Pacemaker puts a DJ rig in your pocket

We've seen iPod DJ solutions like the Numark iDJ before, but now the next logical step has arrived. The Pacemaker is a 120 GB portable music player that doubles as a fully functional DJ setup, giving it the somewhat bizarre title of the world's first pocket-sized DJ rig.

Can't see the appeal? I can't be the only DJ who has ever wanted one more shot at that tricky transition on the way to the party. You can even record your mixes in real time, so you can record your next demo poolside (cocktails and gorgeous entourage not included).

As well as the usual MP3, WMA, (DRM-less) AAC, and WAV support, it's a pleasure to see the inclusion of OGG Vorbis and FLAC support. I have gigabytes of FLAC files downloaded from Addictech, and having to convert them to WAV, then to MP3, just so they will play (and fit) on my iPod Nano is a process that makes me awfully keen to find an alternate player.

A single "X/Y" style touch-pad on the unit is used for jog/pitch, EQ, and effects across both channels, but I have my doubts as to how intuitive this will be for DJ's who have grown accustomed to dedicated 3-band EQ's and dual jog wheels.

Despite the poor choice of a 3.5mm TRS jack for audio output, the Pacemaker boasts a frequency response and signal-to-noise ratio that's on par with a majority of club mixers that it is destined to connect to. The exchangeable rechargeable battery will charge in two hours and supplies 18 hours of playback or five hours of DJ usage.

We'll be watching this one very closely, and hope to get our hands on one for a full review later this year.

Tim Hanlon