Pioneer DJ XDJ-RX3 2 Channel All In One DJ System

The Pioneer DJ XDJ-RX3 is a 2 channel, all-in-one, DJ system which streamlines workflow and expands creative possibilities.

Pioneer DJ set themselves a real challenge when upgrading the XDJ-RX2. The recent upgrades to both the CDJ and DJM range have pushed the boundaries of DJing – choosing which features to include, and how to cram them into the RX3 form factor, has resulted in a DJ system which challenges expectations at this price point.

The first thing you’ll notice is the new 10.1-inch touchscreen, which dominates the centre of the unit. This screen features a much-improved framerate and a higher resolution. Pioneer DJ has used the improved resolution to display extra information without the user interface ever feeling busy – which is an issue for many users of the previous generations of RX. The new screen can comfortably provide 12 lines of track information when you’re browsing your Rekordbox library without losing waveform displays.

In addition, the new Pad Status Display, Beat FX Bank and X-Pad have plenty of space within the screen – these features would have been impossible to implement on the old 7-inch screen. 3-band waveforms are now available, just as with the CDJ-3000, the blue represents low frequency data, orange the mid-range and white displays high frequency content.

Next to the new screen you’ll notice that the navigation controls are lifted from the CDJ-3000. This will improve muscle memory for users of the industry standard media players who would prefer to have a compact system to practice with away from the booth. There are lots of features lifted from the flagship unit, including the Touch Preview function and playlist bank. Combine these additions with jogwheel adjustability and it’s clear that Pioneer DJ has designed the XDJ-RX3 to feel like a small booth setup.

This theme continues over to the mixer section, which now features 6 Sound Colour FX and 14 Beat FX. The additional FX bring the XDJ-RX3 performance capabilities closer to the DJM-900NXS2. While we’re on the subject of the industry standard mixer, the XDJ-RX3 has been sonically tuned to sound closer to the NXS2 mixer. This tuning has resulted in a warmer, well-rounded sound which has an analogue feel and is a less harsh than previous RX models. Tweaking the mixer to suit your needs is now far easier thanks to the improved utility menu which allows you to control fader curves and switch the EQ from the standard level of cut to isolator mode. The headphone monitoring section now has an additional cue button to make use of the Touch Preview function and the AUX input, which made its debut in the RX2, has been retained.

So far, we’ve had lots of improvements to workflow and operability, but what about new performance features? As with any product update, Pioneer DJ have added some new performance tools to the XDJ-RX3. First up, we have the Release FX which are assigned to the pads. This industry first, for an all-in-one DJ system, allows users to assign FX to the pads to be used in conjunction with the Beat FX and Sound Colour FX. The new Beat FX Bank also improves performance capabilities by removing the need to select FX with the rotary dial. Quickly jumping between FX is now a breeze and the sonic possibilities this offers, especially with the additional Beat FX which are now on board.

That’s standalone operability covered, but what about use of the Pioneer DJ XDJ-RX3 as a DJ controller? As expected, the RX3 will function as a Rekordbox unlock device. Offering up 2 channel operation for users of the performance element of Pioneer DJs software platform. Just below the Rekordbox logo, you might have noticed the Serato badging – that’s because, from Q1 2022, the unit will also function as a 2-channel controller for Serato DJ users as well, at no extra cost!

The main features of the Pioneer DJ XDJ-RX3 include:

• 10.1-inch touchscreen
• New improved jogwheels with 2.7-inch LCD screens
• Touch Preview cue facility
• Playlist Bank
• Pad Status Display
• Beat FX Bank
• X-Pad
• Countdown timer
• Release FX
• 6 Sound Colour FX
• 14 Beat FX

PIONEER DJ XDJ-XZ VERSUS XDJ-RX3

While aimed at two very different users, there will undoubtedly be many who will compare the flagship all-in-one DJ system from Pioneer DJ with the newer model. The obvious comparisons mostly come down to size, such as that of the jogwheels and the screen – while for others channel count might be a factor.

If we focus on the screen first, the RX3 has the larger screen – with the XZ making use of the older generation 7-inch touchscreen. While resolution is slightly lower, due to pixel count, a firmware update has pushed the XZ up to the same 30fps framerate as the new RX. Features such as Beat FX Bank and Pad Status Display can’t be implemented due to screen size and there are less lines of track data (eight) displayed when browsing the track library, but the 2-channel standalone playback was never the only trick that the XZ has up its sleeve.

When used in controller mode, the XZ offers four channels of operation versus the two of the RX3. It’s also capable of hybrid playback – using both the standalone engine alongside two channels of Rekordbox or Serato DJ playback – which is great for DJs who us both platforms.

Finally, as the footprint is larger, the XZ can accommodate more channels and the full-size CDJ jogwheels. While the addition of jog adjustability to the RX3 narrows the gap, the larger jogs are something that may tempt the pro-user to the XZ.

Comparing the two units as all-in-one DJ systems or controllers, it’s clear that there are pros and cons depending on usage. If you’re trying to get closer to the operability and navigation of the CDJ-3000 then the RX3 has the edge thanks to the new screen and navigation controls. If the tactile feel of the larger CDJ jogwheels are an important factor, then the XZ will have the edge. If you’re unsure which unit suits your needs, pop into one of our London Stores to compare the units – you’ll also be able to look a the CDJ-3000 alongside the RX3 to compare the similarities.

MMMMMM CHIPS

As this will undoubtedly come up, you might be wondering what architecture is driving the incredibly responsive, visually impressive XDJ-RX3. At this point, we should invite the development team at Pioneer DJ to take a bow. They’ve somehow managed to squeeze all the features we’ve mentioned earlier from the DSP platform we’ve come to know and rely on.

In this age of multicore processor based standalone units and big.LITTLE configurations, the boffins at Pioneer DJ have turned out a unit capable of so much without development that would have undoubtedly resulted in a significantly more expensive unit.

We know that the CDJ-3000 has brought with it new architecture that Pioneer DJ will undoubtedly make more use of in the future, but if this is what can be achieved with the DSP based platform just imagine what could be created in the future!