Supremely practical and forward-thinking designs in and of themselves, the AlpaTheta Omnis-Duo and Wave-Eight are further augmented by SonicLink.
It never ceases to amaze me just how far audio technology has come in the past ten, twenty and thirty years. Considering what we had to work with as DJs in the mid-90’s, today’s class of beat pushers really is spoilt, with a range of options we never would have imagined back then. Who would have thought an all-in-one DJ console and powered speaker system that was completely battery operated would ever be a possibility. Well, it is now, thanks to the AlphaTheta Omnis-Duo portable DJ system and Wave-Eight portable speakers. But wait, as with any great reveal, there’s always more: these two devices work seamlessly and completely wirelessly.
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So, let’s start with the question that some of you may be asking as you read on: who are AlphaTheta? Well, you may be surprised to find out that you’ve probably been using AlphaTheta products for some time now, under a different guise. The brand started out as a division of Pioneer DJ back in the 90’s when they worked on the early developments of the infamous CDJ-500. These days, AlphaTheta operates as a separate company, bringing products to market that encapsulate the technology that was founded with Pioneer DJ. Their goal is to continue to bring new experiences to musicians and DJs alike. I think it can be said that they’ve certainly achieved that with this winning combination.
Omnis-Duo
So, let’s take a look at the two parts first, before the sum of all combined. Starting with the Omnis-Duo, which has redefined portability in DJ performance. It’s a two-deck system with a centralised mixer and a large colour touchscreen. Well, large in proportion to the entire system, which is only 50cm x 30cm, and weighs in at just 4kg. It’s compact, robust and portable, with some serious mix effects and features. But of course, the real kicker is that it operates on an inbuilt lithium battery that can power the unit for up to four hours of continuous play. With Bluetooth transmission, you don’t have to worry about a single cable going in or out of the unit for it to be fully functional. Pop it in your backpack when you’re on the go, sit it on your lap on the train, turn a house party around, or bring the controller you know best to the club.
A little-known fact is that AlphaTheta acquired Serato midway through last year, and has been able to harness the incredible software technology that has become a stalwart of the DJ community over the past 25 years. Just about every DJ is working with Stems these days, and Serato are at the forefront of this concept, allowing for more creative and intricate mixing possibilities. With this merger of big names, AlphaTheta has developed the Omnis-Duo to work seamlessly with Serato DJ Lite and Serato DJ Pro, allowing you to further advance the possibilities in the mix with the inclusion of a laptop to your setup. The screen on the Omnis-Duo then offers a range of functions from within the software, so you need not look at, or touch, your computer for most functions.
Wave-Eight
The other part of this formidable duo is the Wave-Eight powered speaker. It truly is the definition of a portable powered speaker. No cables are required, as it can operate on its internal lithium battery for up to eight hours. With a Class-D amplifier powering the 8-inch driver and horn, it only weighs 12kg. Yet still, AlphaTheta had the forethought to include a retractable handle and wheel, so you can roll into any event. They even built it to be waterproof, so the Wave-Eight offers a very real solution for outdoor performances. And of course, it operates on a Bluetooth connection that allows multiple speakers to be linked for stereo, mono or subwoofer crossover modes.
SonicLink
There’s a storage compartment built into the Wave-Eight speaker housing that keeps a wireless transmitter ready for use when needed. This can be connected to just about any DJ console you want to use, and then transmits to the Wave-Eight via the SonicLink technology. That means you can bring an entire CDJ and mixer rig if you want to plug all that in, or you can simply match it up with the Omnis-Duo and have the ultimate portable party.
So, let’s look at how the SonicLink technology is going to set this system apart from the crowd. AlphaTheta have developed a true ultra-low latency Bluetooth transmission in SonicLink, specifically for DJ use. That means, you’re going to get a perfect response from the movement of your crossfader, to the sound you hear, without any lag, and without any cables to trip over! The power that SonicLink offers allows you to connect up to eight individual speakers with stereo assignment, and not have any impact on the real-time delivery of the signal. So, a full sound system with big results can be assembled, with not a power lead or audio cable in use. This is a gamechanger!
Just think, a completely cable-free, battery operated, portable DJ system that works without noticeable latency or signal degradation. And it’s a reality. Yes, we are DJing in the future, today. With decades of experience under the Pioneer DJ umbrella, AlphaTheta have set a new standard in what today’s DJ is going to expect from their equipment. So, don’t just take my word for it, I encourage you all to get into your local DJ store and ask them about the Omnis-Duo and the Wave-Eight. Once you experience it for yourself, you’ll want to go portable too. The future’s looking bright, loud and wireless!
For local AlphaTheta enquiries, visit Jands.
