DJ Industry musical chairs are nothing new, but sometimes it’s important to report on ones that could have a direct impact on the things that we report. And when the guy key to making CDJs an industry standard, and putting V-MODA on the shopping list of DJ headphone buyers heads towards another industry giant, it’s very much worth bringing to your attention. Thus industry legend Karl Detken has been snapped up by inMusic to head up Numark’s marketing team. As Marketing Director, Karl’s impact on Numark’s future will be telling.
The official press release:
INMUSIC ADDS KARL DETKEN TO THE NUMARK TEAM
Industry veteran brings a wealth of DJ expertise to new role as Numark Director of Marketing.Cumberland, RI, USA—June 5, 2014. inMusic (www.inmusicbrands.com), home of industry- leading music and audio technology brands, is pleased to announce the appointment of Karl Detken as the Numark Director of Marketing. In this new role, Detken will be responsible for driving the company’s marketing strategy; increasing uptake of products in key markets; and refining the company’s communication strategy, product marketing, and customer messaging initiatives.
With more than 40 years of personal experience as a DJ, producer, and musician, Detken has spent the last two decades immersed in the world of DJ and pro-audio product design, development, and marketing. In particular, his expertise in product marketing, artist relations, and social media branding have contributed to a long track record of successfully driving business for brands like Pioneer DJ, Chauvet, and V-Moda.
“I’m personally excited to bring Karl aboard to drive our marketing initiatives for Numark,” says Jack O’Donnell, owner and CEO, inMusic. “His knowledge and experience in the DJ market are formidable and will allow us to introduce an even broader audience to our product line.”
Detken echoed O’Donnell’s sentiments, saying, “I’ve long admired Numark’s ability to consistently deliver innovative products and technologies to their customers. I’m excited to now be in a position to spread the word about that innovation to the DJ community at large.”
Personally I couldn’t be happier. Numark has a great team of people, and with Karl’s guidance the doubtlessly packed lineup of future products will get some established DJ industry expertise behind them to deliver them into your sweaty mitts. We’re looking forward to some cool stuff coming your way soon, as well as propelling the established Numark brand onwards and upwards.
So are numark and denon going to compete against each other? Is denon going to have their own marketing guru? To me they would be the stronger brand to focus on.
Denon and Numark have very little crossover. Once their ranges have been rationalised, they’ll be complimentary brands. As far as a stronger brand, Denon has more prestige, but Numark is the real money earner, and the brand that can experiment a little more.
Denon has more prestige? Most people I know would rather use an NSx over an MCx000 machine.
I’m not talking about the crossover area of controllers. Numark don’t have mixers or CD decks that touch Denon. Numark has never been seen as a natural competitor to Pioneer, whereas Denon has. That’s what I mean by prestige.
Most people I know would never use either one (or any all-in-one controller).
Denon has more prestige because they have been making club-installation level gear for decades and Numark has yet to make any. Numark is great in the market for consumer-level stuff, gear for new DJs that don’t want to spend a ton of money. They both have their role in the market.
Thanks for the kind words Mark. I love the graphic you made :)
Congratulations Karl, could I respectfully ask you to make sure that any new Numark releases get functional drivers that work properly and not have to wait an entire product cycle for them. I am a big fan and owner of Numark and Denon controllers, but it’s always the Numark kit thats sat around longest gathering dust waiting for functional drivers.
You have all the pieces needed to release very interesting and inspiring stuff. I hope you find the way to do it (soon)
Congratulations!
very exciting stuff! with the list of companies under the inMusic umbrella and the hardware/software technologies contained therein… where to start? even though i own NI gear and a pair of pio cdj’s, i feel that denon makes a quality product and numark has been competitive in the newly emerged (and somewhat over saturated) controller market. i’m interested in seeing how your product design, influence and experience will impact these products.
gratz and best wishes.
p.s. i’m more than will to product test… just sayin’.
Numark should make a non DD (geared, non slipping), but motorized (RC motors can do it), 9-10″ platter, modular, lightweight, many touch controlable, pro scratch, stuff that have an integrated Intel Atom CPU inside and win8.x…… and it is built on PCI-e base, no latency, itegrated Focusrite Forte sound….Make it under 2000 in whatever currency……
I don’t think that Numark is going to make a product that a few hundred people would buy, if that.
very cool
i hope they finely make some modular controllers!
i want a coffeemaker or beertap on my mixer, and long since then an ashtray for indoorsmoking deejays, before the brainiacs cracked the idea of banning smoking in public.
Cigarettes are bad through and through, why not just ban it alltogether!
So the windows embedded thing is going forward? Karl, here are some futuristuc products we want. Lightweight, motorised 9″ needless decks. Dj software embedded dev boards and kits.-think scs4dj, but just the computer, but in plug in components.
Also, we want scratchers, like qfos, but with embedded software.
Most guys dont know it yet, but when the see them in use, theyll want one….joystick dj devices. Joysticks as cfs make great scratchers, and they are nice as jogwheels, too. Also, to finally make video practical, we need youtube integration.
Dont listen to this guy if you want to make make Numark more profitable. just make a solid standard CLUB QUALITY SET UP. that’s what sells, and until some one else does it right Pioneer will bank all the $$$$$.
And Pioneer has gone from beeing Gold to beeing silver or bronze, the CDJ 2000 NXS and DJM 900 are chinacrap, at least do they feel like it
They dont feel as solid as the DJM 800 or CDJ 2000, there is something missing, it feels incomplete, to much crap going on making the true followers missing the point on beeing in a booth in the first place.
When i use my 2000s i seldom look at the screen, but with NXS, you stare all the time, sooo fucking boring.
Let djs do like they used to, use their ears and touch to rock the dancefloor. when you rely to much on technology things tend to fuck up, and it does even if it comes from Pioneer.
NXS and Rekordbox are FAR from complete, it can be improved time and time again. But i smell a launch comming up soon, you notice that on the interval of updates ofr the older hardware. Nothing happens for the NXS, its time for a gamechanger, but i feel it will be more like SZ and that sux!
I want a CDJ 2000 Nexus 2 with embeded RMX 1000, that would kick ass!
Numark?
Does the bear shit in the woods, the only thing numark did that was any good was CDN 88 19″, that was a workhorse.
Many believes that Detken are som kind of Messiah that will save NUmark, Pioneer, and Vmoda
And sure, there are some aspects that can be appreciated and gave him credit for it, other stuff they just should let be buried!
SWEET! maybe now they will hook me up with a NS7II?
I can sell so many if I had one to demo… ;)
first win a DMC world championship, then you have the skills to be taken seriously
I will once they start allowing controllers.
BTW Numark already gives me product to demo only they don’t give me the NS7…I get free product for Numark ,Reloop,Algoriddim,M-audio and many other DJ companies.
PS: You don’t need to win a DMC to be taken serious just need to be a passionate DJ.
Have a nice day mate ;)
Masta Hanksta
DMC Online lets you use anything.
DMC is a fucking disgrace and a joke, and are not taken serious by any true Purist, DJ or Vinylist
DJN are about skill, effort, improv, feeling, heart, endurance and finess.
And if you cant get it to sound good on the most basic gear, you have no place in a booth or competion for that matter.
And that sign stare you right in the face in the name of EBAY!
How many dreams have Pioneer started, and how many dreams have they crushed.
Less is more!
Funny, a quick search shows NO followers under your name. Reloop has an accommodation program and they have a strict NO FREE GEAR policy.
As the owner of Master School Dances, I can attest as to who qualifies for review gear: well-known artists, DJs with a MASSIVE following, or the media. You’re neither. Don’t BS people.
Not to mention if ANY of those companies saw what you wrote, you’d be dumped like a rotten potato.
You Sir are wrong…
I have over 5000 subscribers mostly DJs on my YouTube channel.
And respect from most well known scratch DJs like : Qbert,DJ Revolution,Kris
Karns and Mix Master Mike just to name a few..check my facebook and YouTube channel.
The reloop beat pad on my YouTube channel was giving to me direct from reloop.
So if your saying they don’t had out gear then they made an exception with me.
Now have a good day Sir.
I can point you in the right direction if you want, Hasbro or Toys are Us!
Controllers have no place in a competition, nor have a computer, and dont give me the crap about its whats comming out of the speakers thats important.
Controllers, mp3 and reddead lazy ass djs will be the end of the whole scene.
Thank god for Vinyl, CD, Flac and real dj gear!
Serato, Traktor, VDJ, fucking toys for fucking nitwits!
Great News! Numark was the only one Pioneer’s contender, congratulation Karl & Numark InMusic!
Numark isn’t even close. If there was a current contender for stealing some of Pioneer Pro DJ sales it would be Denon or Allen & Heath, but they are not really that close either.
Now if you are talking about cheap MIDI controllers I apologize, Numark probably already contends if not beats Pioneer there. But for pro gear Numark isn’t even in the conversation.
Trust me, I wish someone would compete with Pioneer!
it baffles me that there is 1 Club standard setup. Numark and other brands like A&H, Denon, Vestax, need to address the “standard” not all these cheap little controller toys. keep a clean look, intuitive layout, and high sound quality. it can be done, I’m amazed no one else focusing on it. the Club standard has so much impact on people who are potentially investing into gear for the future, and at a certain point all serious DJs, even producers will end up buying nicer gear.
From personal experience Pioneer sound quality cant even touch Denon, or A&H, yet because its the “Club Standard” it sells like crazy. its all about making a clean and pro looking and sounding 3 piece pro quality set up then working down the line from there. a controller with motorized platters will never be the standard, nor will it go flying off the shelf at retail. That customer will end up buying Technics and a mixer off ebay.
Please Somebody, I don’t care who it is… address this issue.