DJX II - The music machine to GROOVE on.
Written: Dec 22 '02 (Updated Dec 22 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to use, sound patterns, inexpensive, effects, very popular
Cons: Poor MIDI, Pattern software, Average voices
The Bottom Line: The DJX-II is worth the consideration. Great for for street performances, theater use, parties, and DJ'ing. You can't get better for the price.
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| dj_white_rice's Full Review: Yamaha Groove Machine and Keyboard DJxii |
OVERVIEW:
The Yamaha DJX-II Groove Keyboard has a popular following by musicians and non-musicians of all ages. It is the perfect keyboard for small urban/street theater and live performances. It is relatively simple to manipulate, contains great pattern loops, has an audio effects panel that allows for creative effect processing of the internal sounds and voices, and comes with software that can be used with your computer to download more patterns from the Internet.
AUTO PLAY:
The DJX-II can be set to play by itself, to play in conjunction to what you are playing, or can be played as a solo keyboard. I found it a little difficult to switch between the various play modes until you have practiced with it for a while. You can also drop in parts of a performance on the fly by pressing one of the color coded sections of the keyboard that are specifically for that purpose.
DJ USE:
You can connect it to a dj mixer system through it's audio line out ports if you happen to own one or you do any dj'ing.
MIDI & Patterns:
If you intend on using this keyboard to control another midi device, you may want to try a different keyboard. The DJX-II does not have full MIDI implementation and therefore is unable to be used as a midi controller. Instead, Yamaha Corporation designed the MIDI out port to be used only with it's pattern software. The pattern software allows you to download new patterns from the Internet and then upload into your DJX-II. You can however control the DJX-II from another midi keyboard or controller.
The built in patterns include*: Techno, Underground, Discomania, Club Vibes, Trance TraXX, Electro Empire, Garage, Drum N'Bass, Hip Hop, Space Hop, Swing Hop, Gangsta, Intelligent, Funky Hip Hop, Old Skool, and Trip Hop.
(* Yamaha has additional updated patterns that you can download from it's website)
SOUNDS & VOICES:
Sounds and voices are the tones that you hear when you press one of the keys on the keyboard. It might be a piano sound, drum, or etc. One of the advantages of the DJX-II is that it comes with a built-in sampler. The sampler gives you the option to use a microphone, CD player, or other audio source to record your own sounds and voices that can be played on the keyboard. You can save your sample recordings to your home computer, and then upload them into the DJX-II any time you want to play with them. You have 6 seconds of sample time that can be split between 6 sampling pads.
Selecting a particular voice or sound is as simple as pressing a button and rotating a dial selector. Each voice and sound is assigned a corresponding number; simply rotate the dial to the number representing the voice and begin playing.
PERFORMANCE RECORDER:
The DJX-II comes with a built in performance recorder that you can use to record your own performances for future use. You can record up to 2500 events (events refer to the length of the recorded performance) and store up to 6 performances into the audio pads. (Using the pads, you can switch between different performances live)
SEQUENCING:
Many people like to use a sequencer to record their performances into their computer using software like Cubase or Cakewalk. Sequencing requires MIDI out, but the DJX-II does not have the required MIDI out capability required. Yamaha's solution to this is to suggest that you buy an additional keyboard or midi controller to use with your sequencer software; but that is not a cost effective option for those on a low budget and small piggy bank. A midi controller can be purchased for about $100 to $200 additional dollars. So if you really want to get into the music production side of keyboarding, you may want to choose a different keyboard, or make the decision before you buy the DJX-II to also begin saving money for the sequencer software and additional midi controller keyboard. Some DJX-II users have chosen the DJX-I as their midi controller. The DJX-I is the first version of the DJX series of keyboards, had full midi implementation and was built more for hip-hop & rap styles of music.
EFFECTS:
I think the effect unit is perhaps where this keyboard really shines. The effects units is located on top of the keyboard and is made up of a switch, a button, and two control knobs. Because of it's location it is very easy to switch and modify the patterns, music, sounds, and voices on the fly. The effects include; Distortion, Auto pan, Ring modulation, Flanger, Phaser, Slice, Delay, Echo, Lo-Fi, and Wah.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
As a professional musician you may want to save your pennies and by a Korg Triton or other form of professional workstation. As a beginner musician, street performer, or as someone on a budget, then this keyboard will provide hours and hours of music creation pleasure.
Recommended:
Yes
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