Pioneer CDJ2000nexus TECH
also been updated with improved track info, a beat countdown mode, phrase meter and information on the key available to make harmonic mixing quicker and easier than ever before. Further tidy improvements include being able to rate tracks while in the mix. These ratings will then be synced back with Rekordbox, making it easy to keep track of which tunes are working on the dancefloor and which aren’t. It is rare that buttons are controversial, but the two new buttons that have appeared over the pitch-fader defiantly fall into this category. They are being bemoaned in some circles, but will be a welcome addition for most DJs — they are the new Sync and Master buttons that provide sync-lock with other CDJ-2000nexus players. The Master button selects the current player to act as the master, while the Sync button will lock the device to another CDJ-2000nexus that is acting as the master tempo device. The addition of Sync lock brings the CDJ platform in line with other competition products such as Traktor and the new Serato software. This is something that is very much here to stay, no matter how many moody posts DJs put on forums.
QUANTIZE A welcome addition to the CDJ-2000nexus are the new quantize functions that snap the cue and loop points to the Rekordbox beat-grid. This means that triggered samples and loops will be in perfect time with the music, taking away any need to fiddle around with the loops or embarrassing kludges when triggering samples. For DJs who want to do it the old-fashioned way without the added help of quantize, this mode can be turned on or off at the push of a button. A new Active Loop function allows a loop point to be put at the end of tracks to ensure there is time to mix in a new track once the current track has finished playing, removing that awful moment of panic when the DJ is not paying attention and the current track playing ends unexpectedly in the middle of a set.
PERSONALIZE While not having quite the same groundbreaking effect as some of the jaw-dropping developments that were found when the CDJ-2000s were first introduced, there are some smaller but very welcome additions that include the needle-search ribbon now being illuminated and having a raised feel for more accurate track manipulation, an improved jog-wheel tension dial, and the ability to use the CDJ-2000nexus to control DJ software via MIDI or HID control. Certain other features have found their way from other versions of the CDJ range, like Slip Mode which is found on the CDJ-900 and will silently continue track playback during looping, reverse or scratching, bringing the track back in once DJs have stopped using these features. My Settings is the name Pioneer have given to a handy feature that allows DJs to download the function settings of the CDJ- 2000nexus to iOS/Android devices, USB sticks or even SD memory cards to be recalled when a connection is made with a CDJ-2000nexus before they play a set. This is great for DJs who want to personalize how the CDJ-2000nexus works for them.
INDUSTRY STANDARD It is safe to say that the CDJ-2000nexus is going to be the new industry standard media player and will be adopted swiftly, meaning even more choice for
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DJs on the format they play from. As well as this, it’ll make life much easier when it comes to going through new releases and programming sets, as well as setting cue points and loops on the go via a smart phone or tablet — this will come as a great relief for many. Of course, CDJ players have never been cheap and these beauties are no exception, but those who need to get their sets together and practice them on a budget have the option of using the XDJ-Aero (which costs about half as much as a CDJ-2000nexus) at home before taking their USB stick or mobile device along to a gig to play tracks using the CDJ-2000nexus players — the Rekordbox data works seamlessly between all of these devices.
Pioneer have managed to take all of the features that made the CDJ-2000 such a success and refine and polish them, as well as adding some of the features that have gained popularity from other models in the CDJ range. Add to these refinements a good helping of groundbreaking features and you have a very serious product indeed — the CDJ-2000nexus really is the business. There is little if anything that it does not do exceptionally well, and once again Pioneer are leading the pack from way in front with a product that will be lusted after by millions and regularly used by the world’s greatest DJs to move millions.
VERDICT BUILD QUALITY
EASE OF USE FEATURES
8.0 9.0 9.0
VALUE FOR MONEY 8.0 SOUND QUALITY
8.0
HYPE Wi-Fi connectivity to smart
phones, PCs and Macs along with killer feature list, great build quality and now with Sync-Lock.
GRIPE It is impossible to find fault.
A truly revolutionary upgrade to the industry standard CDJ-2000, new features include connecting seamlessly with the new Rekordbox software on various devices as well as the introduction of a lot of fantastic new additions and refinements.
8.5/10
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