Pioneer DDJ-T1

[MiL0]

FTW - agreed; see my sig!

[Ghostdad]

here's our quick footage from NAMM on the DDJ-T1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wts4h38BSqg

[FTW]

Thanks for the footage. No ability to connect turntables and use the Scratch functionality from what I can tell I didn't see if it had a booth out either... anyone know if it does or doesn't?

@MILO - I'll be checking up on your build MILO, that controller really interests me. I loved that VU meter post you have. I wish it would be available for mac.

[FTW]

I just saw another video and they have a close up of the back of the unit. Apparently there's an AUX input which is like a pass through, so technically you can connect a cdj or turntable to it to play regular cd's or vinyl. that sucks and it's only 1 input. then it shows the master outs, two of them. again that sucks.

O.K.

Here's my rundown of the things that are wrong with these midi controllers.

The jog wheels: put big ones on there, seriously. I know that people used to controllers are always looking for small size so as to not mess up the set up in the club or tight spaces but to people that own clubs and have money to throw around, they'll never respect someone who shows up with a "little toy" to the club.

No Booth Out: WTF? Is it seriously that much of a deal to have a separate pot to control a booth out? Any professional mixer comes with a booth out. I don't get it.

No XLR Outs I know you can get 1/4" to XLR cables, but again Professional=XLR.

Seriously though, this is the best MIDI controller put out by a company to date, and I say that not totally about a feature set, but because it stays true to what you use in a club setting day in and day out. Every DJ I know would feel comfortable on this set up. The lack of the booth out, the lack of XLR master outs, a CDJ 400 Jog Wheel, and the inability of DDJ-T1 to perform as a bare minimum two channel mixer with audio levels similar to those of a DJM-600, which was the club standard for a good while, will keep this product outside of the clubs for the most part, and mostly in the bedrooms of those DJ's who aren't all that brave to cross over just yet, but are willing to explore the possibilities of going full digital. It was a good try, but unfortunately not good enough on Pioneer's side. The things I thought they totally capitalized on though, Needle Search and Long pitch faders. You will never have anyone come over to midi land with the small pitch faders like the ones on the S4, VCI, etc.

All right enough of my rant, I'm gonna go play some music.

[EDIT] Oh yeah and the VU Meters 'cause I never know when I'm close to red from Traktor's really horrible VU meter display on the Mixer Faders in the program.

[Bkag]

I didn't see this posted so ....
http://www.agiprodj.com/pioneer-ddj-t1.html
$1,099?

[DJZILCH]

i think the ddj-s1 is really really really tempting

i personally switched (over the years of course, since 2003) from vinyl to cdjs to serato+cdj and then traktor+cdj and now im rocking the S4

for me the whole pioneer jogwheel and long pitch sliders are very familiar, im having a very hard time deciding either to keep my S4 or sell it off and get the DDJ-S1 when it comes out

sure the s4 rocks, but there are some little things about it that makes me feel not at home

like the jogwheel sensitivity (for pitch bending) and also the very short pitch sliders on the S4, having moved from cdjs im really liking how the DDJ-S1 has the familiar cdj400 jogs and the full length pitch sliders, for manual beatmaching (which i prefer doing - an old habit from the cdjs i guess)

i think for many for are used to mixing on cdjs for years, the DDJ-S1 seems like the logical choice, its pretty much two CDJ400's and a mixer glued into one, minus the cd drives and a built in serato, i also used two cdj400s with serato SL1 in the past and they were great , joghweel response etc is almost perfect, so i can imagine the DDJ-S1 would be on par or even better

but for the DDJ-T1 - seriously, if you are gonna use traktor, seems like the S4 is the way to go? plus it seems like the DDJ-T1 comes with a 4 deck version of traktor LE only, not the full blown 20+ fx traktor pro?

[padi_04]

but for the DDJ-T1 - seriously, if you are gonna use traktor, seems like the S4 is the way to go? plus it seems like the DDJ-T1 comes with a 4 deck version of traktor LE only, not the full blown 20+ fx traktor pro?

4 deck duo would be a better description

[xtianw]

http://player.vimeo.com/video/19001551

[aviatorman]

Ok, let me start by saying that I was mesmerized when the Pioneer controllers surfaced, but all the excitement has worn down. I finally started opening my eyes.

Here are my reasons:
SLAP #1- both units are overpriced; other than the jog wheels there are no moving mechanics... F#@K what the Pioneer fanboys say!

SLAP #2-The Serato controller has XLR outs- the Traktor version has 1/4" outs. That is a slap. DID YOUR HEAR IT ?????
If you know anything about professional standards, you might have heard of XLR's...

Slap #3 - There are no visual guides on the Traktor version; aka LED lights, VU meters, readouts etc. The Serato version has more to offer.
Now, I know we have our laptop screens, but for $1300 do you think it might help.
Oh yeah, but you get one LED on each jog wheel that really is a pseudo light show.

SLAP #4 - Pioneer knobs and buttons suck. The S4 has a better feel on the fingers.
I had the Pioneer EFX machine for years and the knobs get loose and wobbily over time. That was an analog issue- it will be a disaster in the digital/midi side.

SLAP #5 - Both Pioneer models units bury your laptop keyboard, and Pioneer overlooked the most vital element for proper laptop maintenance: VENTILATION. Your mac or pc is gonna get pretty hot under there!

SLAP #6 - The Pioneer units are too big to move around for travel. I doubt they will conform to airline carry-on standards. I would hate to check it in as baggage... good luck! The S4 has a better chance to squeak by.

SLAP #7 - Say goodbye to song searches- NO QWERTY. Remember- your keyboard is BURIED! This is a fundamental advantage of digital DJing.

SLAP #8 - The Traktor Pioneer unit has it's very own "customized" version of Traktor software. Big mistake by Native Instruments. They should stick to the program that is uniformly better. Plus, they have Traktor Pro 2 coming in the horizon. You are out-of-the-loop with customization in the Pioneer market. So what happens when we get a NEW version of software? You go out and buy a NEW controller and empty your wallet all over again!

SLAP #9 - Pioneer/NI, where are the digital outs??? No spdif or AES/EBU !!! I love analog, but we are in 2011. I would like to have the option.

SLAP #10 - The Pioneer units have one thing going for them: their reputation for being a club standard, but sadly, they have not given us their best jog wheels that made them famous. A smaller scale of the CDJ-1000 jog wheels may have made the asking price a bit more modest.

EPILOGUE: For $899, the NI S4 is a mindful investment. You are still paying a bit much by my standards (a Technics 1200 turntable goes for about $350 and look at all the mechanics and craftsmanship you get for the $$$$) OK, so I'm old school...
I am sorry, but this is where I draw the line between controllerists and CDs. Pioneer is bringing the CDJs on board to the midi-controller market, but there is one problem:
The Pioneer decks are designed for a CDJ- not a controllerist.
So if you're a CDJ (I doubt it anyway, if you are reading this...), you might really want to do your homework in the midi-controller market if you want to cross over and make a worthwhile investment before you sell off your CDJ players and mixers.

Lastly, I want to stress one thing. I have DJ'd for nearly 3 decades. Money was easier to make back in the day from gigging. It is tough now. Be wise with your money, and spending more of it won't make you any better. We are in the age of modest pricing- there's a F@#&ING recession going on!!!
They are all selling chips, rubber and plastic for a lot of money, so be careful!

-AVIATORMAN

[Karlos Santos]

Thank you for your input.

Now i have bleeding ears.