AlphaTheta Omnis Duo Review - Sleek All-In-One With A Trick Up Its Sleeve!

[@SherwinBajao]

Love the evolution of standalone portable controllers. Can't wait for Denon's next unit.

[@rorz999]

I just hope Demon's next one has better build quality than the Prime Go... and better filters!

[@SherwinBajao]

@@rorz999 I hope they have a portable battery one with a more standard layout.

[@rp_a3480]

The Numark Mixstream Pro Go seems better and for half the price. $1500 is a hard sell for a compact unit. Nonetheless thanks Phil for the review , as always, very informative

[@digitaldjtips]

We do indeed rate the Mixstream Pro Go - a great value unit.

[@lucasmaia8315]

Lmao you can buy a mixstream, monitors and headphones for the price of the omnis.

[@censoredialogue]

when i found out about this, i considered selling my Mixstream for one just because having native Recordbox support would be super convenient for playing club gigs. for $1500 tho? LMFAOOOO

[@djNineshoxxx]

The Prime Go is still better overall and is cheaper the bluetooth feature is a cool edition but not enough for me to sell my Go to get this and Denon will likely be able to do something similar with Engine

[@digitaldjtips]

Good point - would be fun to see the Bluetooth In function in Engine DJ!

[@Nogi-aka-DJNugz]

Pioneer seems to know DJs like the feel of a bigger jog wheel, longer battery too compared to the denon prime go.

[@james141111]

I have a suspicion its on the way ;) @@digitaldjtips

[@georgesheridan8185]

I'd be happy-ish if I could just use Engine DJ software on a computer and control it with the Prime Go. Not every gig is a standalone gig.

[@djNineshoxxx]

@@Nogi-aka-DJNugzthe reality for most I would argue is you are not going to be using the device for more than 3-4 hours at a time so I don’t see that as a selling point personally re jog wheels it is preference I don’t really scratch so it isn’t a deal breaker for me but numark has the answer if bigger jogs are what the customer wants in the pro go.

[@DirtyJokesFan]

There’s not enough here for me personally to choose this above a Prime Go. Bit of an underwhelming start to AlphaTheta era.

[@digitaldjtips]

Let's see how it hits!

[@JAYSS422]

Loved your review on the dennon prime go, have had it for a few years and as a unit it has aged very well. I Really love the way this one looks but sticking with my prime go. Access to streaming services was one of the major selling points and buying points for many surprised this unit doesn’t have it. Great review once again A1 content as always

[@digitaldjtips]

Thanks! And yes, we're surprised too.

[@philipmurphy9711]

Great review Phil as usual. Price is a bit ambitious, i think even $1000 would be a push for this. It feels very consumer with a pro price. Will be interesting to see what Numark do next as it looks like a mixstream pro with a bit of added functionality.

[@DirtyJokesFan]

Or a boujee Prime Go. If I were in Denon DJ, I’d be quite relieved that it’s fewer features for a heftier price tag.

[@digitaldjtips]

Let's see...

[@JohannesNielsen]

​@@digitaldjtipsboth Dennon and Numark are laughing hard right now

[@zerosdotworld]

1000 bucks i would buy it stat. but ur right it’s spendy.

[@19rayrayray90]

AlphaTheta : this is our new product. Phil 1 second later : this is our full review

[@digitaldjtips]

🤣

[@Wingless_Oracle]

Nice to see innovations coming in from Alpha Theta. The Bluetooth input, usb-c charger and looks are welcome! As for the rest I think the 4 year old Denon Prime Go does mostly better. You'd think Alpha Theta would be able to do better than play catch up after 4 years and for +500 euro.

[@digitaldjtips]

All fair points, let's see how this pans out in the marketplace...

[@tom_mac]

I dare say the technical superiority of the Prime Go, although significant- will be outshone simply by the layout not feeling totally alien here. If you won't compromise on having technicals at hand, you probably won't settle for any gear in this implicitly compromise-making market spot in the first place. As for me, i got me a gig playing music at the food court KFC so this is the ideal system. Come down and see me Oracle, we can play Wingless B2B Boneless. @@digitaldjtips

[@nermaldigital]

Definitely USBC charging for the next Prime Go iteration. I only recently bought the Prime Go (very late to the party I know) but it's just so well laid out as a portable pro controller, except that darn proprietary brick.

[@JYMBO]

Ahh yes Alpha Feta... the daddy of all cheeses

[@RocketsPocket-u2r]

You've upgraded your camera 👍

[@digitaldjtips]

Always looking to improve, thanks for noticing!

[@mark_spit7839]

If Ikea made a DJ controller……

[@jamesmacdonald2803]

Great review, thanks Phil. It’s a cool bit of kit with some nice features and the portability plus Bluetooth are the main selling points. But I think it’s a bit too pricey, especially as you can get a pro 4 channel mixer for cheaper.

[@digitaldjtips]

Certainly it is priced beyond the reach of everyone, although we think it'll do well at this price nonetheless.

[@DJ_V_squared]

​@@digitaldjtips I don't think it will. They really missed the mark with the price especially with units like the Denon prime go out there that are still getting updated features with firmware updates. I could see why they didn't brand it with the pioneer DJ name.

[@JohannesNielsen]

​@@digitaldjtipsso it's a failure waiting to happen and is unable to compete with Dennon and makes a good table weight

[@andyraps]

@@DJ_V_squared the Prime Go - whilst flawed, I can’t stand the horizontal EQs - is a brilliant unit with IMO better features than this at 2/3 price. Tech like Lexicon gets around having to maintain RB and Engine libraries.

[@iugalder]

As always great review!! You might not know, but there’s great deal of fans in México Phil. Thanks for keeping us up to date on the industry’s news. Now, the Omnis… dissappointing… I loved the denon vs pioneer match… Now the match is unexisting… denon doesn’t even have to show to the match, It can send its little brother Numark to kick the sh. Out of Pioneer (ir whatever’s left of it) and win on the first round. I hope Alpha Theta makes ir exciting again in the near future.

[@fokisensei]

Hey Denon & Numark, can i copy your homework? Sure, no thing, just modify a bit :D edit: I just realized that this is for 1,499 USD? Are they on drugs?

[@BlueHawk80]

AT is just as crappy as Pioneer. Their fansheep still buy it. Even for 1500 bucks. LOL

[@JimONeill]

The should rename the company AlphaBeta because with this gear, they're not fully there yet. :)

[@digitaldjtips]

See what you did there...

[@jesseopjescherm]

I love the look, the size and almost everything about this unit. BUT.. Twice the price of a Mixstream Go with less features and an extra monthly subscription.. come on Pioneer. Give use something disruptive like the DDJ-1000 again. The only reason would be the existing rekordbox support which is using a different file format as well.. At this price point it’s very hard to consider. This will push Denon even more I’d assume. More competition is always great and I wont be surprised if Denon will push it’s own bluetooth update on all Engine OS devices sooner than expected.

[@digitaldjtips]

There's no monthly subscription unless you want to use Rekordbox Creative/Pro, which there is no need to do.

[@MarcDesco18]

Wow when I saw the rumours about this I was quite worried about PRIME GO being completely blown out of the water. Glad I don't have to replace that one just yet. At least AlphaTheta is paying attention to the competition... just not what the DJs actually want/need

[@kennethmalafy8012]

Sticking with the Prime GO on this. Hope "Pioneer's" new direction isn't a watered down, less innovative (but more expensive) version of Denon.

[@digitaldjtips]

I doubt that was the marketing conversation! 🤣

[@kreature6618]

It will be mate, I guarantee you! Cheap, basic, dumbed down products sold at a premium price, that’s what marketing exc’s can get away with, same with the fall of Hollywood and movies, this generation are so stupid and easily fooled.

[@kennethmalafy8012]

@digitaldjtips ​Still stunned about the lack of streaming on this in the "modern" era (same with the Opus Quad). A new product that is not as up to date as your competitor's older products but considerably higher in price..... No doubt it will sell out because of the branding but it really does make you wonder about things​

[@ShaunyWalker]

Great review Phil. Thank you!👍😎🖑

[@digitaldjtips]

No problem 👍

[@fruitysuit]

You really hit all the points I needed to hear! Super review! Key shift feature is such an integral part of how I DJ since getting on the engine OS with my Mixstream and i am always surprised how it is often overlooked and a missing feature in 2024. I do miss 8 pads, color effects and beatjump on the MIxstream. With those features it would be perfect for me.

[@digitaldjtips]

Glad it was helpful!

[@billmaries]

Yeah i feel like my flx4 does more, and I hate the tempo faders on that. These look the same size? BTW, if your doing key changes check out software called Rip X Daw to do so beforehand... million times better quality than doing it live plus stems are very high quality if you wanted to do that with some tracks also. I used to do key changes all the time on my old ddj 1000 but now prefer to do it beforehand as high quality as I can with Ripx daw

[@ShaunyWalker]

I like it!

[@UrbanExplorer614]

If Teenage Engineer designed DJ gear.... Overpriced, and offers nothing useful over the much cheaper Denon Go.

[@digitaldjtips]

It does have a Teenage Engineering vibe about it now you come to mention it!

[@lasa6619]

Come to this corner until they fixing all said cons with more added advanced features with a reasonable price tag in the next release which i forecast…. 🤔 they’ll call it The Omnis-Quad 🤓😎 Thank you Phill for the review as always ♥️🇱🇰

[@digitaldjtips]

We shall see...

[@james141111]

This is what drives me mad about Pioneer and why I switched to Denon, they always give you as few features as they can get away with for the maximum price, all the missing features on here are not things they dont know about, cant do or cost a lot to implement, they have most of them on other devices, they are actually choosing no to give you them. Thats fine for pro or more obscure features but they even do it with the basics, aux, key shift etc

[@digitaldjtips]

I am hoping they add key shift, I really am

[@djruslandiniodj]

good design

[@djcal623]

Been rocking my 1000 since 2018. I've been itching for something new but also been wanting more portability and didn't want to leave pioneer because I'm comfortable with there products layout. The fact that not only can I use this without my computer but also use my phone just about made me giddy...I think this is the 1 for me

[@digitaldjtips]

Good to hear it's hitting the mark with you!

[@JimONeill]

For that price it should have built in speakers. Nah, I'm not impressed with this device. Denon & Numark are ahead on this one.

[@digitaldjtips]

to be fair, not everyone wants built in speakers

[@JimONeill]

@@digitaldjtips but considering the price. not having them begs the question why would I need to purchase this item when other products have more benefits including streaming at a lower price bracket.

[@MrThomAce]

Mixture of Numark Mixstream and Prime Go. So, we finally get a "Pioneer DJ" which is basically a Denon DJ. Fine. :) The BT playing is nice feature, but that would be the least used feature in such system. No streaming services is a big disappointing. I'll stay with my Prime 2.

[@digitaldjtips]

Gotta hope streaming is coming to this and the Opus Quad - big miss so far in our view.

[@MrThomAce]

@@digitaldjtips And onboard DMX controller? :) What about that? SoundSwitch? Internal SSD bay? Remote library function?

[@BlueHawk80]

BT will come to Engine, don't worry guys

[@MrThomAce]

@@BlueHawk80 Do you know what is under the heatsink of the motherboard? I haven't disassembled my prime, yet to check it. if the chip is there for BT, then it wouldn't be an issue, that's for sure. The mainboard looks like an industrial SBC that most probably utilizing some 4 core SoC. But, I have no clue what is under the heatsink. If you have insight info, then you probably should not talk like that. If you don't, then you should rephrase your sentence because in that case some people would have expectations based on what you have said and they will fingerpointing to Denon if it is not coming that soon... Do not get it wrong, it is just a friendly talk between DJs / musicians / music producers.

[@BlueHawk80]

Chill my friend. It IS coming. Nothing more to say, nothing I'm not allowed to say. You can believe me, but you don't have to. Personally I don't care about BT anyway, but hey if that is all what Pioneer can offer as USP here, than this is certainly no exclusive thing. Cheers and happy spinning! @@MrThomAce

[@ezedjay]

Nice one Phil. Great review as always.

[@digitaldjtips]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dj.scio.france]

Denon Prime Go ?

[@Mr.E-UK]

I have the Denon Go I like the decks but and it’s a big but the Denon Engine software is nowhere near as good Rekordbox and is buggy!

[@Nogi-aka-DJNugz]

Love the bigger jog wheels Phil! How’s the battery life? I use the Denon Prime Go twice a week, this sounds interesting! Battery life is 5 hours per the website

[@digitaldjtips]

We didn't run the battery flat so can't give you our "roadtested" battery life figure. Several hours though.

[@xelverano]

wonderful review! thank you

[@digitaldjtips]

Glad it was helpful!

[@djtropicaldisco]

No DMX (or SoundSwitch), sampling, touchscreen effects, streaming. The Prime Go has all these and more... I'm in the market for a portable board was hoping this would up the game... not even close. I'll def be getting the Go over this (I wonder if Denon are making any announcements at NAMM Prime go 2!! Image that compared to this!!!) Thank you

[@digitaldjtips]

Don't think they will be or we'd have heard about it by now.

[@DaveCeeRocker]

I think the Blue Tooth feature is gonna be 'interesting' at parties! :) as always great review phil.

[@digitaldjtips]

Which one, BT in or BT out?

[@DaveCeeRocker]

@@digitaldjtips well. the post i put into the Student Lab explains it lol. i see many dj's getting caught out if they BT customers tunes during a gig!

[@homepc-carlisle]

The Bluetooth was supposed to be part of Engine DJ 3.2 update, maybe it will come quicker now

[@digitaldjtips]

Maybe!

[@cosmicpuma]

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery... once again, Denons innovation is making the 'club standard' developer "cough cough" innovate too... Pity this will probably disappear when the monopoly arrives... just like a government without an opposition, the only people who will benefit won't be the general public... and we will pay more for less. The irony is that the industry and those that purport to care about it are the ones who are letting this happen. I know I sound like a stuck record...pun intended lol and very cynical, and I think rightly so... but if I end being wrong, I'll happily eat an entire bakery of humble pie. Still, nice to see some new tech and choice for the community. There are some cool features on here, would like to know the price vs the go. Thanks for keeping us up to date Phil. Appreciated.

[@digitaldjtips]

There will always be competition in the DJ world... and we've never had it so good! (That's our view, anyway.)

[@JJaybic]

I love your shirt. It is amazing. I also have a opus quad.... pioneer saidI was going th have Amazon music on it but....not so much. Didn't bring it in after beta.

[@digitaldjtips]

Thanks! And I do not recall Pioneer DJ ever saying that...

[@imrebese5502]

Again, a unit from AlphaTeta with a bunch of good features, and with an unbelievable pricing.

[@philanderson3533]

thanks for the review and everything but I would not pay almost £1400 for a 2 channel unit, I think they have priced themselves out of the market with that range for most people. You can get a Denon Go and a 4 channel mixer for much less, there is no streaming or key shift plus it looks like a fisher price toy. I really hope this is not the way they are going now or they will kill the Pioneer brand within a decade.

[@digitaldjtips]

We definitely want to see streaming and key shift added, former more likely than the latter though.

[@JamesMincey]

I hope that the internal battery is user replaceable, otherwise it won't really be portable anymore once the it degrades (like batteries in smartphones, Bluetooth speakers, etc. do after a couple years). Also, I don't like that it has the rubberized finish. Those always become a sticky, peeling mess after a while (like some PC mice and even older versions of Aiaiai's TMA-2).

[@digitaldjtips]

It's not overly rubberised.

[@nermaldigital]

I totally agree with others here on price tag. £1.5k and it looks more like an FLX4 finish than a Rev-7. I dont like the direction in design myself and have been pioneer for so long.

[@PottsyUK]

Seems pretty cool to be and the Bluetooth option is brilliant. Like others have said though is a little pricey.

[@digitaldjtips]

It's easy to lower prices than to raise them

[@lukesargent9413]

I'd really want to know the justifaction of the price, it's way beyond what I expected

[@digitaldjtips]

the market will say yes or no...

[@PlantsmithAgro-bn7zt]

This is amazing looking forward much more funny time on the way 💯🙏🎶✌️👌🤘👍👊💗✨

[@RodrigoVolta]

InMusic já tinha a Prime Go e a Mixstream faz tempo e só a gora a Alpha-Theta (ou seria Pioneer) resolveu lançar um "clone" custando o dobro?? Por esse preço pego uma SC-Live que é muito mais equipamento!

[@kuyaChrischan]

I think having less physical buttons will take some getting used to. Not really a fan of having effects, master tempo, and quantize tucked in the touch screen. But I do see the appeal for this for DJs who are looking for a more portable setup. I could also see this being used for preparation assuming we could edit beat grids on-device.

[@digitaldjtips]

You can't really edit grid on the device, not like you can on a laptop

[@kuyaChrischan]

That's a bummer. Maybe they can consider adding that functionality with an update or something.

[@m3zza9]

As long as you mix using your wired headphones to monitor, then it is fine to send audio to Bluetooth speakers

[@digitaldjtips]

If you're mixing 100% in headphones, yes indeed (although it is still irritating to hear sound "behind" your headphones if/when you take them off)

[@dejavuking]

If you don’t need the portability and built in battery. The denon prime 4+ was £1990 direct from Amazon U.K. earlier this week. So £500 more you get the denon prime 4+ or this omnis duo!. I’m learning on a Hercules starlight. Im intending to go from entry basic to high end and cut out the mid so I don’t need to upgrade again!. The omnis duo would never ever be on my shortlist, if it was £800 maybbe but now for just shy of £1400!.

[@digitaldjtips]

It is aimed at a specific segment of the market, P4+ is a great unit but not the same target user.

[@verybighomer]

Like the layout and overall look. Very clean and not cramped, everything you need available. Personally I would prefer some colour on the pads. Not necessarily full colour, but a little strip like on the newer Denon devices. And a screen that can be tilted would be nice.

[@digitaldjtips]

Yeah at least the two colours for loops and cues would have been nice on the pads.

[@djdeep4]

I will stop buying pioneer, if they start calling everything alpha theta. sounds very fisher price. you are still paying full whack for the Pioneer name 1369 pounds, but getting a knockoff called Alpha Theta. the Pioneer name fills me with pride. Alpha Theta doesn't. They are no longer allowed to use the Pioneer name because the 10 year license ran out, after it was sold 10 years ago. watch the price of second hand gear skyrocket.

[@EuroNation]

What are you? 12? If it works well and is useful who cares what it's called.

[@Wild_D]

It’s another brand they literally said that last week

[@linhvu5185]

smartest pioneer user

[@robertschnobert9090]

AlphaTheta should rename to X. Let's call everything X now! Even Homer Simpson did it, he's Mister X. Simpsons did it first haha ​@@EuroNation

[@JosephChristianOfficial]

What a weird hill to die on.

[@djministry]

I think price is to high better add 200 more and buy RX3 or buy cheeper version from Denon also they have better sound then Pioneer. Phil did they put better sound in omnis duo then previous models ? or same Pioneer sound ?

[@digitaldjtips]

Sounds fine to us

[@JohnHermans]

Hi Phil what do you think about the price ? I think it is expensive.especially when you compare it to the DenonDJ GO

[@digitaldjtips]

People will pay it

[@BlueHawk80]

'cLuB sTanDard' sadly still seems to work on their sheep, so yeah, they will sell a lot. People buy Opus quad like stupid, even that ancient XZ... for $2500

[@luisynayan]

As one of the first Alpha Theta branded units to come out, this one is a bit disappointing. Some of the design choices like the bluetooth output and lack of key lock almost makes it feel like the product design team behind this have never even DJ’d before. Although I agree with the conclusion of “who this is for”, I start to ask questions like “who asked for this?” and “what dj problems is this really solving for that the other pioneer dj units do not?”. I sure hope Alpha Theta comes out with better products in the future…

[@digitaldjtips]

Bluetooth Out is really strange, guess the chip could do it so they thought "why not?"

[@OmidRahat]

It seems that after opus, and now this unit, their products are going to look like this. It takes a bit of time to accept their looks especially with a new brand name.

[@digitaldjtips]

They both look very different though, so maybe the point is, they are not sticking to the same "look" across the board any more.

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

Every chick who is playing a hotel pool this summer will get one of these.

[@roberthypeofficial]

I think that's a miss! Doesn't look good and Denon and numark are doing good job on this kind of system

[@petervrolijk5788]

Thank you Phill! Very clear revieuw as always. But is this the only news from Namm 2024 on DJ gear? Or are you keeping some things secret for the coming days? Biggest news till now is a different silly name and two items ( Exp DJ aome sort Atari game console ) and this copy of the Denon Go. If this is a launch of a new name its a poor one. Nothing for in the clubs? Nothing news from Denon, Reloop, Serato...??? 😢

[@digitaldjtips]

Very little. New Reloop controller, that's about it (see News on the site).

[@B.E.R.T.]

$1500 for something Numark mixstream pro go already provides for half the price?? With the consistent firmware upgrades engine dj has been providing I’m glad I picked up the pro go. Waiting for that Bluetooth update!!!

[@digitaldjtips]

We are too, hope it's not too long...

[@dranek]

How does the sound quality of this compare to the rx3 and xz?

[@djcaru1]

Thanks Phil

[@digitaldjtips]

You're welcome!

[@djeslic5377]

Great video and coverage (As usual)... Unfortunately it'll never be the unit for me bluetooth or not. It feels like a Pioneer late response to the Prime Go but at almost twice the price.

[@tarekith]

Looks like that soft finish is a dust magnet.

[@digitaldjtips]

I am NOT the best reviewer at dusting things before going live, life. is. too. short. 🤣

[@NiGhTsHaDeGr]

Great review!!! AlphaTheta rebranding post was all about creativity and innovations. I was expecting to see a standalone with STEMS feature after Prime 4+. Such would be quite competitive. Sadly even streaming services are missing. I hope "streaming features" are hidden and will be revealed with some firmware upgrade soon.

[@digitaldjtips]

You and me both! I don't think it's as important as some people think but it is a curious oversight.

[@james141111]

Historically Pioneer have not been great at adding features to already released kit in my experience, one its out its out. I get the feeling they always want to sell you the next shiny thing rather than look after their existing customers.

[@leighinibiza]

Mobile DJ’s are going to have a hard time once party goers realise they can ask for requests they they have on their phone 😬

[@digitaldjtips]

Full circle!

[@PottsyUK]

“Just say no”

[@CosticaKristianDiVogli]

Ok: so, basically they've copied the Mixstream Pro and sell it at triple price - 1500 comparing with Numark's 500 (or Denon's Go priced 1000)

[@digitaldjtips]

Where can you get a Mixstream for 500? Think we'd buy a load and sell 'em on! 😉

[@CosticaKristianDiVogli]

Bought mine with £ 500 about 2 years ago; not the Plus or the Go (with battery) but the normal Mixstream.

[@CaramelPapiGaming]

That bluetooth feature is game changing, do you see it replacing the streaming services down the line, or maybe giving more options for streaming like Apple Music/Spotify?

[@digitaldjtips]

You definitely could stream into here using those or any music sources, it's not practical for track-after-track DJing though, just for one-offs.

[@BlueHawk80]

Ugly looking, very expensive. Mixstream Pro Go is half the price! Even the Denon Live 4 is 300$ cheaper! No, thanks...

[@BananaBeach519]

when u want to turn on/off quantinize , or chnage color effect ,you have to do 2 step on screen. THATs big BUG.

[@digitaldjtips]

Always going to be a trade-off on a smaller unit.

[@leaveempty5320]

I'd have to try it, but maybe too big a move from physical controls to touchscreen. I've got used to using the pads for "stems", so that could be quite a loss. Thanks for the review.

[@digitaldjtips]

I think no stems at all would be the bigger loss! As I said in the review, this model is definitely more suited to less technical DJ styles.

[@lucabertolaso2167]

I love my flx4 + iPad

[@digitaldjtips]

Good to hear!

[@djsir901]

This should be compared to the Numark Mixstream Pro Go. The Numark is actually better than the Denon Prime Go.

[@stepIIme]

Why is he better?

[@BlueHawk80]

Similar features + streaming + DMX lighting + Ableton Link + better screen + speakers for half the price, maybe?? @@stepIIme

[@djsir901]

@@stepIIme all of that plus bigger jog wheels

[@shitflicks]

If ever I have any concerns over a unit or unanswered questions, I always get the answers from your videos. I've got the OG numark Mixstream and I'm more than happy with it, and even 3 years later they're still updating it and making it more useful and current. It's a good starting point and a great launch product for their "new" brand (yes I know it's not a new brand per-say, but to most of us it is). It's worrying though in a way, because their previous controllers have been carbon copies of studio and club standards, and people get used to using them. This is like nothing else on the market. Even the DDJ 200 and DDJ 400 are similar in layout to other pioneer gear.

[@digitaldjtips]

Thanks for the support! We think that is why there is a brand name change here, to differentiate from Pioneer DJ products that do follow that club paradigm.

[@spirosbulk]

things have gotten completely out of hand there at alpha theta, a fisher price build quality battery, standalone unit at €1500 !!!!! this is a flx 4 stand alone, nothing more, nothing less. it costs twice as much as the numark mixstream pro Go! the Denon prime go which is all metal construction and not plastic with streaming service's costs €500 less than this toy!! €1500 for beginner -bedroom-home DJs is an awful lot, they have lost their minds in this company and you have many and better options. with this money you get a Denon DJ SC 6000 M! for the wave 8 really what can I say, €1000 for an 8" battery, Bluetooth speaker???? it's completely ridiculous!! the corresponding Mackies cost €350.

[@digitaldjtips]

I think it is fair to say that this is not a company that tries to compete on price.

[@spirosbulk]

@@digitaldjtips hi Phil! Fair?do you want to talk about fair?I understand your position, you must be on good terms with all the companies in the DJ industry, but you are not targeting children, we can judge what is happening. I don't find it right that they produce toys and sell them much more expensive than what they are really worth. unfortunately I see that things in the DJ industry have taken a bad way for consumers and this would be a nice topic to do an episode. I remember in the past we used to see very high quality controller's for example at very good prices, as well as very nice ideas that are now missing from the market. example the Denon sc 2000. tractor D2, S5, S8 the Denon MC 3000-4000-7000, pioneer ddj RR, numark NV 7 mk2 -mk3, those small akai that were for serato, all of them had very good metal construction quality with all the outputs and ports that a professional needs, they did not lag anywhere, they had fx units, XLR etc. many of them werebeginner controller back then and they had everything, with an average of around €500 and cheaper!but with today's data they will be considered professional, the only ones like them are the ddj 800- Rolland 707 which cost twice the price and more!! where I want to end up as a consumer is that we pay a lot more and get a lot less! and this is ONLY for the benefit of the companies! some of you all consider this situation absolutely normal!

[@NexuJin]

Nice review Phil. At first glance it looks like they took the design of DDJ-400/FLX4 and made it standalone, which I quite like for it's simplicity. But that price point is a hard sell when Mixstream Pro Go and DJ Prime Go sits easily under that. It's also close to the cost of a XDJ-RX3, which packs quite more features, but less portable. Have someone handed James Hype one of these unit yet? Would love to hear his opinion on this.

[@digitaldjtips]

No we haven't shown it to James yet. It's not a competitor to the RX3, as it's aiming at a different type of DJ.

[@realdjvillanova]

After some years... I wait that's Denon DJ release this Prime Go next Gen 😂😂😂

[@nikolakatanic]

I can't see a single reason to spend x2 extra buying this instead of Mixstream Pro Go. Even if it's Pioneer branded would be too ambitious.

[@digitaldjtips]

Rekordbox, basically. If you're already in the Rekordbox ecosystem and you want a battery portable, this is the choice.

[@nikolakatanic]

@@digitaldjtips I get the point but it’s impossible that a software can cost that much.. I’m expecting a failure in sales if they don’t go with some crazy discounts.

[@andyraps]

About that ‘trick up its sleeve’ playing tracks by Bluetooth; so you need to sit back and sample / record for the length of the track, and THEN you can play and manipulate it. How is that ever going to work in a set? I just can’t see how it would. Emperors new clothes.

[@digitaldjtips]

No. As soon as any audio is "fed in" you can use it while it is still being "sampled"

[@andyraps]

Well that’s something. Would assume some buffer needed still as if you were to increase playback tempo, it could potentially overtake the source stream. Whilst I can see a possible use scenario for DJs wanting to take requests or stream via BT, it seems clumsy compared to WiFi streaming, and something else to manage. Not for me personally, but good will to anyone wanting that.

[@GinSoul]

When you drunk this controller will become a nightmare with no contrast in anything user interface wise... Plus the rubbered coating will desolve after a couple weeks. Had a couple coated hardware items and ALL lost the coating over time.

[@JamesMincey]

Yep, this exactly. It happened with my older Aiaiai headphones (luckily they don't use the rubberized soft-touch finish on their current products).

[@aumyraggo]

Do you think we will see a NEW portable battery powered Denon unit this year/soon?

[@digitaldjtips]

No idea!

[@nt_demon_au9250]

The price is absolute theft. $3419 here in Australia for what looks like a Fisher Price toy. It will never sell in this country. Alpha Theta have honestly lost the plot.

[@digitaldjtips]

Let's see how it does!

[@orgonsolo6291]

Apart from the Bluetooth feature- what gives? Its bigger and imho decidedly uglier than the PG, and as usual, just the bare neccesesary inputs and outputs. No streaming, and as you mention Phil, despite them having just launched a no latency Bluetooth speaker, simultaneously as releasing this, byt no in built transmittt... Its kind of just fascinating to see how Pioneer/Alpha Theta just cant get it together enough to catch up with Denon's products from four/five years ago.... Plus Denon seem to have comitted themselves to always be plenty generous with ins outs, buttons and features that make those units nearly universally loved by those who use them, year after year... Sheesh! I am really looking forward to Denon get their stems sorted and hopefully release new model of Denon Go. with bluetooth, platters that can double so you get four channels, eight hours battery time and a really solid metal or carbon fibre chassis, heck, maybe even splash proof!? How cool wouldnt that be??? Plus all the exciting surprise features the Engine DJ folks keep bringing, which is always exciting to see

[@digitaldjtips]

If Pioneer/AT added key shift and streaming services to this, it'd have all the essential features in our view... but right now you're right, it is lacking too much to be a home run.

[@chavaraujo]

Please do a tutorial like with the opus quad. Would be really helpful

[@digitaldjtips]

Try this: www.digitaldjtips.com/pioneer-dj-opus-quad-training-tutorial-video-manual-guide/

[@davidsencar]

Thanks Phil for the review. Im not really a fan of the simplistic layout and the price is way to high for what it can offer. I hope well see Alpha Theta releasing more equipment geared towards clubs in the future.

[@digitaldjtips]

It will be interesting to see how this brand develops.

[@MrColesy1]

Another Mickey Mouse unit and now with a Micky Mouse name to match. 🙄

[@digitaldjtips]

The name will certainly take soe getting used to! It is a serious DJ unit though, can't agree on that sentiment.

[@WebWay2000]

I don't like the fact they took away pad fx and loop buttons above the pads. kind of a bummer

[@TradingTheta89]

I own a Prime go. If i didn't, and I saw this, id still go with the GO. Seems more complete, although yes, the layout... but you get used to it. I only use the GO once in a while though.

[@digitaldjtips]

We do love a session on the Prime Go, it was my "lockdown controller of choice".

[@ElDaumo]

AlphaTheta sounds like a cheap chinese knock-off company. It also comes across more like a Herkules console than a Pioneer controller.

[@EuroNation]

All you care about is image eh

[@digitaldjtips]

It is actually more impressive in "person" than it may appear on video - certainly doesn't feel in any way cheap.

[@ElDaumo]

@@EuroNation I still use Traktor as a second system in my home - I obviously dont care for image. Sure, I dont like the rebranding and think it is unnecessary. I think the name sounds clunky and isnt good, but if they deliver on the product side, I couldnt care less. To me, this just isnt the product they should have used to spearhead the rebranding.

[@JimONeill]

I can see why they're using the AlphaTheta branding, don't want to make it look like Pioneer DJ is chasing Denon and Numark innovation.

[@digitaldjtips]

Could be part of their thinking? Who knows?

[@kylemrgn]

Holy s....I didnt think they would be daft enough to change their entire brand name to Alpha Theta, I predict pioneer is finished as a brand completely

[@digitaldjtips]

Not so sure about that...

[@kylemrgn]

@@digitaldjtips Perhaps you know something I dont about the quality, but it doesnt look good. Lots of people underestimate the importance of brand today so I hope to be proven wrong

[@djdennisluke6749]

While I too am a fan of innovation and thinking out of the box, I feel that this device is still in the development stage similar to when Pioneer DJ/Rekordbox’s initial STEMS offerings. While keeping it simple, it still lacks the versatility that the Denon Prime GO offers out of the box. The funky aesthetics like this and the Opus Quad, I can get past if it offers the tools and input options that I require but, “it has been measured, it has been weighed, and it has been found wanting!”

[@digitaldjtips]

What is missing for you?

[@MezMediciMedia]

but how is the| sound Bluetooth is not reliable enough for mixing a party, anything with Bluetooth and batteries is a death wish for sound quality

[@digitaldjtips]

Bluetooth is not a serious feature, we agree

[@eteocle100]

The layout seems to be borrowed by Omni turntable by HEADACHE SOUND ELECTRONICS Ltd, isn't it?

[@lukemelo]

No button for selecting the beat fx channel is a huge miss, I couldn't imagine using a touch screen back and forth. Even the DDJ400 has this for CH 1, 2 and master.

[@digitaldjtips]

Yeah, lots of buttons "missing", as I said in the review, that feels deliberate to keep it clean and simple.

[@starli7448]

Hiya Phil, great review as always mate! Do you think Pioneer/AlphaTheta will reveal anything else at NAMM this week or do you think this and the Wave Eight are it for now? Cheers

[@digitaldjtips]

Think that's it

[@PAE47]

I like this 1 , are the jogs mechanical? , Thankyou for the nice review

[@digitaldjtips]

No, they are capacitive.

[@PAE47]

Thanks , perfer capacitive

[@CosticaKristianDiVogli]

#Denon came first w/ #PrimeGo (£ 1000) then #Numark w/ #MixstreamPro (£ 500) now ex-#Pioneer w/ #OmnisDuo (£ 1500) What's next? #Reloop w/ some unit inspired by #LaidbackLuke maybe! Even #Gemini used to release some acceptable decks a while ago. So far I think Prime Go is the best overall (no speskers) I was laughing at Mixstream Pro till I watched your videos and I've bought it. Now, if they add some speakers to this #AlphaTheta on a MK2 model, the price will hit 2K.

[@kalman_]

I have a little bit of CDJ 500 flashback.

[@TomPopel]

Great Review! But that price is a sticker shock for what it is. If you’ve got sup par software and missing key features that’s a lot of money. They’ll struggle to shift a lot of units. Maybe a few rich kid bedroom DJs will pick it up.

[@digitaldjtips]

Lots of pros as a second system we guess.

[@funklat1]

The denon prime go shits all over it

[@rodrojas4236]

As a native Spanish speaker I will not be buying anything that sounds to me like "alfa tit".

[@digitaldjtips]

You're not the first person to point this out. However, it is only words...