Successor : Pioneer CDJ-500 II

The Pioneer CDJ-500 was Pioneer's very first DJ Product ever in most parts of the world. This model introduced a lot of things that later became industry standards.

The CDJ-500 was  a model only available outside the USA (Europe, Asia), the first CDJ in America was the Pioneer CDJ-300 (only available in USA) that came out roughly the same time. The difference between the CDJ-300 and the CDJ-500 is the region it was available and the Loop Out button.

Pioneer CDJ-500 has a jogwheel to control Pitch Bend or when in Pause mode it will search the track. The stuttering sound that is outputted plays from the audio frame a few frames forward and then repeats. This typical and recognizable sound is loved by some, hated by others. The Play/Pause controls are on the left of the Jog, the pitch fader is on the right, like it is on turntables.

Along with the tempo/pitch control works the Master Tempo, this function changes the key of the song as if it was played at 0% Pitch. Speed changes by the fader or pitch bends done with the Jogwheel are hardly hearable this way.

The yellow Loop Out button tragger loop playback up to 7 minutes, starting from the Cue point.

Cue Sampler plays the track from the Cue point when pressing and holding the Cue Button for maximum 10 seconds.

Features

DJ Compact Disc CD Player
Vinyl Turntable Design
Jog Dial for a closer to vinyl feeling when pitch bending
Jog Wheel used for frame-by-frame search en Cue Point selection
Flat-Top Design
Quick Start
Playing Address, a light bar provides a graphic indication of elapsed playing time
Tempo Control, ±10% pitch range
Master Tempo, locks in the music's pitch even when the tempo changes
Power and Eject button safety guards
Fader Start Play / Back Cue Play (Relay Play)
Auto Cue, cues at the first detection of audio in the track
Loop Out

Specifications

Frequency Response: 4-20kHz
Distortion (TDH): <0.0004%
Signal to Noise Ratio: >106dB
Dynamic Range : >96dB
Channel Seperation: >98dB
Power : 220V
Power Consumption: 18W
Dimensions (WxDxH): 320 x 362.1 x 98.5 mm
Weight: 4.1 kg