contributed by: Andre Cato
Manufacturer: Pioneer

On your first glance at the CDJ800, you would be forgiven if you believed they are simply a silver version of the CDJ1000. This, I think is because of the unique looking platter that the Pioneer DJ design team have chosen to take their players to the next level. I guess this is a really good example of 'don't judge a book by its cover', because this unit not only features completely different things, but also works really differently. The CDJ800 actually comes packed with 5 new features never seen before on a cd unit…. Lets explore.

I have broken this review up into a few different sections to make it easier for anyone to read. If you are reading this not knowing much about the gear, please ensure you read all of the different sections so you fully understand what it is you are able to do with this great instrument for the digital musician.


New Platter Movement
Now this section is really only relevant to users who have already had the opportunity to use the CDJ1000. You see the scratch/vinyl platter that is on the CDJ800 actually feels quite different to the one on the previously released 1000 model. On this new model (800), the platter has quite a free flowing movement for much more dramatic effects. Tricks like spin backs and sound effects are open to a wider reach of interactivity, as the user can slow the track down so much with the platter that it literally sounds like digital bits of information being replayed at a fraction of its speed.


Cue Point Setup
Ooohhhh baby. I believe this is one of the hottest new features of the CDJ800. You see, ever since Pioneer started making CD players, they have taken a very different approach to all other CD technology companies out there. From their first player, they literally tried to create a digital deck that could replicate the movements and style of mixing seen done by vinyl dj's. There is the pushing and pulling of the vinyl to push and pull back the beat points, there is scratching and there is now the cueing point…. You see the 800 has this awesome little feature that allows you to not only stop the track by pressing down on the top platter, but also to have that instantly cue up to what ever point you so desire in the track…..

Now what does this mean for us CD DJ's?

Well for a start it means that once you have turned this feature on, even if you don't put any cue points into the memo, you can leave the function on and it will automatically set the cue point to the beginning of the track! So, put the function on, throw in a cd then scratch over the first beat and throw in your track….. just like a piece of vinyl! You don't need even need to push play… Now, lets take another scenario. Lets say you are using one of your 800's as a third deck (the third deck is where you can safely do your tricks and scratching and still have one track playing and another ready to play.) Ok so on your third deck we have a cd, full of cut up accepella loops and scratch points… Within a few seconds (literally) of pre-programming, you will have a cue memo all ready and setup and once again all you need do is place your hand on the platter with the cue point button on and you are ready to go. Scratch in you favourite vocals over beats, throw them in like samples and sound like a god. One thing I have learnt very quickly over my time as a DJ is that people love to watch us dance. If we love what we are doing, how can they not?

Looping
Well for years now, Pioneer have sewn up the effects category very nicely with the processors available in the DJM500, DJM600 and of course the always faithful efx500. One of the great features of these effect processors is the automatic timing options. Once you have selected your effect, whether it be a delay or echo or whatever, you then have control over the wet/dry mix volume (volume of how much effect is heard in comparison to how much of the sound is unaffected). And then on top of this you also have control over the timing of the effect so it either occurs every bar, every beat, every quarter beat and so on. This technology has been used on the CDJ800's to create a looping remix tool on the face of the unit.

Auto Beat Loop
DJs can create a perfect 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 or full bar (1/1) beat loop instantly, just by touching the right button. This feature is an extension of the already provided looping function that is a trademark of the Pioneer CDJ design but adds an instant function that is electronically perfect. The only downside for those wanting a truely automatic beat loop is the fact that you still have to press the button exactly in time. What i mean by this is if you press lets say the 4 beat loop button (1 bar in 4/4 time), but you don't press it exactly on the 1, then you will ruin the flow of your mixes. Practise, practise, practise!

Right, so that is what it is…. Now, what does it actually mean?

Ok lets look at two different ways of using this. Firstly you can use it as a straight loop sampler. Set up a track at the beginning of a 32 bar pattern for example. Now once the cue point is exactly setup just before the first beat, what you want to do is use one of the 4 buttons on the left to setup your loop. When the track is cued in its starting point but not playing, the looping buttons will actually start the track and loop either 1. 2, 4 or 8 beats… So, so cool. Now, if you are running out of time to mix out of a track, you can loop up to 2 bars in 4/4 or common time. This will allow you then have a seem-less looping sequence that you can then mix out of!

So that is the first way that the looping tool can become an unbelievable asset to your set. Over the past week or so, I have been testing this in the real world of commercial and house clubs. By using the looping functions, I was able to set up great little loop grabs of vocals at the end of tracks that I then used as filler orchestration for the mix in of the next track… Keeps it interesting and makes you not only sound different, but look different! I loved the fact that people became instantly hypnotised by my movements behind these great new decks.

Pitch Adjusting
Once again with the pitch, as is with many features on Pioneer gear, it is able to be changed in a few different ways... Here are three for you
- Use the platter in Vinyl mode to beat match.(N.B Only use the side of the platter when on vinyl mode otherwise you will either stop the track or send it back to a cue point!)
- Use the platter in CDJ mode and the whole platter (top and side) will control your beat matching.
-Using the visual display of pitch %, move the pitch fader to push and pull back the track. When you are very close to the beat, it is a much smoother way to slightly change where the beat is sitting over the other track playing.

"Wide" Pitch Control
The pitch control function of the CDJ-800 has an incredible range of +/- 100%. This means that DJs can use new sound effects from opposite ends of the sound spectrum and also match the BPM of their playout track with virtually any other music.

Vinyl Speed Adjust
Alters track touch and release speed when jog wheel is touched continuously. This is a great tool/trick to really break something down before letting it rip into a massive climax! It also allows you to have

Antishock
Seriously, these units are unshockable!!! I have put the CDJ800 through conditions that would allow you to DJ through a cyclone, earthquake and even sit it on a double 18" base speaker without skipping! Now, this is not to mean you should all go out there and throw your units around, but if for any reason you need to stand in your booth and hold the cdj800 above your head (while it is still playing) and shake it upside down, it will still play perfectly!!!!!!! (not that i would ever do that.....) Now i am almost definate that there is a very good and scientic reason for this, but I don't care. It works, amazingly well, so why go any deeper?

Digital In/Out
Ensure digital purity and functionality in hi-tech environments
These ground-breaking functions are packed inside a compact and durable casing that makes the CDJ-800 ideal for surviving life on the road and for playing-out in tough club environments.

Digital Out
Pioneer has included this function on the CDJ-800 in response to the demands of the professional DJ market. When the deck is being used in digital out mode, all of its features - including its superior sound quality - are carried over to the connected digital environment.

Display
The CDJ800 display is once again a fantastic source of information in any dark enviroment. Quickly see your BPM (bottom right of above image), track details such as remain time, track number, tempo percentage adjustment and even a litlle block indecator at the bottom showing how far through the track you are!

One button touch release
This allows the sensitivity of the Jog Wheel to be adjusted, so that CDs can be slowed down, stopped and relaunched according to the DJ's own style.

Who is this player designed for?
The CDJ800 is designed for a wider audience than that of the CDJ1000. The 1000 model offers more functions and programmable options, but I believe the 800 is the machine that really covers the benchmark. The 800 does not give you the option of extra memory cards or storing cue points so this player is perfect for someone wanting the platter style CD unit with Vinyl control, but without all the bells and whistles! The unit is easy to use at its most basic level, but can also be manipulated to become a very powerful dj instrument and studio player.

Who would use it?
Mobile DJ's - Perfect for a mobile setup (ensure you don't go out and buy one CDJ1000 and one CDJ800 as the two units work and feel completely differently. Easy to use and setup endless loops for a more interactive DJ set. Looks great and with so many options to change the sound of your tracks you will also keep your audience more entertined with your own movement over the gear.
Vinyl Jocks - Talk about 3rd deck power tool! The CDJ800 as a stand alone unit is awesome for vinyl jocks who want to live their sets up with loops, accapellas, scratching and reverse play.
Nightclubs - Without the card or memory options, the 800 player is perfect for club and venue use. Each DJ can setup cuepoints and loops on the fly, can use in either vinyl or CDJ mode and has a big display with all track information easily viewable.
DJ Hire Companies - Sick of having gear that breaks and is returned with a skipping laser? The CDJ800 is a very solid unit that will stand the test of time if the 1000 is any indecation. They play smoothly at all times (even upside down) and don't have
Studio Jocks - Want a perfect sample from a CD onto your computer? Use the Digital out mode for a perfect digital connection every time.


Where can I buy one?
Pioneer products are available across Australia at many different stores... Here are a few-

Sanity Stores (Australia Wide)
Factory Sounds (Melb)
Central Station (Australia Wide)
DMC (Melb)


How much does it cost?
The recommended retail price on the CDJ800 is $1599


If you have any questions in regards to the CDJ800 or any pioneer dj products, email me at Andre@12am.com.au and I will do my best to get you the answers you need...