Announced today, Pioneer DJ has co-developed a new system with TC Supply that will enhance DJ performances with coordinated lighting and visual effects. It will be available in spring 2018, starting with the first official software available through TC Supply’s ShowKontrol.

Pioneer DJ’s flagship products – the CDJ-TOUR1, CDJ-2000NXS2, DJM-TOUR1, and DJM-900NXS2 – are used by DJs at festivals and events around the world, often in conjunction with visual effects such as lighting, video displays and pyrotechnics. The new network system will use rekordbox information to coordinate sound and visuals, enabling DJs, event producers and lighting designers to create more engaging shows. Everything from the brightness to the direction light points can be synchronized with the beat, and smoke and pyrotechnics can be triggered precisely when the music hits a peak.

TC Supply specializes in creating tools and applications for real-time synchronization of show elements including video, lights, lasers and pyrotechnics. To use the CDJ-TOUR1, CDJ-2000NXS2, DJM-TOUR1, and DJM-900NXS2 with TC Supply’s ShowKontrol, you’ll need to update the firmware of these models to the latest version. Check out the full press release for more details.

This is Pioneer DJ’s first step into the lighting and visual effects arena. Last year, Serato made their move collaborating with SoundSwitch to make a device to sync lighting and music. What are your thoughts? Is this a natural next step for Pioneer DJ, or are they taking a risk by stepping into unchartered territory?