DJXII

The DJX-II keyboard from Yamaha is like no keyboard you've seen or played before. The extraordinarily versatile keyboard can be used as a conventional keyboard, for playing melodies and chords. However, for the powerful DJ functions, the keyboard is a large bank of convenient buttons that can be used to trigger and control the various Patterns and sounds of the instrument.

The DJ functions are accessed using the 5 distinctive sections denoted by 2 different shades of gray keys (see picture above). How does it work? Starting at the left, the first gray area is for inputting chord changes for the currently selected pattern (triggered by single keys - for the pattern in the key of C, press C, for F, press F etc.). The second gray section is for adjusting levels and tone of the individual instruments. For example, you could just turn up the snare, or make the kick drum deeper or adjust the brightness of the guitar. You use the third section of gray keys to turn individual instrument sounds of the Pattern on and off, as the Pattern plays. For example, you could have just the kick & snare playing and then add the bass, then the hi-hats and finally bring in the guitars and brass parts.

The DJX-II has 70 different built-in patterns with 10 variations of each pattern and the fourth gray section is for selecting the different variations. The fifth and final area of the keyboard is used to augment the overall sound with special loops and one-shot phrases. You can build up your sound, part-by-part, and fly in the different Loops and One Shots - while the pattern is playing.

Digital Signal Processing enhances sound quality with sophisticated digital effects. While the groove patterns and loops are playing you can send them through some very cool digital effects. You can control the depth and speed of the effects in real time, from subtle to outrageous, using the control knobs. The list of effects is Distortion, Auto Pan, Ring Modulator, Flanger, Phaser, Slice, Delay, Echo, Lo-Fi and Wah.

Got a beat on CD or vinyl? Sync it up to the DJX-II! The DJX-II latches onto the beat and automatically locks into the rhythm by auto-adjusting the bpm (beats per minute or tempo).

The DJX-II isn't just a groove machine, it's also a regular piano-type keyboard. Press one button and you transform the keyboard into a regular keyboard with 203 voices, including 23 Drum Kits! You can also start a pattern looping and play over top of the pattern.

The DJX-II features a built-in sampler. On the back of the keyboard you'll find a MIC/Line input for recording your voice or music from a CD. You can then trigger these samples from 6 pads on the panel. Samples can be played as a "One Shot" or Looped. You can also play your samples in keyboard mode. This mode allows you to change the pitch of the original sample or recording. For example, you could record your voice and then lower the pitch to sound like many of the voices heard in Sci-fi movies or take the pitch up and sound like a cartoon character.

On the back of the DJX-II, you'll find MIDI in and out jacks. If you connect the keyboard to your computer, you can download additional patterns from the yamahadjx.com website. You can also edit patterns and re-load them into the keyboard.

The DJX-II features a built-in recorder so that you can record your own DJ songs. Press the record button and mix, change the EQ, remove and add parts and change patterns and the keyboard will record all of your moves. Then sit back and play it for your friends. They'll be amazed!

In the middle of the keyboard, is a ribbon controller. You can assign scratches (like vinyl) to the controller, pitch bend (pitch changes but the tempo remains the same) or bpm (beats per minute or tempo) which is just like slowing down a record - pitch and tempo both slow down - it's a great effect.