Born In the Shadow of Greatness
Given Pioneer's late entry into the controller market you can only assume that they've spent the last few years studying the competition, biding their time until they've come up with the one design that will dominate bedrooms everywhere. And on the face of it, they might have done it, had NI not gone Microsoft and created the hardware/software marvel that is the Kontrol S4. No matter how good the Pioneer controller there's no way they can offer the same integration of software and hardware that NI can with the S4. It is this troubled landscape into which the DDJ-T1 has been born.
On the surface it looks the part and appears to be the Traktor controller we've desired for years, but no matter how pretty it is, no matter how much it flashes you a winning smile with its jog lights, it will always bear the inadequacy of its bundled software. Not because it isn't very good – it is, as you'll see, but because it cannot compete with the favours bestowed upon the S4 by Native Instruments.
So in a world in which the Kontrol S4 already exists, why would you want to buy a DDJ-T1? Read on…
First Impressions
The first thing that hits you when you see the DDJ-T1 in the flesh is how little justice the promotional images have done to it. On-screen the images make the DDJ-T1 look cluttered, its layout irrational and confusing, but in reality the unit is large, the controls are well spaced and their purpose is so obvious you only need to read the manual to make absolutely sure there's nothing you've missed.
The second thing that hits you is the excitement the thing generates. An excitement that MIDI controllers rarely invoke, most probably caused by the sheer joy of having what is two Pioneer CDJs and a DJM mixer fused together to form one coherent whole. Sadly, the CDJs in question are a pair of CDJ400s, which possess a jog wheel of which I cannot claim to be overly fond. There's nothing inherently wrong with them, but I do prefer the comfort of a larger jog wheel.
In comparison to other Traktor controllers, however, the jogs on the T1 are a thing of wonder. Only the jogs on the S4 can compete and that's because NI have an advantage over the competition when it comes to integration of hardware and software.
And the build quality? Well, it's important here to make a distinction between perceived build quality and actual build quality.
The DDJ-T1 has inherited the component feel of the entry level 350 series, which is no surprise given the T1's price. It does mean that the buttons have a plastic feel you wouldn't ordinarily associate with Pioneer if you're used to their 'Pro' gear. As an example, there's a bit of unwanted play in the movement of the AUTO LOOP and BROWSE pots. There's nothing to suggest they'll fall apart anytime soon, but it's undesirable nonetheless. In comparison the EQ and FX dials feel fantastic, possessing a smooth, fluid movement, as do the channel faders. They're smooth yet have a decent amount of resistance, which means they'll stay in place and won't move just because you're battering the hot-cue buttons.
Less good are the fader start switches and the on/off switch, which are unforgivably cheap for a Pioneer product. They're the same on-off slider switch used on my '90s Remington alarm clock to engage alarm mode, not the reassuringly chunky push button we've come to know and love on Pioneer gear. I know the T1 is produced to a price-point, but consumers are buying into the Pioneer brand with their £900 and they want to feel as if they have a solid Pioneer product under their fingertips. No matter how good the internal components are, if users perceive the surface components to be cheap that's the impression of the machine they'll be left with. My opinion is that the flush push-button switches of the DJM350 effects panel would've been a better choice rather than the on/off sliders used on the DDJ-T1.
Did any major malfunction occur that made me question the actual build quality of the T1? No, none whatsoever. And that's why it's important to distinguish between perceived build quality and actual build quality. The DDJ-T1 is tough enough and will last if you look after it, but it is perceived build quality that will prevent people from shelling out for one in the first instance. Especially when your major rival is selling their gear for £150 less.
Of course, it's important to remember that the DDJ-T1 is an 'entry-level' (for Pioneer) unit and combines the features of a 350 setup with the effects capabilities of Traktor for a lot less. When you do get round to connecting the T1 to your computer you'll be pleased to see that the T1 is as plug and play as Pioneer claim. The unit ships with Traktor Pioneer Edition, but it can be used with version 1.2.8 of Traktor Pro. Indeed, for the week in which I had the T1 it was primarily used with Traktor Pro.
Pioneer Edition VS Traktor Pro
So what are the differences between Pioneer Edition and Traktor Pro? Not much, to be honest. The biggest difference is the loss of Advanced Mode for effects and the inability to use more than two effects units. It's also impossible to use Pioneer Edition in effects Send Mode. Instead, you're confined to a choice of six effects that can only be used in Chained Mode. If you're into your effects then you'll be sorely disappointed with Pioneer Edition.
Other than that, another major difference is the lack of global controls such as QUANTISE, CD MODE and LFO RESET, together with the loss of MIDI Clock settings. Otherwise, Pioneer Edition works exactly like the full version of Traktor Pro and includes the Master Clock and Audio Recorder functions.
Pioneer Edition offers much more than the LE version usually bundled with controllers and – effects aside – it offers users everything they need. I can't help feeling, however, that Pioneer should've thrown in the full version of Traktor Pro. Most people will want to upgrade to the full version simply because there are bits missing. I know I would. And having to pay an extra £50-£100 (depending on current offers) to upgrade is a smack in the teeth when you've shelled out £900 for a controller. Maybe an immediate upgrade path was part of the deal to get NI onboard?
But why? Once people have invested in Traktor they'll usually stick with it through the years. I know I have. That said, this train of thought is made largely redundant by the looming spectre of Traktor Pro 2.
For the most part, there's no need to feel you're getting short-changed by Pioneer Edition as you aren't. And there's a lot to like about it. It's a great platform from which to learn the art of DJing, but understand that you'll probably want to spend more money on an upgrade when Traktor Pro 2 is released.
UPDATE: All DDJ-T1 users who have a version of Traktor earlier than v2.0 will be able to download a free upgrade to 'Traktor 2.0 Pioneer Edition'.
Traktor 2.0 Pioneer Edition availability and upgrade instruction
will be updated on www.pioneer.eu when it becomes available.
Ins and Outs
As the DDJ-T1 is a MIDI controller, options for pushing audio into the DDJ-T1 and pulling audio out are limited. On the front panel you have a choice of 6.3mm and 3.5mm jacks through which you can attach headphones and, should you wish, you can monitor using two pairs of headphones at the same time. Also on the front panel is a MIC input, but this is 6.3mm jack only, no XLR or 3.5mm options here.
Just to the side of the MIC input is the MIC volume control, which is annoyingly low-profile. Presumably, it's low-profile to aid the placement of the DDJ-T1 into a flight case, but why would you want to put it in a flight case if it's for bedroom DJs? Not only does it hinder use it feels cheap and nasty too. Looking on the top panel, there's nowhere it could've gone without displacing the symmetrical and clean layout of the mixer section, so I understand why it's been placed where it has.
That doesn't mean I have to like it, though.
Round the back, there's one stereo pair of RCA connectors to facilitate the input of line-level devices, whether they be CDJs, iPods, musical instruments or other computers.
Also on the back panel are two master outputs, the first being a balanced output on 6.3mm jacks and the second a standard pair of RCAs.
There's no booth output, but it must be remembered that this device is meant for hobbyist and bedroom DJs, for whom the absence of a booth output is no great loss. The back panel also features the USB port through which communication with a Mac or PC is made.
Global Controls
One of the biggest complaints about the use of MIDI controllers (and computer DJing in general) is the need to touch a keyboard to perform basic tasks such as loading and searching for tracks. The pleasurable ease of gracing a turntable with 12" of plastic is matched only by the distracting tedium of typing its name into a computer. DJing is as much a physical skill as an auditory one and interacting with a computer can detract from that, so it's pleasing to see that the DDJ-T1 features a sensible suite of browsing and global controls. Not as many as I'd like to have seen, with SNAP and QUANTISE buttons being particularly missed, but you certainly won't have a problem accessing your favourite playlist.
At the top of the mixer section is an MEP-style rotary controller that allows you to scroll through the contents of a playlist or, if you're pressing the 'Tree' button to the left-hand side of it, the Browser Tree panel, which lets you scroll choose a playlist to view. Pressing the rotary selector engages the Browse View, filling the screen with the currently selected playlist. This view is especially handy if you're using four full size decks.
Once you've poured through the playlists and highlighted a track you can load it into a deck by hitting a LOAD button. Each channel has its own LOAD button and it can be found right at the top of the channel strip.
The DDJ-T1 makes locating and loading a track into a deck a fast and painless experience and there are no grounds for complaint.
To the right of the rotary selector is a button with two functions, the first is to scroll through the favourites list when used in conjunction with the rotary selector. Its second function is to start and stop the audio recorder, arguably the more important of the two in the context of the DDJ-T1's target market.
Let's face it -every DJ loves to bang out mix CDs, but doing so is especially important if you're an up-and-coming DJ that wants to break into pubs and clubs or a hobbyist wanting to produce mix-tapes for your mates. Having the ability to engage the audio recorder directly from the control surface of the DDJ-T1 is a positive boon to the bedroom DJs Pioneer hope to ensnare.
I've called them global controls because I'm not sure what else you could call them, but this miscellaneous group of buttons provide you with everything you need to quickly find and load your tunes. Despite this, I can't help pining for more, particularly some SNAP, QUANTISE and CRUISE buttons, but this is probably just me being greedy, as for the most part there's absolutely no need to touch the keyboard or mouse when using the DDJ-T1.
Platter and controls
Perhaps the biggest draw to the DDJ-T1 for many potential customers are the two CDJ400 jog wheels planted either side of the mixer area. By MIDI controller standards the jog wheels are large.And perhaps the best thing about the jog wheels is that they work in exactly the same way as any other Pioneer CDJ. If you've used a CDJ400 or CDJ1000 before then you'll be able to step up to the DDJ-T1 and use it straight away.
Moving the side walls of the jog backwards or forwards momentarily increases the speed of a track to help you get it in phase with another track. Pressing the platter of the jog wheel stops the track and lets you scratch. Unless you're adjusting a loop the jogs are always in vinyl mode. The process of cueing a track is also the same on the DDJ-T1 as it is on Pioneer's CDJs. To cue a track you hit the PLAY button while a track is playing then hit the CUE button to set the cue point.
The decks also get the 100mm pitch sliders seen on Pioneer's 'budget' CDJs and these provide the same degree of accuracy as those of the CDJ400/350. There's a 4mm area at the centre detent within which nothing happens if you move the slider, but outside of that you'll have no problem changing the tempo of a track by 0.01 when the pitch range is set to 6%. The pitch range can be changed by pressing the TEMPO RANGE button located just above the pitch slider, with available ranges being 6%, 10%, 16% and 100%, the last being especially important if you want to emulate the wind-down of an analogue turntable as the wheels don't have a brake control. Neither do you have access to the Turntable effect in the Pioneer Edition of Traktor.
To the left of the TEMPO RANGE button is the KEY LOCK that when pressed activates or deactivates KEY LOCK on that deck. When activated the KEY LOCK function keeps the normal pitch of a track the same, no matter what tempo you've set it to.
Something worth mentioning is the rather snazzy red light that travels around the rim of the platter as a track plays. It has no functional use, but it does look pretty. However, a more practical use of this light show would've been the illumination of a deck when it's 'on air', just like the CDJ2000 does when used with a DJM2000.
In summary, if you're an aspiring DJ and you're used to the decks of the T1 you'll have little problem switching to traditional Pioneer CDJs when you get into the clubs.
Looping and Hot-Cues
One area in which Traktor pummels the competition into tiny fragments is looping and cueing. The system for controlling hot-cues and loops on a Traktor controller must be exemplary in order to achieve critical and commercial success, and I'm pleased to report that the DDJ-T1 doesn't disappoint.
The size of a loop is controlled by a rotary pot that activates the loop when pressed. Pressing it a second time deactivates the loop. To the left of the pot is a push button marked 'ACTIVE'. When the ACTIVE button is illuminated a track will play until it encounters a loop marker, at which time the section in between the two loop markers will loop until the ACTIVE button is pressed again. You'll need the ACTIVE button to be lit, for example, if you enter a hot-loop, otherwise it'll act as a hot-cue and won't loop.
In addition to that, the loop in and out buttons that we've all come to know and love from Pioneer's CDJs are present on the DDJ-T1. When Traktor's on-screen SNAP button is illuminated the loop buttons can be used to create a quantised loop of one beat or more. When SNAP is off you can beat the loop buttons to indulge in some top-quality stutter action. If you want to adjust the IN or OUT points of a loop you can do so by pressing the relevant button and moving the jog wheel backwards or forwards until your loop point is set to the required position.
Hot-loops and hot-cues are created by tapping one of the four hot-cue buttons located above the deck's jog wheel. The remaining four hot-cues or loops can be set or activated by holding the SHIFT button down and pressing a hot-cue button. Should you make or mistake or tire of a hot-cue, deleting it is simply a matter of pressing the DELETE button in conjunction with the relevant hot-cue button.
Each deck can be toggled between HOT-CUE and MOVE modes via a push button located to the right of the ACTIVE button. The button is bordered by two lights that denote the mode currently selected. In MOVE mode the hot-cue buttons are used to modify the size of the loop in or out points and beatjump a specific number of beats. The size of the loop change or beatjump is altered using the first two hot-cue buttons and the actual loop change or beatjump is effected through the last two hot-cue buttons.
One thing I've learned in my many years of DJing and reviewing for Skratchworx is that specifications on paper, promotional videos and photos cannot tell you how a product will perform in reality. When I first viewed the DDJ-T1 online I was shocked by the cluttered hot-cue area and immediately wrote it off as useless and a missed opportunity. In reality, the hot-cue and looping sections are well-sized and not once did I accidentally press or move the wrong control. Indeed, the only impediment to using this section is the Needle Search feature, as you'll see in the next section. The DDJ-T1 provides everything you need to mash-up your tunes on all four decks with ease.
Well done, Pioneer.
Needle Search
The Needle Search function is as infuriating as it is pleasing. On the DDJ-T1 it is used purely for scrolling through a track, a task which it performs without issue. You place your finger on the strip and move it to the point at which you'd like playback to begin or resume. Exactly what everyone liked about the Needle Search feature on the CDJ2000 and NS7. The trouble is, the strip on the DDJ-T1 is wider than that of the CDJ2000 and isn't as deeply recessed, which means that it's frequently engaged by accident when I'm using the FX units and hot-cues. Not because I'm missing the button I intended to hit, but because my other fingers have gently brushed against it and completely messed up my mix.
This is deeply irritating. So much so that I, personally, would rather Needle Search wasn't featured. There is a way of getting around it, though. To the left of each Needle Search strip is a button marked 'FUNCTION' that when pressed disables the Needle Search feature so that the strip can be used for some user-defined function. In the brief time that I had the T1 I never found a function that suited the strip except as a means of disabling it.
As long as the FUNCTION button remains lit you can use the FX units and hot-cues safe in the knowledge that your mix won't end up sounding like an elephant dancing on a Technics. When you do want to use Needle Search you can quickly the tap the FUNCTION button and use Needle Search as intended, quickly re-arming the FUNCTION button when finished.
If there is to be a DDJ-T1 MK2, this is certainly a feature that should receive some remedial attention. I only had the DDJ-T1 for a week, but this feature infuriated me to the point where, if it were a person, I'd gladly take it outside and beat it about the head with a rusty clawhammer.
FX Units
Say 'Traktor' to any DJ and they'll immediately think of the Wretch 32 track. Probe a bit further, mention NI, bribe them with a drink and after much provocation they'll eventually think 'effects'. And with good reason, for Traktor is pretty much synonymous with effects.
Even though Scratch Live has offered effects to its users for a while now and Deckadance has always offered usable ways of ruining music for your own amusement, it is Traktor that DJs will recommend if effects are your number one concern. If you're familiar with Traktor the effects units will need no introduction, but if you're new to it here's a quick heads-up:-
The full version of Traktor Pro features no less than 4 FX units and any of Traktor's four channels can be routed through each of them. This means that one channel can pass through each of the four FX units to completely mash up and mangle the original track that's playing on it. On top of that, each FX unit can be switched to one of two modes: Advanced or Chained.
In Advanced Mode, an FX unit offers one audio effect, such as a flanger, delay or reverb, but let's you control up to 3 parameters relating to that effect. In the case of the delay effect, the parameters that can be altered are filter, feedback and rate, with the 'filter' parameter controlling the frequencies affected by the effect, the 'feedback' parameter (somewhat predictably) controls the feedback of the effect and the 'rate' parameter controls the timing of the delay. Advanced Mode also features up to 3 different settings controlled by push buttons, an example being the 'reset' button that returns each parameter to its default (typically central) position.
In contrast, Chained Mode offers more than one effect per FX unit, but at the expense of controllable parameters. You might, for instance, have a chained FX unit that contains a delay effect, a phaser effect, and a reverb effect. When you pass a track through the chained FX unit you can apply each of the three effects to it at the same time.
Like Advanced Mode, the Chained Mode features 3 push buttons below each of the three parameter dials, but these are used to turn the effects on and off. Both Advanced Mode and Chained Mode effects have a fourth dial that controls the amount of the original signal affected by the effect and a push button that switches that effect off and on.
Although Traktor Pro offers you 4 separate FX units the DDJ-T1 only offers controls for two of them, the first located above the left-hand deck and the second above the right. Please be aware that if you use the full version of Traktor Pro you can still use 4 FX units, you just won't be able to control FX units 3 and 4 via the T1.
Each FX unit maps to it's on-screen counterpart exactly, with a rotary pot for dry/wet control and three other pots to control FX specific parameters. The four push button switches appear underneath the dials, just as they do on-screen. Better still, there's plenty of space between dials and buttons, which means you won't have trouble controlling effects in a hurry and you won't accidentally twist dials other than the one you want to adjust.
To the right of the dry/wet controller are three numbered buttons that cycle through the effects lists when pressed. In chained mode each button can be used to select an effect, in advanced mode only the first button is used to select an effect. Ordinarily, the buttons cycle forwards through an effects list, but when used in conjunction with the SHIFT button they cycle backwards.
Although you can see which mode you're in on-screen, the DDJ-T1 has two LEDs that let you know whether you're in Advanced Mode or Chained Mode without having to take your eyes off the unit. In fact, other than to check you've selected the correct effect there's no need to look at the screen at all when controlling and adjusting your effects. If the above sounds a little dry then please note that it's the best physical implementation of Traktor's FX units I've ever used. In fact, I rarely use the effects in Traktor as I've never had a means of control that I'm happy with, but when using the T1 I was overcome by a powerful urge to ruin a mix with unnecessary delay, phasing and Turntable FX every few seconds.
The only criticism I can make is that the effects are pre-fader, so no echoes.
As if that wasn't enough each deck also features a filter effect, with a rotary pot controlling the amount of filter applied and a push button to activate it. Turning the pot to the left filters the high frequencies and turning the pot to the right filters the low. I do have to wonder, though, if I'm alone in wishing Pioneer had also implemented a KEY effect control as well. I don't think I'm being greedy in asking for it as I think it's a truly important tool and one that I – and I'm sure many others – often use.
All said and done, Pioneer have a done a brilliant job of translating the on-screen FX units of Traktor to the tactile control surface of the DDJ-T1. The only way it could be improved is by allowing control of four FX units, but for most people two FX units and four filters is more than enough.
Mixer
Over the course of the last decade, Pioneer has had a great influence on the design and progression of DJ mixers, and adherents to their designs are partly responsible for the unwritten and untrue dictum 'real DJs use four channels'. So it was inevitable that the mixer section of the DDJ-T1 would sport four channels in the now ubiquitous DJM configuration.
At the base of the mixer section is a crossfader bordered by nothing but smooth plastic, which will please many, particularly those jocks with a particular aversion to shredding their knuckles on raised screws and switches. The quality of the crossfader suits the entry-level nature of the mixer, lacking the smooth, elegant travel of the DJM1000 or DJM909 crossfaders, but please don't assume the T1's crossfader is bad. The comment is made for comparison only. It would be unfair to expect the entry level T1 to possess a crossfader of the same quality as a unit costing more than twice as much.
The feel of the T1's crossfader is more similar to a DJM700 line fader, having a slightly abrasive resistance when pushed. In use, the crossfader is perfectly adequate and the only time I felt let down was when crabbing/twiddling and cutting, as I had to push the crossfader further than I would on a DJM909. The distance the crossfader needs to travel before sound cuts in is just short of 4mm, which is great if you're using the T1 primarily for mixing, but not so good if you want to scratch.
Above the crossfader are fader start switches for the upfaders and the channel faders themselves. The fader starts are fine, but I can only see a limited section of the T1 buying public making use of them. I'm sure crossfader assign switches would have been more preferable for the vast majority of T1 users.
The channel faders possess more resistance to movement than the crossfader, but their movement is smoother, more fluid. Their feel is remarkably similar to the channel faders of the APC40 and APC20. So much so, that I started to wonder if Pioneer had raided Numark's parts bin for them.
As there's no curve control for the channel faders in Traktor there is no physical control on the DDJ-T1. More disappointingly, there is no physical curve control for the crossfader either and I don't understand why. Is it because the T1 is aimed squarely at mix DJs with only slight concessions to those that scratch? Possibly, but this is ignoring the vast amount of mix DJs that enjoy scratching too, whether for their own private amusement or to spice up their sets.
If the T1 is aimed at the bedroom mix DJ then on the whole the mixer section is successful except, perhaps, for the odd channel arrangement. Odd, because instead of having channels A-D arranged from left to right Pioneer have upset convention by arranging them C-A-B-D. Fair enough, but even though you know this, even though the channel name is writ large above it, your hands will still assume the first two faders are A and B in the heat of the mix, so strong is the force of habit.
You get used to it (eventually), but on my first day with it there was a point where I seriously thought the unit was goosed because I was moving the first channel fader and nothing was happening to channel A, either on-screen or in my headphones. This weird arrangement of the channels is all the more inexplicable because of Pioneer's stated desire to make the controls of the DDJ-T1 as symmetrical and intuitive as their other DJ hardware.
Above the channel faders are the 'CUE' buttons from the DJM800/1000 and below those are two buttons you won't find on a traditional DJM: SYNC and MASTER.
These two buttons correspond to their on-screen Traktor counterparts and work exactly as you would expect. The DDJ-T1's mixer also features two FX buttons per channel with each button marked either 1 or 2. Pressing a button assigns that channel to one or both of Traktor's FX units.
And above this switchgear are four rotary dials per channel that consist of a three band EQ and a gain control. As EQ settings are determined by Traktor, the only thing worth commenting on is the smooth feel of the pots and the fact they are plastic dials attached to a metal pole.
It's pleasing to see that there is plenty of space between components and that the surface area is smooth and free from unnecessary detritus. What isn't so pleasing is the cheap, nasty feel of the fader start switches. Whilst it's true that the quality of the crossfader and the fader start switches could be better, let's remember that this is an entry-level controller and despite some serious abuse they didn't break or show signs of breaking any time soon.
Although I've criticised a number of things about the T1's mixer there is nothing that makes the T1 impossible to live with. Indeed, I could easily be accused of nit-picking, but if I didn't give you an honest appraisal of the T1 you might as well read Pioneer's press release and base your decision to purchase on that. The truth is, when you use the T1's mixer you forget you're using a controller and any preconceptions of toy-like feel or performance are shattered in an instant. This is a truly enjoyable portion of the T1's control surface and perhaps the best feature of it is its simplicity.
Pioneer have resisted the temptation to cram the mixer with a 1-1 mapping of physical to on-screen controls and have instead implemented the features of a regular DJM as best they can. And that was the right approach.
Scratching on the DDJ-T1
Although known for their club mixers, Pioneer does have some pedigree in the area of turntablism, if only with the Scratch Perverts inspired DJM909 and the DJM707. Sure, the upfaders on those models are poor in comparison to the optical crossfader (and expensive to replace), but they do the job, are suitably loose and tough enough to last a decent length of time. Even their high-end club mixers, particularly the DJM1000, support scratching. The DJM1000 even features a full curve control, allowing you to tailor the crossfader curve to your specific taste. These examples are proof that Pioneer is capable of supporting the needs of scratch-happy jocks and turntablists even if the product isn't aimed at them, but let's get one thing straight: The DDJ-T1 is not intended as a turntablist tool.
It's not going to replace the TTM56 and 1200s as the purists' favourite and you're unlikely to see it as weapon of choice at this year's DMC World Championships, but it is fully capable of handling a bit of abuse should you wish to pepper your set with a pinch of 'Frreesshhh'. The crossfader in the DJM1000 might not be Eternal light, but it is loose by typical club mixer standards and scratching with it is an absolute joy. In contrast, the crossfader of the DDJ-T1 features heavier resistance and feels more like a DJM700 line fader than a DJM crossfader.
If you've ever had the misfortune of using the crossfader on a Numark M series mixer you'll find the crossfader on the DDJ-T1 lighter, but only just, and it suffers from the same abrasive resistance that plagues the M series crossfader. Let me put this into perspective, though – we're talking fine degrees of inconvenience here, not pushing a comatose cow uphill. Unless you've been living in zero G for the last six months you'll have no problem pushing the crossfader back and forth, but the resistance is unwanted when you know Pioneer have access to the top quality club mixer crossfaders such as those on the DJM1000 and 800.
Sadly, one impediment to scratch happy fun is the lack of a curve dial for the crossfader. Even for club jocks, some method of altering the crossfader curve would have been a benefit, as everyone has their own idea how the sound should cross over. Another impediment is the crossfader travel needed for sound to be heard, which is just under 4mm. That's a lot by modern standards and if you're used to scratch specific mixers such as the DJM909, HAK380 or TTM56 you'll have to train your fingers to push further than they ordinarily would when crabbing or twiddling.
Anyone who's ever used the CDJ2000 or 900 to control Traktor in HID mode will be well aware of the infuriatingly – nay, painfully – sluggish platter response. Such people will be pleased to know that Pioneer has worked hard in conjunction with NI to reduce the jog wheel latency on the DDJ-T1 and they've done a cracking job. The implementation isn't perfect, but for the most part using the jogs of the T1 is like using the jogs of the CDJ400. The only times you'll notice a difference is when winding a track back, an example being when cutting or stabbing a sample. You pull the jog back to re-use the sample, but the 'virtual stylus' hasn't returned to the position you expected, so if you were expecting to hear the 'fr' of 'fresh' you might hear the 're' instead. This phenomenon mostly occurs when engaged in a spot of fast cutting and whilst it might not ruin your set or your enjoyment, it is an annoyance.
The only other problem I've come across is that it's near impossible to do drags. You can be happily scratching away, but the moment you slow your jog hand for a drag sound Traktor plays the track at normal speed. This occurs whether Key Lock is on or not and I'm sure it's a Traktor phenomenon rather than something DDJ specific.
Everything considered, first-time DJs wanting to colour their mixes with a bit of scratching can do so largely without issue. More experienced DJs will take issue with the lack of a crossfader curve dial and the size and response of the jog wheels.
If scratching is your main desire you might want to look elsewhere.
Monitoring
The cueing system of the DDJ-T1 is exactly like that of any other Pioneer mixer, except for the presence of a Split Cue switch. Each channel has a button on which the legend 'CUE' is clearly emblazoned, the pressing of which ignites a pretty yellow light to let the user know the channel can now be heard in the headphones.
Headphone volume is controlled by a rotary pot located in the centre of the mixer section. Just below the volume control is another rotary pot that controls the amount of master output that is mixed into the cued channels. The monitoring system works perfectly and whilst it's entirely possible to permanently damage your hearing with DDJ-T1, the headphone amp has nowhere near the drum-splitting power of that featured on the DJM1000, making it wholly appropriate for a home-based controller. The sound quality is on a par with that of the Audio Interface described elsewhere.
Auxiliary Inputs
Should the worst happen and some skank makes off with your laptop mid-set, you're screwed. The music will cease and stunned onlookers will stare blankly at the ASBO-ridden tea-leaf as he legs it through the nearest fire exit with Apple's finest under his arm. And why?
Because Pioneer saw fit to route the auxiliary inputs straight in to the soundcard rather than the master output, which means that playback of an attached turntable, CDJ or iPod is dependent on the DDJ-T1 being plugged into a computer.
Whether this is a result of short-sightedness on Pioneer's part or a pressing need to reduce costs, it's not good. Computers can and will fail, resulting in the cessation of tunage and much embarrassment for the poor fellow standing behind it. If the auxiliary input were routed directly to the master output you could hit play on an attached iPod and restart your computer. Then again, perhaps I'm being too hard on Pioneer.
The DDJ-T1 isn't intended for use in night-clubs, bars or festivals, places where a catastrophic hardware failure would prove problematic. It's intended for use by hobbyists and bedroom DJs that are just starting out and honing their skills; people for whom a software crash would be an annoyance, but ultimately no big deal.
The problem is, the DDJ-T1 is also £900, putting it in the same league as the Xone:DX, the Kontrol S4 and the relatively inexpensive MC6000, all of which feature at least two stereo input channels unlike the DDJ-T1, which sports a miserly stereo pair. This means that you cannot connect a pair of decks and route the audio through Traktor Pro's exemplary effects units. This also rules out the use of the DDJ-T1 with time-code. Even Behringer's £175 BCD3000 allows you to attach two wheels and features two phono pre-amps and a ground post. The £900 DDJ-T1 features is line-level only and has no ground post.
On a more positive note, both the auxiliary input and the microphone can be routed through Traktor's effects units by flicking the 'Audio Through' switch on the deck to which the inputs are assigned. Also, if you favour decks A and B for mixing, but want to use a CDJ as a scratch deck, you can assign the analogue input to deck C or D, switch it to 'Audio Through' and then assign the crossfader however you wish.
Audio Interface
Regardless of what it is says in the Pioneer promotional literature, to my ears the sound quality of the audio interface is better than average, but ultimately pedestrian. Hardly disappointing, but neither did it have me basking in its sonic glory. In the context of the DDJ-T1 the sound quality is entirely appropriate and it must be remembered that the sound emitted by the T1 will only ever be as good as the source files you push through Traktor.
Sound quality is a notoriously subjective area, but in an effort to attempt description I will say that the T1 shares some sonic qualities with the DJM350, in that it has a weak bottom end in comparison to the high and mid frequencies. That isn't to say the low frequencies are inaudible. What I mean is that bass frequencies don't have the tough, pronounced clarity heard on the DJM1000 or 800.
Again, this is perfectly acceptable in the context of the T1 and these comments are made for the purposes of comparison only. The T1 is only a couple of hundred pounds more than the DJM350 and £600 cheaper than a full 350 set-up. It would be totally unreasonable to expect the sound quality of the £2700 DJM1000 from the T1. The less pronounced bass frequencies also make the DDJ-T1 more suitable for home use and assuming you don't feed the output to a 1000w amp will please your neighbours no end.
Conclusion
Back to the question: In a world in which the Kontrol S4 already exists, why would you want to buy a DDJ-T1?
Well, the DDJ-T1 is an all-in-one controller that looks and feels like a real mixer and 2 CDJ set-up, which is a tonic after the slew of Berhinger-esque controllers that have spewed onto the market over the last few years. A common problem with controllers (and even a lot of modern mixers) is lack of space to manipulate controls, leading to accidentally nudged faders, buttons and even jog wheels. Pioneer have been liberal with the space between components, giving the control surface an old-school, easy to use feel even though it is a fully-featured Traktor controller.
There are, however, two places where the S4 has the T1 beat: Software and price. Pioneer Edition is very nearly the full edition of Traktor Pro. It falls short because it lacks decent effects and a few global controls. This means, even if it meets your needs, you'll want to upgrade, costing you more money.
And at £899 price is an issue with the T1. The Kontrol S4 can be bought for a full £150 less and ships with the highly coveted S4 edition of Traktor, which makes you wonder if Pioneer have seriously over-estimated the lure of their brand name. This is a shame, because as a machine the T1 is a valid alternative and worthy competitor to the S4. I've been a Traktor user for years and the T1 is almost everything I've wanted in a Traktor controller. I genuinely missed it the second I handed it back.
People will inevitably criticise the T1 because it's designed for hobbyists, because it's a software controller or (justifiably) because it's expensive. But using the T1 gave me a sense of space and freedom that's rarely felt with 'pro' gear, never mind 'entry level'. It's not perfect, but the T1 lets you enjoy Traktor in a pure and natural fashion, without fuss and without having to fight the hardware and software. If that isn't a reason to buy, what is?
Yes, it's expensive, but if you're looking for a controller and don't fancy the S4, check out the DDJ-T1.
Ratings
Build Quality
Some components, notably the on/off and fader start switches, feel unforgivably cheap, yet it seems well constructed and took all the abuse given to it.
Features and Implementation
Could've done with a crossfader curve control, assign switches and most definitely an extra analogue input, but on balance the hardware hits the spot. The looping, hot-cue and effects sections are especially well implemented.
Sadly, Traktor Pioneer edition misses out important global controls and Advanced Mode effects.
Sound Quality
Not bad, but nothing to get excited about either. Perfectly adequate for bedroom use.
Value for Money
As much as I like the T1, it does not represent good value for money. If you buy one make sure you strike a good deal with the retailer.
Bottom Line
Many potential buyers of the DDJ-T1 will be first-timers wanting to learn the art of DJing and some basic scratching. The DDJ-T1 will allow them to do that. There will, of course, be a time when they'll outgrow the T1, but until then they'll have a lot of fun learning.
Likes
Smooth channel faders
Intuitive, well mapped FX controls
Excellent loop and hot cue controls
Proper Pioneer jog wheels (even if they are off the budget range)
Plug & Play with Pioneer Edition and from Traktor Pro 1.2.8
Pioneer Edition much better than LE versions
Dislikes
No crossfader curve dial
Cheap fader start and on/off switches
Only 1 analogue input, and line-level at that.
Pioneer Edition doesn't feature Advanced Mode effects
Too easy to accidentally engage Needle Search
Gallery
While Andrew had the DDJ-T1 in for a good amount if time (hence the epic review), It was with me for just a few hectic days. But I've managed to do a pretty good job given that it was here and gone in the blink of an eye.
As ever, massive thanks to Rik Parkinson, Nikki Bottomley and Martin Dockree of Pioneer GB for putting Skratchworx first and giving us the review unit so soon.
