2008 NAMM Show: Pioneer unveiled the latest addition to its family of DJ compact disc players, the MEP-7000, Professional Multi-Entertainment Player and the SEP-C1, Professional Software Entertainment Controller.

“Both the MEP-7000 and SEP-C1 correspond to the trend of laptops being utilized by professional DJs,” said Matt Dever, vice president for Pioneer’s Professional Sound and Visual Division. “Recent developments have changed the way mobile and club DJs catalog and play their music. Laptops, USB flash media and hard drives are fast becoming the commonplace in the DJ rig.”

The MEP-7000 is a compact Professional Multi-Entertainment Player inheriting the basic functions and operability of the popular Pioneer CDJ- series turntables. In addition to playback of conventional music from CD/CD-ROM/DVD-ROM discs, the MEP-7000 enable users to play MP3/AAC files stored on various memory media formats.

The SEP-C1 Professional Software Entertainment Controller is a dual MP3 music controller which allows the user to manage and control playback of audio files stored on a PC. It emulates the full-scale DJ performance of the CDJ series operability without the need of a mouse or keyboard.

The MEP-7000 and SEP-C1 will be available in June with a manufacturer suggested retail price of $2,299 and $1,199, respectively.

MEP-7000 Professional Multi-Entertainment Player features:

• Flexible Audio Format Playback – As well as playback of traditional audio compact discs, the MEP-7000 supports MP3*1/AAC/WAV*2/AIFF*2 stored in a USB memory devices, hard disc drive (HDD) and CD-R/RW and DVD±R/RW allowing for easy playback of existing music libraries and new digital downloads.
• 4.3-Inch Color LCD & Intelligent Graphical User Interface – In addition to the high-resolution 4.3-inch color LCD panel, an intelligent graphic user interface and rotary selector enables rapid track search through large collections of digital audio files. A play list function also speeds the track selection process for recalling frequently played songs.
• Control Functions for Pioneer’s DJ software (DJS3) and Other PC Applications – The MEP-7000 includes Pioneer’s DJS all-in-one DJ software application for playback from a Windows based computer (PC not included). When the system is connected to the DJS, no mouse or keyboard is required for navigation and DJ performance. The MEP-7000 also supports control of other software, such as SERATO Scratch LIVE*4, without the need of the control discs. It can also act as a full MIDI controller for any MIDI-compatible PC application.
• Scratch Jog Effect and Digital Jog Break enhance DJ performance – In addition to traditional scratching, the MEP-7000 also features two patterns of Scratch Jog Effects – BUBBLE5 and TRANS5. Three patterns of Digital Jog Break effects freely control the audio effects according to the rotation of the jog dial – JET*6 / ROLL*6 / WAH*6 broadening the scope of any DJ performance.
• Auto Mix Function – An auto mix function automatically mixes playback of the tracks registered on the play list in four modes such as ECHO or ZIP. Audio is seamlessly beat matched and mixed on the fly.
• Industry’s First*7 Area-Color Organic Electroluminescence (OEL) Display – Two high-visibility Area-Color OEL displays provide outstanding visibility for the pitch, playback time and position information. Together with its main 4.3-inch color LCD, the OEL display ensures smooth DJ play regardless of lighting conditions.

Other Functions:

• Karaoke Mode: Full support for CD+G playback for karaoke performance.
• Library Function: Allows selection of tracks from various categories like genre, artist, etc.
• Tempo Control Range: The user can choose among four pitch ranges available for the tempo slider: ±6Åì, ±10Åì, ±16Åì, and WIDE.*8
• Pitch Bend Button: Enables fine adjustment of the track speed by simply pressing a button.
• Seamless Loop: Repeats looped audio without interruption. A loop can be set from as small as one frame up to an entire CD’s length.
• Hot Loop: Restarts the loop seamlessly from its entry without interruption of the music.
• Memory Cue/Loop: Allows the user to store any CUE/LOOP point to the player’s internal memory.
• Auto BPM Counter: Measures and digitally displays a track’s tempo.
• Digital Output Terminal: A digital audio output is available for the highest quality connection.
• Monitor Out Terminal: Provides a composite video output for karaoke display or larger view of the main display.
• Keyboard Support: Users can select tracks rapidly by using an external USB keyboard (sold separately).
• Legato Link Conversion: Reproduces richer and more natural sound by up-sampling the audio information lost in CD format.
• Vibration Proof Construction: Shock-proof memory plus the same floating mechanism used in Pioneer’s mobile entertainment audio components to prevent skipping and resist vibration.
• Rack-Mount Ready: Ready for rack-mount which is useful for mobile/club/studio installations.

SEP-C1 Professional Software Entertainment Controller features:

• Control Pioneer’s DJ software (DJS*3) and Other PC Applications – The SEP-C1 includes Pioneer’s DJS all-in-one DJ software application for playback from a Windows based computer (PC not included). When connected to DJS, no mouse or keyboard is required for navigation and DJ performance. Furthermore, the SEP-C1 supports control of other software, such as SERATO Scratch LIVE*4, without need of the control discs. The SEP-C1 is also a full MIDI controller for any MIDI-compatible PC application.
• 4.3-Inch Color LCD & Intelligent Graphical User Interface – In addition to the high-visibility 4.3-inch color LCD panel, an intelligent graphic user interface and rotary selector enables rapid track search through large collections of digital audio. A play list function also speeds the track selection process for recalling frequently played songs.
• Auto Mix Function – An Auto Mix function automatically mixes playback of the tracks registered on the play list in four modes such as ECHO or ZIP. Audio is seamlessly beat matched and mixed on the fly.
• Industry’s first*7 Area-Color Organic Electroluminescence (OEL) – Two high-visibility Area-Color OEL displays give the SEP-C1 outstanding visibility for the pitch, playback time and position information. Together with its main 4.3-inch color LCD, the OEL display ensures smooth DJ play regardless of lighting conditions.
• DJS Effects Enhance DJ Performance – Eight effects within Pioneer DJS (Delay, Echo, Auto Pan, Auto Trance, Auto Filter, Flanger, Reverb and Pitch Shifter) add versatility to mixing performances. The effects can be synchronized with the music tempo (BPM) at the click of a button.

Other Functions:

• Tempo Control Range: Choose among four pitch ranges available for the tempo slider: ±6Åì, ±10Åì, ±16Åì, and WIDE8
• Pitch Bend Button: Enables fine adjustment of the track speed by simply pressing a button.
• Seamless Loop: Repeats looped audio without interruption. A loop can be set from as small as one frame up to an entire CD’s length.
• Hot Loop: Restarts the loop seamlessly from its entry without interruption of the music.
• Auto BPM Counter: Measures and digitally displays a track’s tempo.
• Rack-Mount Ready: Ready for rack-mount which is useful for club/studio installations.