Tag: Pioneer XDJ-AERO DJ console

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.

Article – from the horse’s mouth

Pioneer presents the XDJ-AERO, the first-ever wireless all-in-one DJ system, and the first native player for rekordbox™ music management software

Product Page

My Comments

Pioneer has bridged the small network to the DJ table by releasing the XDJ-AERO which is an “all-in-one” DJ workstation that implements Wi-Fi wireless networking. This network ability exists mainly to allow the DJ to bring down music held on a regular PC or a mobile device and use it in his “set”.

It is compared to using the computer with its audio infrastructure connected to the DJ console and loaded with DJ playout software to play music held as files. Some users may augment this with a USB controller that has jog / shuttle dials to mimic the operation of a turntable or playing a special record on one of their turntables that is connected via a special computer interface module so that the turntable effectively becomes a jog dial.

The network can be set up with an existing 2.4GHz Wi-Fi g/n wireless network such as one operated by the premises or one provided by the DJ using his own wireless router. On the other hand, the XDJ-AERO could work as its own access point to the same credentials as Wi-Fi Direct. This could eliminate the need for a wireless router if the devices are kept close to each other and Internet access isn’t desired.

DJs who use this unit for bar or outdoor gigs should use the access point mode, but use the XDJ-AERO as a client for areas with a “known” network like practice work or private-home gigs.

The computer equipment including the smartphones or tablets would need to run Pioneer’s free “rekordbox” music-management software which is optimised for DJ work. This includes the ability to identify rhythm patterns in the music and keep details of factors like “beats per minute” which would be ideal for this kind of work. Because the requirement is that the network computing devices stream the music rather than transfer it as a file, the Pioneer XDJ-AERO is also optimised for high-reliability connections using a high-capacity buffer and the ability to identify and use a music loop to keep the beats going.

Luckily the Pioneer DJ ecosystem doesn’t just support the trendy Apple computing ecosystem. The software also supports Windows regular computers and Android mobile devices. It is also worth knowing that the XDJ-AERO can support four source computer devices, which can come in handy with a group of DJs who are performing their own sets on the same equipment, such as a wedding gig where one DJ with expertise on lounge or chillout music may play for the dinner while another DJ with dance-music expertise would play for the post-dinner dancing.

Those DJs who work across different media can benefit from this mixer by its ability to connect to two regular music sources. This means they could connect their Technics SL1200 “Wheels Of Steel” to work with vinyl or their Pioneer or Denon DJ CD players to work with CDs. It is also laden with plenty of digital effects that they can use on their music material through the programme.

This is a sign of things to come for the DJ industry who may benefit from the idea of using a computer and small network to play out music whether as a sole medium or as an ancillary medium.