cstoll
The XDJ-AERO: the world’s first wireless all-in-one DJ player, mixer and MIDI controller.
9th August 2012
Pioneer has broken the mould yet again with the XDJ-AERO, the industry’s first1 Wi-Fi enabled all-in-one DJ system and native rekordbox™ player.
The groundbreaking XDJ-AERO is set to change the way DJs play by liberating them from endless cables and connections. In an industry first, the XDJ-AERO allows DJs to load music wirelessly from smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs2, instantly taking the hassle out of set up. A multipurpose unit, the XDJ-AERO also works with Pioneer’s new mobile application, functions as a standalone mixer and can be used as a MIDI and HID controller.
Press Release: http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/newsroom/news/XDJ-AERO/index.html
The XDJ-AERO creates its own private Wi-Fi network, allowing DJs to connect to up to four wireless devices at once. The audience can even get involved by sending tracks from their own smartphones or tablets to the XDJ-AERO for a more interactive experience.
And, as the first native player for Pioneer’s rekordbox music management software, the XDJ-AERO puts all of the software’s features and functions right at DJs’ fingertips. rekordbox allows DJs to create and edit playlists on the fly; view beat grids; analyse BPM; and load wave forms during their sets.
Compatible with Pioneer’s new mobile application3 for smartphones and tablets, the XDJ-AERO makes DJing truly mobile. DJs can use the mobile application to manage their music on the road and then wirelessly load their tracks and playlists to the XDJ-AERO.
DJs can switch between the XDJ-AERO’s mobile and USB inputs at the touch of a button. And the DJ system boasts all of their favourite features, including sample banks, Sound Colour Filters and rekordbox quantized beat sync.
The XDJ-AERO also functions as a 24-bit audio interface, MIDI controller for Traktor and HID controller for VirtualDJ software. And it can be used as a stand-alone mixer when connected to CDJs and turntables.
A premium piece of kit both inside and out, the XDJ-AERO has the look and feel of a pro-DJ product with its classic black finish and sleek aluminium faceplate. And, at just 45 mm thick, the portable, lightweight XDJ-AERO is the world’s thinnest combined player and mixer.
The XDJ-AERO will be available from August 2012 at an SRP of 869 GBP/999 EUR, including VAT.
INDUSTRY FIRST: Wirelessly connect up to four devices
By creating an ad hoc network, the XDJ-AERO can sync with up to four Wi-Fi enabled devices at once, without the need for any extra equipment. For the first time, DJs can use smartphones, tablets and computers to wirelessly load rekordbox music to their decks.
DJs can use the XDJ-AERO to control wireless devices remotely so they can browse tracks and load them directly to their decks even if the device is not in their hands.
And the new mobile application allows DJs to use their smartphones and tablets as remote controls for the XDJ-AERO. With USB source selected, DJs can browse music and load tracks on the XDJ-AERO using the devices’ bigger, touch-sensitive screens.
The audience can send music from their wireless devices to the XDJ-AERO, though tracks will not load until the DJ accepts them. If a device goes out of range while a track is being played an emergency loop is created so there is no break in the music. And if a call is made on a smartphone mid-track, the music will continue to play as long as the device supports multitasking.
Plus, by switching the XDJ-AERO’s music source from wireless to USB, DJs can play tracks on both decks from a single rekordbox-ready storage device.
Includes all the popular features from Pioneer’s pro-range
The XDJ-AERO brings together all of the most exciting features from Pioneer’s most popular multi-format players and mixers, including:
4 Beat effects : the XDJ-AERO boasts the most user-friendly and popular effects from Pioneer’s DJM range – Trans, Flanger, Roll and Echo.
Post-fader: the effects are applied to the sound after the fader, allowing the sound to fade out naturally rather than stopping suddenly when the DJ cuts the source audio with the faders.
Sound color effects: borrowed from the DJM series, the Sound Color Filters add high- and low-pass filters to the beat effects for even more creativity
Sample banks: pre-loaded with four samples.
Auto Loop: tracks can be automatically looped at specified positions.
Quantize: DJs will never miss a beat again as the quantize function automatically synchronises the beat of rekordbox-ready tracks and effects.
Automatic features that make perfect mixes a breeze
Beat Sync: automatically syncs all tracks to the beat to the master deck using rekordbox beat grid information.
Auto Mix: automatically mixes each track within a playlist if DJs need to step away from the deck during long sets.
Performance features and sample playback
INDUSTRY FIRST Jog Drum: a more DJ-friendly way of engaging samples. DJs simply load a sample onto the deck and press Jog Drum; they can then trigger and scratch the samples by drumming directly on the jog wheel for more control and creativity.
Sample Launch: with four samples pre-loaded onto each deck, DJs simply push Sample Launch once to perform with the currently engaged sample. By holding down Sample Launch, they can select another sample to perform with. Samples can also be launched using the XDJ-AERO’s effects, loops and pitch controls.
One-touch recording of popular mixes
Inherited from Pioneer’s DJM-350 mixer, the XDJ-AERO allows DJs to record their creations directly to USB as uncompressed CD-quality WAV files.
MIDI and HID control for ultimate flexibility
The XDJ-AERO can be used as a MIDI controller for Traktor and HID controller for VirtualDJ software
Connect external hardware to use as a stand-alone mixer
For maximum flexibility, the unified player and mixer unit also has inputs to connect external hardware, such as CDJs or turntables, so DJs can use it as an independent mixer.
Premium design and build looks the part every time
With its classic black finish, sleek aluminum faceplate, blue LED lights and Pioneer’s industry-standard interface, the XDJ-AERO looks professional in any venue.
High-end components for superb sound in any environment
The XDJ-AERO’s audio circuits are the same as those used in Pioneer’s pro-DJ equipment to guarantee pristine sound reproduction. And full digital processing has been used to minimise distortion and noise from A/D-D/A conversion.
Other features
- Onboard 44.1kHz/24bit high resolution soundcard
- Independent three-band equalizer
- Dual headphone output –minijack for inner-ear headphones and standard jack for full-size headphones
- Four-colour LCD displaying 18 languages
- Mic input and balanced TRS output
Inviato Thu 09 Aug 12 @ 6:26 am
cstoll
Inviato Thu 09 Aug 12 @ 7:45 am
synthet1c
My question is does it transmit HID over the wireless network to control VDJ or is the wireless ability only for streaming music to the device... Functionality like that would mean the next CDJ would be able to make changeovers seamlessly and there would be less chance of issues in a live environment. It's unfortunate about the small size of the pitchfaders... even still this is more appealing than the ergo but still not the answer former Pioneer fanboys are looking for.
Inviato Thu 09 Aug 12 @ 8:49 am
Charlie Wilson
Will the display, display information of mp3/4's played through Vdj?
Also, same as.. Would like to know if you need to connect a USB cable for midi?
Don't know what your supposed to do with it when transporting it between gigs with it not been rackable? Very strange
Also, same as.. Would like to know if you need to connect a USB cable for midi?
Don't know what your supposed to do with it when transporting it between gigs with it not been rackable? Very strange
Inviato Thu 09 Aug 12 @ 10:31 am
Tear Em 'Up
Unless my math is wrong, that is over $1300USD.
Inviato Thu 09 Aug 12 @ 11:05 am
kradcliffe
Not sure about the design, it appears to be non-rackmountable and Mic input has only one EQ rather than low/mid/high.
And as usual for Pioneer gear in the UK you will probably need a mortgage to purchase it.
Sure it's groundbreaking technology but maybe the wireless is a step too far ......
And as usual for Pioneer gear in the UK you will probably need a mortgage to purchase it.
Sure it's groundbreaking technology but maybe the wireless is a step too far ......
Inviato Thu 09 Aug 12 @ 11:34 am
Thomas_Zimmer
Pio now with SYNC-Button :)
Inviato Thu 09 Aug 12 @ 11:35 am
Bren F
It appears as an expensive lifestyle product, I think I said the same about the ERGO, although I'm glad that Pioneer took my advice by not trying to standardize the application of all their products, anything smaller/cheaper than the 1000/2000's they tend to use words like "for the aspiring DJ" or "great for home parties".
They keep putting out these controllers with very short pitch sliders making accurate beatmixing (without looking at the laptop screen) harder than it needs to be, I'd see no harm in dedicating more vertical space to the pitch sliders, it seems it's almost given that the DJ will be auto syncing anyway but I think that's a mistake, and I guess one of the key differences between dedicated controllers and all out players such as the 2000's.
It has some appealing features though, the onboard filters/FX could be handy in the absence of a regular mix, although VDJ users can expect all new FX in version 8 so I'm not sure of how great a selling point that is to anyone here.
The whole smart phone/wireless business would be great in a home party scenario where arm chair DJ's can get their phones out and attempt to DJ while drunk, could make for some interesting battles.
Great product if you've got a rich daddy, and that daddy happens to work away.
They keep putting out these controllers with very short pitch sliders making accurate beatmixing (without looking at the laptop screen) harder than it needs to be, I'd see no harm in dedicating more vertical space to the pitch sliders, it seems it's almost given that the DJ will be auto syncing anyway but I think that's a mistake, and I guess one of the key differences between dedicated controllers and all out players such as the 2000's.
It has some appealing features though, the onboard filters/FX could be handy in the absence of a regular mix, although VDJ users can expect all new FX in version 8 so I'm not sure of how great a selling point that is to anyone here.
The whole smart phone/wireless business would be great in a home party scenario where arm chair DJ's can get their phones out and attempt to DJ while drunk, could make for some interesting battles.
Great product if you've got a rich daddy, and that daddy happens to work away.
Inviato Thu 09 Aug 12 @ 11:39 am
the SOUND INSURGENT
My thoughts..............
Inviato Thu 09 Aug 12 @ 1:17 pm
