The Denon DJ SC2900: Denon's first fixed-platter digital controller, and the closest the company has come to Pioneer's space yet.
In both an acknowledgement of and a challenge to Pioneer’s current dominance of the pro DJ booth, Denon DJ today officially launched its SC2900 digital DJ controller and media player, with the words: “It’s time for change”.
As we previewed earlier this week, this is Denon’s first controller and player that drops the motorised turntable used by previous models (and by the current SC3900), in favour of a more industry-standard static-platter design, complete with Denon’s own take on the LED ring that shows operation and cue points.
As is the necessity with any serious new entrant into this market, Denon has built in as much versatility as possible, offering the same choice of operation modes as the SC3900.
Denon is putting a lot of weight behind its take on library software, called Engine, which it claims achieves significant performance improvements over Pioneer’s rekordbox software, by employing a software/hardware combination with the SC2900 taking much of the heavy crunching work away from the device the software is running on (for instance, a networked laptop). In particular, Denon DJ claims much faster search speeds than rekordbox.
Whether clubs will agree that it’s time for a change remains to be seen, but if price is a consideration, you get a lot for your money here…
There is additionally the wireless, networked use of an iPad to act as “biggest and most versatile media navigation screen in the industry” (to quote from the official press release); something that Denon is presumably hoping will be considered as a plus point agains the minus of the 2900 (and 3900) having less impressive built-in screens than some of the Pioneer players.
As far as compatibility with established DJ software goes, the SC2900 works natively with Traktor 2 (Traktor 2 LE is in the box), although unlike the SC3900 it doesn’t emit timecode to control Serato Scratch Live in a “hybrid” mode, so you’d have to use timecode CDs for this, although you could still map its controls to SSL as with any Midi controller. (You’d still need your Rane hardware whatever.)
Up to four players are networkable together to “play” from the same musical source such as USB. Oh, and of course, it plays CDs too. 
Why it matters
Perhaps the biggest reason why this news is noteworthy is that previously, if you were in the market for a professionally featured CDJ-style set-up, your choice was to buy Pioneer (good if you’re a pro or a club, bad if you’d rather spend the money on a small car), or go for a lesser-brand and cheaper Pioneer copy and take your chances deviating from a known quantity.
Extra I/O options include a fader start link, and the ability to network with other players.
Now there’s a viable professional alternative. Denon build quality is taken as read by the vast majority of DJs who’ve ever used Denon gear, and the company has dropped no obvious balls with the feature set here.
The performance features, pretty much borrowed totally from the SC3900 (which we have here in the workshop for a review we’re preparing, but which we like a lot so far), mean it is more than just a Pioneer copy, although obviously with the fixed platter this is as close to a Pioneer-style player as Denon has released yet.
Whether clubs will agree that it’s time for a change remains to be seen, but if price is a consideration, you get a lot for your money here: the pricing information we have is “€800 + sales tax”, which we are guessing will translate into street prices of US$899, €799 and £699 or slightly higher.
If this turns out to be the right ball-park, you’d be able to add a mixer and have a decent pro digital/analogue hybrid set-up for under US$2000 – only slightly more than the cost of one Pioneer CDJ-2000.
Price: “€800 + sales tax”
Availability: July 2012 (EU)
• See the official photos in our Denon DJ SC2900 Gallery on Facebook
• Read the Denon DJ SC2900 press release on the Digital DJ Tips Newswire
Do you like the look of these? Or do you think Pioneer has this market stitched up? Have they got the price/feature set about right? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Now go to:
Video: Denon DJ SC3900 Digital Turntable & Midi Controller
Denon Ups Its Assault On The DJ Box With The SC2900 Player
Review & Video: Gemini CDJ-700 Media Player
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Tags: cdjs, denon dj, Denon DJ SC2900, SC2900
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There’s just absolutely no way these things can be long term viable at $900 street. Hopefully they’ll even out to a ~$700 street price. With refurbished CDJ-900s coming in at $900, and CDJ-850s sitting at around $800 new, Denon really is going to have to blitz to play the cost effective angle if the street price ends up being that high. The “half the cost of a CDJ-2000″ tag isn’t going to stand a real price analysis.
[ link ]How can you say that…they do everything a CDJ-2000 does and then some. I think $800 – 900 is just about right. These things feature wise stomp all over Pioneer for half the price. Other than SD card support and the large on-board screen of the 900/2000 (which lets be honest is addressed with a $200 used I-pad 1), name me something that the CDJ-2000 does that this player does not? I’ll wait because you will be hard pressed to find anything. So yea $900 is very viable long term price…and that’s the advertised price, the price you can get from companies like AIG, Uniquesquared and others will probably put it at about $800.
[ link ]It doesn’t compete with the CDJ-2000, it’s competing with the 850/900. If you really think this “stomps” the 2k, then you’ve obviously never touched one in a performance environment. A media player looking for widespread adoption can’t be focusing on a feature list, because only bedroom DJs and kids judge a player by a feature blurb.
Features and specs don’t make a player a great player. If you’re going to get down to the “does what a CDJ does” level, then the $300 NDX-800 table should be blowing the shit out of the media player market. But it’s not, because a feature list doesn’t make a player.
As for the “thing” a CDJ-2000 does that this player does not, the closest thing to a feature I would be able to list is “Works flawlessly and holds up under extreme working conditions continuously for multiple consecutive years, while providing responsive, durable controls and positive ergonomics throughout the player. All while providing a DJ centric and friendly ecosystem from file to master output, with virtually no kneecappings or inhibitions.” I’d take that over saving a few quid. But really, I’d be pretty amped about being pushed into hooking up a wireless router and bringing an extra piece of fragile hardware into the booth to browse tracks.
[ link ]Shishdisma: Fact is though, you don’t have ANY facts to support your assertion that the CDJ-2000′s are more durable than these
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All you are going about is comparing durability to price-tag. Forgive me for saying so, but i don’t find this a convincing argument. I’m not concluding that you’re wrong, but I’m definitely not concluding that you’re right either.
Seems to me that most people just can’t accept that Pioneer isn’t the only competent DJ equipment producers in the world. I accept that there is a reason for their equipment being the standard in clubs, and that it is very good equipment, but i don’t for a second fool myself believing that they are the only “real” solution. Status quo never lasts forever.
[ link ]Exactly…there is nothing that a CDJ-2k can do that this player does not do if not better. As for reliability, Denon is every bit as reliable as Pioneer especially the last 2 generations of players. Now most players these days are firmware based are susceptible to firmware glitches, even the CDJ-2K. Search around, you will find numerous instances of CDJ-2ks crashing. Build quality has never been an issue with Denon so I fail to see your point. Nevermind the point that we are talking more than a few dollars (or quid as it were) we are talking double. You are right a feature list does not make a player…but what is a player without a feature list? Without a certain amount of features, the CDJ-2K would be what a CDJ-850…so features do count and to more than bedroom DJs.
As far as bringing along an I-pad and router, there is no pushing, that is purely optional and lets face it…an I-Pad is as robust as they come…why because this is the exact type of application they were designed for…far from fragile.
I’m not going to say that this player is a CDJ killer and clubs are going to replace CDJ-2Ks with this…but it certainly has the specs and the potential.
[ link ]I agree. Just use AD HOC from laptop instead of router, for Ipad wifi connectivity.
[ link ]I have now doubt that the build quality of the 2900 will be BETTER than Pioneers last few offerings. The 3900 certainly was. I returned my 2 x CDJ2000 after months of problems – not just firmware issues and crashing but actual build quality issues – the USB sockets on CDJ900 and CDJ2000 and nexus stuff are rubbish – my sockets on both the CDJ2000s fell to pieces in just a few gigs and Pioneer refused to treat them as a warranty repair until I sent them an email full of links to dozens of internet reports of the same thing happening to other Pioneer users. The CDJ1000 mk3 was well built (although still not worth the price tag) and none of Pioneers decks since they discontinued that deck have been as well built. I’d say that pioneer built quality (not that the words “Pioneer” and “quality” really belong in the same sentence anymore) is third or forth ranking, with Denon, Numark and Allen & Heath above them.
[ link ]I kind of agree with the price situation. I was really hoping these would hit a cheaper mark than $900 USD. That’s almost as much as a Pioneer CDJ-900 which in all honesty I would buy before a pair of these (No matter how different they are feature wise) just to be somewhat familiar with Pioneer gear and software. Now the story would reverse if these were in the clubs, but I guess that’s just a matter of time and how much money Denon throws around.
[ link ]I’m really looking forward to seeing how these progress in the market-place as they seem, on first glance, to have really nailed a design to rival Pioneer’s CDJ range.
However, and this is a BIG however, I firmly believe that some of the vinyl turntables which are, and have been on the market (from the likes of Vestax, Stanton etc) are superior in design, quality and functionality to the good old faithful Technics 1210s. It doesn’t change the fact that Technics are by far the best selling and most preferential selection of the vast majority of vinyl DJs.
Why? One simple reason…… Because they’re TECHNICS.
Heritage counts for a lot, and unless this new range of Denon products comes out at a price competitive with the cheapest Pioneer CDJs available, I still think people on mass will be reluctant to dip their toes in the water.
[ link ]i agree…there is only one way to find out..you have to dip your toes in the water. the question is, are we willing to invest the money? it will always come down to economics.
[ link ]Wow Denon delivers. I am impressed. If I were still using CDJs I would honestly think about ditching the Pioneers, if they hold up to what is promised in the press release.
[ link ]Now Denon go and make a Controller with that platters and LED positioning, Arcade Buttons and a 4-chan mixer for Itch and I am hooked
Good to see some competition for the overpriced Pioneer line. However, IMO until Denon (or some other company) starts paying big name artists to use their equipment nothing will change.
It’s not fair, but it really comes down to Denon improving their brand if they are to be serious challenger to Pioneer.
Of course they may be fine just capturing the the mid-range of the market. If that is the case, anyone who aspires to play out will still be faced with the dilemma of whether to the extra money to learn/practice on the industry standard is worth it.
[ link ]If Denon payed Big name artists to use their products; the cost would be added to the device(s). This is one of the main reasons Pioneer is so expensive; this and capitalization of the market (Apple is doing it right now). Two really overpriced manufacturers = fail for us as consumers.
[ link ]Agree 100% my friend, not to mention another controller…wow! Is anyone ever satisfied or does the market simply understand the need for greed and ones ego?
[ link ]Hardly out of the gate and the race is on. Good to see there are still those around that find pride (and hopefully pleasure) in vehemenently defending the Pioneer flagship.
As we all know, shit breaks down, always has, always will. Some shit breaks down more, sooner or more seriously than others. I don’t care what brand I work with, I make sure I have backup somehow. Murphy is no stranger to the DJ booth after all.
I would tend to agree that Pioneer has a good rep in fixed installations. However, if you ever talk to rental companies, you might get a different perspective on things. To paraphrase one of my suppliers; “bloody living room gear with a pro sticker on it
”
I can safely say (after about 35 years on the road with all kinds of stuff from Pioneer, Denon, Technics, Numark, all the way “down” to American Audio and even (swallow) Behringer on one or two occasions) that Denon sits right at the top of the build quality tree. So it would be safe to say you can take that factor out of the equation.
Personally I think Rekordbox is a b*tch of an application. But that is just me. Haven’t used Engine enough yet to comment, but first impression is good so far.
At the end of the day, having a quality piece of equipment to do your “thing” helps get the job done well and relatively stress free. And with the “29″ (as the street savvy marketing folks at Denon are trying to get them called) hitting the market I think these are some VERY serious competition for Pioneer. Especially for those of us who have used and loved Denon in the past, we can now step right up to the latest and hottest technology without having to change the logo
and without breaking the bank.
Happy spinning & greetinx,
[ link ]DJ Vintage
Nice to see a comparison back to the old days with Techies getting a mention but the one thing to remeber about the Technics 1200 range is they are not actually dj turntables, they were adopted by dj’s and were created to be an audiophile deck, hence the huge thick rubber mat and air suspension to reduce vibration. DJ’s adapt to what is good and offers what they want. Essentially Pioneer will still continue to lead the market as any club changing equipment is likely to do so unilaterally and whilst some dj’s may prefer one type of controller, the big names practice on Pioneer, are used to the interfaces and you do not want a big money DJ at you club essentially learning how to use the equipment or trying get his music recognised by the software and the interfaces preventing the DJ from playing. In the old days of vinyl where the DJ did the work and decks just played music it was far simpler as a DJ would not turn up with a record box to find the needle was not compatible with the record. Denon may have a superb product but do not expect to see market changing conditions due to the new software unless they pay all of the clubs to change their hardware which will filter to the big name DJ who wants to protect his reputation for playing well by being familiar and ready for the new layout.
[ link ]Heres another controller, you dont say!!! And just look at the conversation it generates just like any other. Just grab a unit, learn it, use it, live with it and be happy. I love the digital technology just as much as the next person but at some point if it’s not some sort of cutting edge new technology when is enough, enough?
[ link ]Well, when it’s at a new price point, that’s worth pointing out. Good point, though.
[ link ]This is a step backwards for Denon I think. They can never compete with Pioneer. It´s not a question of price or quality. Pioneer owns the big clubs and Denon never gonna get in on that market.
I think Denon´s 3700 and 3900 outranks Pioneers 2000 by miles but stupid kids with a lot of money gonna get the Pioneer´s anyway….
[ link ]Flyer, thanks for your thoughts.
If this is a step backwards, what is the forward step solution, in your opinion?
[ link ]Even the HDMix and HDX from Numark support FLAC and Ogg/Vorbis. Neither requires royalties and are open to be implimented. You cannot tag wavs.
[ link ]if you are a passionate dj ,love to play and mix music see people dancing and having fun even with a tape deck from sonys days that you got at a fleemarket you still can make a good mix ,yes nice tools are always a plus some are always going to be more expensive than other but at the end you as a dj makes the differences is like looking to and old furniture made it in the 1600s and thinking was made with today’s tools for carpenters , so denon or pioneer they all going to brake or give u more features or last longer who cares get what you can afford and show me you are a good Djjjjjjjjj ,clubs and rich people can afford to pay 2000 dollars for pioneer but i seen dj with american audio and behringer doing nice parties and people having fun, remenber parties in 80s were made with a regular turntables and a simple two channel mixer and people still remembers those days
[ link ]Pioneer is doing a lot more than Cdj’s. If Denon wants to step into the clubs, Denon needs to invest into the Dj scene, like sponsoring famous Dj’s, be present in music business events, like ibiza summit, adm, Miami MC, also sponsoring some radio stations like Pioneer does with Ibiza Sonica, having dedicated internet sites for DJ’s with music festivals / Dj ‘s interviews, etc…Denon should learn with Native Instruments, the only serious competitor Pioneer has in the DJ booth…
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