Pioneer, known for their DJ software (and their superb video scratching hardware, the DXJ-X1 as covered here previously) have opted to release a software-only solution. But unless I’m missing something, the new DJS software has little going for it other than the Pioneer name. All the basics are here: MP3 support with built-in ripping, auto mixing, on-screen waveform cueing, cue points and looping, fader start features, and so on. Other than that, though, looks fairly bare-bones, and Pioneer is entering an already-overcrowded market here. This might appeal to Pioneer fans, except — don’t you guys own hardware?

Further commentary and 51 comments (and counting) from the turntablist haven, Skratchworx

So if I’m so bored by this and it’s two weeks old anyway, why am I bringing it to your attention? Because you get to enjoy . . . (drum roll) . . .

Pioneer’s Groundbreaking Explanation of the QWERTY Keyboard!

“The DJ can assign basic functions to a particular key on the PC keyboard. By doing this for frequently used functions, the DJ can establish his or her own playing style – on a keyboard.”

Other software developers, you’re on notice. Pioneer has discovered that by assigning functions to QWERTY keys you can . . . press . . . QWERTY keys and . . . do stuff. If you want to look cool: get a nice big shoulder strap for a Bluetooth wireless QWERTY and play it Keytar style. (Sadly, this works better for QWERTY-mapped synth lines, not DJing. It also helps if you wear a Devo hat.)

Samchillian,
the oddly-named, circuit-bended (and spray painted) ergonomic QWERTY
keyboard that New Yorker Leon Gruenbaum invented is more than a wierd
name: it could be a chance for keyboardists to finally cure themselves
of guitar envy, AND look nerdy while doing it! Since QWERTY keys are
mapped to pitch change, not specific pitches (stay with me, here),
simple key patterns can generate wild, screaming solos. One key press
can equal 'one pitch higher' in a scale. Suddenly a scale is just a
repetition of two keys. Scale too boring? Create a microtonal flurry of
notes that sounds like Hendrix and Cecil Taylor had a love child.

Samchillians may be hard to pick up, though the creator says he hopes
others will start playing the instrument. Never fear: there's a free standalone PC version, plus a non-working Mac version (woo-hoo!). Don't miss the video demo.

Carpal tunnel never sounded so good. (Seriously, the only disadvantage
of this thing is that, as the creator warns, the repetitive key
sequences could cause injury! Thanks to musicthing for picking this up! Since I'm in NYC, so maybe I can go snag the creator!