- R R MARCUS BOND - MSRP: £ In the past few weeks, doing my usual scanning of the interwebs, I began to realise just how many controllers and media players Pioneer DJ make! And it’s not just me who thinks this, as during many chats I’ve had with fellow DJs recently they’ve ended up saying exactly the same as me: there’s a lot! Then, seemingly out of nowhere, comes another new product announcement: the XDJ family is growing by one, with the introduction of the new XDJ-RR.

So where does this new model fit in the Pioneer DJ ecosystem, how does it differ from the other options and is it a product that will be of interest to mobile DJs? 8822 sponsored by To answer those questions, let’s start by putting the new kid on the block in context. For those who aren’t familiar with the Pioneer DJ product naming convention, it’s actually pretty straightforward. CDJ is the prefix for CD / media players (such as the industry standard CDJ-2000NXS2), DJM is the mixer range (like the flagship DJM- 900NXS2) and DDJ is the range of software controllers (including the DDJ-400 that I a couple of issues ago).

Then there’s the XDJ series, Pioneer DJ’s most recent range which started from futuristic beginnings (anyone remember the XDJ-Aero?). The XDJ products are DJ players but they don’t have CD drawers, they play music directly from a USB stick or hard drive to allow digital DJing without the need for a computer. Prior to the launch of the new XDJ-RR, the current Pioneer DJ product line-up only featured three pieces of kit in the XDJ series. The XDJ-1000MK2 and XDJ-700, which are essentially CDJs without the CD drawer) and the XDJ-RX2.

This formidable beast is an all-in-one unit that combines two players and a mixer. It houses enough computer power to manage even the biggest of libraries and comes with a whole load of advanced features to give you a club standard experience without spending your rent money on a fully blown CDJ-2000NXS2 / DJM-2000NXS setup (which would set you back the best part of £6K!) The XDJ-RX2, however, is still 1500-odd quid, plus the case (some upwards of £250).

This prices a fair number of DJs looking for a compact, no-nonsense standalone media player well out of the buying loop. So this is where the new XDJ-RR comes in! It’s only a smudge over a grand yet still retains standalone status and has a large full-colour screen just like its bigger brother the XDJ-RX2… Intriguing… I’ll start with my very, very first impressions. Now, I’ve played on the RX2 and love it to bits.

With its flashy LED ring inside the jog wheels, huge colour touch screen, dual USB inputs and record to USB capability, it really does rock. Now this one, at first glance, is clearly a trimmed down version. There are no flashy rings inside the jog wheels, and less performance pads and effects. However, I almost broke down sobbing with joy as I looked for the rest of my beloved features.

Dual USB, it’s still there – hooray! Can you still record straight to USB though? Yes you most certainly can! As I continued looking around the unit, I soon realised that it is still a perfectly capable stan- THE ARPTIO ONFE AERD VDEJR XTDISJI-NRGR dalone system, but nearly £500 to choose cheaper!

The display is still a maminternal media moth seven inches diagonal, givthat, should ing plenty of library information hook up a pair and clear waveforms of tracks. a pair of CDJs However, it isn’t touchscreen, like between them bigger brother, which is obviously music files. All where one of the major cost savthe aux input, ings needed to be made. go through (so no EQ) The software inside the XDJ-RR is dedicated Trim the same as the other models in do the job if the Pioneer DJ range that can play in an iPod for directly from USB media, so it is a or for backup, perfect training ground if you’re be used for a spinning in a place that has a CDJ- For some this 2000NXS2 setup but don’t have 6 for most mobile grand kicking about to invest on a the two internal practice setup for home.

The navibe enough so gation is nice and smooth, just like inputs will be the XDJ-RX2, and for mobile DJs it really has everything you’re likely The other to want from a DJ setup. when comparing ger brother is I do have an innate fear of anythe RX2 benefits thing that is a ‘baby’, ‘cut down’ or side whereas ‘budget’ version, as I always worry has four. Sure, the features we DJs actually want ity, but in all will be sacrificed. But that isn’t the more than a case with the XDJ-RR.

However, it a track if I’m is undoubtably a smaller version of capacity – it’s the XDJ-RX2 so, after satisfying formance than myself that it offers the key fea- So really the tures we all need, I went on a miniisn’t a big sacrifice. quest to find the differences and seek out what’s missing, in a weird In addition to tech ‘spot the difference’ game. the pads also creative functions. Looking at the back of this con- Loop, Slip Loop troller, you’ll be greeted with what With Beat could be described as ‘ample’ con- Loop In the nectivity.

You have your power sets the Loop connection (12V DC using the on the rekordbox supplied adapter, not IEC like on track. This the RX2), stereo balanced XLR and easy to mix RCA phono outputs (but no ¼” pecially useful booth output), as well as a stereo end of a track RCA phono aux input and a combi you’re not XLR / ¼” jack mic connection (but next song. just the one). The big absence, real-time playback when compared to the XDJ-RX2, you can drop is the lack of external channel inyou’re finished puts.

The RX2 features both line and the track and phono level inputs for each ing from the channel, with a selection switch reached if you’d PIONEER DJ XDJ-RR Pioneer DJ XDJ-RR between them and the ing normally. Finally, Beat Jump player. This means allows you to jump forwards and you desire, you could backwards within the track, but of vinyl decks AND while still keeping the beat. and mix seamlessly and your digital Pioneer DJ has also trimmed back the XDJ-RR has is the number of FX offered by the but that doesn’t XDJ-RR, with only Echo, Reverb and the mixer channels Flanger available as Beat FX.

Conand instead has a trol over level/depth, beat selection control. This will and the ability to assign to individyou want to chuck ual channels or the master output background music are still present though, as are the but it can’t really four Sound Colour FX. So, although main music source. it offers less than the RX2, for most may be an issue, but mobile DJs I think this selection will DJs I’d guess that prove more than adequate. music players will the lack of external In addition to the pair of USB-A no great loss. sockets on the top panel, there’s also a USB-B socket on the back noticeable difference for connection to a computer.

This the RR with its bigcan be used in two different ways – the hot cue buttons; Link Export, where you play music from eight per stored on your computer using the this new model only XDJ-RR players, and Performance it’s half the capabil- Mode, where your XDJ-RR acts as honestly I rarely need a controller for DJing using Pioneer couple of cue points in DJ’s flashy and capable rekordbox dj playing in a mobile DJ software. I know Pioneer DJ pitch more a marathon perthis as a standalone media player, a half hour of power! which it most certainly is, but the drop from eight to four fact that it works in perfect harmony with rekordbox dj means that it offers the best of both worlds.

A use as Hot Cues, full rekordbox dj licence is included offer three other with the unit, which usually costs These are Beat around a hundred quid on its own. and Beat Jump. This is especially handy for beginner Loop when you hit and bedroom DJs, as they can get a XDJ-RR automatically feel for what it’s like to DJ on both Out point based computer software and directly analysis of the from USB using just this one unit. makes it incredibly using loops, and is es- So what else has the XDJ-RR got for extending the going for itself?

Well, put simply, in an emergency if it has the ‘Pioneer effect’! If you’ve quite ready with the ever used a Pioneer DJ product for Slip Loop maintains DJing then you probably know what of the track so I mean. Pioneer kit (controllers and back in as soon as media players, especially) are always playing with a loop well-built and every button press will continue playis intuitive and positive. Nothing point it would have wishy washy goes on and it takes just left it play- 8833 Pioneer DJ XDJ-RR everyone just a matter of minutes you could have two to get their head around the button containing identical layout and what does what. full library to provide drive should fail The XDJ-RR has jog wheels that casion even found feel expensive, offering enough handy for charging resistance for those who prefer the longer mix, but light enough However, I think the to scan through tracks or perform that second USB flamboyant spinbacks.

The looping cording your mix! I controls also hint ‘CDJ’ with their ture, as I often do dual orange button layout and poedit for my wedding sition, whilst the Quantize feature like to throw up fresh will keep your loops and cues locked from time to time. to the rekordbox beat grid for a relimakes this incredibly able performance every time. simply stick in a hit ‘Record’. There’s As I’ve already mentioned, the facil- Mark’ button, which ity to play from two USB sticks is a godsend.

Touted by Pioneer DJ as Argh… I need to stop a solution for back-to-back DJ sets, me to do these reviews! from a mobile DJ point of view it another piece of has a few potential uses. Firstly, I really want to own you could store your main library even mentioned on one hard drive and then bring XDJ-RX2 weighs in new tracks, freshly downloaded, on viously plus case, a separate USB stick. Alternatively, XDJ-RR only weighs Marcus' 84 hard drives each remembering how I calculated copies of your percentages at GSCE, that’s a 43 backup if a percent weight saving!

So a godmid-set. I’ve on ocsend for those who want to travel the extra socket to gigs light. It also makes it a permy phone! fect little controller to keep as a truly pro backup if your main setup best use for uses a XDJ-RX2 or even a full CDJ- port is for re- 2000NXS2 / DJM-2000NXS rig. love this feaa first dance The XDJ-RR fits so, so well in the couples and Pioneer DJ range as the most mixes online compact PROFESSIONAL stan- The XDJ-RR dalone media player system on easy; you the market.

You can literally rock memory stick and up with the XDJ-RR, chuck in your even a ‘Track power lead and a USB stick, and is very handy. you’d be ready to rock. Sure it’s a teeny bit of a shame it doesn’t Eddie asking have a touchscreen or a million This is yet inputs, but that’s what you’d buy bloomin’ DJ gear the RX2 for! For most mobile DJs, and I haven’t the RR has everything you’d need portability! The to rock a party while also offering at 9.1kg, ob- Pioneer DJ’s renowned build qualcables etc.

The ity and intuitive interface design. 5.2kg! After Put simply, it’s gRReat! Element Series fixtures in action at a recent Bar Mitzvah PIONEER DJ XDJ-RR NNOOWW AAVVAAIILLAABBLLEE RRP 9 4 1 £ R2RT multi-cart Don’t let it’s compact size fool you, the RocknRoller® Multi-Cart® R2RT expands from 26″ – 39″ with a 350lb weight capacity.

RRP 5 1 2 £ The Cart® rear to RockNRoller Contact us: sales@ IINN TTHHEE UUKK R8RT multi-cart The RocknRoller® Multi-Cart® R8RT is outfi tted with rugged, foam-fi lled no-flat 8” rear wheels and 5” front swivel casters that will allow you to move massive amounts of gear quickly and easily. R R £ P 9 5 R12RT multi-cart R12RT is the flagship of the RocknRoller® Multiline, featuring rugged, foam-fi lled no-flat 10″ wheels and 8″ front casters that are designed navigate just about any terrain, including gravel, grass, or other uneven surfaces with ease.

Carts distributed in the UK by Monacor UK ltd. | 01908 217100 |