Drift DJ Industries Zero is a new super portable battery-powered 2-deck DJ system with a built-in audio recorder, looper, and more.
As much as I am interested in the latest and hottest synthesizers, I am not very interested in DJ equipment. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I don’t go to clubs or so. It’s simply not the area I’m passionate about, sorry.
But there is an exception and I’m today reporting on a new DJ product. OK, more of a casual DJ product.
Drift DJ Industries Zero
First, it has a catchy white look that you will quickly fall in love with. Yes, it’s very Teenage Engineering-like, but nope, it’s not a TE product. A black one is, according to the official video, also in the making.
Zero is a full two-deck DJ system. It has many features of larger systems, but it is squeezed into a very compact (0,234kg), portable, and fun-to-play battery-powered format. Drift DJ Industries says it is an ideal creative audio device for hardware enthusiasts and outside-the-booth DJs.
It features two channels of audio playback with tempo-sync functionality, beat-grid, built-in effects (delay/reverb/flanger), 3-band EQ, and a looper.
Everything you need to create a creative DJ set on the go. Whether on your balcony at home, at a private party, in the forest or in the kitchen. You can operate all of this with various control elements (knobs, slider…) and an OLED display.
Recording System
Zero has 32 GB of internal memory, which you can use to record your DJ set. Thus, it’s not just a DJ system but also a mobile audio recorder.
On the back, you can find a feature-rich I/O setup: a USB-C port for charging and data transfer (USB Mass Storage Device), a stereo input on two 3.5mm line inputs, and dedicated outputs for the cue and main.
The exciting part is that these inputs are not just made for classic audio signals. In addition to audio, you can route in the unit control voltage (CV) and clock data, allowing you to sync the device with your other gear, like your modular synth.
Further, it will feature a DIN sync in + out via MIDI/DIN sync adapter that will offer configurable PPQN Steady-State signal, and Note-Value-Trigger Pulse (1/16, 1/16T, 1/8, etc.).
Yes, Zero is battery-powered and offers a target capacity of around 3000 mAh. For the techies, the unit is powered by 256 MB DDR3L RAM,a 32 GB eMMC drive, and a Linux 6 kernel.
First Impression
Even though I don’t normally cover DJ equipment and am not particularly interested in it, I find this small portable DJ console very exciting. The format is very daring, and the features sound promising. On top, you can sync it to your other gear. I am looking forward to the official price and the reader feedback.
Drift DJ Industries Zero availability and price TBA.
More information here: Drift DJ Industries
Hmm, I kinda like it but as a portable device to add affected samples to a bigger workstation sampler. Though the CV stuff is very neat for its size. For my purposes, I’m thinking “impulse buy” but not if it’s reaching for Teenage Engineering levels.
However, can’t really think of another standalone DJ device like this. So good for them.
Does anyone know what it syncs to via the CV and sync connections? Does it have a BPM detector for audio tracks that creates a clock?
From their Discord, they’re targetting a US499 MSRP, but a Kickstarter launch might have slightly different pricing
Is the battery replaceable?
The Zero looks like a very versatile device and I’d really like to get my hands on one. is It practical for live DJ performance at a gig next to a professional grade larger deck?
How much $ is this bad boy? I didn’t see a price anywhere.
Thanks!
it’s not yet released and the price is not yet announced. Stay tuned!
I couldn’t find anything on whether you can use turntablism techniques with this, or if it just does cuing and matching. I think that would make a big difference in terms of how innovative and flexible this is.
Highly unlikely to be responsive to any serious turntable trickery.. the hardware appears plain unsuitable
People who aren’t DJs keep wanting to make DJ gear miniturized.
Which is ok if you’d rather have a ukelele than a guitar.