Pioneer CDJ-2000  Pioneer 15 Year Anniversary Deck

Submitted by Lead   on 17-09-2009 09:12
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Also in the Gearbase: Pioneer DJ - Player Tabletop Overview

Gearbase product details : Pioneer DJ CDJ-2000

Dawn of a new Species

It has arriaved and we just entered a new era of media useage by DJs. The CDJ-1000 converted a lot of people from vinyl to CD, the CDJ-2000 is about to do the same for the evolution from CD to digital media. The new Pioneer CDJ-series decks play your audio CD with all tricks your used to off course... but there is so much more....

Yes, you can use the CDJ-2000 (and CDJ-900) with CD or drop files on a compatible media (USB or SD) and play them from the folders you placed there. But when used in combination with Rekordbox software a USB device (stick) or SD card just evolved into your digital record case and it is the best way of transporting your files to the DJ Booth. On this 'device' as it is called also the Waveform info of inserted CD's will be stored.

The Pioneer CDJ-2000 is Pioneer's new deck for the Top DJ. With a different types of music sources in mind the CDJ-2000 is aimed for use of Audio on USB/SD/CD/DVD media. To get the best sound quality out of the CDJ-2000, set the Digital Output to 24-bits and use 24-bit WAV files to play.

 

 Rekordbox Music Management

When we talk about the CDJ-2000 we have to take a look at Rekordbox as well. Look at it like iTunes for DJs, Rekordbox is your music management software, the device you export your music to is your digital record case.

Supplied with each CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 is a piece of software called Rekordbox. Read this DJ Topic about Pioneer Rekordbox Software as this software unlocks lots of possibilities on the CDJ.

Rekordbox works as the central storage location and database for your entire music collection. Make a selection (complete genre, playlists or single tracks) and export them to a USB device for your gigs. Just as if you would be selecting records from your shelves to put them in the record box to take with you for the night. Connect the USB device to the CDJ when you perform and you see the same playlists on the CDJ as you've prepared at home on Rekordbox. You can play that playlist or change it's order or add track as you feel like. There are so much things to do, just read the dedicated Rekordbox topic.

As Rekordbox will be compatible with all future Pioneer decks so this might be a good solid reason to start using it.

CDJ-400 and MEP-7000 are NOT compatible with Rekordbox nor will they ever be.

 

Main Display

There is a 6.1'' Full Color LCD display showing you all information. The top half is your browser, the lower section shows the track information.

Top Section

In the upper part of the screen you see all the track information, this part works together with the Rotary Dial (on the right of the display). You move the highlighted bar with the Rotary Dial and choose your selection by pressing it. Just above the rotary Dial is the BACK button to go one step back.

Display Bottom Section

The bottom part shows all information you would normally see on a CDJ with one big difference. All information and the Waveform is in a much more detail than before. The high resolution of the display offers the possibility to show a very detailed, two colored waveform. The darker parts mark the section where beats might occur. When Cue Points are stored for a track, the positions have a red arrow shaped marker below the Waveform. The Hot Cue/Loop points have a marker above the Waveform with the appropriate letter above it.

Source Select and Browsing

The row buttons on the left of the display select the media source you want to use (Link, USB, SD and Disc). The last three are obvious off course, but the Link button opens up the world for the CDJ-2000.

When Link is selected, all the USB/SD devices that are connected to all CDJ2000s in the link can be selected and browsed through. With the same convenience as you would browse the local USB stick you can now browse through all USB devices in all players. This mean that you only need to bring 1 USB Device/Hard disk drive to the venue, no matter how much decks you use (max 4).

The row buttons above the display selects the showing information (Browse, Tag List, Info and Menu). The Browse screen is what you'll use the most to select and find tracks. The Tag List is explained later in this article.

Browsing CD Tracks

The Browse functionality depends weather or not any library information is stored on the SD-card/USB device with Rekordbox software (free with each CDJ). When no database information is found on the device you browse folder like you would browse the device on your computer.

When you use Rekordbox software you will see a list of possible browse options like Artist, Track, Genre, Album etc. You can set the options and their order how you would like to see them with Rekordbox software. Select one with the Rotary Dial and press it to select.

If you would browse CD media you will see the tracklisting. If CD Text is added to the CD it will show it, if non has been added it will show a listing 'Track 01', etc.

 Browsing USB/Link Rekordbox Media

If you use a USB device which is exported from Rekordbox you will see a nice list of available tags to browse by. You can browse by tags like Artist, Track, BPM or Rating. Use the Rotary to select the tag and press it to show the listing.

If you don't like your choice press the Back button above the Rotary. You can also select the Search option from this list to search in your whole Library.

The contents and order of this list can be changed with Rekordbox. If you don't use Rekordbox the tag list is not visible and you will have the file browser instead.

 Sorting a Playlist or listing

When your browsing a file listing you can press the Menu button to select the sorting order. This does not work when browsing folders or categories and only when tracks are exported from Rekordbox.

The Menu Button works only when you browsing tracks. Hold the Menu Button to enter the settings menu of the CDJ-2000.

When the Menu is pressed it pops up a selection window where you can select the ID3 tag that should be use the sort the current listing. Scroll through the list with the Rotary and press to select the track.

The contents of the popup can be selected and ordered with Rekordbox.

 Info Screen

The Info screen shows you more details of the tracks you've currently loaded. You can use the rotary to select any of the Tag information and browse that category by pressing the Rotary, you can easy find more tracks from an artist or in a certain genre/album/etc.

 Tag List

The Tag List temporarily marks tracks that you would like to play. It is just like you would stick your record up in the record case during a performance to select to upcoming tracks. You can temporarily mark tracks which you would like to play next from any connected source and use this as a quick list to place requests in.

A Taglist is stored per Source/Device depending the source of the track you are tagging.

The Tag List can hold up to 60 titles in total. You can also select whole categories or folders, just as long as you stay below the 60 tracks. The Tag List is emptied when you remove the USB device holding the tracks or when the CDJ is powered down.

Needle Search

This touch sensitive strip can be used to drop the needle on the spot you see in the Waveform. Play a track and hold the platter with your hand (Vinyl Mode must be activated) or press play again to put it in Pause mode.

How to Operate the strip
 Scrub the Needle Search strip
 Hold your finger to play from that location
 Roll your finger from there for fine adjustments

When you release your finger from the strip the needle is moved to the spot you touched last. You can now fine tune it with the platter and set your Cue Point or start playback.

 Keyword String Search

One of the browse options is Search, select it with the Rotary. You can now perform a string search in your Library. You need to use the Needle Search strip to enter the string you are searching for.

You drag your finger over the Needle Search strip when you see the alphabet above it. As long as you drag your finger across the letter above your finger will be highlighted/selected. When you release your finger you enter the letter. You delete a letter by dragging/pushing at the 'x' mark sign on the right side of the strip.

Searching is performed after each letter that is entered and results are shown instantly. You can search for 'mus' to find a track with that string anywhere in the tags that are in the Rekordbox database (on the USB Device) that contain the string 'mus'.
It will show a track with title 'We love the Music' or artist like 'The Wilhelmustards'.

0.5 Frame Accurate Cue Point

Pioneer has double the number of positions where you can set a Cue Point. In the older CDJ-series CD player you could set a Cue Point at any audio frame, this means that each second contains 75 frames. But with the CDJ-2000 you can set a Cue Point half way an audio frame, making a total of 149 possible places to set a Cue Point... in each second.

To set a Cue Point you just hold the platter down while playing and search for the right spot by rotating it (assuming you've got Vinyl Mode activated). Then press the Cue button to set the Cue Point to that location.

If you want to move the Cue Point you can use the Jogwheel and press the Cue buttons if you are at the right spot.

You can also move a frame forwards or backwards by pressing one of the Search buttons /. The first time you press it, only the white ring on the Jog Display will light up, indicating the Cue Set mode is activated. The following presses of the Search buttons / move the Cue Point 0.5 frame forwards or backwards.

Improved Jog Wheel

The Jog Dial of the Pioneer CDJ-2000 is once again improved when compared to that of the CDJ/DVJ-1000. There have been improvements so that it feels more direct. There is a new internal structure and a new surface layer for better grip.

The rim on the Jog Dial is now illuminated by a 4-point LED ring. This ring marks all sides of the Jog Wheel so you always know where it is, even in the darkest DJ Booth.

The Illumination blinks the last 30 seconds of a track and flickers fast the last 15 seconds to indicate that the track is about to be finished in a few seconds.

Jog Wheel feeling/tension Adjust

As a result of feedback of DJs, Pioneer has widened the range of the Jog Adjust. This control sets the amount of resistance or tensions the Jog has when you rotate it.

The heavier you set this, the more resistance the jag has, the faster it stops after a backspin. When set in the most heavy setting the Jog stops moving as soon as your fingers stop touching the surface of the platter.

Just above location where the yellow CDJ--800MK2 and CDJ-1000mk3 text is placed in this image you will find the appropriate feeling. As you can see you can now adjust it even wider for better fitting your needs.

Playlist History record

When you playback audio from SD/USB Devices the CDJ stores the tracks you played in your set in a playlist. This playlist can be recalled later and when the Device is synced with Rekordbox, all these lists will be transferred to Rekordbox. This way you can easily check what tracks you've played in a venue and when. These Playlists can be altered with Rekordbox software.

The CDJ also storage the number of times a track is played. In Rekordbox you can see your most played tracks once it is updated with the USB/SD devices information.

Jump Browsing

If you keep the Rotary pressed during browsing for 1 second you speed up browsing by activating the Jump mode. When you have a very long listing you can start the Jump Mode to browse the list by the letter (or by the page when you don't use Rekordbox software). This makes browsing through your Collection go a lot faster (per page or per letter).

Pioneer ProDJ Link

Via a RJ45 connector on the back, a network cable can be used to hook up multiple CDJ-2000's and or CDJ900's so they can share their music collections (on inserted USB/SD devices). It's possible to connect 2 CDJ's directly to each other with a network cable. You can connect 3-4 CDJ's with a network switch/hub. All music on inserted SD cards/USB devices will be shared amongst all connected players. This enables you to play from the same huge music collection on all decks.

HID Interface

As the CDJ supports the HID protocol, you can use the CDJ directly to a Timecode software system if you still need to use software in the DJ Booth. But with the easy-to-use browse system there's hardly a need for that.

MIDI Interface

To use the MIDI from the CDJ-2000 you need to connect the USB cable to your computer as this information is NOT transmitted via the network cable.

Build in Sound Card

When connected to a computer, it will recognize an audio device and install the proper drivers. When using mix software you can now select the sound card of the CDJ-2000 as output device. This means that you do not need to connect your laptop/computer to the mixer, but use the output of the CDJ instead.

Memorize your Cue/Loops

With the dedicated buttons for storing and recalling Loop/Cue information you can easily create your own favorites that will be stored on SD card (when CD playback) or on the USB Device from which your playing tracks.

Press the MEMORY button when you've got your track is Cue-ed or when in Loop playback to store this info instantly without interrupting audio playback.

You can recall your stored Cue/Loop information by pressing the Call buttons. The CDJ will search for the NEXT or PREVIOUS stored Cue/Loop point from your current position. This information is visible by a marker above the Waveform in the lower section of the display.

Quantize your Hot Cues and Loops

This function only works when you've got your tracks in the USB device with Rekordbox software. Rekordbox stores a beat-grid with each track, which can be adjusted in Rekordbox. Once this is done and the Quantize function is activated on the CDJ the setting of Real time Cue (Loop In), Loop Out and the Hot Cue's will be synced with the Beat Grid that Rekordbox has prepared. This makes sure that all your loops are in sync (if your beat map is).

While playing and Quantize active, press Loop In to set a Cue Point on-the-fly, You can recall this Cue Point by pressing the Cue Button. A loop-in point is always the same as your Cue Point (Pioneer standard feature). You'll notice that when you make a normal Cue Point the Loop In button flashes meaning a Loop In point has been set.

Vinyl Speed Adjust

These two controls let you set the time needed to perform a start or stop in vinyl mode.

When Vinyl mode is deactivated these rotaries have no function.

With the Touch/Brake rotary you set the time needed for the deck to slow down to a complete stop once the play button is pressed again to Pause playback. This simulates the power off function of a traditional vinyl player.

The Release/Start rotary selects the time needed to get to full playback speed from Pause mode. This simulates the slow starting of a vinyl deck.

Sometimes you can use this wisely to end a track in a break, mostly you would want this settings both as fast as possible (why else playing with CD) so just like this picture is a good setting.

History Listings

The CDJ-2000 is equipped with a History Listings storage function that stores your played playlist. This listing can be imported to Rekordbox so you can save the sets you've played at a certain venue to listen again. Or use these Playlists as a start point for a next performance.

Hot Cue & Hot Loop

The buttons are increased in size when compared to the CDJ-1000mk3 so they're easier to hit.

It is possible to record up to 3 Hot Cue/Loop Points (per disc when CD is used, per track when USB media is used). You start playback if any of the buttons is illuminated Yellow (Hot Loop) or Green (Hot Cue).

Activate the Record mode by pressing the Rec button below the row of Hot Cue buttons. Hot Loops/Cues can be recorded by pressing the designated buttons (A, B and C). Red illumination means that you will record a new Hot Loop/cue when you press any of these buttons.

If the player is in Loop Play, a Hot Loop will be recorded under the button you've pressed. When that player is NOT in Loop Play (or paused in a Loop) a normal Hot Cue is recorded.

For tracks played from SD/USB devices you can keep the Rec button pressed to Call all the stored points. The Hot Cue buttons will start to blink (green = Cue, Yellow = Loop), press the blinking buttons to Load the point to the Hot Cue button.

There is no need to delete a Hot Cue/Loop, simply overwrite an existing one.

The last used Hot cue's/Loops will be written on the SD Memory card (when used with audio CDs). When a disc is inserted with pre-recorded Hot Cue's, they will flash. When you press it once, the Hot Cue or Loop will be loaded (this takes a second, in the mean while, arm the other Hot Cue's as well.

SD Memory Card

The SD Memory card slot be used to insert SD(HC) cards with media files on it so it acts like a USB device. The maximum capacity of the SD card you can use is 32 GB. Format SD cards up to 2 GB at FAT16, use FAT32 for SDHC cards.

The SD Memory card can be used to store waveform information for inserted CDs. Per disc you can store 3 hot cue's and 100 cue Points per CD for thousands of CD's. As the smallest card today is about 64MB this at least gives you the possibility to store info for 50.000 CD's.

Reverse

The lever switch has been improved (when compared to the CDJ-1000MK3) as it's now mechanically switching faster and more direct.

Use this lever switch to playback in reverse direction, without the loss of tempo or pitch and without stopping or starting the track.

Reverse can also be used with the Hot Cue and the Loop Sampler functions to create endless combinations and effects.

Faster Searching using the Jog

When you are holding the Track Search button / and rotate the Jog you will scroll very fast through the discs index. 1 Rotation skips about 30 tracks.

When you hold down the regular Search button / and rotate the Jog dial, you will search at a faster speed. Fast Search is performed in the direction of which the jog is rotated so it can also be done backwards.

In both cases (track or regular search), it doesn't matter which of the Search Buttons you press (/or/), the direction of the rotation of the Jog determines the direction.

Cue Stutter Continue

Just like on any CDJ you can use the Cue Button to sample play from your Cue Point. As long as you hold the Cue Button the CDJ plays the track from the Cue Point onwards. When the cue Button is released the CDJ instantly returns to the Cue point and is ready for a restart.

The CDJ-2000 also provides a way to continue playing. When you are holding the Cue Button and the CDJ is playing, you can continue by simultaneously pressing the Play Buttononce. When you now release the Cue Button playback will continue.

Eject Canceling & Auto Resume Play

When you press the EJECT button , playback will stop and the player prepares for the Eject. Before it shows you 'EJECT' (about 1 second), you can cancel the Eject by pressing the Play Button . This will not prevent the sound from stopping, but it continuous playing a lot faster than when it would perform a full Eject.

When the disc does get ejected and is inserted it again, playback will continue from the point where it was ejected (track number and time is remembered). This point is being stored in the memory of the CDJ for as long as no other CD is inserted, or the power has been turned down.

Disc Compatibility

The CDJ-2000 can be used to play music from lots of different media and in a lot of different formats. You can insert the discs that carry one of the following logo's and have these descriptions : CD-DA (audio CD), CD-R/-RW, DVD-R/RW, DVD+r/+RW,DVD-r DL (dual layer) and DVD+R DL (dual layer).

You cannot use video files stored on a disc (DVD) as such, only music files are recognized by the CDJ. Some Copyright protected CDs add stuff so the disc does not comply anymore with the Red Book CD standard so the CDJ might not read it. The player is CD-Text compatible so it displays this information in the display, when multiple tags are found the first one will show up.

File Compatibility

You can playback music files stored as MP3, WAV, AAC and AIFF files. These files can be stored on any of the above discs or on an SD card or USB device. A larger folder tree means more time is needed for the CDJ to read the folders, keep this as tidy as possible. In all three situations the following file limitations apply :

Folder tree is max. 8 levels deep

Max. number of folders on disc (CD/DVD) : 2.000
Max. files on disc (CD/DVD) : 3.000
Max. files per format (CD/DVD) : 999

Max. number of folders on media (SD/USB) : 10.000
Max. files on media per folder (SD/USB) : 10.000

 Product User Manual

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