DJ Joonie C Day 1 report from NAMM 2017
20 January 2017 Fresh Radio
Day 1 at NAMM brought some surprises to some new products coming out in 2017. I only had a chance to explore just a little of what’s in store for what’s ahead aside from meeting Hip Hop icons like Jazzy Jay and Jazzy Jeff I also got to meet someone I really look up to as a DJ. I finally met Mr. No Headphones himself Mell Starr!! I truly had a fanboy moment. 
But back to what this blogs about, the GEAR!! Turntables are definitely making a big impact on the scene again as Pioneer, DJ Tech, Mixars, Reloop, and Denon have models available right now. I got my hands on the PLX-500 from pioneer. And for the $350 price it was a pretty solid turntable as from its big brother the PLX-1000. I think it is more suitable for home setups. But for someone on a budget it’s something to look at for sure. Another I had my eyes on was the STA from Mixars. It’s sleek and sexy and plays pretty solid. I got my cuts in on it for a few and it endured my heavy hands of torture. Reloop has still the RP-8000 and the RP-7000 that’s hi torque motors are ready for gigs.
In the mixer game Pioneer is really coming on strong for the turntablists with the DJM-450. A smaller more battle friendly style mixer with DJM-900 feels. While the DJM-S9 is the club standard these days for tablists, the 450 comes Rekordbox free and the Magvel fader installed as well. Mixars is coming strong for tablists as well with their serato ready model the DUO which debuts their new Galileo fader. And also the models the UNO and the CUT for tablists on a budget. They also debut a new 4 channel Mixer called the Quattro and it’s a beast of a mixer. Coming Serato ready it drops later this year. Reloop also dropped a new 4 channel mixer the RMX90DVS dropping later this year.
And for the DJ/Producer Pioneer had the Toraiz SP-16 demoing hot and heavy on its features. As a owner of one myself I attended some workshops and tutorial classes on how to speed up my workflow and get tips. And They also had the new Toraiz AS-1 synthesizer on deck and it’s a thing of beauty. I think I gotta grab one being it works so well together no doubt. I was amped to check out the new MPCs coming out from Akai and that’s where the most shocking turn of events happened.
InMusic, the company that owns Denon, and Akai had their booth CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. Only vendors that had an APPOINTMENT was allowed in to see the new product. I was so disappointed not to see first hand of the new gear but was turned away so a big FUCK YOU goes out to InMusic.
Day 2 brings more excitement and more booths to check out today. I don’t think I’m ready for $6 coronas $3 waters and $10 burritos today prices like that I will need a 2nd mortgage.
Reporting for Fresh Radio
Joonie C
Follow for more @joonie_c IG and @DJJoonieC