NAMM 2013: DJ Tech — DIF-1S, Checkmate speakers and getting back to basics

January 26, 2013 By 14 Comments


DJ Tech dif-1s scrarch Mixer Namm 2013 (1)

We have talked a lot about the entry level DJ products being released, but DJ Tech has been putting some exciting stuff together, at a great price point. We had a sit down and got shown some exclusive stuff.

DJ Tech dif-1s scrarch Mixer Namm 2013 (11)

First we got to see the DIF-1S in action, and will be putting together some footage of DJ JesC, rocking out later at the show. But they also sat us down and showed us two speakers, the Checkmate 30 (3 inch) and Checkmate 40 (4 inch), that are, to put it lightly, inexpensive.

They were running the turntables through them and within 5 minutes were getting noise complaints. These things were really loud, crisp, clean and small. The Checkmate 30 speakers will retail for…. $49 a pair, and the Checkmate 40s will go for $79 a pair. They are small, light, and will sit right at home with any bedroom/office setup, or for a small house party.

DJ Tech dif-1s scrarch Mixer Namm 2013 (3)

The end result, for DJ Tech, is to get back into the DJ-In-A-Box business. They are currently working on developing turntables that are reliable and aim to be sold for under $199, and will box them with the DIF-1S and two speakers. Putting these together with an SL2 or Audio 4 would be the perfect starting point for any timecode setup, and for hopefully less than $799.

Obviously, once we have more information we’ll get it to you. DJ Tech is taking a serious look at their branding (the DJ Mouse  anyone?) and reputation, and instead of pushing it forward and taking a risk in a market saturated with MIDI controllers, they are pulling it back, going back to basics, and trying to simplify the market.

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About Jared Helfer

Jared spends too much time staring at MIDI to have time to cut his hair or shave. He is also a DJ. He currently holds the record as the "Most Fired" at DJWorx, and is willing to challenge anyone to the title. He spends his time DJing in his office and releasing mixes on his website and mixcloud, as well as playing violent video games, reading books, and beginning to get involved in production. He also enjoys tormenting Gizmo about his age and Britishness.

  • http://www.facebook.com/Gavintech Gavin Varitech

    Their logos, branding, and design still needs some work (I would love to give them some tips, free of charge :D ) but a nice step in the right direction…

    I’ll probably get some Checkmate 40′s just for the hell of it.

  • http://www.facebook.com/seungjin.yun Seungjin Yun

    if these guys intend to continue pushing the quality and complexity of their products then i definitely think they need to re-think their branding. the sheer genericness of their name is enough to cause potential buyers to look elsewhere

  • http://www.facebook.com/djadrianpickard Adrian Pickard

    Definitely a brand to watch… Very impressed with their scratch mixer and these monitors, for that pocket change investment, is sure to be a winner. Uk distributor still Maplin though?! Not so cool..,

  • mixfiend

    I gotta agree, the products look interesting but the branding SCREAMS cheap & low tech.

  • Mathias Richardson

    I think I’ll have to look at getting a pair of those speakers.

  • http://www.facebook.com/deejayreact Nick Bivona

    $150 mixer with inofaders?? Sign me up.

    • http://www.facebook.com/robert.waelder Robert Waelder

      Hah, that’s what I said! Can you say “Cheap sessioning mixer?”

      • http://www.facebook.com/robert.waelder Robert Waelder

        As long as the faders are good, that’s all I really care about anyway! A session in would have been nice, but I guess you cant have everything at that price point.

        • http://www.facebook.com/deejayreact Nick Bivona

          It is perfect for a secondary mixer if you have a 4 turntable setup in the house, and don’t want to spring for a rane..

  • http://www.facebook.com/will.grucza Will Grucza

    I’ve been less than impressed with a lot of the products DJ Tech has cranked out in the past, but this looks like it could be a turning point for them. I also think it’s a really smart move on their part to go back to mixers and turntables. It seems like a lot more DJs want to do it the old school way. That, and all the major companies seem to be focused on creating the next big midi controller, and the smaller ones are doing whatever they can to catch up with me-too products (however well-made they may be).

    • LoopCat

      So true man. In the last 6 months three people I know have invested in a set of TT’s over options like midi controllers and CDJ’s and they aren’t aiming to be turntablists. If you are mixing styles like Deep House and Techno it’s way more fun and intimate mixing using a basic tt and 2 channel mixer combo. Personally I would love to see a sweet analogue two channel mixer with independent filters and maybe 4 band eq (could be asking a bit much with the eq though).

  • http://www.facebook.com/clay.ford.167 Clay Ford

    Between the mixer and the speakers, I can see DJTech getting some of my money in 2013 :D