AlphaTheta DJM-V5: Next Generation 3-Channel DJ Mixer With Wireless Monitoring and Exclusive New Filter
Three long faders with the new Soft Mix Curve fader mode - but no crossfader.
AlphaTheta’s DJM-V5 borrows the best of the DJM-V10 and throws in two firsts: a built-in SonicLink transmitter and an exclusive new filter, cross-pass, which filters mids and highs while leaving the bass untouched.
AlphaTheta DJM-V5
Well, it’s about time. AlphaTheta’s latest DJ mixer, the DJM-V5, is a three-channel box that borrows the best of its flagship, the DJM-V10, while throwing in some very tasty new features, including an exclusive new filter and a built-in SonicLink wireless monitoring transmitter (with functionality that hints at a new product line coming later this year).
Three Channels and No Crossfader
Although there’s no Long Fader designation, the new mixer appears inspired by the DJM-V10-LF. With its 60mm-long channel faders and lack of crossfader, it’s got the DJM-V10 styling, but with a 30% smaller footprint. That makes it ideal for smaller clubs and smaller booths. However, it’s got the same V10 four-band EQ, per-channel compressor, filter, and Send FX, along with a new Soft Mix Curve fader mode, which automatically applies subtle high-frequency attenuation to create “smoother, more natural blends,” in the words of AlphaTheta, “helping you to express yourself through sound in the most delicate and nuanced ways.”
Delicate and nuanced sound continues in the internal circuitry, with studio-grade 96kHz/64-bit mixing DSP processing, and high-quality 32-bit A/D and D/A converters from ESS Technology in the channel input and master output sections.
The mixer has its own audio interface, of course, plus two-band booth EQ.
Effects and Filters
In terms of effects, the DJM-V5 offers six types of Send FX, including Short Delay, Reverb, Shimmer, Tape Echo, PingPong, and Echo-Verb. Intriguingly, along with the dedicated channel send knobs, you get a time knob with a clicking mechanism that varies depending on the effect:
- Tape Echo, PingPong, Echo-Verb: Tactile clicks are added in sync with the BPM, ranging from 1/16 note to 1 beat.
- Short Delay, Reverb, Shimmer: Smooth, click-free adjustment.
Each channel also has its own filter knob with three types available: low-pass, high-pass and the new cross-pass, which makes its debut on the DJM-V5. With the cross-pass filter, you can “retain low frequencies while gently filtering the mids and highs – adding variation to vocals or melodies without compromising the track’s energy and enabling entirely new styles of performance,” says AlphaTheta.
SonicLink and Connectivity
AlphaTheta seems to be betting that its SonicLink wireless monitoring technology is going to catch on in a big way. Not only has it given its new mixer a built-in transmitter for connecting to its HDJ-F10 headphones, but it has added a dedicated headphone touch area for quick pairing with upcoming future models “scheduled for release this year,” according to the company.
The new mixer also sports a variety of connects, including PRO DJ LINK, which lets you connect the DJM-V5 to compatible DJ players like the CDJ-3000X or CDJ-3000, and rekordbox. Doing this allows you to preview tracks while browsing without loading, or touch the full waveform of a track that’s currently playing to hear what’s coming up next. You can also adjust the volume with a new dedicated knob and load personal mixer settings from a USB device or rekordbox.
Around back, there’s also USB-C for integrating with rekordbox or Serato DJ Pro, with an additional USB-C available as part of the top-panel MULTI I/O for connecting to an iPhone or iPad to use DJM-REC or RMX-1000 for iPad, or to the new RMX-IGNITE. You can also use the USB for insert connections to an external effects unit.
Additional jacks include three pairs of phono and line RCA, plus master (XLR), booth (1/4” TRS jack), send (1/4” TS jack), and record (RCA) outs, plus two headphone jacks (1/4” stereo jack x 1, 3.5-mm stereo mini jack x 1).
Pricing and Availability
AlphaTheta’s new mixer is available now for $2199 (US only) / £1739 / €1999.
More Information
- AlphaTheta DJM-V5 product page
- All about AlphaTheta
- All about DJ mixers
- All about DJing
- Buy DJ gear at Thomann*
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