What are your thoughts on the new Denon 4 Prime controller?

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MIXMASTERMACHOM

DJ Extraordinaire
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Oct 16, 2011
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I keep getting an ad popping up on my phone advertising the new Denon 4 Prime controller. Anybody seen one or has one? If you have what are your thoughts? Do you think it's worth the price? Would you buy it or pass on it? What is the big difference from this controller and another one similar to this one?

It seems like manufacturers keep making something new to try to get people to buy their product. I wonder how they come up with the price for these things? It says $1,699.00. Is it worth that price? Just wondering. I'm happy with what I have. Now if anybody want to make that controller a early Christmas gift I won't be mad at you. LOL.
 
I'd have to have a pretty specific reason to use this.

It is essentially an all-in-one: a PC, HD, mixer and control surface. That's a lot of risk in one box. The power supply fails and you lose everything - access to your music, your audio pre-amp, and control. This is intended to replace the laptop computer but, why? The laptop is already more powerful and versatile and can be paired with any number of other mixers, controllers, drives, etc. which makes it a simple and lightweight solution for touring DJs.
 
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Club DJs are starting (just starting) to move away from computers. The Prime is an opportunity to play without a laptop, but still have many of the features that laptop DJs love.

In that way... this product has a nice niche between a real CDJ or Prime set up and a typical software based DJ set up.

If you're not interested in that middle ground... this is not the product for you.
 
I've done a great deal of research on this product and am very close to getting one, maybe two. The one feature that is holding me back is the Denon Prime 4 doesn't have an auto play feature with adjustable segue time. Channel four does have an auto play with a separate zone playback choice. This is nice, but with a silent gap between songs.

This, for now is a deal breaker. Otherwise, I like all the other potential available options and the mix/beat mix capabilities are pretty much endless.

The cost is reasonably close to other similar products and $1699.00 isn't too much.
 
...That's a lot of risk in one box...
I appreciate the quality, versatility, features and all-in-one-ness but still prefer a laptop and a controller.

Also, given the features & quality, the price point is very attractive.

Minor point, not a fan of the vertical waves only.
 
I truly would think most dj's would be happy to be less dependent on a laptop. it tacks on an extra grand or two onto your set up....its a ticking time bomb as far as reliability.... Visually it is such a distraction if you are trying to form a bond with your dancefloor... they look at you ...hunkered over behind your laptop... searching...squinting... might as well be playing spider solitaire with a light show...

cc
 
I truly would think most dj's would be happy to be less dependent on a laptop. it tacks on an extra grand or two onto your set up....its a ticking time bomb as far as reliability.... Visually it is such a distraction if you are trying to form a bond with your dancefloor... they look at you ...hunkered over behind your laptop... searching...squinting... might as well be playing spider solitaire with a light show...

cc
I acknowledge and am cognizant of those realities but I still prefer to rely on the tried and true softwar in a robust laptop as opposed to an onboard app.

FYI, it took me more than a decade to get to trusting a laptop.

Addenda: I'm often an early adapter but not immediately on matters important to my responsibilities.
 
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I acknowledge and am cognizant of those realities but I still prefer to rely on the tried and true softwar in a robust laptop as opposed to an onboard app.

FYI, it took me more than a decade to get to trusting a laptop.

I missed that decade... i quit djing out in 2007... and came back in 2017... i missed the time period where you fellas were spoonfed the laptop kool aid.....

Thankfully the technology is here now to never need it... much rather have a dedicated onboard computer that has one job to do...instead of compete with the pornsites and java updates

cc
 
I missed that decade... i quit djing out in 2007... and came back in 2017... i missed the time period where you fellas were spoonfed the laptop kool aid.....

Thankfully the technology is here now to never need it... much rather have a dedicated onboard computer that has one job to do...instead of compete with the pornsites and java updates

cc
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Man, I love picture puns!
 
Here's the funny part for me. There are a lot of DJs who no nothing about having to carry crates of records to use at an event. Then came along CD's and someone figured out how to use CD's to DJ with. Now a lot of DJs don't even use CD's anymore. I was determined to never use a computer to DJ with. My partner pushed to using a laptop to DJ with. I was wondering how was I going to find songs to play using a laptop instead of CD books. Glad he talked me into using a laptop to DJ with. Today I can't imagine doing it any other way. Now I just have my music on a portable HD. I fit it into my laptop bag and off to work. What will someone invent next? A controller that wipes your butt after using the bathroom? HE HE!
 
I missed that decade... i quit djing out in 2007... and came back in 2017... i missed the time period where you fellas were spoonfed the laptop kool aid.....

Thankfully the technology is here now to never need it... much rather have a dedicated onboard computer that has one job to do...instead of compete with the pornsites and java updates

cc
backup unit is a bitch though .... unless you put ALL your eggs in the one all-in-one basket.
 
backup unit is a bitch though .... unless you put ALL your eggs in the one all-in-one basket.
So just to clarify... you bring a second controller and laptop to every gig?

I have about 2 dozen relevent premade mix sets on an mp3 player as well as my phone along with every request slow and fast loaded on for each gig...i prerun them to my main board ...and can switch to either in a matter of seconds...

cc
 
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So just to clarify... you bring a second controller and laptop to every gig?

I have about 2 dozen relevent premade mix sets on an mp3 player as well as my phone along with every request slow and fast loaded on for each gig...i prerun them to my main board ...and can switch to either in a matter of seconds...

cc
Yes ... though I have an iPad as the live backup. I keep a 2nd laptop nearby and a small controller as well.
 
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So just to clarify... you bring a second controller and laptop to every gig?

I have about 2 dozen relevent premade mix sets on an mp3 player as well as my phone along with every request slow and fast loaded on for each gig...i prerun them to my main board ...and can switch to either in a matter of seconds...

cc
Is the main board the same as the controller?
 
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