#NewGearAlert: Is Pioneer’s newest XDJ-RX3 on your radar?
We may be a little late to the party, but we wanted to test this piece of gear out ourselves before giving you our opinions of Pioneer DJ’s latest 2-channel performance all-in-one DJ system, the XDJ-RX3. A successor to the XDJ-RX2, Pioneer’s latest addition to their arsenal of industry-standard gear boasts a bigger screen (similar to the CDJ-3000), increased speed of loading tracks, easier browsing, usability improvements, and the good ol’ Pioneer DJ look, feel and workflow that made its predecessor so coveted.
Now, we know that when a significant piece of DJ gear drops, it usually flies off the shelf much faster than it came. For DJs interested in an all-in-one system, curious about how it operates or are just itching to buy more gear, we can bet that you’re also wondering if it is worth the price tag of $1,999, a $300 jump from its predecessor. The DATIES DJ team took some time this past weekend to privately demo the RX3 for 2-hours, testing out every feature onboard to be able to offer an objective pro and cons list that may help you determine whether this piece of equipment is right for you. Here are our quick thoughts:
PRO: Touchscreen
We LOVE the screen on this bad boy and, this is what initially attracted us to demo the gear itself. An impressive improvement comes from the screen on the RX2; the screen boasts a much higher resolution and more room for song information — an essential component of these systems. This is particularly incredible due to the slew of relatively tiny screens on the other Pioneer DJ standalone all-in-ones to date.
PRO: Pads and FX
If you are familiar with the standard Pioneer gear layout, the organization of this system won’t be too much different. DJs can find comfort in their typical 4 x 2 RGB pads under the jogwheel, which feel durable and sturdy. For the FX, this is where the system especially stands out. Alike the DJM900NXS2, XDJ-RX3 users can play with the full range of effects, including Ping Pong, Filter, Phaser, Slip Roll, Vinyl Brake, and Helix; and 6 Sound Color FX including Space and Crush. Some of our favorite and notable functions include Gate Cue (controller-style cueing) and brand-new “Release FX,” giving DJ’s the option to stop a track and quick-mix into another; found on the DJM-S9, these include effects such as Echo Out, backspins, vinyl stops and so on.
Con: Platters
With a price tag of $1,999, we were a bit disappointed with the jogwheels on this system. The decks are in the same standardized Pioneer DJ layout and are the same size as their predecessor. This is relatively disappointing when one compares this system to the DDJ-FLX6, which boasts true CDJ-style jogwheels for a much lower price. In a way, the jogwheel size does make sense due to space limitations. Had the platters been made relative to the CDJ-2000s, the system may have sacrificed effects, fader size and potentially more.
Con: No Digital Vinyl System (DVS) Capabilities
This shouldn’t be too surprising because this new system is 2-channel but, the RX3 does not offer the option to use DVS. DJs needing DVS capabilities would need to move to the XDJ-XZ, Pioneer’s flagship all-in-one. We are not sure why Pioneer chose to do this, especially considering the input and outputs of the system;
1/8″ and 1/4″ headphones inputs, two dual XLR/TS mic inputs, RCA inputs for 2 x phono, 2 x line, 1 x aux, a 1/8″ “portable [device]” input, earth pole, and booth (TRS) and master (XLR and RCA) outputs, plus the computer USB. On the top are two USB sockets for USB flash drives.
Conclusion
Though this gear has its shortcomings, it is still a very worthwhile update to a top-rated equipment lineup. Whether you’ve never spun on Pioneer’s RX lineup or you’re familiar with the RX2, you’ll be greeted with an even quicker user interface, an abundance of effects, options and tools and an excellent onboard sound-card that has been much more refined than its predecessor.
An undoubted upgrade over the RX2, this piece of gear is so much more fun to play on and explore. However, it’s crucial to recognize that this gear has shortcomings, and its need is debatable. Our consensus is yes, this product is worth the tag; however, we’d say that this “yes” is aimed at DJs who categorize themselves as semi-pros and want an upgrade but do not need the extensive features and capabilities available on Pioneer’s flagship equipment.
This is a good fit for DJs who play clubs on Pioneer DJ gear and want a Pioneer look and feel at home. This is also an excellent option for those who want to play in clubs and practice on a similar system.
For a more detailed review, head on over to our friends at WeAreCrossfader for their in-depth study of the RX3.
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