Pioneer’s New DJM-900 Digital DJ Mixer Targets DJ’s Life Savings
Pioneer has unleashed the DJM-900 Nexus, a high performance digital mixer that takes their venerable 800 to the next level. An ideal combination with Pioneer’s latest CDJ line of players, the DJM-900 Nexus offers several exciting, new features that includes more beat-matched, onboard effects, increased sound quality, direct PC connection and Traktor certification.
The DJM-900 Nexus follows Pioneer’s traditional control layout enabling an easy transition to the mixer. As with other Pioneer mixers, the DJM-900 Nexus contains a variety of advanced sound effects that allow DJs to have more creative expressions while mixing their music. Three new Sound Color FX, two Beat Effects and an X-Pad control were added to the mixer to enhance the user’s performance.
Sound Color FX – The DJM-900 Nexus includes Space, Dub Echo and Gate/Comp in addition to Filter, Crush and Noise for its Sound Color FX. At any time with a simple twist of the knobs, DJs can quickly add their choice of audio effects bringing numerous combinations and arrangements to currently played music.
Beat Effect – A total of 13 effects, including two new ones called Spiral and Melodic, can be added by the user at any time. Access to the beat effects is accomplished through a selectable knob located on the right side of the mixer.
X-Pad – A touch screen ribbon controller that enables quick access, control, and manipulation of the thirteen built-in beat effects. With a touch and/or slide of the X-Pad control, the user can change the parameters of each effect for further creativity in performances.
Part of the DJM-900 Nexus’ design attribute is combining functionality with improved sound quality. The mixer utilizes a built-in 24bit/96kHz High Performance USB Soundcard. The onboard USB soundcard can simultaneously handle input and output audio signals from up to four (4) stereo sources through a single USB port. The soundcard supports 24-bit/96kHz high resolution signal processing, and can input and output all audio signals with no degradation of sound quality. Once connected to a PC or Mac, the settings utility tool can be used to customize the mixer’s output signal path to suit various purposes, such as DJ play, song recording or production. Furthermore, smooth transfers between DJs are possible with the easily accessible USB port on the top surface of the mixer. The DJM-900nexus is equipped with the same audio input and output circuits as Pioneer’s flagship DJM-2000 to achieve the most accurate audio reproduction from connected sources. The 32-bit digital to analog converter supports all outputs of the mixer, including the master audio outputs, booth outputs as well as headphones. Additionally, the built-in high performance 32-bit digital signal processor (DSP) suppresses any digital and analog circuit noise by way of high quality balanced hybrid operation amps and full balanced output circuits.
With more DJs continuing to use their personal computers as part of their rig, the new DJM-900 Nexus is ready for a direct connection to a laptop PC or Mac, increasing its convenience and functionality.
PRO DJ LINK – Via an Ethernet (LAN) cable, the mixer can quickly link to the latest Pioneer PRO DJ LINK compatible CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 players (with firmware version 4.00 or later3) or a personal computer running Pioneer’s rekordbox software, giving users fast access to a song’s beats per minute (BPM) and beat location information, resulting in a precise beat matching capability. Furthermore, the built-in quantize mode compensates for Beat Effect operation timing errors automatically, so effects are matched perfectly.
TRAKTOR Functionality – Using a USB connection with a PC or Mac, the four decks (players) inside TRAKTOR can be connected simultaneously with the mixer, enabling enhanced flexibility with the software. In addition, the mixer is also TRAKTOR SCRATCH4 certified for TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO/DUO 2 allowing scratch control functionality when using a time code disc5.
Time Code Output – Through its USB port, the mixer can output time code disc signals for DVS (Digital Vinyl System) software6 when used with a Pioneer CDJ player or analog record player. DJ play using DVS software can be done without difficult and complicated connections.
Additional Features:
» High performance channel faders – The slide mechanism supports the fader knobs with two metal shafts for both longevity and smooth operability. Furthermore, the new mechanism’s design minimizes the effects of moisture or dust particles on the mixer’s performance capabilities.
» Integrated input selector – Enables users to simultaneously switch all channel inputs.
» Indicators – The DJM-900 Nexus is equipped with a USB connection indicator to display the status of soundcard and PC/Mac communications as well as a USB audio input indicator to display audio inputs from a PC/Mac.
» Industry’s First MIDI Signal Output8 – The DJM-900 Nexus features the industry’s first musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) signal output (for a mixer) that changes at beat-by-beat intervals. The mixer also includes a “MIDI LFO function” to control external devices such as effecters.
» Assignable MIDI Functionality – Nearly all knobs and buttons operation information can be assigned to control other devices. The mixer can also be used as a MIDI controller.
» Switching 3-Band EQ/Isolator – Each channel of the mixer is equipped with a switchable 3-band EQ (+6dB to -26dB) and 3-band Isolator (+6dB to -?dB).
» P-LOCK Fader Cap – Keeps the fader channel and crossfader knobs (caps) locked preventing them from physically slipping off during heavy use.
» Auto Standby – Automatically senses the presence of active operation and input signals and switches to standby mode when inputs are not detected for a long period of time.
The Pioneer DJM-900 Nexus will be available in March for $2,399. Behringer already has a pre-order placed. More information on the Pioneer DJM-900 Nexus.
