Sure, it's not
quite as legendary as the
Technics SL-1200MK2, but Pioneer's CDJ-1000 has an impressive reputation of its own in clubs the world over, and the new CDJ-2000 looks to take things to the next level with a 6.1-inch 480 x 234 LCD and the ability to play music directly off USB and SD media. That huge LCD shows waveforms, album art, and song info, and it's paired with a horizontal "Needle Pad" touchstrip underneath it that lets you drag directly to the part of the song you want -- no more endless cueing. Oh, and there's more: up to four 2000s can all share a single USB or SD music source with the Pro Link feature, there's a MIDI mode that allows you to use all 35 buttons to control your favorite audio software, a new four-beat loop cutter that autoslices loops for you on the fly, and the whole shebang is bundled with Pioneer's rekordbox music-management software. Yeah, it's steep at $2,150 -- $1,600 for the screenless CDJ-900 -- but we so, so want one. Video after the break.
posted September 17th 2009 11:44AM
yea, ill stick to my 1200's and mk3's
Here is Dancetracks take on it:
Pioneer and the CDJ2000 - Too Little, Too Late?
http://www.dancetracksdigital.com/wp/?p=1017
Grammar Delinquent you are not that cool.. you are not playing real vinyl when you use Serato, you just LOOK like you are playing vinyl. What you are doing is even less "authentic" than what a CD dj is doing. Get over yourself.
Since playing vinyl is all about the feel of it (unafortunately soundquality on most vinyl pressings does NOT beat the sound of a good cd/digital format), I can only say timecode(vinyl) does feel better to me than cd. It gives a very direct feeling of control over the music.
Dj's who care about being authentic (or anything else than moving the crowd) should get their head out their ass.
Pio can't make any other moves than the ones they're making at the moment. (Who the fuck wants to play a DVJ?)
But I'm glad dj's have multiple ways of approaching the game.
I think the real news here is the MIDI mode. I'll have to look more into the specifics, but that could be one of those 'game changer' features. If someone were to use these as a Ableton controller, but then also be able to seamlessly switch back to a "normal" DJing mode with mp3s/CDs - you could argue that this would be a 2-in-1 device. How much would people pay for a solid Ableton controller and a professional, full featured CDJ?
I'm not sure how many people would actually fit into that category, though. Seems to me that you're either doing an Ableton set or a DJ set. But hey, people are always trying to push things forward. I'm sure there are some Ibiza-level DJs doing 5-hour sets that might get into that territory. But for the moment, it definitely is in the realm of gear porn- and not a 'must have' for most setups.
WOOOOW, that is one sexy electronic device! I wish the computer mouse looked like that :)
Some peeps make me laugh, all that pride in Beatmatching, shouting that Serato is for Bad DJs, crying out loud
that MP3 sounds like ass (actually, thats true in deed), the deal is, that, most people that goes in clubs are kids,
kids, drink, take all kinds of illegal substances, gets waisted in the clubs, result, they are not able to tell you whrether it is a Vinyl playing, a MP3 or a WAV File, with this said, if you are so proud of your vinyls, then keep bringing your heavy crates of vinyl whenever you have a gig, then shut the heck up.
Now, if you believe that CD mixing is dead, then why dont you try to go win a DMZ with your Laptop setup.. yeah right. There is a product for every type of DJ out there, and that is the bottom line. As far as im concerned, I use Vinyl, CD, WAV, and MP3... depends how I feel. so all those saying X is better than Y, shut the heck up, you are not helping anybody, and seems to be quite ignorant about whats going on out thurr.
Those interested in Innovation (yep, we re in 2k9, 2010 is just a few steps away, will LOVE THAT DECK, That new deck is the SHIT, those lamers complaining about the steep price, well, you arent pros, period. If you cannot afford
a 2100 buck deck, then I can only wonder what kind of crappy sound system you are using whenever mixing. These new Pioneer decks arent for begineers, they are meant for DJS making Money out of the art, if you cannot afford them, then just shut up, as they are most likely NOT MEANT FOR YOU. all those mawfuckaz complaining about beatmatching, mp3 being for sissies and shit, well, if you actually have time to spend flaming products in forums, then one thing for sure, you are not a real DJ, and are most likely people dont know you at all. Hey, does that mean that the DVJ series is also crap because it is expensive ¿
Pioneer does an excellent job setting real PROS appart from Lamers (and I do not say newbies, newbies are future
PROS... Lamers are... Lamers for life. There you go, middle finger suckaz! GO COP THAT DECK if you have loot in your pockets, you will not regret it.
Mr Real DJ.
Love the CDJs ,
On Hollywooddj.com you can make on offer and get it the gear for cheap ,
Beginning with the DMP-555, I've been waiting years for Pioneer to get with the program and really support fileplaying. Instead of having to manage syncing your master library with 2 drives every time you go out, only to plug them in to a couple machines that seem kind of dumb and limiting compared to your laptop. But the CDJ 2000 IS the natural progression for professional decks. The only thing that surprises me is how long it took.
A lot of people are saying you can buy a comparable system for a lot cheaper. I agree software systems work really well and that you may have your own unique battle tested system that works for you. There are so many variables though. The first tradeoff you make is in the setup, and another other big one is that it's a pain in the ass when you involve other DJs.
- Imagine a future where every DJ on a lineup brought their own collection of boxes and controls and wires, usually to set up during the DJ they'll be following.
- If you're the one setting up your system for the night, hopefully it's familiar enough that others who might be playing alongside you can get comfortable.
- If you're just bringing a timecode setup, there's a decent chance you're playing on decks you've never used. There are a couple standards like 12s and CDJs that we should all be comfortable on, and then there are the strange, sometimes mismatched setups you'll encounter at house parties and upstart club nights. You never want the unfamiliarity of the setup to distract you from what you're trying to accomplish. Even if you're playing on 12s, unless they're well maintained they are bound to perform inconsistently from one deck to the next.. most often I encounter pitch faders that aren't calibrated or have crud in them so the pitch jumps around.
- In my experience software systems tend to lack accuracy. Whether it's a glitch or the swish of bad timestretching, or a dirty needle/scratched timecode or the aforementioned dirty fader, well I guess in this heap of different technologies all bolted together there are a lot of points for things to break down.
I started off in '96 with a Denon 2500 and 1200s, ultimately lugging a 160lb coffin and about 6 crates of plastic and vinyl to every gig. I was a party marine.. first in, last out baby! Since I digitized my library several years ago, I've used (in order) Virtual DJ, XP10 + Bison, and now I use Serato with 12s or Traktor with the Omni, depending on the gig. I do a Saturday night mixshow, club gigs, weddings and other mobiles so today my priorities are setup time, reliability, and the ability to have other DJs get in the program easily. I want a system that we flip the lid off, connect the sound and go.
Before the CDJ 2000 I was looking at buying a new Mac laptop to run Itch with the NS7. That's a $2300 solid setup but still doesn't work well when you're playing alongside other DJs. For another $1100 get CDJ 2000s and you have:
- unparalleled accuracy imo
- removed the laptop from the equation
- great feel (which will be the same anywhere you encounter them)
There are only a couple of things I've noticed about the 2000 that I would miss about Serato. The first is a big one. How about the ability to SEARCH! I imagine Karl Detken is already plotting a CDJ 2000 MK2 that has a touch screen with a virtual keyboard expressly for that purpose. It's too bad because it seems like such an obvious one, and we know touch screens are not that expensive. Also, apparently there's no "most recent" view of tracks, which is one of the main ways I browse my underground music. But they could definitely fix that in an update..
If you've never played on CDJs you should try them. I actually consider them precision instruments which will enable you to refine your craft.