tonium
Latest
Pacemaker and RIM announce exclusive DJ app for PlayBook
We loved the original Pacemaker, and were sad to hear of its eventual discontinuation. News just in this morning, however, is that the DJ tool is back as a PlayBook app thanks to an exclusive collaboration with the tablet's maker. Details are sparse right now, as the information spilled at RIM's event this morning at MWC, but we do know that there will be auto beatmatching, vinyl mode with scratching, digital mode, looping, loop travel, pitch control, beat skip and "pro level" effects. All we have in terms of availability is that it will be out this spring, with no word on price. In the meantime we're going to start prepping up that music collection.
IRL: Pioneer Kuro PDP-6010FD, Tonium Pacemaker and the Samsung Galaxy Note
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. For those of you who think all we do in IRL is wax nostalgic about gadgets we've owned for years, you'd be... mostly right. Indeed, this week we've got Mr. Ben Drawbaugh talking up the HDTV he owns (as opposed to the one he wants), and James is here to break down the limitations of his discontinued Tonium Pacemaker. We've got one happy new gadget owner, though, and that would be Zach Honig, who recently traded his iPhone 4 for a Samsung Galaxy Note. So how's that S-Pen working out for him? Head past the break to find out.
Video: Tonium Pacemaker in action
We've been playing with the Tonium Pacemaker pretty much non-stop since we got it, and while we're not terrible DJs, we thought we'd bring in some big guns for a demo -- so we asked our buddy Carlos from Chicago's CAPCOM crew to come in and spin a few tracks. Check out the video and our in-depth impressions after the break!
Tonium Pacemaker unboxing and hands-on
So we just got one of the first Tonium Pacemaker portable DJ rigs to land in the States, and while we anticipate having plenty to say about this trick little device, we thought we'd quickly share some pics with you, since it's seriously one of the best and most fun unboxings we've ever done. Each cable is individually packaged in tissue paper inside its own box, and the flaps all have different little fortunes printed on them, from "Your future is looking sound" to our personal favorite "Listen to your mother." As for the Pacemaker itself, it's been pretty fun to mess around with in the few minutes we've had, but we've got to get some more tracks loaded up before we can say anything meaningful. Stay tuned!
Tonium's 60GB Pacemaker pocket DJ now on sale in US
After an unbearably long wait, Tonium's 60GB Pacemaker is finally on sale here in the US of A. Hailed as the planet's first "pocket-sized DJ system," this 60GB portable media player boasts two "turntables" and a "mixer" -- all within a unit that easily fits within most medium- to large-sized palms. As expected, users have access to two independent audio channels and can beatmatch with the press of a button. If you're interested in living out your dreams of being a mix master in the late 80s, you can have one shipped out right away from Amazon in exchange for $499.99. And no, we won't tell your kids. The full release is just past the break.
Tonium updates Pacemaker DJ system with revamped UI, auto beat match
We reckon this whole "new Pacemaker" thing is becoming an annual occurrence for Tonium, as it has just introduced a revamped Pacemaker DJ system nearly a year to the day after we toyed with its prior iteration. The new flavor sports a "completely reworked" user interface, one that's supposedly user-friendly and "extremely intuitive" for the first-timers. Additionally, Tonium engineers have added in auto beat match for seamless track blending along with a 60GB hard drive that should store around 15,000 tracks. No price is mentioned, but it ought to be on store shelves across the US this Spring. Check the full release just after the break.
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-12859%
Pacemaker DJing system gets demonstrated on video
Just months after catching wind of the Pacemaker handheld DJ system, the (lucky) folks over at Digital-Lifestyles managed to get their hands on a prototype unit and spend a few quality moments perusing its features. Interestingly, their unit did indeed sport a color display, but still retained the 120GB hard drive that was previously expected. 'Course, you're already well aware of what this thing can potentially do for you, so without further ado, be sure and check out the hands-on videos waiting after the break.Update: Aaaand we have a price. €520, about $700 US, shipping in December. More info here.
The Pacemaker: 'world's first' pocket-size pro DJ system
Watch out NuMark, 'cause there's about to be a new product on the scene to challenge your iDJ line of mixers -- and not only does this one rock 120GB of internal storage to obviate the need for a pair of iPods, it's actually small enough to fit in your pocket. The upcoming Pacemaker from European start-up Tonicum -- set to be unveiled tomorrow -- promises to contain all the necessary features for bringing your mixing skills on the road, including a crossfader, dual 3.5-millimeter stereo jacks, direct-to-hard drive recording, and a multifunction touchpad for adjusting bend and pitch, among others. No bells or whistles like an FM tuner or color screen on this patent-pending player, but with both Mac and Windows support, we have a feeling that the Pacemaker is going to develop a small but dedicated following. Check out some more angles as well as an annotated diagram in the gallery below... %Gallery-2964%
