Fans of the XDJ-RX series can rejoice!
Pioneer DJ’s new all-in-one system has finally arrived and it’s definitely come out of the corner fighting…in a big way! Say hello to the XDJ RX3.
If you are a fan of Pioneer DJ gear, odds are you are you’ve seen or looked into their XDJ-RX series. Well, their newest addition has dropped onto the DJ scene and there is a lot of buzz about it.
Here is the XDJ RX3.
Is the XDJ RX3 Any Good?
It is an incredible DJ machine. The XDJ RX3 is an all-in-one DJ system that comes set up with a myriad of improvements and a host of new features from the previous XDJ-RX2. Not only that, but the system has brought over a few fun goodies from Pioneer DJ’s DJM-900NXS2 Mixer as well as their CDJ-3000s.
Similar to the XDJ-RX2, DJs can choose between playing rekordbox-analyzed tracks from their USB hardware drives or connecting a laptop to unlock the rekordbox DJ software Performance mode.
Another positive is that Serato DJ Pro support is also included and will be available in early 2022.
Yes, from its 10.1-inch touch LCD screen to its compatibility with both Serato DJ Pro and rekordbox DJ software solutions, to its completely new audio design and deck customization, one could argue that it is the perfect DJ setup for DJs everywhere.
But is it?
In this review, we’ll do a deep dive into the RX3 and see if it’s worth all the new energy and build-up around it!
Let’s get into it!
First Impressions – The LCD Screen
The Size
When first getting your hands on this impecible DJ gear, one thing you’ll immediately notice is its larger LCD screen size. Sitting pretty at 10.1 inches, the XDJ RX3 has the largest screen from Pioneer DJ’s all-in-one systems to date.
Compared to the previous model’s 7 inches, the XDJ RX3 comes across as something of a behemoth in all the right ways. Scrolling or quick browsing through your playlist library has become considerably faster, quick browsing is definitely enhanced and the UI’s Browse section can now sport 12 tracks over the Rx2’s 8.
Turns out 3 inches can make all the difference in the world. Who’d of thought it!
Mixer
The mixer It’s basically a host of the DJM-900NXS2 mixer section features, which can only be a positive thing!
It’s only two channels, but apart from that, you get all six Sound Color FX, every single one of the Beat FX, great metering for both cues and master, and the ability to preview tracks via the touchscreen without loading them, etc, etc.
The crossfader is great and the up-faders are super smooth.
Accurate mixing GUARANTEED!
Touch Screen
If you thought the RX3 was better just because it was bigger, well it turns out its screen’s got a few more tricks up its sleeves.
In addition to its massive size and brand new interface, the higher resolution screen is also outfitted with a high-res display layout as well as a dramatic increase in the frame rate.
This will allow for quicker navigation, a better visual grasp and more accurate mixing.
The XDJ RX3 features the Color Jog Display that will instantly display important track information or display artwork on the LCD jog display screen in the center of each jog wheel for user reference.
The touch screen also comes with an integrated X-Pad. This X-Pad is brand new for all-in-one systems and allows DJs the ability to quickly add in different sound effects from their library with only a finger swipe.
The 10.1-inch touch screen also features a Pad Status Display, allowing artists and DJs the ability to go into advanced mode while viewing their Performance Pad. This lets them see and know exactly what to expect ahead of hitting a pad.
With the new Playlist Bank feature, artists can now seamlessly access their four favorite playlists at a single touch.
Combine all this with the new interface this becomes a huge step up from the RX2 model.
Jog Wheel
The responsiveness of the jog wheel features have been overhauled and are a vast improved compared to the XDJ-RX2 jog wheels
You can make the ‘weight’ of each jog wheel feel just the way you like it by adjusting the Feeling Adjust control.
The LCD jog display screen in the center of each jog wheel indicates playhead position of the track. Useful!
Inputs and Outputs
It has the full range of inputs, outputs and USB ports you’d expect from this type of high-end device.
At the front: 1/8″ and 1/4″ headphones inputs.
At the back: Two dual XLR/TS stereo mini jack output, RCA inputs for 2 x phono, 2 x line, 1 x aux, an 1/8″ input, earth pole, master (XLR and RCA) outputs, and the booth (TRS), plus the computer USB ports.
Taking A Deeper Look – Creating the Perfect Blend
One of the biggest perks of the 2-channel RX3 is that it honors its Pioneer DJ name and takes from the best of the best.
Things like the CDJ-3000s’ Touch Preview and 3Band Waveform features are expertly blended with the newer features, like its Beat FX Bank or its Phrase Display. This ultimately culminates in a DJ system that does it all.
Track Viewing Features
This is an awesome addition for those that make a habit of using the track viewing and analysis features of the LCD screen, the RX3 brings with it several waveform viewing features.
Phrase Display
The first is what’s known as the Phrase Display. This display feature shows track structure sections via the actual sound waveforms. By viewing this, an artist or DJ can more accurately focus on marking specific sections, like the chorus, intro, or bridge of a track.
3Band Waveform
If that wasn’t enough, they’ve also pulled the 3Band Waveform feature from the CDJ-3000, also a Pioneer favorite for many. The 3-Band Waveform shows artists the differing volumes of the various frequencies, giving them all their specific colors.
For example, high-volume frequencies will register much more differently, with different colors, from mid and low-volume frequencies.
The only downside to this feature is that you’ll need to have the rekordbox DJ software fully set up to properly analyze the frequencies and have this feature work.
The good news the XDJ RX3 is Hardware Unlock Device, which means the you can use rekordbox Performance mode for free!
Vital Inclusions
In addition to many of its more fun add-ons, the RX3 has come with some essential tools that, while fairly simplistic in their execution, make the DJing process infinitely easier, particularly during an event, where their need for effort and coordination is at its highest.
The Countdown Timer
The first of these essentia new features is the Countdown Timer. Again, it’s one of those things that seem almost like a no-brainer (really, a countdown timer?) yet makes every difference in the world to an artist with numerous things to be focusing on and aware of.
The Countdown Timer feature creates a countdown timer for a specific moment in the DJ’s set. As I said before, on one hand, this may seem incredibly simple (and it is).
However, it is also a godsend – particularly for DJs that have previously had to always keep one eye glued to the clock to properly time a specific event with the track.
By including this, artists will be able to cut down the constant checking of the clock while also allowing them the chance to create even more and smoother flows. By not focusing solely on timing the music, a DJ opens themselves up to a nearly endless list of combinations for the track.
Repeat Mode
They have also added a Repeat Mode. Again, on its face, a repeat mode isn’t something that is all that impressive on its own.
What makes it so great here is that, if a DJ needs to leave the booth for any reason, they can set up a looping repeat. This is especially good during an event, as this keeps the party going while the DJ finishes up whatever they’re doing.
Previously, a DJ had to time their exit just right to keep the music playing. With this, they could potentially have a specific track going a few times until the DJ gets back and goes forward.
Release FX
Release FX mode is a pretty cool feature. Release FX mode provides an interesting way to add diversity or an unexpoected exciting moment into a set.
By hitting the Performance Pads in Release FX mode, you can trigger 8 individual effects, and return to the track without losing the beat:
Backspin (Short/Long), Vinyl Brake (Short/Long), Echo Out, Mute, Build Up, and Ducking.
So, Is it Worth Your Time?
There are a lot of things that the XDJ RX3 does right with very few things that it does wrong. Considering its title as an all-in-one system, the XDJ RX3 easily fulfills that requirement and then some.
So, when answering the question of whether the system is worth your time, I would have to say that it is… depending on what you ultimately want to do with your DJ profession.
If you are someone that is looking to produce music in your home or DJ at very small venues and intimate events, the XDJ RX3 may potentially be a bit on the pricier side of things.
Conversely, if you are someone that wants to put out quality shows and do the club-setting right, the RX3 does what it needs to do and then some. Not only that, but then you compare the price and it’s no competition.
All-in-all, if you plan to be a bonafide DJ, and eventually produce in large settings, then Pioneer’s DJ XDJ RX3 is something that should be on your DJ wish list.
On the other hand, if you don’t see yourself going that far, this may be just a bit too much more than what you are willing to pay while also having a bit more than you want.
Read Next: Best DJ Software
XDJ RX3: The Verdict
Coming in with a myriad of upgraded and additional features, the XDJ RX3 is very much the starting place for Pioneer DJ to start taking over the club-standard setting.
If you’ve got the money and plan to take it into some venues, then I can’t think of a better controller unit for a performing DJ.
