Well I was mostly right. While I spotted that Pioneer DJ had cheekily slipped in a covert glimpse of their new controller, I proposed that it (wrong) would most likely be a rekordbox controller (tick) and be called the XDJ-RZ (nearly). The full story is that Pioneer DJ has released two controllers, the DDJ-RX and DDJ-RZ, essentially the DDJ-SX and DDJ-SZ repurposed for the new rekordbox 4 software.
Seems that Pioneer’s PR team has yet to upload assets, so you’ll just have to make do with a cut and paste from the email:
NEXT GENERATION: introducing the DDJ-RZ and DDJ-RX – the world’s first controllers for rekordbox dj
Pioneer DJ is launching the DDJ-RZ and DDJ-RX – the first hardware to deliver native control of rekordbox dj performance software, announced today. The controllers give rekordbox DJs the ultimate flexibility and convenience: to prepare their tracks in rekordbox and then enjoy plug-and-play performance with the software, direct from their laptop.
The DDJ-RZ and DDJ-RX mirror the layout of the software precisely to enable intuitive creative performances. New to these controllers are the beat parameter buttons, Sampler Cue mode and Sequencer mode, which lets DJs record, play and loop pad routines on the fly.
The top-flight DDJ-RZ shares all the features of the DDJ-RX, but adds a club-quality magnetic crossfader, large jog wheels inherited from the top-flight CDJ-2000NXS, an OSC Sampler and two USB sound cards.
The DDJ-RZ and DDJ-RX are available from October 2015 at SRPs of €2,099 and €1,049 respectively, including 21% VAT. Both controllers come bundled with the rekordbox dj Plus Pack, (worth €139, including VAT, or €10.90 a month subscription, including VAT).
KEY FEATURES OF THE DDJ-RZ AND DDJ-RX
- Layout mirrors rekordbox dj for instinctive control
- Multi-coloured Performance Pads with Velocity Mode
- Low latency jog wheels with On Jog Display
- 4-channel mixer
- 4 Sound Colour FX, Beat FX
- Sequencer Mode
- Release FX: echo, vinyl brake and backspin
- Quantized Beat Jump
- Slip Mode
- Multiple inputs and outputs
- Needle search
- Crossfader curve adjust
- High-quality MIC input
- Jog Feeling Adjust
- P-Lock Fader Cap
ADDITIONAL FEATURES OF THE DDJ-RZ
- Customisable OSC Sampler
- 2 USB sound cards for seamless DJ handovers
- Durable, responsive magnetic crossfader
At first glance, they’re repurposed Serato DJ controllers with a couple of new controls (capture and sequence), some minor tweaks, and new LEDs installed, running software that many are saying is very reminiscent of Serato. I would love to be a fly on the wall in Auckland right now.
To get the full scope of these will require further reading of the Pioneer DJ’s site, as well as pouring through PR that is as yet unavailable. So I’ll leave this story right here, and return to it later after my breakfast. Rest assured that we’ll be all over these at BPM… oh wait, they’ll be all over our demo stage at BPM 2015 with subsequent 20 minute video. ;)
DDJ-RZ GALLERY
DDJ-RX GALLERY
this is sooo bad ass
Now I can almost smell the DJM-R9 :-)
I’m pretty certain that the DJM-S9 and R9 are the same thing.
My point exactly.
Doesn’t the S9 already have some rekordbox compatible features on the hardware or are you thinking that Pioneer will release a rekordbox dj specific version (R9)? Perhaps when they announce the DVS add on?
It makes no sense to announce it before the DVS. So, yeah.
Personally, I don’t get this strategy. Why not allow the existing hardware do be compatible with Recordbox 4? It will become more and more confusing for the average consumer with all these models, numbers and look-alikes.
A little pricey, but you get a hell of a lot with both these controllers. Pioneer on a tear this week.
If these new controller’s aren’t officially supported by any other mainstream Dj software (N.I., Serato, Mixvibes etc..) then I’d rather purchase existing controllers that give me more options. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems like the new ‘dj’ software is not free. So……. buy a new controller & pay for the software??
Edit – I just realised the new controller’s come with a unlocking code.
Wow. Its actually daunting how many features there are.
Looks great, but man the price on the -RZ o_O I don’t even want to try and guess how expensive it will be in Canada given exchange rates.
What happened to the colored waveforms in the browser?????
I’ve been waiting for a Recordbox controller but one the size of the DDJSR. As CDJ and DJM owner I would like a smaller portable unit for basic gigs. I wish they added some sort of echo or reverb for the color fx on the RX.
It’s good step on Pioneers part, Recordbox trumps other programs in terms of library management.
I was really hoping BPM would bring us the XDJ-RZ. I guess there’s still some time for that wish to become reality.
These are really just the SX and SZ re-purposed for rekordbox dj. As an SX owner, that’s really not that exciting at all. The SX & SZ with Serato have very little that can be improved upon.
It’ll be a beast for sure, but putting a big screen in there won’t be cheap.
True. However, if it’s 4 deck capable and able to be used with rekordbox dj, I’ll consider it acceptable at almost any price given how unrealisticly priced a 3 or 4 CDJ + DJM setup is.
Was hoping for this as well… Maybe they’re saving the best for last? (Tomorrow/saturday? Fingers crossed)
At least you can easily switch to Rekordbox DJ since you have a compatible controller in case it is worth moving over to ultimately?
I’m curious. Since Pioneer is now entering into direct competition with Serato, any chance Serato lessens its support from future Pioneer products.
Interesting question. If Serato does that don’t they start losing ground to Pioneer? If they don’t who will still be willing to pay $130 for SDJ when the RekordBox support is included in the hardware.
That assumes RekordBox proves to be a viable & stable option.
Only time can tell that. Also, Serato doesn’t normally support
controllers specifically built for other software, so that’s not
necessarily a money stream Serato would lose. Should be interesting.
Serato’s hands are tied since Pioneer is one of their largest partners as Serato doesn’t make their own hardware. To end their partnership with Pioneer would be a huge mistake on their part since Pioneer owns such a large part of the DJ equipment market and I’m sure relative to that helps to sell a lot of their software and associated expansion packs.
I’m sure Serato makes quite a bit of change from the Pioneer deal but Serato also has a bit of leverage. If Pioneer was only able to offer RekordBox ready devices, Pioneer’s hardware sales would definitely suffer.
best demo i ever saw, thats DJ Ravine? Man Alive, please accept my money already Pioneer
Agreed – hands down the best controller demo to date!
Am I just missing it or are there legitimately no headphone controls on the RX?
All on the front.
I guess it helps to check all the pictures first, eh?
DJWORX – checking pictures so you don’t have to.
Think they are on the front
Those Wolfson A/D converters on the RZ though…
There it is, the first male in the tractor coffin. Good riddance
I’m going out on a limb to say that Serato is thinking very heavily on sueing Pioneer. The new Pio RKB is so blatant in your face Serato (yes we took your UI and probably reverse engineered SDJ) that they have to be talking to their legal people about this.
In my opinion if you have already an sz you don;t have to upgrade to an rz. The sz plays well with serato dj, virtual dj, and know with rekordbox. So big value for money.
Maybe Pioneer will buy Serato, and therefore market share…..
Oh I’m pretty sure that rekordbox will do just fine for market share without needing to buy Serato.
boo. the best thing about rekordbox was how it let you put the computer away and play. These should have been able to run without a computer like the xdj-rx.
Looking at the pioneer gear at the end, it looks like Recordbox mobile software running on a phone and tablet. It looks like the doors are closing for both Serato and Algoriddim djay. Track prep on the go possibly?
They have dedicated buttons for “siren” and “horn”. I am rolling on the floor laughing my ass off.
disgusting