Pacemaker 2.0 brings beats to the masses

The folks behind the Tonium Pacemaker, a DJ-focused MP3 player that made its debut in the middle of 2008, are gearing up to release a new version of the device in 2009.

The second-generation Pacemaker DJ MP3 player will help tempo-challenged DJs keep the beat.

(Credit: CBS Interactive/Corinne Schulze)

The new version of the Pacemaker announced today doesn't replace last year's model, but instead offers amateur DJs a light version of the full-blown product, loaded with a smaller hard drive (60GB instead of 120GB), a simpler user interface, and automatic tempo matching.

Physically, the new, consumer-focused version looks exactly the same as the $800 professional model. You get the same 1.75-inch color LCD, multigesture trackpad control, playback control buttons, and a touch strip crossfader. The rest of the specs, however, are a mystery (we'll try to pry more out of these Swedes at CES).

Tonium claims that the real difference between the professional Pacemaker and the new entry-level version will be apparent in the overhauled and simplified graphic user interface. Users will also feel the difference in their wallets, with the new version of the Pacemaker priced under $500.

Tonium predicts the new Pacemaker model will hit shelves in Spring of 2009.

[GardenLobster]

This is a pretty interesting device. I'm looking at getting the cheaper version for my hubby, who tinkers with production as a hobby. Although they aren't ideal for actual DJ setups in the club, they certainly can be used to produce your own work. With the age of personal publishing for books I'd imagine the age of personal producing of your own digital albums isn't that far behind. I can see the potential for a booming industry of nobody producers selling songs on the cheap, if there were a service out there for experimental listeners, or if the giants iTunes and Amazon had an experimental section. (You just can't call it "indie" because it's independant of a record contract - indie is its own style of music. I wonder what they'd call it?)