DJX-1 Big Bang
Written: Sep 05 '01 (Updated Sep 05 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great price, real time control knobs, ribbon controller, sampler, sequencer
Cons: Small sample time, unable to upload new patterns, no modulation wheel
The Bottom Line: Get one before they are gone! Great compliment to any set-up. Great controller for software synthesizers.
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| dj_white_rice's Full Review: Yamaha Psrd1-DJx Midi Portable Keyboard |
The DJX-1 is an amazing keyboard and has many features found on higher end synthesizers.
The Goodies:
The Voices/Sounds:
The General MIDI voices are simply "O.K." and serve their purpose, but the DJX-1 voices are a nice combination of voices designed for heavy booming bass sounds. Not bass as in the stringed instrument, but bass as in the type that rattle car windows. If your into house, club, or hip hop you will find these voices very valuable. Some of the voices are a bit weak, but in my opinion are some of Yamaha's better sounds. Some of the voices are pattern loops of very popular hip hop and rap styles which are really good. Several of the loops provide a different BPM for each note on the keyboard. This is nice because you can play the loop over the complete range of the keyboard without it sounding like chipmonks were playing it.
Controls:
One of the best features I have found on the DJX-1 are its various controls which include a ribbon controller, pitch bend wheel, and real-time control knobs which manipulate the filters and patterns. While the overall sounds and voices are nice in general, you are able to manipulate them during live performances with the front panel knobs in order to create awesome variations that are incomparable to what I have seen on many higher priced keyboards. Use it as a MIDI controller for a much more expensive keyboard and you can't go wrong.
The ribbon controller is also a nice and unique feature similar to the one offered on the old Yamaha DX-7. It can be used to control pitch bend, pattern BPM, modulation, pan, and effects.
Almost all of the controls on the DJX-1 have an assignable feature which allows you to control various effects and features. This includes the five knobs on the front panel, the optional foot pedal, the pitch bend wheel, and the ribbon controller.
Sampler and Sequencer:
The DJX-1 has a built in sampler and real-time/step sequencer. Though the sampling time is limited to a maximum sampling time of 6 seconds of memory, it is a great tool for such a low price. (More about the sampler is provided below under "The Bad Stuff". The sequencer can hold up to three songs. (You can also save these to a computer and then upload them when you need them with the proper software and MIDI cables.)
Patterns:
The patterns included in this keyboard are excellent and offer several variations of those used in the professional hip hop and house industry of music. A great feature about the patterns is the fact that you can drop in and out various parts of the pattern such as bass, snare, drums, background beats, etc. with the touch of a key on the left side of the keyboard. You can also play chords based on the pattern style on the left hand while playing lead on the right. You will not find the typical cheezy patterns on the DJX-1, like the "Polka" or "Waltz" that you would expect on a keyboard for this price range. Instead you will find patterns similar to those offered on the high end Yamaha CSX series.
The Manual:
The DJX-1 Owner's Manual is one of the best written and easiest to use manuals I have seen yet.
Additional Goodies:
The DJX-1 is packed with to many features for me to cover in detail, but some of the better ones not mentioned above are: Full MIDI in and out, easy to use functions operations, great bass voices, dual layered voices, arpeggiator, digital effects, keyboard split, touch sensitivity, battery back up, built in quality speakers for street performances,and a great users manual.
The Bad Stuff:
LCD Display:
The LCD display is not backlit and is difficult to see in poor lighting conditions.
Sampler:
The sampler has a maximum of 6 seconds of memory. The sample memory is divided up and spread across the samples you create. In other words, if you use up all of your six seconds of memory on one sample then one sample is all you can record. If you record one 3 second sample then you have the remaining 3 seconds for additional samples. Either one 3 second sample or three one second samples, etc.
Bulk Sends and Program Dumps:
The bulk dump, INIT Dump and Sample Dump are a great addition to any keyboard, especially in this price range. However, Yamaha failed to create or provide any software that allows you to dump into your computer. If you own a higher end sequencer like the full version on Cakewalk or Cubase you can do an INIT Send to the sequencer. Other than that you are on your own. Fortunately, there is one program that I discovered for doing regular dumps to your computer to store program and sample information. If you buy the DJX-1 simply contact me and I will tell you how to get to my website to download it. From what I understand, my website is the only place to obtain it at this time. The file is about 512K in memory and is free.
Modulation Wheel:
It doesn't have a modulation wheel! You get the ribbon controller instead which can be set to handle modulation. Unfortunately, the ribbon controller does not make a great modulation wheel. If your using the DJX-1 and MIDI to another keyboard with a modulation wheel, then use it instead.
The Patterns:
The patterns on the DJX-1 are set in memory and can not be replaced or upgraded. This will be a disadvantage for those who would like to add new patterns. Yamaha's solution to this problem was to create the DJX-2.
Conclusion:
For under $200.00 you will probably never find another keyboard with such advanced features available. Something like this comes around once every ten years and then fades away as a classic. Grab one while they are still obtainable.
Recommended:
Yes
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