Evolution. Changing times call for
changing tools. That’s why Pioneer’s new multi-format player is the
natural selection for the next generation of DJs. It’s been 15 years
since the genesis of Pioneer’s first CDJ deck, which led to the
world-beating CDJ-1000 series. Now it’s time for something completely
new. Introducing a major leap forward for the club standard CDJ series:
the CDJ-2000 – Pioneer’s new professional player for the digital age.
The CDJ-2000 fizzes with fresh DNA and can play music from multiple
sources, including CD, DVD, USB storage devices and SD memory cards. It
also comes with the revolutionary music database management software for
DJs: rekordbox™. Based on Pioneer’s ‘Prepare & Perform’ concept,
rekordbox™ works (for both Mac and PC) like the leading music database
management software, but is more creative and more DJ-friendly.
rekordbox™ allows DJs to prepare more before their performance and opens
a door to tools such as Hot Cue Banks and Quantize, for perfectly synced
loops every time. DJs can then export data to a USB or SD device to
access vast libraries of music files and perform live – without the need
for extra equipment or any inconvenient rewiring in the club. No need to
burn CDs, simply take your USB device to the club, plug in to the CDJ
and play. Through the industry-first Pro DJ Link, music files and
database data on one single USB or SD device can be shared
simultaneously by up to four players connected via LAN (local area
network) cable. Plus, the data history of each DJ set is automatically
saved and can be made into a playlist that can be loaded back into
rekordbox™. Another key facet of the CDJ-2000 is its advanced HID (human
interface device) and MIDI capabilities for native control of DVS
(digital vinyl systems) via USB. What’s more, it achieves Pioneer’s
highest sound quality to date through an improved audio output circuit,
a new audiophile-pleasing Wolfson DAC processor, and a built-in
24-bit/48 kHz sound card.
Naturally, the CDJ-2000’s layout is related to its robust, reliable
predecessor, the CDJ-1000MK3. However, although it fits easily into the
MK3’s footprint, it ramps up performance with the largest (6.1-inch)
clearest full-colour screen in the business. Below the screen is an
industry-first waveform Needle Search™/Needle Drop ribbon, so that all
the convenience of direct file browsing can now be found in an intuitive
hardware format. Add to these features a highly evolved illuminated Jog
wheel, and an overall enhanced design, complete with carry handles and
Kensington lock, and you have the ideal digital innovation for total
performance and seamless synchronisation.
‘DJing is increasingly about the endless creative possibilities opened
up by digital Darwinism. Natural selection favours superior performance
and those who can better streamline processes to channel the best of the
software and hardware worlds. It really is all about the survival of the
fittest. This new hybrid species of multi-player, our CDJ-2000, is thus
an adaptable digital solution for the evolving needs of leading DJs,’
comments Mark Grotefeld, Head of Marketing (Pro SV), Pioneer Europe.
CDJ-2000 KEY FEATURES
Fully compatible with a wide
range of media formats
Besides regular audio CDs (and MP3 data CDs and DVDs) the CDJs can
play music files that have been copied to SD memory cards and USB
storage devices, such as flash memory and hard disk drives.
Compatible file formats are MP3, AAC, WAV and AIFF (16/24-bit).
Files on Tonium’s Pacemaker*1 can also be played when connected as a
storage device via USB.
rekordbox™ database management software for DJs introduces the
‘Prepare & Perform’ concept
The idea behind ‘Prepare & Perform’ is that rekordbox™ works in
harmony with DJs, allowing them to analyse, arrange, edit and export
their music and data to digital media before their performance. Put
simply, rekordbox™ offers an alternative to taking a laptop to the
club. Not only does it function like a database for DJs (and is
compatible with the leading music database management software
through a bridge feature) but it also offers many more creative
opportunities. DJs can prepare cue points, loops and Hot Cues in
advance of their show. They can manage music files by editing tag
information and artwork, while rekordbox™ analyses such track
information as BPM and wave data. DJs can also edit beatgrids, which
utilise the CDJ-2000’s new Quantize performance features, so, as an
option, all cue points and loops can be set perfectly on-beat every
time. In addition, users can create, edit and manage playlists in
rekordbox™ and the CDJ-2000 creates a history playlist on your
storage device of every track played for review when you next sync
with rekordbox™.
Huge full-colour display screen leads the market
A bright, elevated 6.1-inch LCD enables DJs to acquire all
information at a glance in the dark. And it’s not just about
browsing directly though text, because artwork can also be displayed.
Thanks to a combination of the GUI (graphical user interface) and a
rotary selector, track browsing/selection is made super-quick and
easy. Plus, for on-the-fly programming, tag lists can be created
using the dedicated Tag button. Meanwhile, that all-important wave
data is displayed with improved precision, so that high/low
amplitude components can be grasped in the greatest detail to date.
Industry-first Needle Search™/Needle Drop for speedy searches and previews
This industry first reproduces digitally the action of needle dropping
on vinyl. Needle Search™ lets you instantaneously preview music at any
chosen point with pinpoint accuracy. Simply slide a finger along the
Needle Drop pad while listening to the stuttered preview and checking
the wave display to locate peaks and troughs. This tactile ribbon
controller can also be used to conduct keyword searches.
Industry-first Pro DJ Link permits multi-play from a single source and
file sharing among four players
For the very first time, DJs can connect up to four CDJ-2000s and
rekordbox™ by LAN connection and instantly share music and data between
the players. That’s one LAN hub, one USB storage device or SD memory
card, and countless creative possibilities – multi-directionally
reinforced.
Improved quality audio output circuit with Wolfson DAC processor
A high-performance Wolfson DAC processor allows audio to be reproduced
with a lush analogue feel. Great news for audiophiles is the better
signal-to-noise ratio, giving a massive improvement on the CDJ-1000MK3
processor, and a new hybrid operation amplifier circuitry that also
minimises noise. The result is a clear, transparent sound that is
faithful to the original.
Advanced connectivity with 24-bit/48 kHz sound card, HID and MIDI
control via USB
The CDJ-2000 has a built-in sound card so no extra interface or
unnecessary rewiring is required and connection is possible by using
only one USB cable. Information can be output as MIDI to software and
other MIDI devices via USB. The player can also be used as a MIDI
controller. But HID control offers superior interfacing with software,
beating MIDI with speed, audio/visual streaming and two-way information
on displays. Consequently, the player can easily, precisely and natively
control such DVS systems as Serato’s Scratch Live*2 and Native
Instrument’s Traktor*3 series – without any need for time-coded discs.
Quantized beat loop for perfectly synced cue points, loops and Hot Cues
After music files have been analysed with rekordbox™, the Quantize
function automatically corrects and syncs the beat during a manual loop
or real-time cue in. This even works if the in/out point is off beat.
There is also a convenient auto one-touch four-beat loop onboard, if
required. And thanks to a new 0.5 frame step, there’s twice the
resolution for setting even more precise cue and loop points.
An extra three Hot Cue Banks, available via the rekordbox™ playlist
Aside from the three Hot Cue buttons on the CDJ-2000 player itself,
there are also three Hot Cue Banks to be found in the rekordbox™
playlist. This provides users with an abundance of Hot Cues to further
extend the editing opportunities.
Advanced new Jog for smooth operability and greater feeling adjustment
The all-new club conscious Jog dial is illuminated in four different
places. It’s also much quieter and smoother in operation, and has a far
wider tension range when compared to the CDJ-1000MK3.
The CDJ-2000 is available from November 2009 with a suggested retail price
including VAT of €1799 which includes rekordbox software.
(C)
Copyright Clubbing Magazine 2001-2009
