Firstly, hello everyone first post from me here...I'm a long time Pioneer DJ gear user but have never joined the forum before.
I got my Aero at the weekend and unfortunately have had a mixed experience. As this is my first post on the forum I didn't want to be overly negative so I have listed out below the good and the bad from my perspective...I'm a CDJ2000 user but bought the Aero to have as a portable device for parties or friend's get togethers. The main reason I bought it is the rekordbox integration as it means I can use the same tracks on my 2000s as on the Aero and don't have to fuss around with multiple software programmes.
Pros
- Quality mixer with sound colour effect filters - almost like having a 2 channel DJM800 (not bad for the price)
- Responsive jog wheels
- Compact size without being too small and lightweight
- Wireless integration with rekordbox is awesome and makes DJ switch overs so easy
- The ability to control a USB stick plugged into the unit via the iPhone app is also a quality feature which means you don't have to use the screen on the unit
Cons and constructive feedback on feature improvements:
- No ability recall stored cue points - using the shift button together with the four sample buttons could easily achieve this. Or perhaps shift and sample/jog drum buttons to go back and forward
- No CDJ stutter mode - without the ability to recall cue points I find it this really frustrating. This is how I normally cue up my tracks on my 2000s if I haven't already prepped them in rekordbox...
- No waveforms - I obviously realised this when I bought the unit but as a feature suggestion could waveforms be shown via the iOS app for the master track playing? I imagine the software development would be intensive and may also cannibalise some of the more pro focused Pioneer models but that would be awesome!
Overall, I have to say that whilst I think the Aero is a great piece of kit, and you get lots for the money, Im really disappointed you cannot load up stored cue points. I should have checked this before I bought it but after watching the promo video, and given that it heavily plugged the rekordbox 'prepare and play' principle, I had sort of assumed that this would be basic and standard functionality...I was wrong and have to admit to being more than a bit annoyed.
If I could get cue point recall I would be a happy customer but without it and without a CDJ stutter mode I sort of wish I had not purchased one...the promo vid is misleading in my opinion...