Musikmesse: Mackie unveiled its new d.pro Series of DJ Production Consoles with FireWire I/O. These new 2- and 4-channel DJ consoles are highlighted by their FireWire capabilities, studio-quality sound, immense routing flexibility, and certification for Native Instruments Traktor “Scratch” software—letting DJs mix and scratch digital music files using standard turntables with specially coded vinyl discs.

“The d.2 pro and d.4 pro consoles go well beyond anything that’s ever been offered in a DJ-style mixer,” commented John Boudreau, Vice President of Product Development for Mackie. “With their unprecedented feature sets and Traktor Scratch certification, these consoles eliminate the need for separate computer audio interfaces, mic preamps or, in the case of the d.4 pro, standalone compact mixers.”

Mackie’s d.2 pro (2-channel) and d.4 pro (4-channel) consoles start with premium analog circuitry throughout, including VCA-based design, audiophile-grade phono preamps, an Infinium “contact-free” crossfader, and a variety of rear-panel connections including balanced XLR main outputs. The d.4 pro is further distinguished by onboard analog filtering effects and Onyx microphone preamps with 48v phantom power.

The d.pro’s most notable feature, however, is their built-in 13×6 FireWire interface at 24 bit/96kHz—enabling these mixers to function as a multitrack recording source and a multi-input performance mixer when connected to any FireWire-equipped Mac or PC. DJs can simply plug either the d.2 pro or d.4 pro into a laptop and start playing digital music files from iTunes, Traktor, MixVibes, Ableton Live, and more.

The d.pro series Traktor Scratch certification brings an entirely new level of performance. By purchasing Native Instrument’s Traktor Scratch Upgrade Kit, DJs can mix, manipulate and scratch digital music files on their computer using a d.pro mixer, standard turntables and specially coded vinyl disks—without the need for separate converter boxes or any additional hardware.

For music producers and remixers, the d.4 pro delivers all the simultaneous I/O needed to connect turntables, CD decks, a beat machine, two studio microphones, a keyboard and a computer—with studio sound quality and without repatching. It also includes Mackie’s easy-to-use Tracktion 3 software with hundreds of inspiring beats, samples and loops to get started.

The d.pro mixers will be available starting May 2007 and have a U.S. manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $899.99 for the d.2 pro and $1,149.99 for the d.4 pro, respectively.