Ultimately yr’s NAMM Present, Pioneer DJ turned heads after they introduced the arrival of a smooth, angled, all-in-one standalone DJ console with 4 decks, however the unprecedented splash it made this yr set the stage for triumph throughout the board.
Past music producers and DJs, it rapidly caught eyes and ears amongst stagehands, membership house owners, audio engineers and extra. Aesthetically, it’s a supermodel amongst devices with curves that romanticize its attraction. Its seems are complemented with streamlined capabilities that make it a robust software each for house or on the highway as effectively.
For music and occasion producers who don’t wish to sacrifice any efficiency potential or sound high quality in a extra compact rig, it’s an absolute win. That is very true for many who want one thing that may journey effectively.
Whereas it’s an undoubted benefit that the Opus Quad can match comfortably in a small DJ sales space or artwork automotive, the worth, which lands round $3,500 with tax and delivery, we questioned how it might distinguish itself from predecessors just like the XDJ-XZ and the CDJ-3000.
So we obtained our palms on an Opus Quad and spent a number of months twiddling with its many knobs and buttons. Right here’s what we realized.
Large screens make a giant distinction
Those that say to not choose a e book by its cowl in all probability by no means noticed such a horny cowl. Like a traditional sports activities automotive or an Apple machine in its prime, the Opus Quad units a precedent that DJ consoles don’t have to be clunky and cumbersome. Really, the place “all-in-one” gadgets from different manufacturers can feel and appear inflexible and fragile like these classic movies of Ford’s Mannequin T, Pioneer’s Opus Quad arrives dressed up just like the Batmobile.
Its central 10.1 inch touchscreen alerts huge potential with intuitive design in a primary impression that’s sufficient to make any onstage artist rubberneck. All sides, which homes two decks, has its personal separate, smaller display screen for extra particulars in regards to the music enjoying on every deck. These vibrant, colourful screens serve up a strong however easy menu stuffed with goodies like FX colour management, cloud entry management through RekordBox, monitor knowledge and extra.
The truest “all-in-one” but
Its capability to regulate 4 channels independently with out 4 separate CDJs additionally contributes to its visible attraction. Whereas it doesn’t intention to exchange the 4 CDJ setup that artists love, it provides a powerful different that solely occupies about half the area. In distinction, its predecessor the XDJ-XZ, which continues to be an exceptional machine immediately, takes up just a bit extra actual property on a desk whereas solely permitting for 2 decks, except exterior CDJs are added. The Opus Quad stands as a more true “all-in-one” on this manner, as a result of it meets the rising demand for 4 decks proper out of the field.
Earlier than four-deck purists run for the remark part, let’s be clear. Clearly, the four-CDJ setup will nonetheless have its benefits so we don’t count on the standard CDJ-3000 setup to fade from our favourite phases anytime quickly, however so far as all-in-ones go the Quad Opus is extra full than its predecessors. And the truth that it is extra compact means it travels higher than 4 CDJs and a mixer too.
Along with shedding the necessity for exterior CDJs, the Opus Quad can function from SSD drives, USB-A 3.2 and USB-C drives. Because of this, it doesn’t must depend on an exterior laptop computer. Clearly many onstage artists solely journey with a USB drive to carry out so to some this may really feel previous hat, however any poor soul who previously wanted to hold or control a laptop computer for a set will nearly actually have fun this facet of the Opus Quad. With no monitor perched on prime of the console they’ll in all probability relish a greater reference to the viewers too.
Past the CDJ-3000
For many who love the CDJ-3000, the Opus Quad will really feel in some methods like its cousin. It sports activities redesigned jog wheels with waveform indicators and pressure adjusters, that are a agency nod to one of many CDJ-3000s most cherished options.
In some methods it goes a step additional too. As an illustration, as an alternative of conventional efficiency pads it’s geared up with sizzling cues which are extra intuitive as a result of the RGB colour shows on the jog wheel waveforms might be custom-made, making it simpler than ever to sync up with monitor cues in good fashion. One other nod to the 3000s might be seen and heard within the FX controls, which have superior a number of steps within the Opus Quad. Throughout all 4 decks the Opus Quad’s mixing toolset provides 14 beat FX with six adjustable colours.
With this function, selecting the proper beat impact for the second might be extra intuitive, and even thematic. For instance, face-melting results with thick bass might be displayed in purple, mid-trembling wobbles might be inexperienced and icy, transcendent chills might be blue.
Maybe the very best half about all these new options is the truth that there are sufficient distinguishing visuals to separate the Quad Opus from its predecessors and friends, however actually not sufficient to forestall a motivated artist from studying all of it in a flash.
It is an audio engineer’s dream
The usually-unsung “sound guy” has a number of causes to go for the Opus Quad too. Particularly, it has separate XLR and RCA outputs, which make it an agile addition for quite a lot of venues and soundscapes. It has multi-zone output as effectively so it could actually perform as a command heart for quite a lot of vibes in separate areas. Its extremely compact design makes deploying it a breeze for load-ins, load-outs and setup between units too.
Granted, it’s actually marketed with touring DJs in thoughts, however in its bevy of options and spacey design the Opus Quad appears to open up a world of prospects for nearly anybody who hopes to make, play and carry out digital music. On this article we didn’t unpack the best way it hundreds tracks quicker with SQLite or the best way it stays cooler longer with optimized thermal airflow design proper out of the field, however those that get one will rapidly discover these benefits to be a blessing.
Additionally, with options like cloud entry, a LAN port, up to date bluetooth expertise and a direct connection for SSD it gained’t take lengthy to note the adaptable Opus Quad comes constructed prepared for marathon units, next-level studying, and absolutely anything else.
