Sign In:     

Forum: General Discussion

Topic: Behringer's 4 channel open Standalone
Is there any info, as to if VDJ could be embedded natively?
(would be a game changer)



Facebook wrote :
THE DJ INDUSTRY IS ABOUT TO CHANGE FOREVER.
Imagine professional DJ hardware for just US$300-400. Open hardware. Freedom to create your own software. No proprietary lock-in.
These are our first prototypes, currently being assembled in our own factory.
Our vision? To make powerful DJ technology accessible to everyone and unleash the creativity of millions.
We build the hardware. You create the magic.
Because the future of DJ technology shouldn’t be controlled by a few companies.
It should belong to all of you.


https://www.facebook.com/Behringer/posts/pfbid02QbpsiC8y9qzDR685KuP9FvpVfDdF2Mvq7KVG1nkKprwA4dja3ZR19EJ8oMJMdJ4Dl

https://djtechtools.com/2026/10/27/behringer-teases-a-300-400-open-dj-standalone/


is this related to:
https://virtualdj.com/forums/270654/General_Discussion/Behringer_Controller_On_Pre_Order_in_Africa_%3F%3F%3F.html
(assume not, since the button shapes, are different)
 
Posted Sun 01 Nov 26 @ 11:54 pm
I dont think there is any doubt. I trust the good folks at VDJ. Im glad more competition is being introduced, I however am a little worried, I used to own Behringer speakers and they sounded like total sht. I hope this controller is good. Im tired of Alphatetas monopoly
 
Since a similar thread emerged in the Greek forum as well and I said a few things there:

1) At this point we know as much as anybody else. Which is almost nothing.

2) The idea sounds great until you come to the details.
  • What does "open hardware" means ?
    That it will provide a MIDI chart for all users to use ? That's already done by all manufacturers.
    That you'll be able to edit the MIDI messages it sends ? That's not really needed for DJ software support. Especially for VirtualDJ.
    That the schematics will be publicly available ? That will mean nothing to the end user.
  • What does "no properietary lock in" means ? Will this thing offer any stand alone capability ?
    If so, how ? By it's own software ? Even if it offers it's own "open source" program for stand alone operation, it will be one more format that the end user will have to fidle around. So now, except Pioneer and Engine compatibility, you will have to think of that as well.
  • How is the screen going to work ?
    This is the elephant in the room. There are 2+1 possible ways.
    1) Offer pre-defined screens that the host application is expected to fill with data. That's how AlphTheta/Pioneer gear works, and how Rane System One and Prime 4 G2 work.
    For this to work, they will have to provide the communication format with the screens alongside the MIDI chart.
    2) Offer a "skinable" screen. That's how a fraction of controllers work right now. For this to work, the screen must somehow be seen as a "screen" by the host DJ app
    +1) Run a full OS on the screen. See below:
  • Will it run on OS ? Which one?
    The "Hybrid DJ" unit mentioned above, is a Chinese legit product. It runs a light version of Windows, and loads VirtualDJ upon startup.
    Now, will this unit run an OS ? Which one ?
    If it runs an OS then we need to think of it in terms of a computer. What processor ? How much RAM ? Will you be able to change/upgrade components ?


3) The other Elephant in the room: Price!
Yes, it's nice to read a $300-$400 price tag!
But if you look at the details then this price tag raises a lot of questions regarding the build quality, and maybe also answers some of the questions above.
At $400 a piece, Behringer would have to make a profit for itself and it's resellers. Then what remains should be the production, transportation and licensing costs. That's a very thin margin there.
Also remember: A big controller like this is mostly meant to be used on bars/clubs/mobile gigs e.t.c. It's not meant (mainly because of it's size) to be used at home by bedroom DJs.
This means that it should not look and feel cheap. And it should also be able to handle some beating.
A far more logical (but still nice) price would be around the $1000 mark.
So, the expected price does raise some concerns.

4) Market penetration:
Behringer is absent from the DJ scene for more than 13 years. Therefore they don't have at this point any brand loyalty or momentum. Also according to one photo this unit will be released under the Klark Teknik brand. A brand with no recognition at all at the DJ world. A lot of DJs have heard of Behringer for various reasons. But only a few ever heard Klark Teknik.
They are building a new product. I asume they want this product to be as much sucessfull as possible. For this to happen, they will have to hope that Popular DJ software are going to support it.
Rekordbox: It ony supports units mabe by Pioneer/AlphaTheta. So, it's not going to happen
Serato: It needs to sing a contract to take a fee from the sales in order to work with a unit. So, not likely.
Traktor: At this stage ? With it's whereabouts unknown ? And owned by inMusic ? I find it even harder than Serato.
So, that leaves us with DJay, Mixx and VirtualDJ, which are the more likely software that are going to support it.
There's also a nightmare scenario: The unit just to run a linux kernel and "use AI to build your own DJ software for it"
This will render the unit useless for 99% of consumers, except a few geeks..

5) Coding and vibe coding:
Some users suggested that this unit may indeed have a small PC built in and run a linux Kernel, so that users can build their own DJ apps with the help of AI.
How many DJ's are willing to do that ?
How much would you trust an AI generated app (since you're not a programmer) to go out and play live with it in a mission critical gig like a wedding ?
Even if some good Semaritan takes this more seriously and writes a "better" app, how much do you trust that this guy will be able to support you, or that he will be around in 18 months, or that he will continue to add new features / refine old ones / fixes bugs ?



So, after a long post:
It's too early to say anything (at all) about it.
For me personally the biggest concern right now is the price.
I wish, no, I beg to be wrong. But the expected price is too low for the expectations. Some (a lot of) corners have to be cut.
 
Agreed re price point however on the flip side (being a FLX10 owner) I feel that the Pioneer Alpha Theta pricing is far too high for what they provide.

Would be nice if Denon released a midi only replacement for the MC7000 at a lower price point but it seems unlikely as they are standalone only now it seems.
 
DDJ-FLX10 is about $1500, while XDJ-AZ (which this device seems to go after) is $3000+

So, I would gladly pay $1000 for a device that looks and and feels like XDJ-AZ and has excelent build quality, without paying the "Pioneer / AlphaTheta" tax...

At least that's my point when it comes to pricing this thing..

PS: I have the "Hybrid DJ" unit here at home.
I absolutely love the concept. Yet, because of it's build quality that leaves a lot to be desired, I would not dare to take it to a gig. So yes, build quality is a major issue and no matter how much markup Pioneer adds to it's controllers, I don't think a XDJ-AZ "alike" controller is able to be made for just $400 MSRP.
 
Yes that price point is the sweet spot for a good quality unit for sure.

But size is also important as the AZ is just far too big and heavy for mobile use.
 
Well, according to the photos, the size they choose is closer to XDJ-AZ than FLX-10 :P
I mean, they even included 6 XLR outputs! (Master/Booth/Zone I guess) and not TRS! :P
 
Yes they have been out of the game for a long time, but do they really need any backing at that price? My guess its going to run windows, maybe some sort of embedded version, and work with any software.
 
Read what I wrote above:
It cannot work with "ANY" software if that software doesn't decide to support it.

Rekordbox: It's not a unit made by AlphaTheta (Pioneer) so no, they are not going to do it.
Serato: Serato always wants a share of the sales, plus it usually forces "locks" in place. So, probably not either.
Traktor: At this point, for several reasons (future development unknown, plus owned by inMusic) most likely no.

So, it's all up to Djay, Mixx and VirtualDJ to support it.
 
I didn't think about rekordbox. Serato you can map controllers if you plug in supported hardware like a reloop flux , then it may work .
I assumed Traktor could be mapped as their mapping is open . I know Virtual
DJ will be the first to map it though !
 
Once again ....quality and Behringer, dont belong in the same sentence. This will for sure nor be suppprted by rekordbox pr serato. VDJ will be the only major dj software.
 
DJ Dash El Mas Guapo wrote :
Once again ....quality and Behringer, dont belong in the same sentence.

That's not necessary true.
Behringer has come a long way. They have even bought MIDAS, which now is a subsidiary of Behringer and still produces the same quality products. They also released the WING console which generally is good. It could be a little more robust for a product meant to be constantly traveling on a flight case, but still it's not "bad"
So, when a company wants, it can produce high quality products. Of course the price tag will follow that decision either we like it or not.
 
Klark Teknik was a known big name in pro audio....their stuff was premium. If they are attaching their name to this product i would expect a premium device. The x32 is exactly like the midas console; midas was yet another high quality brand back in the day....I dont do pro audio anymore ; so i dont keep up with all the latest gear from these companies. but this is definitely a breath of fresh air because the marketing hype is what some of the competition have used to effect a loyal if not blind following. But i say to each his own; respectfully.
I for one understand specs and technology enough to know if im getting ripped off.

So lets see where this goes from here, I think this is long overdue...