Yesterday, despite the endless media warnings of hell on earth being caused by the tube strike, I ventured off to the bright lights of London town, mainly to record a hopefully periodic DJ technology based interview with Pioneer DJ radio, but also on the off-chance that I might get to play their flagship (or more accurately spaceship) controller the DDJ-SZ. This I did, but while there, I couldn’t help but verify for myself that the air horn button isn’t actually a total wind-up. Yes people, the air horn button is quite real.
I’ve been known to abuse Pioneer product with my Photoshop-fu — I teased a “PUT DONK” button on the alleged CDJ-1000 mk4, as well as the above Technics/Pioneer CDJ hybrid, that actually caused people to call up retailers to pre-order. So you’d expect that at some point, an air horn button on a lump of DJ gear would fall well within my remit to create for shits and giggles. But they beat me to it, and the new DDJ-SZ has 4 oscillator buttons, one of which is the classic air horn sound.
Now I can mock Pioneer for doing this, but for a great many DJs, the air horn is a staple feature in their sets. Yes it’s an absolute no-no in some circles, but in others it’s positively expected. I really would have liked to an accompanying gun shot and explosion sound too for the fullest Westwood experience, but this is for everyone. Who knows — perhaps firmware updated can bring new sounds.
As to the Pioneer DDJ-SZ itself — it’s easy to formulate an opinion based on reading PR and looking at glossy pictures. But it’s only when you get in front of one that you realise the magnificence of this epic beast, and just how much like a DJM, CDJ, Serato, and gaffer tape solution this really is. I didn’t get anywhere enough time with it or the equally smart RMX-500 (which is going to sell by the metric boatload). But first impressions are very good indeed. At this point, I’m looking past the price because I always start with what something does, and then see if it’s worth it or not. But rest assured, the DDJ-SZ is a serious bit of gear for those wanting a more traditional Pioneer experience from a new controller.
As and when review units become available, we’ll be all over it like a rash. It’s so bloody big that it’ll take a few of us to review it anyway. In shifts. With a map. I swear this thing has its own postcode, and it’s a place I’d be happy to live in.
BTW the photographs don’t do justice to how lush the buttons are. So evenly bright and saturated.
They look like Maschine buttons.
Should we be relieved or disappointed that it’s not actually a vuvuzela horn instead?
Anyway. Needs more cowbell.
Really wish Pioneer and/or Serato would allow the end USER/CUSTOMER to custom assign THEIR OWN favorite special effects to those four hot keys. That cheesball air horn thing is just dreadful and a waste of valuable real-estate.
BTW, thank you Pioneer for finally putting a REAL power cord on a controller (DDJ-SZ). Those silly Radio Shack-esque adapter doohickies used on other controllers (DDJ-SX) are just horrible.
I think I need this…. Or do I…. Yes I do…. Or not…..
i love the ddj-sx because it have dual deck mode, i don’t see that on the ddj SZ, but it’s possible that dual deck work if you push together deck 1 and deck 3 on the ddj SZ?or dual deck mode don’t work forever on the ddj SZ
Look closer ;)
no dual deck!!!!!! :'( pffffff.why pioneer remove dual deck mode????
it’s really stupid……….i think after many months, pioneer will come out a ddj sz MK2 with dual deck mode and effect assign on master and mic1 & mic2.sorry but just like that i don’t want to buy it
Are you even checking the pictures? Deck 1/3, Deck 2/4
Here’s the question. Which is more fun to mix with… NS7-2 or DDJ-SZ? Aaaaaaaahhhhhh.
Here’s the question. Which is more fun to mix with… NS7-2 or DDJ-SZ? Aaaaaaaahhhhhh.
I guess that for some DJs, the cue and play buttons will no longer be the first to wear. The Clangers button is sure to suffer.
lmao, showing your age there with that Clangers comment!
I absolutely do want one of these though, I could never justify buying one though, nor would the Mrs let me buy one :(
What a waste. imagine if Pioneer had actually made the airhorn/sound effect buttons a user programmable sampler with sd card…or at least auto assigned the buttons to Serato’s sampler.
the beatpads can be used as samplers.. do not see the point in what you are asking for
It has dual deck mode watch the video lol lol relax guys
HOW HEAVY IS THIS THING????….
10.4kg
i may be in the minority here, but i hope the jog’s are closer to the feel of a cdj 800 than the ddj-sx. i vastly prefer the cd player jogs to their controller jogs for scratch purposes
there is dual deck mode lol
Great video ! Keep up the good work
Bpm Supreme Record Pool
Bit belated, but does anyone know what the monitor stand is in the pictures?
“I swear this thing has its own postcode.” hahahaaaaa