![pioner djm 500 pioner djm 500](https://medias.audiofanzine.com/images/normal/pioneer-djm-500-2530755.jpg)
This can can enable some pretty awesome-sounding variations with just one hand on the dial. They sound great as long as the BPM is locked in tight to the track (more on that later), and have a secondary modifier, the depth of which is activated by pushing in the large control knob. On the left hand side is the Rhythm FX section, which features a number of beat-wrangling effects in the top half: Roll, Transform, Add (a multi-tap delay), Reverse Delay, and Offset (a kind of beatmasher). The effects found on the RMX-500 are all very high quality and extremely intuitive to use, especially if you’ve used any of Pioneer’s FX units or mixers before. RHYTHM FX Rhythm FX – pretty standard Pioneer offerings. On the left (Rhythm FX) they control the time/beat parameter, whilst on the right side (Scene FX) they usually control time and the actual depth of the effect. In terms of the knobs themselves, the large size, rounded profile, and rubbery finish feel great, but due to the secondary function requiring a degree of vertical travel, they also feel rather spongy, with a fair amount of play in all directions.
![pioner djm 500 pioner djm 500](https://whybuynew.2dimg.com/10/1485164202_3712.jpg)
The two large control knobs are the main way to interact with the unit. The build screams pure ‘Pioneer’, and although that might not be to everyone’s taste, there’s no denying that their equipment hold its own well enough under the rigors of hard DJ use. While largely constructed from plastic, the RMX-500 still feels like a solid piece of gear. The headphone socket allows you to easily audition effects and practice with them without hooking the device up to any other kit. One advantage the 500 has over its older brother is the headphone socket, and the ability to use the device as an audio interface. Functionally, there’s no difference – it’s perhaps an annoyance, as most mixer send/return loops use jacks, including all of Pioneer’s – but at worst you’ll need some new cables or adaptors. The 500 lacks the ¼ inch jack input/output sockets found on the RMX-1000, really no loss as those were not actually balanced TRS jacks anyway. You’re also less likely to need to invest in a stand for it. With the 500, you can place it in front of your mixer, deck, or controller, and have much quicker access to the controls. With such hands-on controls, it can feel unnatural to require the unit to be placed above and behind your other kit, as the rear-mounted connections on the RMX-1000 effectively dictated. IO connectors are now on the side, a welcome improvement over the 1000. It has RCA input and output connectors on the side of the unit, with a 3-way level switch to allow it to work at a suitable level whether hooked up to a mixer’s send/return loop, the master output of a controller/mixer, or (if you can afford more than one), directly between an audio source and the mixer. The RMX-500 is a standalone effects unit designed to integrate into an existing DJ setup. Watch an overview of the unit in this video, then read on for a full review:
![pioner djm 500 pioner djm 500](https://whybuynew.2dimg.com/10/1485164034_0353.jpg)
There is very little else on the market which offers such high quality (and easily repeatable) effects. The RMX-500 stands comfortably along the much more expensive RMX-1000, besting it in many ways, and for only half the cost. The Bottom Line: Dedicated hardware effect units for DJs are still few and far between, with Pioneer’s previous models the only ones ever likely to be found installed in booths around the world. Real-time BPM analysis is among the best on the market, but still not flawless when playing music without four-to-the-floor kicks. The Bad: Still a serious investment, especially if you use software has similar effects built in. Built-in audio interface and headphone socket are actually a significant improvement over the 1000. Completely ‘playable’ the hands-on control offers instant fun, with many ways to get out of trouble if it all goes pear-shaped. Connection ports on the side should help it fit into tighter setups. The Good: Smaller, lighter and cheaper than the RMX-1000. Today, guest reviewer Mojaxx takes a close look at the unit, demonstrates all the features in a video, and offers his perspective on if Pioneer’s new kit is worth picking up. Pioneer’s new powerful external effects unit, the RMX-500, comes in at a much lower price than the RMX-1000.