The DJM-1000 six-channel digital mixer (boasting an impressive three-band master isolator and choice of rotaries or faders) has been a breakthrough this year, say Pioneer. Installed at the party capitals of Cafe Mambo, Manumission, Pacha, and Space, the DJM-1000 seems to be the mixer of choice on the island. Providing a 24-bit/96kHz digital sampling rate and a 32-bit/96kHz digital sound processor, the DJM-1000 offers excellent connectivity and control, and can digitise analogue input with no reduction in sound quality, say Pioneer. "To be honest, every DJ has fallen in love with the mixer. It's as simple as that," declared Pacha's brand director, Danny Whittle. A sentiment echoed by Pacha's programming director, Mark Netto, who observed: "Sliding faders, rotary pots - the DJM-1000's got it all, so we don't have to change the mixer . . . We haven't had any problems this year, it's been a revelation."
Working digitally with the DJM-1000, the EFX-1000 effects unit is also seducing its users, including those at Space where a superb sound system by Blue Box utilises Funktion-One technology. Here, Space's director, Fritz Pangratz said: "From the DJM-1000s to the DVJ-X1s and EFX-1000s, it's all very positive for us..." While Hugo Quintanilla Cons, who runs the Ibiza branch of Blue Box, reflected: "I've noticed that the EFX-1000 sounds even better than the EFX-500 and feedback from the DJs has been great. With improved inputs/outputs, it provides a superior range of professional effects to the artists playing at Space." P>Finally, in true 21st century style, completing a digital trinity of new Pioneer products, the world's first DVD/CD turntable - the DVJ-X1 - is an audio-visual advance appreciated by many on the island, including visionary Manumission co-founder Andy McKay who commented: "Our whole philosophy is about fusion and convergence. We are presenting film, performance art, music and DJs together. The DVJ-X1 was a product that we had dreamt about before it actually arrived - then it turned up and was fantastic. It means that we can choreograph and synch video, which is what we had wanted to do for years.
(Lee Baldock)
