+Alex Mills Yeah, I plug my ipod in every night just incase of a crash. Its always running in the background. It comes in handy about once or twice a year, Sadly lol
Great intro to the New ddj sz sir ...keep up the good work informing your dj fellows out there like myself...your effort is well appreciated...thanks lots...subscribing!
Thank you Adrian, It has thus far been the best and most versatile and professional controller I have ever owned. I hope yours will be as issue free as mine has been. All we need now is a steady stock of cases for them. lol
Thats what annoyed me they should of made the mixer exactly the same as the djm series mixers. The unit does cost an arm and leg. So I would of prefered just a tad more club spec features
i am thinking baout getting pioneers newst flag ship contoller it looks like the pioner ddjs z but s call hte pioneer ddj rz it works with pioneers new reckorbox dfj i will be making a video about it so if your intersted in watch do watch it and mayby yuo should buy one
everyone wants to talk shit about that "sync" button but just wait when you bring your mix out and its not beat matched because you weren't paying attention and the crowds already heard a split second of it, you hit that button and you just saved that moment and no ones noticed a thing
+Jaded Noir After you learn it, it becomes second nature. One of my lkargest dj tips for noobs is to learn how to beat match by ear. It will do wonders for your confidence and presence behind turntables, cdjs or controllers.
+DS Not my gigs :) If you hit the sync button, its not called training either :) As you will find out the longer you DJ, beat matching is just the beginning. True skills revolve around technique, music knowledge, playing the relationship game and reading your crowd. Now taking gigs BC you charge $50 (or a bar tab) is another story and those DJs never last. Happy spinning my brother!
My hubby bought this in Feb and has played one gig. Today he played about 10mins, ate dinner and went back to play but it doesn't come on?....what is going on? Can anyone help?
Definitely a nice bit of gear. I think it has a few features and also a price that put it a little bit out of my league. I am looking into a Serato DJ controller that has built in standalone mixer as my next upgrade. I'll keep this on my list in case I find a bag of cash laying around, but for now I'll be having to settle for something more like the DDJ-SX2 or any new controller that comes along with a real mixer inside in the meantime. At this point I'm still learning to use Serato DJ (full version) and my Terminal Mix 8, which is a nice controller. Once it pays for it's self I'll be looking to upgrade and make the TM8 a backup/second setup. Thanks again for the video! Keep shining bro....
Thanks Isaiah! Ther SX2 seems pretty nice! I also think Serato will be adding the DVS option to other controllers soon too. Even pre existing controllers seem to be getting the update for purchase.
oh on the mic it was very weak if you turn it up it distorted very bad to the point people could hear you. and it had a weird effect on it. just wasnt clear as my rane tt57
yeah it takes a lot of volume to turn the mic up and get it balanced. My ranes are much louder but it seemed ok. sound quality was ok. this is my mobile unit now so I wont have any real world testing until about 2 weeks.
brenden decker What makes you say so Brenden? I did have an NS6 and sold it after purchasing this. Just because I own many other types of DJ gear does not mean that I did not upgrade my controller :) Happy spinning brother.
Great review! It helped me lock in my decision on pulling the trigger on this baby. Now with my question, can use still use dicers for the turntables or are you stuck using the pads on the sz?
Hey Jonathon, thanks and I'm glad you are gonna pre order. As a few have stated in the comments you do not have to use dicers. You can just select decks 3 and 4 on the unit and then the cue pads will trigger the cues. I still do see how dicers would come in handy still, from a usability stand point. They will skip one step and most importantly, keep the control focused on the deck you are working with. I feel it would be cumbersome to have to loose control of deck 1 to gain control of turntable deck 3. Like I stated about the track select knob, its nicer to touch the deck you are working with :)
Just wanted to let you know that this is by far the best review out. It will probly stay that way too. Thanks for the review it solved ALOT of questions. Im still getting this. I love everything about it so far. Bigest downfall is the fx part with fx and horn how you have to let it run till the end. Thanks again.
Hey Egor, Yes it is kind of a stretch to reach any external decks that you hook up to the controller but just position your body closer to the turntable or more like in between the cdj platter and turntable and it makes the reach much easier to handle :)
i own the ddj sx, and will not be getting this ddjsz why? because it seems that numark has now released a controller with screens so im guessing it will be pioneers turn to release one with actual screens on it and usb inputs then i will jump into buying one.
Yeah Carlos thanks, I checked out today. It would be nice if it was able to use external controllers such as turntables and cdjs with DVS mode. There are no mixer inputs that I could see either as the 4 decks just seem to be internal with Serato DJ. I was also hoping the Numark would offer USB inputs to skip a laptop but I bet future iterations will. Either way its a beauitful step forward. Thanks for sharing.
Hey it's a very common scratch sample. Google scratch picklez samples and you will find it. You might have to buy an mp3 but it will be on there. Also Google. Awe yeah battle sounds.
Got mines yesterday i notice the left jog wheel makes a little noise compared to the right side like a bad bearing does yours make any sound difference
I am getting no noise from the jogs. I did notice that me left platter tension knobs seems looser than the right but the tension it applies is the same for each deck. I assume I will have to have mine serviced b4 the warranty is up.
+Fabrice Fafa Hey it's a very common scratch sample. Google scratch picklez samples and you will find it. You might have to buy an mp3 but it will be on there. Also Google. Awe yeah battle sounds.
Sry for the late reply, I am not too familiar with the touch strip on the nexus in slip mode. I use it to jump around in the track but it does not jump while keeping the timing as well as traktor does sadly.
Atticus, Hey Sry for the late reply but I'm only familiar with the mac osx platform. To my knowledge all you need is the latest version of serato DJ and the Drivers for the DDJ SZ found on pioneers support page to download.
Yo Aaron, is it worth paying the double amount of an SX to get a SZ or should I get the SX? An alternative option is the Numark NS7 II aswell, have u tried that one? :)
It depends on what you are looking for. I'm not a fan of the NS7 II, as my friend has one and I don't care for the rotating platters. I'd rather just use technics. I think the answer all boils down to the size of the gear and having a second usb port. Having 2 USBs alone is worth $1000 (SL 4 Box) let alone the controllers full size. I really appreciate the full size (well 90% close). It is the closest you can come to feeling like you are spinning on CDJ's and and Pioneer mixer. I do have my complaints about the unit such as what they included and did not include like the air horn noise sampler lol. I have used the DDJ SX and not to insult anyones controller (I have owned 2 and used many) but this is the first controller to not look and feel like a toy even thought it still has some toy-ish features and design flaws. Lastly is DVS support which is cool to be able to add CDJS and TECHS to it but I have a feeling Serato is going to magically add DVS support to existing controllers via an update. It seems like they already are adding DVS support to controllers right now. Who knows about that outcome. So again, it depends on the size and feel that you want, and having 2 sub's. I recommend the DDJ SZ over the SX tho. happy shopping and I hope this helps Ankfanable.
Thanks for your answer Aaron! I really found your review a bit illuminating :) I now see that the cons you mention Isnt really a big deal for me (small clubdj) I never play b2b and always from 24-3 so I never change with anyone and so on so I guess I'll go with the SX, and since it have 4 channels I wont be needing any extra cdjs :) Thanks Aaron! :)
Aaron Dj Ductape Smith No problem.... I don't even own yet either! Just done waaaay to much research into the thing as this will be my first controller. Thanks for the great video!
$1800 for this SMH, Numark NS7ii kills that machine in my opinion. i have worked with both. And NS7ii is basically all metal with touch sensitive knobs. And rotating platters.
***** Pluses and minuses. I will take the cdj feel and the dual usbs and DVS support over stiff rotating platters that feel and act nothing like turntables anyday but we are all different in our equipment needs and requirements.
Aaron Dj Ductape Smith Platters are not stiff you can make them slip if you un-tighten the tension screw on the platters and got that real feel of vinyl no cdj has that and when you touch the cdj it just stops something that a turntable never did you would get some type of drag and NS7ii dose just that emulate vinyl, dual usbs are a plus, Now wait the New NS7iii is coming out has DVS support. Oh and the screens are gonna be nice for the NS7ii and NS7iii. just my opinion on the two. im a turntableist cdjs just dont cut it in that field. Nice Video though for this product!!!
***** So you are talking about $1800 being a crazy investment and then mention the numark ns7iii to defend your current iteration of the product. This would add another $1500 to your investment. :) I have used an Ns7 and Ns7ii on many occasions and yeah, they feel nothing like technics and I would not expect you to understand this with those Numark CD players you are using as turntables :) Also, know that moving platters are not the only aspect that make the turntable feel complete, its the circumference of the surface you scratch with (Records size) which is something the ns7 nor pioneer cdj have. This is why I do not compare my SZ to technics, I state that it feels like spinning on CDJs which aside from the technics 1200, is the only other industry standard player. In the long run, all that matters to me is that you are happy with your equipment, as I am with all of mine.
Aaron Dj Ductape Smith Been doing this for over 30+ years and they are closest to any vinyl manipulation out there besides the Numark CDX which had a flaw in them or else i would still be using it, and yes i have a pair of Technic 1200's and Yes i do have vinyl records and yes they are the closest to vinyl and yes they do feel like vinyl, and Cdjs are just that CDjs touch and stop, Like you said it is your preference of sort im a turntablest . I currently own V7's NS7 and NS7ii, and i swear by them, End of discussion!!!
***** Hahaha I challenged your logic BC you dogged the SZ under your Numark NS7ii. I did not challenge you as a DJ. The aspect that you got all butt hurt tells me everything. You started with how the ns7ii is just like a turntable with "that real vinyl feel", and you then moved on to tell me how your Numark CD players are the "closest to any vinyl manipulation out there". Pick one and stick with it. Think about your argument before you present it. If you read back at what I wrote, I never compared CDjs to vinyl BC they are not vinyl, just the only other industry standard player. Like I said before, If you are happy, so am I.
Yes sir Dj Bishop. I will check it out tonight. What aspects would you like me to look into. I will check gain and sound quality but anything else, just let me know.
Thanks sir. Enjoyed the video. I am thinking about getting one. I have the ddj sx now and I'm not a hundred percent happy with it. The jog wheels are hit or miss. Sometimes it lags when scratch and sometimes it dont. Also ddj sx won't even work in my studio? I have yet to figure this out. Platters won't respond to my hand touch. Not sure if it's a grounding issue. I have bought grounding mats from radio shack and nothing. Crazy
Deejay Bishop Yeah, I was disappointed with my friends SX on monday. The wheels in scratch mode were not very responsive (compared to my NS6) and it was funny. When the bass hit his center illuminated lights jiggled or wobbled lol. I wasnt experiencing anything that bad with his jog wheels though. They just didnt seem responsive. The SZ new platters ate perfect!. Get back w u on the mic tonight :)
Deejay Bishop Yeah the mic takes some cranking to get a good balance. Sounded good though but I hooked up a real nice wireless to it. I have yet to use it in my residency yet though. making it my mobile rig.
Hey Bruno, Can you describe the feature you want more precisely? The slicer feature is only on or active when you enter slicer mode, so yes you can disable the slicer feature when the deck is playing by staying in cue point mode or loop roll mode. Just avoid putting the pads in slicer mode. Also, your grids must be set in order for slicer mode to work. I am not a fan of slicer mode, as a drummer, it is not half as responsive as just drumming out cue points. Shoot me more details and I'll see if I can better answer your question
This is definitely the type of review video sz buyers need to see. Really appreciate all the details and thorough explanation, down to the small details like grounding screw size and the tips like the crossfader set to the right to adjust the tension. Have you had a chance to compare the jogwheel sensitivity to other previous ddj sz RU-vid videos by kross321 or DJ Rex? Thanks so much for putting together this length video. Subscribing!
Thank you Saint Simon. I have been doing unboxing and first impressions but this was my first posted one so I had my fingers crossed that it was going to be useful. Let me check out their videos and I will let you know. I did see some jog wheel complaints on the net but I have not experienced them. Ill check em out and let you know. Thanks for the feedback again.
I have 4 techs, 2 rane mixers and SSL of course. I prefer SSL but you might not have gotten the memo that SSL will be unsupported in 2015. This is my mobile controller :)
+Theo K. hahaha thank you Theo. also a long time Metallica fan. My friends make fun of me all the time for sounding like matthew mcconaughey too. Happy spinning my brother!
Thanks. I love the simplicity of the CDJ 2000NXS interface. Not sure if Serato would take away from that experience, like using the touch strip with slip mode on cdjsnxs', and not having the onboard effects.
***** Yep, I was on some nexuses yesterday and I did notice that the notches in the touch strip are not present on the DDJ SZ so they seemed to have missed/omitted that feature. I feel that the interfaces between Serato DJ and the CDJ 2000 Nexus are extremely different and you might prefer the nexus w rekordbox :)
Aaron Dj Ductape Smith Agreed. On CDJ2000 Nexues, the touchstrip is great for looping with slipmode. On the DDJ SZ it seems like it's been relocated to the touchpad(rolls?). Btw this is the most comprehensive DDJ SZ review I've seen, thanks!
I really enjoyed your video but most of all I enjoyed your personality and how you are not trying to be a bad ass or trying to show off. In my 30 plus years of DJing as a hobby Ive never been a scratcher but now after viewing this you make me want to practice and learn to do it. Keep up the good work and I'm thinking of getting the new SX2 now since its the middle brother of the SX and SZ since I cant afford the SZ. Great job my freind.
Thanks Daniel! Appreciate it brother! Yeah I was more interested in the unboxing and first impressions aspect of the video then showing off. Besides, to get it sounding and looking good it would of taken me a few days of pre and post production with the A/V editing and what not. lol. Also, I went to college for usability testing electronics and interfaces so I get super dorky with it at times lol. Thanks again and I hope u pick up that SX2. I have yet to try Serato Flip tho :) Happy Spinning!
