The Pioneer CDJ-400 DJ CD Player is a real beast hidden inside a small box. It's a deck that's fully
loaded with nice tricks and off course includes most legendary features of Pioneer's CDJ family.
For the first time a small version of the Jog Dial is introduced. Read the official press info at
Pioneer's
Website.
This is a true Multi Media Player as it reads music from various types of sources. There is an
expanded Loop section with a smart Loop Divider that rhythmically chops the loop. The CDJ-400
also has a similar effect section as on the CDJ-200 but it offers a lot more effects.
Specifications
Product Type
CD / MP3 / USB Media Player for DJ's
Type of Discs
12
Disc Format
MP3 CD, CD- CD-R and CD-RW
Additional Music Source
USB device (memo stick, iPod, card reader)
Frequency Response
20Hz ~ 20kHz
Distortion
0.006 % (JEITA)
Signal to Noise Ratio line
115 dB
Power Supply
AC 220-240V, 50/60Hz
Power Consumption
17 W
Dimensions
218 x 296.3 x 107.5mm ( WxDxH )
Net Weight
2.7 kg
Accessories
Operating Manual, Power Cord, Control cord, Forced Eject Pin, Mini Screwdriver
True Multi Media Player
The CDJ=400 is a player that has the possibility to play music
from a lot of different sources. Off course you can insert different
types of discs such as CD's, CD-R's and CD-RW's, but you can
also
CD-ROM's
with
(folders
of)
MP3's.
When burning your MP3 discs you can make folders up to 8
layers deep. There may be a maximum of 3.000 files on the
disc
in
maximum
2.000
folders.
But you can also connect various types of USB storage devices
with MP3 files on it. The type of source can be a USB memory stick, Apple iPod or USB card reader.
The CDJ can only access 1 disc at a time but it offers the
possibility to use virtually any Memory Card. Be aware that the
reading speed of the card is import so you need to purchase 'fast'
cards
with
short
access
time.
There is a maximum of 20.000 files MP3 files on the Memory
Stick or Card. The CDJ can only read the first 10.000 folders.
Before placing your files in folders you need to consider how you
are going to spread the files in folders. When you are mixing you don't want to spend a lot of time
browsing to search files so make a clear system that works for you with as less folders as
possible. Because reading all folders takes some time of the performance of the deck and cost a
long
time
when
the
device
is
first
connected.
If an Apple iPod is connected you can browse through the tracks on the iPod just like you would as
if you browse the iPod itself. You can use all the features of the CDJ=400 just as you would play
the tracks from a normal CD. Only the Fast Forward Search doesn't work perfect but this is due to
the
transfer
speed
of
the
iPod.
Rotary Select Dial
This dial is used for browsing through your files on a USB device or MP3 CD. By rotating it you
browse a list of the files and folders that can be found on it. If you press the dial when a folder is
selected, you will open this folder. Each click moves on position in the list forward or backwards.
To go back a level (up) you simply hit the BACK button that is
located
just
above
the
Rotary
Dial.
When the Rotary Dial is rotated during track playback nothing happens, you can set it to the next
track you would like to play from that disc. Track playback starts when the Rotary Dial is pressed.
Touch Sensitive Jog Dial
On the CDJ-400 there is a solid touch sensitive Jog Dial. This jog Dial is smaller but works
according the same principles as that of it's bigger brothers : CDJ-800MK2 and CDJ-1000mk3.
The outer upstanding ring of the Jog Dial is used to make pitch corrections or pitch bends. Just
gently rotate the jog without pressing the top part of the dial. When rotate clockwise you pitch up
the track and rotating anti clockwise will result in a pitch decrease or slowing down of the track.
When Vinyl Mode is selected you gain all benefits of the Jog Dial and the top is the Touch Sensitive
part. By pressing anywhere on it you can pause playing and start scratching the tracks. When the
Touch sensor is activated the outer rim of the Jog Dial will be illuminated by red lights.
Changing the Jog Sheet
The Jog Dial is easily changeable by putting in your own design. The surface plate can be
unscrewed with a tiny screwdriver (included). When removing the screws be careful as these tiny
screws
get
lost
very
quickly.
After both screws are removed you can take off the transparent surface plate that protects that
Jog Sheet. Standard is a semi transparent plate with a circular patters, just like on the CDJ-200 Jog
Dial. With a graphical design program like Adobe's Photoshop you can create your own designs on
the fly.
The standard Jog Sheet can be replaced
by your own artwork or image. For a
quick start when you want to create your own, I've make a
template file (.PSD) which can be found in our Download section.
Just paste your own artwork behind the mask and print it on
normal paper. There is no need to use thick paper as it is harder
to get in place and there is a solid transparent surface plate to
catch all abuse. If there is a need for a deeper explanation of
Photoshop
you
can
request
it
in
the
comments.
After printing cut the paper as round as you can get near the outer part of the black stroke that
goes around. Also cut out the gaps that are left white, this will make sure the paper does not
rotate
during
use.
Last simple put back the surface plate (take care: the paint of the black ring at the outside needs
to go down on the artwork) and tighten the screws. Do not use to much force !
Jog Dial Illumination
The outer ring of the Jog Dial is illuminated red. The default setting is to mimic the animation of
the center display of the CDJ800/1000. This is an illuminated circle with a spot that is turned off
that
rotates
around
when
playback
is
started
or
the
scratch
is
used.
Jog Illumination can be turned off or you can choose between 5 different patterns. To do so you
need to enter the Utility Mode by pressing and holding the TEXT button (located to the left of
the display) for a second. Rotate the Rotary Dial to select JOG ILLUMI and press it. You can now
rotate the Dial to change patterns and press it to select on and exit the Utility Mode.
There is off course the default (bottom right in picture), a slightly illumination of the complete
circle (top left), a spot that moves around (top right), or a spot followed by a fade out (bottom
left).
There is one more special option and that's an animated one. I've tried to capture it as real as
possible in this animation. All images are shot with a camera, in real this might look slightly
different.
Utility Mode
To enter the Utility Mode you need to press and hold the TEXT button (located to the
left of the display) for a second. As said earlier, in this mode you can change the Jog
Illumination
but
type
also
the
MIDI
and
channel
the
Auto
Cue
Level.
You can change the Jog Illumination between 5 patterns and turn it off. All patterns are shown
next
to
this
topic.
The MIDI channel of the CDJ can also be changed between 0 and 16. This to make it possible to
connect
more
than
1
CDJ
to
a
MIDI
chain.
By setting the Auto Cue Level you can change the level that Auto Cue uses to detect music. By
lowering the Auto Cue Level you make the
Auto
Cue
more
sensitive,
detecting
a
sound of a lower amplitude. Increasing the
level will set the Cue Point to a higher
level. Experiment with this to match your
style
of
music.
MIDI
This means Musical Instrumental Digital Interface and is basically a language used by musical
instruments to communicate. The CDJ-400 send out different MIDI message for all controls. The
Jog Dial and Tempo slider end out variable messages, all others send a switch command ( OFF=0,
ON=127). There is a complete overview of the exact MIDI mapping and message that are send in
the
back
of
the
User
Manual.
At the backside of the CDJ-400 there is also an USB connector, this one is used to connect to your
computer and is used to send out the MIDI signals. When the CDJ=400 is connected to a PC that
runs software which can be controlled via MIDI, it can act as interface. You can manually setup the
software
so
it
'listens'
to
the
right
command
of
the
CDJ-400.
From early 2008 the CDJ-400 will be supported by Serato Scratch Live. Also Pioneer's software DJS
can be controlled from V1.5 onwards, this update is scheduled for January 2008.
There will be a separate DJ Topic/Video about all the Computer
Connectivity soon...
Internal Cue and Loop Memory
For each song you play you can record one Cue Point or Loop in the internal memory bank
of the CDJ=400. To use the Internal Memory you only use these two buttons:
Memory/Delete
and
Cue/Loop
Call.
To store a Cue Point or Loop first set the Cue Point or make (and playback) the Loop.
Then press the Memory/Delete button to memorize this point or loop. Once a track is selected and
there is a memorized point for this track the Memory indicator will light up in the display.
Recall a Cue Point or Loop by pressing the Cue/Loop Call button when the Memory Indicator is
illuminated when the track is selected. The CDJ will instantly go to the Cue Point or Loop, playback
will
only
start
if
the
CDJ
is
already
in
Play
Mode.
There can only be stored a maximum of 10 Cue Points/Loops per CD for a maximum of 920
CD's
in
the
Internal
Memory
Copying the Internal Memory to USB device
To make a safety backup or if you want to copy the all points stored in the Internal Memory you
can use nearly every USB storage device as long as it's formatted FAT 32. To export or save
your data to a USB device just follow these steps :
1.
EJECT the CD and remove USB devices
2.
Hold Loop Out for 5 seconds until 'Write Mode' appears
3.
Insert the USB device
4.
Press
Play
and
writing
will
start.
Wait
until
'END'
appears
!
Copying the Internal Memory from USB device
To import or load data from a USB device follow these steps. Be aware that loading Memory
Point will replace all existing Memory Points. The point are not synchronized but replaced:
1.
EJECT the CD and remove USB devices
2.
Hold Loop In for 5 seconds until 'Read' Mode appears.
3.
Insert the USB device that holds the file
4.
Press Play and reading will start. Wait until 'END' appears !
Build in Effects
The Pioneer CDJ-400 has 6 build in effects, 3 Scratch Effects and 3 Jog Effects. The effects that will
be
activated
depends
on
the
setting
of
the
Jog
mode:
CDJ
or
Vinyl.
Once an effect is selected the Jog Dial changes the parameter of the effect. The default position is
set at 0 while most effects have both a positive and negative value. When you stop moving the Jog
Dial,
the
parameter
of
the
effect
automatically
returns
to
0.
On the right of the effect selection buttons is the HOLD button. Activate the Hold function to hold
the sound effects parameter from returning to 0. Now you can slowly and gradually change the
sound
of
the
effect
you're
using.
When Vinyl Mode is selected (and why would it NOT be) you can choose from the following Scratch
Effects :

Bubble : performs a sound effect like the 'bubble' scratch. Sounds as a bubble under water
sound

Trans : performs an automated Trans scratch, chopping the sound rapidly

Wah : performs Scratch effect like a guitar players wah pedal
Use the CDJ Mode to activate the Jog Effects, you change the parameter by rotating the Jog Dial.
On screen you see the value in the display indicated as a progress bar :

Jet : Generates a flanger-like sound

Wah : Rotation left : Low Pass, rotation right : High Pass filter

Roll : When the Jog is touched a roll is performed, pitch is changed with the Jog Dial
The Roll is started when the upper part of the Jog Dial is touched. You can change the pitch of the
Roll by rotating the Jog dial... but while you're doing this the track keeps on playing. As soon as
you
let
go
of
the
Jog
Dial,
the
original
sound
gets
back.
(Hot) Auto Loop Divider
The Loop section of the CDJ-400 has a lot going on like Hot Loop, Loop Divider and Auto Beat Loop.
Loop In / Hot
Loop
Loop Out /
Out Adjust
Use this button to
set a Loop-In
Point (so a Cue
Point) on the fly
without
interrupting the
playback.
After setting a
Loop-In point
you use this
button to set
the Loop-Out
point.
When a Loop is
played this button
restarts the loop
instantly from the
Loop-In point: Hot
Loop.
If a Loop-Out
point is set you
can press the
Loop Out
button again
(the Loop-In
light will go
out).
Reloop / Exit
Auto Beat Loop -
Auto Beat Loop +
When a Loop is played
this button is used to
exit the loop. So
playing onwards
without returning to
the Loop In point when
the Loop Out point is
reached.
When pressed during
regular playback this will
set the Loop-In point and
calculates the Loop-Out
point for a 4-beat Loop. The
Auto 4-beat Loop is
activated repeated until
Reloop/Exit is pressed.
The + button also
starts an
automatic 4-beat
loop after it is
pressed.
The button will be
illuminate, if pressed
the CDJ instantly
restarts the loop
from the Loop In point.
During Loop Playback,
hitting this + button
divides the loop in a
rhythmical way.
If this button is pressed and
held down a rhythmical
stuttering sound will be
produced.
You can now
change the
Loop-Out
point with the
Jog dial. or the
<< and >>
buttons.
If a loop is divided
with the - button,
the + button will
expand it again
until full length.
If this button is
pressed and held
down a FAST
rhythmical
stuttering sound
will be produced.
And there are also the obvious Pioneer CDJ Features :
Auto Cue Continue
Pitch Bend
When you hold the Cue button after a Cue Point
is set the playback starts until you release the
button. Playback can be continued if PLAY is
pressed when the Cue button is also pressed.
Move the Jog Dial (in CDJ mode) forwards or
backwards to either speed up or slow down the
tempo of a track. When the player is in Vinyl
mode only the outer ring of the jog gives you this
feature.
Auto Resume
When a disc is accidentally ejected and
reinserted again, playback will continue from the
point where EJECT was pressed. The CDJ will
remember the disc until a different one is
inserted.
Jog Mode
Master Tempo
Auto Cue
This world-famous function locks the pitch of a
track, even when its speed is changed. DJs can
speed up or slow down the beat, without any
difference to the sound of the vocals and
instruments. The pitch-bends that you do while
cueing up your record will be unnoticeable for the
audience. This function also makes it possible to
This is the fastest way for DJs to find the first
beat of a track, although it can be turned off for
manual cueing. Also new is that the level where
the Auto-Cue sets its point can be adjusted in a
wide range of positions.
The CDJ-400 can be set in either Vinyl or CDJ
mode. In CDJ mode, the Jog Dial still functions,
but without the touch sensitivity so only for Pitch
Bend.
Reverse
mix-in an accapella tracks to a beat, you can
pitch-bend the accapella without notice.
Tempo Control
This 100 mm linear high-precision slider is
connected to a adjustment indicator on the
display panel to give DJs total control and ensure
that tempo adjustment is easy and accurate. The
accuracy declines when a higher pitch scale is
selected
+/- 6% : 0.02%
+/- 10%: 0.05%
+/- 16%: 0.05%
WIDE : 0.5%
"Wide" Pitch Control
The pitch control function has an incredible range
of +100/- 100% for audio CD's and -100% /
+70% for MP3 Cd's. This means that you can use
new sound effects from opposite ends of the
sound spectrum and also match the BPM of their
played track with virtually any other music. When
combined with the Master Tempo functionality of
the CDJ the digital effect can be used to uplift
your performance even more.
BPM Counter
Indicates BPM for the current track. The BPM
counter also reads and displays the BPM when
the player is in Pause. Without an headphone you
can use it to cue up the tracks with an accuracy
of 1 BPM, the rest is done with your headphone
on your head.
Use this function to playback in reverse, without
a loss of tempo or pitch and without stopping or
starting the track. Reverse can also be used with
the Hot Cue and the Loop Sampler functions to
create endless combinations and effects.
Legato Link Conversion
Pioneer’s wide range Legato Link Conversion
technology delivers high quality audio by
reproducing sound frequencies above 20 kHz,
which are lost during normal CD-format
playback. This not only delivers excellent audio
reproduction, but also sounds closer to the
original recording.
Anti-Vibration
An oil-dampened floating suspension system
prevents sound skipping, even when the player is
subjected to impact during use or to vibrations
generated by high volume music and low
frequency bass.
Fader Start / Back Cue Start
A track on the CDJ-1000MK2 can be started by
sliding the cross fader, if the deck is connected to
any Pioneer mixer. Sliding the fader back will
return the track to the cue point previously
selected on the unit.
Relay Playback of 2 players
Connect the players with the Control Cable. Then
switch on Auto Cue.
When playback of a track ends, the other player
will start from the Auto Cue point onwards, the
first players is Cue-ed at the next track, waiting
for an 'END' signal.