The Pioneer RMX 1000: A standalone effects and sample playback unit that you can take to gigs with you to add an extra later to your performance.
It’s as if the digital revolution never happened. If you’ve got US$999 / £599 / €499 to blow and you’re not DJing with software yet, Pioneer’s new RMX-1000 Remix Station aims to bring some of what you’re missing to the party for you, as demonstrated in the video below.
With a host of high-quality effects sharing similarities with those found on Pioneer’s higher end mixers such as the new DJM-850, plus a simple sampler, this device is built to add an extra later to a DJ’s performance. As far as Pioneer’s range goes, it’s also a replacement for the severely dated EFX-1000.
It’s designed to be plugged in to the send/return from a DJ mixer, or failing that, simply across the master output. (Pioneer also interestingly says it will provide a software VST version, which the unit can then control via USB.)
Features
Pioneer has, to be fair, pushed hardware effects to the limit on its mixers, and so you’d expect the same in a dedicated unit that gets you no real change out of US$1000.
The SD card is used for loading samples, and for customising your setting with the supplied Remixbox software
Probably the most exciting section are the scene effects, designed to allow progressive building over time. The big blue-lit knob controls these, and Pioneer has divided them into “build up” and “break down” effects which are designed to add to the sound and take away from it respectively – reverbs, echoes, filters and so on.
The release FX are wet/dry on steroids. Wet/dry is usually the knob that lets you mix between the effected sound and the clean signal, but these allow you to do trigger that using echo, vinyl brake or backspin.
The isolate FX allow you to choose a mix of low/mid/high frequencies for the effects to do their thing on.
Finally, there’s a simple sampler, called X-Pad FX, with a touchpad for triggering four samples. Pioneer supplies kick, snare, clap and hi-hat, and you can load samples via SD card, but it doesn’t look like you can sample on the fly.
Who’s going to buy it?
With effects being built in to more and more mixers, there’s definitely a case for hardware effects, and a standalone unit means your own effects setup can always go with you to gigs. The fact that there is software that lets you customise setting show just how advanced effects have become, and promises the ability to customise your own personal effects “sound” – although it remains to be seen how good that software turns out to be.
If you’re a non-software DJ and so don’t have easy access to effects, this may well all be good news for you – as long as you’re pro enough to even consider such a spend. After all, most DJing software innovations are passing you by – at least here’s a chance to play catch-up in one area.
As a performance unit, it certainly looks like it packs be a great deal of fun.
However, digital DJs already have access to some pretty complex effects, and frankly most DJs are happy with some decent filters and maybe a bit of vinyl emulation. And nearly all current DJ software has better sampling capabilities than this. Those four triggered samples, loaded from SD card, are probably not going to have sample deck engineers quaking in their boots.
For digital and hobby DJs, the price and the fact that you can do similar stuff in software is going to rule out buying the Pioneer RMX-1000. But if you’re a pro, analogue DJ looking to add top-grade and seemingly great-sounding DJ effects into your set-up, this could be for you. As a performance unit, it certainly looks like it packs in great deal of fun.
Due date: June 2012.
Video
• Want to know more? See the Pioneer RMX-100 press photos and read the Pioneer RMX-1000 press release.
Have you been waiting for Pioneer to update its ancient EFX-1000? Would you pay this price for a dedicated state-of-the-art hardware effects unit? Please share your thoughts on the new Pioneer RMX-1000 Remix Station in the comments.
Now go to:
Pioneer’s New DJM-850 Digital DJ-Friendly Mixer
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Tags: effects units, pioneer, RMX-1000, samplers
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Good to see pioneer getting different product ideas out there, even if it is 100 years before release.
[ link ]Fairly sure the guys at Pioneer are smoking crack. They are just getting more and more disconnected from reality with their expectations!
[ link ]Hahahah! True story
[ link ]But after all they also made the Pioneer DDJ-T1 and S1. They are trying to be “modern”, but for example Native Instruments are way better (and much cheaper).
You say all that but this will be a smash hit and end up in hundreds, if not thousands, of clubs around the world on the next few years. Real working deejays are also going to be buying them up in time. I don’t know what Pioneer’s expectations are but with this one I think they’ll easily meet them.
[ link ]I’d been wanting something like the RMX-1000 to “spice up” my sets . I’ve not moved into using software to mix my music (doesn’t that just turn you into a juke box?) . But the price is too lofty for me . Maybe I’ll find a refurbished on in a couple months ? $1000 is TOO MUCH !
[ link ]Of course using software doesn’t make you a jukebox! Whyever would it? but on your point, note that the UK/Europe prices are £499 / €599 which would suggest a (slightly) lower US price. I think street price won’t quite hit US$999.
[ link ]just a note about the Juke box comment
all Juke boxes I’ve seen used Vinyl or CD’s 
Anyway the demo video looked cool and all. But it’s not targeted at me.
[ link ]Georgee = troll
[ link ]good one
[ link ]If software is just the portal to your media it is no different than deejaying on TTs or CDJs.
I’ve been deejaying for about 15-16 years now, currently using Traktor Scratch Pro 2 via timecode on CDJs and a DJM700 for the mixer, and even though I don’t play records on 1200′s with a big 19″ Rane in between them anymore, I still am deejaying just the same. Nothing is really different except I can do more than I used to. I still match beats in my headphones, mix with my hands, blend with faders and EQs, rock doubles (this is much more convenient now), do all my old tricks, use outboard EFX, etc… But now I can do more like quantized looping without having to stress out about getting it just right. That is NOT being a jukebox.
[ link ]I can only agree with Gavin. This Pioneer gear is way too expensive, and actually it is just a toy. I have enjoyed the demo, because like many of us, we do understand what the promo DeeJay was doing, but if you close your eyes and just listem to it, it is just an undancable bunch of noise. It reminds me about uno-dos-tres-quattro Italian disco stuff from 80′s. After a certain time all the italian disco records were the same. This is the main problem with the gear input of our industry. If you have this kind of noise in all discos, it will be very-very boring. Besides that, never forget, that crowd doesn’t care on what gear you are playing, and 99,9 percent of people doesn’t have a single clue what you are doing. They just want to dance and party. So “the old school” of DeeJaying never relates to the specific gear you are using it. It relates on the system of entertaining, while always keeping an eye to the crowd. You are on the stage for them and not vice-versa. Think about that when you want to spend “zillions” on another digital “black box”.
[ link ]True to an extent, but in the right hands (ie musical hands, experienced DJ hands) such gear can undoubtedly shine.
[ link ]Does the medium really matters? Does it matter id the music is stored on wax cylinders, vinyl records, compact discs, files on hard discs/SSDs or (in the soon to be future) streamed in real time from cloud solutions?
If we argue that way, that a specific medium is the only true one, would we as DJ not be stuck and possible to exist only in a specific time frame as the world moves forward?
With that view you won’t have any future “real DJ” with your definition and focus on that you must you specific technology and medium from a specific time.
Personally I see DJ as time less craft and art in entertaining people with the right music at the right time, and hopefully with some personal touch and innovation that makes the crowd in bliss.
It’s that skills and end results who counts, not that you should use a specific medium or be stuck in time at using a specific set of limited old technology (that is something for museums and history people to deal with).
It’s about the *music* and how you use your skills to move your audience!
Br,
martin törnsten
http://martin.tornsten.com/
[ link ]Another good comment, Martin. Somehow the whole “be a real dj-become a real dj in 4 weeks” relates to the massive commercialisation of our profession with the (generally fake) impression that using samples from real musicians and real songs is the same like playing your own material. The fact is that DJ’s are sampling from DJ’s so at the end there is no actual skill and talent, just digital technology and money (and sadly, average boredom in clubs). Even David Guetta has got like 8 songs on one album starting exactly in the same way with the same synth intro (not counting remixes, of course).Kids like Guetta, I have no problem with that, but buying expensive DJ gear wont bring you massive success in your deejaying career. If you don’t develop your all-round taste in music, within short period of time your gear will probably be on e-bay…But anyway, we all like new toys, so I can understand that need
[ link ]Hence why How To Digital DJ Fast doesn’t promise to make you a real DJ in 4 weeks (it promises to get you playing your first 1 hour public set in 4 weeks, at which point you’re not only 95% ahead of everyone else who wants to be a DJ, but you’re now in a position to properly understand what it takes to be a DJ), and why we put massive focus on music and programming (not gear).
[ link ]Not bad, but seems too expensive to me. You can do the same stuff and much more with Traktor and Kontrol S4 or S2.
[ link ]It’s cool for analogue djs, but I think future of dj-ing is digital!
That’s pretty much our view, but one of our “manifesto” beliefs is that all DJs should be curious about, and try to get the chance to use, all gear – and if clubs start fitting them, I’d certainly like to put one through its paces and see what I can come up with!
[ link ]Of course, I would also love to try the RMX-1000 or any other new dj tool. I totally agree with you.
[ link ]It has nothing to do with if you are an “analog DJ” or if you are digital. I don’t see how that makes any difference.
[ link ]I just wanted to say that you don’t need any external fx tool, paying a lot of cash, if you are on digital dj-ing. And that if you play on TT’s or CDJ’s and a “normal” mixer, than the RMX-1000 could be good for you. That’s the difference. But of course any kind of dj could give it a great use.
[ link ]Actually I have been on turntables for 6 years and I just started with Traktor kontrol S4 like 4 months ago. So I see that digital dj-ing helps you and gives you much more flexibility and creativity.
After all, it’s not about what you have, but what you do with it.
Love music!
I’ll wait for the gemini rip off that should follow considering they copied the rest of the pioneer line, as the only part anyone would really want is the midi controler to use with software, that’s worth maybe $200.
I do however commend the pioneer designers for the effect out settings, that is a massive bonus and great innovation, but could easily be copied with software plugins. And this is missing the greatest part of the efx1000 the feedback loop.
look forward to seeing James Zabiela using it though to see what it can really do in the hands of an effect master. But I suspect not much I can’t achieve with VDJ.
[ link ]Now, I see the logic behind something like the Chaos Pad Quad, which gives you a set of nice effects and an intuitive way to control them, but this doesnt seem as inviting.
[ link ]Hey I am very interested in this unit, so I have few questions, how will we be able to control time parameters for those echoes, reverbs etc., I don’t see time parameter buttons (1/2, 3/4, 1/1…), also I have question, I would really like to use this unit with s4, because traktor doesn’t have good post fader echo effect, filter is not the best, there is no crush, white noise…. so I am asking is it possible to connect this rmx 1000 with s4 and to use those effects as post fader, in other words when I turn on echo and pull down volume fader will there be echo trail like on the pioneer mixers?
[ link ]If you used it with the S4 on the main out the effect would have to be be post fader. You would not be able to control with deck was being effected though.
When I first got my old EFX500 back in 2001 I had a Gemini UMX-9 with no send/receive loop. I put the EFX500 on the master out and could do quite a bit with it. It might not be the worst idea. But it is EXPENSIVE even if it retails for $699 (I think it will be $799).
[ link ]I don’t get this whole “not for digital Djs” thing that’s going on in the article and comments. Sure, our software has effects, but they way they are controlled and especially the sound quality of the effects themselves really leaves something to be desired. Compare a reverb in Traktor to one on a DJM 850 and you’ll see what I mean. Real hardware effects sound better, are easier to work into your mix, and less tempting to abuse. I’m looking at YOU knob twiddlers. I do agree that it’s expensive, but most pieces of kit that are worth picking up are.
[ link ]I totally agree with you, I am looking forward connecting my s4 with this unit, so I can use all those quality pioneer effects, I am only afraid that I won’t be able to assign rmx 1000 to one deck, in other words it will always be on master channel if I want postfader effects.
[ link ]Yep!
[ link ]That’s to an extent true, and of course if the appeal of hardware FX, and why they’ve definitely got legs for some DJs.
[ link ]If you are talking “quality of effects” and look at the prices of the pioneer kit …
- price of a djm850 = 1500 euro
- price of a rmx-1000 = 600 euro
I think the math makes the decision for you … A&H xone DB4 is the one and only choice for you.
[ link ]>Real hardware effects sound better
There’s no such thing as “real hardware sound effects”. even in a tool like this, there’s a built-in computer that creates the sound effects using software.
It might be *better* software than in Traktor, but it’s still software.
[ link ]Yeah, I’m not really seeing why it’s for “analogue” DJs. Im not sure why there’s this massive misconception among laptop users that most people actually use CDs. There’s virtually nothing that Traktor does that actually competes with this box, and anything similar in Traktor would require an arduous amount of extrenuous knob twiddling and screen watching, for half the effect. People using CDJs and Rekordbox are often doing virtually the exact same thing people do with a controller and Traktor, just without the laptop to babysit. They’re no less “digital” just because their tracks come off a Rekordbox drive rather than Traktor.
[ link ]The bashing on the web of the rmx 1000 is amazing to me. I don’t think everyone is going to midi controllers and software. I have used the S4 and vci 400 and they are great but I would rather have a cdj 2000 and a pioneer mixer any day. The efx 1000 was great and sounded amazing but this update was needed. Pioneers predicted demise is funny to me. I’m at wmc in Miami now and pioneer is everywhere. Hardware doesn’t crash during a set and controllers don’t allow crowd interaction. I saw mord fustang at amnesia last night and he sounded amazing but it was like he was playing a video game by himself
[ link ]And the analog DJ point I don’t agree with either between a cdj 2000 a nexus 900 and rekordbox software you are 100% digital with hardware effects add the rmx 1000 with quantized effects and you have the ultimate digital setup to me. Can do everything traktor can do but easier and without spending 50% of my time looking at a laptop screen. I can’t see controllers being added to clubs. Have to be 100% reliable when you charge $50 and up for admission plus the guys making the music are the ones djing and 90% of them use cdj’s. The real benefit of the rmx 1000 might be in ge studio as a vst plugin. That’s crazy!
[ link ]The way you put it is completely correct – if you consider turning up at a club with a USB stick as “digital DJing”. Strictly, we don’t – it’s using a digital medium but it’s basically the same as DJing always was, whereas software allows you to take control in ways CDJs don’t. But I completely take your point: Maybe “software DJing” is a better term for it.
[ link ]Very cool…but too pricey.
It’s like when they made the EFX-1000. Very cool, but way more money than it’s worth.
[ link ]I agree with the comment that the Pioneer analog effects sound better than those in Traktor. We set up a DJM 800 + 2 CDJ 1000 mk 3 + DDJ-T1 into spare channel (all playing identical WAV files) and the effects off the DJM 800 were far more crisp and better sounding. Even after adjusting the effects in advanced mode in Traktor the analog mixer effects still sounded better imo
[ link ]This device is amazing. I can’t wait to get this on my set. I will do wonders. The price is not a problem; it is an investment just like any of my DJ gear and it will make me better as a DJ.
http://www.deejaybravo.com
[ link ]http://www.moltenpros.com