Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ all-in-one system takes inspiration from the brand’s classic DJ devices.

The four-channel mixer will offer some features that many DJs will find familiar.

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The new XDJ-XZ from Pioneer DJ is designed to be your all-in-one DJ mixing solution. The 4-channel mixer takes features from a range of other products from the brand, such as the full-size jog wheels from the CDJ2000nxs2, the jog wheel displays from the DDJ range, and many of the features from the DJM900nxs2 mixer. Plus, some new functions that Pioneer has included to optimise the controller for performance, including 14 Beat FX, 6 Sound Colour FX and the ability to apply effects on specific frequency ranges.

Touch Sensitive

XDJ-XZ’s central mixer features 3-band EQ and single effects knob for all four channels. The effects knob allows you to sweep through the level of the desired Sound Colour FX on that channel. The Beat FX panel lets you select an effects unit and apply that to whichever channel you like, including the master. Speaking of master channel effects, Pioneer has included a Master EQ, which can boost or attenuate Low, Mid and High frequency bands. This may please DJ’s who play at a variety of venues, where the sound systems might differ. Master FX will save you from adjusting EQ parameters while mixing.

A nifty feature in the XDJ-XZ is the ability to affect specific frequency bands whilst applying Beat FX to the sound. For example, you might only want a reverb to be audible for the higher frequencies of a track – the new FX Frequency function caters for just that.

The touch-display at the top of the mixer will let you scroll through your music library from your USB, and will show you the waveforms of the tracks being played. Those familiar with CDJ2000nxs2 will recognise the workflow of these displays. Tracks analysed in rekordbox can be transferred over with all the relevant information, including tempo, cues and any other edits made in the software.

Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ birds eye view
XDJ-XZ / Pioneerdj.com

All hands on deck

On each of the decks, the usual functions can be found from Pioneer’s previous models: Play/Pause and Cue buttons, reverse, track search, loop functionality, pitch slider with master tempo, sync buttons and jog wheel speed adjustments. Also included on each of the decks is 8 Performance Pads which can be used to trigger software-specific features, such as hot cues and sound effects. A screen in the middle of each jog wheel provides information on track position, tempo and more.

Pioneer’s new DJ controller supports a Link Export mode, which allows you to play tracks directly from your laptop, allowing you up to two laptop connections simultaneously. The controller can be used with either Pioneer’s rekordbox software or Serato DJ Pro. A benefit for back-to-back DJ mixing is the incorporation of two USB slots, meaning two sets of libraries can be accessed at the same time.

It’s worth noting that although the mixer has four channels, you are only able to load two tracks into the system from USB devices at one time in standalone mode. However, as Pioneer say “the XDJ-XZ is the first all-in-one DJ system to support Pro DJ Link. This means you can connect external equipment such as CDJs [or Toraiz devices] to channels 3 and 4 and sync audio to your mix. Use the screen on the XDJ-XZ or the one on the CDJ to browse tracks on USB drives connected to either unit”.

Pioneer XDJ-XZ Rear

XDJ-XZ will be available now at a price of £1899. Find out more at pioneerdj.com

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