Pioneer DJ has dominated the DJ tech world for quite some time now with its highly revered, top-tier DJ mixers, rekordbox DJ software, and controller units. The quality of the company’s products has been excellent and inspiring, yet somewhat unattainable for those beginning their DJ journey.
Luckily, the Pioneer DJ DJM-450 2-Channel DJ mixer is here to change that.
Is The Pioneer DJ DJM-450 any Good? (in short)
This model bridges a gap that has been lacking for a long time – a truly professional experience at an attainable price of around £550/ €580. The DJM 450 inherited quite a few parts and a layout design from its bigger brother – the DJM 900NXS2, making it an exciting all-around package that packs a punch.
Before Buying the Pioneer DJ DJM-450
It must be said that all entry-level mixers from Pioneer, including the DJM 450, lack an important feature if you are planning to gig in large venues. Each model in the range does not have a booth output.
This means that you will not be able to send out a signal to booth monitors and control them separately. This is only a necessary function when playing large venues, and not quite the market that the Pioneer DJ DJM-450 2 channel DJ mixer units are aimed at.
Alternatively, one can use in-ear monitors, but if output is important to you, it is best to look at some of the higher-tier Pioneer DJ controllers right off the bat.
The Pioneer DJ DJM-450 DJ mixers build might not have all the bells and whistles of a top-range Pioneer mixer, but price cuts have to be made somewhere.
Having said that, there are enough features that put it in fairly close range to the flagship mixer models.
If you can live without an output and are looking for a mixer to mainly use at home and the occasional party, you are in for a treat.
What’s in the Box:
- Pioneer DJ DJM 450
- Power Cord
- AC Adaptor
- USB Cable
- Operating Instructions (Quick Start Guide)
- Warranty
- License Key Card (Recordbox DJ, Recordbox DVS)
Tech Specs:
Width | 9.06″ |
Height | 4.25″ |
Depth | 12.6″ |
Frequency Range | 20 – 20,000 kHz |
Sampling Rate | 48 kHz |
Distortion | < 0.005% (Line) |
EQ | 2-Channel EQ 3 Band |
Mic | 1 Channel 2 Band |
Built in FX | Yes |
Audio Inputs | 2x Stereo RCA Line Input 2x Stereo RCA Phono Input 1x Stereo RCA AUX Input 1x ¼” TS Mic Input |
Audio Outputs | 2x XLR 3-Pin Master Output 1x Stereo RCA Unbalanced Master Output 1x ¼” TRS Headphone Output 1x 3.5 mm TRS headphone Output |
USB | Yes (Type B) |
Features and Benefits
In the good words of our friends at Pioneer, the DJM-450 is a…
Two-channel mixer with DJM-900NXS2 features
Pioneer DJ
Recordbox DJ Software & Recordbox DVS
When buying this mixer, you will get both a Recordbox DJ software and a Recordbox DVS DJ software license key to enjoy the unit’s full capabilities when connected to a computer, as well as when paired with Controller/CDJs/XDJs/Control Vinyls or Analog Turntables.
Flexible Connectivity
With the XLR terminal and gold-plated RCAs, you will be sure to get premium sound quality with all your connections.
Independent Send/Return
An independent Send/Return function allows users to use built in FX, as well as external FX apps from mobile apps. By connecting a tablet or smartphone via the USB connection you can engage virtual effects and instrument apps that can then be added to your workflow.
USB Direct-to-Flash Recording
The USB recording feature allows you to record WAV files straight from the DJ mixers to a storage unit at a push of a button. Pioneer also released the DJM-REC app that complements this function very well.
Magvel Fader Crossfader, High-Qualiy Robust Faders
The mixer features great quality channel Magvel fader, and the excellent Magvel crossfader inherited from Pioneer’s professional industry-standard DJM 900NXS2 mixer. It has three adjustable curve settings to suit all needs, from mixing to scratching.
Eight Built-In Beat Effects, Four Sound Colour Effects, Level Depth Control
Beat FX: Delay, Echo, Spiral, Reverb, Transform, Flanger, Pitch, Roll (In sync with BPM)
Sound Colour Built in FX:
- Filter – Removes high or low-frequency content
- Dub Echo – Adds sound reverberations to your audio
- Sweep – EQ notch that sweeps through the frequency spectrum
- Noise – Adds white noise to your mix
3-Band Isolation Band EQ
The Pioneer DJ DJM 450 DJ Mixer has a three-band equalizer to regulate each channel, allowing it to cut or boost low, mid, and high frequencies from –inf. To +9dB.
MIC and AUX channels
On the rear of the unit, you will find a MIC, as well as an AUX channel that expands the unit’s capabilities and allows you to get creative with additional AUX input sources such as drum machines, phones, samplers, and more.
Two Peak Level Meters
On the face of the mixer, two peak level meters provide precise visual dB feedback for each channel so you can have a reference when mixing in tracks.
High-Quality Sound
The DJM 450 features Pioneer’s premium 64-bit digital signal processor that uses dithering technology to achieve high-quality sound for both the master and headphone output.
Setup
The Pioneer DJ DJM 450 comes in a fairly small package, but looks precious and feels very robust. The all-metal construction makes it a pretty heavy unit, but that makes it sure to withstand wear and tear of all kinds.
If you are heavy-handed when performing, you won’t have to fear breaking any parts on this tank-like machine or having it skate around out of place.
The layout is reminiscent of the DJM 900NXS2, and therefore very intuitive from the get-go.
All rubber knobs are weighted and have an excellent feel to them, somewhat on the tight side, but very robust and with a nice grip that exerts a quality feel.
On the front panel you will find the two-channel mixing section, a master output knob, a Send/Return section, the effects panel, and the MIC and AUX section controls.
Everything looks and performs neatly, and there is more than enough stuff to play around with
When performing, we did not feel that any functions are missing in action. The small footprint is good when it comes to saving space, and we can’t say that the unit feels too crowded. Everything is well-proportioned in terms of layout.
Usability
Faders
The robust faders on the Pioneer DJM 450 unit are top class – as mentioned previously, the Pioneer DJM 450 features the superb Magvel fader which is super robust faders and uses contactless, magnetic slide technology to withstand millions of swipes and lasts a long time.
Its weight and feel are unprecedented, and it has earned its title of being the best in the industry for good reason. When your musical tool has qualitative sensual feedback, mixing becomes a joy, just like it is meant to be.
The goal is to forget that there are sliders between you and the music – the Magvel robust faders sure comes close in achieving that.
The same goes for the channel Magvel fader, they feel solid and smooth in use – very reactive to picking up subtle increments of adjustment.
When we reviewed the DJM 350, we noticed that the layout design around the crossfader felt a little crowded for intense scratching purposes, as one could accidentally hit knobs and change settings while playing.
On the Pioneer DJ DJM-450, things are better in that regard. There is a little more leeway to knock around if you are into heavy scratching.
Scratching enthusiasts should be more than happy with the unit’s capabilities. There is a curve selection matrix that allows users to choose the crossfade sensitivity, making it great for both comfortable mixing and drastic cuts.
Mixing Section
The mixing section is right at the center of the faceplate. It has two channels, both of which feature a three-band EQ, a headphone cue button, a channel Magvel fader, a trim pot, and a Colour FX apps knob. There are two EQ modes that one can avail of, Standard EQ and Isolator EQ.
The former will kill the frequency band you are turning, whereas the latter will work to make a dip in the frequency range only, while still allowing sound information to come through.
For our purposes, Isolator EQ worked best and allows us to create butter-smooth transitions with mainly EQ’ing only.
The EQ knobs have very satisfying tactile feedback, which lets you achieve subtle changes in a precise manner. After getting used to the feel of the DJM 450 knobs, they work like precision tools – no meddling is needed after the initial setting is dialed in.
Aux/Mic Controls
The DJM 450 AUX channel is located at the back of the unit and has a dedicated, switchable matrix to control the flow of the signal.
There are three functions: USB will have the input come from a laptop, Line will use the signal from the RCA AUX which can act as a third channel (for things like a phone, drum machine, sampler, etc.), and Return will have the AUX input come from the Send / Return channel.
The MIC input is pretty straightforward, you can plug in a microphone and regulate the signal level with the dedicated knob.
USB Recording
The Pioneer DJ DJM-450 2 channel DJ mixer features a straight-to-USB recording function. This enables you to record a mix effortlessly through your rekordbox DJ software on your computer or selected hard drive. It is an excellent function to create your mixes without the hassle of having to set up inputs. Pioneer released an app called DJM-REC which takes the USB recording function to another level.
It takes care of the peak limiter so you don’t have to worry about the main issue when recording a mix–clipping.
The app also lets you record mixes directly to your iPhone, or iPad, and stream them to YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Periscope, and Snapchat.
On top of that, you can record lossless. WAV files and have them go straight to Mixcloud, Soundcloud, and Dropbox. The future is now!
Sound Colour FX
On the right side of the DJM 450 DJ controllers panel, you will find the effects section. Here you can control the Sound Colour FX, and the Beat FX apps to spice up your mix.
The Sound Colour built in FX include Noise (white noise generator), Filter (low and high pass), Dub Echo (sound reverberations), and Sweep (EQ bell that sweeps through).
The mixer features a dedicated Sound Colour external FX apps parameter knob which allows you to take effect shaping to another level.
You can use it to shape the resonance of the Filter, for example. The four Sound Colour built in FX are inherited from the DJM 900NXS2, albeit only a part of them. However, they are great fun to tweak around and open up the doors to becoming more creative with your mixes. It is a great toolkit to have.
Beat Colour FX
Other than the other budget variants of the Pioneer mixer series, the Pioneer DJM 450 also has a Beat FX section. This is quite an upgrade, and well worth the extra money.
The Beat FX panel consists of a Reverb, Flanger, Pitch, Spiral, Echo, Delay, Transformer, and Roll.
They are all tempo-based and will react to sound in sync with the BPM, or alternatively, you can tap in your own BPM that can then be used to apply syncopated external FX.
You can also fine-tune the BPM with a dedicated Time knob. Values such as 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16 can be selected via the left and right arrow buttons in the beat section to shape how the Beat FX applies to your mix time-signature-wise.
All effects can be assigned to apply to any channel you wish – the crossfader, master output, MIC, AUX, or either of the two-track channels. On top of that, you can select the Level / Depth to control the intensity of a given effect with the dedicated knob.
This allows for a lot of creative freedom where songs can really be made your own through remixing the beats.
The Beat FX section is an excellent way to take mixing to another level, as you can pretty much go buck wild with the possible choices.
A good idea for getting used to them is to load in some drum rhythms without much else going on and then see how they can be mended and shaped into new rhythmic territories.
Such simple drum tracks are also quite excellent to have in a DJ set, as you can always fall back on them if you have to stall for time or have to make a transition between melodically incompatible songs.
If you have three input sources going, the Beat FX can really get fun, almost reaching DAW capabilities on the fly.
Headphone Section
On the DJM 450 headphone section, you will find two inputs, which are quite handy. A 1/4” and a 1/8” will make sure that all types of monitoring headphones will work with your setup and you won’t have to keep losing that adapter.
A dedicated switch regulates whether you want to engage the mono split, or the stereo feature when you are listening to the mix. Along with that, you have the standard cue and master blend to dial in how much of each you want to have to play in your headphones.
The dedicated rubber cue buttons allow you to choose which channel you are listening to. The premium sound quality of the headphone output is great and something we love on Pioneer mixers.
It is clear, has plenty of drive, and offers premium sound quality.
Pros and Cons
Like any budget professional 2 channel DJ mixer, you will have some features and functions missing. However, with the Pioneer DJM 450, you actually have very little to be desired. Let’s take a look.
Pros:
Cons:
Pioneer DJM 450: The Verdict
If you have been considering a budget-friendly professional mixer, the Pioneer DJM 450 is way ahead of the previous DJM 250 and DJM 350 due to its added features.
It has the essential functionality and layout design of the flagship DJM 900NXS2 model packed into a 2 channel mixer, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to save space and money without compromising on functions and playability.
The Pioneer DJM 450 is our top pick in this price category, it is leaps and bounds beyond the competition.
Getting familiar with this unit’s workflow will have you easily translate your skill to the gear found in all top clubs. At its price, you simply can’t go wrong. The DJM 450 DJ mixer is the perfect choice for the intermediate, aspiring DJ looking to advance his skill set.