Pioneer DJ DDJ-RR and DDJ-RB — rekordbox ready

Pioneer DJ is working hard to fill all the slots in its rekordbox controller offer. And with the DDJ-RB and DDJ-RR, the circle is complete.

Pioneer DJ DDJ-RR and DDJ-RB — rekordbox ready

Pioneer DJ’s move away from Serato dependence is complete. We’ve seen rekordbox versions of other Serato DJ based controllers appear, and now the entry and budget end of Pioneer DJ’s offerings has got the R treatment. Presenting the DDJ-RB and DDJ-RR.

Some videos and words about the controllers, plus a little about the rekordbox 4.1.1 update and a new bag:

NEW REKORDBOX DJ CONTROLLERS AND SOFTWARE UPDATE

Meet the DDJ-RB and DDJ-RR – 

rekordbox dj controllers with new Sequence Call and PC Master Out 

We’re expanding our range of rekordbox dj controllers with the DDJ-RB and DDJ-RR. The two-channel controllers introduce buttons for new features in today’s rekordbox 4.1.1 software update including Sequence Call, which lets you create and save sample sequences, then play them back without touching your computer. The DDJ-RB and DDJ-RR are also the first controllers to support PC Master Out, for playing master output through your computer’s internal speakers or connected desktop speakers, while using the controller for your headphones at the same time. Both new controllers come bundled with rekordbox dj performance software worth €139.

The entry-level DDJ-RB is all you need to get started with rekordbox dj performance software, and features a layout that handles like a pro-DJ set-up. The DDJ-RR adds even more features, including the new Sequence Load button to load your sample sequences to the deck to scratch them.

The DDJ-RB and DDJ-RR are available from late May at SRPs of €249 and €699 respectively, including VAT. Both controllers come bundled with the rekordbox dj Plus Pack (worth €139, including VAT).

The DJC-B/WEGO3+BAG protective carry bag, designed for the DDJ-RB, DDJ-SB, DDJ-SB2 and DDJ-WeGO3, is available from late May at an SRP of €65 including VAT.

Watch our introduction videos for the DDJ-RB and DDJ-RR or find out more here.

There’s a rekordbox specific update to 4.1.1 too:

Also announced today: rekordbox 4.1.1 update 

Our latest rekordbox update brings new features for rekordbox dj users. We’ve designed it to fully support the DDJ-RB and DDJ-RR, giving you access to dedicated settings tabs – plus PC Master Out, Sequence Load and Sequence Call. All rekordbox dj users can upgrade to enjoy new Mic features on the mixer panel including 3-band EQ and Mic FX.

The free rekordbox dj 4.1.1 update is available. Find out more about the rekordbox family.

KEY FEATURES OF THE DDJ-RB

  • Controller layout mirrors rekordbox dj for native control
  • PC Master Out – use computer’s speaker for master out and controller for headphones
  • Performance Pads with Sequence Call, Hot Cues, Pad FX, Beat Jump and Slicer
  • Built-in sound card for simple USB connectivity
  • Record to rekordbox dj via the same USB cable
  • USB powered
  • High quality Mic input 
  • Easy grip handles and lightweight design for portability

ADDITIONAL FEATURES OF THE DDJ-RZ

  • Layout looks and feels like a CDJ set-up
  • Large jog wheels with On-Jog Display
  • Customisable multicoloured Performance Pads
  • Dual VU level meter
  • Needle search pad
  • Brushed aluminium face plate
  • Sequence Load
  • Slip Mode
  • Release FX
  • Multiple inputs and outputs
  • High quality audio
  • Two headphone outs
  • DVS ready – rekordbox dvs Plus Pack required (€109)

ADDED FEATURES OF REKORDBOX 4.1.1

  • Mic features on mixer panel – including 3-band EQ and Mic FX
  • For DDJ-RB and DDJ-RR only:
    • PC Master Out
    • Sequence Call
    • Sequence Load (DDJ-RR only)
    • Expanded settings

DDJ-RB and DDJ-RR — what’s new?

First thing — why is the DDJ-RZ getting a mention in this release?

Aside from obvious cosmetic changes, the DDJ-RB has been brought into line with the rest of the DDJ-R* range, and gets asymmetric layout and those iconic play/cue buttons. It gains channel meters but loses the tradition three effects controls. The filter fade has gone too.

The DDJ-RR (sorry — all I can hear is Mork when I say this in my head) gets RGB pads with new pad FX mode, additional meters (so no switch), grid controls, and a touch strip. There’s also dedicated sequencer buttons, speaking of which…

Sequence call is the ability to sequence samples, and sounds very producer/performer to me. I’m guessing that the recently seen Toraiz SP-16 is just the start of Pioneer DJ’s march into what we would call the producer market, and is backed up by Pioneer DJ having two stands at this year’s BPM Show — one huge DJ related one, and another in the same space as the likes of Roli, Korg, and Novation. In fact, the stand is the same size is Novation’s at 6m x 6m, so I’m hazarding a guess that we might see more than just the SP-16. Can we expect to see Launchpad style grid controllers? Keyboards? The team still think I’m mad but I’m convinced it’ll happen.

Is the divorce final now?

While the Serato DDJ-S* controllers remain current on the Pioneer site, it’s clear that the relationship is over, and each new controller moves just a little bit further away from the established Serato DJ blueprint. I suspect that as Pioneer DJ comes up with new features that it can implement immediately without having to wait a long time for Serato to make them happen, then the design of their hardware will evolve too. They need to be careful though, as the first impression of the DDJ-RR in particular is that it’s a bit busy, with a lot of buttons added in.

Summing up

The rekordbox specific DDJ-RB and DDJ-RR will cost €249/£199 and €649/£549 respectively, come with a full version of rekordbox DJ (DVS is extra) and will be in shops at the end of May.

Gallery

 

Mark Settle
Mark Settle

The old Editor of DJWORX - you can now find Mark at WORXLAB

Articles: 1228

43 Comments

    • I doubt that however it leaves the door open for InMusic to cozy up to Serato with more Numark and Denon gear made to work with Serato. At this point I’ll some this up with “shots fired Serato! duck!”

      • Yep. Serato and their hardware partners will just re-innovate. They will put out something new and then Pioneer’s stuff will look like old hat. Basically competition brings creativity. Just sit back and enjoy the evolution of DJ gear. ;-)

        • What’s the last innovative/re-innovative concept that Serato has created besides Flip and mixers with Rane? I’m talking about OFFICIAL Serato-related, features and gear that actually made profit for Serato in software or hardware-related.

          • You’re RIGHT nprev. What was I thinking. I’m sorry to question the might of the all powerful Pioneer. All other puny DJ companies will crumble from the weight of their singular ingenuity. LMFAO!!!

            • I want to hear your facts; your knowledge. Not your sarcasm. But that’s fine if that’s all you can say. It tells me enough about who I’m talking to, and the “evolution of DJ gear.”

              • Facts. Dood we’re here all speaking on opinions. This controller haven’t even hit the street yet. Whether you agree with me or not, there is innovative competition amongst Pioneer, Serato and Traktor around the software/hardware in the controller market. I don’t need to dig up facts to make that point. I’m a dam consumer. Speaking to my sarcasm. Do on to others bro. You come at me talking smack, I’ll flip it right back at you. ;-)

                • Not sure what “smack” you’re talking about, yet somehow you’re thinking I’m trying to embarrass you. I simply asked you a question:

                  “What and when was the last innovative/re-innovative concept that Serato has created besides Flip and mixers & interfaces with Rane? I’m talking about OFFICIAL Serato-related, features and gear that actually made profit for Serato in software or hardware-related.”

                  I’m not trying to make you look weak. I’m asking you to prove what you mean, because I don’t see anything innovative about Serato or anything they’ve “created.” You can “LMFAO” all you want, but I’m not here to waste time if that’s how you’re gonna keep talking.

                  Nor fact or opinion, you can either backup what you mean, otherwise, this conversation is over.

                  And yes, obviously there’s competition here about Serato/NI/Pioneer, but this topic isn’t about that. This topic is about the prompt I already repeated twice. Stick to the prompt.

          • What is the last innovative thing Pioneer has done that wasn’t done by any manufacturer or software company before them?Didn’t they just copy what everyone else has been doing the last decade? Their CDJs are JUST able to function like CD players Numark and Denon made years ago.
            Numark, Vestax, Reloop and Denon were making controllers far before Pioneer, Pioneer didn’t do anything different. The DDJSX was basically an NS6.
            VDJ, Serato, MixVibes, NI, M-Audio all were making software before them. Their software is a clear lift from features in all of those.
            Point is since all Pioneer has done in it’s last few decades of existence is play it safe and copy what everyone else does right and just try to do it better, I would expect to see Serato or hardware companies do something innovative first. Then Pioneer will do it.

            • Connect Rekordbox to CDJ with smartphone or tablet over WiFi (no USB stick required), reverse, slip mode beat stutters, mixers that are certified for more than one piece of software (Traktor, Serato and now Rekordbox DJ all on 1 mixer)… the software isn’t as tight as I’d like, but what do you expect from a product that was released 6 months ago.

            • Pioneer created the first CDJ, and released it in 1994, CDJ-500. Not sure what you mean by “JUST” able to function. If you’re question why they’re club standard, well, Pioneer was the first to create them, and popularize them before anyone else, and make them more reliable than anyone else. Everyone copied them, and you can find InMusic CDJs (Numark/Denon) all over eBay for much cheaper than Pioneer CDJs.

              My question is about Serato. This was not a question about how Pioneer is innovative or controllers and such. This was a question on how Serato is innovative, because I don’t think Serato is very innovative at all. How is Serato innovative besides the aforementioned things I pointed out?

              Now if this is about Pioneer copying other software and concepts, honestly, Pioneer is kinda smart as they cater to their own users. They have a strong following, and they want to keep a strong following by providing those concepts to their own ecosystem, because it helps them make money. Think of how Apple keeps Apple users with their technology and ecosystem (iPhone/iPod connecting appliaces, Apple TV, OSX, iPhone, etc.). It’s matter of making money. If stealing concepts is going to end other companies, then it’s just competition and popularity.

              But again, this is a discuss about how Serato is innovative, because I don’t think they are. And just to disclose, I don’t own any Pioneer gear. I only use NI and Traktor.

      • InMusic’s Denon series has already pushed to standalone technology using Engine. InMusic’s Numark is slowly moving to standalone as well with the likes of NV and NS7iii with screens. Akai’s kind of a mixed bag (AMX was a great idea, but I could have sword Akai was known for controller pads and Abelton). I doubt InMusic is looking to stick with Serato.

        InMusic is the majority of SDJ certified controllers, and Pioneer is 2nd place. Reloop is somewhere behind Pioneer. But I highly doubt Hercules or Gemini will ever come up with something amazing.

        If I were to guess, Serato was only a pawn for other manufacturers to use as they built up their reputation fishing in the SSL/Itch/SDJ pool of users. But unless something with turntables can save it, and if Pioneer continues gear certified for Rekordbox, Serato is a sinking ship.

  1. damn, the RR (named RZ in their press release) has a low price-point for its features, compared to what we usually see from Pioneer. i’ve come to love Serato DJ, but at this point i feel bad for them

  2. I was about to have a moan about the DDJ-RR not having any mic EQ. But in the video (at 1:14), you can see they’ve put 3 band mic EQ in the software.

    Very clever!

    I only brought a new controller just before christmas. …..must resist!

    • Guess you haven’t heard of the reloop beatpad 2 that offers everything this unit has (except rekordbox) at less than half the price. Even has lights around the jogs that show needle position which is something this pioneer unit doesn’t have

  3. I knew these weren’t too far behind. I will not ever understand why Pioneer won’t make the SR/RR A/C powered with the option of USB power like the Traktor Kontrol S2? That would really hinder me from buying one. I want the increased output if I’m using any kind of controller.

      • they mention the following:
        ON-JOG DISPLAY Large jog wheels with an illuminated On-Jog Display provide responsive scratching, and let you know the status of each deck at a glance. Plus the DDJ-RR has a durable, brushed aluminium top plate just like our flagship controllers and NXS2 set-up.

        But in the video i did not notice a needle position indicator on the jog wheels either…

        • This unit looks like the be all end all (for a 2-channel unit). If I saw a needle marker, I’d be all over it. My Reloop TM8 is for sale either way. Just not sure what to replace it with but that unit has to go.

        • In the video, there is no specific position indicator. And the manual alludes more to colour modes than anything. To me, it looks like Pioneer DJ assumes that you’ll use the rekordbox screen for specific position info, and has left it off the hardware.

          • Not a good decision on their part. Large omission when you consider that even the Wego 3 and all of their other controllers have some sort of needle indicator on the jogs. And this is innovation?

            • Maybe they did some market research and found the indicator wasn’t important in their sample group. Maybe it’s a cost saver. Maybe they thought that multicolour modes was a better idea. We’ll never know.

        • Bummer, the manual says this:

          Vinyl indication:
          The jog lights according to the [VINYL] mode state.
          — Litinblue:Whenthe[VINYL]modeison
          — Off:Whenthe[VINYL]modeisoff

  4. The RR (let’s just call it the “Double R”?) would seem to really hit the “sweet spot” for a lot of DJs I think. Compact, reasonably priced, all the pro features you need, 2 channel with a smart 4 channel switching option. There aren’t a lot of pro 2 channel controllers being made right now (since Vestax), I think the Double R will do well…

    • From what I read the DDJ-RR works as a stand alone mixer unlike the DDJ-SR. You notice in this article there is the point when it is memtioned tjat these come with Rekordbox DJ thatbis says immediately afterward “DVS is extra?” You may have exactly what you’re looking for in this new controller.

  5. As an ex-SR owner, i must that I’m very pleased and surprised to see so many features packed in that little device. Not gonna get a RR, but I’m looking more and more to jump ship and go with Rekordbox.

    • Just looked at the vid again. The overhead shots showing the unit, the lack of a needle indicator makes this unit look lifeless. No heartbeat, nothing. Nothing other than the output LED’s. This is the most lifeless looking controller that I’ve seen in a while. This unit is a non starter.

    • That’s how I feel about it as well.

      I’ll consider switching over to RB once they sort out their key locking algorithms. I know they’ll never touch Serato’s, but better than getting artifacts like mad when going beyond +/- 5% is necessary…

Leave a Reply