Introducing the New CDJ-2000NXS2 and DJM-900NXS2
Pioneer DJ's flagship hardware is getting a tech-refresh, according to a press release from the gear giant earlier today. This comes in the wake of the re-release announcement of the Technics 1200, making for an eventful start to 2016.
The new products seem to be more of a refinement than a replacement, containing relevant updates to extend the life of the closest thing we have to a modern club standard. Primarily, they are getting higher-end sound processing, tighter Rekordbox integration, and a few bonus features.
And if you're wondering… yes, it still has a CD slot.
Let's dig in!
Details
Digging into the new multiplayers, Pioneer has upgraded to a high-resolution, 96KHz/24-bit sound card, and will support lossless audio formats such as FLAC. So, if you happen to be a DJ/producer, you can now export your tracks at 96KHz/24-bit instead of the CD-standard 44.1KHz/16-bit for super high-res playback.
Update: The new CDJ-2000NXS2 has been released and is available now. Check it out.
Update: The new DJM-900NXS2 has been released and is available now. Check it out.
You will also find a full QWERTY keyboard, which can be called down on the new 7″ high resolution touch-screen. This should allow you to do filtering and searches directly on the unit.
There is also an apparent attempt to better integrate the Rekordbox system, including upcoming HID control. The players now have 8 hot-cues, with assignable color lighting.
No word yet on Serato, Traktor, or Virtual DJ compatibility and DVS support (though Rekordbox DVS will be supported). We'll be watching for updates on that.
So what about that CD slot? Yeah, it's still there. Being that this is still considered the “standard” as far as the club and festival circuit goes, Pioneer likely finds it important to still support those DJs that bring CD wallets to their shows.
It may be a bit surprising, considering Pioneer has already been ditching the CD-players on their XDJ lineup, but I haven't seen any announcements for an XDJ-2000 so far…
The new DJM mixer is updated in similar vein. Pioneer has finally added dual-USB capability, providing a means for quick-changeover with a second laptop (best DJ gear trend ever).
They've also jumped on the 1/8″ headphones jack bandwagon, adding it on to the existing 1/4″ jack, which means no more panic-mode when you leave your adapter.
There are new Beat FX: Ping Pong delay, Vinyl Brake, and “Helix”. In addition, the “Color FX” knobs have gotten beefier and now include a parameter min/max knob for more tweakability.
The FX frequency selector (probably my favorite addition in regards to effects) allows you to apply the FX to only a certain spectrum of sound… i.e. adding a delay or reverb effect to a track without applying it to the bass (allowing you to avoid the rumbly mess that can come along with that).
The audio processing has been upgraded to 64-bit (from the 32 on the original NXS) and includes a new peak limiter.
Both the CDJ-2000NXS2 and the DJM-900NXS2 will be released for $2199 in February 2016.
Update: The new CDJ-2000NXS2 has been released and is available now. Check it out.
Update: The new DJM-900NXS2 has been released and is available now. Check it out.
Press Release
Refined, remastered, reborn:
Meet the new CDJ-2000NXS2 and DJM-900NXS2
12th January 2016: Our flagship set-up is taking a giant leap into the future, as we unveil the CDJ-2000NXS2 and DJM-900NXS2. The result of years of feedback from DJs of every genre, the latest additions deliver the highest possible sound quality, finely tuned features and unprecedented levels of control.
We’ve given the CDJ-2000NXS2 a 96 kHz/24-bit sound card and added FLAC/Apple Lossless Audio (ALAC) support – paving the way for more producers to create music in this top quality format. Browsing and track selection are even more intuitive with the high-res touch screen, Qwerty keyboard and Track Filter search. The screen also packs in a multicoloured wave display, more detailed rekordbox™ information and instant access to all the most popular features. The player now has two banks of four Hot Cues – eight in total. And, if that isn’t enough, you can connect the DDJ-SP1 controller to add even more Hot Cues and loops and control four players from one device using Pro DJ Link.
The DJM-900NXS2 takes mixing to another level with our first ever 64-bit mixing processor for a more natural, warm and detailed sound. The controls are even more responsive, with a new gain structure, improved EQ and fader curves. The Sound Colour FX section now has a parameter knob for even more nuanced manipulation. Plus an independent Send/Return means you no longer have to choose between Beat FX and external FX: you can connect your choice of external FX controllers, including apps on your iPad, and layer it on top of the on-board FX. Add to that four phono inputs, DVS support and two USB ports for easy connection to PC/Mac – and the DJM-900NXS2 is a crucial tool versatile enough for any professional booth.
“I played a couple of tracks on the DJM-900NXS2 and I was quite astounded, it sounds like no other Pioneer DJ mixer I’ve heard,” said Andy Kayll, sound engineer at DC10. “Going up from 32-bit to 64-bit, the sound is so much more accurate and natural, you can hear it’s much warmer.”
The CDJ-2000NXS2 and DJM-900NXS2 are available from February 2016, both at an SRP of €2,299, including VAT.
Find out more or watch our NXS2 set-up introduction videos for hints and tricks.
NEW FEATURES OF THE CDJ-2000NXS2
- Enhanced, next generation sound with support for FLAC/ALAC files
Every aspect of the CDJ-2000NXS2’s sound design has been fine-tuned to produce a crisper, clearer sound and support the highest quality formats:
- 96 kHz/24-bit sound card: high-res sound reproduction with no loss of quality.
- FLAC and ALAC support: play with the highest quality formats.
- Improved Digital Out: ensures a detailed reproduction of high-res audio.
- 32-bit D/A converter: eliminates distortion and noise on analogue sources.
- Separate analogue power supply: reduces unwanted noise.
- Full-colour touch screen with faster browsing and more detailed track information
The CDJ-2000NXS2 has a high resolution, 7-inch touch screen, and adds a host of features for faster browsing and more intuitive performances:
- Track Filter mode: use the touch screen to filter tracks by rekordbox information such as BPM, key or My Tags.
- Keyword search: bring up the Qwerty keyboard to search for tracks by name.
- Multicoloured wave display: full-colour wave form and Wave Zoom.
- Needle Countdown: touch a point in the track to see how many beats away it is.
- Shortcut button: instantly switch to Browse mode or bring up My Settings.
- Expanded performance features for even greater possibilities and creativity
The CDJ-2000NXS2 builds on its predecessor’s most popular features – including Beat Sync, Slip Mode and Hot Cue Auto Load – and takes it up a gear with:
- 8 colour-coded Hot Cues: two banks of four Hot Cues deliver even more choice and control in the mix. Either set the cues and colours in rekordbox or use the simplified workflow to set them on-the-fly.
- MIDI controller interface: connect the DDJ-SP1 add-on controller with one USB cable to control up to 4 CDJ-2000NXS2s using Pro DJ Link – giving you instant access to more Hot Cues, loops, slip mode and browsing.
- Fractional beat Quantize: choose between ⅛, ¼ and ½ beat Quantize for more precision and versatility.
- Pro DJ Link enables even more features
Pro DJ Link lets you share one source across up to four players and unlocks a host of information and features such as Beat Sync and Beat Countdown. Now we’ve added:
- More detailed Phase Meter: see the track’s progression through the bar, beats and between the beats.
- Improved beat grids: beat grids are now accurate to the microsecond, exactly matching the rekordbox beat grid for total reliability over the course of a mix.
- Quantized Beat Jump: jump backwards or forwards 1 beat from the current playback position.
- See full rekordbox track information including NEW colour-coded Memory Cues
As always, you can analyse and prepare your tracks in rekordbox and view vital information on the player’s screen, including BPM, Beat Countdown and Phase Meter. New to the CDJ-2000NXS2 are Memory Cues, which let you name a cue, e.g. ‘my breakdown’, give it a colour, and then see that information on the CDJ-2000NXS2’s screen.
- Other features
- Supports rekordbox dj HID control – a rekordbox dj add-on that will be available soon.
- Three-position lever for Slip Reverse, Forward and Reverse.
- Multicoloured USB port light: shows a colour you’ve pre-set in rekordbox (e.g. blue for a techno USB stick) when you plug the USB stick in.
- Auto-standby
- High quality, anti-scratch aluminium top plate.
NEW FEATURES OF THE DJM-900NXS2
- High quality audio components for a warm, detailed sound
The DJM-900NXS2 has undergone a complete overhaul under the bonnet to deliver clear sound with more depth and colour:
- Improved digital sound processing: 64-bit mixing processing, enhanced dithering technology and a low-jitter clock – all deliver a warm, natural analogue sound.
- 96 kHz/24-bit sound card and direct digital connection: accurately reproduces high-res audio.
- Newly developed power supply: eliminates unwanted noise and delivers a warmer sound.
- Improved analogue input: a new phono amp circuit, plus a new signal GND terminal to easily attach ground wires from analogue turntables.
- Improved EQ, fader and clip controls for smoother mixes
The DJM-900NXS2 has more nuanced frequency and volume controls for smoother, more dynamic mixing:
- Improved channel fader curves: the three curves have been fine-tuned for more precision and control.
- New EQ curves: even more precision across the highs, mids and lows.
- More accurate clip indicator: a redesigned gain structure ensures meters don’t go into the red too early.
- Peak limiter: minimises distortion even at high volumes.
- More detailed control of a wealth of FX plus an independent Send/Return
The DJM-900NXS2’s FX and their controls have been completely redesigned to deliver detailed levels of manipulation:
- 6 Sound Colour FX:
- New Sweep: replaces Gate/Comp
- New parameter knob: alters different parameters for each effect.
- Bigger knobs: for more nuanced control of all sound colour FX.
- 14 Beat FX:
- New FX: Ping Pong, Vinyl Brake, Helix, Pitch, improved Reverb.
- Bigger X-Pad with OLED screen: more easily see and toggle FX and change parameters.
- FX Frequency: choose which frequency range to apply effects to.
- Channel selection LED: know at a glance which channels you’re applying Beat FX to.
- Independent Send/Return: connect external hardware and software to use alongside the internal FX. InterApp support means you can use FX/Instrument apps on your iPad – for example the virtual RMX-1000 app.
- Two USB ports, 4 Phono Inputs and DVS support for total flexibility and seamless DJ handovers
The DJM-900NXS2 has a multitude of inputs to give you total freedom to mix with the source of your choice:
- 2 USB ports and a top-loaded input switcher: for seamless DJ handovers between different PCs/Macs.
- DVS control: use turntables/players to control rekordbox DJ performance software via the rekordbox dj DVS Plus Pack (coming soon).
- 4 Phono Inputs: connect up to 4 turntables to channels 1, 2, 3 or 4.
- Pro DJ Link via LAN or USB for even more scope and flexibility
Use Pro DJ Link to connect up to 4 players and share one source, see detailed rekordbox information and unlock a number of advanced features including Quantize. You can also connect a PC/Mac with just one USB cable to control rekordbox dj and other DJ software with all 4 players.
- High quality, rugged build for professional use
The DJM-900NXS2 is built for the rigours of professional use.
- Magvel Fader: highly responsive magnetic crossfader designed for smooth operation and superb durability.
- 2 headphone plugs: ¼-inch stereo jack and 3.5mm MiniPin
- Gold-plated RCAs: for premium sound quality on all connections
Specifications
CDJ-2000NXS2 SPECIFICATIONS
| Playable media | iPhone/iPod touch, Android phone, etc. USB storage devices (flash memory/HDD, etc.) Computers (Mac/Windows PC), Audio CD, CD-R/RW, DVD±R/RW/R-DL |
| Playable file | WAV, AIFF, FLAC, Apple Lossless (Sampling rate: 44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz, Bit depth: 16/24bit) MP3 (Sampling rate: 32/44.1/48 kHz, Bit depth: 16 bit) AAC (Sampling rate: 16/22.05/4/32/44.1/48 kHz, Bit depth: 16bit) rekordbox™ for iPhone: MP3 and AAC only |
| USB storage support file systems | FAT, FAT32, HFS+ |
| Frequency response | 4 Hz ~ 40 kHz |
| S/N ratio | 115 dB or more |
| Total harmonic distortion | 0.0018% or less |
| USB ports | USB A port x 1, USB B port x 1 |
| Audio output ports | AUDIO OUT (RCA) x 1, DIGITAL OUT (COAXIAL) x 1 |
| Other ports | LAN (100Base-TX) x 1 |
| Audio output voltage | 2.0 Vrms |
| Power requirements | AC 100-240V 50/60 Hz |
| Max external dimension(W x D x H) | 320 mm x 414.4 mm x 113.2 mm |
| Weight | 5.7 kg |
DJM-900NXS2 SPECIFICATIONS
| Number of channels | 4 x audio channels, 2 x MIC channels |
| Input ports | Digital In x 4 (coaxial), Line In x 4 (RCA), Phono x 4 (RCA), MIC x 2 (XLR & ¼-inch TRS jack x 1, 1/4” TRS JACK x 1) |
| Output ports | Master Out x 2 (XLR x 1, RCA x 1), Booth Out x 1 (1/4“ TRS jack), Headphone Monitor Out x 1(1/4” stereo jack, 3.5mm stereo min-jack), Rec Out x 1 (RCA), Digital Out x 1 (coaxial) |
| Other ports | Send x 1 (1/4” TS jack), Return x 1 (1/4” TS jack), USB B x ２, USB A x 1, Link (LAN) x 1 |
| Sampling rate | 96kHz |
| D/A converter | 32bit |
| A/D converter | 24bit |
| Frequency response | 20Hz ～ 40ｋHz (Line) |
| Total Harmonic Distortion ratio | 0.005％ or less (Line-Master1） |
| S/N ratio | 105 dB (Line) |
| Max external dimension (W x D x H) |
333 x 414.2 x 107.9 mm |
| Unit weight | 8.0kg |
REKORDBOX DJ SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
| Compatible OS(Windows) | Windows 10 / Windows 8 / Windows 8.1 / Windows 8 Pro / Windows 8.1 Pro (The latest service pack)Windows® 7 Home Premium / Professional / Ultimate (The latest service pack)
Intel® Processer Dual Core 2.0 GHz or higher 4GB or more of RAM |
| Compatible OS(Mac) | Mac OS X 10.11, 10.10, 10.9, 10.8 (Updated to the latest version)Intel® Processer Dual Core 2.0 GHz or higher
4GB or more of RAM |
| Hard Drive | 250MB or more of free space (not including space for storing music files, etc.) |
| Sound | Audio output to speakers, headphones, etc. (internal or external audio device) |
| USB port | A USB 2.0 port is used to connect a controller or a mixer, and export track files to a USB storage device such as a flash drive and a hard disk drive |
| Playable music file | FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, MP3, AAC |
| Internet connection | An internet connection is needed to create a rekordbox user account and to download and activate the software |
| Display resolution | 1280 × 768 or greater |
