We've been patiently waiting for Wacom to officially announce its upcoming
Intuos4 tablet (recently
caught by Mr. Blurrycam), so were were totally caught off-guard when the company instead unveiled a sort of foray into the music biz, a digital DJ interface destined for release in time to hit Japanese and European clubs this summer. It's called the nextbeat NXT-1000, a device with a plethora of knobs, buttons, and a small LCD for controlling samples, plus a touch-sensitive pad that seems to act as a turntable and a fingertip drum machine in one. That pad actually pops out, maintaining a wireless connection to the base and enabling fleet-footed DJs to show some moves off-stage while still dropping beats -- assuming their cans are wireless too. No word on cost at this point, but can you really put a price on that sort of musical freedom?
[Via
gizmag]
posted Mar 16th 2009 at 7:52AM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bill g @ Mar 16th 2009 8:16AM
wack... serato ssl is acceptable, but this is horrible. I'm a DJ
holto @ Mar 16th 2009 8:23AM
You know absolutely nothing about yet, you've seen but a few features and it's wack? That, and we're supposed to bow down in all of your holy judgement because you're a "DJ" that apparently has the ability to mix, scrub, tweak and spin through the ethereal mist on equipment that no one else has even experienced yet.
Thank you for your holy and glorious insight. DJ.
Tonicboy @ Mar 16th 2009 8:33AM
Just because you're a DJ doesn't make you the spokesman for DJ's. I never voted for you, and I think this is pretty cool.
j_g_puff @ Mar 23rd 2009 1:26PM
Aaayo! It's billy g! Spinnin' wax in the place to be! Serato's OK but not NXT!
Can I get down and funky at your place? Pretty please?
Vision Aforethought @ Mar 16th 2009 7:58AM
Wow, wow, wow, wow? WOW!!!
Samboini @ Mar 16th 2009 4:17PM
Indeed, but Engadget, it's a good job they don't listen through wireless cans, as they wouldn't be hearing anything on stage apart from the loudspeakers. My guess is they'll be listening through the soundsystem; latency should be night on minimal.
Guitar-FL @ Mar 16th 2009 8:00AM
DJ's would love to fiddle turn and pull on these nobs.....
lol
New Reader
Greetings from Australia
Cursor @ Mar 16th 2009 9:54AM
that's what she said!
VeganFreak @ Mar 16th 2009 8:09AM
WEEKEE WEEKEE WEEKKE WEEEAAAAUUUUUUU
Haikibutsu @ Mar 16th 2009 8:09AM
An extreme music playing lego mindstorms set?
I'm in!
r3loaded @ Mar 16th 2009 8:16AM
I haven't the slightest inkling about DJing, but I know I want one of those.. :)
Scott @ Mar 16th 2009 8:47AM
if it's anything like Stanton's DaScratch it's going to suck
trying to scratch a song on a small touch pad is no fun
Level 5 @ Mar 16th 2009 8:58AM
This is the proverbial dipping your toes in. I think people will see something like this as a stepping stone into learning to DJ, but these days, it's usually SSL on vinyl or some sort of CDJ or similar.
That said, I'll stick to my Tech 12k's, but if this inspires someone to pick up some decks and mix, more power yeah?
Hooterman @ Mar 16th 2009 10:03AM
I agree. Not all DJ products need to be made with the pro DJ in mind. Casual 'bedroom DJ's' have money to spend too.
ELECTRO hyena @ Mar 16th 2009 10:16AM
Hooter: in the end a bedroom DJ would really want to work on the same equipment found in clubs, otherwise they'll be completely lost when they get there.
It's sort of like buying that drum kit for rock band that also functions untethered? Yeah, alright, if you're not that serious it's probably pretty neat to have, but if you actually want to learn how to drum and sound good, you'll probably need to buy the same kit that the pros use.
Level 5 @ Mar 16th 2009 10:49AM
@Electro
I agree with you on this point. Myself, I was always told by DJ buddies who taught me to stay away from this stuff, as its gimmicky. I agree with that. I think if a person is serious about DJing, and knows deep down they want to get into playing clubs, they need to spin on Tech 12k's or CDJ-1000's or 800's, because most clubs have these. I don't want to get into a debate about real vs not real DJing (so take heed peanut gallery, lol). But for those who don't know what they want to do, or just want to get used to the "feel" or sound of mixing 2 songs together, this will more than likely be ok. If they play with it for a month and lose interest, there's always the option of hocking it to EBay.
Hooterman @ Mar 16th 2009 10:54AM
Electro:
There are A LOT of bedroom dj's that have no intention of taking it to the next level and actually performing in front of a crowd. A lot of them just want to learn and mess around/mix their own music for them to enjoy, or just be able to make something to share on the net. I'm not sure how much this specific item is, but the cheaper DJ equipment definitely has a place in the market for these people. Not everybody wants to drop $1,500+ on a Serato setup just so they'll be ready to sub at their local club some weekend.
Now if somebody had the specific goal to end up spinning for a club then yes, I would agree that this would be the wrong place to start. Go buy some used Tech 12's or Pioneer CDJ's and start practicing.
ELECTRO hyena @ Mar 16th 2009 10:02PM
Well it's the difference between playing with a toy and actually using the real thing.
I think the only market for this is someone looking for a gadget to play with.
Anyone with ANY intention of DJing would want... real DJ equipment.
ELECTRO hyena @ Mar 16th 2009 9:42AM
it's a very pretty piece of kit, for sure
i already have concerns about its ruggedness and road readiness, and though i can't profess to having used it (obviously) the workflow looks a little bit screwed as far as DJing goes
if you look in detail at the little things surrounding what i assume is the jog wheel (or pad or whatever) it looks like they wrapped the crossfader, pitch controls, and gain controls AROUND the control surface and made them touch sensitive with LEDs to indicate their settings. from my experience as a DJ this already spells death for this in any professional setting. bedroom bangers might like it but there's simply no way I can see this being in any way reliable in a club. The fact that it's all touch sensitive and the volume controls, jog -and- pitch bend are all in the same close, cramped area screams out to me that you'll be accidentally changing the pitch of tracks and the level all the time. also useless for scratch DJs (besides the obvious handicap of no actual moving platter) because a crossfader you can't touch is just silly.
it's really, really pretty though.
mere @ Mar 16th 2009 10:45AM
... and another 1
ledhed @ Mar 16th 2009 11:49AM
looks like it could be good for VJing...
Svenni @ Mar 16th 2009 11:40AM
it looks like a landing pad for a spaceship but nice though ;)
dan2600 @ Mar 16th 2009 11:43AM
It's not out, so not going to comment too bad, but initial insight says it looks like its going to be another overpriced toy such as the ipoddj2 or the torq Xponent. Intious is not an audio company...therefore it's probably chuck full of 3rd party stuff that has been Frankensteined together. The thing doesn't even have a real crossfader on it...and will probally cost around 2 grand ....which you could buy 2 1200s, serratto, and a decent mixer, and still have change left over. Even bedroom DJs like tearing on the crossfader...sliding your finger on a touchpad can't possibly be as fun.
once again just speculating.
John WA @ Mar 16th 2009 11:56AM
Looks awful. I'm also a DJ, and like the previous comment which included that statement, I don't mean that I know better than anyone, just that I do DJ, I know a bit about controlling and controllers, and this doesn't look ergonomic, practical or interesting. I would have expected something a bit more next gen from Wacom but there you go.
cake @ Mar 16th 2009 12:48PM
Old school DJs foam out the mouth when anything digital hits the market but face it, all the big players in electronic music have pretty much switched to a digital or digital-analog hybrid setup. CDJs are becoming more commonplace in clubs and DVS (digital vinyl systems) are getting more and more popular. You expect us to rock tech12s till the end of time?
I personally like the idea of this device, although the whole merging of mixer and decks into a single unit leaves little room to be creative about your setup...
dan2600 @ Mar 16th 2009 2:14PM
Cake,
most old school DJs are completely fine with DVS like serrato. Its not the use of digital technology that throws most old school djs off, it's the fact that you cannot have the same end "art-product" using most digital systems.
big players in electronic music, are not the only DJs out there, and there DJing needs are actually much less then most hiphop, drum and bass, or even rave style DJs. Most trace, electro, techno DJs don't scratch, don't juggle, they beat match 2 tracks and mix them (or sample)...which using CDJS that don't flutter, or even just using tractor or ableton, make PERFECT sense for....it's a different game, a different art.
However, they DO NOT WORK, for doing backspins, scratches, juggles, ect. And there are many more DJs who spin hiphop then electro ESPECIALLY in the "bedroom" scene which many aruge this product is aimed at(don't even start to argue this, hiphop is the 2nd most popular music in the country next to country music)...any decent DJ can call out attempted scratching and juggling on a CDJ1000 in vinyl mood from a mile away. DJing is a performance art, and looking cool plays a part in it....and people look a hell of a lot cooler spinning vinyls then hunched over a computer, even if they could be doing the same thing with a computer or ipod.
Rocking 1200's till the end of time would please me greatly, and I don't forsee them going away anytime soon (as current trends have showed a major decline in CDJing as DVSes have been increasingly popular).
Bryentt Englehardt @ Mar 16th 2009 12:55PM
Very intriguing, wish the website actually showed what this can do... Still I doubt it could replace good old fashioned turntables or Ableton Live.
dik @ Mar 16th 2009 1:02PM
Wow... another waste of money all of the aspiring DJ that willl soon learn that everything else is TRASH other then STRICTLY THIS LIST THATS IN ALL MAJOR CLUBS AROUND THE THE WORLD:
2 technics or 2 CDJ's (or CDVJ's for you video mixers out there)
RANE or Pioneer Mixer
1 laptop
Serato
and if you 1 (yes singular favorite) DJ out there has something crazy different... then good for him/her ... there are exceptions to every rule.
nuff said... you can add samplers or other MIDI devices on the side but im talking about basics here. PLEEEEEEEEZZZZZZZZZZ stop wasting your time people. im saying this cuz i care and dont want you BEDROOM & PRO DJ's out there to be wasting your hard earned money
i am a PRO DJ myself ... i do it for a LIVING... not a DJ & and waiter. WHO ELSES OPINION ARE YOU GOING TO READ AND REALLY TRUST? some blog junkie? case closed .... my website is www.DJDIK.com if your wondering.
trollomatic @ Mar 16th 2009 2:19PM
nice blow out dude....you, joey and vinny going to go get bronzed up before you next gig?
Sandra Collins @ Mar 16th 2009 3:39PM
Does look a bit radio shack gimmicky. We'll find out how well it works, if it does what it says, the pro's & cons. If its not quite there, maybe another DJ industry standard company will do it better for those interested in adding it to your show, bedroom setup, whatever
de @ Mar 16th 2009 6:58PM
To many features in one little device, usually thats bad idea, keeping stuff as components to a certain extent is always the way to go. I see all of these random little all in one "DJ" packs as toys... and when the user is ready to step it up, they will purchase a Pioneer setup.
pretty much every show ive been to in the last 2 years has been Pioneer CDj-1000's or 800's various mixers yes, but it has become the new technics 1200 standard.
bill g @ Mar 16th 2009 8:05PM
it's still corny
DarkMan @ Jul 21st 2009 7:00PM
Wow!! you guys are quick to beat down on the producr without even get the chance to touch it.
Remember before Technics's 12000, CDJ's, and Serato become a defacto in most DJ rigs, they had to go through the same process of dropping the product, promote it and get them endorsed. Some products come and go, others set new trends and stick around.
Who knew Serato would become that popular? A lot big name DJ's still don't touch Serato because they feel it still missing features.
Not every single club or DJ's around the world are using just the 1200's, Serato and CDJ's in combination, some major clubs around the world which have residencies by major DJ's are rigged strictly with Denon products, some with Vestax, some don't use rane mixers and go with Allen & Heath and YES!! even Numark get their share especially when it comes to DVS rigs.
Each DJ line just make sure they have an amount of endorsement to keep them afloat. Traktor is endorsed by Grandmaster Flash, Richie Hawtin, DJ Skribble and more. Vestax runs with Carl Cox, Cut Chemist, Mix Master Mike, Satoshi Tomie, Jeff Mills, Kevin Saunderson, Qbert. M-Audio is considered by many as cheasy but yet some of their products are being used by Bad Boy Bill, BT, King Britt, Deep Dish, and the list goes on. Paul Oakenfold endorsed the T.120C turntable from Stanton, DJ Riddler of Pulse 87 in NY is on FS2. So really, it's all about choosing your gear and what feels good under your hand... and it doesn't have to be a strict combination of 1200, Serato and CDJ's.
Now check this out, while you are bashing NextBeat... look who's jumping on the bandwagon already http://91.121.155.171/prerelease/. That's the game, enough endorsement and big name using it and it will have a shot, simple as that. Just from that little video, I like what I see already. The fact that a DJ can detach the interface in real time to actually move around with it, this only will get it to sell especially in the Dance music area.
T-1000 @ Mar 18th 2009 12:38AM
Dude I already do this shit using Traktor and 2 Logitech Freedom Wireless Joysticks, and sometimes in a B-list city (Minneapolis, Des Moines, etc.) I'll let the crowd take control of the 2 decks for a while and scratch, switch tracks and cross-fade... it's amazing to watch.
evilocity @ Mar 19th 2009 9:03AM
This sort of stuff is great, because if you pass out a mix you made with it, and it's good, people will show all due respect...until they see it live. Then they turn into gibbering retards about the good old days and two turntables (and a microphone). 90% of these supposed real vinyl heads got in to it in the 90s or later and have no clue what they're running off at the mouth about, but the big guys all use Techs so they must be the best, right? It definitely has nothing to do with the ludicrous peer pressure towards vinyl that reverberates through the club scene.
Fortunately, if the product turns out to be good, people use it anyway, and much like those pioneers, eventually becomes socially acceptable, even though the sounds pumping out of it have gotten no better or worse. The 12 inch spinning disc isn't the only, or even the best, way to manipulate sound. Outside of turntablism (even the name of the style screams "wanker"), most of the really memorable dj tricks I've heard had very little to do with the decks and a ton to do with post processing, crossfader manipulation, and most importantly, good track selection. All of those things are available to the user of this device.
So, uh, try it or shove it.