- S Z 2 : £ Whatever genre of music you prefer, whatever style of performer you are, and whatever technology format you favour, in the DJ industry you will be familiar with the company Pioneer DJ. For a while now the brand has been at the forefront of DJ technology and, despite the critics whining about price and rival manufacturers arguing that the brand unfairly controls the market, the quality of its equipment is never questioned. Having an ear to the ground and shrugging off any negativity has allowed Pioneer DJ to hold the DJ technology throne for over a decade and, through various partnerships, their most recent offerings to the market continue to ooze that unmistakable Pioneer DJ pedigree we have learnt to trust.

7744 With all the recent hype around Pioneer DJ’s own in-house rekordbox DJ software and the versatility it offers throughout the Nexus (and most of the new DDJ) range, I must admit I was initially a little surprised to learn of the new DDJ-SZ2 dedicated Serato controller. However, given a little time to digest the idea, I realised it makes perfect sense. Many DJs who have honed their skills with the powerful Serato DJ software will no-doubt want to continue their ‘software loyalty’, therefore Pioneer DJ’s decision to re-vamp, evolve, and modernize its DDJ-SZ controller is clearly a bold move to assert it as ‘THE ONLY’ choice for serious Serato users.

At first glance, the new DDJ-SZ2 appears very similar to the original DDJ-SZ, and that’s because it is. On the surface, a change from black to silver fader knobs is the only cosmetic enhancement. However, in terms of functionality, it has evolved in many neat and nerdy ways which will have Serato enthusiasts dribbling when they get to grips with what it has to offer. Firstly, let’s examine what comes out of the box.

Ladies and gents, this is not a toy! The DDJ-SZ2 is a serious, professional machine. It weighs a solid 11kg and is the size of a yoga mat! Because of this size, there is space for a familiar DJM-Nexus-sized 4-channel mixer which is set out exactly as you would expected and in-line with the rest of the current crop of flagship Pioneer DJ equipment which makes switching between the brand’s hardware so simple.

Each individual deck comes with a full-size 202mm CDJ-style aluminium jog wheel and all the same bells and whistles as its SZ predecessor. There are eight multi-purpose performance pads per deck, backlit with RGB LEDs to give a visual indication of their mode, which can be used to trigger Hot Cues, Roll, Slicer, Sampler, Cue Loop, and Pitch Play (I’ll get on to that new feature shortly). Each deck also has a needle drop search ribbon, a large smooth tempo slider, and a variety of dedicated FX controls.

Round the back you’ll find two USB slots to allow the simultaneous connection of a pair of laptops. This is intended for a club environment, allowing DJs to switch over, moving from one laptop to another seamlessly without any interruption. However, from a mobile DJ perspective it means that both a primary and backup laptop can be connected at the same time, which means that THE APRIOTN OEFE AR DDVJE DRDTJIS-SINZG2 if your laptop crashes just before RCA line-level the first dance at a wedding, you inputs.

Put can save the day by playing the has everything track from your second computer a flagship without the need to swap a single the right places. cable! So far, so good, In addition to these digital connote to set this nections, there are also a whole However, if we host of analogue audio inputs and into the technical outputs. Of course there is a stethe unit’s reo pair of balanced XLR Master true character outputs, alongside a pair of ¼” TRS Firstly, it has jack Booth outputs and a pair of tively control RCA Phono secondary Master outwhich is a puts.

There are also two Mic inputs processing – one via a ¼” jack and the other comes bundled through a combination ¼” jack / It allows you to XLR socket – as well as four stereo the key of any PIONEER DJ DDJ-SZ2 Pioneer dj DDJ-SZ2 and two phono-level ing its speed. While this has been simply, the DDJ-SZ2 possible before, it’s incredibly easy you would expect now, with dedicated Key up and controller to have, in all down, Sync, and Reset buttons on the controller.

The plugin also uses advanced processing techniques but nothing of to avoid audio degradation even new model apart. at both high and low key change dig a little deeper extremes. Those who already mix nitty gritty of in key will understand the benefit attributes the DDJ-SZ2’s of this, but if you are new to the starts to come out. concept I recommend going to been developed to na- YouTube and listening to some Serato’s Pitch ‘n Time, demonstrations. In the meantime, super-high-quality audio trust me when I say that using plugin for Serato that Pitch ‘n Time live on the SZ2 to key with the controller. sync your tracks and manipulate effortlessly change key changes opens up a whole new track without changworld of creative mixing.

75 Pioneer dj DDJ-SZ2 Another plugin that comes bundled lator samples, and with the unit, for which dedicated if you do a little controls have been integrated into configuring! the controller, is Serato Flip. This is a new kind of sampler that al- The aluminium jog lows you to record, quantize, and also been upgraded loop a track while it continues to for improved accuracy, play. The SZ2 has dedicated Record cy, and better human and Start buttons for Serato Flip Although not pressure but, more significantly, the eight they are arguably performance pads also come prewheels I have ever mapped for use with the plug-in. even Jazzy Jeff would Imagine being able to play your hot find a fault scratching cues like a piano or drum machine, I can also comfortably recording the performance live, based on my then instantly being able to loop it the controller over or continue DJing as normal until a month, the latency you want to ‘flip’ back to your custom created segment.

This is a re- As you would expect markably powerful too, especially ship’ controller that for switching genres where the back the best part beats and musical structures are the DDJ-SZ2 offers drastically different. Please note, high audio quality. becoming a ‘genre sliding’ DJ ninja gate signal to noise takes serious practice! But the thing that is often integration between Serato Flip This is the quality and the SZ2 is next level, and will of the sound that is enable you to seriously stand out the unit itself and as a performer if you can master it. music has to be electrical noise (e.g.

One of the most annoying issues ing etc.) becomes with the old SZ was the lack of and noticeable to post fade FX. (Insert Charlie Sloth ear. Pioneer DJ’s / Tim Westwood air horn sample signal-to-noise with large reverb) Boom! Pioneer which means your DJ smash it once again, because bleeding before you now not only does the DDJ-SZ2 unwanted electrical feature post fade FX across all noise. Without naming channels you can also assign them I had a look at some to the Master, the in-built Oscilrecommended Serato 76 even the Mic lers and, out of the four closest extra curricular equipped alternatives, two had a signal-to-noise ratio of 88dB, another was rated at 95dB, and the wheels have final manufacturer didn’t even and fine-tuned present a result!

The SZ2 also has lower latenpremium 24-bit 44.1kHz digitalinteraction. to-analogue converters, which is sensitive, the audio equivalent of a 4K Ultra the best jog HD TV! handled and struggle to It’s not often that I find myself on them. stuck when it comes to finding say that, faults with products, but I suppose experience testing Pioneer DJ had a fantastic starting the period of base with the original SZ. This new is now zero. version sorts out a few niggles from its predecessor and adds new from a ‘flagfeatures for taking creative DJing will set you to the next level.

Serato users reof two grand, ally do have the epitome of precise extremely control, seamless integration, and Let’s investilimitless potential to make creative ratio, some- DJ sets with the Pioneer DJ DDJ- overlooked. SZ2. This is the ultimate controller and cleanliness for any Serato DJ who really wants emitted from to test themselves and push the how loud the limits of what is achievable. Everyplayed before thing is MIDI mappable if you don’t buzzing, hisslike the way the SZ2 is pre-mapped, problematic so it’s difficult to find a fault if the untrained Serato is your software of choice.

DDJ-SZ2 has a ratio of 111dB The DDJ-SZ2’s multi-colour LED ear drums are pads, perfectly laid out knobs, can hear any fancy upgraded silver faders, adcomponent vanced Serato-specific controls, any names, and dedicated FX sections make it of the other the ultimate Serato partner. DJ control- PIONTEHEER EDAJR DLDY JD-SAZY2S With your of your With Find out more and YO DJ Event Planner you’ll be able to manage business from anywhere, anytime. Keep track bookings, appointments, clients, employees, equipment and most importantly, your time! all your tools in one place, you can handle every aspect of your business and ggeett bbaacckk time for you! get a free trial at UK and US Based Support Team