So, tucked between Technics and Pioneer DJ at NAMM 2019 (the latter of whom, incidentally, had nothing new to show this year) was the Gemini stand. The only item of note on show here was the company’s go at an all-in-one unit, called the SDJ-4000.
With a retail price of US$999, this unit is aimed at people who can’t afford the $1699 price of Denon DJ’s Prime 4 (or indeed the also much higher prices of Pioneer DJ’s XDJ-RX2 and XDJ-RR), but who do want to get on board the “all-in-one, standalone” bandwagon.
So while you don’t get true four-channel standalone or a touchscreen, you do get a decent resolution screen, library analysis using Gemini’s own software, standalone mixer with four external inputs, sweep-style per-channel FX, a single extra FX engine, two USBs (one for recording) and two mic channels.
The build quality appears to be reasonable, but the challenges for Gemini will be delivering a bug-free product – after all, embedding a computer in a DJ controller has to be done right – and getting the accompanying music analysis library software up to scratch.
They’re big asks, but with Gemini assuring us the unit will be hitting stores soon (unlike many a been-and-gone NAMM prototype displayed previously by this brand), we won’t have to wait long to find out if the company has managed it.
• The SDJ-4000 will cost US$999 and is due in 2019.
What are your thoughts on this unit? Think it’s a good, inexpensive option to other standalone players? Let us know below.
Phil Morse
