142 Comments

1. Agreed on the backslapping. Absolutely forward to playing on these new decks, but I still can’t shake the feeling that we’ve been able to do all these newly-enabled tricks in Traktor for years. To be fair, I’m glad that more people will be able to perform in more creative manners, but all this new “manipulation” has been possible for a very long time with the controllers and laptops so many DJ purists speak out against. I’m going to have fun with them, but it honestly feels more like catch-up than innovation.

   The 900 is going to get some good long hours put into it though, I’ll say that.

   • That is Pioneer’s MO. They are very rarely pioneering. They wait for other people to introduce ideas and technology and see what works and what doesn’t, tweak it a little and then claim that they are innovative and this all new feature that will now allow DJs to do blah blah blah…

     If you are not looking to use a ton of EFX or use 4 turntables I don’t see much reason to upgrade to the 900NXS2 other than dual USB. The features added to the 2000NXS2 are basically stuff that should have been there in the beginning like 8 hot cues. It was funny when Laidback Luke was like if “you don’t have a cue point you can just push the button and now its there”…and I’m like “ahhhh that’s how every piece of DJ gear other than Pioneer works” Oh well at least the price of used 900NXS will drop some.

     • Pretty much what Jerr1233 said. Spot on my same take on this.

     • Yes and Pioneer was still on the old rec mode scheme only for the sake of having that Pioneer signature… At least they have grown ! ^^

2. Sorry… I’ve got to say it, and I know it will be met with comments like ‘do you realize the amazing advanced capabilities of this hardware blah blah blah’ but here goes: So $2,500 is acceptable cash to spend on a plastic unit with a non spinning, nothing particularly special platter originally claimed to emulate ‘vinyl feel’ that was an acceptable claim in 2000 when the mk1s were introduced, a DSP that probably costs dollars if not cents to manufacture, and momentary push buttons that in the heat of the moment will get pressed harder than they were ever designed to be and will lose their ‘click’, that will supersede and devalue itself in a few years and no longer be the ‘club standard’ to make way for a new model with a few small improvements… But a piece of hardware for $4000 that’s built like a tank that (based on it’s pedigree) will do what it says on the packet for 20+ years requiring little to no service even with a heavy hand, is enough to make you all up in arms saying you as a DJ are being cock blocked. I’m talking about the new 1200s of course— Really… $7k in total for 2 decks and a mixer that is essentially landfill in 10 years, but $8k for 2 rock solid player (yes, without a mixer, lets say $10k) is your claim to being priced out of the market and that the company is asking for “way” too much? I just don’t get it at all…

   • Ma nig! You took the words out of my mouth err fingers! Wack as DJ’S who twiddle knobs and fist pump love to pretend they even know how to use half these features. They love to overpriced 1980s (yes cd players are this old) tech but hate on the original Don Dada 1200s. Mark Settle is a Mary Sue type writer.

     • You’re going to have to explain the Mary Sue reference and how it applies here.

       • Lol honestly. I watched a funny Force Awakens review where a guy was dissing another review for calling Rey a Mary Sue and it just got into my head like a cheesy song and i’m just being silly :)

         • @Black Scorpion…

         • @Black Scorpion

   • I didn’t say it’s right, but these will be the new standard. Not through features or price, but through the logo and established rep in the booth. I’m pretty convinced that despite a steady stream of really good releases from other companies, the booth is still dominated by Pioneer DJ. And I genuinely don’t see that changing. Many have tried and failed with better and cheaper products, and still Pioneer DJ sits pretty.

     The issue with the new Technics price is that the old one is seen as untouchable, and that was sold for £400-500 new. And here we are with something that isn’t really going to offer anything more than before bar removable cable and some more toque and somehow that’s worth 6 times more? It’s the relative and perceived value of the new deck that’s the issue, not the actual long term value.

     We’ve always been critical of the Pioneer tax. But DJing is a niche market, and you’ve got two all new units with R&D, tooling, manufacture and marketing to pay for. Old Technics sold millions over the years. These new Pioneers will indeed be old hat in 10 years time, possibly sooner in this market, and the return on investment period is shorter than ever and the production costs higher too. And with supply and demand, Pioneer can charge a premium too.

     • Until the new technics has a usb drive port on the top, into which I can put one drive, and play tracks from it on two 1200s, I’d rather have this than the new 12.

       Also, the scratch sounds from these(namely the way it sounds when being reversed is better than midi controllers), so again, there’s a scenario where I prefer these.

       Are they worth $2500 apiece, no way, but they are nice and I think if one were fitting out a club, this would definitely be the way to go, just because of the ease and variety of use.

       • USB drive onto 1200s?! It’s like asking to build the pyramid with today’s cranes.

         • I see it more like putting an electric motor on a bicycle.

         • i pride myself on my use and ability with metaphors, but this one still alludes me.

         • It is not so difficult but nobody wants it and without demand why to build it?

       • It’s not impossible to play your mp3s on a deck (timecode). It sucks that DJing suddenly became about convenience over the art form… World class DJs who get to play the music they love to huge crowds, skipping the daily grind that everyone else deals with bitch and moan because they’ve got to lug a bit of vinyl around as a result… Cry me a fucking river you precious idiots… That lazy, precious attitude has resulted in over saturation of shithouse (did I just create a major genre that most of the Beatport top10 can fit in to?) – digital formats essentially destroyed quality control, now we have to wade through a billion shit tracks before finding music thats actually good… This culture of what the DJ is wearing, how much he lifts, and the crowds he can pull being more important than the music just makes me violently ill. I just want the fucking music, the vibe, I don’t care if the DJ looks like a smashed crab, if he/she can actually DJ and play for the music thats more important that anything… Here’s to hoping that the revival of the 1200s will help bring back the primary focus of why we all do this – the music. Yes, it will cost a pretty penny for the hardware and media – but its a labor of love. It was never designed for mass market consumption.

         • i agree, and wont argue with that.

           i do feel compelled to ask though. Doesn’t all this dj business depend on the fact that it’s more “convenient” to have someone come and play recorded music, than to bring in the actual artist(s) or group(s) and have them play it live?

           my comment was referring to scratching(i suppose we need to learn to denote that in some way way) I was not talking about playing music for others, professionally. for that purpose, i use an ns7, but would go with these, if the price made sense.

           now, for the music. it’s a trade-off, one must now sort thru a lot of crap, BUT with that, comes the opportunity to discover tunes that wouldn’t have made it to you before. You’re not limited to what someone else thinks is good.

           “labor of love”…hmm, well it’s an “ama” teur who does it for the love. so perhaps we need to learn to preface our comments by personal or professional use, also.

     • Took the words right out of my mouth Mr. Settle.

     • Hi Mark,
       I don’t think you’re wrong about anything you’ve said in your article, particularly about the club standard, so you really don’t need to defend that. Pioneer have arguably driven the price up for DJ equipment – if you account for (minor) release frequency that requires you to, as you say, regulate the old model to a storage cupboard and spend another huge chunk of change, look at how the price has inflated over the last 10 years and compare that to a 10 year period of the Technics – they did a good job of staying relatively steady… Yep, indeed Technics peaced out for what we can now say was ‘a few years’ and from the one technical standpoint that is often perceived as the voodoo of what makes the 1200s a good deck – the extremely low wow&flutter – NOTHING was able to contend. Yes, OEMs came out and used a very similar shell and others stuck some buttons on the side and failed the build quality – but look at how they all mumbled the wow&flutter specs and attempted to wow us with promo videos of Qbert scratching on them (who, could scratch with a pencil case zipper and it would sound fucking brilliant). So now they come back in the market and look at the ‘perceived’ value of what we have been _enabling_ Pioneer to charge for some pieces of plastic… Can you blame them for charging the amount they do, when you consider that the product they will release will have no serious direct competition (a DJ turntable with alleged Audiophile specs) unrivaled longevity, and a nostalgia enough to make the now 50+ men who started out on them weep? I’m not saying it’s right. And I hardly think the value of the G/GAE manufacturing costs could justify that (even if you take the cost of re-tooling in to consideration) but when you consider all the facts these WILL sell at the price they ask for. I look forward to your review when they come, and here’s to hoping that Vestax mixer will pair well with them.

     • The features are great and all that, but the deck is redundant after a couple of years. In a few years time a new “industry standard” the MKIIIs will be out and folk will be burned.

       I agree they ARE the industry standard, but it’s all so temporary.

       The Technics, as expensive as they are, will last forever and never become redundant. You just buy a new DVS/mixer every now and then to keep up with technology.

       • Exactly !
         Who is going to buy a CDJ2000 (not Nexus, the 1st iteration?).
         What is the resale value of those ?

         • i’ve seen people asking between 500 and 1000

   • Except 20+ years durable turntables cost 700$ tops. We’re crying over Pioneer prices, but laughing over Technics ones.

   • The reality is simply that Pioneer has no real competition in the standalone player market. I’d argue the SC2900s were the closest another company got but they were let down by terrible, terrible software and now Denon DJ is owned by Numark who seems to have zero interest in standalone players.

     • To clarfiy – Denon DJ is now owned by inMusic Group, and is a sister brand to Numark. And the release of the MCX-8000 controller shows a clear commitment to standalone controllers. Granted the old Engine software was pretty bad, but the new one is a different beast.

       • I’m very glad to hear Engine 1.5 is better. You have no idea how happy that makes me.

     • What a difference a year makes, eh?

3. I really dig the idea of hardware supporting external USB controllers they’ve done here! Other than that, it seems like a small update to the lineup. Maybe there is little left to improve on the existing pio paradigms?

   Let’s see the new Denon gear already!

   • that is quite a good idea. i just hope they don’t restrict it to Pio’s own midi controllers. i also thought it’s great that they finally went all the way with 8 hot cues, i just hope they load when you load the track, like on their newer units, cause that loading hot cues things with each new tune was really counter intuitive. it’s also strange that they just now changed their firmware so that you just need to connect the mixer via USB to get HID mode. i wonder what technical limitations prevented them from implementing this in older mixers’ firmware updates. guess they realised they also had to cater to the fact that all new Macbook Pros have next to nothing in terms of connectivity. They seem like good improvements overall. too bad the price is so high!

     • “it’s also strange that they just now changed their firmware so that you just need to connect the mixer via USB to get HID mode.”

       I don’t believe that is the case. I believe what they are saying is you only need one USB to connect to a single CDJ to control the software and get audio via HID over multiple decks connected with ProDJLInk.

       Unless I’m seeing that wrong it looks like the single USB to the mixer is still for timecode/DVS like it is on the 850/900 and for HID you need to plug into one of the CDJs.

   • As long as it works with Serato and Traktor (we know it will with RekordboxDJ) the fact that there are now two USB soundcards on this mixer is more than just a small upgrade. It is going to be a a HUGE thing in clubs and for those of us having to find the best way to do switchovers.

     As someone that throws parties with guest DJs that is reason alone to upgrade. Right now we use a mint DJM850, which I LOVE, but I have to have a Serato/Traktor box hooked up for guest because the current mixers only have one USB soundcard. Being able to plug one cord into the mixer and go, even while someone else is already plugged into the same mixer and playing, is going to be huge.

     I realize Rane and Xone both already have mixers with dual soundcards, but the Rane only works with Serato and the Xone DB’s don’t work with DVS of any kind. If this works with Serato (with the Club Kit), Traktor Scratch, and Rekordbox DJ it is going to be a godsend.

     The other really nice thing is the separate Send/Receive loop. Now you don’t have to lose your beat EFX when you have an external effects unit connected, and the way you can route the loop makes it possible to send things to something like a guitar pedal and route it to an unused channel (like people have been doing with the Xone 92 for years). That isn’t as big of a change or nearly as useful to clubs as the dual soundcards but I would definitely use it all the time.

4. Phono entry on each chanel is a good news .

   • and still no matrix inputs…

5. Not everyone heard of this, but the most important question is… does it still has the 3kHz distortion on the EQ pots? I thought it was from the DJM 600 to the latest 900nexus.
   Otherwise… No Thanks.

6. I think they are going to price themselves out of the market…. most people aren’t going to dish out $6500 for this setup – some clubs will – but there’s nothing wrong with the current equipment worth the upgrade.

   it’s 2016 – these should be $1299 ea. You can get an S8 and a pair of used CDJs for $3000. And be all set.

   • These aren’t aimed at the average user. They’re flagship and chump change for big clubs and headliners.

7. Finally…..FLAC support!!!! Now it’s time for me to buy some CDJs. Hell, these are so feature rich, I may just ditch Serato (after 10 years) as well.

8. there might be something big hidden in the fine print. At 10:51 they have an image of two cdj’s, mixer, and turntables inside the cdj’s, one usb stick and no laptop. WIth a message “simplified dvs control with one usb connection” and notes about the upcoming paid rekordbox dj dvs expansion pack. If this means I can finally have DVS without my laptop I might buy into the paid rekordbox thing.

   • that would be SICK. Please bring DVS with no computers.

     • I agree with @nzimm:disqus , @callumdavenportlambton:disqus and @dud3from1nt3rnet:disqus . Disregarding CDJs, if a DJ used two DVS vinyls on a pair of turntables connected to a DJM-900NXS2 mixer which is not connected to a computer but with tracks loaded from an inserted USB drive ( @jacobstadtfeld:disqus ), then how would he or she select the tracks given that there is just a small screen on the DJM-900NXS2?

       • Exactly, they would need and external display or using the Ipad…

         • if I were going to produce a rekordbox mixer, i would use the cdj as a tester and run the dvs thru it first.

   • I think the few seconds there are a little misleading. They show a bare setup, then do say control rekordbox dj software with dvs.
     IMO the “simplified with one usb connection” is just their way of saying “we have a built-in DVS enabled interface in the mixer, just connect laptop with rekordbox dj + dvs”.

     • You are probably rite, but I am hoping it’s something more.

   • And where do you imagine the track library might be sourced?

     • usb memory or sd card, just like how rekordbox works already

9. Thought I’d give it a shot, it turns out FLAC is already supported in the recent Rekordbox 4.0.5. I was hoping it would be smart and transcode to something playable on pre-NXS2 models on export… here’s what RB says when importing a FLAC file :
   “Some imported tracks will not be exported because they are not supported by the CDJ/XDJ. (FLAC/Apple Lossless/High-resolution audio)”

   Sigh :(

10. On DVS, notice they only mention rekordbox dj w/ expansion pack. I can see Pioneer making this mixer rekordbox DVS exclusive at least for a while ; hopefully Serato club kit / Traktor Scratch certifications happen somewhere down the line.

11. … surely this means an update to the DDJ-SP1??
    This controller was outdated the minute it was released, as Serato released coloured cue point feedback just after.
    I’m guessing the new release will be more like a Reloop Neon, perhaps even with some wet/dry faders

12. I realllly hope you can plug a DDJ-SP1 into the new USB A slot and use the new midi select buttons under the USB B ports to tell the SP1 which computer to control. Being able to use 1 SP-1 with 2 computers would make this like a S9 and very awesome.

13. A new DJ product with Jog Wheels? Blasphemous. I thought that Jog Wheels were dead and turntable’ism were dead? Oh… I forgot… This isn’t Native Instruments.

    • So… I’m totally fine with a little trolling once in a while, cause it’s the internet and we are all aware of the realities that come along with that.

      But when did we say jog wheels were dead? Or turntablism? Or turntables? In fact, I’m pretty sure that every single member of this team is at least a fan of turntablism.

      I’m fine with being disagreed with. If I wasn’t I wouldn’t risk it by speaking my mind. But for real, dude, if you think we are so anti-DJing why do you bother coming here and reading our site?

      • I mentioned once that maybe we’d like to see more controllers without jogs, therefore they’re dead.

        • C’mon dude. There was an article (which you didn’t write), and and I’ve read that “Turtable’ism s dead here in the comments from several different users several different times. When I mention that turntable’ism is dead it isn’t because of something you said. I can’t even recall you saying it.

      • he meant that Native Instruments claimed to be the future of DJing without (moving) platters/jogwheels, he didn’t mean any team member here

        • Ooooooh, well, my apologies. I guess I need to recalibrate my reading comprehension.

          Granted, I don’t think that NI claimed that turntablism, turntables, or jog wheels are dead, ever, but yeah. I’ll eat crow on that and edit my post.

          • Turntablism and jogwheels are dead in NI’s hardware factories. It is what it is dude. In ten years when NI still doesn’t have a piece of hardware that has jog-wheels, Turntable’ism still wont be dead for NI until they say it? They don’t have to say it. Their actions speak for them.

            • Well then, you may want to tell Shifty and Craze that what they are doing isn’t turntablism, since they use NI software and hardware (according to your logic). Last I checked both the S2 and S4 had jog wheels.

              • Are Shifty and Craze using NI turntables? If Craze and Shifty had to rely on just NI gear to do any tricks, they would be doing it on 5 year old equipment. If Shifty and Craze had to rely solely on NI, then Shifty and Craze would using S2’s and S4’s. Would that setup make them look like DJ’s performing on equipment from a company serious about turntablism? Hell no… Maybe 5 years ago, but not now.

                And the last time I checked NI doesn’t make the S2 and S4 anymore. Last time I checked the S2 and S4 are old noncompetitive controllers that are lacking features when compared to current controllers. In 10 years from now, will you guys still tout the S4 and S2 and being proof that NI is still serious about turntablism? Because it seems just as crazy now to say that, We don’t have to wait 10 years.

                • Quote from Tony Mitchell…

                  “In ten years when NI still doesn’t have a piece of hardware that has jog-wheels, Turntable’ism still wont be dead for NI until they say it? They don’t have to say it. Their actions speak for them.”

                  The S4 and S2 MKII were released 2 years ago and still sold in shops and on the home site. The battle style mixer (Z2), that comes with time code vinyl and TSP2 was released in the same year. This is a hell of a lot more resent than your ten years ago. The A6 and A10 have also been revamped in the last couple years. This lack of product knowledge proves how ignorant you are on the topic.

                  • The S4 and S2 aren’t recent products. Better, newer alternatives exist from other brands. So the best you can do to show any interest NI has in turntabl’ism, is to point out stuff from over 2 years ago. lol!!!! That is very weak buddy. Look at what pioneer just released here. I can point to something from last week that show’s pioneer’s commitment (and from other brands as well). And poineer’s solution doesn’t require the use of another brand’s turntable’s. One stop shopping. NI used to be like that until they decided to put turntable’ism on the back burner.

                  • And what about craze and Shiftee using S2’s and S4’s? If you saw a vid with them using an S4 today, would that vid look like they are using equipment from a company serious about turntabli’sm? Now what it they used all pioneer gear, wouldn’t that setup look more appropriate than a NI S4? In order to do anything turntable related with NI hardware you need gear from another brand. Pioneer, Denon, Reloop, can stand on their own with their own jog wheeled equipped hardware. NI’s best offering is a two year old outdated controller, or hook up other brands hardware. lol!!! So much for one stop shopping.

                    • Like I said, you are just making yourself out to be even more ignorant than I originally thought. Since when did Shifty or Craze ever use an S4? Both are known to use a Z2, a battle style mixer with DVS support out of the box.
                      As per your logic, Rane doesn’t care about turntablists either. They don’t make players or TT’s either, but have been running neck and neck for years in the DVS hardware department with NI (even though Rane doesn’t produce Serato).

                      NI has been catering to turntablists and the DVS community for 15 years at this point.

                    • Then why did they omit jog wheels from the S5 when the S4 had jog wheels? Yep… They are serious all right. I might be ignorant. But at least I can see when a company is putting a certain aspect of their business on the back burner. As far as Serato? Everything they make caters around the turntablist. Rane is the same thing. Serato or Rane never made a controller. Serato and Rane never made a controller with jog wheels, and then made the controller’s replacement not have jog wheels. The second I saw the S5 without jog wheels was the second that I realized that I wouldn’t be buying it. Folks here swore up and down that the S5 would have jog wheels. Then when it didn’t folks are still saying NI is “committed”. Talk about delusional

                • I beg to differ. I use an S2 Mk2 and the last time I checked it is still for sale directly through N.I. As well as the many vendors who sell their equipment and software.

            • We need to get our language right. Turntable’ism, as you put it, reads to me that NI doesn’t care about physical turntables. Turntablism, as I understand it, is a method of performing. That’s, at least, how I see it. If you mean them as the same thing, then fine.

              But regardless, neither of them are “dead” to NI. NI makes very specific hardware. In my mind, they have no need to make a turntable. Everyone else is, and they are pretty much fine. So NI makes the S8, which works with turntables. They release the S5, which can have a turntable or CD deck connected, but it is more for people who DJ like I do.

              They have the S4 and the S2. Those are pretty solid jog wheel controllers.

              They see the future of DJing as different than you do. That doesn’t mean that they are completely against turntables, or turntablism. It just means that they might not see a need to make products that cater to that market since literally every other DJ manufacturer is fighting for a piece of the pie. They can, instead, try and make a new pie. Will it work? Who knows. They need to do a lot of other things first, like update their god damn software.

              • They are alienating the very folks who made them what they are. They are putting turntable’s and scratching on the back burner. They aren’t the company right now that turntable DJ’s would go to for equipment. They could use NI’s equipment, but they would need equipment from another manufacturer to make it work. While other brands offer one-stop shopping NI doesn’t. Why doesn’t NI offer the one-stop shopping like they used to?

                • And, as far as I’m concerned, that doesn’t make any sense. Turntablists might go to them for a Z2. And what difference is there with having a Z2, or an S9, or any other scratch mixer with any pair of turntables? They all work the same. Hook a 1200, a PLX-1000, or whatever, and you have a mixer. Why does NI need to sell a DJ package when there are other solutions out there?

                  They have never, EVER offered one-stop shopping. For YEARS they only sold software. Eventually they sold an audio interface in partnership with Stanton, and then solo. They didn’t offer hardware until years later with the S4, then the S2, and then other modular controllers and one mixer. They have never offered a turntable, a media player, an outboard effects box, a sampler, nothing. They still sell the S4 and the S2, and a lot of other solutions. Hell, if you love turntables and want more power, you have a TON of solutions with NI.

                  And once again, before anyone accuses me of shilling, I do think they need to do a lot more. But I think that accusing them of putting turntables and scratching on the back burner is disingenuous. The turntable market, right now, is saturated with lots of solutions that are way too similar. NI making a turntable won’t improve that market, and no matter what turntable you buy you can still use Traktor.

                • The S4 Mk2 has inputs for DVS as well as the S8. Also the Z2 has them including a built in soundcard. How are they putting turntables and scratching on “the back burner?” With Traktor you can play Vinyl, use DVS, use remix decks, and play stems all in the same setup. Choice is good isn’t it?

14. Track filter mode – great idea, about time someone brought that to the table. Some of the highlighted “features” are a bit funny though… So any unused cue point button will automatically become a new cue point when you hit the button – really?

15. “It’s powerful like a gorilla, yet soft and yielding like a Nerf ball”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw9gaEiQAxY

    • +++++1
      This is exactly how I wanted to start my day off. Thank you.

      Comment of the week.

16. Anything that involves using a USB hub is asking for trouble. 3 Separate USB connections is asking for trouble. Especially in windows. I went to controllers because I got tired of my CD Turntables and mixer deciding that it wanted to lose it’s config. Every week or so, something wouldn’t connect. Forget to power on one of the CDJ’s on, while connected to the PC and launching the DJ software can ruin your day. The separate CDJ’s and mixer setup is an outdated setup. Even after all these years a setup like that can still all-of-a-sudden decide to give it’s owner nightmares. If there isn’t a single USB plug to connect to my PC, I do not want to have anything to do with it. There were times (one week or even a two week interval) when I didn’t have issues. But with that setup, issues always come up.

    • It’s not a USB hub.

      • I never said it was. What I was trying to say was that, you need a USB hub in order to connect this setup (2 CDJ’s and Mixer) to a macbook or any laptop that has less than 3 USB ports. Which is pretty much every laptop.

        • No, not really.

          If you’re using DVS you only need one USB from laptop to the mixer. Leaving you a spare port even on a Macbook Pro.

          If you’re using the new CDJs in advanced HID the release says you only need to plug one USB from the computer into one CDJ and ProDJ Link does the rest like with Rekordbox. The CDJ handles both audio and tactile control of the software. We dont yet know how this will play with SeratoDJ or Traktor, it might only be a Rekordbox thing, I’m sure we’ll know more soon. If they do support Traktor though worst case is you’ll need two USB ports to aggregate the two CDJ soundcards. The same way it works today on the current 2000nxs and 900nxs in advanced HID mode with Traktor. I’ve done this on my two USB port Macbook many times, no hub required.

          • That’s true but most laptops and all tablets only have one USB port :( So you’ll still need a hub in those cases. My Denon 3900 setup worked a little different. Linking only allowed for one player to read music from the next player. That only worked when you are not using DVS (playing music locally from the CD Players/USB Sticks etc…) When you connected it to DVS no dice. The link option was just another input, so when using DVS, you would have to read music from the DJ software, one player wouldn’t read from another player so in that instance both machines needed to be connected. Pioneer seems to have figured it out but 2 connections are still one too many for me.

            • Sometimes it’s OK to admit you’re wrong, or just say nothing. When you don’t you end up saying ridiculous things like “most laptops only have one USB port”.

              • Nice way to cherry pick everything I said. I actually thought about that after I posted it. That’s the only thing that I’m incorrect about. So I’ll revise that statement; Most current slimline laptop’s have only 2 USB connectors, and 100% of windows tablets only have one USB port (I’ve yet to see one with 2), and all iPads and Macbooks have one USB port dating back to as long as I can remember. Am I still wrong?

                • I didn’t cherry pick anything, The entire premise from your first post is about there being issues with the new DJM and CDJ because they make you need a USB hub to connect the mixer and two CDJs to any laptop with less than 3 USB posts. Your words, not mine.

                  I explained to you that no, that is not the case, and explained in detail how you could use just one USB for either DVS or HID, and at worst case you would need two for HID if the new ProDJ Link doesn’t work with Traktor. Even on a 2 USB Macbook no HUB required for this.

                  Then you moved the goalposts and said most laptops only have one USB. Something that is patently false and would still be a misplaced complaint since you now know you can utilize all three units with just one USB cable, and even have two choices as to how.

                  • Still hanging on to that laptop has only one USB port thing thing I see. That’s cool…. At worst you’ll need 2 USB’s? Well that’s one too many for me. And with the 2 USB macbook? Where are you going to connect your USB drive that has your music? Wouldn’t you still need a hub? Or will you be forced to keep all your music locally on the macbook. I know you can connect one USB stick and use reckordbox, but what about the folks who will be using Traktor, Serato, or VDJ?

                    • Talk about cherry picking! What I said had to do with the entire premise of all of your comments, the single USB thing was just mentioned at the end because you moved the goalposts instead of admitting you were wrong.

                      And now you’re moving the goalposts yet again. You’re the one that said you can’t connect the mixer and two CDJs to a computer that has less than 3 USBs, not me. External HDDs were never part of that/your context.

                      Have fun arguing with someone else. I’m out.

                    • External HDD weren’t a part of my context? Isn’t connecting external drives a given and a big part of those particular setups? Why should I limit the conversation to a limited setup that I do not have? Just because I didn’t bring up external HDDs before doesn’t mean that external drives doesn’t need to be connected and don’t exist. Do I have to lay out everything? An external drive is a part of a basic setup. I didn’t move the goal posts. Its just that the more that I thought about it, the more my point became stronger and more valid, and yours became weaker. Of course you are out. I’ve proven that the amount of items that you need to connect (even for one the most basic setups) requires more USB ports than a MacBook has to offer.

                    • You can move goalposts and claim you meant something you didn’t say but what you said will always be what you said and the context of the conversation will always be based on those words, no matter how much bullshit you try and spin afterwards…

                      “What I was trying to say was that, you need a USB
                      hub in order to connect this setup (2 CDJ’s and Mixer) to a macbook or any laptop that has less than 3 USB ports. Which is pretty much every laptop.” – Tony Mitchell

                    • “The bottom line is, that’s a bunch of doodoo. You can connect to this setup with just one USB, and there’s more than one way to do it too.”

                      That’s doodoo. You won’t have HID or anything like that. What do you connect the CDj’s to? The mixer? Of course you can connect it, you will only have basic functionality. How are you going to get HID and select music from a computer on a CDJ, without the CDJ being connected. You really don’t think these thing out do you?

                    • I can’t believe I am going to waste another 30 seconds of my life explaining this to you AGAIN, but here you go (and it is really the last time).

                      When using advanced HID you plug the laptop into one CDJ2000nxs2. The CDJ sends data/tracks to the other CDJ2000nxs2’s (up to a total of 4) via ProDJ Link (ethernet between decks). This is exactly how Rekordox works already on the old ones, the CDJ2000’s already had this ability, except now it allows using HID to control the software on a laptop. ONE USB.

                      What do you connect the CDJs to? The CDJ’s are connected to the mixer’s audio inputs like any other CDJ or turntable has been for decades. Nothing new there. The mixer has nothing to do with HID. The mixer is taking audio from the CDJs.

                    • You really don’t think this stuff out. What about the Mixer’s MIDI functions? You’re not going to use them? You are trying your best to make this seem like all you need in one connection. Without realizing that if you don’t hook up the mixer to the PC you will be losing out of all the functionality that the mixer has to offer. Tell me something, There are 2 USB ports on top of the mixer. What are they used for? And how can you possibly use them without connecting the mixer to the PC. What about the Mixer’s Midi Functions?

                    • Guess I’m moving the goal posts again.

                • On the Windows tablet bit…. Not hard to get a dock for a Surface 3 or 4, and suddenly you go from a single USB 3.0 socket up to five, plus several other items AND a power plug in that’s out of the way.

                  Also, Dell’s Inspiron 13 7000 series 2in1 laptops (which are effectively as thin as a tablet anyways, and are in the same category as high end tablets according to the market) have multiple USB ports (two USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0).

                  While Dell’s Venue 11 Pro 7000 series does only have one USB 3.0 outlet built into the device, it isn’t hard to once again get the dock to go with it to gain an additional 3 USB 3.0 sockets.

    • So you don’t like the fact that with these new components setup this exact way they have eliminated the need to plug in multiple USB cables? All you need to do is plug in one to operate everything together. I can understand where you’re coming from for sure however these new components don’t require multiple USB cables to be plugged into a laptop or a hub.

      • Doesn’t this setup (New Pioneer setup above) still require 2 USB ports? Mixer and at least one CDJ? Or do you now connect the CDj’s USB or Link cable to the Mixer?

        • It looks like you connect the CDJ’s to the mixer via digital SPDIF and then the mixer sends the HID data t the laptop if used via the one USB cable.

    • Alright, riddle me this. In my full setup, I’ve got 2 laptops with 5 USB 3.0 ports each. Both are fully occupied, handling several controllers, 3D cameras and sensors alongside the Sixty-Four flawlessly. I’ve got so many USB connections that I even need to use the hubs on my two D2s. That’s a total of 13 out of 14 available USB ports in use. I’m on Windows 7 and 8.1 respectively, and I don’t have any issues at all – so either I’m a super-wizard, or you’re doing something wrong. Maybe both?

      • To add to this, I’ve got two X1s, an F1, Maschine Studio in a hub, and an Audio 10 plugged direct. I don’t think I’ve had any issues.

        • On a windows system you never had issues? Well my X1 would sometimes fail to power on at times. The lights would be dim and I’d have to start traktor over again. And I can’t count the amount of times that Traktor simply didn’t want to see one or both of my CD players. I’d have to tinker with it to get it to work again, when nothing was changed from the last time it worked. While using VDJ deck one would switch assignments with deck 2 causing the decks to be reversed on the software. That was the last straw and I sold everything after that (2 3900’s, X1700, X1, F1, Audio 6).

          I’ve yet to have a problem with my single connection controllers that wasn’t DJ software related that I couldn’t resolve quick. Problems mostly because I use 3 different controllers on the same laptop. Sometimes (all the time) VDJ doesn’t switch to the correct controller config, I have to do it manually, Serato switches to the proper controller all the time. The issues I had with multiple connections were both DJ software and operating system related. If you have windows and haven’t had an issue with connecting all that stuff? Then you have to only 100% stable version of windows ever invented. Windows is not 100% stable, everyone knows that.

          • The biggest issue I had was disconnecting and re-connecting back. Always issues and always a pain to get going. I don’t do much parties so I never really got a flight case, flight case would have been easier because most of the connections would remain intact. Instead I would disconnect everything and reconnect it at whoever’s house I was playing at. I can tell you right now, it was never smooth. And hooking it back up at home was the same in reverse. Sometime’s I’d get lucky and everything would work right away, but most of the time not so much. I’ve only played at 2 parties since I got my controllers, but hooking up one USB connection never gave me an issue those two times.

      • You only had one DJ component connected. Everything else you listed weren’t DJ components so that really doesn’t apply here. I’m not talking about Camera’s and USB drives, So your example really doesn’t apply. Come back to me when you have 2 CD players, a Mixer, A sampler box, and other DJ component’s all to the same computer via USB.

        If I had your setup I wouldn’t have any issues either. For one, your mixer is your only DJ component connected directly to the computer (I’ve never had an issue, with any of my 3 controllers), and two is that I’m not having issues connecting Camera’s and such. It’s the DJ equipment in which you only use one connection. You kind of made my point.

        • on the contrary – I destroyed your point by showing that no only do I have much more equipment hooked up via USB, but also components that put a LOT more strain on the bus than 2 controllers (CDJs) and one audio interface (DJM) ever could.

          out of sheer curiosity – what exacty is a “DJ component” in your world and how do you define “connected to the same computer” other than… a cable connected to that computer? that’s such a nonsensical argument that I really wanna know who your dealer is. but at the same time, I kinda don’t.

          for the record, I can hotplug anything at any time with the software running, even the D2s and by extension everything attached to their hubs. the only possible gamble are the 3D cameras, but there is no reason whatsoever to hotplug these because the software won’t even start without them attached.

          Laptop A:
          2x NI D2
          KMI QuNeo receiver
          KMI SoftStep2
          Leap Motion
          intel RealSense or Primesense (depending on VJ app)
          Rane Sixty-Four port A
          iConnectMIDI4+ port A

          Laptop B:
          Push mk2
          Maschine mk2
          APC40mk2
          Rane Sixty-Four port B
          iConnectMIDI4+ port B

          if all that stuff works flawlessly, that pioneer setup probably won’t even register in terms of workload – which is a good thing, really. so come back to me when you’ve got actual points to make, because watching you trip over your own feet is getting boring – and I like my popcorn f-f-f-fresh.

          • You didn’t destroy nothing. Notice that you didn’t mention what operating system you are running that on? And it isn’t windows. I did say windows didn’t I? So you typed all that up and it doesn’t apply because you are using a mac. Now get back to me when you have all of that connected to a windows setup. And even on a mac all of that stuff would work flawlessly 100% of the time. I’ve been around macs too long. I don’t think you’re being completely honest, all that stuff couldn’t possibly work 100% of the time without an issue here or there. These are computers, they are not perfect. Unless you have the world first perfect computer that doesn’t have a single issue.

            • in my first post, I clearly stated that I’m running windows 7 and windows 8.1, which should be obvious by the number of USB ports on each machine alone.

              also, if you knew anything about sensor technology, you’d know that intel’s realsense cameras don’t run on OSX – because apple bought primesense and will eventually introduce their own 3D camera, years after everyone else did it, and call it a “revolutionary technology”.

              got anything else? ’cause I’m gettin’ bored.

              • I don’t think that you are being honest? Windows 7? Windows? And you’re talking like its solid as a rock? This is Windows we’re talking about right? lol!! I can see having little issues that are easy to resolve, but not a single issue, ever, with all those components on windows machine? Not believing it.

                • I’ve been running Windows for years with no problem. I’ve used it for real-time audio since XP. That experience covers DAW use, DJing, and pro-audio engineering. If your computer isn’t garbage, and you have enough patience to apply a tweak or two if needed, Windows is rock solid.

17. “I can search for a track when I’m at the end of my playlist and the promoter tells me I can play one more… that’s definitely a game-changer”

    THE SOUND OF ONE HAND SLOW-CLAPPING

    • The joy of video editing… they just stick “that’s definitely a game-changer” out of nowhere making that weird sentence. Poor guy ! lol

      • I know… but it’s still perplexing how such nonsense can make it into a promotional video. Pioneer doesn’t even need these anymore. Just drop some photos and a spec sheet, the major clubs will be getting these anyway and people will start adding them to their riders for no reason. 90% of these guys won’t use more than 10% of the features anyway.

18. As a current Nexus owner I don’t think the new CDJs are enough to call for me to upgrade. If the 900 has the same faders as the S9 the is a notable improvement in terms of my needs and the effects section seems much better.

19. 1-There is one guy talking of freedom with the CDJ lineup ? Really ? The same freedom as Apple ?
    2-Now you have a limiter with no distortion at all, so you can smash the red even more ! (see Zabelia @ 8:46)
    3-Someone finally discover fader line curves : this is probably the next big thing !!!
    4-Eqs doesn’t have overlapping frequencies no more… so they did have ? ^^
    5-The processing have less limitation because the DSP doesn’t clip (64bits vs. 32 bits), so we were still feeded with 32bits technology those last years ? Interesting…
    6-Clipping indicator ! #wtf I though the reds led was there for that purpose…
    I guess the Nexus 3 will have a 3D popup saying that the clipping indicator is saying that the red leds are on to indicate you’re already deaf.

    It is still surprising to see how childish they are into those communication. They could simply give the new features : no need to argue non-sense or self-retro-bash themselves.

    I like the geeeky/gadgetery side of these, but the fact that they think people are stupid enough to drink any cool aid they will put on the table is astonishing.

    Even Kaskade and Laidback Luke doesn’t really believed what they’re saying into that video joke. They would like to be somewhere else, but you’ve got to eat and feed your family guys, I understand. ;-)

    • Pioneer still hasn’t pushed 64-bit drivers for their controllers, which is just insane to me.

      My favorite part of the press release is this phrase

      “We’ve given the CDJ-2000NXS2 a 96 kHz/24-bit sound card and added
      FLAC/Apple Lossless Audio (ALAC) support – paving the way for more
      producers to create music in this top quality format.”

      So before now, no one was using FLAC/ALAC? For real.

      • Word. How long have DVS supported FLAC now? :)

        What’s mind-boggling to me is how Apple still manages to get away with not supporting FLAC and forcing their carbon copy ALAC format on users so successfully that it ends up getting supported by DJ companies.

        • I use Audirvana Plus on my Mac to play FLAC files. The VAST majority of my library is FLAC!

          • to clarify, I was talking about apple devices like the iPod.

      • May be they don’t know people are already using 192Khz 24bits gears in some studio…
        So now we have the option to have better files than cd standard 44Khz 16bits… yeah… cool.

        “My Ferrari can go from 0 to 60 in 3.9s ! And my Lambo in 3.7 !!! Yes but my P1 can go down to 3.2… Wait I have the new insane mode 3.0 on my Tesla….”

        And at the end of the day, every one is driving at the speed limit in front of the school yard.

        • It’s not the 192khz 24bit thing. It’s Traktor going to 64-bit and not being able to support Pioneer’s hardware because they don’t have 32-bit drivers for their audio interfaces or controllers.

          That’s not us all driving at the same speed. That’s me being able to run an app that accesses more memory than someone who is running at 32-bit. That’s a big deal.

          • What do the ASIO drivers have to do with whether the particular application is 32bit or 64bit in its memory usage?

            • If I have a 64-bit app, I need 64-bit drivers. If I don’t have them I need to use the 32-bit app, which can’t access the extra memory 64-bit allows. So if Pioneer does not have 64-bit drivers, I can’t use 64-bit software.

      • I’m confused by this talk of 64-bit drivers. You guys can’t install Pioneer ASIO drivers on Windows 64bit?

        • No, you can install Pioneer drivers on 32 and 64bit systems, but the only drivers available are 32bit, so you can’t use 64bit programs with Pioneer gear.

    • Their processing might be slightly better now that they’ve moved to completely different, more modern internal hardware, so it’s possible it sounds a little better just on the data end if you ignore the also more tolerant 32bit converters (like Denon’s been using). There isn’t much practical advantage to processing in 64bit versus 32bit except that the new internal data processing hardware is probably just native at 64bit. Neither would have significant quantization distortion (unless there’s coding problems) or would clip internally prior to the DAC, as they both have way more processing headroom than the SPDIF can even transmit.

20. some club owners dont let laptop dj play in their club.
    its funny to see that big P adds more laptop features in their hardware.

    • What kind of of DJ’s do they let play? USB Dj’s?

      • Yes. A lot of clubs will not let anyone using Serato/Traktor to play. You must use CDJ/DJM setup, or not play at all.

        • I don’t think there’s a lot of them. It is definitely a niche thing.

        • I’m trying to think of a reason. Couldn’t be copyrights?

          • I think it has more to do with not wanting anyone to hook and unhook cables. Or they’re all just effing snobs!!

            • It’s the snob thing.

    • Some club owners only allow DJs to play on 8-track cartridge

21. Props for FLAC (and ALAC) support. Everything else is meh. Wait. Did Pioneer really just state that the _power_supplies_ are improved? Lol.

22. I’m glad they now spell out the meaning of those red led’s on the vu meters..

    • Right!!!!

23. There’s no mono switch for the master output.

24. 5 grand for 2 decks and a mixer, i just can’t get to grips with that.. DDJ-SZ and a pair of turntables is less than 3k, that means you can have a genuine 4 deck setup with platters that are easily as good if not better than the 2000s and every bell, whistle, effect you could ever dream of.

    oh and whats everyones obsession with level meters all the time, i like my channel levels to go quite high, and its absolutely no issue providing you have the master set at a reasonable level, nobody ever mentions the Master level

    • It is actually over 6 grand, not 5. Crazy, I know. But that is the price clubs and promoters are willing to pay to have this kind of gear installed in their booths for the people they book to play.

      And it is obviously not for you. Go ahead with your DDJ-SZ and turntables if that works for you (you’re not counting the cost of your computer in that $3 grand, are you?). I wouldn’t touch that setup and plenty of others wouldn’t either.

      Everyone’s “obsession” with level meters is understanding how gain structure works. You think that there is no issue clipping the input channels just because the master is turned down? Unfortunately it is not that simple.

      • completely agree with the understanding of gains but if someone prefers to have the channel meters up a bit further then as long as its not affecting the master quality and you are keeping it on a level then i don’t see the issue.. i like to have the trim level at around 12 o’clock so you have a bit of play either way for both louder and quieter tracks, mine tend to peak up at about 2 lights from the top on a pioneer mixer, but obviously with most house tracks thats only when the beat kicks

        i do think there is a difference between having the levels quite high and completely redlining

      • DJM’s are digital mixers, and the actual point of ‘clipping’ is thus 0dBfs. However the 0dB LED on the level meters are at -18dBfs. Notice how the meter stops at +10dB/over. That means that there’s still plenty of headroom left. Run these things full on into the red no problem.

        The days of analogue mixers that distort when pushed into the red are far gone

    • https://youtu.be/nciUYRrDn8w

      Pioneer should have done it right at first…

25. I like how the press release mentions the 64 bit and how the mixer sounds much more ‘accurate and natural’ and then says how much warmer it sounds. Warmer is not more accurate. And what does that even mean? if it had a perfect soundcard the source material wouldn’t sound any different. So is there some trickery going on to make it sound analogue?

26. My biggest question is can the 900 now be set to have the headphone out be pre-trim instead of post-trim? Because I hate post-trim headphone monitoring.

    • Stick the master out at unity and cover it up with a blue Neutrik cap and some tape.

27. You guys seen this?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlZt-R2J8lw
    The CDJ-Tour1 and DJM-Tour1

28. why did’nt pioneer have a brick wall limiter on each channel?? to stop cliping

29. I decided to post this here since Pioneer shut down my post. Pioneer DJM 900NXS Mojave audio driver issues. Currently can’t install. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f7c163e31e4c7f94abcce8766108b7c30f5785482b6bbd93ee194760a73607db.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7d9877633ee19814b13291f80a15201e545965b55d33aebbf1d43da980d02e02.png https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/cb5bdcd867cc57a3102b19e514696b6fffc3066f0fb73f891a358a1a65fb8b34.png