Denon DJ launches brand new pro DJ gear for 2017

Denon DJ has just announced three brand new pieces of pro dj gear plus an upgrade to their Engine music management software.

If you recall last year they teased with a very short video called #ChangeYourRider which was an obvious dig at trying to get pro DJs to think beyond the ubiquitous Pioneer DJ Nexus setup found at each and every club, bar and festival.

This is what Denon DJ have announced…

SC5000 Prime Media Player

Global retail: $ 1899

At a suggested retail of $1899 (no SA pricing yet) the SC5000 Prime Media Player is $300 cheaper than Pioneer’s top of the range CDJ-2000NXS2. That’s just over a R 4,000 difference at current exchange rates so the Denon DJ SC5000 will still cost over R 40K since the CDJ-2000NXS2 retails for around R 48,000.

It’s a hefty price tag, one that means the SC5000 Prime Media Player will certainly have to work and work well from the outset. It’s not easy to unseat what is familiar to everybody and Pioneer have done an excellent job with their Nexus range and Rekordbox.

So what can Denon DJ offer that’s different or better than Pioneer?

One notable feature and it could prove quite a biggie is something called ‘dual layers.’ With two sets of RCA outputs on the rear of the device, one SC5000 Prime Media Player can play two tracks and output them to separate channels.

Most DJs are notoriously conservative when it comes to using gear so whilst this may be an awesome emergency feature, it remains to be seen if DJs will actually try and perform full sets of a single media player.

Whilst no Traktor or Serato support is available as yet, Denon DJ say this is coming soon.

7-inch HD display with multi-touch gestures
24-bit/96kHz digital audio outputs
Dual-layer playback with individual audio outputs
Plays uncompressed audio formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV)
8 multifunction trigger pads for Cues, Loops, Slices and Rolls
8-inch rugged metal jog wheel with HD central display
Customizable RGB colour around the jog wheel
(3) USB and (1) SD input for music playback
LAN output to link to up to four players

X1800 Prime: Four Channel Mixer

Global retail: $ 1899

Denon DJ have also introduced a new 4 channel mixer to their brand new PRIME range. Much like Pioneer’s DJM mixers, the X1800 Prime has a built-in 24-bit/96kHz soundcard and will be able to connect to the media player via their ENGINE Connect protocol. Included are a foray of FX which can work independently to the filters. Dual USB also means that one would/should ultimately be able to connect your Serato or Traktor setup seamlessly too.

4-Channel Digital Mixer with (4) phono/line switchable channels
BPM FX section with frequency controlled ‘Band-Isolation’
Dual USB audio connections for software and audio devices.
Dedicated Sweep and BPM FX Knobs — high-quality effects for each channel with a single knob turn
Expressive EQ – choose Classic or Isolation modes and an Adjustable Filter Resonance Control
Engine Connect’ protocol for beatgrid locked FX
Expressive Denon DJ ‘Flex-Fader’, Crossfader
Connect MIDI based effects and instruments
24-bit/96kHz digital output for uncompromised audio quality
Crisp OLED screen for precise menu based adjustments
(4) Digital inputs for high-resolution audio mixing
LAN Hub for up to four players or accessories
Rugged metal construction

VL12 Prime Turntable

Global retail: $ 899

The Denon DJ VL12 Prime Turntable is both a surprise and NOT really surprising. Vinyl sales reportedly outgunned digital downloads last year in revenue so across the first world there seems to be a tangible resurgence of this format.

But this stat aside, it seems logical that if Denon DJ really want to make a go of it with a full range of professional DJ gear, a turntable completes the lineup.

The VL12 is a direct-drive turntable and they say it has the highest torque in the industry. A notable novelty feature is a ringed RGB lighting around the entire platter.

Isolation feet eliminate unwanted vibration and feedback
Highest-in-industry 5kgf/cm torque on “High” setting
Innovative ‘easy grip/brake’ chamfered platter redefines tactile DJ touch
Isolated motor design, for optimal signal-to-noise ratio
S-shaped tone arm for accurate tracking
Reinterpreted tone arm support with dual-function ‘lock or rest’ feature
Rugged all-metal tone arm base and high-quality brushed metal controls
2-speed operation 33 1/3rd and 45 RPM (45 RPM adapter included)
Adjustable pitch range: ±8%, 16%, 50%
Built-in RGB lighting illuminates platter’s edge
Colour selection and brightness controls

Engine Prime Software

Denon DJ have also announced a new version of their music management software called ENGINE Prime.

Hopefully they’ve stripped Rekordbox apart (of course they have) and copied Pioneer’s excellent software and possibly added 1 or 2 of their own enhancements. Aside from the fact the Pioneer’s CDJs work and work very well (as do their mixers) a massive strength is the seamless integration between Rekordbox and their media players and controllers.

The original ENGINE software was okay but rudimentary by comparison. ENGINE Prime’s beat and key analysis will need to be spot on.

Integrate, import and reorganize existing Serato and iTunes databases
Advanced and accurate Beatgrid and Musical Key analysis
Create Playlists and Crates for the ultimate music library
Add custom names to Hot-Cues and Loops for enhanced live workflow
Sync ongoing DJ performance data easily back to Engine Prime application
Fast and effective on-board Beatgrid and tempo editor
Logical and easy to use GUI layout for optimized workflow
Manually edit track info and create track ratings
Supports Lossless music file formats such as FLAC, ALAC, AIFF and WAV
Tri-coloured track waveform production for frequency based visual feedback

Watch the video for the Denon DJ SC500 Media player

[youtube_sc url=”C8seZvHyjog”]

Denon DJ launches brand new pro DJ gear for 2017