Pioneer celebrates 30 years of the CDJ with limited edition zinePioneer DJ is celebrating 30 years of its CDJ with a special zine. Titled deckades, the limited edition zine features 42 exclusive pages of photos, interviews and commentary.
The CDJ-500 landed back in 1994 as a new, modern tool for DJs and has thoroughly evolved since. Though the zine is available to read for free digitally, there will also be a limited print run of just 1000 copies – these are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

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The publication also hosts interviews with DJs Fatboy Slim, Fabio, Anna Tur, Kikelomo and TSHA, and includes an overview of all 23 models of the CDJ “alongside plenty of nostalgic imagery”.
“In the high-speed world of digital technology, 1994 sort of feels like the ancient past. When Pioneer DJ launched the CDJ-500, its revolutionary first CD deck, the average clubgoer might have consulted a paper map to find the venue, listened to an FM radio to get them in the mood, and arrived to find a DJ playing vinyl records to an audience that couldn’t have even conceived of a smartphone,” states Pioneer.
“deckades tells the story of how the CDJ went from a strange new alternative to vinyl to becoming the quintessential tool of modern DJing. The limited-edition zine, which we’re now making available digitally, shows how the CDJ dovetailed with the major advancements in music technology – from CDs and MP3s, to USB and touchscreens, and the more recent developments of AI and VR.”

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DJ gear has come on leaps and bounds since the birth of the CDJ. At MusicTech, we created a guide of the best standalone DJ controllers for 2024 so you can choose the right one for you.
Find out more about deckades or have a read over at the Pioneer DJ blog.
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