Hot on the heels of the recent Traktor and Serato MIDI controllers, Pioneer unveils its new DJM T1 and outlines its intentions to dominate the DVS DJ market.
‘ Accidentally’ announced in the recent Traktor 2 software update via its inclusion in the controller preset drop down manager, the DJM T1 is not Pioneers first foray into MIDI included mixers but it is its first to feature such close integration with Native Instruments Traktor workflow.
The DJM T1 is a two channel, audio / digital mixer with on board sound card, two sets of four hotcues / sample buttons, browse function, FX control and play, rewind and nudge buttons that can be used in tandem with existing vinyl and CD time coded vinyl’s or used in solo with a computer connected or using traditional recorded media. It also possesses the functionality to record mixes within the mixer, presumably using the same recording faculty included in previous versions of Traktor software. It also includes at 24 bit D/A convertor in addition to a revised fader and magnetic cross fader construction.
Bundled with Traktor 2 Duo out of the box and costing an estimated £1279 inc. VAT, the Mixer is pricey but considering it comparative cheaper cost when compared to a mixer, CDJs, soundcard and software bundle.
The mixer is exciting because it is the first Pioneer standalone mixer to marry the companies reputable build quality and form factor with the functions contained in Native Instruments software so explicitly.
The question beckons, what is Pioneers intended user base for this mixer, is it for home or club use? It follows the DJM 800 successor, the DJM 900 ‘Nexus’ four channel mixer which whilst being Traktor Scratch certified omits some of the key features which would allow the mixer to operate without time coded vinyl or CDs. This would leave the DJM T1 as a less flexible mixer in terms of being able utilise more channels than its immediate bigger brother, however, it would position it in an enviable position for environments where hot swapping of Windows PCs or Macbooks are common place and standard MIDI mapping are utilised. Would the price be prohibitive to those wishing to use at home and would the lack of extra channels put off club owners looking for a direct replacement to the DJM 800 which is now in its fifth year?
It is clear that Pioneer is making great efforts to monopolise on the increasingly active DVS controller market, however, it would appear that the devices that are being released add further complications for those looking for a unified mixer which leads for the functions and capability of each mixer in the range are frustratingly fragmented. The mixer will be formally demonstrated in the forthcoming Musikmesse in Frankfurt between April 6 to April 9. We wait eagerly to see what this new mixer is capable of.
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