The Pioneer CDJ-2000 Digital Turntable

This is an intro video for the new Pioneer CDJ-2000.

The CDJ-2000 is a DJ controller that features a 6.1 inch screen and a touchpad controller. It can be used a CD deck and also as a DJ MIDI controller.

The CDJ-2000 retails for $2,150. Details below.

If you’ve used the Pioneer CDJ-2000, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Here’s the info from the press release for the Pioneer CDJ-2000 & CDJ-900:

Prepared For Any Performance

Adapting to today’s variety of media formats, the CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 enable playback of MP3, AAC, WAV and AIFF audio files from CDs and USB memory devices, and from DVDs and SD cards as well on the CDJ-2000. A USB port located on top of the turntable enables users to quickly connect an external storage device such as a Tonium Pacemaker™2 or a hard drive packed with music files, minimizing the need to bring a laptop computer to performances.

Both the CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 turntables include rekordbox™, Pioneer’s proprietary music management software that organizes and catalogs a DJ’s entire music library. When music files are imported to rekordbox, the software analyzes each file and prepares them for use specifically with the new CDJ turntables. Key elements of Pioneer’s rekordbox software:

  • Analyze:
    • Beats Per Minute (BPM) Data – BPM / Tempo information for each song is identified and processed into rekordbox for use by the DJ in preparing and performing a set.
    • Waveform Data – The waveform of each song is identified and then displayed on the bottom screen for quick data visualization and for use with the needle search function on the CDJ-2000 turntable.
  • Customize:
    • Tag Info & Artwork – Edit and customize the file information to performance needs.
    • Hot Cues, Cue Points, and Loops – Prepare and customize cues and loops as well as create and manage hot cue banks.
    • Playlists – Create, edit and manage customized playlists for various performances.
    • Beatgrid – Utilizing the new Quantizing feature, cue points and loops can be set perfectly on-beat. The Quantize feature ensures cue points are set accurately and automatically, correcting and synching beats during manual looping or a real-time cueing, preventing off beat mistakes.

Users can then transfer analyzed music files to their preferred storage media and play them directly from the new CDJ turntables. The software offers song information that can be viewed easily during performances on the CDJs’ large displays to quickly search and access content by genre, title, BPM, etc. Also, as analyzed tracks are played through the CDJ products, the turntables automatically create and save a play history enabling users to review past performances on their PCs.

Pro DJ Link

The new turntables feature Pioneer’s Pro DJ Link that enables up to four CDJ-2000/900s to be connected via the Link Port to share a single music source, whether it is a hard drive, USB and/or SD memory card. Once linked, users have the ability to quickly find, display and choose the music file from a connected source through the CDJ’s built-in display and control knobs. A quick turn of the knob lets users scroll through created files and folders and a push of the knob confirms the song choice.

Advanced Connectivity

The new turntables feature a 24-bit/48 kHz sound card and HID and MIDI control compatibility via USB port. Up to 35 controls on the surface of each player can be used to trigger other devices, such as DJ effecters and software by way of HID and/or MIDI.

The HID controls were implemented into the players for superior interfacing with software, faster communication speed over MIDI, audio/visual streaming and two-way information on displays. HID enables easy, precise and native control of DVS systems such as Serato™ Scratch Live3, Native Instruments’ Traktor4 series and MixVibes Cross5 without the need for time-coded discs.

CDJ-2000 Enhancements

  • LCD panel and Graphic User Interface – The flagship CDJ-2000 features a large WQVGA 6.1-inch full-color 480 x 234 LCD panel for displaying song titles and jacket art as well as detailed track information so DJs can select songs at a glance. The wave data of each song is also illustrated on screen, showing high and low amplitude to further assist DJs.
  • Needle Search – Helps DJs instantaneously get to a specific part of a song with a simple touch of the Needle Search pad. Found directly below the CDJ-2000’s high resolution LCD panel, the touchpad lets the DJ “place the needle” and jump quickly to a specific part of a music track.
  • Jog Dial – Adjustments for tension were enhanced from previous models allowing the DJ to further customize the feel of the jog dial from a light to heavy sensitivity. Four illuminated areas on the sides of the Jog Dial aid the DJ in finding the desired spot on the plate in dim lighting environments.

CDJ-900 Enhancements

  • Slip Mode – When activated, Slip Mode silently continues song playback during a loop, reverse or scratch and continues audible playback at the exact time when the loop, reverse or scratch is ended creating smoother transitions.
  • Advanced Auto Beat Loop – The CDJ-900 generates a four-beat loop at a touch of a button creating a customized sound to provide more time for DJs to blend in transitioning music.

The Extras

For more accurate tempo control while mixing, each player is enhanced with increased frame increments of 0.5 frames that allow the DJ to set a cue point or loop point with more precision.

To achieve the highest sound quality, both the CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 were equipped with the audio industry’s highly respected Wolfson DAC processors, delivering a very transparent, accurate audio signal resulting in a highly improved signal-to-noise ratio and increased headroom.

The CDJ-2000 will be available in November 2009 with a suggested retail price of $2,150.
The CDJ-900 will be available in December 2009 with a suggested retail price of $1,600.

6 thoughts on “The Pioneer CDJ-2000 Digital Turntable

  1. The Pioneer CDJ2000 is the DJ's deam machine! Pioneer CDJ2000 brings back to the DJ what would have previously only been available to laptop DJs. Mybe the sole intention is to bring back the creative dj and enable creativeness without the need for a PC or laptop!

  2. The Pioneer CDJ2000 is the DJ's deam machine! Pioneer CDJ2000 brings back to the DJ what would have previously only been available to laptop DJs. Mybe the sole intention is to bring back the creative dj and enable creativeness without the need for a PC or laptop!

  3. The Pioneer CDJ2000 is the DJ's deam machine! Pioneer CDJ2000 brings back to the DJ what would have previously only been available to laptop DJs. Mybe the sole intention is to bring back the creative dj and enable creativeness without the need for a PC or laptop!

  4. The Pioneer CDJ2000 is the DJ's deam machine! Pioneer CDJ2000 brings back to the DJ what would have previously only been available to laptop DJs. Mybe the sole intention is to bring back the creative dj and enable creativeness without the need for a PC or laptop!

  5. The CDJ-2000 has enough features and improvements on an already successful CDJ-1000 to change the industry standard to the latest model of Pioneers Pro DJ line. I agree with the 'discostudio' I think Pioneer is enabling todays DJ to be creative in ways which weren't previously possible with other equipment. The thing about Pioneer, they spend millions on research and development of there products – and they listen. There equipment is at the higher end of most people's budget, but it's reliable. Again, as I said previous – It's industry standard.

    The amazing feature of networking the players to each other is amazing. While the searching and loading of music isn't the quickest – I believe the guys and gals at Pioneer are already working to improve this feature. Still, it takes between 1-3 seconds to load a song if you have a large USB hard drive connected to either player – not a huge amount of time eh!

    There durable, reliable, easy to use. Everything as far as I can tell has been improved from the CDJ-1000 and built into the CDJ-2000. From the platter to the buttons – they feel more solid and firm. The platter itself still has the jog adjust feature – however the way it feels is very different. I believe (but don't quote me on this one) that it's secured to the unit in a different way (think belt driven vs direct drive) so the chances are they wont wear (as quick) as they did on the 1000's.

    All in all an excellent CD player with numerous features and improvements. If you can afford them…get yourself out and buy a pair – you won't regret it!

    4.5 Starts
    – Looses 0.5 for the price.

    P

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