By Brian Parker
Last week at the IFA technology trade show in Berlin, Philips and Armin van Buuren announced a new portable device, the M1X-DJ System. Designed to function as both a DJ controller and a sound system, the M1X-DJ offers integration with the iPhone and iPad, allowing users to access their local files to mix on the go. Intended to be an affordable solution for beginning DJs who may not be able to afford club-grade equipment, the M1X-DJ packs an 80-Watt speaker and two jog wheels, cross-fader and channel EQs in a design that strikes similarity to the Pioneer CDJ-2000.
The M1X-DJ System comes optimized for the iPad, specifically for use with Algoriddim’s djay2 app. We interviewed the founders of Algoriddim a few months ago about the latest update of the award-winning app, which now includes a variety of features suited for beginning and professional DJs. The M1X-DJ comes equipped with Apple Lightning and Bluetooth connectivity, and can run for up to five hours on D-Cell batteries, should an outlet be unavailable.
The M1X and djay2 app are offering viable solutions to the mobile DJ looking to curate smaller parties on the fly. These small-format solutions will unlikely replace professional equipment in the near future, but they certainly help novices grasp the foundational elements of DJing without spending too much money. Though many DJs and producers are now partnering with larger corporations to make branded gear, the staying power of newer technologies like these will depend on the innovation and quality of the sound and design. With the M1X, Philips has a unique chance at bridging the world of home and consumer audio with the popular and social atmosphere of electronic music.
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