All user reviews of 4/5 for the Pioneer EFX-500

The Pioneer DJ EFX 500 is an in depth unit that can do a lot more than you think that it can. Plus its not really that hard to get to understand it without the manual. I go it without a problem in only about 2 hours and was ready to roll. There are some really good beat effects with the EFX 500 and everything is synced up over time based controls so that all your effects and everything are synced up with the bpm of what you are working with.


UTILIZATION

The Digital jog brings the effects to you in a flash some of the effects like ring modulator and lo fi fuzz. Just to name some, but for the most part all of the effects are extremely good to be on a unit for this price. You can really take your effects to the next level in a flash with the Pioneer DJ EFX 500. There is a 3 Band EQ and Manual tap control so you can change your temp in a flash. There is also 1 input stereo channel, 1/4th phone in and 1 out. The total unit is only a little over 5 pounds and can be taken with you where ever you are at so you can work. It also has midi in and midi out capabilities in case you want to synch it up with some of your other gear. You might not need to though because it can do pretty much anything you can image to be done. The Pioneer EFX 500 is top quality when it comes to DJ effects and equipment.


SOUND QUALITY

You might not need to though because it can do pretty much anything you can image to be done. The Pioneer EFX 500 is top quality when it comes to DJ effects and equipment.







OVERALL OPINION

Though I haven't used this in a club, I do use it for house parties and get togethers and amaze my friends and family with what I can do with this. Its great for live performances because there are just so many things you can do right at your finger tips.

The effects covered in this unit are quite comprehensive. You essentially have two categories, beat mapped and non beat mapped. The beat mapped effects include delay, echo, pan, flanger and transformer. The non beat mapped effects include Jet, zip (phaser style effects) wah, ring and fuzz. The beat effects are contolled via the "beat" section on the left. You get various division of time, a tap tempo button and a manual adjustment knob for tempo. On the other side for the non beat effects your primary controller is the "Jog wheel." With the jog wheel, you can spin your way to delicate, subtle effects to super deep craziness. You can control this unit with standard midi messages but as far as I know, no one has made a PC/Mac editor for this unit. In reality, it doesn't really need it as it is designed to be manipulated quickly and efficiently with you analog fingers. This is a digital processing unit with all digital effects. The connections include 1/4" and RCA audio inputs and outputs as well as MIDI in and out.

UTILIZATION

Once you get used to the layout, which won't take long (took me about an hour) you will be flying on this thing. With dedicated effect selection buttons and the jog wheel, you will be remixing your own tracks like you never thought possible. The beauty about hardware (especially if it is made right) is that you don't have much setup other than plugging in your sound source and plugging the hardware back into your PA. The manual is clear and efficient and is a good read if you won't to understand more about the effects them selves and very unique and interesting options the EFX 500r offers.

SOUND QUALITY

I use this mainly as an effector for my live performance set. I play various intruments (keys, guitar, bass, vocals, sampled drums, synths, etc....) in my set and I run everything into two stereo channels, one clean, and one into this. My rig is setup so that I can select at any time, what instruments are going into the efx or just going straight to the PA mixer. Therefore, everything at one time or another runs through this. As for faithful reproduction, this unit only operates at 16bit, so I feel that for live performance, I don't notice that much but for studio applications, I do notice some weakness in the sound. Especially in my vocals and my analog synths and bass. I am actually selling this unit now to purchase the EFX 1000 which runs at 24 bit and has more effects and options, including spdif in/out. I imagine this will greatly improve the sound quality of my set. I love the effects on this unit. I guess my favorite would be the delay as it comes in so handy having a solid delay with so much control right at your finger tips. The only effect I have any dislike towards would be the Wah. The filter isn't as clean as I get from my analog gear, but I can't be too upset, it is an older digital unit and in all fairness, the Filter isn't horrible, just an older digital version.

OVERALL OPINION

What I like most about this unit is what it is, a hardware standalone effects unit. Other than the EFX 1000 (and the 500) these are the only mass produced, somewhat affordable hardware, tactile EFX units I am aware of. I am honestly shocked that Pioneer is the only one who makes something like this. In an age of computers and software, it is getting harder to find quality Hardware gear without searching for boutique manufacturers and forking over an arm and a leg. What I don't like about the unit is simply the features that are missing from the big brother (efx 1000). These include the 16 bit processing power (1000 has 24bit) and the lack of the SPDIF in/out. I paid $350 for this many years ago and at that time, that was a good deal. I am very pleased with this unit and only plan on selling it to get the "step up" model. When I bought it, 16 bit was plenty good. Now, 16 bit is dated so I can't give it a great sound quality rating, more like a 7. The only things I have come acrossed that are similar are all software (Turnado, Artillery, Stutter Edit, the Finger). All the software units are great in there own ways, but I will go Hardware any day of the week when I can. I would definitely purchase this if you are looking for something to spice up your DJ sets or if you are like me, your crazy, massive Looping performance set. In the end though, unless you primarily run MP3's or CD's for your sound sources, you will won't to upgrade to the EFX 1000.

I use an EFX 500 since qq months. I'm very happy. Its correct, S / N ratio respectable. Tri-band EQ switchable convenient for the determination of his coming out.

The effects synchronized to the tempo (left side) are good and useful, especially the delay. Transform (sound chopper) and quite scenic, but less usable. Pioneer Classic Flanger. The cross section (jog) is fun as well. The flanger is called Jet classical, Zip simulates a time stretch, but the sound is average. The wah effect is nice, it's a filter that affects the whole band (high pass to low pass according to the position of the jog), this effect is appreciable at high power sound, otherwise it does not do much. The last two effects ring and fuzz are a kind of distortion or sound crusher, not very usable in electro mix, maybe a guitar or a wind instrument?

Conclusion: A fun toy that can bring creativity. Its correct, seems to be robust. It is the Pioneer, we must not forget.

UTILIZATION

Above

SOUND QUALITY

Above

OVERALL OPINION

Above

I just joined prs opinions of others I have bought 200 euros-hand and it's really effective to have an effect pout all those who do not want to sell their non-table team to effects. Ralite in 3000 I had a djm with effects and I pass on a denon dn-x900 possibility that more than 3000 views djm connection but no effect! I have long hsit sell this to use a denon djm 3000 until the day I came across this efx 500 and I must admit that it's really like indipensable complment table without effect . I will say that dn-x900 or xone s2 with efx 500 is the best of the best ...
I use mostly the flanger 4 / 1, the pan in half the delay at 1 / 1, the wah and fuzz to the trans effect it is better to do so at the same fader and personal cho I like it but got a good question!
just type in the tempo and swing effect, however, it adds a little breath that is why it is better to put in effects loop with a button on off sending a signal (like the Denon DNX for example) it RULES levels of inputs and outputs on the efx 500 for the same volume before and APRS switching effect and you can use this little wonder. I deprecated the plug on the master as it will take to pluck a switch to the amp and 4 db hello breath you can not ask him to have as good pramplis, however loop effects in select-10db breath is not too much nickel is heard especially in the mix ..
So all those who say it gnre your breath you plug it sr good?

can be a little CHRE in new but on occasion it is a good deal trs
I would put 8 because two effects are not very usable

UTILIZATION

Quite simple, requires pioneer

SOUND QUALITY

See above

OVERALL OPINION

See above