Click for hi res Pioneer, a company known for bringing out pretty amazing lumps of DJ hardware have - just for a change - not announced any hardware at all. Instead, they've decided that software is the new hardware and written a digital version of a small CD setup and called it DJS. It'd better have good pitch or Deft will be most displeased.
From the Pioneer press release:
DJS SOFTWARE FROM PIONEER TRANSFORMS PC INTO FULL SCALE PRO DJ SYSTEM DJS Simulates Dual CDJ and Single DJ Mixer for .mp3 Users LONG BEACH (October 18, 2005) – Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today introduced a new PC-based software solution for the growing number of DJs who prefer .mp3 files to vinyl, CD or DVD. Pioneer’s DJS software (SVJ-DL01) was designed for professional and amateur DJs to enable full-scale DJ play on a PC. The software offers the same playability and functionality as the company’s Pro DJ products, using a PC instead of two CDJ turntables and a DJ mixer.
“This new software is as easy to use as our CDJ turntables, and it offers many of the same features including cue/loop points, scratching, beat synchronization, and more,” said Karl Detken, director of product planning for Pro DJ equipment at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “Pioneer has consistently created new DJ products to meet changes in the music world. When consumers switched from vinyl and cassette to CD, we offered the CDJ-1000 CD turntable. When DVD took off in the marketplace, we created the DVJ-X1 to enable spinning of video content. Now, we’re tracking market trends in the use of .mp3 files and offering yet another revolutionary new product for PC users.”
DJS software combines the key elements of Pioneer’s professional digital CD decks and mixers with a host of innovative features including...
• Auto mixing
• Waveform display for indicating playing position and cue/loop points
• BPM synchronization and beat synchronization
• Eight effects including Delay, Echo, Auto Pan, Trans, Filter, Flanger, Reverb and Pitch Shifter
• Fader start function for controlling the playback of two players (channel, fader and cross fader)
• Create function for setting four points for cues or loops in a song
The DJS software also has a ripping function for converting CD, line input signals and wave files to .mp3.
The graphic user interface is intuitive and easy to understand. It follows the same ergonomic design used in all Pioneer CDJ products and mixers. The display shows everything a professional DJ needs to see, including: time, BPM, mixer controls, jog dial, hot cue buttons, etc. The DJ can assign basic functions to a particular key on the PC keyboard. By doing this for frequently used functions, the DJ can establish his or her own playing style – on a keyboard.
In addition, the “SYNC” feature automatically beat matches the cued track to the track that is playing and a powerful effects program mimics the effector features of the DJM-600.
System requirements for the DJS software are:
• Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition/Microsoft Windows XP Professional/ Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
• Intel® Pentium®M (or a comparable processor at 1.5 GHz or faster)
• 512 MB RAM or more
• Screen resolution of 1024 X 768 pixels or better
• Built-in or external audio output
• DVD or CD-ROM drive
• 250 MB or more of free hard disk space (excluding the capacity needed for storing .mp3 and other files)
The DJS software will be available November 2005 for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $249.
Now I'll be honest - I'm not a huge fan of computer based DJ solutions. My main reason for this is that I don't trust computers to remain stable. But also I find DJ software to be a bit too busy and cluttered. So blow me away if I wasn't immediately drawn to this interface. It's like Atari have designed it for them - really simple and clean. I also like the fact that it tries to be as close to the live DJ experience as possible.
Ultimately it's a logical move for Pioneer. CD's are classed as retro these days and I guess Pioneer want a slice of the next big pie to come along. Kind of ironic considering their strong stance on not having mp3 ability in the CDJs.
So it's available very soon for $249. And I believe a 30 day demo will be available, but sadly not on my computer of choice. So I give it 0/10 and I hate it.
interesting...
$249? thats kind of expensive for a program like this especially in a market becoming over saturated with products like this. Isnt this the same as PCDJ Red or something? I think bad move. But thats just my opinion.
Bad move? It depends on the next steps of Pioneer. If they create a new version of the cdj1000 to control this software and if it is stable it could become hard for the competitors in my opinion.
There are a lot manufacturers for software at this moment. The trouble is that there is not a real integrated software / hardware (controller) solution. Serato comes close, but setup and calibration could give some headaches.
If a cdj comes out with usb output to control this software, or an improved version. It could be a far better option then time code vinyl or cd option.
I agree that it is that exiting for real scratch dj's...
Superstom
this should be run with a f***ing touchscreen!!! weeee!
No way for the touch screen. Just wait and see what pio puts out.... i can't imagine they're stupid enough to just put out this software with no controller....
I think there is a bit of a market for this kind of thing, especially for those that want to dabble in DJing but don't want to make the hefty financial and time investment traditional gear requires....it's not aimed at your average scratch/mix dj i don't think, although with a little practice i'm sure some ok mixes could be pulled off. The marketplace is quite crowded though.
Im sorry, but I find this to be complete crap. I downloaded a program just like this on limewire. Im sure somebody will just be using this to make more Chopped&Screwed versions of songs. Yay!
@Superstrom
Dam, that's a good point. So it's feasible they could be making a move on SSL. Interesting. And it makes a lot of sense. Gota see how this plays out gents.
with a controller it will be perfect for the weddings, [but so would the rest]
I'd rather see a Cdj-1000 with a hard drive than have to use some pretend Pioneer controller and a laptop.
In my opionion, with a tablet pc (= touchscreen),u can emulate a real cd consolle.
But that's good for "unz unz", not for "freshhhhhhhh" ; )))
Meh. I wanna see hardware...I guess im personaly not interested in this kinda thing. Well, looks like Pioneer have dissapointed me.
Wheres is new 909? Come on, I just thought that after the success of the pio 707 and 909 they would keep it up...?
--Bomber
now imagine a hardware controller for this software with a 10 inch moving platter mounted on it.
and using your imagination even more, imagine a tascam laser thing a-like tonearm mounted on it that transfer the info about the position of the tonearm over the platter to the program (that way it would mimic needle drop cueing)
... could it be the end of the turntables and the beguinning of a new dijing era? ...
My vision - decks will become dumb controllers. The mixer will take over as the nerve centre of a setup and will interface to a computer or will indeed be a music server itself. You'll just plug a screen into the mixer and you're off.
I have no doubt that software will mature and you'll be able to do all sorts of cool stuff on a laptop but nobody wants to see a DJ do a full set sat in front of a laptop with a mouse.
Maybe this is where the visual side of DJing will develop. It won't be a matter of watching the DJ, it'll be much more about the audio/visual experience.
why don't they make it compatable with SSL or Final Scratch vinyl... to give the option to use it with a familiar external controllers?
Are you suggesting cross-manufacturer compatibility?
This is the software that originally came wih the Pioneer DMP-555!
But the software has been modified to includ a built in mixer. I'm no way inpressed at all at its GUI! Did you know the original s/w version that came with the DMP-555 forced you to IMPORT all or any MP3s into Pioneers proprietary media format in order for it to be played in the software!!!!
I had a beta demo of the software. Sadly its only for the PC. Now, if the GUI was more like Pioneers 909 mixer, and didn't force you to import all your Mp3s into its proprietary playing formate (OtsJuke like) and allowed connection to like Pioneers CMX3000 or CDJ 1000 with a timecoded audio CD, then cool. Last I recall the Master Tempo in the software at the DMP-555 days(now discontinued) was being made by TDK, and maybe the s/w was made by a 3rd party, not sure, but don't think this new DJ software will be the shit. Try before you buy!!!
Deko - You may have downloaded an app
like this, but you haven't downloaded
this! You reserve judgement 'till you try it.
Axle - it only
looks similar to the Booth. The performance is MUCH better, including the Master Tempo (which I have found to be the best of ALL DJ software). I was on the alpha/beta team for this software and while doing so, I tested virtually all the other software on the market to compare features and operation.
DJS is VERY intuitive - if you can use a CDJ200 you can use DJS. It's currently compatible with the DMP555 (so all of you with one on the shelf, BUST IT OUT!
. I can only hope that Pioneer's next hardware has a PC interface, if not, they'd be shooting themselves in the foot.
I've done a bunch of
screencaps o'er here.
Gizmo Said:
quote:
""My vision - decks will become dumb controllers. The mixer will take over as the nerve centre of a setup and will interface to a computer or will indeed be a music server itself. You'll just plug a screen into the mixer and you're off.
I have no doubt that software will mature and you'll be able to do all sorts of cool stuff on a laptop but nobody wants to see a DJ do a full set sat in front of a laptop with a mouse.
Maybe this is where the visual side of DJing will develop. It won't be a matter of watching the DJ, it'll be much more about the audio/visual experience.""
Dam Giz, I've been preaching this for the longest. It def makes the most sense. Glad to see someone else with the same mindset.
This shit is wack!!!
quote:
".. could it be the end of the turntables and the beguinning of a new dijing era? ..."
No
--Bomber
I agree with the notion that turntables & CD decks will evolve into controllers for computer software. If Pioneer annouced a CDJ that was just a controller I would buy it right away, same with if Numark did this.
That said this program is overpriced. I'm sure its a great interface and is stable, but the point of putting this stuff on computers is to be innovative, not to mimick turntables and a mixer.
interesting in deed
i still would have made it hook up to the cdjs some how and a mixer
quote:
"Are you suggesting cross-manufacturer compatibility? "
wel yes and no.... if you have aproduct that can use all the other elements on top of what your's brings tot eh table, then surely that product that has multi compatabilty is a more attractive product then that which dosen't?
so if this program could use any of the timecode units out there, vinyl or CD, it would make it attractive to a lot more people out there..
IMO!
$249!! no way. i prefer Traktor DJ Studio 3.
Tell ya what . . when a manufacturer as big as Pioneer puts out a program like this with its garbage interface and overpriced features, and doesn't make it compatible with the Mac OS . . I say forget it. They are neglecting an entire computer market which has a large population of MUSIC oriented users, especially DJs - I wouldn't buy it.
FinalScratch and Serato got it right, why can't Pioneer?
I think you all are judging too soon. Why don't we just wait and see what happens?
Agreed... Me thinks there's more to this then meets the eye.
what a waste , there is a little something called traktor dj studio which blows everything away. Have you all seen the new versioin of traktor, version 3.0 which is abseloutly amazing looking. You get 4 decks and a perfectley emulated xone 92 including the analog filters. shit looks off the hizzle in this bizzle . Seriously though forget all those other wack digital dj programs because they have nothing on traktor. the interface is the nicest and the controlls and features are like no other . you guys should also check out this . the [b ]kontorl-dj
they will the beat the power of virtualdj...
Just remember, people thought that the SLDZ was the most amazing CD deck ever made. That was before they heard the sound coming out of it.
looks like somethign i can make with that turtle in micro worlds pro
???
I am so f*%$ing sick of software emulating hardware interfaces for DJing - the only program i'd respect a DJ using is ableton (if they use it to its potential), because using it is like doing something completely different from DJ'ing - its more like live sound production, and with a 10 channel firewire control surface with trigger pads.... i need say, no more - Everything else is just stupid, certainly not worthy of play outside a mates party/wedding... or any other pathetic gig. I don't mean to bring up the whole vinyl VS .... war but seriously in terms of mixing and scratching nothing beats solid hardware whether it be a pair of CDJ's or TT's, although i personally think its more interesting watching someone using vinyl. The future with digital is not the emulation of DJ equipment, its software and controlers that create a different field for live performance - but not DJing. But as mentioned before i do think software like this is good for people who want to have a shot at mixing without forking out the dosh 4 hardware - but i wouldn't pay for it if i was them. WINDOWS ONLY!!!!! are they crazy - if i owned a club, i'd never let anyone in for a gig with a windows system!!!!!!!! i think that covers it.
Lots of good points there Losse Unit...Alot I agree with.
Ill bet many are willing to disagree...
--Bomber
I've lost track of the number of instances where I've heard that "computers will never replace what I do". Well they probably will and in many industries have done almost totally. DJing will evolve and will eventually be done on computers - I have no doubt of this. Imagine this - feed in a load of mp3's, the software will auto-beatmatch and mix them all together based on tag information pinpointing choruses, breaks, vocals etc. The DJ could be made redundant within 20 years.
I'm playing devils advocate really just to show an alternative view. ^_^
I thought of this in 5 minutes - imagine what a company like Pioneer could do with that.
im probably gunna sound hell ignorant but to me i think software solutions are for wannabees djs with no money.
i mean, u download a cracked version of a shitty program from the net, download all the pirated cds u want then call your self a dj??? (not that calling yourself a dj is instant gratification of any sort anyways)
i think these programs are bad news.
anyone agree?
Well I'm thinking of mixing and getting into DJing at the mo but I don't want to take the plunge at the mo and spend £500+ and buy all the equipment that I may just realise I suck at using and wasting all that money so programs like these do sort of help me get into it slowly before I do spend my hard-earned cash.
Anyone have any recommendations of software mixing programs that are relatively easy to use but also have advanced features if/when I do get better?
quote:
"i mean, u download a cracked version of a shitty program from the net, download all the pirated cds u want then call your self a dj???"
Spending several large on the latest rack of gear and a crate of vinyl doesn't make you a DJ either. Skills make you a DJ, not the gear.
true true dat.
skillz make the dj, but i think the essence of the turntablist or skratch scene is generally about at least one deck and a mixer rather than a software based thing. having skills and being able to click a mouse compared to having skills and being able to manouver your hands simultaneously over 2decks and mixer setup are two different things.
but i guess it would be great for someone like rish who isnt sure if they want to spend money on equipment. a software setup is ok to learn the fundamentals of mixing. nothing beats learning on the real thing though imo.
Seems like a lot of worry about a change in interface here that just isn't warranted, In the sense of true turntablism this software and all the other apps that will soon out number hardware are the future end of story and should be embraced as soon as you can, Technics are always slow but i bet we will see the exact kind of computer controlling device Giz spoke of even from them not too far from now, I still believe personally that vinyl control is an awesome stop gap measure but this will only last as long as the manufacture of vinyl does, And we have all heard the recent stories of how the materials for vinyl production are being ramped down heavily and drawn to a halt in the next five years, This may not be something that people are willing to take in to account now but Pioneer sure will, Now this may not be the best DJ app out there and i was never a big fan of Pioneer but then after all them years of making 6 disc multichange stereos they dropped a bomb on the DJ and we all know what that was, My point being that they have spent copious ammounts of money studying the market for this stuff and believe me if they are making this app now it is going to get better and better and better in a very short space of time and WILL sell heavily, I would also expect something like the XP10 to start appearing from all the major manufacturers very soon.
Don't forget that this stuff is the future end of discussion and if you don't embrace it and take DJin to the next level you will just become another lost DJ.
I have to agree with Flexinoodle, this might not be the case for real turntabelists, but it is the case for mix djs and wedding djs
First I started with the good old Technics Sl's. Taking some crates with vinyl with my mobile show. When Denon came out with the Denon DN 2000F (was it 1992?) I started to use these. From vinyl to cd was easy: Much lighter and I could buy cd's everywhere.
Lots of (club) Djs were laughing at me: Cd players were for bedroom and wedding Djs and could not taken seriously. I just continued, because I was confortable with it.
The last years I see the same djs using cd's. Said once: So youre also a bedroom dj now?
Some years ago I started to use a laptop beside my cd players. it becomes easier again: I have 40.000 songs on an extended harddrive. Searching a track in 1 or 2 seconds. I am also able to play video clips with this setup. Lots of my customers love those video clips, especially at dance classics parties.
Moving from Vinyl to cd players to laptop I got more and more work, so I don't care about post like Rish and JSong56. I only use legal software versions and I convert my vinyls and cds to mp3 myself..
With 75 to 100 gigs a year, I might still be a bedroom dj according to others.
In my opinion all new gear (software or hardware) gives us more options. So I love it if something is released, even if it is not for my type of work..
albeton live is better
I dont think vinyl is ending any time soon. Like, there is no way of denying that Digital is going to sell, and be extreamly prominent, but I think there will always be those who just like vinyl better. Who can Dj to their full Potential only with vinyl. Who prefer Producing and samping off vinyl. Who prefer to dig the crates for vinyl. Who prefer Skratching off vinyl. Who prefer to Rock a party with vinyl. I think Digital will take over the Djing Industry, but Vinyl will still be quietly presant, and still as accesable is it is now.
--Bomber
Well, I think the battle is lost when it comes to mixing. I cant see any reason why a straight mixer would choose vinyl over cd, or even cd over software/harddrive based. The easier and more convinient the better.
As for us thou, come an! Dragining around our kilos of equimpment and vinyl, cratedigging, and exchanging needles and faders. Thats what skratchmusic is, thats what we are, conservative turtablist nerds concentrated to our litte scene and to our speciell kind of artwork.
That wont change for decades.
No one wants to see someone skracthing in traktor.
peace
Digital has already taken over the DJing Industry. It happened in the 90s. Where were you Bomber?
shit.
Well it seems to me that anybody who just prefers vinyl and wont use digital is gonna be out of date when it comes to tune selction very very soon, And vinyl junkies also proliferate a total lobsided ability in genres, HipHop crews have to release on vinyl right, Well that is so fuckin stupid it is unbelievable, Imagine how many more releases they could afford to do if they could just release CD, Vinyl cost so much to manufacture that vinyl only DJs are going to start to see heavy price hikes in vinyl purchases and i can guess that these vinyl junkies will all have a big whine on about that when a 12" costs the same as a CD album but that is what is coming and with MP3 being so prolific even CD will seem expensive and out of date.
I use ableton, tracktor and reason for doing alot of gigs but i wouldn't call it DJ'ing - its a diffent field of performance - i'll use digital to do something different and push it's potential, but seriously for straight up mixing and scratching you CAN NOT beat hardware. When i first started using tracktor for DJing (mainly for parties i didn't want to mesh my decks to), it bored the shit out of me, so i started planning sets using ableton and reason so i could mash up the set and have some fun. IM AM NOT DISSING THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION - i encourage it - . I am simply dissing this program because it offers nothing better than what the hardware produces, it just makes it mediocre. That is what we're discussing isn't it. Pioneers crappy program....
Seems some people are forgetting that this crappy program is $199, Now how the hell can that ever compare to hardware, The CDJ800 is about $800 for one isn't it maybe more, For somebody getting into DJing it is a first step that is a lot cheaper than hadrware, I'm not saying they would stop here but lets be honest about this Pioneer have mass retail penetration, Software like DJD that hasn't but is so much better and only $30 just wont sell anything like this, It's a shame but a lot of newcomers are going to see this as a viable option because it is cheaper than the other ripoff apps in the reatial market.
No Mac version? WEEEAAAAAK!!!
Come on folks! Lots of laptop DJs use Macs!!!!!!!!!
honestly im also a computer lover......but i do agree gizmo i also hate it.......be a real turntabilist.....no izzzz.....plane in simple turntable and a mixer nothing beats that.....
i've read a lot of comments, and most of people here complain about a lack of "software+hardware integrated solution"...
now anyone already tried this ?
www.xp10.frThose controlers are amazing. And IMHO, even better than the cdj. The sound is massive, with very precise basses. And the software, bison, is great. Very simple and intuitive. No mouse needed, even to pick up a track. Clear - no useless special fader/filter option - and help you focus on your dj'ing (not on the software itself). And very very stable (the soft is... 800 ko !!
... Just never crashes. Never. Even though running under windows xp. But you can still use the controllers with Traktor if you like, they just released the midi drivers...for mac, very soon.
I've used that thing and I don't understand how you can say it's better than a CDJ.
Heck, even Gemini decks are better than those goofy little controllers.
I think we can all get along here! Digital has its space just as turntables have theirs. I learned on tables and play many gigs, also with a band. When i am playing some small party I aint lugging guitars, amps, turntables, records, etc. when I can use my laptop. But a full on blow out crazy ass party you know the tables are coming out (and the laptop will still be there too just in CASE). Enough on that. this product is weak. there are SO many weak products out there. All I need for a gig is a good time stretch function, pitch, key lock, that is about it. Enough with the BS features.
oh yeah, In a repsonse to a guys comment on how Traktor DJ Studio blows away the competition: I have owned that since 2.0 and it is the buggiest damn software I have ever used! I have used it on both platforms. I bought it because it looks cool (like you said, it does look cool) and boasts many features. I spent 200 bucks on that POS only to have it constantly embarrass me. It has crashed my system more times that I remember... sometimes live. Native Instruments help dept is easily the worst and rudest. It got to the point that I was crossing my fingers every time I added a track to one of the decks. I have tweaked my system so many times, added so many different sound cards, bought tons of memory, and still have the same problems. I guess you could say I went out and got a Masters Degree in computers to figure this out (well, there were other motives too). Then they come out with 3.0 which, if you look on the NI forums, still doesnt address all the bugs they have had since 2. Not beta testing, etc... I am not sayin' don't buy Traktor..well, yeah I guess I am.
anyways, my 2 cents
interesting....
Shitty.... forget the software and go buy some vinyls...
Sztem nagyon odabasz gyerekek!!!!
anybody knows where to get this cracked
Iv had problems with Traktor too, it soemtimes freezes mid song for a split second which is pretty embarrasing, and adding tracks can sometimes freeze it too.... I found that i have to exit all programs and have that solely running which neednt be done as its a P4 3,000Ghz pc with 1gb Ram....
Gonna try mixvibes and see if thats any better.. if you acn suggest anything or have any comments email me at drgonzoishere@hotmail.com
peace
On 26-10-2005 23:38, BassChamber commented...
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