Although the smallest mixer in Pioneer's range, the DJM-400 packs a wide variety of effects for creative mixing. The effects, which automatically detect the BPM and sync' to the beats, include Delay, Echo, Filter, Flanger, Phaser, Robot and Roll, all of which are processed at 24bits. In addition, by using the newly-adopted Beat Select Button, the DJM-400 automatically sets the effect time linked to the BPM for more intuitive play and responsive remixing, say Pioneer.
The manufacturer says: "The intelligent 96kHz/24bit sampler automatically detects the tempo of a track during playback, sampling it for four beats, then loops the sample. As the sampled audio is in sync with the beat of the track being played (regardless of tempo) the DJ is given more time to be creative. Samples are automatically beat matched and up to five samples can be stored in memory."
The DJM-400 has been designed with as a partner for the MP3 compatible CDJ-200 both in terms of style and function. When combined, these units create a small, portable yet powerful and robust DJ setup that offers exceptional versatility and performance.
Also new from Pioneer is the DJM-800, which features a high-end 96kHz/24-bit A/D converter complemented by 61 assignable MIDI control channels and a new innovation, 'Harmonic Mixing' capability - which detects a track's key and automatically aligns it to the closest true key, removing inaccuracies created when adjusting the pitch, say Pioneer.
(Lee Baldock)