Being a DJ worth their salt requires top-tier gear, and Pioneer has always been there to provide exactly that. Their assortment of DJ mixing consoles is broad and versatile, and it’s pretty safe to say that they have something for everyone.
However, being a professional DJ is a bit different – you’ll need to pay attention to how the climate of technology ebbs and flows and always has an eye for innovative and exquisite features.
The next Club Standard!
Even tho DJ controllers have overtaken the market, the new 6-channel DJ mixer by Pioneer has drawn a lot of attention.
Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10, being the latest letter in technology, not just in the brand’s catalog, is one of the most versatile Jack of all trades as far as boutique DJ mixers are concerned. If you are looking for ways and means to step up your game, we highly recommend that you stick with us a bit longer as we take you through its new features and specs.
In a nutshell, the Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10 is a 6-channel digital console packed with both analog & digital I/O, dedicated filters & compressors on each channel, exceptional connectivity, and a delicate control board that allows you to pretty much anything from simple mixes to the most sophisticated audio engineering tasks. Without any further ado, let’s dive into the review of the DJM-V10:
Pioneer DJ DJM-V10 6-Channel DJ Mixer Review
First look – Design:
Even at first glance, you could tell that Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10 is a professional DJ mixing console. Apart from the fact that it sports more channels than any previous Pioneer mixing board, it also sports a slightly revamped layout of features, improved sliders, slightly more visible knobs, as well as enough ports to wire up dozens of laptops and smart gadgets.
It’s obviously bigger than most Pioneer DJ consoles, but that’s absolutely normal since it features more channels packed with proprietary controls, knobs, sliders, and settings. As usual, the channels are completely mirrored and come outfitted with identical features.
Beginners will probably be intimidated by the sheer number of sliders, knobs, and switches, not to mention the ‘sidebars’. On the top left corner lies the MIDI control, which basically activates the interface or puts it to ‘sleep’. Right beneath it is the Microphone control panel packed with two microphone level knobs, a microphone EQ, Talkover, and Beat FX button.
Just below are the ‘filter’, ‘send’, and ‘headphones’ sections, all of which appear to be just slightly simpler than the previous ones. On the right sidebar, we have the ‘level’, ‘isolation’, and ‘beat FX’ sections; between them lie the six control channels with proprietary knobs, buttons, and sliders.
One of the most exciting things regarding the design of Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10 is that it’s incredibly organized, even though a simple glance might tell you otherwise. Every feature takes up the least bit of room possible, and still, the positioning feels very intuitive and convenient.
Pioneer’s DJM-V10 Key Specs:
- 6 CHANNELS
- 4 BAND EQ (Hi, Hi Mid, Low Mid, Low)
- SELECTABLE LP AND HP FILTERS ON EACH CHANNEL
- DUAL HEADPHONE MONITORING
- MASTER ISOLATIOR
- POWERFUL FX ROUTING
- 4 BUILT-IN FX (Short Delay, Long Delay, Dub Echo, Reverb)
- COMBINE INTERNAL BUILT-IN FX WITH EXTERNAL FX
- COMPRESSOR ON EACH CHANNEL
Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10 is absolutely packed with features, so we’ll only point out the most impactful ‘key’ specs in this section.
As mentioned earlier, the DJM-V10 is a professional six-channel console, so what exactly do these channels come supplied with? Each channel rocks eight knobs and a slider. From the bottom side upwards, the first knob is the ‘send control’ after which comes the Beat-FX assign button. Next up is the ‘Filter’ knob, after which you’ll see four EQ knobs (low, low-mid, hi-mid, and hi), trim, and compressor knobs.
The fully-assignable MIDI controls also play a big part in the performance of Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10, especially since this console offers several ways to toy around with MIDI-based samples, sounds, and tones.
The Booth equalizer is, perhaps, one of the most important features this DJ console comes supplied with, if you’re continually playing long gigs. This EQ allows you to easily tweak your sound directly from your speaker monitors (instead of via headphones), which substantially decreases any potential ear fatigue.
Next up, we have the Automatic Standby feature, which is not entirely new. Nevertheless, its usefulness is astounding as Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10 drains quite a bit of power when active. The Auto Standby is obviously an automatic feature that puts all active and passive features in ‘sleep mode,’ aiming to reduce the console’s power consumption.
However, all of the features will be readily available for use in a mere instant; the Auto Standby simply temporarily shuts the machine down when it’s completely idle.
In terms of compatibility, the DJ DJM-V10 works with Rekordbox, Serato-DJ Pro, and Traktor-PRO 3. Most of the earlier Pioneer DJ consoles work with either Rekordbox or Serato software. Only a few specific models are compatible with both.
Dimensions-wise, the Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10 is 437.6 mm wide, 107.9 mm high, 467 mm deep, and it weighs approximately 11.9 kilograms. Its operational frequency range spans from 20 to 40,000 Hz, and its sampling rate is 96 kHz.
Last, but certainly not least, the most fun feature of the Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10 is the Beat FX.
It is comprised of various effects, such as delay, echo, ping-pong, spiral, helix, reverb, shimmer, flanger, phaser, filter, trans, roll, pitch, and vinyl brake. These effects are assignable to all channels, and several can be used simultaneously for wild, crazy sound experimentations.
Tap tempo and Beat functions are also present and highly customizable; even though you might not get to use them an awful lot during a live performance, these features are great for coming up with new, fresh ideas, as well as for trying out other effects with a simple beat in the background.
The Beat FX display deserves an entire section of its own, but we’d rather not go into too much detail as it can be explained in a simple, straightforward fashion. Most people like the fact that it’s in such a convenient location right in the middle of the right sidebar. Even though it could’ve been made a bit bigger, it is clearly visible and features high-font and brightly lit characters.
Basically, this display regards the effects and utilities exclusively. You’ll be able to fine-tune any of the effects you want to use before you actually put them to use. You can quantize them, increase or decrease their volume and presence, set their speed (in BPM increments), and assign or cut the overtones.
For more information about the latest 6 channel DJ mixer check out Pioneer’s official overview.
DJM-V10 New Features:
One of the coolest things about Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10 is the fact that it ‘borrowed’ only the best and most useful features of its predecessors while also including a wide variety of brand-new settings and functionalities. Depending on which model we’re comparing it to, there are a ton of new features to be hyped about.
The most obvious innovation onboard the DJM-V10 is the display. While DJM-750MK2 and 900NXS2 have a mid-sized display, we should note that they are slightly harder to read due to smallish letters and numbers. Even though the display of Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10 is roughly about the same size, it shows more advanced parameters and features more versatile controls (and, obviously, a bigger font size).
On the flip side, the only Pioneer DJ console with a ‘better’ display is the DJM-Tour 1, although we could argue that the one DJM-V10 comes supplied with is far more practical.
The most significant new feature is the number of channels.
Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10 is the first 6-channel mixing console in Pioneer’s catalog. Tour1, 900NXS2, and 750MK2 are 4-channel consoles while S9, DJM 450, 350, 250MK2, and S3 are all 2-channel consoles. Check out more two-channel DJ mixers.
Suffices to say, the addition of two extra channels brings about a huge boost in versatility, allowing you to monitor, navigate, and control more tracks and generally multi-task in a much easier fashion.
Connectivity-wise, Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10 is superior to all of its predecessors. The closest Pioneer DJ console to it regarding this field of performance is the DJM 750 MK2, as it sports two headphone outputs (0.25-inch stereo jack & 3.5 mm mini jack), two master outputs (XLR & RCA), and one booth output. As well, one USB-B port, and one USB-A port, four RCA inputs, four RCA inputs, and one Mic input.
Now, Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10 features six coaxial inputs, six RCA Line inputs, four phono RCA inputs, three send/return ports, one LAN port, two USB-b ports, one USB-A port, two master outputs (XLR and RCA), one booth port, four headphone monitor outputs, a REC-OUT RCA port, a digital AES/EBU output, and one MIDI-DIN output.
Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10 also features superior Microphone controls. It sports a three-position talk-over switch, the Talkover attenuator, and a versatile microphone mode of connection. Other notable new features of the Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10 include the P LOCK fader caps, the improved auto-standby feature, and compatibility with the Traktor Pro 3 (instead of the usual Rekordbox and/or Serato Pro).
Here are 10 reasons why you need to pay attention to Pioneer’s DJM-V10.
Video Overview of the new 6 channel DJ mixer by Pioneer:
Pioneer DJ DJM 900 NXS2
The main reason we include the DJM 900 NXS2 in our review of the DJM-V10 is that it’s actually the only Pioneer console that can go toe to toe with it in terms of performance. Bost DJM900 and DJM-V10 are featured in most lists with the best DJ mixers on the planet.
This is a four-channel DJ performance console that sports Pro DJ link, P LOCK Fader caps, excellent frequency range, and a phenomenal set of EQs and ISOs.
It is compatible with Rekordbox right out of the gate, but you can upgrade its compatibility (for a small fee) to Serato-DJ Essentials.
Dimensions-wise, this DJ console is 13.11 inches wide, 4.25 inches high, 16.31 inches deep, and it weighs 17.64 pounds. Its frequency range spans from 20 to 40,000 Hz, and its sampling rate is 96 kHz. Unlike its successor, this is a 24-bit console.
The DJ DJM-900NXS2 features both Sound-Color FX and Beat FX, both of which provide exceptional versatility when it comes to chasing extra tones and sounds for your mixes.
Each of the four channels onboard this DJ mixing console features a 3-band EQ and an ISO range that spans between -26 decibels to +6 decibels.
Lastly, the DJ DJM 900NXS2 belongs to the same price point category as Pioneer’s DJM-V10, although it’s significantly less expensive.
Pioneer DJ DJM-V10 vs. DJM 900 NXS2
Generally speaking, Pioneer’s DJ DJM-V10 is vastly superior to DJM 900 NXS2 in practically every field of performance. However, let’s not discount the fact that DJM-900 NXS2 is an awesome DJ console in its own right; with that in mind, we’ve decided to compare the two.
The most notable difference between DJM-V10 and 900 NXS2 is that the former is a six-channel console while the latter is a four-channel console. However, that does not necessarily mean that DJM-V10 is more versatile per se.
What sets both of these mixers on an even ground is the fact that DJM 950 NXS2 features the Sound-Color FX pad atop the Beat FX that both of them come supplied with. This pad is comprised of crush, dub echo, filter, noise, sweep, and space effects that can be simultaneously used with Beat FX effects (delay, echo, flanger, helix, and so on).
The DJM-V10 is significantly superior in terms of compatibility, as it’s compatible with the Rekordbox, Serato-DJ Pro, and Traktor Pro 3 software while the DJM 900 NXS2 is only compatible with Rekordbox software. However, 900 NXS2‘s price plan offers you the option to upgrade to Serato compatibility.
Finally, DJM-V10 is bigger, heavier, and substantially more expensive. However, as far as the price-to-value ratio is concerned, they’re relatively equal. Find the best DJ headphones by Pioneer that will fit your setup and style.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, we can conclude that DJ DJM V10 is a magnificent mixing console meant for hardcore DJ veterans. Its learning curve is steep, it costs an arm and a leg, but it offers unique rewards to those who manage to utilize the plethora of benefits it has to offer.
DJM V10 isn’t for the average DJ. Instead, it is by far, the most advanced, most reliable, and best-rounded DJ mixing console Pioneer has released. It’s suitable for every disk jockeying task imaginable, so if you are looking for the best top-tier boutique-level DJ mixing console on the market, you should definitely look no further than DJ DJM V10.
If the DJM-V10 is a bit over-budget then take a look at the best DJ mixers for beginners.