As the DJing world continuously evolves, new gear is inevitable. 2024 is likely to bring a solid set of new products to the DJ world, and we expect to see new releases that could transform how we mix, manipulate, and experience music. From stem-focused controllers to iterative updates from Pioneer DJ, we’re predicting smart new updates that will hopefully push boundaries and enhance more creative abilities and opportunities for DJs.
From NAMM (later this month) to ADE (October) and every event and conference in between, we’re waiting with bated breath to see if any of these 100% speculative predictions come true:
#1: A piece of DJ gear that truly prioritizes stems
We’d like to see an innovative piece of DJ gear that prioritizes the use of stems – individual parts of a track, like vocals, drums, bass, and melody. To be honest, two of the best pieces of hardware produced for controlling parts of tracks are discontinued (the Kontrol S8 and Kontrol D2) – and no other company has released anything close since. Performance pad buttons to control stems – like on many of the newer Pioneer DJ releases – aren’t enough to allow playful remixing.
Native Instruments, if your teams are reading this list and still want to breathe life back into Traktor’s user base, this feels like a great strategy – especially while InMusic and Pioneer DJ battle it out over Alphatheta’s intended acquisition of Serato (which, notably, is still pending).
We’d also love to see gear that isn’t a controller prioritize and integrate stems in some way. More specifically, a DJ mixer. It feels a bit unlikely for this year, but we can dream, right?
#2: A new Pioneer DJ mixer; perhaps a DJM-V8?
Building on the success of the DJM-V10, this new version might be a more compact and affordable option while retaining core features like the detailed EQs and effects. Perhaps instead of six channel strips, this one could have four. It would be perfect for DJs who want the V10’s versatility in a more portable and accessible format.
This could also give Pioneer DJ a chance to update their components on the mixer to make it more easy to produce from a supply-chain standpoint – considering that this has been one of the hardest-to-acquire pieces of DJ gear in the last few years.
#3: A budget Pioneer DJ player (update the XDJ-700/1000?)
An upgraded XDJ-700 or XDJ-1000 could offer a more affordable, reasonably priced entry point into Pioneer DJ’s professional setups with separated mixer and players. We’d expect improvements like a larger and higher-resolution touchscreen, better performance pads that don’t require the touchscreen to control, key shifting/sync, and improved jog wheel sensitivity. It could also include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for streaming library integration.
A lot of speculation around the web about these products from DJs has been that Pioneer DJ simply might not see the economic value in selling these lower-cost players instead of forcing DJs to pay for a CDJ-3000. Personally, I think that having at least one lower-cost media player to compete with Denon DJ and to allow DJs to buy a four deck setup without spending $3,500+ actually would benefit Pioneer DJ in the long term.
Bonus: Magvel-compatible Chroma Caps faders
Alright, this one is a bit of self promotion. We made Magvel Pro compatible faders in our Chroma Caps line, out now! Visit the product page and just choose “Magvel Fader” in the dropdown, or shop by entering your gear. In fact, we made new versions of all of our faders in plastic, adding a higher-visiblity indented line on the faders – and a second version that works perfectly with Pioneer DJ Magvel Pro faders.
Thanks to the many DJs who have asked us to make a version that works with their battle mixers crossfaders, we finally have you covered!
#4: An updated version of the Prime GO / Pioneer DJ making a competitor?
The Denon DJ Prime Go turns four years old this year, and it still feels surprising to me that I haven’t seen more renegade parties using Soundboks and Prime Gos for a fully generator-free free party experience. Perhaps with an update to this piece of gear with user feedback, Denon DJ could make a MK2 version of the Prime Go that absolutely corners the portable all-in-one market.
The other option on the table – although I suspect less likely – is that Pioneer DJ could bring out their own battery-powered micro-all-in-one DJ setup to compete. The company has been focused on other options for hyper mobile setups (like using a DDJ-FLX4 with a phone running Rekordbox), but building a Prime Go competitor would make much more sense to me.
#5: Beatport makes a piece of DJ gear?
It went very under the radar when released in 2021, but did you know that Beatport has a web-based DJ software? It’s simple and lets you mix with their library, and the fact that it exists at all shows a bit of aspiration to enter into the DJ performance market that we’ve not seen previously.
The company has the resources to innovate and the notoriety to compete in the market if they wanted. What if they made a simple media player that exclusively worked with their streaming services (and as a result, came with a significantly lower per-unit price point than a CDJ)? It might feel far fetched, but I would love to see someone – anyone – come out of the woodworks and take on Pioneer DJ and InMusic.
#6: SKAA-integrated mixers / all-in-ones
One of the biggest revolutions in the DJ audio space is, and will continue to be, hyper-low-latency wireless audio. If you haven’t seen a SKAA PA system in action, the seamlessness with which it works is nothing short of magic – and the latency numbers are low enough that most humans can’t even tell there’s a delay.
Additionally, we’re finally going to be getting a SKAA subwoofer this year from Dillinger Labs (makers of SKAA transmitters/receivers) – meaning that a full-frequency mobile PA is finally in the cards in the SKAA universe.
This is all to say: let’s get SKAA integrated into DJ gear already. All-in-ones and DJ mixers alike could easily have this as a bleeding-edge feature that could make the lives of many DJs so much easier.
#7: Rekordbox Lighting getting an upgrade (or just finally working with Soundswitch, please.)
Intelligent, good-looking, track-synced light shows have been possible in the Denon DJ and Serato DJ worlds for quite some time thanks to Soundswitch. But for many DJs using CDJs or other Rekordbox-based gear, it’s not an option – and Rekordbox DJ’s Lighting mode leaves a lot to be desired.
Pioneer DJ could make every DJ setup look better if they called a truce and integrated Soundswitch – or improved Rekordbox’s Lighting mode to have unique, analyzed shows for every track that someone has analyzed and exported to their USB. So many DJs play in situations where they cannot or do not have the bandwidth to work the lighting in real time with their sets. It would be amazing if Pioneer DJ could help make their setups look way more professional.
What about you – what would you like to see from DJ gear manufacturers in 2024?
Share a thought or two in the comments.