires a source for music (eg. external hard drives aka laptop) - again, this is hardly a handy solution as it means carrying both the controller AND a laptop.

In terms of an all in one solution - there isn't anything that comes close to the Pacemaker in terms of hardware AND portability.

If you are wondering how many units they will sell, Well their pre-booking on the first batch/orders has closed after reaching the limit set. Given the enthusiasm shown for this - you can be assured it will sell.

Well for showmanship - what can be better than a single person just standing in a spot with headphones on and mixing without any other DJ visible? Most clubs will still have a booth anyways and the person will most likely be behind that - at the end of the day as long as the DJ is good, it doesn't matter what they have in the booth.

[pim @ Jan 7th 2008 3:12PM]

The thing can't download tracks on it's own can it? You'll need a Computer anyway...
I'm convinced it's nice to toy with, and just that. Ther might be a couple of guys who use it as a novelty in their stage act, but it's just that, a novelty.

[entropyman @ Jan 7th 2008 10:11AM]

it is pretty much a handheld kaoss pad with a crossfader- for the $700 it would be more versatile to get the xponent http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/TorqXponent-main.html that I had a hands on with a while back when I was performing with someone who had it- more versatility and you can get them for $599 if you look around- though I will stick with my 1st gen x-seassion for now

[mik @ Jan 7th 2008 11:15AM]

for a dj always on the go it would be a great device for listening to new tracks and getting a feel for what they will sound like while mixing, especially for big gigs where nothing can go wrong. a bit expensive for the average bedroom dj or local club dj considering what it can/can't do.

[dj spinz @ Jan 7th 2008 6:03PM]

Is $700 the MSRP or the actual street price? if the street price is $500 or so than they have something here, just like someone else said, it would be great to practice a set and get a "feel" for new songs in the mix. I love that it can work off of batteries so i can mess with it at work or in the car while going to a gig.

[Ed @ Jan 7th 2008 5:38PM]

Somehow "DJ" and "Pacemaker" don't seem appropriate in the same product name.