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Engadget: Look, last year’s Traktor Kontrol S4 was pretty damn awesome but, at $1,000 and about the size of your average Williamsburg DJ, it wasn’t exactly for everyone. That’s where the S2 comes in. Instead of four channels, it’s a “2+1″ setup that supplements the two standard audio ones with a dedicated sample channel. You still get the same high-resolution jog wheels and integrated 24bit / 96kHz sound card, but Native Instruments managed to shave a few inches, pounds and bucks off its predecessor. At $669 it’s much more affordable — still not exactly an impulse purchase, but within the range of most serious hobbyists.

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Pioneer.eu: After 5 years, it was time for an update to the Pioneer DJM-800 club mixer. Enter the DJM-900 Nexus – the next level in creativity for the pro DJ. Headline features include ultimate computer connectivity, up-to-date effects, high performance features and sound.

Due for release late March 2011, the newest addition to the club-standard DJM range will retail at 1,899 euros inc. VAT.

The 4-channel 96kHz/24-bit soundcard streams all audio signals with no loss of sound quality – and being Traktor Scratch Certified, the DJM-900 Nexus unlocks DVS control. DJs can connect one USB cable and control Traktor with Timecode CD and/or vinyl, directly through the mixer.

6 stunning studio-quality Sound Color FX expand upon the previous 4 and add extra dimensions to any DJ set. With a dedicated FX processor for each of the 4 channels, it raises the bar once more. An overhauled Beat Effects section further enhances the potential for mind-blowing arrangements: 5 new effects, a revolutionary level of control and Pioneer simplicity will rival any other system.

The new built-in X-Pad brings instant one-finger Beat Effects performances. Users of the CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 can hit the DJM-900 Nexus Quantize button to lock all these new effects to the Beatgrid of the playing deck.

The DJM-900 Nexus layout is the industry’s most intuitive, most widely used and most creative. With the new plug-and-play software connection that makes DJ transition a breeze, the result is a next generation mixer that is ready for professional DJ booths the world over.

Key features

Sound Color FX
Engineered to bring studio quality sound and sequencer style tricks to the club, six new beefed-up effects turn creative vision into a reality at the twist of a dial. In addition to the essential FILTER and CRUSH, the DJM-900 Nexus boasts four new modern effects.

• The massively popular Noise from the DJM-2000 is added by popular demand.
• The brand new and seriously lush Space reverb brings high-pass and low-pass ambiance to every channel.
• The new Dub Echo also has high-pass and low-pass control over a new tape delay effect to twist with your mind as you slip the timing.
• The amazing Gate/Comp strips back your music to the peaks, or beefs it up to seamlessly blend drastically different productions together in the mix.

Overhauled Beat Effects add a whole new level of control
On top of the 6 super-easy Color FX on each channel, the channel-assignable Beat Effects bring a whole new level of control – making extreme processing more reliable and creative with instant results. Let’s start off with the new control interface:

• rekordbox™ Quantize picks up Beatgrid data over the ProDJ Link. Simply connect the DJM-900 Nexus to the network and compatible CDJs send real-time BPM and beat position data to the effects, even as you adjust and bend the pitch in the mix!
• In addition to the Beat buttons that change the timing, the intuitive X-Pad is a touch-sensitive strip that simultaneously engages the Beat Effects, while adjusting things like the Reverb filter, Roll time, and Phaser LFO – using just one finger!
• Bringing a new approach to Filter, Phase and Flanger sweeps is a twin LFO. LFO1 is controlled by the Beat buttons, while LFO2 expresses further wobble factor using the X-Pad.

New High Quality Effects for a digital generation
These include Reverb, Spiral, Slip Roll, Melodic and Midi LFO.

Pro DJ Link functionality enhances performance
The DJM-900 Nexus joins the Pro DJ Link family with a LAN connection that brings three revolutionary new features: Now On Play, Beat Effects and Cue Link.

Fully TRAKTOR™ compatible for plug-and-play simplicity
TRAKTOR™ users can connect their PC to the mixer via a single USB port – conveniently located on top of the unit – to get direct input from Traktor’s 4 decks and enjoy all of its features.

Advanced design for accurate reproduction of audio sources
The DJM-900 Nexus is equipped with the same high-quality audio input and output circuits as the DJM-2000.

New high performance channel faders
New fader technology and fader caps will make the DJM-900 Nexus last for even longer between services in super-tough club environments.

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Akihabara News: Pioneer introduced this week two new digital USB controllers, the DDJ-T1 for TRAKTOR DJ and the DDJ-S1 for Serato ITCH. Sold bundled with special editions of the software they are intended for, they will allow direct mixing of computer stored music. Sold respectively for around 1400 and 1700$, they should be available mid-February.

A perfect integration of each software’s functionality and our leading-edge hardware, the Pioneer DJ Controllers offer the same operability and layout as our pro-DJ equipment – whilst enabling DJs to play music files from the computer.

DDJ-T1 for TRAKTOR

Bundled with TRAKTOR Pioneer DDJ-T1 Edition software, this new controller delivers all of the most popular TRAKTOR features – without the need to upgrade the software. 4-channel deck control, 6 effects and recording all come as standard, meaning that the DDJ-T1 helps DJs unlock the full potential of the software at no extra cost.

The DDJ-T1 combines the familiarity of TRAKTOR with Pioneer operability to deliver high-level performance. Due for release in mid-February, the DDJ-T1 will retail with a suggested retail price of £899 including VAT – offering an affordable solution for bedroom or mobile DJs.

Features include:

* Effect area exactly mirrors the software interface, delivering the same look and feel
* 115mm jog wheel and Needle Search
* Unique laptop integration design places the screen in the DJ’s line of sight at all times
* Optimized audio circuitry in the master output area borrowed from our pro-DJ equipment ensures high quality sound
* Plug and Play through USB: all buttons are pre-assigned to the software functions
* Built-in sound card.

DDJ-S1 for Serato ITCH

The perfect home or mobile DJ set-up, the DDJ-S1 features balanced XLR input/output for connection direct to professional PA equipment, and a microphone talk-over feature to make MC’ing a breeze.

Add to this the simple Plug and Play connection, amazing software features and superior hardware control, and the Pioneer DDJ-S1 is a major force to be reckoned with. Suggested retail price is £1099 including VAT.

Features include:

* Tight integration with Serato ITCH software: play music files direct from your laptop without ever touching the keyboard
* Pioneer functionality layout including alphabetic search and slip mode
* Equipped with various inputs and outputs, including a balanced XLR inout/output (1 of each)
* Unique laptop integration design places the screen in the DJ’s line of sight at all times
* Optimized audio circuitry in the master output area, borrowed from our pro-DJ equipment, ensures high quality sound
* Needle search function allows DJs to quickly skip through a song to a preferred playback point
* Built-in sound card.

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