As we rush in the general direction of the hot new idea, we then have a natural tendency to walk back towards that we rushed away from. Such is the case with computers and DJing. And it’s definitely the case with Pioneer DJ’s standalone XDJ-R range. The latest untethered all in one is the new XDJ-RR, a model that the nomenclature suggests is the step up from beginner and more in the area of fledgling DJ looking to dip their toe in the big wide world outside of the bedroom.

As ever, lavish PR in in our possession. So without further ado:

Bedroom to Main Room: Introducing the XDJ-RR

2-channel all-in-one DJ system for rekordbox^TM that can take you all the way to the club

5th September 2018: If you want to make the transition from playing at home to performing at parties, bars and eventually clubs, our new XDJ-RR 2-channel all-in-one DJ system for rekordbox^TM is the ideal piece of kit for you. The system inherits all the basic features from our club-standard NXS2 set-up and packs them into a lightweight, portable body that’s easy to take to parties and gigs as you progress through the DJ ranks.

The XDJ-RR offers you flexibility, so you can practise and perform however you prefer. It’s compatible with our professional performance application rekordbox dj (licence included) but if you don’t want to use a PC/Mac, you can export your rekordbox-analysed music to USB storage devices, plug them into the controller and play tracks directly from them.

Keep an eye on all the information you need thanks to the XDJ-RR’s 7-inch full-colour screen and use performance features and FX inherited from the NXS2 set-up – such as Hot Cues, Slip Loop and Beat FX – to craft unique mixes on the fly.

Unleash your creativity with the XDJ-RR and follow your dreams from your bedroom to the club.

A licence key for rekordbox dj worth €139 is included with the XDJ-RR so you can plug it into your PC or Mac straight out of the box and start mixing. If you already own rekordbox dj, upgrade to the latest version to use the XDJ-RR.

To help protect your XDJ-RR on the road, the DJC-RR BAG will be available from early October (EMEA only) at an SRP of £109. The high-quality bag is perfectly sized to snugly fit the all-in-one DJ system and features a Durashock moulded body and ballistic polyester to prevent damage from knocks and vibrations.

The XDJ-RR will be available from early September at an SRP of £1,019including VAT.

Watch the introduction video or find out more about the all-in-one DJ system.

KEY FEATURES OF THE XDJ-RR

1. Layout and features from club-standard NXS2 set-up

The XDJ-RR inherits its layout design and many of its performance controls, features and FX from our flagship CDJ-2000NXS2 professional multi player and DJM-900NXS2 professional mixer set-up. You can play rekordbox-analysed tracks directly from USB storage drives or connect your PC/Mac to the XDJ-RR and use rekordbox dj – our professional performance application. You also have the option to use Link Export mode.

2. Dual USB-A ports and single USB-B port

Connect your PC/Mac to the USB-B port at the rear of the XDJ-RR and plug USB drives into the dual USB-A ports on the top of the system to ensure seamless handovers between DJs.

3. 7-inch full-colour screen

Browse and select tracks quickly and intuitively via the 7-inch full-colour screen, using the GUI design and large rotary selector from the CDJ-2000NXS2 multi player. Get a quick visual reference of track information such as playback position, BPM and waveforms for more accurate mixing and scratching.

4. Performance controls

Enhance your sets using dedicated controls for performance features:

• Hot Cues – mark various points in your tracks and instantly play from them by hitting the Hot Cue pads. Create live remixes by triggering Hot Cues in unique sequences.
• Beat Loop – loop a section of a track and the XDJ-RR automatically sets the loop-out point based on the BPM.You can chop up loops on the fly for even more creative performances.
• Slip Loop – switch on Slip Loop and tracks keep playing silently in the background when you’re scratching or using other performance features. Then, when you’re ready to drop the track back in, it plays from exactly the right place.
• Beat Jump – easily change the way a track develops by jumping backwards or forwards by the number of beats you choose.

5. Mixer section with professional FX

Perform smooth, precise mixes using the EQs and channel faders, which feature curves equal to those on the DJM-900NXS2 professional club mixer. You can spice up your sets with FX also inherited from the flagship mixer:

Beat FX – change the sound in sync with the beat:

• Echo
• Reverb
• Flanger

Sound Color FX – add texture and tension by simply turning the knob:

• Filter
• Noise
• Dub Echo
• Pitch

6. Lightweight and portable

Take the XDJ-RR wherever you want to practise or perform thanks to its portable design. It’s compact and weighs just 5.2 kg – almost 4 kg (43%) less than the XDJ-RX2 – making it perfect for carrying to your next house party or gig.

Other features

• All-in-one design enables simple and speedy set-up

Connect the XDJ-RR to a power source and your speakers or sound system and you’re ready to perform. There’s no need for cables between the player and mixer sections.

• External audio input

Play music from external sources or mobile devices thanks to the AUX input.

• Link Export mode for rekordbox

Connect your laptop directly to the XDJ-RR with a single USB cable and play the tracks in your rekordbox library without exporting them to a USB drive.

• Includes rekordbox dj licence key

Activate the rekordbox dj licence key (worth €139) bundled with the XDJ-RR to use our professional performance application. And, if you add the DDJ-XP1 DJ sub controller to your set-up (available separately), you can unleash even more of rekordbox dj’s features – for example, by using the 32 Performance Pads to trigger extra FX – and bring more creative flair to your performances.

XDJ-RR Specifications

Frequency characteristic		20 Hz to 20 kHz　(USB, AUX, MIC)
S/N ratio		112 dB (USB)
Total harmonic distortion		0.003% (USB)
Input / Output terminals	Inputs	AUX x 1 (RCA) MIC x 1 (XLR & 1/4-inch TRS jack)
	Outputs	MASTER 1 x 1 (XLR) MASTER 2 x 1 (RCA) PHONES x 2 (1/4-inch stereo phone jack x 1, 3.5-mm stereo mini jack x 1)
	USB	USB (Type A) x 2 USB (Type B) x 1
Dimensions (W x D x H)		625.0 mm x 388.5 mm x 74.2 mm
Main unit weight		5.2 kg
Accessories		Power cord AC adapter USB cable Instruction manual (Quick start guide) rekordbox dj licence key card

rekordbox system requirements

Compatible OS	Mac	macOS High Sierra 10.13 (updated to the latest version) macOS Sierra 10.12 (updated to the latest version) OS X 10.11 (updated to the latest version)
	Windows	Windows® 10, 8.1, 7 (the latest service pack)
CPU		Intel® processor CoreTM i7, i5, i3
Memory		4GB or more of RAM

WHAT IS THE XDJ-RR?

In a nutshell, it’s a compact and cut down XDJ-RX2. Shorter pitch faders, lack of slip mode, and less performance pads too. The effects section is cut down, and there are less external ins and outs.

The lack of booth out and external inputs indicates the place that Pioneer DJ sees the XDJ-RR being used, and that’s not the booth. They have other more capable gear for that. But this is perfect for party rocking one track to the next with basic effects (which is generally best anyway). You can still hook the XDJ-RR up to your computer and get the full fat Rekordbox DJ arsenal if you need that little bit more though.

Obviously, some will lament that lack of features that they claim to be missing from the XDJ-RR. But they are only missing if you use them. And a huge section of the market hasn’t made the transition outside of their bedroom or house, and have little need for semi-pro features.

This in turn impacts on the bottom line. What Pioneer DJ has delivered is a complete ecosystem in the XDJ-RR that allows you to rock a dance floor (no really, you can) for around the 1K mark, and leave the laptop in the bedroom. This means that the extra 500-600 of your local currency needed for the RX2 can stay in your pocket, or allows a beginner to buy decent headphones and speakers for their home setup, which they can keep should they decide to step up the the RX2.

Having played with and ultimately not continued to use many of the bells and whistles labelled in PR as essentials, and coming from an old school vinyl background, I find that it’s easier to focus on needs rather than wants. And for me, the XDJ-RR is a big box ticker.

SUMMING UP

If you need a compact standalone that lets you leave your laptop at home, then this has your name all over it.  Availability is immediate with prices of €1149/£1019/$1099.

GALLERY