The recently released Rane One controller has become a resounding success, combining motorized platters and battle-style mixer into controller form. Pioneer DJ has nothing that can compete with the Rane One as of the time of writing. This concept, dubbed the DDJ-SV6, aims to imagine what Pioneer DJ’s answer to the Rane One could look like.
The Big Question: Mechanical Or Motor?
The Rane One has high-quality motorized 7-inch platters that act and feel like turntables. These platters draw from decades of R&D from sister companies Denon DJ and Numark (all of which are owned by InMusic brands). However, Pioneer DJ has no history of motorized platters in their past products. Thus, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether or not they’d be able to pull them off for a device like the SV6. I created both “regular” and motorized concept versions just for speculation’s sake.
Battle-Style Mixer
Pioneer DJ controllers can sometimes feel somewhat cramped, as they consolidate tons of features into a small form factor. The SV6 opts for a more spaced-out mixer design better suited to scratching, which draws influence from the DJM-S7 and S9.
Paddle FX
Modern scratch mixers include on/off lockable paddles for instantly applying FX to either deck. The SV6 concept uses a similar FX system to the S7 and S9- effect select buttons, the aforementioned paddles, a dry/wet knob, and a small display.
Deck Sections
I opted for a similar deck design to that of the DDJ-1000- a tried-and-true layout many DJs are accustomed to. They feature Play/Cue buttons and tempo faders ported from the CDJ-2000, eight MPC-style performance pads, key and sync settings, and browser controls.
Scratch Bank Controls
The new Scratch Bank feature on the DJM-S7 allows the jog wheel and crossfader to control the sampler. This is a huge “quality of life” improvement for scratch DJs, finally providing a modern replacement to scratch sample tracks. The “scratch bank” pad mode loads a sound from the software sampler to the scratch bank. A dedicated button toggles each jog wheel between deck and scratch bank control.
Magvel Pro Fader
Pioneer DJ’s Magvel Pro crossfader is one of the best faders on the market today, with a light and smooth feel. The SV6 includes a Magvel Pro for rapid and precise cuts, with feeling and cut-in adjustments on the front panel.
Dual Soundcard
The SV6 concept sports a deck-selectable dual-USB soundcard, allowing separate laptops to connect to each deck. This is an essential feature for B2B sets and switchovers. The SV6 also sports controls for two aux inputs on the front, both of which can be switch between line or mic level. Effects can also be applied to the aux inputs via dedicated buttons.
Serato Or Rekordbox?
In the past, Pioneer DJ has leaned heavilly towards integration with its own Rekordbox software for new controllers. However, many turntablists swear exclusively by Serato and have stubbornly refused Rekordbox. Thus, Pioneer DJ has leaned towards a more lenient trend lately: releasing Serato editions of controllers like the DDJ-1000, as well as controllers that integrate with both softwares like the FLX6. It’s worth speculating whether we may see separate devices for Serato and Rekordbox, or one single SV6 that integrates with both.
Our thoughts and speculation:
The DDJ-SV6 concept aims to imagine a Pioneer DJ comeback to the Rane One. It includes features designed for scratching such as a battle-style mixer, FX paddles, and a scratch bank pad mode. I opted for mechanical jog wheels instead of platters in this concept as Pioneer DJ has no proprietary motor platter tech, which has taken InMusic years to get right.
While there have been no leaks or rumors about a Pioneer DJ battle controller, it would not be surprising at all to see such a release soon. With InMusic companies providing serious competition to Pioneer DJ in the club player, controller, standalone unit, and scratch mixer scene, it wouldn’t make sense for Pioneer DJ to leave the scratch controller market alone to Rane. Besides, many scratch DJs swear by Pioneer products, and may happily return to the brand with a release like this.
Do you think this is something we may see from Pioneer DJ anytime soon? What other future gear concepts would you like to see from us? Let us know in the comments!
