So, lets say I pitch you a product. It costs $2,500, is hand made in the USA using pretty pricey parts (compared to price of sale), and you are only planning on making 32 for the initial run. I tell you that it looks like a product that people are familiar with, but it isn’t actually that thing. Oh, and, while everyone involved has been involved in the creation and sale of product, none have ever sold anything this expensive. Sounds insane right? So why am I so excited?
The Invader is both brand new and not new at all. First shown a few years back in a very different form, the new Invader was something of a surprise this NAMM. The biggest changes are a basic mixer section with traditional EQ knobs and a master/headphone section, as well as a switch to rubber pads from the original arcade buttons. It might seem like a minor thing, but this change has helped make the Invader go from a product with limited appeal for scratch-centric DVS users to more of a DJ studio centerpiece for any kind DJ (provided they use 2 channels).
Intel Inside?
There has been a ton of debate so far on if the computer is a tablet. Getting 100% clarification, the screen is just that, a touch screen. While this prototype has a shell that does look like a tablet, the only thing special about the screen used was the position of the cable out compared to other tested screens. The final version is a different raw screen, but the one in there currently has no brains so to speak.
Inside there is an Intel NUC i5 board (3.4ghz i5/8gb ram/256gb SSD), as well as a midi controller built by Jesse Dean and programmed by Hard Rich. Each of the faders are custom contactless faders, also made by Jesse in his just north of LA shop. The audio interface is most interestingly a Serato interface (which one was not revealed, but my completely uneducated guess is the Denon DS1). With the recent opening of Traktor to any interface for DVS, this is an incredibly wise choice. It doesn’t matter what DVS you throw at it, you are covered. There are also riser feet on the bottom that will allow you to raise/lower the Invader to meet the height of your turntable, MIDI controller, etc.
IT’S NOT WHAT YOU DO, IT’S THE WAY THAT YOU DO IT
I think that the coolest aspect though is not that this is being done, but how this is being done. The Invader is a joint venture between Qbert, Yogafrog, Hard Rich and Jesse Dean*. They all have equal say in the product, and equal skin in the game. It isn’t an endorsement piece from anyone, or a custom instrument for one person. Jesse has his own business already (which will have a NAMM writeup in the next day or so), so starting up a joint venture when each had the ability to justify putting out the product under their own umbrella speaks to how much each believes in the project.
* Side note, if they were a band, their name would totally be Jesse Dean and the 3 Richards.
At show start, the announcement had the usual epic Yogafrog bombast, filled with can-do attitude and insider-outsider bravado. There was a crowd of about 50 or so people squeezed together watching Qbert perform, and cheered at every feature pronouncement. Most of those people will never own one. There are only 33 units being made for the first run, and it costs the same as a lot of these watcher’s monthly take home pay.
Absolutely none of this matters though, because this is the kind of product that is made strictly to satisfy a dream of making the most balls out, no compromise project one can. This is not how modern products are made and released. There wasn’t a committee, speaking of how to cut cost and maximize profit. Products like this aren’t supposed to come out, and for that reason alone it is pretty darn special.
GALLERY
Its one of the first in the stand alone,laptopless race,a little late to market,But far from the last.Hell even Gemini has a stand alone unit in production as I wright.Im kinda old school newtech.As soon as as Denon puts an M on that new 4 stand alone… Im on it.
To be honest, I was less than flattering about this yesterday, but that was before I knew the thinking behind it. Yes, the screen should tilt, and because of that consider moving the mixer controls below the screen otherwise they’ll be obscured. But I can see how this an entirely turntablist concept, with the focus on faders and buttons, rather than EQ. It’s not for everyone, but it is for someone.
I did however applaud the idea of it being a concept worthy of exploration. Someone has to to this kind of thing, put it out there, and learn from the feedback. Some ideas will stick, others will be swiftly moved past. But it’s the independent operators with small turning circles that can push these ideas out and see what the response is. The majors seem afraid to openly experiment, so it’s own the the next wave of kitchen table and garden workshop people to drive the innovation.
I paid 40 euros import duty for an 120 $ vinyl order plus another $40 shipping. Probably the last time ever i order anything from the US.
All these import taxes is nothing more than a legal scam.
Imagine ordering this from the US….probably 500 on top of S&H wich will make it at least a 3K investment.
Crazy just to scratch.
Damn. I wonder why we dont pay an import duty when ordering vinyl from the UK (I order from RAM, Juno, and Viper on the regular).
More tax revenue opportunities?
Looks like my post was deleted….
I just want to be clear — I don’t delete posts unless they get horribly out of hand, and have only ever banned one person. Either Disqus is having issues with some comments and auto spamming them, or people are maliciously marking comments as spam for a laugh.
I also know when people are deleting their own posts too. So revisionist commenting will get called out if alters the context of a comment thread.
Ah. Guess I should’ve logged into disqus before posting this. Looks like it was just awaiting approval.
128gb iPad: $429
DJ Player Pro (DJ app with DVS): $89.99
DJM-S9: $1,699
= Cheaper, much likely better, probably support for years to come.
32 Invaders to be built: What happens when the project fails in two years?
Who will support your $2,500 brick?
Its a computer. Literally. Just a computer with a screen. So, Intel (who made the NUC it runs on), and any ole schmo with a tad bit of knowledge how to use a computer.
Picture, if you will, a device similar in shape and size, with a stanton scs3d where those pads are. It`d have sampler, deck, cue, and fx pages(eq is better kept on real knobs)
The entire bottom of device would be 18650s, should be good for at least 2 hours portable mode.
It would also have a totally new type of scratvh fader i`ve come up with (inspired by the UK guys cutting room video), in addition to regular cf and input faders.
In addition to regular dvs. It`d have a simplified sampler
, with a sample record start, stop, save buttons. When you hit save, it exports with a eq preset.
Itd be your dvs scratch mixer, AND your portable scrstcher(on the 3d decks)
Couple of suggestion for this one,
-make the metal box around the screen able to have a flat piece of plastic slide in, to protect it.(if lost, can just cut paper or cardboard to slide in)
-instead of a tilting screen, maybe a flat piece of reflecting plastic, that bends the light, to change the angle, like a prism.
I`m in newark, if you want to sell the prototype with the arcade buttons.
I will start by saying that this is a really pretty mixer. Screen aside, the choice for MPC style pads and billit knobs brings back a lot of nostalgia.
I dont see screen tilt as a necessity. As long as there is a great viewing angle with limited glare, you will be able to see it anywhere. In the below photo, you will see how I had my screen set up (running a HP Elitedesk stripped and mounted under one of the turntables). I never had any issues at gigs with a flat screen.
The placement of the EQ knobs are kind of awkward. I can imagine getting used to it, if this is your home mixer. I do, however, see people getting lost when stepping tot his mixer for the first time.
I do not see Balanced Master or Booth outputs?
That screen is exceptionally large. I feel like something with a slightly small footprint would leave more room for hardware controls on the mixer itself. Especially with the features announced in the new traktor update. A capacitive encoder could be used to automatically switch to browser view when it gets touched (similar to current traktor controllers on the market).
I would like to see an HDMI output, Accessible NIC, and more USB ports. With it’s specs, this thing can also be used as your personal computer and production computer.
I like the placement of the MPC Pads, but instead of two columns, just place 4 with a bank/page button. Either that or use smaller pads. I can see the pads getting hit accidentally.
I am really excited to see Thud Rumble continuing on this project. Much love and respect to them for the consistent innovation!
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/51a5098d610e06628a620664b7a8170b0b3ce878ddc0b68ea840c55e430e53e5.jpg
Props to these guys. This is a bold move and I am sure this will sell out. Maybe even inspire others to take the same kind of risks to create something cool and unique for DJ’s to serve different purposes.
my comments got deleted
Strangely they were marked as spam by Disqus. Fixed.
how wide is the crossfaders cut in ?
is there a curve control for the faders and crossfader?
Your call, and both, with a surprise re: curve control coming soon ;)
As long as there is no touch optimized DJ software (from the major players, Serato, Pioneer, NI) out there, I can’t see this going anywhere. Or heck, maybe touch screens will finally get some love. Who knows. Super cool concept nontheless.
Nobody looks at the elephant in the room…
This is a half baked prototype of a novelty idea that has been already in the works for so long that looks outdated.
I mean, seriously guys, couldn’t you just make this in the same height as the TT? At least that?
Invader isn’t for me but If they can make the final version (which will be a boutique handmade product) anything like the finish of OG 3D renders that were posted a couple years back then it’ll be a dope unit.
The whole idea of making it shallow and give it pop up legs is to make it easier to tour with, which Im fully down with – anything that makes taking dj gear on a airplane a less hateful and more practical experience is a good thing.
Intrigued to see the final version, with Jesse Deans workshop involved it will no doubt be impressive and as a boutique professionally hand made device it will actually be worthy of its hefty price tag for the individual who is desperate for this kinda unit.
But as far as a consumer model goes it would great if a big manufacturer with DEEP pockets got off there ass and realise it’s not jus mobile/wedding dj’s who want standalone tech, the Invader response on social media says it all really, the scene craves a DVS capable laptop free scratch mixer.
Software GUI designed for touch screen workflow, space to fit your own SSD inside and build the Phase receiver tech straight into the mixer itself… put that stuff into a laptop free DVS mixer and happy days.
Probably the next iteration from Pioneer as answer to Rane will see like this but properly done. In the best of scenarios Invader netnoise has fire up sales from the next Pio/NI proposal sales and maybe Reloop.
About this:
“Software GUI designed for touch screen workflow, space to fit your own SSD inside and build the Phase receiver tech straight into the mixer itself… put that stuff into a laptop free DVS mixer and happy days.”
This is doable with iOS atm (even the accelerometer thing without needing special driver, just using GameKit) but Scratch seems a slowmo deadly trend and Apple isn’t the most friendly platform for niche things like Phase neither.
Said that, NI could add Phase to its proposal alongside the new S2/4mk3 for the Traktor 2 Pro version and maybe recover the leadership and keeping they new proposal… but probably will never happen since NI needs to hurry up a lot and they have too many open fronts ATM.
DJ Hard Rich confirmed that it is the Denon DS1 built-in at the show.
installing windows 10 on a intel nuc is not programing.
2500€ for a diy project is ridiculous.
How long is the warranty and who will take over the repair ?
this is dead on arrival
Couldn’t you just send it to la and get jd to fix it?
Maybe customise or update?
I LOVE the idea of knowing the real actual people who designed and built it, and they`re in the US
Why would they want something with their name on it “not working” or broken?
My initial thought was: a stripped down version of this that is basically a docking station for an iPad/tablet (USB C connector, tiltable screen and USB hub for additional controllers) and can be used to control any music app (or video since it has USB C out as well). That would be a pretty nice thing… an inboard computer is nice of course but since I got an iPad Pro I don’t see any real need for a „regular“ computer for me anymore at all, especially not as a DJing only computer. But that’s just me I guess…
I am not interested for 2 big reasons.
1. I don’t trust jesse dean designs. He has nonexistent customer service. They never even reply email.
2. my S9 with a surface tablet does what this thing does and more. It’s also portable and a way more powerful computer.
Which Surface do you use? What CPU?
Serato or Traktor?
Serato. I don’t think traktor works with the S9. I could be wrong. I use a surface book with an i7 and 16GB of ram. I tested with a surface pro 3 with 8GB of ram. It worked well for the most part. Some visual glitches on the screen with heady fx use. IMO it’s nice to see that audio performance doesn’t take a hit when the system is under heavy use.