EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK: Motorised Denon DJ SC5000M Prime

My prayers have been answered, and Denon DJ has made a motorised version of the SC5000 Prime player, logically called the SC5000M Prime.

Denon DJ SC5000M motorised media player (10)

I’ve been lucky enough to lay my hands on the hottest and latest shiny for a decade and a half. Many lumps of nextlevelness have passed through the Worxlab, but few have left an indelible boot print of an impression quite like Numark’s NS7 family did. The combination of advanced controller features and motorised real vinyl platter made them the ideal combination for my needs.

It’s also fair to say that Denon DJ’s SC5000 Prime player left a reasonable impression on me when it brought together the very best of media players and controllers in a single standalone unit. But for as much as Dan wished it didn’t have a jog wheel at all, I wished that a motorised platter version would appear.

And now it has. And it’s stunning. Behold the majesty of the Denon DJ SC5000M motorised media player.

They’ve enlisted the help of Kenny Dope to evangelise a little about the joy of 45s:

Obviously there are some words from Denon DJ:

Denon DJ SC5000M motorised media player (1)

DENON DJ® SC5000M PRIME COMBINES LATEST DIGITAL TECH WITH LEGACY VINYL PERFORMANCE FOR PERFECT TURNTABLIST EXPERIENCE

Denon DJ’s SC5000M is the world’s only professional DJ media player with 7” motorized platter that delivers a true, mechanical spin beneath a DJ’s fingertips

Cumberland RI, USA (August 9, 2018)—Denon DJ (www.denondj.com), a leading manufacturer of premium DJ products and solutions, today announced the introduction of their revolutionary SC5000M Motorized Platter, DJ Media Player. Based on the multi tech award-winning SC5000 Prime, the new SC5000M Prime brings DJs the true essence of vinyl-based turntable performance, combined with ultimate creative control over their digital music files.

DJs and Turntablists wanting motorized control on a Pro media player will applaud the SC5000M’s ultra-high-resolution platter response and authentic vinyl experience, in both the live gig and studio environment. The added benefit of ‘Instant-Doubles’ delivers the digital dream to a DJ’s fingertips, so they can immediately duplicate their currently playing track, in its precise point in the timeline, onto another layer or deck—thus enabling even the most adventurous performers to get the best of both vinyl and digital worlds!

SC5000M Features

  • Motorized platter with real 7” vinyl
  • Adjustable vinyl tension for slip/scratch control
  • 2 variable torque settings (low/high)
  • 7″ HD display with multi-touch gestures
  • 24-bit/96kHz digital audio outputs
  • Dual-layer playback with individual audio outputs
  • Plays uncompressed audio formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV)
  • 8 multifunction trigger pads for cues, loops, slices and rolls
  • Customizable RGB color around the platter
  • (3) USB and (1) SD input for music playback
  • LAN output to link to up to four players
  • Includes Engine Prime music management software

The SC5000M takes a prominent place within the renowned Denon DJ Prime Series line-up. A quick re-cap of the stunning Denon DJ Prime Series:

Recognizing a critical need in the professional DJ space for equipment that delivers unprecedented levels of performance, ease of use, musical file organization and complete system synergy, Denon DJ’s Prime Series is the future of the professional DJ experience—available now! The Denon DJ Prime Series started with three extraordinary units, each one a trend-setter in its own right:

  • The SC5000 Prime professional media player with 7-inch multi-touch display, 24-bit audiophile sound, powered by Denon DJ’s incredible Engine Prime music management software
  • The X1800 Prime Professional 4-channel club mixer with OLED screen, Sweep and BPM FX and LAN connectivity with multiple SC5000’s
  • The VL12 Prime direct-drive professional DJ turntable, with heavy-duty all-metal construction, superior vibration isolation, RGB custom-controlled lighting and adjustable torque and pitch to fit any DJ style

Any one of these units by itself represents a performance and innovation breakthrough. When all three are used together, they form a complete system that is unsurpassed in professional DJ excellence.

Watch the video “Introducing the SC5000M with Kenny Dope Gonzalez” here.

“The new SC5000M takes its rightful place in the Prime Series lineup by adding a 7-inch motorized platter to the already amazing performance capabilities of the SC5000”, said Paul Dakeyne, Creative Director for Denon DJ. He added, “For professional DJs and turntablists who want a no-compromise media player with authentic vinyl-feel motorized control, there’s really nothing else like this, anywhere.”

U.S. retail pricing for the SC5000M Prime Professional Media Player is $1899. They will be available Fall 2018.

Denon DJ SC5000M motorised media player (9)

An all too brief time

Last week my old friend, DJ inspiration, and Denon DJ’s tirelessly roving evangelist Paul Dakeyne paid one of his regular visits. This time however, it wasn’t just for the wonderful food served up in my tourist friendly village, but also to bring a new slice of Denon DJ for a show and tell. It has become a ritual that I make myself scarce (coffee run) while Paul sets the stage for whatever new thing is being proffered for opinion. We have a literal unveiling, after which we chat, and then I play. 

The new SC5000M Prime media player is essentially a regular 5000 with a motorised 7” platter. When stated in such a rather glib and matter of fact way, it sounds quite underwhelming. But let me assure you that the DJ world just became a better place for this single feature change. 

The motor is updated from the original NS7 and V7 controllers. Of course you can run it as a static jog wheel and have all the stuff that the 5000 has, but that seems rather pointless as you lose the sexy centre screen. In use, I found that to be eye candy and largely frippery anyway, But in its place, the motorised platter delivers a humungous injection of pure unadulterated fun.

The SC5000M Prime brings together the very best bits of modern DJ technology, and shoehorns it into one stunning unit. It has all the controller goodness I could ever need, the tactile feel of vinyl, full standalone operation, and a huge touch screen to negate the need for peering at a laptop. 

The fact that the NS7 family only had a 7” platter has never bothered me. I have no need for slavish adherence to emulating a turntable, because I have actual turntables. There’s just something about the 7” motorised platter that floats my boat, a fact that confused me as I just don’t understand the fascination with spinning 45s at all. Paul D will testify to my effusive gushing at just how much fun the SC5000M was, an element sorely missing from DJing these days.

And a rare thing has happened — a video was shot, but was intended for Denon DJ’s internal team only. But bugger it — here it is:

CALM DOWN MARK

Reading this back, I’m somewhat taken aback by my ebullience when talking about the SC5000M Prime. After 15 years, I have become somewhat critical of just about anything that companies feel brave enough to push through the DJWORX review machine. Indeed, I’m aware of a tendency to get all Jay Ranyer after a bad meal in my initial scribblings about a new toy, a trait that is recognised and fixed before publication. I’m not a monster, nor writing to upset people who have worked hard just for clicks and giggles. I do it out of passion.

And I hope that’s something that comes through in this piece. While I still have issues with Engine Prime, that will continue to evolve and address the shortcomings. And I would make the centre lug smaller, and lose the label and run the groove up to the lug. But the SC5000M Prime has, after maybe 15 minutes of play, cemented itself in my heart and importantly mind as my perfect player…. until the next one obviously. It disconnects me from a laptop (although software support is inevitable), yet delivers everything that is brilliant about controllers, and gives me a window into my performance. And of course, it gives an old vinyl head like me that tactile feel that I need.

Summing up

For those that loved the Numark V7, your update is here with bells on, albeit with a price tag to match. For me, NSwhat? I think the SC5000M may have uncovered my DJing mojo again.

Price tag is the same as the regular version and will be available in a month or so. Check out the full site here.

GALLERY

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Mark Settle
Mark Settle

The old Editor of DJWORX - you can now find Mark at WORXLAB

Articles: 1228

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105 Comments

    • I guess there is no money in releasing firmware with feature updates and bug fixes for gear of the past. The money is in releasing new gear that will need firmware with feature updates and bug fixes.

  2. Well now our trusty V7s can now rest after many years of weird looks and faithful service.. so can my laptop. I have been waiting for this stupid device since 2001 or something FFS..basically since the first time I played on a CDJ and said ‘really?’ better late than never am I right kids?!

  4. Considering how many people I’ve seen asking a unit like this over the years, it’s interesting to see how it’ll pick up. I’m with Dan, though – I want the other end of the spectrum; SC5000WJ (without jogwheel).

      • Mark, how long ago did you do that article on the 8000’s? You said that if Denon never made things right you would be the first to call them out on it….. Well to date, there is still no official update. And you still haven’t called them out on it either. How else do you expect us to see this? Denon have become renowned for making huge empty promises. Once again they are putting out new gear when the old is incomplete. Ever consider why you only had access to it for such a short time? Perhaps after 3hrs continuous use, the platter speed starts to drift or other issues raise their ugly heads. But once people have bought it….. who cares right? Perhaps Denon should focus on doing one product PROPERLY at a time?

        • I don’t recall seeing any other media outlet standing up for 8000 owners. But it seems that I’m damned when I call out companies, and equally damned when I praise them too. Ah the double edged sword of spanning the industry and the end user and supporting both sides. I literally cannot win. Yet I keep doing it.

          To answer your question — the original story was 18 months ago: https://djworx.com/mcx8000-engine-statement-denon-dj/. And the subsequent public beta came five months ago: https://djworx.com/beta-engine-primed-for-denon-djs-mcx8000/

          I would also add at this point that the calling out isn’t always done in the public arena. It’s done via email, phone calls, and face to face — such is the relationship that we have with the industry. Shouting at the industry in a public arena doesn’t work, but working with them to constructively explain the issues, and suggesting that they fix things and even offering solutions usually does. Anything I write in public is done so to keep you informed. But we do work for you behind the scenes.

          As for me saying I would be the first to call them out if they didn’t deliver. That was rather the point of my previous two articles. You’ve got a public beta to give you Engine Prime, so test it to hell and back and feedback accordingly. The ball is literally in your court. Help Denon DJ make it work, and then they can release it when everyone is happy.

          My actual stance, as laid out in the above story, is that the 8000 was never a Prime unit, and that Denon DJ had no obligation to make Prime work with a non-Prime unit. That fact that they’re in an active public beta supporting a unit that no longer provides them with any revenue is a plus.

          I can only speak from my own experience in that the unit had shortcomings, but it worked for me. Sure, it didn’t work with Engine Prime (which didn’t exist at the time of reviewing), but there was never a claim that it would, more a desire from existing owners who felt left out, and rightly so.

          But Denon DJ, out of sense of duty to loyal fans, obligation, or just plain plastering over a PR disaster has committed to making it better. Given that it’s been 5 months as a public beta, I suspect something will be happening shortly.

          To the claim of short term access — I had a play with a pre-production unit 5000M for an hour at the most that I didn’t even know was coming. Our policy is to do first look pieces only on anything that hasn’t come off the first production run, which we then get to play with for months before writing reviews. The SC5000 Primes were used in a live situation before Dan wrote his piece. So the claim of only getting short term access is unfair. This wasn’t a review, but strictly a first impression.

          Perhaps when the final units are released, and I get to spend weeks with them, issues may appear. But given the quality of the original Primes and historical excellence of the NS7 and V7, I have no reason to suspect that the 5000M will have issues. inMusic knows how to do small motors, more so than any other manufacturer. But time will tell.

          • The standard engine software never worked. That’s why mcx8000 owners are so pissed off and demanded it work with engine prime. Not to mention all the other hardware faults.

          • “I don’t recall seeing any other media outlet standing up for 8000 owners” – This is true & I really do appreciate that. If you have already been putting pressure behind the scenes, obviously I wouldn’t know about that, my apologies. “or just plain plastering over a PR disaster ” <— This!!! 18 months is a year and a half of waiting for functional software (beta has been stagnant for the last 3 months btw) that should have been ready when the unit was released (Engine/Prime – as long as it works). But now here they are again, telling guys that once this new unit is released, then existing 5000 owners can expect to see bug fixes & updates…… Sounds all too familiar. Denon really have their priorities very wrong. Nonetheless, I appreciate DJWORX, all the exclusive stories and everything you do for the industry. I look forward to a full-on review of this unit when you get some proper time with it.

      • What’s wrong with past? The past is how we got to the present. I always welcome the look of the classic. Then again, you made it clear that you wasn’t a fan of Technics 1200’s.

          • I was going to mention the TTX. Mark, it a shame you never got over those decks. Let them go mannnn. Numark don’t share the same devotion as you. Technics 1200s has help paved a way for DJing and a few genre of music. Numark may did a great job on new features and addon to improve a DJ turntable, but they didn’t believe enough in the TTX to follow through for the long haul. I’m a fan of Numark since I was a teenager in the 80’s and I fill Numark never got the recognition they deserve. But, If they kept pushing and perfecting the TTX, CDX and HDX. There wouldn’t be a need or be a SC5000M.

            • True but they probably wouldn’t be around either if they continued to pour capital into something that wasn’t reaching their revenue goals. It would have been a different story if all the heavyweights were backing the product, but at that time everyone were still vinyl purist or were aligned with competing brands.

              The same could have been said about the DZ. I don’t know if technics was already strapped for cash at that point due to 1200/10 being so durable that the used market thrived so well. Shame the idea that building a product of such high build quality would also play a part in their downfall.

              • I agree, but Technics 1200 wasn’t made for DJs. They were made as audiophiles listening deck. The 1200 was except by the DJ as the deck to have because, the decks can handle heavy wear and tear that the DJ through at them and the quartz lock pitch for blending music. That’s why when Technics re-released the new and improve 1200s. They aim them again, as the turntables to have for audiophiles. Then, later they aim them towards the DJ at a lower cost decks after they notice the sales of the copycat design of the Pioneer PLX-1000 .

                The Numark TTX was a different story. TTX was made for DJs with improvement over the 1200s. Numark main goal should have been durability over new features. If Numark had release new and improve version of the TTX that iron out the flaws of the original and maybe new colors of the new model. The TTX would be taken more serious as a deck to own and not another niche fly by night product. I must admit the TTX was a beast of turntable with high torque motors, but over heating motors and loose swapping tone arms didn’t help the sales.

            • I can’t let go. Granted I had the motor issues, but nothing else has gone wrong… well apart from degrading rubberised coating that’s easily fixed with Isopropyl alcohol.

              The CDX and HDX were ahead of their time, so much so that it’s taken this long for them to try again with the Rane Twelve. But I’m still not convinced that it’ll really catch on. There are advantages to a 12″ controller, but my gut says that people love the ritual of real vinyl. And while they may moan about the inherent issues of vinyl, a controller is not the same as putting vinyl in a turntable, and dropping the tonearm into the groove.

              That’s not an old fart talking — that’s years of experience watching new tech come along and seeing people return to the more tactile old ways, because it’s human nature to trust in definitive actions like sliding faders, pressing buttons, and dropping needles.

              As far as believing in the TTX — sales numbers talk. It came and went in a time where turntables and vinyl were in decline. People preferred Technics and the numerous lookalikes, and there just wasn’t a market for something that was a little too far left field.

              But I’m naturally curious about such things, and probably in part shun Technics because everybody uses them and tries to be just like them. I just want those that dare to be different to get a fair crack of the whip. It just turns out that the TTX ticks just about every box for me — in features and in ethos. It worked so hard to be different, but was doomed by the motor issue. The internet kneejerk reacts, is unforgiving, and has a long memory. “The motor issue” overshadowed every other bit of brilliance about the turntable. And it makes me incredibly sad that there may never be another turntable like it, as the industry chooses to play safe instead.

              The 5000M Prime could be the real change that Denon DJ needs. The 5000 Prime was a flag pitched firmly in CDJ territory, but perhaps isn’t quite enough steps ahead to sway the majority of users. A motorised 7″ wheel with the same scoops of nextlevelness might just turn a few more heads, and turn the very slow trickle into more of a slow flow of switchers. Let’s get Laid Back Luke using them plus a few turntablist demos and see how people feel.

              • I came so close to buying a pair of the TTX many times. I like the deck from the start. I wish I had grab a pair. Numark was on fire with new releases of gear the year of the TTX and a lower cost deck also and the CDX launch at the same time. I purchase the CDX, because I had a pair 1200s and a pair of Vestax PDX-2300MKIIPro. By the way, the Vestax decks tick every box as being different and daring. Then I got the Denon DN-S37000 and Later grab a pair of the HDX. Then a pair of the SC3900. I move to the Numark NS7II. I damn near purchase everything that played mp3s and had a spinning platter. I already have a pair of the SC5000. So I’m going to pass on the SC5000M or the Rane 12s. Besides in 5 years I’m going to retire from my career after 35 years. So it’s time to save as much as I can.

  7. Pretty soon this will be Denmark brand…..

    No mention that OLD Denon had motorized platters on the 3500 / 3700 / 3900 ? And it was their own designed motor, not a numark copy…. and they were still only $1200. and is that the only thing they could come up with in 2 years? That’s almost Pioneer like — lets add a new hot cure and re-release it….

    • yeh, the price is bugging me a bit. Also, kinda like the 10” platters (SC3900), why change to 7”?
      These look fugly by the way, no doubt denon went for the ”least retooling as possible” route on these..

      • I’m not sure if it’s down to the cost of retooling.

        A 10″ platter would eat up so much real estate that either you’d lose a lot of features (mainly the pads) or the new unit would need to be A LOT bigger.

        Design wise it’s cool they added the same type of platter edge as on the VL12.

    • Also, how is the platter outside of vinyl mode? When you switch decks, does the platter stop, and vice versa? Can the motor off time be adjusted? Does the moving platter work in HID mode with Serato?

      • When you nudge with motor off, does the extra inertia from the vinyl on top cause the jog to slightly turn an extra bit (like it did on the older units)?

  9. I wish they had rather used their resources for improving the SC5000 firmware and engine prime.

    Now you have a niche and buggy media player and an ultra niche active platter media player.
    History repeating.

    Sorry for the rant.

      • While I had the units (January) there were two things (firmware wise) that I could not live with – therefore returned them. There have been other bugs that were not relevant enough for me to mention them here. You can find out more on the Denon DJ forum.

        1. The jog behaves in a weird way when nudging a track: When bending forward, it increases the speed by 32% and when bending backwards, it decreases it by 16%. Not only is +32% way too sensitive, but the asymmetrical behavior is less than intuitive.
        2. In the 1.0.3 fw they chose to decrease the lowest pitch resolution from 0.02% (standard on every better player for the last 16 years) to only 0.05%. It has stayed like this even in the newer fw.

        I understand that these might not be critical for everyone, for me they were deal breakers, though.
        I’d still buy the SC5000s in a heartbeat when they fixed those issues. But tbh it does not seem likely anymore.

        The above is only relevant if you mix manually.
        If you plan to use sync most of the time – go buy them – they are fantastic media players in all other aspects!

    • Our resources have always been focused on SC5000 and Engine Prime. Engine Prime, SC5000, and SC5000M share same code base, so all products within the family benefit when new updates or products are developed/released. Once the SC5000M is released, you will see a number of improvements, and fixes for SC5000 and Engine Prime. Hope this addresses your concern :)

      • Why the wait? You mean to tell me you have to release a new product to get a update for gear, that’s already in consumers hands now. I have a pair of the SC5000 and since I’m already a opt in beta tester by purchase. How about releasing the update now and when the SC5000M hit the shelves. The firmware and Engine Prime be perfected.

        • It was posted elsewhere way back in 2016 that the motorized version was delayed because “the motor had to be redesigned and custom made by a new vendor”.

          Then there’s the mysterious wifi stuff mentioned in the FCC docs that Denon said nothing about back then – maybe that’s in the M version?

      • That’s a honest statement but also not a very nice behavior towards loyal customers and early adopters. You pulled the same thing off with the Denon MC8000. How about not to release half finished products from the beginning.

  13. I’m amazed that the price is the same as the regular SC5000. I would have expected at least several hundred dollars more. What’s the point of the old SC5000 now?

      • Might been the size of platter that through you off. I owned the SC3700’s and the SC3900’s. They was cool to have, but the Numark CDX and the HDX was the closet to spinning on the Tech 1200’s, because of the size of the platter.

        • Platter size was ok.

          It just did not behave like I was expecting it (like my 1210’s)
          Nudging on the platter edge wasn’t good and you could not use the spindle to nudge in a proper way, either. Passive mode didn’t do the trick, too, as the heavy jog’s momentum was too much to mix precisely.
          I ended up using those pitch bend buttons which was kinda killing the fun.

          I don’t scratch, so it simply wasn’t the right player for me.

    • Keep in mind static platter players out sell moving platters by far. Has always been this way and will be even more so now. Neither Denon nor Numark have been able to move the units they intended. Maybe good (sales) for them but not good when compared to the big picture. Truth be told if someone is looking for the feel of vinyl they are sticking with vinyl…………… generally.

  18. Seems like a great machine. I only dislike the platter design, just as on their turntable. Prefer dots or Vestax pdx3000 style lines over the indents offered.

  20. from everything I’ve read, the Denon SC3900 was the closest to nail the feel of spinning vinyl on classic technics 1200s. The SC3700s were off a bit (i know I own a pair)… I never messed with the V7s or numarks… so… how does this feel?

    • I own a pair of the SC3700 and the SC3900. I preferred the SC3700’s over my SC3900’s. On my SC3900’s, I could not trigger a good solid loop, to save my life. The updated firmware screwed them up.

        • On the SC3900 manual loop and auto loop was a disaster to get a solid loop. Unless you use the platter to trim the end point of the loop. I don’t know if the firmware of the decks or the Engine Music Management software was the cause.

          • Isnt that every “pre-analysis” deck though? I remember it being hard on pioneer CDJs too… the manual loop function is hard to nail on the 3700, the instant loops that you can set to 4 or 8 or 16 bars or whatever is easier.. I’ve found you have to tap out the BPM with the tap button to make it super accurate..

  21. They should consider silk screening some number values on the outside of the pitch fader on the final design. Without the numbering system It can get confusing when riding the pitch.

    Sure the bpm is on the display, but not all quantized tracks are perfect. Especially ones dubbed and spliced on analog 2” reels. Acappella’s need finessing too and don’t forget all those live instrument joints.

  23. If the motorized platter is from, “the original NS7 and V7 controllers” then it only makes sense that we would see this in the next Numark NS7 IV controller, but at a cheaper price.

    • Firstly, it’s a new motor. Secondly, the fact that Denon DJ is putting out a 7″ motorised platter confirms my feeling that we won’t see an NS7 IV from Numark. That’s inMusic’s budget brand now, and not the realm of all metal £1K controller anymore. We shall see.

  25. Oh sheeeeeeeiiiiii….. if I could get closer to real feel cutting than over a laptop DVS setup I’d be all over this. No laptop would make me very happy indeed.

    I can’t help but feel 10″ platter but in same foot print as sc5000 would be the ultimate for a moving platter controller but I appreciate you can still rip it up on a 7″.

  26. I’ve learn not to believe the hype, specially with Denon. When I see a dj doing a complicated beat juggle without any sticker drift on those units, then we are talking… but just scratching? c’mon I’m not falling for that one again DENON. Looks like everybody forgot about the Denon 3500, 3700 or even the MCX8000.

  28. Mark,

    I don’t want to get off-topic but I think it would be interesting to do a comparison on platter responsiveness among:

    NS7III
    Rane Twelve
    SC5000M
    Roland DJ 808

    What are your thoughts, based on your experience, on who would be best to worst from the list above?

    TIA,
    Oscar

  30. So the 2 very interesting pieces of DJ news/rumors:

    1. “This autumn Native Instruments will launch its Traktor 3 and a new controller”. And I read they are motorized platters!!!

    2. “There is a rumor that does not stop repeating itself, and that is that when Pioneer DJ stop removing drivers for Serato, the New Zealand brand will be acquired by InMusic for Serato to be the official software of all its DJ products. At this time is not an easy move considering that Serato thanks to having been the most used software has been revalued a lot, but after seeing how InMusic an American legend like Rane went off without batting an eye, no one denies that this move is entirely feasible and not crazy at all.”

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