The main arena in BPM 2012, where many of the big performances happen. Pic: Chauvet Lighting
It’s been a steady BPM but lacking in surprises, with most of the new stuff already known to us and reported on.
But it’s been busy (the organisers said they had the busiest first day ever, for instance), and there was a good range of people, from wide-eyed kids towing their parents behind them, to seasoned industry veterans, still eager and excited to see what’s new.
Today I’ve collected lots of pictures taken from around the show over the last two days, everything from weird and wacky products to a VW van! I hope you enjoy them and that they give you a flavour of BPM 2012. If you made it here and we didn’t bump into you, sorry to have missed you. And if you couldn’t get down this year, hope to see you here next year!
BPM 2012: Best of the rest
A long time in the pipeline, the Electrix Tweaker finally showed its face at BPM.
Electrix Tweaker finally on show
Seemingly forever in the pipeline, the long-ago-announced Electrix Tweaker finally showed its face at BPM. It’s a universal Midi controller (no built in sound card) that has velocity sensitive pads, three faders and lots of Ableton-esque trigger buttons. It ships with Traktor LE, and comes with overlays for Traktor LE and for Ableton Live, but there will also be blank overlays in the box for users to annotate as they map it to their own software. Electrix told me a Serato Scratch Live mapping is coming too.
The Pioneer DDJ-SX for Serato DJ.
Pioneer DDJ-SX is even nicer in the flesh
We’ve already announced the Pioneer DDJ-SX, but we got to see it in the flesh. Unlike the Pioneer XDJ-AERO, which we also saw here and which feels plasticky and a little underwhelming, the DDJ-SX is a fantastic-feeling controller. Although it was only in demo mode (ie they didn’t have Serato DJ software to show off), you could get a feel for how desirable a product this is going to be among a certain section of DJs. I think it will appeal mostly to home DJs who want to best, because it’s hard to transport, being so big. It is the ultimate control surface for Serato, and I think it will convert a few users of other software too.
Fully Apple certified, here it is: Proper DJ audio from the iPad.
Spin2 multi-channel iOS audio: The proof
Here’s the proof that Vestax has got proper, dual stereo outputs in a controller for the iPad for the first time: That little switch gives the game away on the back of the new Vestax Spin2 DJ controller for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Apple Mac. We ran around the show with an iPad plugging it in to lots of DJ controllers to see which ones played well with it (more on that soon), but this one does – officially.
Vestax’s web broadcast mixer: One for the bedroom TV producers and VJs.
Vestax PBS-4 web broadcasting mixer in use…
Video DJs, web broadcasters and home video producers will be intrigued by the new PBS-4 web broadcast mixer from Vestax. The company was broadcasting live from the show using this little device, which takes composite camera inputs, HDMI, and VGA (ie from a computer for screenshots), and lets you mix them all live to one stream, that can then be broadcast via your computer to services like Ustream. It’s not broadcast quality (it’s not even HD), but it is a small, presumably relatively cheap and handy solution for making videos and broadcasting from your bedroom.
The Traktor Kontrol Z2: Nice, but keep a polishing cloth nearby…
The smudgy Traktor Kontrol Z2 mixer
Like the Traktor Kontrol S4, the Traktor Kontrol Z2 has a big glossy section right up the middle – and boy did it get smudgy! The Native Instruments stand staff seemed to spend half of their show duster in hand getting the fingerprints off their new baby (they had three units at the show) before people took pictures of it. It’s a clever mixer, and will no doubt do well, but they may live to regret that particular stylistic choice. Mind you, having a glossy, fingerprint-attracting surface hasn’t done the iPhone or iPad any harm…
Me-too controller #354: The Core. There were a range of products from DAP Audio that underwhelmed in their features and differentiators.
The Core: nothing to see here…
Around the edges of the show, there were as usual a handful of generic copies of DJ controllers from unheard-of brands. What was unusual about this controller, and indeed a full range of “The Core” products including USB mixers, is that they were on a big stand at the front of the show, by DAP Audio. Running Virtual DJ, this and a smaller controller were nonetheless completely underwhelming, and indicative of the fact that to stand out nowadays, you need to do much more than introduce a couple of me-too controllers, book a stand and hope someone will notice.
The Vestax HMX-05 headphones: The company had some innovative products on show, but this wasn’t one of them.
The curious Vestax HMX-05 headphones
The Vestax HMX-05 headphones are – and our older readers will know exactly what I’m talking about here – kind of like those headphones that were always wired in to vinyl listening booths in record shops. Functional, durable, sound OK but you wouldn’t really want them as your own. These are kind of “Beats Lite”, and while they had detachable cables (always a nice touch), unless they come in at a very low price, they’re just an also-ran product in a very crowded market place. A curious release.
The CD Pool VW Van: A splash of bit of fun in a sea of black boxes.
Splashes of fun in a sea of tech
There were certain brands and stands that introduced a bit of class and humour among the “look at us!” flashing lights and masculine protrusions of the big tech companies. The CD Pool had a pimped VW van as the centrepiece of its stand; high-end PA company Funktion 1 had a Britain-themed booth complete with stylish furniture and nicely framed pictures of its big concert installations; and there was even “the smallest club in the world” – with doormen, DJs, an MC… and room for six people inside. Its name? “Miniscule of Sound”!
Conclusion…
So while the early flurry of press releases over the last two weeks spoiled the surprise factor for many of the new products on show here, it was still a spectacle, with lasers, lights and infinite sound systems all assaulting your senses, and iPhone 5-like rushes past the ribbons when the show opened every day at 11am.
many manufacturers hinted at a lot of new products due at the January NAMM show
However, you get the sense that the next year will be more exciting than the last; many manufacturers hinted at a lot of new products due at the January NAMM show, when we’re no doubt going to see Serato DJ controllers, and also start to see more moves in the iPad-replacing-laptop direction.
Of course, as always Digital DJ Tips will be there en masse, so expect lots of reports for the floor of that show at the end of January.
What has caught your eye the most this year? Anything you were expecting to see but didn’t? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Now go to:
BPM 2012: Vestax Spin2 DJ Controller For Mac & iOS
BPM 2012: Record Your Sets With The Reloop Tape
BPM 2012: Virtual DJ 8 Will Be Multi-Platform & Multi-Touch
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Tags: bpm2012, electrix tweaker, miniscule of sound, pioneer ddj-sx, the core, traktor kontrol z2, vestax hmx-05, vestax pbx-4, vestax spin2
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
I saw you walking by on Saturday morning and wanted to say hello and thanks for the website. Without sounding gushing, if it wasn’t for your website I wouldn’t have jumped into the world of digital DJing. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to do so as my 14 year old son wanted to attend the Ableton workshop and I couldn’t escape.
[ link ]My first time there and really enjoyed it. We stayed for the full day and the time flew by. A couple of the seminars we attended were very good. Loads of lovely equipment to try out and the demos by the professional DJ’s were both awesome and inspiring.
I will definitely be there next year. Hopefully I’ll see you then.
Glad you enjoyed it, sorry we didn’t get to say hello.
[ link ]Definite lack of surprises –but in a way its good too know that people in the market for gear would be relatively safe buying now, because all the cards are on the table so to speak.
[ link ]The controller from “The core” reminds me of the long awaited behringer cmd series.. by the way any news about these?
[ link ]Not sure why that controller got such a negative reaction – looks pretty nice to me! Interested to see their other offerings but can’t sem to locate them online… anyone got a link?
[ link ]It is just that it (and the smaller one which was worse, it had awful jogwheels) offers nothing new, and the staff had no interest I could see in getting people involved. I just can’t see a range like this taking off if nobody has any passion to promote and explain it.
[ link ]For those that this may interest.. here is a leaked picture of the CMD studio 4A.. .http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/578409_10152152427050006_1972698203_n.jpg
looks pretty good.
[ link ]Hey Phil, Was nice briefly meeting you at the Pioneer stand at the beginning of the event, Looking at that new DDJ-SX!
Yes, There was a lack of surprises, but for me I got everything I wanted out of it. I’m looking for a new controller, So I was able to get my hands on both the 4Trak and the DDJ-SX and weigh up the hardware of both. But not only that but also gather numerous information about other products, and of course network with like minded people!
[ link ]Who did you get the feel for? The 4track or the ddj-sx?
[ link ]I’m thinking of replacing my ns6 and it stands between these two.
My honest opinion for feel was with the DDJ-SX, The Jog’s felt better and more right for me then the 4Trak – They felt too loose in my opinion. But each controller has pro and cons, you just need to have a look at both. Pioneer has also cut corners and put non-gold plated RCA’s on the unit, where as Numark have etc
[ link ]Enjoy the show this year, was a pleasure meeting you u on the benches before opening on the Saturday.
The dance classics arena with the kv2 system and chauvet lighting was my highlight.
Keep up the good work Phil. Love the site!!!
[ link ]Hi guys, I want to know more, if possible, about that controller ‘The Core’ looks pretty good, exactly what I was looking for. I just can´t find anything about it.
[ link ]Ha! That Traktor mixer reminds me of my old, lovely Technics SH-DJ1200 mixer (“The Official World DJ Championship Mixer”) and its glossy, “dark piano” surface. Pure eye-candy, but I had a hard time keeping it shinning LOL
[ link ]Why didn’t they have a working DDJ-SX? The sale-start is just some weeks away. It looks stunning and fresh compared to the 4-track that’s more like a face-lifted ns6.
[ link ]Flyer, most likely because Serato has to pull final touches on the software before it goes live. I remember when Numark came up with the iDJ Pro mixer for iPad and about 4 months later they had one working for real. I was surprised that Pioneer announced a new controller in such little time… Lets see if the promise of the best controller comes TRUE !!!!!!
[ link ]it’s a standalone mixer too so theu could at least connected a pair of CDJ’s to give a feel of the mixer part. I’m only €50 short to place my order
weekends should be one more day in October 
[ link ]It feels like one superb controller, However I would certainly hold off pre-ordering for the basis that we don’t know what the software is like.
[ link ]I will be maping it to Traktor anyway so if the software is no good it want realy matter that much. What I’m using right now was not maped to traktor originaly except for the Kontrol f1. But yes would be wise for people that want to use Serato DJ to hold of a little.
[ link ]Thanks for the coverage Phil, would love to attend next year… We’ll see……
[ link ]@ CalVic – Care to give us your pro’s & cons between 4Trak & DDJ-SX?
[ link ]Which one would you take?
Numark 4TRAK
Pro’s:
Established performance and reliability
Traktor orientated controller
Traktor’s effects are brilliant
Traktor ingenuity (The creativity and features of Traktor)
Gold Plated RCA’s
FX Bar
Well built
Sound Card
Jog Resolution
Built on proven products (NS6 etc)
Con’s:
Lacks VUs for each channel / VU Meter is for Master only
Lacks velocity pads / sample sections
Lacks independent sample volume control (Can be mapped however)
Lacks front push in knobs for transport.
DDJ-SX
Pros:
Best looking Jogs on the market (Better feeling over the 4Trak in my opinion)
VUs for each channel including master thus allowing better sound staging when independent mixer functionality is used
Dedicated 8 velocity pads for cue points as well as samples and effects slicing
Well Built
Has the same amount of control over effects as the 4 Trak
Dedicated sample volume control
Decks can be chained together to allow duel deck scratching
Effects developed by leading iZotope sonic technicians (Debatable quality over Traktor)
Slip mode (Most likely can be mapped on the 4Trak as well)
Push in Knobs at the front for transport
Cons:
Non gold plated RCA’s
Serato DJ hasn’t been launched / Unknown feature set.
Unknown sound card performance (However is advertised as High Quality and low jitter clock DAC)
Pitch Fader on the right left hand deck near the mixer knobs (not my most likable position)
Unknown reliability and performance
Price albeit a little over the 4Trak price tag
Now these are my opinions, they are straight up comparison between the two hardware. Yes some functionality can be mapped to the 4Trak, like the Deck VU’s I assume can. But this is a straight up comparison out of the box functionality and feature set between the two. And of course my opinion should be taken lightly and individual research should be carried out.
For me, it’s the DDJ-SX… but there is the 4Trak scratching at me too, It will have to come down to how good the software is. But I love the effects of Traktor… Hmm
[ link ]For those of you currently using a controller that uses Serato Itch then you pretty much already have a taste of what Serato DJ will be like.
Serato has already announced that the current version of Itch (2.2.2) is going to be the last. Serato DJ won’t be software built from scratch (no pun intended!), rather, it’ll be a reincarnation of Itch and/or a progression from it.
I currently use the Numark NS6 and consider it one of the best Serato Itch controllers out there currently. After the announcement of the DDJ-SX, I may consider upgrading to it if the reviews from it are possible. On the other hand, I’m going to probably wait for the NAMM show in January to see if there are other Serato DJ controllers in the pipeline.
[ link ]Also spotted you Phil! I was present at the Oh Drat remixing workshop yesterday, but you scedaddled before I could say hi.
What did you think of the Emulator’s smaller brother? The Smithson/ Martin multi-touch controller surface? That had to be my favourite piece of gear spotted. I’d also would like to know more about the Behringer modulars coming out….
Anyway, didn’t enjyo the show as much as last year, but a couple of the seminars were interesting and I just don’t have enough of a budget for all the ‘new shiny’
[ link ]It’s a lovely control surface, for sure, but pricy.
[ link ]Agreed. The KS1974 is a gorgeous unit, the wooden side panels give it a retro Atari 2600 feel – admittedly at a high cost.
The larger touchscreen gives you plenty more space than an iPad or any other tablet device out there.
The larger unit was supposed to be on display but there was an issue going through customs where a piece of kit was held back – possibly the projector?
Anyway, the exciting news on the Emulator is that it will play nicely with the new version of Serato.
I do rather like the fully customisable interface design aspect though, you can design your own setup based on how you prefer to DJ…sliders, buttons, X-Y pads and so on.
Out of my price range though!
[ link ]phil for me as a simple dj the aero is a little bit more appealing.
[ link ]the aero can always play music(using also the usb hub)
but with ddj sx when you see it you really have to develop you controllerist skills so you can justify your money,if it had led screens 4 pads and a usb hub it would have been an another story