DENON DJ PRIME 4 Review | A year later and it still hasn't left my studio!
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- čas přidán 12. 07. 2024
- It has been one year since I've had the Denon DJ Prime 4 and I wanted to share my experience with another Denon DJ gear console. I thought it would be the end of laptop DJing... but maybe not yet?! I have had a great experience using the Prime 4 and don't have any regrets about the purchase. There's a lot to cover and in the video I'll talk about how I use it, likes, dislikes, and my recommendation for other DJs. PS - would you take this out of the house and risk it getting dirty? Let me know in the comments :D
#denondj #djgear #review
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:28 Skip intro
1:44 Overview
2:31 How I use it
5:28 Likes
5:44 The look!
6:12 Serato crate integration
7:01 Powered USB ports
8:21 The screen
8:56 Beat grid edit
9:25 Dislikes
9:46 Heavyweight
10:46 Stays home
11:36 Serato DJ Pro audio quality
13:32 Recommendation
Buy Denon DJ Prime 4: amzn.to/3jwg3bh
Buy Prime 4 Decksaver: amzn.to/3I6rsZv
Buy Denon DJ Prime GO: amzn.to/3GjCCJb
*Gear used in video*
Lumecube light GO: amzn.to/3I5lAzI
BOYA Shotgun mic: amzn.to/3vm3aDf
Tascam Audio recorder: amzn.to/3PUDZRV
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Prime 4 in white looks great. I have the black one and I take it to gigs. I do agree that it’s heavy but I really like hitting the power button and I’m ready to start playing in less than a minute. Great review!!
Thank you for watching! Maybe one day I’ll also take mine to gigs… might be a 2023 goal 😊.
I would be nervous to take it to gigs do you travel with it ?
Its steel like ns7. Its good.
Thanks for the review. Love the Prime 4 in white. Its awesome!
I’m just starting out on the Prime 4 road, will be watching loads of vids for tips and advice, awesome vid.
Mobile DJ since 1989. Been running Prime4 since December 2019. Absolute game changer. Was running Serato on Pioneer DDJ-SX with MacBook. Constant screen freezing issues during gigs & navigation was slow. Especially when using large external drive. Playback was clean, however; screen lag added a lot of anxiety. With the Prime 4, dropped in a 2TB SSD for the archive & bam. The Prime has 1 card & 2 USB slots right on the top. 2 dedicated mic inputs & built in effects. It also runs Sound Switch for automatic lighting control...all without a laptop. This removes the need for extra gear & their backups. Less equipment to update, maintain & worry about. With wireless connectivity & access to online music... absolute no-brainer. Size & weight is a non-issue. Heck, I used to lug a pair of 1200s & crates of vinyl. Not to forget dual 18 EV cabs with amp racks. Once Engine gets stems on an update, no reason to go with anything else.
Well said! My next step will be to install a SSD here soon. I think I'm done bringing a laptop to gigs. Denon just dropped a huge update with Engine 3.0 I'll be posting a video with initial thoughts tomorrow.
@@DJUnprotected Excellent. I look forward to it!
Great video. Yes, bro it’s on my wish list. 😁👍
Awesome video. Great info. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
The color is awensome
It really is! 💯
.
I just purchased the Prime 4+.This is my first piece of digital gear. My Technics 1200s and all my vinyl were lost in a tragic accident 14 years ago. It's funny, I don't use sync and even the visual bpm counter and beat phase?(the visual indicator of which track is faster or slower) feels like I'm cheating. I'm blown away by this. This is the first piece digital gear that I've ever laid my hands on. I'm in love.
Like @manchah1, I'm an old school DJ from back in the day who is used to carrying around a huge turntable coffin, crates of vinyl, cases of CDs, CD players, amps, and the massive speakers of yesteryear, so I always get a chuckle when I hear DJs complaining about the weight of the Prime 4. I picked up a P4 when they were introduced and absolutely LOVE it! Yeah... It's 4 years old now, but every time Denon update Engine OS (which is often) you feel like you're getting a brand new machine. Make no mistake, this is the most versatile machine you can get. You've got 4 channels to play with, it'll stream music from 5 different services, as well as from your own Dropbox account, it has professional grade inputs and outputs as well as a zone out where you can play a separate playlist into another room from one of the channels on your P4, it has Soundswitch integration so you can run your light show right from the unit, you can beatgrid, you can wirelessly connect with your Engine OS desktop software, and to top all that off, it had onboard sound effects or you can just add your own, it has touch effects which are absolutely insane, plus they just added stems, which are only in beta as we speak and are bound to get better and better (only for the P4+ right now, and they may or may not be introduced to the rest of the Prime lineup... time will tell). If I were still doing mobiles, I'd use one of these in a heartbeat... as a standalone. It makes a lot more sense to me to use one of these with a Prime Go as a backup than it does to use a traditional controller/laptop setup with an additional laptop as a backup. Of course, if you still insist on running Serato or VDJ, it will do that brilliantly too.
bro for real, also having to mcgiver set ups together back in the day. all in one system is unreal how could someone complain about 1 load 1 item
I have the Prime 4 for a year now , and love it
Glad you’re enjoying it, too!
Thoroughly enjoyed the video, Real work practically talk that I like to hear which underscores my appreciation of this product. I take mine to gigs, the weights not an issue for me as an old school dj used to carrying coffins with turntables, cd decks, records and cd boxes etc. I am ocd with my equipment so despite carrying it around, there isn’t a scratch, blemish, finger print (apart from where expected of course). I use mine totally stand alone through the built in hard drive and tidal, which was the main reason I bought it. I do have other controllers: for laptop playing I use my MCX8000 as that’s perfect as a controller for serato and VDJ. For performance gigs with my crew, I do use (dare I say), my XDJ XZ. Horses for courses in my books, which for me is the fun of djaying.
I can’t even knock the XDJ because that’s usually what I jam on when there’s open decks with other DJs. Thanks for watching and commenting 😊
Thanks for Sharing!
My pleasure!
You are not wrong for not taking your P4 outside, to nice looking!! I have the P4, no issues, plus I'm not hard on my gear. Nice setup, continue to make informative videos.
Thank you!
Got the Prime 4 in white too.
Good equipment
That’s dope you were able to grab the white edition, too 🤘🏼
I'm sorry..... did he say "my clients virtual parties"??? Did I miss a killer business opportunity? This guy is awesome. Thank you brother for making my denon purchase even more validated with my wife!
Haha, yes I did! Lots of opportunity to find success with technology these days. You can do it! Glad to help with the purchase validation :)
I've had my Prime 4 since it first dropped. I gig with it. A bit heavy but I love the standalone experience.
What kind of case do you use during transport?
ive had the system (in black) for two years and counting. no problems what so ever. im much like the presenter in the video, mine stays in the studio. i love and recommend this system without worry or hesitation.
I guess it's OK if the system stays safe at home. Thanks for watching!
The new update seems awesome 3.0
It sure is!
Nice controller, nice video, you seem a nice chap, try to be more to the point, I was almost getting itchy fingers to fast forward at times brother. big love, and happy new years eve to you.
Thank you for watching and providing feedback. I’ll take what you said and work on getting to the point faster in future videos. Sometimes I do ramble… the original video was 34 minutes and this was the trimmed down version 😂. Happy New Year to you, too… hope it’s filled with many blessings 🤘🏼.
@@DJUnprotected awesome will look forward to your future vids too. Happy new year brother ❤️
Great video, man! Thanks for your insights.
One piece of advice: Move your light off axis (left or right). With it right in front of you, you look like you're being photo-copied. ;)
Thanks for the advice! I’ll adjust the lighting next time. The feedback is well received 💯🤘🏼
Brother you all absolutely correct don't take it out, leave it in the studio.
I have my set up in my garage/ man cave
Right on! I'll keep it in the studio. Some setups deserve to be kept at home and only shown on video, haha!
Makes a good work out
Hey mate, I’ve got the prime 2.
It’s some versatile , just plug in usb and I’m mixing in 1 minute
Love that! Quick mix sessions are the best 💯
Have you ever had it freeze on you? Mine froze yesterday at an event. The screen froze for about 20 minutes when in came back. The hardware controls still worked. Is this a problem with them? I was streaming through tidal and playing off the usb at the same time.
Whered you pick up that plastic protector for the Prime 4? Thats pretty sick.
Got it on Amazon! It’s by DeckSaver
With Serato: did you speaker-output of your laptop? you can use the output of the Prime-4 as main output; set speaker prefs in Serato
I use the speaker output from the Prime 4 for gigs, streaming, and jamming in my apartment.
I wish I did have the prime 4 I’m dying to get one
Get a Prime 4 or the 4+. You won’t be disappointed! My DJ friends love when I bring the setup to gigs.
Pro x makes a case with wheels.
There's also a skin to protect your p4.
Good to know, thank you. Do you think skins on gear looks good?
is it possible add a guitar to this dj prime 4 would be sick to add guitar sounds into the mix?
Are you wanting to play your guitar through the mixer? Or add in guitar FX pedals to the chain? The Denon Prime 4 mixer doesn't have send/return so I'm not sure you would be able to do that.
@@DJUnprotected I want to add guitar 🎸 effect like play few seconds of guitar and maybe loop into a song or could use my pedals also wonder if any possible way
@@pierrefitch this gear is primarily for DJing. Seems like you want to remix and perform unique music live. If that's the case, I'd recommend looking in to using an Ableton Live performance set-up.
@@DJUnprotected to add to that. The prime 4 does have the ability to work with Ableton link devices. So if you can find an Ableton link compatible device that will let you loop your guitar, the bpm of the loop can be controlled and synced on the Denon player. I've never used Ableton link so idk what it's capable of but it is in there.
I'm still looking for a Prime 4 in White!
Where have you been looking?
@@DJUnprotected everywhere online! There isn't one available anywhere. If you find one, please send me an email!
@@NewVisionLCS I guess Denon wasn't kidding about the limited edition. If I see one I'll definitely email you!
@@DJUnprotected they definitely where, Thank you!
Question…..how does the P4 hold up in hot weather for outdoor gigs. I know the pioneer stuff is pretty good with it I’ve heard
I haven’t taken it out of my studio yet! From my experience though, I would avoid directly sunlight with any gear. My Roland DJ 505 always acts up when I don’t have a canopy outdoors in the sunlight.
@@DJUnprotected your review . Not the first I’ve heard has me quite convinced but…Pioneer is getting really aggressive lately . Maybe my main issue is the jogs . They’re so small . What do u think about the occasional scratch DJ using the P4.
@@durellteesdale7297 You can scratch on the P4 no problem. I think the jogs are responsive.
I've used my Prime 4 for quite a few gigs in the past year that were out-doors. I'm talking Australia too where it's included some pretty hot afternoons. Holds up just fine. Denon recently added a "daytime mode" for the screen too. Not pretty but makes the screen a lot easier to see and read in bright light until the sun goes down. Something I always struggle with on Pioneer gear where the screens are not only a lot smaller, but not as easy to read in out-doors afternoon light.
And scratching is just fine. I'd prefer a motorised platter like on the Rane One or Denon's own SC6000M decks but the Prime 4 platter feels just as good for scratching as any Pioneer controller I've used.
I’m either getting sc live 4 or prime 4 plus. Just don’t know what I’ll like more.
Depends on your budget. Can’t go wrong with either one and you’ll still get the Engine DJ software. What features are you specifically wanting?
@@DJUnprotected I’m wanting stems possibly to plug in turntable or cd’j in future. Prime 4 plus seems best apart from the layout. Not sure I’ll like it.
Apparently you can use Serato with sc live 4 to get stems. Do you know this to be true? If I can get access to stems on sc live 4, then I’d rather sc live 4 because sc live 4 is half price of prime 4
Sc live 4 £1000
Prime 4 plus £2000
If I can use stems on serato I’d deff go with sc live 4. The built in speakers would be a plus because I can’t play loud music where I live and not only that, if I buy prime 4 plus I’ll need to buy speakers and possibly an amp?
If I buy sc live 4, I can literally turn it on and mix with it.
Not only this but maybe if I buy sc live 4, the next Denon device may have more standard layout and have the features I want.
It would be great to save £1000 especially as I’m after buying a new direct drive sim racing wheel setup.
yo,,, where did u get the cover
Amazon.. it's called decksaver!
I was wondering if Denon copied this from me cause from day one. I always skins my set on a write look up on my page no different.
Ha, probably!
I love but it is so heavy and bulky that I'm thinking of buying a
Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4 to be able to move without the weight and to be able to play with Rekordbox USB drives...
Not a bad option. Are you a Rekordbox user now?
@@DJUnprotected no i'n not. I've been invited to perform at clubs and you need to have a Rekordbox workflow knowloedge to be able to play
Tophits USA music service
Agora?
Can I connect my prime 4 to my Akai MPC one ?
What specifically are you trying to do? I think you could get away with plugging the Akai MPC in to the aux input, but not 100% sure.
@@DJUnprotected would love to use my drum pads and sample kits on MPC one to mix into my beats using prime 4
I use virtual DJ sofeware
Serious mobile DJs Who are doing research before buying a Prime 4 can skip this one. It’s heavy And gets dirty easily so it doesn’t leave the house. That’s all you need to know
Nice summary! 🙌🏼 I am bringing it out of the house now. Still clean, too 😁.
good info.. leave at home.. lol
Right? :)
What up "Unprotected"...
The software that comes on the P4 is any good?
Now, can you replace the software for a better software?
Reading info about the controller many reviews mention that the software is limited?
Any input I would greatly appreciated.
Much blessings 🙌
Ty
🎛🎚🎧🎤😎👍