The Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ - Full Review and Guide 

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I keep seeing loads of comments about how the prime 4 is better but I think most people are missing the biggest positive of these decks. They’re perfect for DJ’s who want to be club/rave ready without spending £5.5k on Nexus CDJ’s and Mixer. It’s literally a DJM900 mixer and 2 CDJ’s for a third of the price almost. Learn to play on this and you can DJ on club standard equipment anywhere... nobody uses Denon!

It's the perfect setup for me. I'm a CDJ USB DJ and am most comfortable with the NXS2 setup, but don't want to spend that much for a full setup at home. I've had XDJ 700s, so if I get the XDJ-XZ I'll just use my 700s to create a 4 deck system. This is as close as i'll get to a NXS2 setup at home for now. I'm so happy!!!

The most comprehensive review I have found on RU-vid. Thanks for sharing.

I think its fantastic. I started back in the dj600 days. The quality of sound and effects , screens and ability to play whatever you want is great. Yeah, I wish you could play full stand alone with all 4 decks usb but I never needed more than 2 tables and an effects processor anyway. When I do it, I'd do it for fun and I just added tables as needed.

This video sold me on the XZ. Most informative review. Expert demo.

Great review! Have had this unit for a couple of weeks and love it... well most of it. Pioneer needs to humbly acknowledge the MISTAKE not having 4 USB channel ability on launch and correct it fast. I can't imagine this is more than a 'simple' firmware update. Unless they're knowingly holding out for something down the road, which would be pretty shady and make this unit half-ass considering it should absolutely be able to do it all looking at the competition. PIONEER - please email us an update next month and make this thing do what it should do. Then i'd give it 10/10!

Finally it’s here! After some leaks I already waited for your review 😁

👍thx. I recently bought the rx2 and then the xz came out and i was bummed cuz i felt like i woulda waited a couple months for the xz if i knew, but after watching this i feel content with my rx2 completely. Thx again 👍

Great review as I was looking at this and the denon prime 4, I think this is the go. Jog wheels, fader knobs and effects of pioneer are just too superior. Thanks!

Please note at 22:45 the double tap shift to access decks 3 and 4 in HID mode isn't a feature available until early 2020. To access these decks, press SHORTCUT, you can then change the DECK by press the DECK SELECT button in the centre display. (Note: you may not be able to see these buttons/selection when using USB key playback)

For me this unit is good. I still play vinyl so 2 digital channels and 2 phono works for me. That said I absolutely cannot believe they're still using that jittery POS 15fps 7" display with the plastic cover. It seems positively ancient now-a-days when 60fps phones are the small format displays everyone uses every day.

it’s about time this product came out, I’m getting one as soon as it’s gets released

Thanks, Jamie. I'm getting back into Dj'ing having nearly 10 years out (kids) and found your videos really useful as I'm behind with all the latest tech. I've just purchased one of these units (awaiting delivery) so this review has been very helpful indeed. I agree that the ability to use a single USB stick across all 4 decks is disappointing, although, that said, I already had prepared to use my laptop with Rekordbox as I like the screen size, layout and overall GUI better than the XDJ-XZ GUI.

Just purchased and it's arriving in a few weeks, can't wait! Great video, thanks 🙏🏻

The best part about this machine is that it brings all the features of a nexus 900 mixxer and it has the jogwheels of a 3000. It may not do everything that 2x 3000s and a 900 will do but its only a fraction of the price. You really can't complain. If you want more, pay for more but you certainly get a good bang for your buck. Considering all skills are directly transferable over to the full individual setup

Really well done review. Helped me get in to this system a lot quicker!

Excellent review mate. Proper thorough.

Very good detailed review of yet another fine product from Pioneer. I am eager as anything to go check out its performance face to face now more than ever. I’m just a little annoyed of the limitations as we all get but overall yep I’m loving it!!

I thin I have finally found my new controller. Love how it has a touch screen and is both serato & rekordbox. I hope they don't leave this out on the serato side like they have in the past.

I think it’s a good option honestly. This plus two CDJs gives you a cheaper 4 channel setup than just CDJs and the 900nx2! (Which would be just a two channel setup)

Thanks for this awesome review/tour. Much more fun than reading the manual 😁

Got my rx2 not long ago, glad this unit hasn’t devalued it all and I’m still happy with my rx2. I wouldn’t want to upgrade though I like the full jog wheels

No: 4 channel, touchscreen, big screen, adjustable screen angles, Wifi chip, Zone output, SATA hard drive connection, Power out protection, Full song usb ejection protection, CDJ track information link, Fast track analysis, Has an outdated UI, And it costs more than prime 4 But it has: Pioneer logo It's a must buy!

When the person reviewing a product has a British accent you know it’s going to be good ,

Great review as ever guys! I love this controller. Best investment I made. Using my laptop I can access all 4 channels which is a massive bonus!

I had the DDJ-RZ and upgrade to this unit, the thing I really miss is the stop on the Hotcue. So you can set the hotcue when release it, it jumpsback and stops playing. (like the standard cue works). The rest is great! Iam very happy with it!

Me personally I could careless about not using 4 channels with the usb port I only use 2 channels anyway. I'm just happy that it has the Nexus jog wheels and you don't need a laptop. I'm sold!

fantastic review thank you!

Best review i ve seen on this piece of kit

Another 2 channel standalone by Pioneer. Great. Next. (Crossfader, you guys rock though and appreciate everything you do)

I use it with my techies or just one and a groovebox. Its so awesome. Pioneer listens

I love your reviews dude! I think you are fantastic! You have the gift to explain the things in simple terms that any person can easy understand & that's a gift that GOD Gave You. Help others

Great video as always mate, cheers!

33:44 if only that was still the price lol! Excellent review and run through. Obv. we know by now this wasn't a successor to the RX2, seeing as there's now an RX3 out and this still riding high, but at the time that deffo made sense as it's placement on the roadmap. Looking forward to getting one later this year! This review has made me even more excited man!

Is it me or it really looks like every dj equipment review out there is done by british lads?

That helix effect almost sounds simular to the spiral effect but with much more faster timing control alone with the pitch going up or down depending on the beat fx being added or cutting on time.

With all these features pioneer added, how hard would have it been to make it 4 channel standalone lol

Quality review. Helped me hugely

I've never touched a controller, I've always had CDJ's and a separate mixer (Non Pioneer) but I wanted to move forward but I didn't want to use a laptop, I wanted a stand alone system. I also have a pair of PLX1000's which, I think, would be an amazing addition. I've put a deposit down yesterday as there doesn't seem to be any in the country so I will have to wait for the next shipment, I've been been told that's end of May, beginning of June. Great review, thank you.

Really good review 🙏🏻

Thanks man... Have a GIG tonight with one of those thingies and now I have kind of clue how it works! ;)

Denon just released new SC6000's Decks with 10 inch screens for each deck and here is Pioneer still fobbin' us off with 2 decks on a single 7 inch.

Great review! One thing that would be nice is a table of contents so we can refer back to a section of the video at a later time.

Great training ..thanks

I bought this unit and it's a big change for me. I came from DVS on an S9 and I do quite a bit of scratching, so I'm used to 12" decks and visually seeing which deck is playing simply by looking at the turntables. Now that I bought it, I realize what I really want is mechanical, probably something similar to the Denon SC6000M, but I don't want to pay $1700 apiece for those, although I think it would be great to have 2 SC6000M's to use with my S9. Long story short: scratch DJ's - if you're making the switch from DVS to "CDJ" beware that these jogwheels are not as accurate as DVS. It's close enough, but leaves something to be desired. Also, my unit shipped with a bad headphone port, so I had to ship it back for a new one...

This is a spot-on mobile gig machine with all the bells and whistles, I could ask for. I really can’t get behind all the hate. I’d bet a stack of cash that most of y’all have never touched an RX2 or Nexus setup, let alone worked with it.

Without 4-channel standalone I’ll be sticking to my trusty RX2. I can see the point if you want to add the 2 physical decks eg 2 secondhand CDJs. Jog wheel and Beat FX upgrades from RX2 are quite nice I suppose.

Thanks Crossfader for you review. I’m not a pioneer controller fanboi, but I did wanted to know how Pioneer Dj was going to respond to the Denon dj units. Pioneer is doing the Apple thing - that is making the same type products, little changes, and state OUR CULT WILL BUY ANYTHING WE SALE!!! Can you imagine what was said in the corporate meeting when they decided to make this unit. I bet you there was one person in the meeting saying “All pioneer dj units screens are dated, can we have a better resolution. Or “our users keep asking for a 4 channels standalone, can we create that?” Or “can we change the look just a bit because it looks like our old dj units?” The big boss said “HELL NAH, SIT YOU ASS DOWN!!! Lol But on a real note all this companies do this same place thing(coming up short and not giving us what we want), it is not only Pioneer Dj.

They look fantastic. And great to play off.Only concern when they discontinue, which I think they just have, then parts on the board and other parts you cant get.

Great review

Very nice movie... I hope my XZ will arrive end of June

This will be a huge hit on exactly the groups of users you described. I’m interested in dj software control as well. Its bizarre that to swap layers you have to double tap the shift button. The shift button is very heavily used, the device is so big that they should have put a dedicated deck swap button.

sooo good thank you!!

Seriously in depth review, thank you. I have a question if you have time to answer. ALAC support: If I have ALAC on a laptop/computer, will those files play fine? Same question for ALAC on a USB stick.

Nice Review

This review made me want to buy it )))

Just bought this today and traded in the RX2. Embarrassingly enough I found out after messing with it for 10 minutes that I couldn't use the 4 decks in standalone 😭 nonethless I'm still grateful to have this new machine... the upgraded jogs are epic

This is what i am wating for now finally i will buy this when i will have money...no more DDJ - SB for me + i will be finaly able to plug in my audio technica to mixer

Yet again - noting special for a lot of money. Pioneer are masters at this game. I think the only two Pioneer controllers that used to make sense upon release are DDJ-SX and DDJ-1000. I cannot see the competition in there... Denon are doing way better products and we got this as a response?!?! at a higher price?!?!?

i love this thing.

Thank you

It’s actually a good product if you are going to use Toraiz SP-16 and AS-1 (or similar) for those two channels. I know so many DJ‘s who owns 4 channel Decks and use only 2...max 3.

This was a great review. I currently play on Traktor and use the CDJs in the club as a controller. I'd like to get something at home and this might be it, but questions. Is it compatible with Traktor Pro 3, and, can all four decks be used?

Thank so much very useful for me 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Great vid. Looks awesome but a bit complex for me right now. What other units are there you can play from usb? Ones that are a bit simpler like sb 3 or 4

I love the controller. Price wise, it is kind of steep. For now, I'll just stick to my Numark NS7III and my other set-up the Pioneer DJM-S9 with my two Staton T62 turntables.

Amazing 💥

I like this device very much. Tell me, does it have dedicated buttons for the serato/rekordbox sampler?

Hello, you have a nice review there. However, are there any profiles available when sharing the device so you can keep your settings? Thanks

I know this is old now, but I can imagine this with the screen of the neW CDJ 3000

The biggest selling point for this unit is that is both Rekordbox and Serato capable that’s huge since I use Rekordbox but most djs use serato

I’m wondering if it’s recommended to be upgraded from the DDJ SZ2? I’ve been DJing with my SZ2 for a few years and I’m kinda stuck to it. I see both have it’s pros and cons so I’m wondering if it’s worth to be upgraded.

This video confirmed this is my next purchase. But I'm going to wait for the XDJ-XZ-W because you know pioneer always releases some limited edition about a year after they release a product. And given how friggin popular this unit is, you know they gotta release a limited edition version of it.

1:15 The problem with this for CLUB applications is that it's not modular. If the right jog wheel breaks, for example, you can't just hot swap in another CDJ. You have to send the whole unit back for repairs. Thus, maintenance for these could be a nightmare imo.

This made my day. So glad I picked up the prime 4

These are the new wave 🌊

Just in time to upgrade!

Insane !!!!

Hi Crossfader, I found this video to be the best and most comprehensive review on the XDJ-XZ. Thankyou! Could you please provide the full track ID (title, remix, artist) for "1, 2, Step". I can't find the remix anywhere on Apple iTunes in Australia. Would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the great video. One question , so are the effects on board digital effects like on a DJM mixer? One thing I dislike about digital Rekordbox DJing is that the FXs lack some quality and fullness compared to those on a DJM mixer for example.

Great video! I'm cosnidering buying this controller so the thoruough review was much appreciate! Also, that song "1, 2, Step" by Josh Hunter... I can't find it anywhere! Where did you get that track!? I'd love to add it to my Srato library!

Hi, great review! Can you confirm if these are 14 bit tempo faders? How precise are pitch increments? I guess this info will tell if the gap between controllers and cdj has been closed. This is an interesting piece of gear for people who use professional gear. Personally Ive lost money trying out controllers that just dont cut it precision wise. If this controllers does actually share this in common with cdjs it means some artists dont have to go out and spend 5g on players that only clubs have ease to acquire.

The thing i love most about this controller is thatvit might drive the price down on the rx2 which will be awesome

nice unit

been waiting for the XDJ RR to have booth output and the XDJ XZ to utilize 4 channels on standalone.

Might be intresting to swap the mixer to this for a 4 deck set up

Hi - I currently have a nxs2 set up / DJM900nxs2 mixer and was wanting a 3rd cdj (been holding off for th nx3 to be released). This product looks like a cheaper option to get 4cdj for less the price than a new cdj. Would you advice selling off my mixer & purchasing this unit or just go down the route of a new cdj. I only bedroom dj but like top quality equipment to mix on. cheers

At first I wasn't sold on this, but now the bar I'm resident at is looking to upgrade. I was gonna tell them to get the XDJ-RX2 but they might as well get this. It ain't my money

Dear Crossfader. Ur uploads have become priceless to me. Quick question. Serato with XZ. Relooping saved loop with out it snapping. Which button. I don't think it will do it. Is a remap needed?

I’m so glad I sold all my Pioneer gear when Denon Prime Series was released. This controller is just another example of how Pioneer takes hard working DJs for granted.

Thanks for this in depth review. Can you use usb on channels 1 and 2 and performance mode (through laptop) on channel 3?

I have the DDJ 1000, love it. I want a stand alone but this seems not much better for the money. if pioneer would just keep the big jogs, add wifi and a bigger screen with an internal SSD, cooler effects like the prime has, then I'm sold. I love the Pioneer quality over prime so, I'm just going to wait for that product "up to date" product to come out from Pioneer. hurry up Pioneer.....catch up to prime please!!!!

This is superb....😊😊😊😊

Question: apart from the "club standard" setup (I love how the effects are layout), and jogs (never have used mechanical so don't miss them), the Prime 4 seems a better value power x$. The question would be, knowing that I like the Pioneer setup, will I just wait for a Pioneer next generation, or jump to Denon?

How do you change worn faders and cross faders on the Pioneer XDJ-XZ?

Great review. What does the time mode and auto cue button do? It's above the quantize. Is there a key sync feature in standalone mode?

Apart from all of that can the hot cue pads and beat jump pads be remapped for FX and sample slot triggers like the DDj-1000?

I'm seriously considering moving to a bigger place so I'll have the space for one of these

Why is it necessary to press the Cue button in the Master section in order to hear the Master in the Headphones section? Seems to me I should just be able to rotate the dial in the Headphones section without needing to press a button, but maybe I'm missing something.