TRAKTOR AUDIO 6 and 10 haRDwARE

New Traktor Audio 6 and 10 Hardware Released

Written by Ean Golden on February 10th, 201149 Comments

Native Instruments has released two new sound cards to their pro DJ line. The Audio 2 stayed off the chopping block but the audio 4 and the audio 8 have been replaced by a new Audio 6 and Audio 10.  Both sound cards are aimed at the scratch/DVS market and come bundled with traktor LE for $279 and $449 respectively.  Continue reading for photos and more info.

AUDIO 6

• Price: $279
• Available: April
• Ships With: Traktor 2 LE

FEATURES

• 6 inputs and outputs – 2 phono preamps to connect your turntables
• Extra-loud output levels pack enough punch to rock the biggest clubs
• High-quality 24-bit / 96kHz Cirrus Logic® AD/DA converters
• Compact dimensions with sturdy metal casing for heavy duty feel
• Low latency Mac® and PC drivers for tightest possible response
• 12 status LEDs for visual monitoring of signal chain in challenging club environments
• Direct Thru mode allows use without computer, on power supply only
• Compatible with all DJ, performance and audio software
• Includes TRAKTOR LE 2 DJ software with TRAKTOR 2 Technology

The hardware follows in the footsteps of the Traktor software, making setup really easy by automatically switching between your internal and external sound card. The setup wizard remembers your settings so when you plug in your NI audio interface, you are good to go!

Traktor Audio 6 replaces the Audio 4 and other than the obvious 2 extra channels it also has a brand new processor and new low-latency drivers. What is low enough? Ean talks about it in the Traktor Pro 2 video walk through.

The new “Direct Thru” mode makes it possible to run the interface without being connected to a computer, powering it from its own power supply only. The new, larger and clearer LED’s on the top panel make it a lot easier to spot the audio signal when you don’t have a computer as a reference.

3 SETUPS FOR 3 PURPOSES

DJING WITH THE SOFTWARE MIXER:

Internal mixer setup: TRAKTOR AUDIO 6 connected to active monitors and headphones.

BOOTH AND STUDIO INSTALLATION USING DIRECT THRU:

Direct Thru setup: Two turntables connected to phono inputs of TRAKTOR AUDIO 6. Outputs connected to line inputs on external mixer. Power supply is connected, therefore no laptop is necessary.

DJING WITH AN EXTERNAL MIXER:

External mixer setup: Front outputs of TRAKTOR AUDIO 6 connected to AUX inputs of external mixer. Mixer output connected to front input of TRAKTOR AUDIO 6 for recording into your laptop.

AUDIO 10

• Price: $449
• Available: April
• Ships With: Traktor 2 LE

FEATURES

• 10 inputs and outputs – 4 phono preamps to connect up to 4 turntables
• Extra-loud output levels pack enough punch to rock the biggest club
• Easy club installation with Direct Thru mode and included power supply
• 24-bit / 96 kHz Cirrus Logic® AD/DA converters for studio-grade sound quality
• Mic input and additional MIDI I/O port for MIDI gear without USB connector
• Low latency Mac® and PC drivers for tightest possible response
• 25 status LEDs for visual monitoring of signal chain in challenging club environments
• Compatible with all DJ, performance and audio software
• Includes TRAKTOR LE 2 DJ software with TRAKTOR 2 Technology Inside

The Traktor Audio 10 is very similar to the Audio 6 in that it added 2 more channels, replacing its predecessor, the Audio 8. It also has a new processor under the hood with new low-latency drivers and the same large LED’s as on the Audio 6.

DJING WITH THE SOFTWARE MIXER:

DJ software controlled by two TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 controllers. TRAKTOR AUDIO 10 outputs connected to active monitors.

CLUB INSTALLATION SETUP (DIRECT THRU):

Two turntables connected to phono inputs of TRAKTOR AUDIO 10. Outputs connected to line inputs of external mixer. Power supply is connected, therefore no laptop is necessary.

EXTERNAL MIXER SETUP:

DJ software controlled by TRAKTOR KONTROL X1 controller. TRAKTOR AUDIO 10 connected to external mixer and synced with MASCHINE via MIDI Clock.

KONGGADeeJaY: DJM 900

KONGGADeeJaY: DJM 900

DJM 900

Pioneer Nexus – The New DJM-900

Written by Ean Golden on February 17th, 201176 Comments

Pionner has now announced a new mixer in their ubiquitous DJM line of DJ consoles. Its the DJM-900 “Nexus” with direct Traktor support, USB connections and a multitude of new effects and features. At a price of $2000 its heavy on the wallet, but perhaps low enough to become another club standard. Read on for video, photos and more.

Multitude of Effects

The DJM-900 Nexus follows Pioneer’s traditional control layout enabling an easy transition to the mixer. As with other Pioneer mixers, the DJM-900 Nexus features a variety of advanced sound effects that allow DJs to have more creative expressions while mixing their music. Three new Sound Color FX, two Beat Effects and an X-Pad control were added to the mixer to enhance the user’s performance.

• Sound Color FX – The DJM-900 Nexus includes Space, Dub Echo and Gate/Comp in addition to Filter, Crush and Noise for its Sound Color FX. At any time with a simple twist of the knobs, DJs can quickly add their choice of audio effects bringing numerous combinations and arrangements to currently played music.
• Beat Effect – A total of 13 effects, including two new ones called Spiral and Melodic, can be added by the user at any time to the beat effects is accomplished through a selectable knob located on the right side of the mixer.
• X-Pad – A touch screen control bar that enables quick access, control, and manipulation of the thirteen built-in beat effects. With a touch and/or slide of the X-Pad control, the user can change the parameters of each effect for further creativity in performances.

Sound Quality

Part of the DJM-900 Nexus’s design attribute is combining functionality with great sound quality. The mixer utilizes high quality components that ensure the best possible audio output when connected to other components.

• Built-in 24bit/96kHz High Performance USB Sound card – Pioneer developed an onboard USB sound card that can simultaneously handle input and output audio signals from up to four (4) stereo sources through a single USB port¹. The sound card supports 24-bit/96kHz high resolution signal processing, and can input and output all audio signals with no degradation of sound quality. Once connected to a PC or Mac, the settings utility tool can be used to customize the mixer’s output signal path to suit various purposes, such as DJ play, song recording or production². Furthermore, smooth transfers between DJs are possible with the easily accessible USB ports on the top surface of the mixer.
• Sound Quality Design –The DJM-900 Nexus is equipped with the same audio input and output circuits as Pioneer’s flagship DJM-2000 to achieve the most accurate audio reproduction from connected sources. The 32-bit digital to analog converter supports all outputs of the mixer, including the master audio outputs, booth outputs as well as headphones. Additionally, the built-in high performance 32-bit digital signal processor (DSP) suppresses any digital and analog circuit noise by way of high quality balanced hybrid operation amps and full balanced output circuits.

Connection

With more DJs continuing to use their personal computers as part of their rig, the new DJM-900nexus is ready for a direct connection to a laptop PC or Mac, increasing its convenience and functionality.

• PRO DJ LINK – Via an Ethernet (LAN) cable, the mixer can quickly link to the latest Pioneer PRO DJ LINK compatible CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 players (with firmware version 4.00 or later³) or a personal computer running Pioneer’s rekordbox™ software, giving users fast access to a song’s beats per minute (BPM) and beat location information, resulting in a precise beat matching capability. Furthermore, the built-in quantize mode compensates for Beat Effect operation timing errors automatically, so effects are matched perfectly.
• TRAKTOR™ Functionality – Using a USB connection with a PC or Mac, the four decks (players) inside TRAKTOR can be connected simultaneously with the mixer, enabling enhanced flexibility with the software. In addition, the mixer is also TRAKTOR SCRATCH⁴ certified for TRAKTOR SCRATCH PRO / DUO 2, allowing scratch control functionality when using a time code disc⁵.
• Time Code Output – Through its USB port, the mixer can output time code disc signals for DVS (Digital Vinyl System) software⁶ when used with a Pioneer CDJ player or analog record player. DJ play using DVS software can be done without difficult and complicated connections⁷.

Feature Packed

The DJM-900nexus is equipped with additional features that add to the user’s DJ play.

• High performance channel faders – The slide mechanism supports the fader knobs with two metal shafts for both longevity and smooth operability Furthermore, the new mechanism’s design minimizes the effects of moisture or dust particles on the mixer’s performance capabilities.
• Integrated input selector – Enables users to simultaneously switch all channel inputs.
• Indicators – The DJM-900nexus is equipped with a “USB connection indicator” to display the status of sound card and PC or Mac communications as well as a “USB audio input indicator” to display audio inputs from a PC or Mac.
• Industry’s First MIDI Signal Output⁸ – The DJM-900nexus features the industry’s first musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) signal output that changes at beat-by-beat intervals. The mixer also includes a “MIDI LFO function” to control external devices such as effecters.
• Assignable MIDI Functionality – Nearly all knobs and buttons operation information can be assigned to control other devices. The mixer can also be used as a MIDI controller.
• Switching 3-Band EQ/Isolator – Each channel of the mixer is equipped with a switchable 3-band EQ (+6dB to -26dB) and 3-band Isolator (+6dB to -?dB).
• P-LOCK Fader Cap – Keeps the fader channel and crossfader knobs (caps) locked preventing them from physically slipping off during use.
• Auto Standby – Automatically senses the presence of active operation and input signals and switches to standby mode when inputs are not detected for a long period of time.

DETAILED FEATURE LIST

Channel	4
CD/Line Input	6
Phono Input	2
Digital Input	4 (COAXIAL)
Mic Input	2 (XLR/PHONE, PHONE)
Pro DJ LINK (LAN)	1 (LAN)
Touch Panel
Beat Effect	13 types
Sound Color Effect	6 types
Inst Effect
USB Audio Interface (USB TypeB)	4IN 4OUT
USB recording (USB TypeA)
MIDI Interface	DIN/USB
Traktor Scratch Certified

Mic Connection	XLR/PHONE, PHONE
Mic EQ	2-Band
Mic EQ Range	-12 / +12dB
Talk Over
Advanced Talk Over
Talk Over Level Control
Mic Effect

19 inch Rack Mountable	Yes (Optional)
Frequency Response	20Hz – 20kHz
SN Ratio: Line	107 dB
SN Ratio: Phono	88 dB
SN Ratio: Mic	84 dB
Distortion	0.004% (JEITA)
Sampling Rate	96 kHz
A/D, D/A Converter	24 bit
Digital Sound Processing	32 bit
Headroom
Power Consumption	42 W
Auto Stand-By Function
Dimensions (W x D x H inches)	13.0 x 16.1x 4.2
Weight	15.7 lbs