Tag: DJ CD players

Article – From the horse’s mouth

The XDJ-R1 all-in-one DJ system – the portable, rekordbox ready DJ unit that delivers wireless control from iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Video

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My Comments

Pioneer have been establishing a Wi-Fi LAN-based setup to allow desktop and mobile computing equipment to work with some of their DJ equipment like the XDJ-AERO DJ console and the CDJ-2000Nexus CD player. Here, they integrated the ability to establish a small Wi-Fi network that encompasses the DJ’s table to link the devices together.

Now they have built the XDJ-R1 which is another network-capable DJ workstation that incorporates 2 CD drives so DJs can work between CDs, file-based media and other sources. This unit also exploits the Wi-Fi LAN not just for content transfer but to allow the DJ to use an iPhone or iPad as a control surface, including the ability toe manage the sound mix and effects from the iOS device. This is courtesy of the remoteBox app which provides the control-surface function for this console. With this, the DJ can keep the show going with the desired effects without being near their table, which can come in handy if they want to interact with the crowd such as to organise a social dance, or the event’s special hosts i.e. the birthday person or the lucky couple.

Of course this DJ workstation has abilities similar to the higher-end Pioneer Pro DJ mixers which allows for the DJ to pull some impressive effects and mix conditions in to the show.

But what I am impressed about is that the XDJ-R1 “all-in-one” DJ workstation has been factored not just for use in the nightclub DJ booth but is easy to setup for DJs who work many different locations like private parties, bar gigs and outdoor gigs. As well, the XDJ-R1 has “best-case” connectivity to hi-fi and PA amplifiers; and “house” sound systems through its use of the balanced XLR connections along with the RCA connections.

This shows that Pioneer is factoring in the small network as a tool for the DJ’s table when it comes to having access to file-based audio content or using a tablet as a control surface.

Articles

Pioneer CDJ-2000nexus updates the flagship DJ player, brings WiFi and slip mode (video) – Engadget

Pioneer CDJ-2000 Nexus | Mixmag

From the horse’s mouth

Press Release (Pioneer UK)

Video

http://youtu.be/ULA8Q1djn4w

My Comments

Previously I wrote an article about the Pioneer XDJ-AERO bringing the Wi-Fi network to the DJ table so DJs can link laptops or mobile devices to their performance equipment and bring in the music on these devices as part of their set.

This time, Pioneer has taken this concept further with their CDJ-2000nexus, which is the first “CDJ” to implement network content delivery in a similar vein to the XDJ-AERO DJ console. This requires use of the rekordbox software on the regular or mobile computer to link the CDJ to the content held on the computer.

But, unlike the XDJ-AERO, the CDJ-2000 Nexus has the Ethernet port as its network connectivity option. Here, you could connect two or four of these decks to the LAN ports of a typical wireless router which is pressed in to service as an access point for the mobile devices, the ultra-cool MacBook AIr or other Wi-Fi only devices. Of course, you could connect laptops that have the Ethernet connection to these decks directly if it is just one unit or via an Ethernet switch if you have two or more.

This then leads to various functions and tricks which help with concurrent multi-deck work and, to that extent, there is even the ability to work parts of the same piece across the multiple interlinked decks.

Of course, the Pioneer CDJ-2000 Nexus can work with content held on the USB Mass-Storage devices, SD cards as well as regular or file-based CDs.

As far as I am concerned, it will be interesting to see what else will make the DJ table or booth require its own small network. For that matter, I would recommend that nightclubs who are designing or refurbishing their DJ booth as part of any capital works be encouraged to implement a small network for this area. As well, a surplus wireless router could end up becoming part of the kit a DJ transports with them in their van when they show up at their mobile gigs.