djsoftware.com.au –

Having got through the BPM coverage, it’s now time to get back to the business of news and reviews again. Teasing me badly are the new Pioneer CDJs and the putting together of the preview feature. I was going to do it all in one lump, but I figure it’s easier to trickle the material out as you’re probably somewhat hungry to hear my thoughts on this new shiny stuff. First up is Slip Mode, something that had me scratching my head as to what exactly it was. Watch the video and then you’ll know.

Essentially, it allows the current track to keep playing underneath while you pause, scratch or spinback on the platter. When you release, the track picks up exactly where it should as if it had kept on playing. It’s quite simple, but instantly understood when you try it for yourself.

It’s certainly a new feature to me, and one that will allow users to come up with some new creative ways to rock a crowd. Imagine the fun that could be had spinning doubles of the same track – perhaps offbeat as well to create new ideas for old sets. Of course, it’s also open to abuse in that a DJ could sequence a string of tracks on a USB key – all slam mixed together and only needing a spinback at the right point to appear like they’ve been mixed. I doubt however that a DJ who is in the market for such aspirational products like these is that type of DJ anyway.

This is the puzzling thing about the feature – why isn’t it on the 2000? This is one reason why I made the previous statement about which unit to get isn’t as straight forward as you might think. I’ve just filmed some scratching, juggling and drumming and will edit that into a 2 minute clip later this week. All you need to know for now is that the difference in feel between the 900 and 2000 is minimal, and that just like the older CDJs, both are extremely capable scratchers.

I’ve currently got the decks LAN’d up via an older wireless router and talking to each other happily. The next thing to get my head round is cueing and looping and how the units differ, which I feel will be another key feature that will make a decision one way or another for potential buyers.

Taken From Skratchworx.com