Some amazing news from Pioneer DJ, who are announcing their first major piece of live performance hardware, the TORAIZ SP-16 sampler and step sequencer. With a 7-inch touch screen, analog filters based on Dave Smith’s Prophet-6, 16 sampler engines, and quantization syncing with CDJs via Pro DJ Link, the TORAIZ SPP-16 is gunning for a prime position in DJ booths around the world. Keep reading to see all of the details!
TORAIZ SP-16 Sampler: Integrated With CDJ Setups
This is Pioneer DJ’s first foray into production gear, and it’s a bit of a departure from the rest of their products that exist on the market. The unit is expected to release this summer for a price of $1,499.
Want to get on the list to find out when this new piece of gear is available? Sign up here.
Naturally most people into dance music production will want to immediately compare this to the Roland AIRA TR-8, but with the feature set outlined below, it is exciting for DJs using more traditional setups who don’t want to have to mess around with MIDI syncing outboard gear or Ableton Live:
- 16-Step Sequencer: The TORAIZ SP-16 has a sequencer that allows DJs to quickly drop sounds into 16-step loops, and then modulate the sounds with the knobs below the touch screen. The buttons change based on the colors assigned to each sound – and you’ll be able to save and play back up to 256 patterns.
- Touch Screen Control: The main display on the unit is a 7-inch full-color touch screen with detailed sample information, which allows browsing and loading of samples. The display also shows real-time waveforms and full details of the sample’s characteristics.
- Multicolor Performance Pads with Velocity: You’ll recognize these pads from the nicer DDJ units – they’re the same pads! Load up to 16 samples to the pads, then finger drum freely to layer sounds on the fly. The lights reflect the colors you’ve assigned to each sound. Yes, there’s velocity detection.
- Analog filters from Dave Smith Instruments: An amazing addition to the TORAIZ SP-16 is the addition of analog filters from Dave Smith’s iconic Prophet-6 synthesizer. The filters have control knobs for Drive, Cut Off and Resonance.
- Pro DJ Link and MIDI clock: Quickly add the TORAIZ SP-16 to aCDJ or XDJ set-up using Pro DJ Link – the sampler will snap one-shots and loops to the beat of the master deck so you can layer multiple sounds over your tracks and they’ll always be in sync. It also has a MIDI clock so you can connect other devices via USB and stay in sync – and according to the press release, Pioneer will add connectivity with DAWs and synths at a later date.
- Inputs and Outputs:
- 8GB of onboard flash memory and real-time processing The TORAIZ SP-16 delivers 16-voice polyphony (every sample can be played at the same time), even while using time stretch or editing the sound using the touch screen amp envelope. The 8GB of flash memory means that you can store a fair amount of content onboard – no need for a laptop.
In a second video from Pioneer that’s just come out, Dave Smith talks about the development of the project and collaboration with Pioneer – and even he agrees that the “ease of integration” with the standard in modern DJing setups is what makes this sampler unique.
Does Pioneer DJ’s new sampler sound like it might revolutionize your DJ setup? Let us know in the comments below.
