It really depends on the market / geographical location you’re in, and also what type of events / locations you DJ at. But most importantly it’s about personal preference and also the style of music that you play - if you don’t have any need to scratch or beat-juggle and/or do tricks, it’s not very important.
I think for open format DJ’s who come from a house / Electronic music background, the P4 ticks a lot of boxes, and motorized jog-wheels / larger jog wheels are not an issue.
But for Open Format DJ’s who come from the Urban music scene / turntablist background, and are used to that “feeling”, it makes a lot of sense for them to have motorized platters / “vinyl-like” larger sized jog wheels like the Rev-7.
I personally feel a P4 with SC6000m Platters would be a perfect market positioning for Denon DJ, there would be nothing like it, combined with all the features already packed in the software… I just feel it would be a killer machine
For me it’s a matter of balance - in usability, portability and aesthetics. The 6" wheels on the P4 seem a bit diminutive compared to the rest of the unit, while 8" wheels would render it too big / heavy. And motorized platters would make it even worse (look how heavy the Rane One already is) so a big no from me, unless it’s just an option aka Prime 8 and Prime 8M.
My personal preference:
4" (10cm) platters for future ultraportable AiOs (like Prime Go)
6" (15cm) platters for future entry level AiOs (Mixstream, Live 2)
7" (17.5cm) platters for future mid / upper tier AiOs (Prime 4/2, Live 4)
8/9" (20/23cm) platters for the individual SC deck units + motorized AiOs
By rearranging the EFX and mixer controls on the Prime 4, the decks would gain more space for 7" jogs while keeping the overall device size identical. The mixer section on the Live 4 is much more space-efficient, so maybe they will create an upgraded variant of that for the P4/+ successor.
If your old school. The biggest platters (12) records is what we grew up on. So it comes natural to want the bigger size. Also the controller looks and feels like real good equipment. I’ve had the mc6000 the mc7000 and the the p4. By far the 7000 was my fav because of the size of the joggs. There is no difference if you don’t scratch of if your not a turntabist. It’s just all in the looks and feel. And sometimes a dj needs that inspiration. Tiny jogs look stupid . A 2000 dollar controller should look and feel like top notch or flagship equipment. Not well we have these parts let’s just use these. It needs to be all out if you’re spending 2gs or more all the looks and all the feel of the best. DENON could use the jogs from the multi media players. That would be nice
Just adding an experience of the small jog wheel issue. I was djing a big car show out here in Az. A lowrider car show. Hip hop and old school music rule here on the west coast of USA. I had to dj with 2 other djs I’ve never meet. I pull up and unpack my DENON P4. I dropped a heavy 2 grand on it and my qsc’s and bassboss v21 is sure to rock this place. So I feel great. Then the other dj unpack their pioneer 1000s with big jogs and that real dj look. And here I am with this big ass board with tiny jogs. It just looked like pro stuff vs house stuff. I know that the prime is superior to any of that weak plastic stuff But It doesn’t have the look. DENON stop messing around and get the look on your most purchased equipment. How hard can it be. It’s the best. Make it look the best. Come on man.
If you’re more concerned about the look of small jogwheels than the actual tactile feel of larger jogwheels then you’re not a DJ, you’re a poser lmao.
That said, having bigger jogwheels definitely makes scratching and just general track manipulation a bit easier. You get a bit more surface area to touch, and there’s a bit more weight to the wheel. It’s also easier to make small movements with a larger wheel.
I’m curious, did anyone else notice or was it just in your head? When I play out, I get tons of comments from both DJ’s at events and ‘wannabe DJ crowd’ about how cool the P4 looks in person and there’s almost always someone asking where my laptop is.
I am not a turntablist and I only learned to scratch on CDJ’s (never vinyl) so perhaps it is a difference I am not aware of but I never really had a problem getting the sounds I wanted out of the P4 vs CDJ’s.
Same here with the Prime 2, I’ve had loads of gear over the years and this is by far the most amount of chit chat I’ve had from people asking about it, and aside from the odd ‘oh don’t you like Pioneer’ from young uns it’s all positive.
Fully agree on the scratching front, but then I’d get a Rev 7 if I did that, it’s the best DJ controller on the market imo, feels awesome in use (had a go in the DJ shop)
Good point, in that for the amount of real estate available on the P4 and GO, the jogs are relatively tiny compared to similarly sized units like from Pioneer or Hanpin, respectively.
My point, aye. I totally get what @supetown meant with the ‘real DJ look’
I’ve once played on a 1000SRT and it just looks more beastly in a certain way, mainly because of those big-ass jogwheels (which also have better screens, especially on the RB version) in relation with the overall size of the unit. Now, I would never buy a DDJ myself, but let’s admit - those 6" jogs just seem a bit too small for such a workstation like the Prime 4 (even the much smaller Mixstream Pro shares their size). It’s one of the few(!) weakpoints which Mojaxx, Phil and others reviewers have pointed out as well.
→ Imho 7" jogs would be a solid, yet reasonable and feasible update. The slightly bigger surface area on the Live 2/4 and P4+ jogs is a step in the right direction. Add tension adjust and more informative screens and voliá.
Ive played on one a few times as the guy who I play some gigs with has one with a pair of turntables set up… gonna be honest im not a massive fan of it full stop. I kind of dont see the point of the jog wheels as everything else just seems crammed in or under featured, the middle screens are nice but I honestly dont see any reason at all why Denon cant bring that to our units.
What’s more important though, looking like a ‘real DJ’ or sounding like a ‘real DJ’? I’ve never been to a party where the audience cared about what a DJ plays on. Most of the time, all they see is a person behind a table/facade. Literally the only people who care are other DJ’s, or people who want to be DJ’s.
I had a guy last year approach me at my bar gig. I was using the Numark Mixtrack Pro FX as my Prime 2 was in for repair, he said “Ere mate, if you want to be taken seriously as a DJ you need to get some better equipment”… I just laughed at him.
I thought it was amazing levels of delusion given im the one behind the decks earning money and he is front of them spending it to help fill my pockets.
I am scratching pretty much, but not playing hip hop (I bring in tracks the old school way with a baby scratch, and spice up some vocals sometimes with chops and flairs). For me bigger jog wheels is way more precision for scratching and nudging.
Thank you. Someone who understands. One other dumb ass called me a poser I’ve been a professional dj for over 35 years. To all those who don’t get it. I can scratch and mix on all jog wheels!!!’ What I’m saying is the look of the 2000 dollar equipment. Even tho it’s not necessary The look and feel of REAL DJ EQUIPMENT (PRO) style should also look like pro gear and not toy or beginner gear at that price point.
