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NS6 vs DDJ-s1 and overview
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NS6 vs DDJ-s1 and overview

kraal 3:40 PM - 4 June, 2011
Ok here is a brief overview of the NS6 vs DDJ-S1. Only talking about key features and stuff I use

Looks/layout
NS6 - looks nice and a little more compact. Give great visual feedback with illuminated buttons. Sone issue is the is kinds cramped near the faders so I occasionally hit fader 4.

DDJ – a little more stretch out good distance from fader to platter. The unit as a whole is dark goind to need some light on it when djing

Touch strip
NS6 – the touch strip is not extremely sensitive. Which helps that you do not accidently ‘hover click it’but still seems a bit sketchy
DDJ – the touch strip is multi- functional and a beast , response is great and to use it to switch columns alphabet search and scrub through tracks is very convient.

Mic input
NS6 – both located on back of unit hard to get to when in a case or adding mic after start of gig. Mic sounds nice and no feedback
DDJ – two mic locations one on top one in front of unit simple on and off switches including talk over. Mic sounds nice but at times need to turn up gain to even out with music
Loops
NS6 - straight forward easy to get to. Buttons for 1,2,4,8 auto loops
Loop rolls --Shift button locks allowing one handed loop roll unfortunately smallest loop roll is 1 beat
DDJ – takes some getting used to ( turn knob to set loop, press to activate) this does lead to having to look at screen to know what size the loop is. But also allows you to go directly into a1/2 or 1/8 ect loop.
Loop rolls slip mode allows for nice loop rolls at what ever loop setting you are at.

Cue points
NS6 – nice location easy to initiate locking delete for on handed deleting
DDJ – stacked off to the side takes some getting used too for cue juggling. ‘rec’ button to make it so you can over ride cue points without deleting them.

Effects
NS6 – use the select knob to choose then you need to press it to enable it. ( hint pressing will cycle through effects and enable at the same time) parameter knob has a visual cue on the controller so no need to look at screen to know settings. Wet dry controlled by vertical fader. Assignable with buttons on the mixer plus an on/off button. I find it odd you cannot assign effect A or B to more than one channel ( either a single channel or the mix are your options)
DDJ – single select knob to choose effect. Knob to select parameter and a knob for wet/dry. No visual cues on controller but knob does have a notch in center to let you ‘feel’ the halfway point. I find the knob more intuitive for wet dry. Than the fader of the ns6. Assignable by aselect knob A,B,mic/aux or master )

Platters
NS6- good size kinda heavy and ‘loose’ so you need to get used to them. You can do some good scratching on the platters. The platter does tend to ‘drift ‘ when you let go if you push to hard. Chasing LEDS are good for reference but do seem to ‘jump’ at times
DDJ- platters are tight out the box ( I personally adjusted mine to the looses setting ). The platters are precise. You can get your small tight cuts really well with this unit. The chasing LEDS are very good and follow the position well

Ok I am done typing for now … any specific question about the 2 compaired feel free to ask. I personally like the ns6 for a play around have fun unit. However if I have a serious gig and the two units are side by side waiting to be packed up I will grab the DDJ-S1. I think it’s funny material wise the ns6 is metal the ddj is plastic but I think the ddj feels like a more solid unit.
Just my 2 cents
kraal 4:18 PM - 4 June, 2011
how ever i do see my choice of weapon is subject to change as i get more accustomed to the NS6
haze324 4:49 PM - 4 June, 2011
how would you compare sound quality?
dj-freestyle 5:08 PM - 4 June, 2011
Ive now used both for a few days and like both alot but for mobile gigs the ns6 have more features i need.
RiddimE 5:14 PM - 4 June, 2011
How is it matching levels without individual meters?
kraal 6:17 PM - 4 June, 2011
Quote:
how would you compare sound quality?

i think the ddj has a punchier sound but the both sound great... however at high volumes the headphones on the ns6 sound a bit distorted
kraal 6:17 PM - 4 June, 2011
Quote:
How is it matching levels without individual meters?

software wise i have no issues
kraal 6:18 PM - 4 June, 2011
Quote:
Ive now used both for a few days and like both alot but for mobile gigs the ns6 have more features i need.

which features are those?
dj-freestyle 7:52 PM - 5 June, 2011
The four channels for another laptop and letting video guy plug in just makes my life easier.
dj-freestyle 7:52 PM - 5 June, 2011
Plus i love my monitor so i need my monitor out.
kraal 8:41 PM - 5 June, 2011
ok just asking to keep this thread as 'informative' as possible
zaguama 8:48 PM - 5 June, 2011
wow, thanks for this thread kraal, straight to the point and what might interest most possible buyers (including me) ;). Just got back home after a month doing a roadtrip throughout western europe, when flying back from amsterdam i was thinking on the plane, god please let the beta of itch 2.0 be out lolololol, to later find out i was being too optimistic. At least im glad the NS6 is out already and people are testing it out, i think im going to submit my order this week after reading multiple reviews, seems to be exactly what i expected.
dj-freestyle 8:48 PM - 5 June, 2011
For sure. I did have to return my first unit witch worries me now.
Mm3 9:09 PM - 5 June, 2011
Kraal. How did you loosen up your ddj s1 platters?
kraal 9:28 PM - 5 June, 2011
Quote:
Kraal. How did you loosen up your ddj s1 platters?

i really dont like to be the 'voidyourwarrentyguy' :)

you need to open up the back.
remove the feet and all the screws and remove the metal plate
the follow steps 7 thru 13 here
www.wavemusic.com
kraal 9:29 PM - 5 June, 2011
wrong link corrected here
www.wavemusic.com
Mm3 9:59 PM - 5 June, 2011
Nice! I tried out the ns6 yesterday, I was impressed. But like the s1 better. I did like the loossy platter of the ns6 better though, wished the s1 felt loosier. Problem solved!
Mm3 9:59 PM - 5 June, 2011
Thanks
Ragman 12:08 AM - 6 June, 2011
Mm3 what did u like about the ddj s1 vs the ns6? Just curious because I haven't had the chance to put hands on the s1.
Mm3 1:16 AM - 6 June, 2011
Ragman, good question. not sure if i can give you a good answer though. =) I like the s1 better because it just feels better. hard to explain... it also looks more professional. it's plastic but just like kraal mentioned, to me it also feels more solid. i like the Lay out better; but then again im use to cdjs. Mixing is very similar to cdjs with ssl but better because the cues/play buttons are dead on. though manual mixing on ns6 is a breeze also. i Had an s4 before and manual mixing was hard on that unit (i dont use sync, but you almost have to when using traktor with the s4). ns6 platters felt nice but also felt too sensitive, it was pitch bending at times while i was scratching, as if it's not grabbing the samples; there are some complains about this on the ns6 forum already. though im sure it's just a matter time till they fix this issue or maybe the user will just have to get use to the platter. i just feel more "at home" with the ddj s1, could be all in my head; pioneer vs numark thing. don't get me wrong the ns6 is a great machine. if i was still in the market for a controller, it will be a hard decision. numark is $300 cheaper, comes with 2 more decks, and better access to looping. but then again, i had an s4 which also has 4 decks and i never use more than 2 channels. wish the ddj's looping was more like the ns6 though (has buttons for 1,2,4,8 beats). Bottom line is i think it'll just be a matter of preference. after trying out the ns6 yesterday, i thought about returning the s1 and getting the ns6 instead, but when i came home and played with the s1, i like the s1 better.
kraal 1:31 AM - 6 June, 2011
Mm3 i am with you on this i am trying so hard to fall in love with the ns6 .. but the ddj-s1 just feels right
Ragman 3:33 AM - 6 June, 2011
Thanks Mm3. By the way I didn't realize there was an NS6 forum. Could you post the link.
haze324 4:08 AM - 6 June, 2011
it's the NS7/V7 help forum in the Itch section. It now includes the NS6
Mm3 4:14 AM - 6 June, 2011
serato.com
Ragman 8:04 PM - 6 June, 2011
Ohhh u mean a thread on the Itch forum. I thought u meant Numark created a forum for NS6 owners. ;-)
dj-freestyle 11:27 PM - 6 June, 2011
Played with ddjs1 and felt so platic to me. ns6 feels so much better to me after using both.
Mm3 12:54 AM - 7 June, 2011
S1 felt plastic? it is plastic.... =)
elsupermang 1:39 AM - 7 June, 2011
Loving the NS6 so far. I have to admit when I used it a guitar center I felt a lil lost even noobish (the lame selection of instrumentals and lame hip-hop didnt help). I played with it at home for a couple of hours and definitely am getting the feel of it now.

One thing i find myself doing alot, when i go to reach for the selection knob at the top center, i keep accidentally hitting the master volume!!! Doh!! Almost a design flaw if you ask me.
DJred24 2:16 AM - 7 June, 2011
Must be nice NS6 was displayed as shelf unit but not able to demo. I was the first person as a customer to touch it. I get VIRGIN rights to that damn box at my GC :)
djcerla 2:21 AM - 7 June, 2011
Quote:
when i go to reach for the selection knob at the top center, i keep accidentally hitting the master volume!!! Doh!! Almost a design flaw if you ask me.


really? never happened to me
DJred24 2:21 AM - 7 June, 2011
I will wait on reviews and concerns to come out about the NS6 before I make a decision. I'm still sold on that darn Xone, but the glitches, headaches and mis fortune of owning, just isn't worth a purchase till 2.0 releases in my own opinion. Hopefully the doors will open on all controllers, as they are all great in the ability to provide as a DJ tool.
Ragman 2:49 AM - 7 June, 2011
Got my NS6 this evening. 3 words:

Bad Azz Mofo
MusicDan 3:32 AM - 7 June, 2011
Just got mine and I still haven't opened it. :-((((((
Ragman 3:40 AM - 7 June, 2011
Why u torturing yourself like that.... ?
MusicDan 3:43 AM - 7 June, 2011
I dunno, everyone is sleeping and I don't want to make noise. I could use my headphones but it's not the same.
Ragman 5:15 AM - 7 June, 2011
Nope it's not the same. Go to bed and crack it open tomorrow. Then u can put in some quality time.
Paco71 8:01 AM - 7 June, 2011
Quote:
platic to me. ns6 feels so much better to me after using both.


It's plastic and all CDJ's Product are Plastic, despite that they have long life run ;)
By the way they still looks very pros..
Kmxorbit 8:40 AM - 7 June, 2011
Quote:
I don't want to make noise. I could use my headphones but it's not the same.

I'm obliged to use my headphones at home forced by a higher power inside the house, known better under the definition "wife".
But, I don't really mind. Since the DJM500 I learned to mix by inside headphones, because at that time I played most of the time in small clubs where there was no booth monitor. The DJM500 gave the opportunity to have a steady background mastermix inside the headphones, so no booth monitoring necessary any more. I'm glad the Ns6 allows you to do so in the same manner like the pioneer DJM mixers. (kind of something I miss on the Ns7 because of that fader thing. I really don't like that way of PFL listening on the Ns7)

Try to get used to it: Set headphone blend to the middle, split cue off, and don't use the PFL buttons on the fader channels if you want to hear the output mix. It will feel strange in the beginning, but once you get the hang of it, it is really useful in situations where you have to be quiet or when there is no proper booth monitoring.
dj-freestyle 4:02 PM - 7 June, 2011
The plastic feel of pioneer products have always seemed toyish to me for some reason. Just my opion. This is the first numark product ive picked up and used that seems well built to me. So far so goood
Kmxorbit 7:50 PM - 7 June, 2011
Pioneer is good stuff, but overpriced in most cases... well, that's my opinion.
Mm3 8:43 PM - 7 June, 2011
I agree... pioneers are overpriced, so are rane, allen n heath and more, but they make the best products out there; they have never let me down. Apple products are overpriced too, but i will never buy anything than the overpriced MBP, or whatever their next overpriced laptop may be.
Christophlex 11:55 AM - 8 June, 2011
I owned the NS7 and I gotta tell you the Pioneer DDJ-S1 is a FAR better product then the Numark NS7 was. I had to send my NS7 back twice to Numark and they NEVER resolved the issues I had with my NS7. The hot cue buttons and play buttons on my NS7 had issues that was never resolved and the Master Volume, if I pushed it past the half way point, I got a terrible humming noise if no music was being played. I don't know about the NS6, but based off of my NS7 experience, along with Numark's reputation for producing crappy products, I won't be breaking any doors down to get my hands on an NS6, no matter how many bells and whistles it has.

The Pioneer is a much better and reliable unit. NO BUTTON ISSUES. The sound quality is excellent and much louder then the NS7 output. And using the unit has the same feel as my CDJ 800's did. I am sooo glad I traded in my NS7 for the Pioneer.
Christophlex 11:57 AM - 8 June, 2011
Also the mixer on the Pioneer performs better then the Numark Mixer, as well the effects. The NS6 would have to perform miracles to impress me.
Kmxorbit 12:25 PM - 8 June, 2011
I wasn't a numark fan either before the Ns7 came out. but I have a totally other experience with the ns7 and V7 then you have. I used to use Pio CDJ's (all models) and Denon CD players but since the Ns7 I have the experience this equipment has the same level of (build) quality.
You probably had a faulty unit. i had that same issue with a CDJ player which also was never resolved. it can happen to any brand i guess.

I must admit that certain buttons on the Numark Ns7 might misfire once and a while on my unit. On the V7 I don't experience that problem (and I use it every weekend) but I also think the V7 is even better quality then the Ns7.

Now I own the Ns6, And the quality is definitely top notch. Time will tell if my experience is the correct one.

Anyway, it seems you're satisfied with the Pioneer unit. All I can say is: Enjoy it. ^^
djcerla 12:44 PM - 8 June, 2011
Quote:
The sound quality is excellent and much louder then the NS7 output


Much louder? According to manuals, the S1 has a 16V output, the NS7 has a 26.3 dBu output that converts in exactly 16V.
dj-freestyle 3:05 PM - 8 June, 2011
I have denons 3700's, denon 1600 mixer, 2 technics, rane ttm57sl, serato sl1 and sl4, denon s5000's so it think i can speak on a great products and the ns6 is as great at talked about. Runs like a pro and i couldnt be happier. For shows i dont need video its perfect so far.
MusicDan 5:29 AM - 9 June, 2011
Quote:
Quote:
The sound quality is excellent and much louder then the NS7 output


Much louder? According to manuals, the S1 has a 16V output, the NS7 has a 26.3 dBu output that converts in exactly 16V.

It definitely seems like he had a bad unit overall...
djfrancov 11:05 AM - 9 June, 2011
MY problem is that I want the D1 looks with the 4 channels from the ns6 :(
Kmxorbit 3:10 PM - 9 June, 2011
The Ns6 looks better in real, then it does on photo.
First, I thought it was toyish looking on a picture, but in real it is a very solid , pro looking machine.
dj-freestyle 3:34 PM - 9 June, 2011
Ya it is. Picture does it no justice.
kraal 3:34 PM - 9 June, 2011
Quote:
The Ns6 looks better in real, then it does on photo.
First, I thought it was toyish looking on a picture, but in real it is a very solid , pro looking machine.

completly agree .. especially in dim light
Dj Beware 4:42 PM - 9 June, 2011
Kraal can you do a a couple shots with your vci300 on top/beside the ns6 for a size comarison? Would it fit in the carry on of a plane? Also How is the tension on the ns6 platters?
hologram 4:53 PM - 9 June, 2011
OK if you had to carry one one plane which would you choose?
kraal 4:56 PM - 9 June, 2011
Quote:
Kraal can you do a a couple shots with your vci300 on top/beside the ns6 for a size comarison? Would it fit in the carry on of a plane? Also How is the tension on the ns6 platters?

yes later today i will film some stuff and include that and a demo of the tension
MusicDan 5:00 PM - 9 June, 2011
There is one thing i dont like about the NS6. Last night someone gave me an ipod to play some songs i didnt have. No problem. I hooked it up to channel 3 which is the first fader on the left. 1 and 2 are in the middle (what a great idea that was). Anyway what i dont like is that whenever i wanted to cue the ipod, when i would press the the cue button, the layer would switch to channel 3 automatically even though it wasnt set to PC. The first few times i didnt notice and would load the song on 3 and not 1. It can be confusing. I like that it switches layer but not if its set to line and not PC.

Anyone else not like that?

I hope the @Serato guys read this and maybe they can make the change in 2.0.
kraal 5:06 PM - 9 June, 2011
actually i like that being a way to switch layers quickly by pressing there
dj-freestyle 5:06 PM - 9 June, 2011
Why would you press the cue button to cue ipod. Werent you running it through the channel thats non pc?
dj-freestyle 5:10 PM - 9 June, 2011
I see what your saying. I guess they wanted it to go to the deck thats on pc mode.
kraal 5:15 PM - 9 June, 2011
Quote:
Kraal can you do a a couple shots with your vci300 on top/beside the ns6 for a size comarison? ?

here is a quick one from my phone
www.artiscommunication.com
MusicDan 5:25 PM - 9 June, 2011
Quote:
actually i like that being a way to switch layers quickly by pressing there

So do I, just not when the channel is not set to PC.
Quote:
Why would you press the cue button to cue ipod. Werent you running it through the channel thats non pc?

All the channels have the capability to be PC or Line, I had it set to line. I wanted to make sure the song he wanted me to play sounded decent.
hologram 5:33 PM - 9 June, 2011
Thanks Krall for the picture. Just trying to figure out how to get that on a plane without much hassle.
Looks like it will do. Was gonna wait for twitch but the ns6 looks better.
hologram 5:34 PM - 9 June, 2011
bah bad typing Kraal
dj-freestyle 6:02 PM - 9 June, 2011
ya wouldnt press cue on ipod not ns6. Switching to line then takes ns6 controls out of picure except for mixer parts.
dj-freestyle 6:03 PM - 9 June, 2011
I guess i just dont understand why you would press cue on platters?
MusicDan 6:18 PM - 9 June, 2011
Not the cue button on the platter. The cue button for the headphones. They are buttons now unlike the ns7 which had a slider.
dj-freestyle 7:07 PM - 9 June, 2011
Oh got it. I see. Im in front of mine and was trying to figure it out. got it
Dj Beware 6:21 AM - 11 June, 2011
Quote:
There is one thing i dont like about the NS6. Last night someone gave me an ipod to play some songs i didnt have. No problem. I hooked it up to channel 3 which is the first fader on the left. 1 and 2 are in the middle (what a great idea that was). Anyway what i dont like is that whenever i wanted to cue the ipod, when i would press the the cue button, the layer would switch to channel 3 automatically even though it wasnt set to PC. The first few times i didnt notice and would load the song on 3 and not 1. It can be confusing. I like that it switches layer but not if its set to line and not PC.

Anyone else not like that?

I hope the @Serato guys read this and maybe they can make the change in 2.0.


I agree on this point if its set to LINE pressing the PFL button (I think you meant to say PFL and not CUE) shouldn't change the layer, as well should split the VU meter, one should stay as the MASTER, and the second one the channel you are prelistening to
djcerla 7:18 AM - 11 June, 2011
I think it's more logical as it is now, as you actually would want to load deck 3 even if it's momentary set to Line In.
Dj Beware 7:34 AM - 11 June, 2011
Hmm not sure I agree with you Cerla, since you have no transport controls for your line in why change the layer? The only thing you would adjusting volume and EQ.
djcerla 10:35 AM - 11 June, 2011
Quote:
Hmm not sure I agree with you Cerla, since you have no transport controls for your line in why change the layer? The only thing you would adjusting volume and EQ.


for example, my NS6 workflow is to use cues as deck switches (rather than deck switches), as it's the most intuitive; so I'd use the cue to select the track to load a song even if the iPod is momentary running on it; loading the song would then cause a disaster (it would load in the wrong deck).
MusicDan 5:29 PM - 11 June, 2011
I guess it's a preference thing then. Maybe there can be a tab in setup so that it can be changed...
dj-freestyle 5:59 PM - 11 June, 2011
I hate the views in itch. Im in a gig right now with my mc and two dancers and the views bug me. 2.0 will be nice for view changes
DeezNotes 4:32 AM - 20 June, 2011
Thanks for the comparison kraal. I'm a bit fed up with the unpredictable issues I have with my VCI 300s, so I think I'm going to have to pick something else up soon. Plus that damn NS7 is way too heavy.
kraal 4:45 AM - 20 June, 2011
Quote:
Thanks for the comparison kraal. I'm a bit fed up with the unpredictable issues I have with my VCI 300s, so I think I'm going to have to pick something else up soon. Plus that damn NS7 is way too heavy.

right the vci-300 is great but has a few issues that just annoy ... plus there is a 'beat juggling issue' touching both platters at once could kill sesitivity on one of them...
DeezNotes 7:16 PM - 20 June, 2011
Quote:
Quote:
Thanks for the comparison kraal. I'm a bit fed up with the unpredictable issues I have with my VCI 300s, so I think I'm going to have to pick something else up soon. Plus that damn NS7 is way too heavy.

right the vci-300 is great but has a few issues that just annoy ... plus there is a 'beat juggling issue' touching both platters at once could kill sesitivity on one of them...

I have 2 of the first VCI 300s and both of them have their fair share of issues. This past weekend, it worked fine when testing it before the gig, but after being onsite things got real sketchy. It's getting to be a "normal" thing where unknown environmental factors can jeopardize the controller's performance. The controller is primarily used for promotional corporate gigs and I'm tired of the unreliability with this thing. Pioneer is a name I can trust, so that's the one I'm looking at now.
michadj3001 10:17 PM - 20 June, 2011
I got my NS6 today ... and I can say, he is brilliant...
4 Deck Control and external Mixer made my decision!
I think the S1 is not bad, but the Features of the NS6 are even better...
dj-freestyle 11:51 PM - 20 June, 2011
Another one to the dark side. love it
hologram 1:11 AM - 21 June, 2011
I played with the pioneer at two G-centers over the week and finally a ns6 Sunday.
Having played on the Pioneer for a total of about 2 and half hours between the two It only took me 20 minutes to choose the Ns6. Other than features Two reasons topped out. The Ns6 felt less cramped and the platters where more responsive. Other than that I gotta say the NS6 felt sturdier when you picked it up. Not that that is true or false but sometimes the gutt has the right direction.
So I picked up a NS6 as a father's day gift to myself.
And I am very Happy. Their is enough fun here to even make me forget about video for a while.
hologram 1:12 AM - 21 June, 2011
bah there not their
Dj Fitty 1:07 PM - 9 September, 2011
Quote:
Quote:
Thanks for the comparison kraal. I'm a bit fed up with the unpredictable issues I have with my VCI 300s, so I think I'm going to have to pick something else up soon. Plus that damn NS7 is way too heavy.

right the vci-300 is great but has a few issues that just annoy ... plus there is a 'beat juggling issue' touching both platters at once could kill sesitivity on one of them...


that means your not done calibrating it. do the regular calibrating first. play both decks, grab and hold one deck then touch the other deck. if it freezes do not release the first deck. calibrate froze deck until it moves again. then repeat process for the other side.
kraal 1:31 PM - 9 September, 2011
trust me i know how to calibrate mine very well ... just something i no longer have to deal with with the pioneer
Dj Fitty 3:32 PM - 9 September, 2011
Just saying there is not a beat juggling issue with Vci and if others are having the issue you were having then it's not calibrated correctly.
Ragman 7:04 PM - 9 September, 2011
I never had that issue with my VCI and I beat juggled on it quite a bit.
Syed 4:51 PM - 14 November, 2011
I am confused between Numark NS7 and Pioneer DDJ S1.. any suggestions?
dj-freestyle 7:16 PM - 14 November, 2011
I think if you are considering ddj s1 then look at ns6. your comparing active to non active and thats hard to do. for non active i think the ns6 blows s1 away and for active the ns7 is ok. i like my denon 3700 way better but not a all in one option witch i see your looking for.
kraal 1:35 AM - 15 November, 2011
Quote:
I am confused between Numark NS7 and Pioneer DDJ S1.. any suggestions?

ask your self why you want the ns7--- that will be the answer
Serato, Moderator
Zeb 4:41 AM - 25 November, 2011
Quote:
I like that it switches layer but not if its set to line and not PC.

Anyone else not like that?

I hope the @Serato guys read this and maybe they can make the change in 2.0


This is a very good point & it would be great if we could change the behavior depending on whether the channel input is internal or external, I'm not sure it can be done but I'm going to chase this up.
DELANO RENAISSANCE 2:46 AM - 9 February, 2012
ok ppl pioneer ddj-s1 win.lol
i try the numark ns6 and pioneer ddj-s1 2day and the pioneer feel much better,only advantage ns6 have is 4 decks,i never liked numark mixers so i dont care about the stand alone mixer.
ns6 pitch range jump from 8 to 16 which professionals djs dont like,
the pioneer pitch rage from 8 to 10 to 16,dats great.
pioneer sounds cleaner
pioneer keys are more spaced out