Top 11 DJ, Pro Audio & Lighting products for 2020 from The NAMM Show
Featuring Denon DJ, ADJ, Chauvet DJ, Electro Voice, RCF, Pioneer DJ, Antari & Rane.
Denon DJ Prime GO – The world’s first battery-powered and wireless DJ controller!
Today, The DJs Guru is taking a look at the top 11 DJ and lighting products in 2020. Let’s get things started with the Denon DJ Prime GO.
Well, all I can say is that someone finally did it! Denon DJ went and put a battery in a DJ controller. They also made it wireless with the ability to stream or play directly from a hard drive. The Prime Go also feels solid. Even the ones I put my hands on at the show felt super solid and worthy of the grinding schedule of a DJ of any kind.
If you are a semi-retired DJ or someone who wants to give it a try as a newbie, you can do so without any additional investments (Like music or software/computer). You are able to stream with a tidal license and the software and CPU are essentially built-in and included as part of the controller. If Apple made a DJ controller I feel like this is what it would look like. It’s super impressive.
If you’re a working DJ who wants this for portability, ceremonies, or events in places (Like barns or outdoors) where power can be an issue this is an amazing piece of DJ technology. I give Denon DJ a tremendous amount of respect for innovating for 2020 and beyond! I agree with them, it’s time to “Embrace the future”
Top 11 DJ and lighting products in 2020 – Chauvet DJ Gig Bar Move – All in one Lighting system now with moving heads!
Pack and Play makes a big move forward!
Another advancement at NAMM 2020 was the add-in of the moving head to the ALL-in-one lighting powerhouse, the GIG BAR! This is an idea that has been circulating around and one that a lot of customers have asked for. We were very pleased to hear about this product some months ago. The worry was how was it all going to come together. Our promo video looked great but I wanted to see it in person to really know. Well, I saw it in person and I have to say I was even more impressed with it than before I saw it.
Everything in its place
Now, is this the end all be all of lighting? Is this an item you get for EVERY SINGLE type of event in every single room? I would say no. But for $799.99 I would feel comfortable with this unit on its own in small to medium-sized venues. Think of a crowd size of 100-150 people. Don’t get me wrong, you could use it at larger events. However, my recommendation is to use it for the events where you’re charging less and want the added convenience that this item will give you.
With the right sound system and the Gig Bar Move, you can be set up in like 10 minutes now! All in all, I will say that this is a great value and a great item for entry-level to professionals. Just bear in mind that it has its limitations and was not engineered to be used in 500-person halls.
Pioneer DJ DJM-V10 – A 6-channel mixer for those who want the most control over their sound!
Man oh man did this cause the uproar on social media. Unfortunately in my opinion the reason that happened was that: (a. It’s $3199 MAP and (b. A lot of today’s DJs of any age do not use or need all the amazing features that have been added. I’m sure this will be the new Industry Standard for DJ mixers and will be on every house music or EDM DJs rider going forward.
This is a mixer that was specifically designed for a DJ who likes long mixes. Or perhaps the ability to layer multiple tracks or devices at the same time. Or even simply just having live tracks ready to go. It was also engineered with people in mind who are already using existing Pioneer DJ products like the CDJ-2000NXS2, DJS-1000, XDJ-1000s, etc. The extra channels will allow you to plug in more lines to give you more tools to be creative with.
Getting creative
For a creative DJ who wants to be unique and have a sound unlike anyone else, this is the mixer for you! Hey, even if you’re a wedding DJ you’re telling me it wouldn’t be nice to have all the entrance songs cued up and ready to go live? Yes, it’s 3199, but guess what. You’ll never have to replace it and it will be reliable and make you sound great for eternity.
The additional booth, headphone, and monitor controls are also great. These will be super useful for anyone working in a club DJ booth for hours at a time! They also introduced a brand new beat effect called shimmer. This sounds VERY cool and will add a new element into your mix. Compression, additional send and receives for effects and more make this mixer a total BEAST! Don’t just dismiss it because of the price. Give it a deeper look and you’ll see the tremendous amount of value this mixer really can offer.
ADJ Lighting – Entour Chill – Low lying fog machine
A chill spot for low-lying effects!
The low-lying effect atmospheric market for dancing on a cloud etc has always had two sides. It’s been either entry-level like the MisterKoolII or $1000+ like the Entour Ice. A lot of mobile entertainers have been hesitant to take the plunge due to the price. ADJ has listened and found a great alternative to a TRUE dry ice machine and it’s called the Entour Chill. Just think of the Entour Chill as a Mister Kool on steroids. And yes, you can use dry ice with it!
We’re big fans of improvement
Here’s what they did to make it better. The first thing is that it’s in a composite box with metal pieces where they need to be. What that’s going to do is ensure that you won’t have to worry as much about rust. This machine which you may not use every weekend, if maintained properly, should last for years to come. It also means that it’s lighter weight and going to be less susceptible to leakage. This was a great design on their part.
The 2nd thing I noticed was an advanced heating system of 800 watts that will allow continuous operation up to 1 HOUR! Now I did not see it run for an hour, but this is their claim. ADJ has always been reliable when it comes to its information and quality control.
The 3rd thing that you’re going to love about this machine is the LCD display with remote-capable control. This will allow you to use this for not only “Dance on a cloud” but for other applications throughout the year. The remote control will make it easy and more professional during use. You’ll be able to start the machine seamlessly without having to run out on the dance floor and drop in the dry ice.
Overall, I was very pleased to hear about this machine when it was announced. I was impressed with it in person as well. We are expecting it in soon, so make sure to check out our videos and the item on our site to order today!
Antari M-9 – CO2 & Pyrotechnics Simulator
Holy output Batman! 30 feet high?
Ok, so this is not for the 50-person wedding or baby shower. Yes it will set off the fire alarms, so let’s get that out-of-the-way first 
Now that we’re past that, let’s talk about how this may be the most amazing CO2, pyro effect simulator ever produced. First off, at the heart of this unit is an 1820-watt heating element and 27 8w RGBAW LEDs. These combine to produce blistering and vibrant bursts of EXTREMELY high and powerful fog that replicates a CO2 machine. All of that without the safety concerns that they typically possess.
What I also love about this machine is that you don’t just have to use it as a vertical fogger pointing up. Because of its incredibly designed fluid transfer system, you can mount it horizontally or inverted as well! Grab the handles and point it out at the crowd without fear of the dangers CO2 can produce. It has 3 or 5 pin dmx operation. Or it can be controlled in standalone mode via remote control and 25 pre-set colors. Looking to grow in 2020? This is another product that will add services to your business and allow you to gain a great return on your investment! This item gets a huge stamp of approval from me!
Top 11 DJ and lighting products in 2020 – Chauvet DJ FREEDOM WEDGE QUAD
The “Wedge” gets QUAD color and Freedom!
This was an exciting addition to the Freedom Series of products from Chauvet DJ. It will ultimately replace the extremely popular EZWEDGETRI. The FreedomWedgeQuad is powered by (3) 6 watt red, green, blue & amber LED diodes. It is housed in an extremely rugged metal encasing with a kickstand and included IRC6 remote control. It has the same killer battery life of up to 20 hours (Single color).
Wireless control
Most importantly, this item is now part of the FREEDOM family. This means it can seamlessly integrate wirelessly via DMX with any of your existing DFI products. These include the Freedom PAR, Freedom H1, Freedom Sticks, Freedom CYC or the new FREEDOM GOBO IP! The wedge design allows it to easily fit within trussing for warming and other cool effects. Or it can be used as an uplight with its kickstand or wash light paired with a clamp (Using the mounting points). It’s extremely versatile, and versatility is always important to the working entertainer!
I have to say I was very impressed with this fixture as it was extremely rugged, felt solid, and was super bright. Up against a black draping in a very lit area and it easily went up 20′. I can only imagine what it would do in the dark against a lighter backing. All in all, this is an amazing new product and a serious upgrade to the WEDGE. It will be a great addition to your inventory of lighting tools.
Electro-Voice Evolve 30M – Portable Column Array System with built-in 8-channel mixer
It’s not the EVOLVE 1000 everyone expected, but it’s still pretty awesome!
Sorry, everyone, the EVOLVE1000 rumor wasn’t true but it was fun to dream about it while it lasted right? Anyway, we still have ourselves a pretty great tool for DJs, musicians, and working entertainers.
The basic specs and features are as follows, (6) 2.8″ neodymium drivers provide ultra-wide 120° coverage and a 10″ subwoofer is housed in a 15 mm plywood enclosure. An advanced Class-D amplifier provides up to 1000 W of power: 500 W to the subwoofer and 500 W to the column array. This produces an SPL of 123 dB. What I can tell you after hearing it is that it sounds a lot louder than that. As we know when it comes to sound, you’ve got to trust your ears and these sound amazing!
Putting the “M” in 30M
The twist on this little gem is the “M” which stands for mixer. We’re not talking about a basic mixer here. We’re talking about an 8 channel mixer developed and engineered by one of the most revered mixer brands in the world Dyancord. The integrated fully-featured, fully configurable digital mixer has multiple inputs. These include 4x XLR/TRS combo mic/line inputs, 1x XLR/TRS combo stereo line input, 1x RCA, 1x 3.5 mm stereo, 1x Hi-Z instrument input) with professional-grade preamps and mix functions.
The mixer can be controlled via the QuickSmart Mobile app or via the single-knob/LCD interface. Independent channel aux sends and Hi-Z and footswitch inputs are included for flexible system configuration. A range of onboard studio-quality effects add a myriad of options for fine-tuning.
All in all, this is a great tool for many different applications from DJ (Main room, cocktail, ceremony, an extra system for artists to plug into, etc.), live musician, house of worship, retail, corporate, trade show, or even home use. The Electro-Voice Evolve-30M is a top pick for portable column arrays in 2020!
HDM-45A – 2200 watt Powered speaker with 15″ woofer and 4″ compression driver
Is this the best powered speaker you can buy for under $1800?
So this item actually was shown in 2019 as well but I don’t think it received the accolades it deserved. With so many options available in the powered speaker market it can be tough to sift through all the different brands, features, specifications, and opinions that you’re going to find online. Well, I’m here to tell you that this speaker is most definitely one of if not the best available powered speakers under $1800.
“So, Justin, why do you think that?” you’re probably asking yourselves, right?
Here’s why – The first thing you need to know about RCF is that the product is made in Italy and in Italy they treat sound a little differently than other places when it comes to manufacturing. That being said, you can expect top quality and reliability with the brand in general. Now, I know what you may be saying if you’re well educated in sound – 2200 watts peak with an SPL rating of 133 dB? Sound is a crazy thing and a lot of it has to do with the 4” compression driver, airflow in the box, the tuning, and the overall construction and design. IT’s the engineering that enables RCF is able to get all of this incredible sound out of a speaker box that only weighs 48 lbs!
I would absolutely say that this cabinet is a perfect option for a mobile DJ that wants to have a great set of 15” speakers that will cover anywhere from 150 to 300 people themselves (Depending on the room, of course, could be more) or for live sound production companies who may need fillers with a larger array system on a stage. The best part about this speaker is that it can most definitely be a 1 size fits all solution to a lot of different event applications and sounds AMAZING while doing it. This is another top pick for me in 2020!
Chauvet DJ Freedom Gobo IP – Outdoor rated IP54 gobo projector with battery power and wireless dmx
Finally a wireless & bright gobo or spot projector that can be used outdoors!
Chauvet DJ has innovated once again by giving us an amazing lighting tool that should open your business up to a bunch of new possibilities. The Freedom Gobo IP is a gobo or monogram projector in a rugged metal housing that has a bright cool white 16-watt led diode that appears even brighter than the spec. It has a lithium-ion battery that runs for up to 8 hours with a 2.5-hour charge time and has wireless DFI control so it can be linked to other Freedom Family products.
What makes it unique?
The real twist on this item that makes it so unique is that it is IP54 rated which means you can use it outside temporarily and it can withstand dust, soil, and soft water spray like mist or drizzle & more extreme conditions not found indoors. So not only can this be used for events, but it can be used in coordination with corporate or retail projects to open you up to a whole new stream of revenue. Obviously, mobile DJs will love this item because it now gives you more creative options and ways to monetize your product offerings.
Doing a wedding? Who wouldn’t want their names projected OUTSIDE the venue as well as inside? The possibilities with this item are endless and for anyone looking for new ideas and growth for 2020 this is a MUST HAVE and most definitely a top 10 item from the NAMM 2020 show.
Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ – All in one ultimate DJ controller – Standalone + Serato & Rekordbox ready.
The new powerhouse of DJ controllers!
Once again, it seems that Pioneer DJ is heading in a different direction with some of their gear and focusing on existing Pioneer DJ items and configurations specifically to be used with their new gear. The XDJ-XZ is no different and you need to know some of the incredible things that make this a competitor for the BEST DJ CONTROLLER on the market!
So the basic format goes like this, it’s essentially 2 CDJ2000NXS2 and 1 DJM-900NXS2 mixer built into an all-in-one console with the ability to run standalone operation (Without a computer) on 2 channels with a USB thumb drive. The other 2 channels are there for Serato or Rekordbox control OR you can ditch the USB and connect an additional 2 inputs or 2 additional CDJs (For 4 total decks) via ethernet connection.
Getting fancy with things
This is the ONLY controller that will allow you to run multiple software (Rekordbox, Serato DJ) + USB at the same time! For the mobile DJs, there are some amazing features on the microphone inputs such as a feedback suppression button that will actually squelch frequency ranges to adjust sound and eliminate feedback during speeches, toasts, or announcements. So just because you’re a DJ doing private events, it doesn’t mean you can’t find tremendous value in this DJ controller.
Ultimately, to purchase an entire CDJ, the DJM system runs you well over $6000k this controller allows you to get the quality level and feel of that system for a fraction of the price with all of the features we talked about already. Most importantly it has the Pioneer DJ build quality and reliability that have made them a powerhouse and standard in the controller market for so long. All in all, this controller is a BEAST and it may very well be the best DJ controller ever! It most certainly is a top pick and top item from Namm 2020!
Rane Seventy Battle Mixer – 2 Channel Solid Steel DJ Mixer
Proof that Rane listens to its customers and sometimes LESS is more!
So we kept hearing how much people loved the Seventy Two mixer, however, if they weren’t using the RANE 12s they really didn’t need the extra bells and whistles that it provided. Well in this situation Rane listened and gave us LESS
So what did they do exactly? They basically kept everything including the extremely solid steel construction, the Serato ready design, and the 15 Akai professional dual-layer MPC pads with independent mode controls per deck including Hot Cue, Pitch ‘n Time, Saved Loops, Sampler, Roll, and Transport. Everything you demand from a mixer is here, perfectly positioned with your performance in mind. A 3-band isolator EQ, plus dedicated high/low pass filters per channel; Serato playlist navigation and control; dual diecast aluminum FX paddles with 180-degree rotation; a radiant OLED display for accurate visual feedback of core mixer parameters.
Oh yeah, that screen…
They basically just made the digital screen smaller and less designed for specific use with the Rane Twelves which will be a breath of fresh air for people on turntables or other media players who don’t want to rush out to get new players but still want the Rane quality mixer. With the SEVENTY, any performance scenario is covered. Two DJs can perform simultaneously and hand over effortlessly via the unit’s dual USB connections. Performance-driven connectivity, including switchable Phono/CD inputs per deck, an RCA Aux line input per deck, and an RCA Session input/output for battle teams, provides complete hook-up flexibility.
With balanced XLR master outputs, dual 3.5mm and ¼-inch headphone outputs, and ¼-inch jack booth outputs, whatever your next set needs, the SEVENTY provides. Rounding out the SEVENTY’s arsenal of inputs are two switchable line/microphone combo inputs, outfitted with independent level and tone controls, plus echo level for both microphones. Make complicated handoffs a thing of the past – with RANE’s SEVENTY, two DJs can perform simultaneously and hand over effortlessly via the unit’s conveniently located dual USB connections. All in all, we were VERY excited to see this new mixer from Rane and we’re expecting this to be a huge item for the industry and is most definitely a Top pick from NAMM 2020.
