Denon DJ Prime 4 standalone system controller DJWORX firmware update (1)
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Denon DJ Prime 4 and the new horizontal waveforms

Although we’ve been talking about the Denon DJ Prime 4 for a dog’s age (since the end of January at NAMM anyway), but it’s not actually been in shops for that long. But from day one, the single biggest question has been “what about horizontal waveforms?”. Indeed, it must have been the first question at every product meeting up to the release of the product too. But Denon DJ has got it up and running already — you can now have the horizontal waveforms that you’ve been waiting for. And it looks a lot better for it too.

There are brief words:

PRIME 4: Horizontal waveforms are here!

DJs all over the globe requested them, we listened, and then made it happen! Along with a new Console Status bar for improved workflow, and user adjustable Nudge Sensitivity for the jog wheels, Denon DJ are proud to announce 1.3.2 Firmware update for PRIME 4 being released later this week!

In addition to these amazing features, we’ve also taken a big step towards improved BPM analysis on PRIME 4. Now, if your tracks already contain BPM metatag data, PRIME 4 will use that BPM value to set the beat grid. A feature coming very soon to the Engine Prime desktop software for all collection imports.

New Features:

  1. Horizontal Waveform View
  2. BPM Detection Improvement
  3. Console Status Toolbar
  4. Adjustable Nudge Sensitivity

Fixes / Improvements:

  1. Fixed Issue Where Some Tracks Show as .1 Second Until Played or Platter is Moved.
  2. Additional Bug Fixes and Improvements.

Denon DJ Prime 4 standalone system controller DJWORX firmware update (2)

Pushing on

Horizontal waveform view is indeed here. But it’s not like the four to view vertical view with a console in the middle — it’s 4 deck slots plus a pair of horizontal waveforms. I had hoped for all four on-screen at once, and have my fingers crossed that this will appear in a future update.

Denon DJ Prime 4 standalone system controller DJWORX firmware update (3)

The console toolbar is a nice addition too. One of the impressive things about the Prime touchscreen interface is how it offers a familiar experience and embraces swipe gestures found on smartphones. A swipe down from the top of the screen drops down the toolbar. This implementation a good start, but give me some time with the unit, and I’m certain I can come up with all manner of useful gesture driven features.

I stand by a comment I made about the SC5000 screens — it’s still all a little big print for me. I don’t know if it’s limitations in the underlying software architecture, but I’m thinking that reduced font size would save a few lines of pixels that would allow for more information to be displayed. And that console toolbar is ripe for displaying more controls too.

Denon DJ is obviously listening to constructive user feedback. I suspect that this new functionality was almost ready to go at launch, but didn’t quite make it out of the gate. I’m also sure that there’s more to come as well, like Serato DJ Pro compatibility. But given how long it’s taking for it to hit the SC5000M Prime, I’m not expecting it any time soon.

The Denon DJ Prime 4 firmware v1.3.2 update is free, and available for download today.

Tags
Mark Settle
The Old Owner
I was the editor around these parts for the first two decades of the DJWORX journey. I’m on a creative journey at The Worxlab, and drop in occasionally here. Expect the odd article from me every now and again.
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2 Comments

  1. Well, this is the first place I visit to hear about new changes, reviews, etc. However, no mention of the Horizontal waveform update for several days after others report it. I’m sure you guys are slammed.

    Great article and I agree on the console toolbar having space for more shortcuts.

    One comment on the lack of horizontal view upon release: I don’t see how it’s possible this was an oversight. Every, and I mean every serious DJ software/controller always has horizontal bars by default with the OPTION of vertical bars.

    I do realize this is a personal preference thing, but it almost looks like marketing science. If you give people 95% of what they want but omit an obvious feature, they praise you when you implement that obvious feature. This and some other events seem planned by Denon.

    Of course I’m just hypothesizing but it’s classic advertising engineering.

    The controller itself is brilliant in most ways with the most important aspect being it is largely updated completely in software.

    Horizontal waveforms definitely changed the way I can mix on the Prime 4 completely.

  2. Great update. What is needed now is update that will allow you to use FX 1 and FX 2 at the same time on the Prime 4. Can’t believe its currently not possible. Also, the possibility to use the pads as effects like on the Pioneer DDJ 1000. But I believe Engine Prime will need to be a standalone performance software to make that possible.