Pioneer, makers of products from good to meh, has announced the latest edition to their controller line.
The primary feature of the DDJ-800 is its portability: the 2-channel DJ performance controller weighs just 10.5 pounds. Something of a “laptop” for DJs (other than, you know, the actual laptops used by DJs), the DDJ-800s are designed with mobile DJs in mind – “professional DJs who perform at weddings, parties, and events outside the club environment.” The footprint is a little less than 1/4th smaller than Pioneer’s DDJ-1000s.
Aside from the lighter body, the DDJ-800 is also coded to be “plug and play” with MacBooks or PC laptops using Pioneer’s Rekordbox DJ software – bypassing the need to enter a license key (Rekordbox DJ is also bundled with it). Pioneer states the DDJ-800 is also the first controller compatible with Rekordbox’s “Feedback Reducer” which “automatically lessens the ‘howling’ sound of microphone feedback.” Feedback Reducer is available in Rekordbox v. 5.5.0.
Pioneer also says the DDJ-800 is designed for “dedicated” use with Rekordbox.
The DDJ-800 is retailing for $899 starting in mid-May.