So after the Behringer DX1000 was discontinued we honestly thought that this would be the end to Behringer’s bad attempts at creating low quality installation mixers…

Today, however, we learn that Behringer have given it another go with a new mixer that Behringer expect will be a popular club installation mixer. Now with the Formula Sound FSM-600 being at the top of every installer’s list as the industry standard mixer, there is indeed a gap in the market for a cheaper alternative  for those clubs that simply can’t afford a top-end mixer, but would a Behringer mixer ever be considered?

Well we do often hear of clubs and bars having the Behringer DCX2496 Ultradrive speaker management system installed in favour of a more reliable (and expensive) BSS Minidrive, so we are keeping an open mind for now.

So here is the Behringer DX2000USB Installation DJ Mixer:

Back Panel Image:

The Behringer DX2000USB does seem to have everything an installation mixer should have including balanced outputs. A seemingly robust appearance and fully rackmountable. Balanced microphone inputs. Full eq. on every channel.

Only time will tell if this rackmountable installation mixer can make it into some lower budget installations but from first impressions, it does look pretty promising.

Full UK retail price is estimated to be around £325 including VAT.

Link to this page: http://blog.discostudio.co.uk/2010/03/behringer-dx2000usb-dj-mixer-released/

So after reading many posts in the DJ blogosphere we came accross news that Pioneer have been showing off their new entry-level cd/media player, the Pioneer CDJ-350. As you can see from the image below, the CDJ-350 has been designed alongside an equally well-designed 2 channel DJ mixer, that Pioneer have typically called DJM-350.

The new entry level player is a great leap forward for Pioneer, as it’s not just a CD/MP3 CD player, it plays MP3, AAC, WAV and AIFF directly from your USB card.

It does not, however, have Pioneer’s cat-5 link that the CDJ-2000 and CDJ-900 have.

On the up side though it does have a USB port which allows it to work with midi controllable software such as Pioneer’s Rekordbox™ software.

Pioneer say:

The CDJ-350 will allow users to create DJ performances with various digital music files including MP3, AAC, WAV and AIFF files that are stored on different forms of media, including USB mass storage device class products or CD-R/RW discs. The media player also includes Pioneer’s proprietary music management software, rekordbox™, making it possible to manage music files on a computer for quick song selection when played back on compatible Pioneer players.

Specifications look like this:

• Playable Media: Music CDs, CD-R/RW, USB devices (flash memory/HDD, etc.)
• Playable Files: MP3, AAC, WAV (44.1 kHz/16bit), AIFF (44.1 kHz/16bit)
• File formats compatible with USB storage: FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, HFS
• Weight: 5lbs
• Dimensions: 8.66in(W) x 11.36in(D) x 4.21in(H)
• Frequency Response: 4Hz to 20kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.006% or less
• Power source: AC 120V (60Hz)
• Audio output voltage: 2.0V
• USB Ports: USB A Port x 1, USB B Port x1
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 115 dB (JEITA)

So there you have it – another cd player from Pioneer for 2010.

Permalink: http://blog.discostudio.co.uk/2010/03/pioneer-cdj350-pioneer-djm350-sneak-peak/