Pioneer DJM-800  4 Channel Digital Effects Mixer with Filters

Submitted by Lead   on 19-01-2006 17:01
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Gearbase product details : Pioneer DJ DJM-800

The Pioneer DJM-800 brings pure audio fidelity by the hi-end 96kHz/24 bit A/D converter that’s complemented by 61 assignable MIDI control channels and a landmark innovation, ‘Harmonic Mixing’ capability – that detects a track’s key and automatically aligns it to the closest true key, removing inaccuracies created when adjusting the pitch.

The DJM800 mixer inherits the high fidelity technology of its big brother the DJM-1000. The analogue signal from the player is immediately digitized (through the shortest possible route) by a pro A/D converter at 96kHz/24bit, reaching the ultra-powerful (32bit) Digital Signal Processor without deterioration of quality.

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.

Like the DJM-1000, the DJM800 also has the same high rigid chassis for minimizing unnecessary vibration that could adversely affect sound quality. It is based on the same layout and footprint as the DJM-600, providing the natural and familiar feel known to DJs across the world. It also incorporates a dual-shield structure for eliminating entry of digital noise and a high performance power supply.

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Full Digital Connectivity
To get the best possible audio quality you should use the digital inputs and output when possible. When you do you will keep the audio in CD quality (16-bit @ 44.1kHz). The DJM-800 internallyMost Pioneer CDJ and other CD players have a digital output : CDJ-200, CDJ-800, CDJ-800MK2, CDJ-1000MK2, CDJ-1000MK3, CMX-3000, DVJ=X1, DVJ-1000. From other models and brands you might be able to get a digital output signal, but sometimes the CD player looses some features and/or functinality when this output is activated. This is a limitation of the CD Player.

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4 Filters, assignable to each Channel

This fabulous section gives you ultimate control over 4 different filters, each can be activated on each channel of the DJM-800. You first press one of the blue buttons to select a filter type. Rotate the knob of the channel where you want to apply the effect. The parameter you change differs per effect. Because sound effects are very hard to describe I've used some graphics to explain.

Harmonic Mix

The Pioneer DJM800 will automatically get the key of your track and set this to normal height at the center position of the parameter knob. When rotating the parameter knob you can change the actual key of the track to get it in harmonic order with the other one.

The green LED light indicates that the key you've set with the rotary is set at a full note (C, D, etc). When the LED is RED, you've set it in between 2 notes. You'll always want the LED to light up GREEN.

(1 red marker in the image). So when a track is originally in D, the first step up is D# and the first step down is C#. There is no easy way to find out what the key of a track is other than listen to it carefully and practice a lot with a small keyboard. Only exercising a lot will get you normal to it. Once you got it, there is no way back.

Sweep

This is an all new Pioneer effect. The parameter knob has a double function. When rotated left, it reacts as a Band Pass Filter. When rotated right it reacts like a Notch Filter. The filtering is based at 1 kHz frequency, this is the frequency where vocals are most powerful present (generally speaking).

When using the filter on 2 channels at the same time you get an all new way of mixing your tracks. Track B comes in with a notch (rotated all right), when starting your mix, gently rotate the parameter knob of track B to the center position and at the same time rotating the parameter knob of track A to the left (activating the BPF).

Bit Crusher

To some this might sound like a heavy distortion, but in fact this filter crushes the sound. It actually creates a sound like it moderates the sample rate. This gives a very heavy sound.

When the parameter knob is rotated left the Bit Crushers parameter is changed. When rotated right, besides this parameter, also a LFO.

This sound is used in almost al dance tracks that are released at this moment (2008) to make smooth strings just a little bit more 'dirty'. Those roughed edges sometime just finishes it off.

Filter

The second filter function is a Low Pass Filter and a High Pass Filter in one function. When the parameter knob is in center position the filter is in neutral position. The sound is not filtered at this point. When the knob is rotated left it's a LPF, when rotated right it's a HPF.

And since each channel has it's own filter you can easily use this filter to create a Filter Mix, making the actual transition very fluid if rotated on both channels at the same time.

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Full MIDI Control

The DJM800 is equipped with full Midi output of nearly all of the faders and knobs. In total 62 Midi channels can be controlled by the DJM-800.

To give you maximum possibilities when you hook up the DJM-800 in a Midi chain you can assign almost all knobs to a certain Midi function in computer based setups with for example: Ableton Live.

Together with Abletons sequencer you control it all. Just setup the software the receive Midi through a certain channel and assign it to a function.

Also a lot of DJ Mix software like DJS, Traktor, Serato etc can also handle inputs via MIDI from a mixer to control the internal mixer. MIDI is the language, you decide who you're talking to.



Display

New on a Pioneer mixer is the bright Display showing you all necessary information:

Effect Name: The name of the selected effect, which channel the effect is active on and the time parameter that's calculated with the BPM.

Selected Channel: surrounded by a red square you get a very clear indication which channel is routed through the Effect Section.

BPM Parameter: The top number is the current tempo of the current tracks. After calculating the BPM (BPM is flashing) the BPM indication is fully lit and an accurate BPM is measured.
Below the BPM reading you see the calculated time parameter that is related to the current BPM.

Beat < and >
The time (BPM related) parameter Effect Section can be changed instantly by pressing any of the Beat < or > button. After a press, the time parameter is divided or multiplied by 2.

Auto / Tap
When Auto is pressed the automatic BPM counter of the DJM800 is activated. When you start tapping the TAP button and sequentially hit it a few times, the DJM-800's effect section gets linked to the tempo you've just tapped.


Midi Start/Stop
Sends out a Midi start of stop pulse to the Midi Output.


Activate it to pre-listen your effects with the headphones.


Beat Effects
The quality of the effects is 96kHz/24-bit, which is the same technology as used in the EFX-1000. There are 13 different build in effects onboard, each linked to the beat by a accurate BPM counter. This makes it possible for you to focus on other things. Just use the arrow keys just under the display to get the parameters calculated automatically.

When you doubt that the BPM counter is wrong you can easily Tap along with the beat and the Effects are linked to the tempo you've just set. My experience is that the BPM counter can be trusted, it is seldom off.

1. Delay
2. Echo
3. Reverse Delay
4. Pan
5. Trans
6. Filter
7. Flanger
8. Phaser
9. Reverb
10. Robot (Pitch/Vocoder)
11. Chorus
12. Roll (simple sampler)
13. Reverse Roll (reverse sampler)
    
14. Off course it is possible to set the effect section on Send/Return so you can use any external effects unit you would like.

Effects Routing
You can assign the effect section to any audio channel there is : Channels 1~4, Microphone Cross Fader side A, Cross Fader Side B and ...

Time
Changes the time parameter of the effect manually for even more creativity.

Level/Depth
Although the exact functionality varies a little bit, this is the amount of effect you add to the original signal.

Toggle On/Off
With an illuminated button the Effects section can instantly be toggled on and off. Use this on the beat for lots of cool combinations.

Input Selector
Switch between Line, digital and Phono input

Gain Trim
The Gain Trim has a range from infinite (silent) to +9db. The most optimal setting of the Trim is around 12 O'clock (0dB).

Channel EQ Range
Treble	-26 ~ +6 dB (@ 13 kHz)
Mid	-26 ~ +6 dB (@ 1 kHz)
Bass	-26 ~ +6 dB (@ 70 Hz)

This is something that is already integrated to the EQ rotaries in the DJM-600/DJM-707/DJM-909/DJM-1000 :

In horizontal position to the left, the EQ is cut down to about -12dB.

When you rotate further down than horizontal to the left, the frequency of the EQ 'killed' to a level of -26 dB. The last part is in a logarithmical scale.

If you want to gently fade in a track you might want to start with the EQ not all the way down, but around horizontal to the left. The kill is in most case to much for gentle mixing...


Are made by Alps and.... With a 3-step switch you can set the envelope of the faders from linear to logarithmical and right in between.


Use to route a channel to the designated site of the Cross Fader. When THRU is selected, the Cross Fader is bypassed.




There is an optional kit available to replace the standard line-faders by rotaries. This is something you must get used to and for the louder music types not very useable. But when Trance and the more relaxed music is what you do: you'll Love it !



Master Rotary
Instead of a fader, the DJM800 has a rotary control for the master level. This will prevent you from making accidental mistakes due to your sleeves or other miss-grabbing.


Balance
Sets the positions of the sound from left to right, when centered you feel a click.


VU Meters & Master Level
Do yourselves (and all sound engineers) a favor and keep the master VU-meter reading out of the red. This is the way to gain maximum benefits out of the sound quality of a mixer ( Maximizes Signal-to-Noise level).

This is not only for Pioneer mixers, but is is valid to all DJ mixers.


Cue
When activated you can pre-listen the master. Also used to send the master signal to the left headphones output when split function is enabled.


Mic Cut
Mutes the signal that is coming in through the microphones.


Booth Monitor
Control the Monitor Output for your monitor speakers. You can use this to connect to a monitor speaker system. This will enable you to use different levels for both outputs. Now you can turn down your booth volume without changing the master output, not noticeable for the the audience.




Mic
The Primary Microphone Input features a combi connector that makes it possible to insert a microphone with a Jack or and XLR type connector. Most professional microphones have an XLR type connector, that give a more reliable connection than with a Jack Phone type connector. Phantom power is not supplied so you can only use dynamic microphones, but that is main type of microphone that is available.

There is also a second Microphone Input with a Jack type connector, this channel has a separate Input Trim but uses the same EQ setting as the Combi input.

Microphone Level
You can set the level of both microphones in the range from infinite (not hearable/muted) to 0dB. Both microphones can be used at the same time and on a different level but the EQ setting for both is the same.

Microphone EQ
Bass	-6 ~ +6 dB (100 Hz)
Treble	-6 ~ +6 dB (10 kHz)

Microphone Selector
With this switch in the most left position (OFF) the microphone signal is muted and not hearable on the master. The same effect as if the Mic Level is set to infinite.

When set to the center position (ON) that microphone signal is mixed with the Master, the level is set by the Mic Level rotary.

The most right position (TALK OVER) activates an input controlled mute, also called Talk Over. When a sound is detected on the Microphone Input higher than -15dB all channels will be attenuated with -20dB.

This indicates the new and improved features of the DJM800 when compared to the DJM-600 mixer.

 

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