DJ CD Players

Everytime market leader Pioneer releases a DJ player, we’re back into the same endless debates going back and forth... Well, I won’t feed that trend and try to give you my opinion, as neutral as possible

A DJ for the last 15 years, I’ve used many CD players in the past, from a big, 19” player (Audiophony CD 1220) to flat ones (Denon DNS-3500, then a CDJ-1000 Mk3 for the last… 6 to 8 years). I generally do 50 performances a year.

Let’s get into the context: a satisfied user of my CDJ-1000Mk3/Serato combination for years now, I couldn’t help being more than tempted by the CDJ-2000. Problem is, even with a rather important number of shows a year I couldn’t afford one of these at $1800 (a little lower now). Very disappointed by the CDJ-800 years ago, I wouldn’t even consider lower-end models from the same brand (CDJ-850 / CDJ-900), first because of their manufacturing quality, and also due to their features (I don’t care about an autoloop or loop divide, but hot cues can be useful :p).

Don’t even mention controllers, makes me want to puke: a big, low-end plasticky thing with a lot of controls and lit up as a Christmas tree with professional-looking features that you actually never use in a live situation

All in all, when I saw this model Pioneer had released I wasn’t deterred by the USB-only mode (other manufacturers had done that long before), especially since my CDF weren’t fed by much else than Serato timecoded CDs. A bit circumspect about the touchscreen, I thought “let’s buy one to try it, and resell it at a good price if something’s wrong” .

After a few weeks testing it in my living room, here’s my opinion on it: a real killer! Nothing to be critical of, I can’t compare with the CDJ-2000NXS’s USB part for I never used it but the software’s ergonomics seems quite close.
Touchscreen is very responsive, sound quality is flawless. Very satisfying! After thatn you have to get used to Rekordbox, which doesn’t work the same as Serato SL / DJ but hopefully I won’t have to keep the computer in front of me while mixing as all controls can directly be accessed on the player (thanks for that, Pioneer!).
Plus, getting back my loops and cues makes things easier!

OK, there are still a few cons:
- platter is not backlit
- no “pitch reset” control
- a lot of things can be done to the loops using the touchscreen, but to leave the loop jou have to use the “exit loop” control above the jog – so you tend to look everywhere for that control at the beginning :p
- the JOG’s resistance can’t be set (but it’s still rather soft)

As for its pros, value-for-money is quite good, even if Pioneer is making a nice margin and incites to use Rekordbox.

If you have a CDJ-2000 (either a Nexus or not), skip this one. If you’re still using a CDJ-800/1000 like I did, perhaps this one’s worth the investment!

I used two Denon dn-s 5000 for 1 mois.J'ai so not like to do some scratch with that I have sold one month after having bought ..
It is thanks to the opinions such as that of Anonymous and many other (I make the mistake of bought dn-s 5000) who say that there is the vinyl feeling I bought this for me is that decks are not made for scratching.
To mix it even happens not super convenient with the scratch function, the set because too much concern.
So not to reviews, the best is to test the same opportunity in private ..
Engine torque is a real m .... even to wedge the plate and on vinyl is not terrible ..
Platinum too expensive despite these features ..
I pressed on vinyl so it's nice the touch of a MK2.

I never do this choice.

How long have you use it?

I have kept about 4 months before needing to separate myself against heart.

Have you tried many other models before buying it?

Power HDJ-6000, CDJ 100S / 200/400 / 800MK1 and MK2 / 1000MK3 / 2000 and Denon DNS-3500

What thing do you like most and least?

The pros:
- Presentation beautiful, very successful design I hang immediately
- Quality, we feel that the production is up
- The accuracy of pitch
- The pitch bend to catch a piece quickly by pressing the + or -
- The choice of pitch for jumps 0.02%
- The tray, a treat
- The angled display, ends to examine the turntable
- The integrated effects
- Loops
- The ability to read the same key if I did not use this function

The -:
There are few but it takes
- The tray lacks a bit of torque and has a tendency to panic if a little strong stimulus
- Key features come to hand very easily, but it takes a lot further to exploit to the maximum. I had returned twice to the bar where I mix, the others have not been able to use them, they décalaient the hand for them was hard.
- The buttons, plastic buttons did not bother me more than that, but it is true that they are better at Pioneer
- Calibration to jog when you disconnect the vinyl mode is not very precise, but hey I did not care I always left with the turntable.

How would you rate the quality / price?
I have had a bit more expensive than the coast I think, but definitely not disappointed investment

With experience, you do again this choice?

Eyes closed, I wanted these plates since their release, I could have them and separate myself was a bursting heart, can mix CD with vinyl top is a treat when it's done. Now, I do not think resume, I account as soon as I have the opportunity to take me a pair of CDJ 900 whose price has fallen sharply, and then move on his little sister, the DNS-3900.