Pioneer

Pioneer has its origins in Japan, dating back to 1937, when Nozomu Matsumoto developed the Pioneer A-8, the first dynamic speaker built from original components, and subsequently founded a company that would evolve into the iconic Pioneer Corporation. Over the decades, Pioneer expanded into consumer electronics such as stereo systems, car audio, LaserDisc players, and home theatre gear, which would be the precursor to their recording and live equipment.

In 1994, the company revolutionised the DJ equipment world with the release of the CDJ-500, the first CDJ deck tailored for professional DJs, ushering in a new era with features like live cue, tempo control without pitch distortion, and jog wheels. This innovation continued with the CDJ-1000 in 2001, introducing "Vinyl Mode" and advanced cue-point control, eventually becoming the industry standard in clubs worldwide.

In 2014, Pioneer spun off its DJ equipment arm, forming Pioneer DJ, now been operating under the corporate umbrella of AlphaTheta Corporation since 2020, continuing to deliver leading-edge DJ gear, including CDJs, mixers, controllers, the Rekordbox software suite, and more. Today, Pioneer DJ remains the global leader trusted by professional and aspiring DJs alike.