Tag: #DJ

Tech Review – Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1 headphones review

I test many headphones here and when Pioneer asked me to check these out we just had too and before I go any further I am by no means a DJ, never was or will be one but I am familiar with the equipment and what is involved and I do have some DJ friends and that is as far as it goes but these headphones can also be used in a personal capacity with simple things you may have at home and they work, work really well in fact. I would have preferred the Bluetooth option to check out as there would be more to talk about but we shall tell you what is going on here with these bad boys.

Build

These are built really well it must be said and for DJ headphones this must be the case with strengthened stress points on these they are built to last, joints is one of the main areas that go on headphones but these are built here and it is visible in comparison to your standard headphones. The ratchet style extensions are made with metal rather than plastic and the headband is tough too also so is the arms holding the cups.

Comfort

Now these are comfortable given the smaller cups than I would like they isolate much of the noise once placed on the head and there is no clamping feeling either and this is for long term use too however this may vary per person as all our heads are not the same lads. Comfort is important and for the DJ especially so and they will be happy here at the level of comfort I would think..The cups can swivel 90 degrees which is great, the headband is also comfortable here and overall a great wearing experience.

As mentioned these are a standard plug in job and nothing technical when it comes to apps and buttons which for me is a new experince and feeling left out but having said that headphones still are made this way and sometimes the case is you do not need the extras but this is for a certain market and niche set of individuals..

Sound

Well this is the one part people will be interested in and in the capacity I tested them in they are quite good, I have some amps at home and a good home sound system and also test on my phone and overall the sound was quite good in all cases, due to the fact they cancel out most noise when even just placed on the head they deliver a rich audio experience. They will not deliver what other high end headphones will do with all the usual attributes applied however they isolate the outside world pretty good audio experience and it is kept simple really and you must take into account they are not headphones designed for music but mixing and all that jazz that comes along with DJ stuff and even if you just wanted a pair to listen to music and no bothered by buttons and apps and all that these will certainly do, but remember you might need a headphone jack which is far and few between on phones today but if you have a sound system at home or cinema set up yeah by all means check them out they are not expensive.

Read more about them HERE 

Unboxing

 

Introducing rekordbox for iOS ver. 4.0

AlphaTheta Corporation announces the release of rekordbox for iOS ver. 4.0. A DJ application trusted by countless professional DJs around the world, rekordbox’s mobile app has been updated to enable anyone to start DJing with just an iPhone or iPad.
Download rekordbox for iOS ver. 4.0 and you can start mixing music from various sources, including streaming  services such as SoundCloud and TIDAL (subscriptions available separately).
Get started on the rekordbox mobile app for free, even if you haven’t DJed before. Then, when you want to take  things further and play more professionally, you can connect gear such as the DDJ-FLX4 – the definitive DJ  controller for beginners – to get the most from the rekordbox mobile app.
However you choose to use the rekordbox mobile app – with your iPhone, iPad, or connected DJ hardware – you  can be sure the features and effects in the app will create high-quality sounds in your sets. And once you’ve  mastered the basics of mixing, you might choose to take out an in-app subscription which enables a host of more  advanced performance features and effects.
You can find out more about rekordbox for iOS ver. 4.0 here or download it from the App Store. The app is free to  use, with an option to take out an in-app subscription that enables more features. In-app subscriptions are required for additional features, even if you subscribe to a plan from rekordbox.com
rekordbox for Android (ver. 4.0) was also due for release in spring 2023. However, this has been postponed until  further notice to ensure the Android app runs as smoothly as the iOS version. As soon as a new release date has  been scheduled, an announcement will be made on the homepage of the Pioneer DJ website. For more information, go to pioneerdj.com.

Pioneer DJ announces the DDJ-FLX10 – a 4-channel DJ controller, packed with new features for the most innovative performances

Pioneer DJ, a world-class manufacturer of DJ equipment, announces the release of the DDJ-FLX10. This 4-channel performance DJ controller, for rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro, includes a host of brand-new features that enable new creative possibilities, including functions you can use to easily perform mash-ups on the fly with no need to prepare tracks in advance.

Thanks to the new Track Separation technology in rekordbox, you can load tracks from your music library to the DDJ-FLX10 as you normally would, then manipulate different musical parts to create infinitely unique performances, including live mash-ups. The controller focuses on the 3 track elements that are crucial to DJing – vocals, drums, and inst (other instruments) – so you can easily play around with each one.

You can see more of the information you want on the jog wheels of the DDJ-FLX10, and customise the look of the controller, thanks to the expanded On Jog Display. Improving on the jogs from the popular DDJ-1000, there are 4 modes to choose from, giving you the option to display different types of waveform information.#

The DDJ-FLX10 introduces Mix Point Link, a new rekordbox-compatible feature that enables you to neatly and seamlessly link the playback of tracks in your set while freeing up your hands so you can get creative by applying effects and making live mash-ups.

Looking for an extra way to captivate your audience? You can add hypnotic lighting effects to your performances with the DDJ-FLX10, which includes a DMX output so you can easily connect lighting fixtures without the need for any other equipment. Available now for £1,469, the DDJ-FLX10 is the ultimate DJ controller that will have anyone bossing
the decks in no time and delivering a supreme club-standard experience like no other. For more information, go to pioneerdj.com.

START FROM SCRATCH – Pioneer DJ workshops set to celebrate International Women’s Day

Pioneer DJ announces an upcoming series of workshops to celebrate International Women’s Day, which took place on Tuesday March 8, 2023. Throughout the month of April, female identifiers participating in the in-person UK workshops will have the chance to learn new skills and gain insight into effective ways to pursue a career in music.

With 20 places available for each workshop, topics include: An Introduction to DJing, An Introduction to Scratching, and An Introduction to Music Production – which focuses on career progression in the music industry (DJing or otherwise). Participants will learn to use Pioneer DJ equipment under the guidance of international artists, DJ schools, and Pioneer DJ product experts.

The intention behind the Start From Scratch programme is to support minoritised and underrepresented communities. The goal is to create a safe and productive space to nurture talent. Pioneer DJ has a commitment to making sure that there is increased diversity within this industry. Research shows that targeted events like these help close the gap.

Check out the dates, times, and locations for the workshops in the table below and sign up here. More information about International Women’s Day can be found here.

Special thanks go to the incredible partners for supporting this celebratory moment and facilitating workshops and training: On the Rise DJ School, Plastic DJ Academy, Vibra Music School, Cantieri Culturali, Auberge Napoleon, reason Studios, Fluidae Collective, Connect’Her and BoxPark Wembley. 

Pioneer DJ launches all-in-one DJ unit, the OPUS-QUAD

Pioneer DJ, a world-class manufacturer of DJ equipment, announces the release of the OPUS-QUAD. This new professional all-in-one DJ system puts you in control of the music, like the conductor of an orchestra. Introducing a completely fresh approach to DJ equipment that harmonises design and playability, the OPUS-QUAD raises the level of elegance in musical direction and the space the music fills in any venue or environment, helping to create a special experience for your audience.

The role of the DJ is becoming increasingly diverse, with DJs often performing at a myriad of types of venues and events, from clubs and hotel lounges to fashion parties, sports events, product launches, and on live streams. As the musical direction needed from DJs is more diverse than ever, they need to be ready to adapt to different situations. By redefining the ideal all-in-one DJ system for the constantly evolving DJ scene, the OPUS-QUAD has risen to the challenge of harmonising playability and design.

The fresh design of the OPUS-QUAD doesn’t just look stunning – it enhances the unit’s playability too. The distinctively shaped top plate is sloped and has a rounded edge at the front, making it more elegant and comfortable to rest your hands on. With a matte black finish across its body and earth-coloured slits on the front and sides of the unit, the OPUS-QUAD complements the aesthetics of any venue or space. And certain elements that are key to a musical performance are accentuated to make them easily identifiable: for example, the control knobs with copper-coloured markings.

To create a perfect grip for mixing and direct control of the music, the jog wheels have streamlined dimples and a textured finish on the outer and top parts respectively, harmonising playability and design. Hidden LEDs on the jogs emit a gentle glow that matches the colour you’ve pre-assigned to each deck, indicating its playing status while also transmitting a feeling of sophistication to the audience when you DJ.

This new unit, with its game-changing design and evolved features, gives you more flexibility and greater control of the music so you can raise the level of your performances and create a better experience for your audience. The OPUS-QUAD is now available to buy for £2,899. Perfect for those wanting to add a touch of style to their playing environment, this DJ system offers a striking aesthetic to complement any living space or venue. For more information, go to pioneerdj.com. 

Tech Review – OneOdio Studio 10 Pro headphones

The OneOdio Studio 10 Pro are a simple to use pair of headphones with no controls at all so in short it is just pop them on sit back and enjoy the sounds, there is no app here either. They have 50mm neodymium drivers built in to deliver a powerful sound with good bass, aimed at the DJ these can also be used on mobile phones with a headphone jack and can plugged into games consoles and your TV, You can also plug into an amp or guitar.

These would be ideally used in a studio or for mixer panels and turntable something which we do not have here and tested in a casual capacity with a sound system and mobile phone and for me the sound is quite good and loud with some bass thrown in, you can change the EQ via your device or platform used but in short these just plug in and you just listen to the tunes, they do come with an inline control which we demo in the video review so you have some control over your music like skip and reverse tracks and play and pause you can also answer and hang up on calls…Overall the sound is quite good no lag latency, highs lows and mids are fine and in general a decent audio experience for the price.

If you want a simple pair of cans to use these are just what you need with having super comfortable cups that block pretty much all the outside world and ideally used at home.

Features

  • BASS SOUND: Enjoy powerful bass and comfort with the OneOdio Studio headphones. Large 50-millimeter speaker unit drivers combined with neodymium magnets deliver dynamic bass, great for DJing, mixing, monitoring, or listening to music.
  • BUILT TO STAY COMFORTABLE: The soft padded ear cushions are designed for monitor headphones’ comfort and noise isolation. The headband is adjustable and stretchable for you to find the desired angle you like to fit in.
  • NO MORE ADAPTER: DJ-style coiled cord (9.8Ft Stretched) easily reaches from the TV or stereo to your chair. They both are completely detachable, so you can plug in any devices that have a 3.5mm or 6.35mm jack.
  • SINGLE-SIDE MONITORING: 90° swiveling ear cups for single-ear monitoring anytime; self-adjustable and flexible headband delivers a fatigue-free listening experience that can last for hours, ideal for mastering and mixing.
  • WORKS WITH: All devices have a 3.5mm or 6.35mm audio jack. Bass sound, durability, and comfort. These are the headphones you’ve been looking for.

BUY

Video Review

Pioneer DJ launches the FLX6-GT

Pioneer DJ, a world-class manufacturer of DJ equipment, announces the release of the DDJ-FLX6-GT – a 4-channel DJ controller for multiple DJ applications which comes in an updated graphite colour that will replace the popular DDJ-FLX6.

The fresh design of the DDJ-FLX6-GT introduces a new look and feel for its full-size jog wheels, which feature a graphite colour plus a metallic texture on top and a rubberized coating on the outer ring for improved playability. The rest of the unit also boasts a sophisticated look, with a brand-new matte grey colour across its body. Another major update to the DJ controller is its compatibility with an expanded range of software. The new unit adds support for VirtualDJ (licence available separately), while retaining free compatibility with rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro. The VirtualDJ software will also be available to use with the original DDJ-FLX6 (black/white models) by updating the unit to the latest firmware version, and TRAKTOR PRO 3 will be available to use with either model by downloading the mapping files (TSI file).

The DDJ-FLX6-GT includes all the features of the original unit including Merge FX, which makes it easy to hype up the audience and mix songs from totally different genres. You can effortlessly change from hip-hop to house, from rock to EDM, or between any other styles you want to play. And, with the Jog Cutter and Sample Scratch features, you can easily spice up your sets with pro-sounding scratch effects.

The DDJ-FLX6-GT is now available to buy for £569. Perfect for hobbyists and enthusiasts, this DJ controller will have anyone bossing the decks in no time. Compatible with rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro (download and use the bundled vouchers for the FX Pack and Pitch ‘n Time DJ Expansion Pack to unlock those functions), the controller can also be used with VirtualDJ and TRAKTOR PRO 3 which you’ll need to buy a licence or subscription to, for the latest software. For use with TRAKTOR PRO 3, simply import the mapping file (TSI file). For more information, go to pioneerdj.com.

Pioneer DJ launches the FLX4

Pioneer DJ, a world-class manufacturer of DJ equipment, announces the release of the DDJ-FLX4 – a 2-channel DJ controller packed with brand-new features allowing for easy track mixing and applying pro-sounding effects. This easy-to-use DJ controller features a simple, user-friendly design whilst offering a professional feel, which can be used with multiple DJ applications. It’s the perfect piece of kit for beginners wanting to learn how to DJ.

The DDJ-FLX4 is an affordable unit that inherits key traits from the professional layout of the DDJ-400 – a standard for entry-level controllers – but its user-friendly design makes learning to DJ easier. There’s a choice of DJ software to mix music with, including free use of Performance mode in rekordbox for Mac/Windows. And when the major update to rekordbox for iOS/Android comes out in early 2023, you’ll be able to use the DDJ-FLX4 with your iPhone, Android smartphone, iPad, or Android tablet. Serato DJ Lite is also free to use with the controller, and you can upgrade to Serato DJ Pro if you buy a license or take out a subscription. All these software options enable you to play music files stored on your device, as well as tracks from TIDAL, Beatport Streaming, Beatsource Streaming, and SoundCloud Go+ (paid subscriptions may be required).

You’ll find it easy to start DJing when you get your hands on the DDJ-FLX4, even if you’re a complete beginner. The design is clean and user-friendly so you can find your way around the controls easily, and you’ll find plenty of tutorials in rekordbox to guide you through the basics. This controller will have any hobbyist or music lover feeling like a superstar DJ in no time and is the perfect way to kickstart a journey into DJing.

The controller also includes 2 brand-new Smart Mixing features to help you get into the groove of mixing music right away. Switch on Smart Fader and you can effortlessly transition between 2 tracks by simply moving the crossfader or channel faders, even if you want to go from one musical genre to another – which is usually a difficult skill to master. Simply moving the fader makes the BPM, volume, bass volume, and other aspects of the music automatically adjust to create a smooth transition and you don’t even need to have the sync function turned on. And you can spice up your favourite tracks with Smart CFX, which applies complicated combinations of effects to the music with the turn of a single knob. All this will come in handy for laying on some epic tunes.

When you’re ready to share your performances with friends and followers, the DDJ-FLX4 is the perfect piece of kit. Its USB audio output of the sound from the microphone means you don’t need external equipment such as a mixer or soundcard to add your voice to your mix. Instead, the sound from the microphone is output from the controller along with the music, so you can easily share your set via a stream from a single computer.

The DDJ-FLX4 is now available to buy for £279. Perfect for beginners and hobbyists, this DJ controller will have anyone DJing and mixing like a pro. You can also use the controller with the free Serato DJ Lite software, or there’s the option to buy a license or take out a subscription for Serato DJ Pro – which can be downloaded here. To use the DDJ-FLX4 with rekordbox for free, simply click here to install the PC/Mac version of the software. For more information, go to pioneerdj.com.

Pioneer DJ is providing an in-person workshop for minoritised and underrepresented communities giving them a unique opportunity to learn new skills and progress their music career

Pioneer DJ, a world-class manufacturer of DJ equipment, is partnering with Pirate and Point Blank Music School to invite people from minoritised and underrepresented communities to an in-person workshop at Tottenham Pirate Studios. On 27th October, POC, LGBTQI+ and Non-Male folks, who have some basic mixing skills will have the chance to advance their talents and gain insight into effective ways to pursue a career in music.

Participants will learn to use Pioneer DJ equipment under the guidance of Point Blank’s Music Production & DJ Performance Programme Leader, Ben Bristow, and Pioneer DJ Business Development Executive, Sami Qureshi, with support from Liz Hay from Pirate.

The workshop will take place on 27th October 2022 at Pirate Tottenham, 2 Norman Road, London, N15 4ND, between 5pm-9pm. To secure attendance, please sign up here.

Special thanks go to our incredible partners for supporting the Start From Scratch programme and facilitating workshops and training: Pirate Studios and Point Blank Music School. For more information, head to www.pioneerdj.com.