Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 17, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
With nextbeat, Wacom is introducing an instrument for professional DJs that enables music to be created and performed live in an entirely new way. Nextbeat is Wacom’s first touch-based product and demonstrates the company’s ambition to develop new interface products beyond pen technology. Nextbeat will be available in Europe and Japan from summer 2009.
Electronic music is constantly evolving, and many well-known DJs have become stars in the music scene. Wacom is now entering the music market, drawing on its many years of experience developing innovative, award-winning products for creative professionals in design and digital imaging. With nextbeat, Wacom applies its understanding of these creative fields and long-standing interface expertise to a new market.
Nextbeat is a fully integrated professional DJ system that combines intuitive touch-sensor controls with innovative live-performance functions. A removable portable wireless control unit lets DJs move freely, unlike the traditional approach that keeps them tied to the console. This makes live DJ performances much more dynamic.
Nextbeat combines two digital players, a mixer, an effects unit and a sampler in a single lightweight, compact device. Unlike conventional DJ systems, nextbeat also requires no computer.
Further information is available at http://www.nextbeat.eu. Nextbeat will be shown at the Winter Music Conference in Miami Beach, Florida, from March 24 to 28 and at Musikmesse Frankfurt from April 1 to 4, 2009.
