The Pioneer RX2 is an all-in-one DJ controller packed with features. Its popularity is its ability to stand alone, meaning it can work without a laptop and be operated easily via the equipment. It offers more connectivity options than any other product in its price range. Build-wise, its bordy is robust but sleek, and it has a functional screen with touch controls. Plus, it comes with a solid selection of FX options. It’s a evamped version of Pioneer’s popular standalone DJ controller, with features (2-channel control, large touchscreen) that can be found in pro gear. Plus, it’s a treat for people who find 4 performance pads outdated as it comes with 8 pads made of soft rubber. Overall, it’s a compact and enticing option for all levels of DJs.
Functionality - Its functionality is much better than nothing, with easier browsing of music collection and picking tracks compared to the original XDJ-RX. Plus, the touchscreen gives more freedom to work with, and a track filter button allows you to specify criteria when trying to zero in on USB drive tracks.
Value for Money - New and established DJs will love the Pioneer XDJ RX2 as it has a layout similar to a CDJ setup but at an affordable price. Plus, it's a great option for club DJs wanting to practice at home, as your existing muscle memory will get you spinning in no time.
Build - The RX2 is a plug-and-play unit with a great mixer and portable build. Plus, the screen and some features are similar to the Nexus 2, making it easier to use in gigs.
Reddit - alexwood94
01/13/2020
BuildPlug and PlayMixerScreenFeaturesComparison vs. Nexus 2Similarities
Drawbacks - It has some shortcomings but is minor enough to be fixed with a firmware and software update, and it's still a very responsive unit that works well and is built well.
Controller - Its subsequent follow-on controller that ensures that DJs can access a compact setup at home without the burden of connecting their kit to a laptop. At the same time, it can be prepared for the club.
Performance - It's one of the most powerful all-in-one DJ systems available today, providing an impressive performance without needing a laptop, which allows users to explore their skills on a full piece of DJ tech. It offers touchscreen support and a professional-level layout. Plus, extra features, like the QWERTY keyboard and improved library search functionality via touchscreen, are included. It's a great option for DJs who have a festival or club to work at but don't want to spend a lot on a DJM and CDJ set.
Level of Quality - Though all the functions are useful, they're also fairly standard. Thus, dedicated controllers might want to look at other controller options that feature more pad modes, though, for most DJs, the selection is more than adequate.
Portability - Suppose you haven't upgraded your equipment yet and immediately need something with a USB playback. In that case, the RX2 is the best option as it's extremely portable and professional, and you'll get a lot of features that enable you to deliver a high-quality set to your audience.
Recommendation - It's worth recommending to anyone who wants to practice at home for club gigs, or is a bedroom DJ who wants a quality setup without much hassle, or is someone who plays smaller gigs and needs a reliable and easy-to-set-up setup that's also not prone to freezing and crashing.
Verdict - It's an all-in-one DJ controller packed with features. Its popularity is its ability to stand alone, meaning it can work without a laptop and be operated easily via the equipment. It offers more connectivity options than any other product in its price range. Build-wise, its bordy is robust but sleek, and it has a functional screen with touch controls. Plus, it comes with a solid selection of FX options. It's a evamped version of Pioneer's popular standalone DJ controller, with features (2-channel control, large touchscreen) that can be found in pro gear. Plus, it's a treat for people who find 4 performance pads outdated as it comes with 8 pads made of soft rubber. Overall, it's a compact and enticing option for all levels of DJs.
GlobalDJsGuide
02/14/2022
VerdictAll In OneFeaturesPopularityConnectivity OptionsPrice
Pros - The pros include the excellent introduction to the software, 7-inch touchscreen, ease of use, ability to stand alone, responsive software, 8 pads that are color coordinated, Pro-level layout, powerful design, a touch-sensitive screen, excellent value for money, similar layout to Pro-Level NSX2, and responsive jog wheels. (Pros) [DJ Tech Reviews 3/2022]
DJ Tech Reviews - Rebekah Carter
03/07/2022
ProsSoftwareTouchscreenEase of UseAll-In-OneResponsivenessPadsLayoutDesign
Cons - The cons include the lacking improvement from the previous version, high price, outdated feel even with a touchscreen because there's no multitouch feature, heavyweight at above 9 kilos, and an excessive sound effect for a beginner.
Back Panel - The back panel has the RCA and XLR, which provides flexibility to connect to your preferred speakers, and the balanced TRS booth output option is also a nice upgrade.
Build Quality - The build quality is as expected, not overly premium for the price, but also, components are not cheap with dependable faders and knobs. Build-wise, the pads are rubberized with a good feel, and the screen is great.
Build - The feel and finish are high quality, and many experts agree that it looks like a combination of other devices, with 2 jog wheels, a convenient pad layout, and a touchscreen section. At the same time, the face contains a 2-channel mixer featuring a three-band EQ control and sound system with FX knobs. Build-wise, the left side provides access to headphone volume, cue/mix knobs, and Sound Color FX options, while the right side provides access to the booth output volume control and more FX options like Beat FX.
Build - Material - Despite the all-plastic build, it doesn't feel flimsy, while the pads are rubber. Plus, the performance pads are now 8 and are multicolored. Performance-wise, the pads don't have a click but are very responsive and easy to get used to. Also, there's still a hot cue mode, an auto loop renamed to a beat loop with 16 to 8 beats, and a slip loop for performing roles with different beat lengths.
Buttons - The crossfader curve switch sits between the two-channel faders and allows adjustment of the curve from a smooth transition to a quick cut. Also, other buttons include the master tempo button above the fader to lock the pitch and change the BPM level, a sync button that automatically matches the track BPM, a track split button to segment the recording while mixing, 4 buttons for FX, 8 beat FX buttons, a dedicated parameter knob for adjusting the selected FX, a color knob for activating selected FX, AUX controls, 8 performance pads that are RGB illuminated around the edges and offer 4 modes: hotkey, beat loop, slip loop, and beat jump, and the buttons around the browse pot, cue, play, faders, a button for sending audio to headphones, and the master and headphone output buttons.
Connectivity - It offers a large selection of connection options, including a 2 Line (RCA), 2 Phono (RCA), 2 Mic (XLR & ¼ inch TRS Jack), 1 Aux (RCA), 1 Master (XLR), 1 Master (RCA), 1 Booth (¼ inch TRS jack), and 2 Headphone monitor (¼ inch Stereo Phone Jack, 3.5mm Stereo mini-jack). Specifically, the second RCA master output allows the connection of 2 microphones that can use the EQ, the phono and line outputs allow connecting the line-level devices, CDJs, and turntables, and the twin USB ports allow loading and recording of mixes. However, there's no LAN connection, and it doesn't support DVS.
Controls - There are two channels, a crossfader, access to volume control, two-band EQ, dedicated loop buttons that allow setting start and endpoints, and microphone controls. Overall, the controls are the same across the Pioneer range. Plus, the loop can be used to set an auto 4-beat loop by holding down the In button for a second, and loops can be stored and recalled when using Rekordbox.
Design - The controller looks professional with a Pioneer's pro-level club gear look. The other menu noticeable differences are slightly bigger color effect knobs and slightly chunky across the beta cap.
Dimensions - For the dimensions, the RX2 is 782.2 mm (29") wide, 108.4 mm (17") tall, 443.8 mm deep, and 9.1 kg in weight. Even though it's made with all plastic, the body is quite heavy but still portable.
FX Controls - The FX controls are similar to any Pioneer club gear with 4 Sound Color FX and access to the most commonly used FX options like Filter, Noise, Dub Echo, and Sweep.
Jog Wheels - It has a 5.5" jog wheel that's touch capacitive with a censor/reverse and illuminated ring. However, it feels loose, which may be a drawback for users who prefer tight jog wheels, but except that, they are high-quality, highly responsive, work well without the need to push them hard, and being touch-capacitive means it doesn't have to be pressed down to stop a scratch or track. Performance-wise, they have the perfect resistance when scratching and are extremely accurate with zero noticeable latency. They feel very natural and are comfortable to use. The biggest downside with these jog wheels is that it may take some time to get used to how "loose" the devices are.
Knobs - It has a few knobs, including the channel select knob that makes it easy to assign the FX to a specific channel, time and level/depth knobs that round out the control over FX along with a big on/off button, a switch to set the channel to connected hardware, a control for master output volume, and the color and parameter knob that work in conjunction to give full control over how the FX sounds.
Layout - The deck sections' playing key buttons, pitch fader, loop, and memory point controls match the CDJs, while the jog wheel and pad design resemble DDJ-RX, and it has the CDJ-2000NXS2 media player and DJM-450-like effect section and mixer. Plus, the 8 performance pads, full-length pitch slider, master tempo vinyl, and CDJ-style toggle buttons will make familiarization easier if you come from a CDJ setup.
Mixer - It's a two-channel mixer with an XDJ-RX2 pro-level mixer that can work with internal and external modes. Also, it has inputs for turntables and media players and can work with DVS mode. It has a three-way matrix for switching inputs and allows jumping between laptop, phono, and line. Also, each channel comes with a 3-band EQ and trim pot, and there's a sound color FX knob and volume fader.
Screen - The 7-inch touchscreen is touch-sensitive and helps find tracks while giving other visuals like the track peak and breakouts on the Wave Zoom. It can be accessed via the qwerty keyboard, shortcut keys, needle search, track filter, and rotary selector. Specifically, the QWERTY keyboard makes searching through the music library easier, and the updated browsing controls also make it easy to jump in and out of saved playlists and load tracks. Also, the screen layout does an excellent job of displaying relevant information, like the stacked waveforms that make aligning and managing of mix easier. However, the two waveforms take up most of the screen, while underneath is a split screen with the track information elements.
Beat FX - The Beat FX gives access to 8 common FX, and the beat length can be adjusted via the preset lengths or the tap button for more specific requirements. Specifically, the Beat FX range includes Delay, Echo, Spiral, Reverb, Trans, Flanger, Pitch, and Roll. Between the Sound Color FX and Beat FX, there are 12 options to add variety to your sets and experiment with creative transitions. On the other hand, the Beat FX are time-based intermediate effects that can be manipulated and modulated using time and value settings.
Beat Jump - The beat jump is a common feature within the DJ software; it allows jumping through the track in different beat lamps. You can use the beat jump even while mixing or setting up hot cues and loops.
Effects - It doesn't have a low cut echo, but it has a sound color FX that controls the filter, dub echo, sweep, and noise and the Beat FX has a roll, pitch, trans, flanger, reverb, spiral, delay, and echo effects. Outside of the software functionality, you'll also have access to plenty of DJ effects with the Pioneer XDJ RX2.
Export Mode - The export mode is used over Ethernet by activating the link, which enables utilization of the whole Rekordbox library on the computer, and it's simple enough not to put a lot of stress on your laptop.
Features - The features include 4 sound color effects, 8 beat effects, a headphone cue, a filter knob, a crossfader, an auto loop, and more. On the other hand, functionalities include the Rekordbox DJ license key, USB connection link export, 7-inch large layout screen, Multicolored performance pads, Channel faders and EQs, 2 line phono inputs, 2 microphone inputs, Additional connectivity, and Rekordbox video support.
Link Export - The link export mode allows users to connect laptops and use their devices for loading and browsing tracks, which is useful for people who don't want to look at laptop screens when DJing. However, the feature is solely for Rekordbox.
Performance Pads - The RX2 offers 8 square pads with LED backlights, wherein some have a more muted appearance. They give access to professional performance features. Performance-wise, they have good pressure when pushed. Specifically, the Hot Cue mode allows the setting and activating of cue points, the Beat Loop mode opens up setting loops, the Slip Jump opens setting a set loop, and when released, the track playback resumes from where it would have naturally reached; and the Beat Jump that gives access to moving loops forward or the track forward in various increments.
Support - It supports playback directly from USB, so no computer is required. Also, it provides support for individual channels, the aux input, the mix input, or the entire set of master output options.
Flexibility - The key selling point of the RX2 is its ability to be an all-in-one self-contained DJ unit and its Rekordbox unlocked, meaning it can be plugged into a laptop to access the Rekordbox performance features. Another pro is the flexibility that allows it to work by simply plugging in a USB stick, and it will analyze the tracks in the Rekordbox to get the waveforms and beat grid, so you can quantize your tracks. Also, its flexibility allows you to connect your preferred speakers to the mix.
Performance - Mixer - Even after a year, the RX2 still works great. Also, it offers a massive functional improvement with the mixer section similar to the DJM-450 mixer with many post-fader beat effects for color effects with parameter control plus switchable EQ and isolator modes.
Performance - Touchscreen - The display feels a bit laggy and jittery, with both the waveforms shown and moving across the screen. Nevertheless, it works smoothly, and the qwerty keyboard is responsive. It has vibrant colors and is sharp, which helps navigation in low light conditions. On the other hand, the QWERTY keyboard makes searching quicker.
Specifications - Other than the touchscreen, it also has 4 Sound Color FX buttons and a Parameter knob, 2 jog wheels, 8 Beat FX, a two-channel mixer with three-band EQ control and Sound Color FX knobs, 2 USB ports, a two-channel mic section with its volume and EQ controls, 8 backlit rubber RGB performance pads per deck, menu buttons and new browse knob. On the back, it has 2 TRS combo mic inputs, an IEC / 3-prong power socket, ¼ inches booth outputs, aux input, RCA master outputs, a pair of XLR, and two pairs of RCA phono/line inputs.
Rekordbox - The Rekordbox Video allows loading image files or videos from your laptop and adding FX and/or text overlay live. Also, live footage can be loaded using a USB-enabled camera. Plus, it's compatible with Rekordbox DJ software; you just need to plug the solution into your laptop using the USB jack. To use the controller with Rekordbox, simply connect it via a USB cable. Rekordbox is an excellent software that can handle exporting tracks to USB drives to use them in the RX2 standalone mode.
Vox DJ - It's shipped with a Vox DJ license key that gives access to the full performance mode of the software. The pro DJ link mode can also be used through the USB export mode.
RX2 vs CDJs - It's good to practice with for a CDJ club set up, but not 100%, especially the smaller-non adjustable jog wheels if you use them a lot, and the CDJs are more "precise" for long transitions. But if you're already a pro, then upgrading to higher-end devices doesn't matter; however, downgrading will make it hard to get used to as you'll notice bigger differences than when upgrading. In comparison, the CDJs have full-size jog wheels, are adjustable, and have better precision, while the XDJ only has 80-90% of what the CDJs have.
djsoomo
07/06/2021
RX2 vs CDJsComparisonJog WheelsPrecisionTransitionsUpgrade/Downgrade
RX2 vs XDR-RR - RX2 has more beat effects, has more connectivity options best suited for business purposes, has more features, has a bigger and better jog wheel, is easy to carry, has rubber pads, has a touch-sensitive for faster navigation, is aimed for users who want the best out of best yet is more expensive. On the other hand, the RR is compact and lightweight with a portable design, better suited for home practice sessions, is a better option for beginners, but its pads are not hyper fast or nicer to touch, and are made of plastic with a click sound.
RX2 vs XDJ RX - The XDJ RX systems lack a keyboard to search, but using a Serato allows CTRL F to search the whole library for tags, songs, artists, genres, etc. Besides, both are nice decks, but RX2 is better in terms of keypads and beat jump. In terms of use, for clubs and bars, the NXS2 is better, but for personal parties, an RX or RX2 will do.
mtsc831
01/13/2020
RX2 vs XDJ RXComparisonKeyboardSearchDeckKey PadsBeat Jump
Denon Prime 4 - Denon Prime 4 is an excellent option in terms of the screen as it offers a 10-inch screen plus a standalone capability with a 4-channel mixing, extensive connectivity options, and prime software that takes some getting used to.
Home DJ Studio - Patryk Biernacki
03/01/2022
Denon Prime 4AlternativesScreen SizeStandalone4-Channel Mixing
Pioneer DDJ 1000 - DJs that need 4 channels should look at the Pioneer DDJ 1000 as an option, it offers full-size jog wheels for accurate and comfortable scratching, and the jog wheel display gives important information. Still, it doesn't have a dedicated screen like the RX2. However, it's locked to Rekordbox software, which limits your choices.
Pioneer DDJ SB3 - The Pioneer DDJ SB3 is worth considering, especially for new DJs, as it's an entry-level option with plenty of features. Plus, it's a good layout that prepares you for more advanced Pioneer gears; it is affordable and portable but is not standalone capable.
Value - The $1,700 street price is not low, and unfortunately, the RX2 is overrated and overpriced with nothing much special. Rather, buying a pair of XDJ-1000 and a proper mixer like DJM-750 Mark2 will be a much-worthy spend. The RX2 will only be worth its price if it has 4 channels.
Familiarity - The familiarity the RX2 can provide is great for new DJs to get to grips with club-level layouts without spending much money on a full setup.
Flaws - It won't play flak or Apple Lossless files. Also, it lacks 4 fader channels, has no LAN port, the USB is a very unstable data source connection, the headphone jack placement for monitoring causes issues, and the price in Australia is $2,349.00.
Lack - Controls - It doesn't have a magvel unit though the regular crossfader is still tight and has a good feel; the lack of a reverse switch can be a deal breaker for some DJs.
Lack - Pitch Faders - It offers long pitch faders with adjustable tempo ranges via a button, which gives the flexibility of moving from fine tempo adjustments to larger ranges if needed. In contrast, the long pitch faders with fine tempo adjustments make beatmatching by ear much easier. In comparison, the pitch fader on XDJ-RX2 is longer, which makes the BPM setting more precise than in DJX-RR.
Limitations - There are no multitouch and gesture control options on Pioneer gear. Also, it doesn't support DVS and is limited to 2 decks. On the other hand, the QWERTY keyboard is a nice touch.
DJ Tech Reviews - Rebekah Carter
03/07/2022
LimitationsMultitouchGesture Control OptionsTouch FunctionalityKeyboard
Popularity - The Pioneer XDJ RX2 is popular because it offers many advanced features. Also, the RX was the first controller in the industry to gain traction as a DJ system.
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