Pioneer XDJ-RX2 Review (Worth It?) 2024 (2024)

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• The Pioneer XDJ-RX2 is perfect for gaining confidence to play on a club-standard setup
• Read on to see whether this DJ controller is worth the investment.
• As well as picking up some handy tips to better your user experience

Pioneer has consistently set the standard for professional DJ equipment, so it’s really no surprise to find yourself stumbling upon the Pioneer XDJ-RX2 while looking to level up your DJ setup.

This two-channel standalone controller will get you comfortable playing on professional quality equipment while allowing you to transport your gear easily.

In this article, I’ll run you through the controller’s standout features, compare club standard Pioneer setups, and shed light on some of my likes and dislikes of the XDJ-RX2.

I give you the low down on performance, build quality, connectivity, display, and a few handy tips I’ve picked up through user experience.

Pioneer XDJ-RX2: Verdict

Despite being discontinued and superceded by the XDJ-RX3, this controller is one of the best options for DJs seeking equipment that emulates a club standard Pioneer setup at an affordable price tag.

While delivering on many of Pioneer’s beloved professional standard features seen on club setups (like the CDJ-2000NXS plus DJM-450 mixer combo), this controller holds massive creative performance potential and does so with streamlined simplicity.

Performance (8.5/10)

At first glance, the XDJ-RX2 has all the baseline features expected from a professional setup with a familiar layout design.

With responsive cue and pause buttons, smooth-gliding faders, loop settings, and halving buttons, plus a nice range of FX parameters, the basics are there.

Dub echo, sweep, noise, and filter FX are routed via the color knobs below the EQ, while eight more FX, including pitch and flanger, are available with adjustable intensity and channel isolation.

A notable difference worth mentioning is the track loading buttons located next to the display screen instead of on individual decks, which may initially catch out those not used to all-in-one setups.

Now let’s talk about the two-channel limit, which left many Pioneer fans disappointed, myself included.

Although it is a given that this poses limitations for the user, it is a necessary sacrifice for keeping the decks light and transportable.

It’s true, the XDJ-RX2 isn’t designed for DJs who want limitless mixing options. However, it’ll hold its own in most club gear comparisons.

The added rubber performance pads are robust and responsive and open up the exciting creative potential for those who like to create mashups on the fly and introduce more live production into their sets.

Parameters for the performance pads can be selected from hot cue, beat loop, slip loop, and beat jump.

The jog wheels, though noticeably smaller than those seen on the club standard CDJs, still maintain the same accuracy and capabilities when scratching in vinyl mode.

Build Quality (9/10)

Weighing in at 9.1kg and measuring just under 29 inches wide by 18 inches deep and 4.3 inches high, this controller holds its own in a DJ booth.

However, at this size and weight, it can be carried and transported with relative ease.

Its durability meets the standard of Pioneer’s professional range with a metallic look and feel while keeping weight to a minimum on a completely plastic chassis.

All buttons and faders feel substantial, giving peace of mind to those heavier-handed DJs.

Connectivity (8/10)

As far as DJ setups, the XDJ-RX2 boasts considerable connectivity.

Firstly, the master runs both RCA and XLR output options, with the booth output running via balanced jacks.

There are two mic inputs with jack and XLR combo sockets on shared EQ, with an audio ducking option for MCs.

The added aux input allows for level adjustment, and headphone sockets are available for either size.

Both line and phono inputs allow users to link up vinyl turntables; however, timecode-DVS is not supported.

Perhaps my favorite feature of this controller is the master record button on the right-side USB input.

This allows you to instantly record sets straight to your USB with an additional track-mark button which does precisely what the label suggests.

Being a standalone mixer, the XDJ-RX2 eliminates the need for a laptop and completely simplifies cable setup.

The USB port on the rear of the controller, however, does allow seamless laptop connectivity, also making Rekordbox Video accessible for the VJs.

Although Pioneer have made lives easier by increasing the capacity to accommodate drives with 10,000 or more tracks, this excludes FLAC and Apple lossless files, which may be something to consider.

Display (8.5/10)

One of the more noticeable physical attributes of the XDJ-RX2 is its beautifully lit, 7-inch touchscreen display.

With a parallel stacked RGB waveform display, the visuals are satisfying and easy to see in pitch-black booths. The display layout in player mode is simple, with important track info such as tempo and key being easy to find.

The performance pads are also RGB-lit; however, much of the rest of the controllers lack illumination, so definitely make sure you have an external lamp when playing in the dark.

The track filter feature allows you to filter compatible tracks according to individual user parameters, and all the standard utility features are available to customize your controller on the go.

Final Thoughts

After using these decks for nearly a year now, I’ve found very few flaws that I couldn’t work around. In terms of value for money, they are an investment.

However, totally worth it if you’re looking to expand your live performance abilities and gain confidence playing on club-standard setups.

Plus, these decks are just about light enough to haul and run (for those in the underground rave scene who may find themselves having to make a quick escape).