Pioneer Pro DJ and DJ Times magazine hosted James Zabiela’s DVJ-X1 demonstration at Miami’s Winter Music Conference in the Audio Lab. Using three Pioneer DVJ-X1 turntables, the EFX-1000 effector and a DJM-1000 mixer, James’ seemingly semi-automatic hands moved rapidly over the controls generating fascinating rhythms. Digital audio and video mixing in chorus is indeed a fluid phenomenon. The DVJ’s features were complemented by James’ use of the new EFX-1000, controlled by the DJM-1000 mixer. Blending innovative science with creativity, the result was a resounding success! Seeing James caught in a loop riding his skateboard across the screen made it easy to understand how a DVJ show can give insight into an artist’s life. "Much of the visual material I used in the seminar (with the robots etc) was actually filmed in and around my flat," agreed James. "I also get to travel around the world so people can see where I’ve been from my DVD footage. I turn up at the airport and start filming to make visuals that I will show later on at the gig. There is huge scope in this expanding area." Using the EFX-1000 like a sampler, James told us: "The effector is my favourite thing! I discovered that you can half-tap the BPM in to get double the length of the loop so you can get a 16-beat loop. That’s my favourite EFX-1000 trick at the moment." With Pioneer equipment in use on his next mix album, titled Utilities, James explained: "I’m producing one CD with the EFX-1000, a DJM-1000 and the CDJs; and another using Ableton Live. You can actually use the [DJM-1000] mixer’s MIDI cross fader to control Ableton’s cross fader, so that is exciting. I love the mixer. I really appreciate the input. I had four CDJs, one turntable, and a sampler going in there. Plus, with two send and returns, I can use two effects units. The effects link (cable to the EFX-1000) means that you can use the cross fader to control the effector. You can start scratching and use the effects when you move the cross fader – Pioneer have got it so right with these two new products!" In the hectic Miami heat, it was a busy conference for James. He went on to perform a live Essential Selection guest mix on Pete Tong’s Radio 1 show. James’ intense set involved three Pioneer CDJ-1000MK2s, but also the amazing new EFX-1000. A world first for the effector, broadcast live from Nikki Beach to the UK and later placed on the BBC’s website for the world.