Pioneer Electronics has recently added two brand new battle mixers, the DJM-707 and DJM-909, to their already impressive DJ lineup. Both mixers offer an amazing combination of innovative technology and proven Pioneer quality.

The DJM-909 is based on a standard 2-channel battle or scratch mixer layout, measuring 10 inches wide. Each channel has two inputs (one CD and one switchable line/phono), a 3-band EQ with -26dB cuts, an EQ on/off switch, a transform switch and fader-start control connections. There is also one microphone input with separate EQs and cueing. This is a rare but refreshing sight on battle mixers. The mixer includes a session input and output for chaining multiple mixers together and a booth monitor output with level control. The main outputs are the standard RCA and XLR type connections.

The coolest features of the DJM-909 mixer (and what sets it apart from its little brother, the DJM-707) are the onboard effects and touch screen. The touch screen’s primary use is to control the effects, assigning the different effect types and adjusting the parameters. The touch sensitive display also simplifies jumping back and forth quickly between different effect parameters. It’s really easy to use, even for DJs with big fingers!

On the DJM-909 there are a total of 50 built-in effects ranging from Fader Synths to Transforms and from Touch Phasers to Vocoders. With this many effects, you quickly realize how easy it is to use the display to find and configure the effect you want. (There are also parameter control knobs beside the screen to allow for further parameter adjustments.) If 50 effects weren’t enough, you even have the option to stack the effects by routing them through the other channel. Pioneer also introduces a new effect manipulation … the Fader Effect. When a Fader Effect is chosen, the effect is assigned to a channel fader or cross fader so that the faders themselves become the control interface for varying the effect’s parameter. A footswitch connection on the mixer enables the DJ to turn the effects on and off, hands-free – a must have for scratch jocks. If you still feel there are not enough effects onboard, there’s a stereo send/return for external effects or processors.

As any performance DJ knows, the most important feature on any battle mixer is the crossfader and its performance. Pioneer has created a revolutionary new non-contact crossfader for the DJM-909 and DJM-707. Even the most aggressive DJ need never worry about wearing out the crossfader from repeated use. The impressive nature of this new crossfader doesn’t stop at durability; it’s also the world’s most precise and customizable crossfader. Not only can the “feel” be adjusted for a light feather-weight touch or a heavy, stiff slide, but the crossfader also has double fade control allowing each half of the crossfader the ability to be adjusted independently! Each channel fader’s curve can also be adjusted, from a smooth volume change to a dynamic volume on/off at the TIP of the channel faders (bottom or top). In turntablist slang, you will be able to “crab-scratch” the channel faders from either the top or bottom end of the fader. Another innovative function of the display gives you a visual representation of the fader curves so you can “see” the curves as you adjust them. This becomes especially handy when you start playing with the settings and find that there are over 4000 different curve configurations possible!

It won’t only be the battle jocks eyeing this mixer, studio artists will also be excited to know that Pioneer offers excellent sound quality, serving up a signal-to-noise ratio of 87dB on the line inputs, 77dB on the phono inputs. The overall durability of this mixer can be felt in the weight this mixer packs. It has a solid construction which will endure the torment of the most abusive performance DJs, as well as the wear and tear of a road-warrior mobile jock.