Pioneer DJM-800 Mixer
Posted date: April 2006

The new Pioneer DJM-800, the first generation mixer with Auto Harmonic Tuning or “Sound Color Effects”, where two independent tracks are seamlessly matched in pitch, takes digital mixing and effects to new levels.

Having the familiar layout of the classic DJM-600, the new DJM-800 is easy to navigate.  But at first touch, you feel the difference. Improved chassis design, dual shield structure to eliminate unwanted noise, high performance power supply, faders, knobs and a bright new display let you know this is a giant leap forward.

Building on the digital circuitry of the Club standard DJM-1000, Pioneer created the DJM-800 to exceed the needs of mixing, remixing, producing, and performing.

Under the casing, the DJM-800 uses the same 96kHz/24bit technology of the DJM-1000, with digital inputs and outputs.

The other key feature of this mixer is that it acts as a MIDI controller, with no less than 61 assignable controls to use your favorite music software and hardware, such as Ableton Live or EDIROL V-4 Video Mixer.

Legendary DJ Robbie Leslie, resident DJ at Steel in Fort Lauderdale, states, “I personally don’t favor all those bells and whistles,” but adds, “it does sound nice.” It is obvious that the DJM-800 will appeal to the budding audiophile disinclined to learn harmonic blending, although professional DJ’s may appreciate the timesaving aspect of easily matching pitch with this high-tech mixer.

According to Karl Detken, Director of Product Planning at Pioneer Electronics, the DJM-800 will be the exclusive mixer for Ultra Music Festival 2006.

Features
Inputs and outputs
Digital inputs and outputs support transparent signal processing between Pioneer’s CDJ and DVJ series of digital decks, delivering immaculate audio quality. With input frequencies of 44.1/48/96kHz and selectable output frequencies between 48/96kHz, it’s a perfect mixer—not only for the club professional, but also recording studios where high fidelity sound is required.

MIDI function
Another key feature is the fully assignable MIDI function. This means that MIDI signals can be sent from almost all knobs and switches on the surface of the DJM-800 (a total of 61 assignable controls) to external MIDI equipment. With this level of MIDI flexibility, the DJM-800 can be used as a versatile interface to control any MIDI controllable lighting, software and MIDI enabled video mixers. Optional rotary volume knobs are available to replace the main volume switches, a feature that enables more subtle and precise mixing.

Effects
Pioneer cites extensive dialogue with some of the world’s top DJs and sound engineers, who provided the catalyst to create new, intuitive techniques to affect the perfect mix, resulting in “sound color effects,” a whole new style of DJ mixing. In musical terms, if the DJ adjusts a track in the key of C by +3%, you are no longer in the key of C—you are now between C and D. This makes it impossible to perform a perfect harmonic mix, unless harmonic tuning is applied. Harmonic tuning takes whatever key the source audio is in and adjusts the pitch until the key reaches a standard note. Mr. Detken adds: “World class DJs currently spend hours learning the keys of their music and re-mastering their library to be in perfect pitch. This innovation makes it easier to deliver smooth mixes, every time.” The DJM-800 also offers filter, sweep and crush effects through a highpass/lowpass filter, notch filter and bit crusher effect for all line channels.

In keeping with Pioneer’s relentless drive for innovation, standard effects are coupled with new techniques for a package that includes: Echo, Delay, Reverse Delay, Pan, Transform, Filter, Flanger, Phaser, Reverb, Robot, Chorus, Roll and Reverse Roll. The effects automatically detect the BPM of the music and syncs to the beats. In conjunction with the additional Digital Beat Effects, 50 combinations of effects are possible.

Chassis
Like the DJM-1000, the DJM-800 also has the same high rigid chassis for minimizing unnecessary vibration that could adversely affect sound quality. It also incorporates a dual-shield structure, for eliminating entry of digital noise and a high performance power supply.

Additional features
The DJM-800 has a massive range of features. Some of the additional highlights ARE:
•    Cross fader assign: to assign each channel’s input to the cross fader.
•    Fader curve adjust: to change the cross fader/channel fader curve.
•    Fader start: connect a Pioneer CDJ player with a control cable. Playback can be started by simply sliding the cross fader or channel fader.
•    3-Band Equalizer: a built-in equalizer on each channel enables level control within a –26dB to +6dB range for high, mid and low bands, respectively.
•    Talk over: automatically attenuates the volume by -20db so an MC can talk over the track.
•    Mic signal cut: Eliminates the microphone sound output to the booth monitor to prevent feedback.
•    Peak level meter: Check the peak level of the input audio for each channel, as well as the master.
•    Master output rotary knob.
•    Master output attenuation switch.
•    Twin mic level adjustment.

Specifications:

•    Input Terminal CD/LINE x 5 (RCA) PHONO x 3 (RCA) •    DIGITAL IN x 4 (COAXIAL S/PDIF)
•    MIC x 2 (XLR / ¼” combo x 1, ¼” x 1)
•    Output Terminal MASTER OUT x 2 (RCA x 1, XLR x 1)
•    BOOTH OUT x 1 (¼”)
•    HEADPHONE MONITOR OUT x 1 (TOP PANEL ¼”)
•    REC OUT x 1 (RCA)
•    DIGITAL OUT x 1 (COAXIAL S/PDIF)
•    Other Terminal SEND x 1 (¼”)
•    RETURN x 1 (¼”)
•    MIDI OUT x 1 (5pin DIN)
•    CONTROL x 4 (3.5mm MINI JACK)
•    Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz
•    Total Harmonic Distortion 0.005% or less
•    Signal-to-Noise Ratio 105dB (line)
•    Head Room 19dB
•    Power Requirements AC 220-240V (50Hz)
•    Power Consumption 32W
•    Dimensions 12.6” (W) x 15” (D) x 4.25” (H) // 320 (W) x 381(D) x 108 (H) mm
•    Weight 17.6 lbs // 8 kg


By Thomas R. Filippi

For more information, please visit www.PioneerProDJ.com or www.Pioneerelectronics.com .