Pioneer DJM-800

With club mixers, signal routing helps determine how digital decks and analogue players can be combined in a setup. The Pioneer DJM-800 is a four-channel DJ mixer with digital signal processing, digital inputs and outputs, and a wide range of beat and Sound Colour effects.

Analogue input signals are digitised at 96 kHz and 24-bit and processed by a 32-bit DSP. Coaxial inputs are available for digital players; they support 44.1, 48 and 96 kHz. The digital master output can be set to 48 or 96 kHz at 24-bit. It is also suitable for connecting to a recording device with a compatible digital input. Linear PCM is supported.

The four channels can be assigned via various analogue and digital connections. These include CD and line inputs as well as three phono inputs for MM cartridges; channel 1 has no phono input. Digital sources are selected for each channel using the input selector. A 3-band EQ on each channel adjusts the treble, midrange and bass from −26 to +6 dB. Crossfader assignment and adjustable fader curves let you tailor the transition response.

For the main sound system, there is a balanced XLR output and an unbalanced RCA output. The separate booth output has 6.3 mm TRS sockets and its own level control, independent of the master volume. An RCA recording output also carries the master signal. External effects units can be connected via 6.3 mm send and return sockets; when the send is connected in mono, the summed signal is output.

Beat effects such as Echo, Delay, Reverse Delay, Pan, Transform, Filter, Flanger, Phaser, Reverb, Robot, Chorus, Roll and Reverse Roll can be synchronised to the beat using BPM detection. The four Sound Colour effects, Harmonic, Sweep, Filter and Crush, are controlled using the channels’ Color knobs. Harmonic adjusts the pitch towards a key and can be adjusted by up to six semitones. The article lists 50 possible effect combinations in total. The Sound Colour effects do not affect the microphone inputs.

Two microphone inputs are available: MIC 1 accepts XLR or 6.3 mm jack, while MIC 2 accepts 6.3 mm jack. When a microphone signal is present, Talk Over automatically reduces the other music by 20 dB; a 2-band EQ processes the microphones. Mic Signal Cut lets you mute the microphone signal at the booth output. A 6.3 mm headphone output is provided for cueing.

Signals from 61 assignable controls can be sent to external MIDI devices via MIDI OUT. This lets you control compatible software, lighting effects or video mixers. With a control cable connected to a Pioneer CDJ, Fader Start can start playback; the analogue audio connection must also be in place, as a digital connection alone is not sufficient. For a range of players and external control, the DJM-800 offers suitable connection and control functions for club and studio setups.