While the other tier one media outlets jetted off pre-NAMM to Florida to get up close and personal with Denon DJ’s veritable deluge of new Prime gear, we politely declined the invitation and stayed at home. But that hasn’t stopped said deluge from being delivered to the Worxlab for a brief stay. Yes, all of it.
And when I say brief, we’re talking me pawing it all for 2.5 days and pointing my lens at it for the remaining half a day, before boxing it up for a Thursday collection. Obviously, this doesn’t even allow me skim the surface and do a properly detailed opinion-stuffed screwdriver-in-hand type review. It wouldn’t be a real review anyway, as being pre-production units, things are subject to change.
To refresh your memory, Denon DJ announced the SC6000/SC6000M Prime players, X1850 Prime mixer, Prime 2 standalone controller, and the diminutive Prime Go.
While I have them, I’m happy to attempt to answer any questions you might have. The sooner the better as it’s hard to check something out when it’s not here anymore.
Off you go then — questions in the comments if you’d be so kind.
I’d like to know if they plan to allow use with laptop & serato dj to the prime 2.
I would grab a prime 2 asap if this works with serato
The Prime 4 does. No word on the Prime 2, but I’m still at a loss as to why you would want to. It’s a brilliant standalone device that allows you to leave the laptop at home. Why are you keen on continuing to bring it? Would a different controller be better for you?
Will the answers be provided in a separate “first look” piece?
I’m thinking of a series of poems. Or interpretive dance.
Like… dancing your name?
Still disappointed you didn’t come up with a full long term review within seconds after first seeing the units – like others did.
In the future, our plan is to get ahead of the curve. We’re going to speculatively review units that have yet to be invented. Who needs to see and touch actual hardware to review it anyway?
That would be sooo 2020.
Heck, you could even start to call yourself an influencer :)
How terrible is scratching on the Prime Go really?
It’s actually not bad at all. There are limitations with any tiny touch wheel (patting for example is nea on impossible). But juggling is fun, and scratching is fine, well once you get used to the 3mm cut in on the fader. It’s a much better experience than I expected.
Ask then why they won’t implement ‘press and hold’ to scroll through tracks. Having to use the shift & skip instead of long press is so unintuitive. As far bask as I cam remember EVERY other player uses ‘press and hold’ to scroll through tracks but ask if they would implement it (as an ‘additional’ option) on the skip buttons they said ‘just because that is they way this always been done doesn’t mean it’s right’?!?! They then stated that it would require the decal to be updated (adding secondary functions in firmware after the fact isn’t uncommon and doesn’t need printed on the player).
Massively agree. There really isn’t any reason why they can’t / won’t do it as there is no downside. Would be super usefully for loads of DJs who don’t pre-plan sets (yeah, there as still loads of oldies who still wing it).
Regarding the Prime Go…
For a ‘Pro’ device, I’d like to see some form of PFL monitoring, not just Master. Could you check whether that is available via a settings option? Comment below mentions VUs switching to PFL when you have one selected…that would work.
Personally, for a ‘Pro’ device I’d also have liked to see the Sync button relocated, the pitch bend buttons ditched (does anyone actually use them when there are jogs?) and a pro sized pitch fader instead of the half-sized one they’ve gone with. Can’t please everyone!
Re pitch bend — I and others I know use them all the time. I’d mark it down if it didn’t have them, especially with small sensitive jogs. Also for me, a device where portability is the key, a full length pitch fader is going to take up a significant amount of faceplate real estate to the detriment of everything else. If pitch precision is important to you, then I’d say that the Prime 2 is a better solution for you.
Just a couple (of dozens !) of questions on the Prime Go :
– Is the built-in Prime engine good enough to rock a party without preparing, just from bare sticker with audio files ?
– iIs the on-board preparation workflow fast enough and can we do things like modifying the cues/grids quickly while in a performance ?
– What’s the best, yet affordable stereo audio wireless solution do you suggest to combine with it ? (self powered or powered through the host USB port)
– Is the built-in battery user serviceable ?
– Are the faders user-serviceable ?
– Does the USB port provide class compliant Audio and MIDI I/O for connecting to computer software that does t require any certification ?
(Traktor Pro / Algoriddim / Virtual DJ), or for recording the audio digitally ?
– If not, any chance we could have that (and hence the certification for Serato also) later with a firmware update ?
– Can the USB host port take controllers ?
– Does the USB host port support hubs ?
– Can the dual Mic inputs be used as a second stereo aux/line in ?
– Can both mic inputs be used at the same time as the aux input
– Any chance we could technically hope standalone DVS support using the aux input or/and mic inputs through a firmware update ?
– Can we control EQ on the mic ins through software easily ?
– Does the Prime Go support any clock syncing protocol ? (Ableton Link / MIDI)
– If not to previous question ? Any chance we could gain that through USB and/or the built-in Ethernet port ?
– Does it have any Bluetooth connectivity and functionality in addition to WiFi?
I think I’m good ;) Thanks and keep up the good work !
I printed out this list and have done my best to answer all your questions. Coming next week.
Two additional questions, though I guess are more suitable to be asked to the manufacturer. They’re both about the Ethernet port on the back :
– Could we imagine getting MIDI clock out of it (with a MIDI-din adapter or something) in order to sync with a drum box or synth
– Any chance we could output video in case the firmware supports VJing ?
I’m sure the Algoriddim/TIDAL video streaming partnership is just the beginning.
Thank you Mark ! Can’t wait !
How the time stretch and pitch shift functions sound on the prime vs SDJ P’n’T?
SC6000/SC6000M… When useing two physical SC units and playing in two deck mode (each player representing one deck each) can one of the two 4 beat indicator that moves in time with the beat on each deck correspond to the opposite deck playing?
I know the Pioneer Nexus 2000 and maybe XDJ 1000 does that.
I’d like to know if there is a difference in the 6000 performance pads vs the 5000?
I’d love to know how the SC6000’s (non M) jog performs.
The SC5000 had a jog that would grind / have a higher resistance on certain points of a full rotation.
Is it smooth all the way, now?
And for the X1850:
Could you check out the BPM FX?
Denon says they’ve improved them.
Do Phaser & Flanger now sound less aggressive (aka more Pioneer-ish)?
My only question really is Can Denon deliver these to retail when specified this time around? It’s bad enough having to wait a few months (when Pioneer kit is usually available immediately) but that delay last time was horrendous.
Please check if the SC6000M platter can fit on the SC5000M !
Please also compare SC6000M size vs a standard turntable because it looks so big !
Prime Go – Do the meters just show output, or do they follow what’s selected to the headphones?
Can the Prime Go rear USB be used with a USB hub if you wanted to run two separate USB media sources?
This has probably been answered elsewhere but if you get a chance: with an internal drive (SSD or HDD) how easy is it to get music on and off the deck (does it just show up as a glorified usb drive on network?) and how quickly does EngineOS analyze libraries that are on the said drive.