Alphatheta simply introduced their XDJ-AZ – it’s an all-in-one standalone with 4 decks constructed into the unit. On this piece, I’ll share among the particulars on the unit and supply just a few first impressions and ideas on how it’s to combine on. On this planet of digital DJ gear, standalone units appear to be more and more dominant, so I’ve additionally received just a few ideas on the place the AZ suits into the busy panorama. Maintain studying!
XDJ-AZ: the 4 decks that had been promised
The XDJ-AZ has felt like Alphatheta/Pioneer DJ’s worst-kept-secret lately. I first noticed rumors of the unit on Reddit about two months in the past, confirmed by business sources just a few weeks later, after which received provided a unit for assessment about two weeks in the past.
I’ve been craving 4 deck mixing in a XDJ-RX type issue for years. I used to be upset when the XDJ-XZ was introduced and it was touted as “4 decks!” however actually was “4 channels or pay for Rekordbox and convey your laptop computer with you!” The economics of Rekordbox and promoting DJ {hardware} are intriguing (see “That Worth Tho” part under), and it felt like Pioneer DJ would by no means compete with their very own top-of-the-line gear.
Now, Alphatheta has delivered. Sure, they provided me a loaner unit to take a look at, however no, this isn’t a paid assessment. The opinions on this piece are my very own. Sure, we’ll promote these in our retailer – assist a small enterprise together with your preorder in case you’re inclined:
Must you purchase an XDJ-AZ?
I’ll hold my ideas simple to parse on the outset in order that quick and to the purpose:
If you happen to’re in search of four-deck mixing on near-club-style gear in a single bundle, that is it. It’s actually enjoyable to combine on, delivers on providing what’s wanted, and I believe it’s going to turn out to be the dominant mannequin of XDJ over the following few years.
If you happen to’ve purchased a unique standalone system lately: Need to have the ability to combine on three/4 decks with out the rest? I’d suggest attempting to promote your unit as used and improve. I anticipate that older fashions will retain their worth nicely as many Pioneer DJ units have through the years, however one of the best time to promote your previous gear is all the time yesterday.
If you happen to don’t need to combine on greater than two decks, the XDJ-AZ most likely isn’t the proper match for you.
Numerous the good options on the AZ are merely protecting issues that labored very well on the XDJ-XZ. There’s a purpose why the XZ has so many followers, and the product designers clearly took discover of that on this launch.
What’s Nice On The XDJ-AZ
4 decks, clearly. You possibly can combine on them. They behave as you’d anticipate and really feel dependable. The deck controls are “layer swap” type – so both sides controls both 1/3 or 2/4. My two cents on 4 deck mixing: most DJs will discover 4 decks extreme to combine on in a non-B2B state of affairs, however virtually each DJ can think about why having a third deck is sensible for his or her mixing type.
Questioning what you’d do with greater than two decks? Give Ean’s traditional “Mixing For The Stage” video a watch.
Value noting, the channels are labeled left to proper: 3, 1, 2, 4. That is to maintain 1 and a couple of within the “center” of the mixer and the first decks, however it feels a bit bizarre to anybody used to organising 4 CDJs and a mixer, the place it’d often be channel 1, 2, 3, 4.
All the pieces matches the professional setup: The magic of the XDJ standalone line is that almost any aspiring membership DJ sees the profit: the workflow and muscle reminiscence that you simply study on the XDJs interprets shortly to the CDJ setup. The AZ continues this development by updating most of the controls to match the CDJ-3000, together with looping, beat leap, key sync, and the workflow of the person interface and browse knob immediately subsequent to it.
Grasp Out EQ/Isolator: this was one of many nicest options on the XDJ-XZ: the power to regulate the EQ on the primary out. It’s a very fast strategy to both
add extra performative parts to your combine a la mixing with isolators or
do a quick-EQing on a fundamental PA system that wants a bit little bit of assist however there’s no sound man / mixing desk / precise processing occurring past your DJ gear.
These full measurement jogwheels really feel nice: with the full-color jog show, these are successfully what you’d get on a CDJ-3000. It has the identical pressure alter and mechanical motion, which means that sure, reloads/rewinds really feel as they need to. One of many challenges that XDJ-R fashions all the time have had is their comparatively “small-feeling” jogs.
Options I’m Uncertain About
I’m nonetheless not totally satisfied by two options that Alpha Theta is closely selling on this system:
Cloud Direct Play together with Beatport/Beatsource streaming: Music libraries within the cloud an amazing backup resolution for in case you forgot your USB, or if you’ll want to take a request. I’ve but to come across a single DJ within the wild (weddings, bars, golf equipment, festivals, renegades, receptions, commencement events all included) who was utilizing a streaming library as their major music supply. I believe that “having the ability to play music from no matter supply you need” is a good function, however I don’t see most DJs shifting to cloud-only anytime quickly – particularly as a result of subscription fatigue appears to be at an all time excessive.
SonicLink wi-fi headphone connection: Sure, I’m very completely satisfied that there’s a motion in the direction of incorporating low-latency wi-fi audio into DJ gear. My hope was that it could begin with fundamental outputs, not headphones. I’d like to have Soundboks and WaveEight audio system capable of join shortly to a tool like this with out a dongle. Wi-fi headphones are good for some issues -but what DJ goes to be greater than 3-5 ft away from their decks whereas they’re mixing and carrying headphones?
What Wants Bettering
4 deck show: The waveform show wants extra view modes which can be optimized for 4 deck mixing. I think about this may very well be very simply added (Denon DJ did an amazing job of including tons of extra view modes on their Prime lineup). Proper now the view mode for 4 decks implies that you see a “zoomable” waveform of the 2 decks being managed presently, after which can solely see waveform overviews for the opposite two. There ought to completely be a mode the place the display screen exhibits all 4 zoomable waveforms concurrently.
Extraneous “workflow debt” within the Efficiency Pads: Product designers at Pioneer DJ, and now Alphatheta, appear to be reluctant to take away options that had been added to a product household prior to now (ie: reminiscence cues and CDJ mode). Usually these options confuse new DJs. It has began to really feel like that’s the case with the efficiency pads on this unit: a remnant of the glory days of the DDJ-SX ten years in the past that isn’t ok to placed on the high-end fashions. Why not put the identical cue buttons which can be on the CDJ-3000 above the jogwheel on the XDJ-AZ? Or, if cue level juggling on pads is prepared for the large league, why not put them on the CDJ-3000? It’s an odd state of affairs.
“Mixer Settings“: Alright, I’m nit selecting, however what even is that this button doing right here, why is the textual content so massive, and why does it occupy a lot actual property?
No Stems Options: This one stings, particularly after the discharge of the DDJ-GRV6 yesterday which has a Rekordbox-based distinctive stems function. It looks like this could have been a straightforward win for Alphatheta to innovate and lead the business on a high-end mannequin, not only a $829 controller.
That Worth Tho
The XDJ-AZ is $3,199 (precisely the identical because the Opus Quad’s present value). The truth of DJ gear economics for this system are intriguing. As talked about when the Opus Quad launched, if the designers at Alphatheta made a unit too just like 4 CDJ-3000s and a DJM-A9, they may run the chance of cannibalizing gross sales of their high-end merchandise. I believe that the $3,199 value level right here makes “sense” for the enterprise, however nonetheless will really feel very excessive to most DJs who aren’t evaluating it to the worth of a brand new CDJ/DJM setup.
The opposite factor that I hope is that that value level goes primarily in the direction of utilizing actually good high quality supplies and elements on this system. XDJs get put by lots (see at a photograph of my XDJ-RX under) and product sturdiness over time makes a giant distinction to customers like myself.
The writer’s XDJ-RX after heavy muddy and dusty use. Sure, it nonetheless works.
What concerning the Opus Quad?
Yup, it is a massive query. Pioneer DJ launched the Opus Quad, their first crack at a 4 deck all-in-one standalone, in March 2023. There was a little bit of a complicated “who is that this for?” response when it got here to the polarizing (folks love or hate the retro look) design.
We’ve received just a few items within the DJTT retailer they usually’re cool units, however the format and workflow isn’t the identical as every other system, usually deferring to aesthetic selections than purposeful ones. It implies that DJs who’re XDJ/CDJ/DJM acquainted have a more durable time studying on the fly on these items at a gig. Since that was a part of the enchantment of the XDJ lineup to start out with (familiarity that interprets throughout units), the Quad has felt extra distant of a product launch to the core customers of Pioneer DJ / Rekordbox programs
Just a few DJs have remarked to me about how the Opus Quad felt like a life-style product (extra about the way it appears to be like than the way it capabilities) extra so than different Pioneer DJ merchandise. Are you able to think about taking a very aesthetically-focused product out for use closely by different DJs at golf equipment, renegades, and small events? Maybe the XDJ-AZ is the workhorse and the Opus Quad is the beautiful pony – however it seems like a splintering of the gear lineup is nicely underway. Talking of which, let’s discuss….
A crowded Rekordbox all-in-one panorama
There’s another factor that’s price mentioning right here earlier than I wrap up this writeup: the present state of the standalone market. For Rekordbox customers, issues have turn out to be extremely saturated. From my vantage level, this saturation began again when the XDJ-RR was launched in 2018. The RR felt like a strategy to make a barely lower-price product with a barely totally different design and fewer options however nonetheless doing virtually precisely the identical factor because the RX2.
Let’s take a fast have a look at the all-in-one items {that a} Rekordbox-oriented DJ may contemplate shopping for new proper now:
XDJ-AZ ($3,199, 4 decks, this product)
Opus Quad ( $3,199, 4 decks)
XDJ-XZ ($2,499, two decks however 4 channels on the mixer, discontinued for the AZ)
XDJ-RX3 ($2,099, two decks)
Omnis Duo ($1,499, two decks, battery-powered transportable)
XDJ-RR ($1,049, two decks, from the RX2 era)
Then, add to that the XDJ-RX2 as nonetheless an affordable purchase on the used marketplace for good situation items.
To me, there are just a few massive points with the present lineup:
All the pieces is just too costly (welcome to 2024, proper?)
There are too many fashions that do the practically the identical factor
Fashions are deserted too early / don’t get updates / appear to be lacking options to create a value level
I hope that Alphatheta will consolidate over the following 5 years and make fewer fashions. Ought to there actually be this many all-in-one items, all with their very own small variations, elements, firmwares, idiosyncrasies, workflows, and person interfaces – from one producer?
The Closing Thought: Standalone
I personally sit up for getting again to mixing 4 decks on the common realizing that will probably be an choice extra locations with the XDJ-AZ available on the market.
So many smaller events and occasions have latched onto the XDJ lineup over the previous couple of years, and it has meant that I’ve thought much less often about practising with a 3rd or 4 deck. Why even trouble if I received’t have the choice? Most DJs don’t have riders, they’re simply taking part in what is offered to them on the gig, or what they introduced.
The promise of 4 deck mixing was clear a decade in the past with the controller revolution, Kontrol S4, and DDJ-SX. It’s about time it involves Rekordbox’s world in approach that is sensible.
Get an XDJ-AZ preorder right here in case you’d prefer to assist DJTT. Need a greater USB drive? We’ve received some information, join right here to know first.
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A brand-new digital filtration unit for Eurorack with 16 different screen modes and evolving capabilities is called Potential Retro Transfer.
There are many digital filters accessible. Most are based on classic wires from Moog, Oberheim Roland, and other legends. When digital filters experiment with novel circuits or choices, things become more interesting.
Transfer, a new digital filter from Coming Retro, has been released that does exactly that. It leaves outdated digital filters behind and offers new options.
Potential Retro Exchange
A fresh 12HP digital filtration unit for Eurorack with a special feature set is called Transfer. Its core has 16 distinct analog filter types, each available via a series of buttons, divided over four banks.
Bankers 1 and 2 include lowpass variants with 12dB and 24 database slopes and innovative band-pass filtering. Lowpasses of 18 and 6 dB and 6 dB slopes, unconventional highpass filters, and cut filters are available in banks 3 and 4.
With this range of options, the units cover several filter basis. But it gets more exciting. A form knob on the transfer allows you to easily fit between the filter types. Additionally, you have the ability to Resume control it and create pure and versatile tone shaping.
Then, you can find in Potential Retro Exchange traditional cutoff and resonance controls, which are also fully CV controllable. Next to this, it has an input drive to spice up your signals.
It has an integrated Cca that gives you easy control over the level along with input and output sockets for stereo signals.
Second Idea
It is an interesting new digital screen, and I look forward to more good example. The possibility of changing through various screen types seems very entertaining.
Potential Retro Exchange is available now for $349,95 in the US and soon to the EU.
Rim Mount, a compact disc microphone mounting system that can be used on the disc of almost any drum, has been released by Lauten Audio.
Rim Mount, a compact disc microphone mounting system that can be used on the disc of almost any drum, was recently unveiled by Lauten Audio in New York, New York, in 2024. The gadget, which replaces bulky microphone stands, has a shock-absorbing design with a fully presenting finger that enables a user to quickly install and adjust the position of a variety of microphones. It also has a shock-absorbent design.
The Rim Mount was perfected for Lauten Audio’s Catch Mic and Tom Mic, but is extremely effective for mounting industry-standard microphone such as the SM57, MD421 and C414.
Rim Mount’s non-marring style shields drum shells, hoops, and heads from possible harm from metal-on-metal contact, avoiding the failing points, sagging, or buzzing issues that are frequently encountered with standard “magic arm”-style drum mic mounts. It uses a single lever to lock the camera into place and has the decoupling properties of a camera stand. The support should not be wrenched into area, according to Lauten Audio, and it is suggested that firm-finger strengthening.
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Rim Mount is compatible with most disc suspension systems, including DW’s Suspension Tom Mount, Pearl’s Optimount, Gretsch’s GTS Tom Suspension, and others. It can be used on drums that have metal or wood basket, though Lauten Audio advises prudence when mounting large speakers on any wood basket.
Rim Mount was field tested in productions and on journey by some of the most difficult drummers to maintain a reliable performance no matter what the application.
It is available now at an MSRP of$ 129 and is covered by a three-year limited warranty.
Randomwaves Drumboy and Synthgirl are fresh artistic open-source touch-based drum machine and synth equipment, then on Kickstarter.
Synthesizers and electronic instruments, in general, are particularly popular in hardware because you can tweak them with tactile control ( knobs, faders… ).
A new Turkish development staff demonstrates how hardware can be designed different. With the new Drumboy and Synthgirl, they left out knobs/faders and made all touch-sensitive.
Randomwaves Drumboy Synthgirl
Both Drumboy and Synthgirl are brand-new, compact equipment with a lot in common. It starts with the technology strategy. They are powered by a recently developed stereo structures using the 550 MHz Cortex M7 computer, delivering picturesque 24-bit voice.
A 5-inch color LCD is also housed in each unit, which are interconnected by reactive feel controllers scattered throughout the interface. It also has an SD card input for managing data ( samples, wavetables, etc. ). Additionally, it offers a Bluetooth port and hardware tune in and out to ensure smooth inclusion with other devices.
More significantly, Drumboy and Synthgirl will work on an open-source script developed on the commonly used STM32 system. This is a remarkable action, and I welcome it very much. Now, this dive deeper into the differences between these new groovebox-oriented equipment.
Randomwaves Drumboy
A.wav test lasting up to eight seconds is each stored in a convenient drum machine called Drumboy. You can modify your audio with several parameters, including playback speed, change, and normalize.
The traditional method of producing complex rhythms using 1/64 encoding across eight bars and eight measures or with contemporary helpers like difficult fill generators is no longer possible.
Finally, Randomwaves Drumboy features a descriptive EQ with one lower shelf, one higher shelf, and four maximum filters. You can change the Q element, obtain, and frequency for accurate good shapers. Besides this, it comes with a fully adjustable dual filter with four modes ( lowpass, highpass, bandpass, and band stop ) and two effect channels.
The first offers eight algorithms with several controls: pause, song, flanger, blunderbuss, blower, expansion, drive, distortion, and bit crusher. Behind, you can find an independent echo with power over the space size, decay, pre-delay, occupy, dry/wet, and more.
Of program, you can also keep your looks and styles. It has a lender and file system for this, which makes it possible to keep track of and understand your design at any time.
Randomwaves Synthgirl
The Randomwaves Drumboy’s spouse is the Synthgirl. Although it is a solo compact Synthesizer, it has many of the same functions.
A wavetable website with two resonators that can buy custom storm files (up to 256 steps ) from Serum and various soft synths serves as the foundation of Synthgirl. You can change the amount, rhythm, period, start, and end points of wavetables, as well as the ability to turn in both X and Y axes.
Like the Randomwaves Drumboy, Synthgirl also comes with the same multimode dual filter ( lowpass, highpass, bandpass, and band stop ) that is fully adjustable with various parameters.
The built-in statistical Iq and the 2-channel multi-FX computer are the same and had eight techniques. The separate echo engine also has this effect. Further, you can find four shaping multi-wave LFOs with 25 prebuilt types and adjustable parameters ( target, rate, and depth ).
Randomwaves does not specify what kind of packets it uses. I hope there are some built-in. Further, it hosts a fully tweakable advanced key /arpeggiator ( rate, pattern, chord, order, octave… ) and a customizable metronome.
If that’s not enough, it also has a sequencer with adjustable parameters such as bar, measure, (up to 8 ), and quantization (up to 1/64 ), providing fine-tuned control over your composition. It shares the same file structure as the Drumboy to manage and keep your looks.
Second Idea
At first glance, it is an interesting venture. I give a great hands up to the open-source plan. However, I would find the touch-only interface and the little font on the interface to be far too small. On the ipads, I prefer to reach. However, I’m really interested to see how the neighborhood feels about the project and how it develops.
We can anticipate more developments with regard to the Synthgirl and Randomwaves Drumboy capabilities because it will be open source.
You can support the development of the Randomwaves Drumboy and Synthgirl then on Kickstarter, starting at$ 149 for the Drumboy or Synthgirl. In February 2025, shipment will begin.
Rob Tavaglione, the workshop owner, tests the new Radial Nuance Select and discovers that it has excellent sound quality.
MIX VERDICT: RADIAL NUANCE SELECT
THE TAKEAWAY:” I can guarantee you’ll appreciate the good quality at whatever level you dial-up on that great and beautifully tactile stepped attenuator”.
The new Nuance Select monitor controller is a tank, and good old Radial ( and veteran designer Hutch Hutchinson ) can help streamline workflow ( both as “per the usual” for Radial ). Nevertheless, with this system, the company incorporates a new idea, the Clarity Circuit, to accomplish amazing sonics.
Nuance Select is a desktop screen controller providing clear type switching, screen selection, volume control and headphone facilities. On a 14-inch TRS, two pairs of balanced monitor outputs ( and a single bass out ) are provided, while two sets of balanced sets of observe outputs are also provided.
Two discrete headphone amps are provided ( on front-panel ¼-inch jacks ) with muting, independent input sourcing and level. On an unbalanced stereo TRS, an Auxiliary output that allows either input to conveniently feed an external device ( likely a headphone amp or foldback monitors ), as well as a quick workflow, such as a mono, mute, and dim switch.
Radial Nuance Select
This is all controlled with a proper 21-position stepped attenuator (volume control ) that provides accurate left-to-right balance within 0.1 dB at any volume, via resistors and DC servos, not capacitors ( caps do n’t always age well, drift in value over time and can introduce noise ).
The Clarity Circuit is Class-A and exceptionally clean, with little tangible THD of -0.00001 %, interference of -125 database, A-weighted signal-to-noise of 127 database, and speed response from 7 Decibels to 20 hertz.
This is all contained in a steel enclosure, with a polished aluminum 10 x 5-inch faceplate, backlit silent switches, and chrome control knobs (especially attractive is the huge, 2-inch attenuator ), powered by an external supply connected with a locking 4-pin XLR at the end of a sturdy 12-foot cable. Owing for getting the facts straight, Radial!
After weeks of daily work, my assistant and I were able to quickly come to terms with the Nuance Select’s exceptional cleanliness and absence of distortion, something we’ve probably never heard of before. The change is more confirming than stunning, more transparent than special, more revealing than introductory. There is no warmth generated by the unit, there is no added cohesion or gelling, dynamics are untouched, there is no emphasis of frequency, there is no ( de ) emphasis of placement, panning or soundstage. There is just stark reality, linearity and assurance.
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Only a few of my clients noticed the NS change, but only my assistant noticed it because the differences are significant to my ears but appear to be refined to laypeople. However, I quickly developed a reliance on such top-notch audio value, and I was disappointed that I was unable to use Nuance Select in my studio!
I track bands and use analog summing ( no console ). My installation requires a feature-rich joystick with several sources, multiple-input-blending for my headphone/cue mixes, and a talkback device, also. For what it’s worth, I would prefer XLR connections and multi-color (ed ) switches for even more ease of use.
However, for those of you with great, standard, present, all-digital procedures, the Nuance Select comes highly recommended. A three-year insurance backs up common Radial stability, a retail value of$ 699 makes for just a moderate expenditure, and I can promise you’ll love the sound quality at whatever stage you dial-up on that big and beautifully clicky stepped attenuator.
AlphaTheta Corporation announced the launch of the bank’s first-ever circular blender: the euphonia. The 4-channel blender is also the first piece of hardware from the business to bear the AlphaTheta company logo, which takes the place of the Pioneer DJ branding. euphonia is a blend digital/analog mixing with circular faders that features a custom-designed 3Band Master Isolator, built-in Send FX, and more.
Let’s take a look.
Major features
The euphonia weighs in at just under 21 lbs – notably lighter compared to Pioneer’s other mixers like the A9 ( almost 29 lbs ) and V10 ( 37 lbs ). A wide range of circular features and effects are available in the new mixing, including:
Four circular faders have a new appearance and feel thanks to the addition of maximum weighting and elastomer to the outside of each knob, which DJs will notice when they turn the knobs at various speeds.
The digital signal processor ( DSP) employs HQ 32-bit A/D and D/A converters in addition to 96 kHz/64-bit floating point mixing operations. The sound finally travels through a converter circuit created in collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs, a business renowned for its digital audio circuitry.
The three handles on the top remaining of the blender are located on the 3Band Master Isolator. The handles are set to be located in the center, and they can become turned left or right until they reach a minimum or maximum. This is somewhat an interesting selection on AlphaTheta’s element because the knobs are set at 12: 00, which is standard with their other mixers. It seems odd that they would stick to that style of construction, especially since so many rotaries have a full-range Extraversion that start all the way to the left ( a theme that also emerged with the V10’s filter knob ). I would’ve expected the company’s primary circular blender to get built more in-line with rotaries on the market now. You can also utilize three boost levels: + 12dB for dynamic performances, + 6dB for sound quality adjustments, and 0dB for reverb effects that wo n’t affect the volume at all.
The 3B Master Isolator
The Energy Visualizer and a fresh Mix Level Meter, which were created especially for euphonia, are directly to the right of the isolators, giving you a needle for each channel to make it easier to track your stirring and size ranges.
5 built-in Send FX and a High-Pass Filter– including Delay, Tape Echo, Echo Verb, Reverb, and Shimmer. Additionally, DJs can connect additional effect units and change each route to their liking, using the Send/Return knobs. Additionally, any Send FX may be pushed into the Master Isolator speed songs.
Inputs – 4x digital ins ( coaxial ), 4x line ins (RCA ), 4x phono ins (RCA ), and a Mic in (XLR & 1/4 ″ TRS jack )
Outputs – 1 each of the Master, Booth, and Recording outputs, as well as two headphone jacks ( a 1/4 ″ and a 3.5mm )
Built-in USB Type-C voice program for PC/Mac
2-Band Booth EQ
Lock energy cord
Rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro agreeable with both
A$ 3, 799 Pricetag
Although the$ 3, 799 price tag for the euphonia comes with a sticker surprise, especially given the state of the economy, the ongoing discussion about how the music industry is struggling in a number of sites, and the truth that this is the first full rotary mixing produced by the once-lovely-known as Pirates DJ, AlphaTheta product. When compared to other well-known rotary mixer manufacturers like Star, who unveiled their$ 599.99 R4 mixing at NAMM earlier this year, which plainly was priced with a more affordable perspective in mind, the price trend is interesting.
When you’re considering dropping$ 3.8k on a blender from the company – one more costly than Pioneer DJ’s DJM-V10, which costs$ 3, 499 – we’re curious to see how much of an allure this will have to rotary-loving Dj and equipment fans. It’s a prime mixing at a price that is unquestionably high.
AlphaTheta’s euphonia is expected to be accessible in-store later this month for$ 3, 799. What do you think of the mixing? Do you get it? What do you like best about it, and what could be improved or changed? In the feedback section below, let us know.