Pioneer DJ DJM-A9

Pioneer DJ DJM-A9 Professional Mixer

The new club standard professional mixer has arrived in the form of the Pioneer DJ DJM-A9.  Having evolved from the original DJM-500 nearly 28 years ago and superseding the DJM-900NX2 mixer, the latest DJM-A9 is now bigger, smarter and better sounding than ever.  

The new Pioneer DJ DJM-A9 is a high quality 4 channel mixer with ESS Technology 32-bit high quality audio processing similar to the flagship DJM-V10. Using high end A/D and D/A conversion  in both the input and output sections, this is one of the best sounding mixers available.  Each of the four channels has 3 band eq with the option to switch between -26db cut or complete  isolation and all controls are now spaced out better than before.  

There are six “Sound Colour FX” with a parameter control and level control on each channel. A world first Center Lock for the Sound Color FX, which is a mechanical stop to  prevent the dial going past the centre point when being moved quickly. Ideal for those who like to  make fast FX transitions.  

INPUTS 

There are 2 phono and 2 line inputs as well as a digital input for each channel. There’s also dual usb interfaces, bluetooth and aux USB, giving a total of up to 16 input sources. The bluetooth signal can be assigned to any of the four channels. The dual USB sound cards can have two computers connected to DJ software for multi-channel audio playback. Compatible with Rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro, ready for any DJ, you can also use the USB connections to record to a computer as well. Each input has a USB B or USB C socket to connect  to a computer (only one type can be used at a time).  

The Multi I/O USB connection allows for mobile devices with the correct app to be used for FX  send and return, assignable to any of the channels. Alternatively this input can be used to play  back from a mobile device or record to it using the DJM-Rec app, as well as MIDI devices like drum machines, or keyboards.  

The dual headphone amps are ideal for when two DJs are playing at the same time or playing  back to back. Both have independent control, channel selections, link cue, cue mix and split cue. The channel assignment is made easier with clearly defined labelling, and of course the link cue enables you to track preview on the CDJ-3000s.

All four channel faders on the DJM-A9 are improved over the DJM-900. They have a really solid feel to them and feature a curve adjust. The mixer is loaded with a MagVel 3 crossfader for buttery smooth mixes and that has a curve adjust as well. 

MIC 

Dedicated mic channels with independent level controls, shared bass and treble  controls and 3 dedicated effects. Add Echo, change pitch or have the mic go through a new and  unique Megaphone effect. There is also a dedicated reverb effect with parameter control.  One unique feature on this mic channel is that the on/off switch doubles as a “push to talk”  temporary activation when held down.  

The other welcome addition is phantom power, giving the ability of connecting a condenser  microphone. Ideal for radio shows, podcasts and higher quality vocals and protected by internal  menu activation to prevent damage to dynamic mics.  

FX  

The beat FX section has been improved over previous models with 14 effects, 3 of  which are brand new. Triplet Roll and Triplet Filter provide a creative twist on the typical Roll and  Filter effects by applying them in thirds instead of the traditional 4 beats. The Mobius effect is  brought over from the DDJ-1000 controller, bringing intense build ups to your sets. The standard effects are Delay, Echo, Ping Pong, Spiral, Helix, Reverb, Flanger, Phaser, Filter,  Trans and Roll.  

Beat FX can also be assigned to separate frequency ranges at the touch of a button. Apply an  echo to the mid or high or filter to the low and mid.  

The handy X-Pad helps change the FX parameters just by sliding your finger across it. With a full  colour, large screen making it clearer to see what the X-Pad is doing and all the details of the FX.  You can now easily assign the beat FX to any channel instantly just by pressing the correlating  button. 

FX will link to the BPM of a track which is detected or can be manually tapped in. When linked  with ethernet for ProLink with Rekordbox prepared tracks, you can also quantise the effect for  accurate beat alignment.  

The large display also offers access to the utility menu to adjust the mixer’s settings, save  personalised settings, adjust beat fx settings, sound check functions and wifi controls.  

WiFi control with Stagehand app 

When using the built in wifi connected to an access point, essential mixer settings can be  controlled from an iPad running the Stagehand app on the same network.  The app allows you to see track information like waveform, BPM, track name and live deck for up  to 6 CDJ-3000’s connected to the same ProLink network. You can also view mixer status  including levels, clipping, fader positions and output settings.  

When not playing live, you can adjust player and mixer settings and save new settings. Control basic playback functions of a CDJ-3000 connected via ProLink, or run the built in sound  check from the DJM-A9.  

Connectivity 

Fitted with phono and line inputs on each of the 4 channels as well as digital SPDIF.  Effects send and return via TRS jack sockets.  

Main mic input is on combi XLR / TRS socket, with the 2nd mic on TRS  

Master output via XLR and RCA sockets as well as digital SPDIF 

Booth out via TRS  

Record output via RCA 

ProLink ethernet socket for connecting to a network switch or hub.

Key features: 

• 4 ch mixer  

• 6 Sound Color FX with Center Lock 

• 14 Beat FX with Frequency select 

• Large, colour display  

• Dedicated dual mic channels with separate FX 

• 2 USB ports for B2B connections 

• Matrix inputs for 8 inputs per channel 

• Bluetooth input  

• WiFi control with dedicated app 

• USB input for source or send / return 

• Dual headphone amps 

• Booth EQ