Audio/Video, Editor's Picks, Reviews
Is the Pacemaker DJ Machine Worth the Hype?
What it is: The Pacemaker is a palm-sized DJ mixing station for digital music that provides an easy way to combine two stereo tracks, add effects, and generally get partygoers to work up a sweat.
Why it's different: Like the love child of an iPod and a traditional DJ setup, the Pacemaker is a first of its kind, to be sure. You load it with tracks from your computer in pretty much any format, including MP3, AAC, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, WMA, and AIFF. Songs play on each of two virtual turntables, and you cross-fade between them with a mixer control. (The Pacemaker's beat-matching function allows you to merge tunes with different tempos.) You can also spice things up with a host of effects, like echo-y reverb.
If you take the time to master it, jamming on the Pacemaker is an infinitely better way to rock a party than pressing "play" on an iPod (check out video here). And for aspiring DJ's, it's a great tool for sketching out (and practicing) your mixes. While the mechanism is different than using turntables, the essential logic of fitting songs together is the same.
What we like: First impressions are excellent. Once you get through the spectacular packaging (even more inviting and better-designed than Apple's), you'll be wowed by the Pacemaker's sleek, matte-black looks. It's roughly the size of a PSP, but feels more solid. This is high-end Swedish design, not the Ikea MP3 player.
The interface, built around two circles, is elegant and efficient. The top circle is your screen, and the bottom is multi-touch trackpad that reads gestures. A swipe left brings up the volume controls, for example, and a swipe down takes you to bass adjustments. Between the two circles is the crossfader -- an LED-lit, touch-sensitive strip that allows you to gradually bring the mix from one track to the other. The ability to quickly cue up a new track, auto-sync it to the beat of the track already playing, and quickly transition between the two is brilliant.
A sweet bonus is the ability to save mixes: The Pacemaker actually records the changes you make (equalizer settings, pitch adjustments, etc.), and links them to each song file. Pacemaker software (for both Mac and PC) allows you to import the mixes, fine-tune them, save the revisions, and share mixes on the Pacemaker Web site.
What we don't like: The interface, while very practical, could be more fun. Mixing tracks is a lot like a game-your challenge is to match beats, keep the rhythm tight, and make a composition that stands out. We're not asking for Rhythm Heaven, but a more graphical, dynamic representation of the music, and more video game-like controls, would make the device an amazing piece of work.
Also, the small screen is limiting. You can't modify more than one control (say, pitch or treble) at a time. And don't expect to do any scratching on the tiny touchpad. Occasionally swipes go undetected, too--a bad thing when the momentum of a party is at stake. The Pacemaker does take some time to learn, as well: Despite the auto-sync, your first few hours of mixes will probably sound like train wrecks.
Bottom line: Though it's pricey, the Pacemaker is a great device for plenty of folks: whether you're a professional DJ sketching out mixes on the go, or a music-lover who wants to rock a set without carrying around a ton of gear. If you're willing to put in the time, you can get some great stuff out of this little machine.
Price: The 60GB Pacemaker is priced at $599. For an extra hundred, you get twice the capacity, a faster battery charger, RCA and USB cables, and a wrist strap. You can get it here.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jinsei888 said 4:11PM on 6-19-2009
answer = no
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