Pioneer DJ have released a new series of tutorials specially for the DJS-1000 DJ Sampler. The tutorials allow you to get a true insight into all the excellent features and functions the DJS-1000 has to offer and provides you with some great tips and tricks that will help you take your live performances to the next level. Each tutorial is focused on a new feature e.g. Live Sampling, Browsing, Making Beats, Loop Remixing, Pad Modes, FX and many more, allowing you to get a wealth of knowledge under your belt.
Tutorial 1: Projects
Once the Pioneer DJS-1000 is up and running a project needs to be opened. A project represents one work unit, think of it as loading a track into a CDJ, where each project stores up to 16 scenes, one arrangement and one mixer state. Scenes store 16 patterns and assignment information for every 16 tracks. Each track consists of a sample player with an amp envelope, insert effect and sequence editor. To create a new project tap the project button, select create new, and tap ok to continue past the unsaved progress pop-up. To save a project, tap the project button, turn the encoder to select save and use the onscreen keyboard to name your project. To find out more watch the following tutorial.
| DJS-1000 Tutorial Projects |
Tutorial 2: Browsing
The DJS-1000 hardware DJ sampler comes with a few various browsing options allowing you to navigate and load your sample collection with ease. To browse and assign samples, simply tap the pad you wish to load the sample into, this opens up the track menu where you should then select browse and then open either the internal sample folder or your USB folder.
Use the rotary encoder to move your cursor and navigate your sample collection, holding shift while turning the encoder will move between folders. Press the encoder to assign the sample to the current track. You can also search for samples using text by tapping search, and then typing in keywords using the QWERTY keyboard; tapping preview will enable you to hear each sample before you choose to load it into a track. Watch the following tutorial to find out more.
| DJS-1000 Tutorial Browsing |
Tutorial 3: Making Beats
Making beats on the DJS-1000 is super-easy thanks to the integrated step sequencer. To activate a sequence simply tap the pad you want to sequence, then select the step you would like the sample to play at; you can repeat this process with different samples to build a pattern on-the-fly. The pattern can be displayed on the screen by pressing the sequence button which will show the pattern for each of the 16 tracks over four bars. The length of the pattern can be changed by holding shift and then selecting a pattern; press 1, 2, 3, 4 to set the length of the bars.
Instead of sequencing a pattern step-by-step you can record sequences using the dynamic recording function, press the record button to start recording and tap the pads to record sample triggers there and then. To undo any mistakes hold shift and record, or press and hold pattern while selecting the pad you wish to clear. You can quantize the pads timing by pressing quantize and then choosing your value. Here you can also choose to add some swing by using the rotary encoder. Watch the following tutorial for more information.
| DJS-1000 Tutorial Making Beats |
Tutorial 4: Loop Remixing
The DJS-1000 allows you to remix tracks on-the-fly by loading up to 16 loops into a scene. Use the choke function to stop a track when you have triggered another track, this stops loops from playing over the top of each other. You can set the choke settings by selecting track settings, choose the track you would like to choke, use the left parameter adjustment knob to choose a choke group between 1-8 and set tracks to the same choke number to cut playback.
You can synchronise the timing of tracks and sequencer by tapping quantize, and then set pad sequence start to On. Now, when a pad is selected it will play the sound and sequencer in sync, holding shift, and a pad will stop the loop from playing. To adjust the volume of a track select the track you would like and use the left adjustment parameter knob to turn the volume up/down. Change the BPM using the tempo slider or sync the BPM to another DJS-1000 or CDJ. Watch the following tutorial for more information.
| DJS-1000 Tutorial Loop Remixing |
Tutorial 5: Sync & Mix
The DJS-1000 features two sync connections; PRO DJ Link (via a LAN network) or MIDI. This allows you to sequence a song on the DJS, and then synchronise the BPM and beat grid to perfectly match a track playing on a CDJ-2000NXS2 or the master clock. To set up sync make sure you have the correct cables connected. Tap sync to bring up the sync menu. Then select PRO DJ Link, if you have a LAN network, or MIDI if you are using a MIDI connection. You can then choose between two sync modes; Beat Sync which synchronises the DJS-1000 to the next beat of a track on a CDJ, or Bar Sync which synchronises the DJS-1000 to the next bar of a track on a CDJ.
Using the sync functions above the tempo fader can set the DJS as a master clock, while an on-screen phase meter lets you see visually if you are in time. Using the nudge buttons, you can knock the DJS-1000 forward or backwards just like you would a CDJ so you can always be perfectly in time. Watch the following tutorial for more information.
| DJS-1000 Tutorial Sync & Mix |
Tutorial 6: Pad Modes
With five separate pad modes you get a wide variety of performance-based effects including Playback, Mute/Solo, Hot Slice, Slice, and Scale modes; note, when all pad modes are off the pads trigger samples and loops. To remove and drop in sounds use the Mute/Solo mode. While in Mute mode tapping a pad will stop the sound, and for Solo mode hold shift and mute simultaneously (touching a pad will then solo that specific pad). Hot Slice mode slices your chosen sample into 16 parts where you can then jump seamlessly to any of those slices, whilst the sample will continue playback.
Holding down Hot Slice will activate Set Slice mode, then using adjustment parameter knobs you can select the start and end points of the Slice, which is perfect for chopping up loops. Slice mode allows you to do the same as Hot Slice but will not continue playback afterwards. Scale mode enables you to alter the pitch of a selected sample so you can play musical phrases with the pads as if you were playing a synthesizer. By holding down the scale button you can set a default pitch for your project. Watch the following tutorial for more information.
| DJS-1000 Tutorial Pad Modes |
Tutorial 7: FX
The DJS-1000 features eight built-in performance effects consisting of a High-Pass Filter, Low-Pass Filter, Dub Echo, Pitch Echo, Pitch, Lo-Fi, Reverb, and Plate Reverb. You can enter FX mode by selecting FX next to the screen which in turn will open up the FX menu where you can select the effect you want. Pressing On/Off will activate the effect chosen while the level/depth control lets you adjust the mix of the effect. Each FX comes with individual sub-parameters which can be changed using the six knobs underneath the screen. To apply FX to multiple tracks simply select Tracks and tap on the tracks you would like to effect. Pressing related instrument will allow you to select multiple tracks of the same instrument for FX. Watch the following tutorial for more information.
| DJS-1000 Tutorial FX |
Tutorial 8: Live Sampling
The Live Sampling function on the DJS-1000 enables you to sample from any audio source which can then further be edited, manipulated, and affect the sampled recording instantly using the DJS-1000s advanced audio manipulation features. To set up Live Sampling connect the DJS-1000 to the send and return on any DJ mixer to sample sounds directly from your setup. Adjust the input level using the dedicated control on the top right of the DJS and to begin sampling press 'Sampling'. Set the sample length using the left parameter knob; the length depends on the displayed BPM of the sequencer so be sure you are at the correct BPM before sampling.
You can also press an empty pad to start sampling where recording will begin as soon as you hit the pad. If loop after record is turned on, the sample will automatically loop after recording the sample, you can then chop this sample up using Hot Slice or manipulate it with FX, this means you can now remix your sample on-the-fly. Watch the following tutorial for more information.
| DJS-1000 Tutorial Live Sampling |
Tutorial 9: Touch Strip
The DJS-1000 features an advanced Touch Strip that allows you to control various effects and parameters, which is an excellent feature when used in a live performance situation. The Touch Strip comes with multiple modes including Pitch, which pitches a selected sample up or down and Repeat which loops a sample at the timing selected on the touch strip. Pressing Hold maintains the Touch Slider’s position after you have pressed it.
You also get given two user modes so you can map the Touch Strip to execute effects, MIDI mappings or envelope settings. To set the user modes hold the home button to access the utility menu, scroll down to touch strip settings and choose user 1 or user 2 and select an empty row, you can then select which parameter you would like the Touch Strip to activate.
| DJS-1000 Tutorial Touch Strip |
We hope you have found these tutorials as useful as we have and can now competently use the DJS-1000 for a variety of applications, whether it’s live remixing, creating your own unique performances or getting down and dirty in the studio. For more information on the DJS-1000 please click the product links below.
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