Pioneer DJ PLX-CRSS12 Review

If your DJ heart is calling for special features, the Pioneer DJ PLX-CRSS12 might be just your thing. As a scratch turntable, it offers not just variety, but also uniqueness. Whether it is adjusting cues, stems, and samples with the help of the intuitive performance pad buttons or the fine-tunable "Step Pitch" function – you stay in control. A special feature is the "Magvel Clamp," which masterfully regulates the friction of your slipmats.

But the icing on the cake is undoubtedly its compatibility with Serato and Rekordbox, which works in a DVS setup without having to rely on control vinyl or the tonearm. It is like merging the best parts of the Technics 1210, Rane Twelve, and the Phase Wireless DVS system into one single high-tech device.

The Pioneer DJ PLX-CRSS12 is the ultimate tool for those who feel at home in the world of open-format turntablism. However, it might be a bit too much for casual users – and that, of course, has its price.

First impression / Installation and features

We were initially a bit skeptical. At first glance, the Pioneer DJ PLX-CRSS12 seemed like a colorful mix of various turntable elements. But as the device was ready out of its packaging, we were proven wrong. Despite the many extras, its appearance is surprisingly elegant. Completely in black, including the tonearm and feet, it radiates a certain finesse that distinguishes it as something special, despite its Technics inspiration.

Its weight is noticeable, which makes it robust and trustworthy, unlike some other competitive units. Furthermore, the Pioneer DJ PLX-CRSS12 was designed so that it can be rotated 90 degrees in the typical battle-scratch style, with the tonearm facing towards the back. The labels are aligned accordingly so that they are optimally readable from this perspective.

Included in the scope of delivery, besides the unit itself, are all the necessary cables for audio and computer connections (including USB-C to USB-A cable), as well as everything you need for assembly. An elegant dust cover made of tinted plastic completes the overall package.

You start by connecting the audio cable to the mixer. Ideal for this purpose would be a scratch mixer/controller like the DJM-S7 or DJM-S11. The USB cable goes either into the mixer, if that acts as a USB hub for the computer, or directly into the computer. The device is then put into operation using the generously dimensioned on/off switch on the back. The lateral positioning of the power socket is surprising, while the RCA jacks and the switch are found on the back. Thanks to the generously designed feet, however, all cables can be hidden under the unit so that no cables are visible once installation is complete.

An interesting possibility would be to do without audio cables entirely. The wireless scratch system for turntables, known as Phase, can interact with Serato in this way. It would be conceivable for the control tone to be routed via the USB cable from the turntable to the laptop, and the audio signals back to the mixer via the USB cable connected to the audio interface. There might be an aspect here one could overlook, but with compatible mixers, this method could simplify the installation even further.

Platter and Magvel Clamp

Setting up the massive, high-precision platter, which has been provided with classic stroboscopic markings, is a piece of cake thanks to the six included screws. During this process, you will notice two concentric rings at the center of the platter base - one connected to the spindle, the other not. A detail that recalls the motorized platters of the DDJ-REV7 Serato DJ controller.

By placing the included slipmat and a vinyl record, and attaching the "Magvel Clamp," which resembles a hockey puck, it snaps into place powerfully thanks to built-in, strong magnets.

By turning a small dial on the top of the Magvel Clamp, the rotation behavior of the slipmat can be adjusted. This well-thought-out system works excellently and should be well-received by turntable artists. A small spindle is available for storage when playing records.

However, an adapter for 7-inch records is not included in the delivery.

Performance Buttons

In the lower-left corner, there are four unobtrusive, illuminated performance pads that serve to control cues, stems, and samples/scratch bank. They are not intended to offer comprehensive control over the DJ software, as you usually use them in combination with a scratch mixer or controller that offers these advanced features (think of library controls, effects, and versatile pads). Their purpose is to have some often-used functions directly at hand during a live performance - we were particularly impressed by the direct control over stems.

There is also a "5-8" button that allows switching the pads from 1-4 to 5-8, two further buttons to select four pad functions in combination with the Shift button, instant doubles, and functions for parameter adjustment ("Pad buttons" plus Shift enable these). The brightly lit and adjustable buttons fulfill their function very well.

Motor and platter control

In addition to the Magvel Clamp for adjusting the platter feel, the torque can be adjusted individually (low/mid/high) to configure the turntable exactly to your own preferences (these settings are found in the utility menu, which is operated via the OLED display). Besides the start/stop function, there is also a motor stop button that creates the characteristic "turntable slowdown" sound. On the front of the unit, there is a three-stage "brake switch" that enables an instant stop, short stop, or medium stop when the start/stop button is pressed.

Besides the toggles for 33/45 RPM, the device features a fold-out light that includes both the stroboscopic LED and the platter light. Unfortunately, the characteristic damped feel one knows from Technics models is missing here - a small drawback.

The tonearm

The tonearm in elegant matte black sticks to proven DJ standards in a classic S-shape. With familiar adjustment options for height, anti-skating, and rotating counterweight, as well as a screw-in extension at the end for fine-tuning, it offers optimal adjustment possibilities.

The tonearm also brings a 4g screw-in weight to prevent the pickup from skipping during ambitious scratching. In short: The tonearm can be adjusted completely individually to your preferences.

The choice of a pickup and a needle is up to you - they are not included in the delivery.

Display, pitch and deck controller functions

A compact OLED display under the tonearm provides information about the track's pitch, pitch depending on the pitch setting (which can be set to "Step Pitch" so that the pitch of a track is changed step-wise by a semitone when you speed it up or slow it down), the BPM, and - very interestingly - the question of whether the turntable is outputting a control signal for Serato or Rekordbox when you switch it out of "Needle Mode" (i.e., normal turntable mode) using the knob located nearby.

The pleasantly damped pitch control features a reset button and a special button to set the tempo range - ideal for versatile, genre-crossing sets with variable BPM rates.

The hybrid turntable in action

For the test, we paired two of these turntables with a DJM-S11 mixer and connected them to Yamaha HS5 speakers. First, we just let a few records play to get an initial feel - the sound quality of the phono preamplifiers was impressive, and it was confirmed that no compromises were made in this area.

Next, we integrated Rekordbox control vinyls and switched the software into relative DVS mode. Everything ran smoothly, as is to be expected from a premium DVS turntable, supported by a powerful motor . Particularly worthy of mention is the Magvel Clamp, which allows for fine-tuning of the torque. With a rather loose setting, we could create spinbacks effortlessly , which means a lot of fun for non-scratch DJs.

In the next step, we tested the controller deck mode without timecode vinyl or tonearm. By deactivating "Needle Mode" with the corresponding button, we switched this mode on. From then on, the experience closely resembled that of a Rane Twelve controller - ideal for DJs who want to use DVS in relative mode.

We have tested this turntable with both Serato and Rekordbox and could detect no differences between the two. After all, both are based on the DVS principle, a universal approach for controlling DJ software with turntables. The performance pads function a bit differently with each software, but they are easy to adjust so that you can set them up according to your own preferences.

The step-wise adjustment of the pitch is very specialized and might please DJs who like to experiment with pitch games. We were a bit confused by this function, however, as we had difficulty understanding the connection between the two pitch values shown on the OLED display.

Our conclusion

The Pioneer DJ PLX-CRSS12 turntable is a genuine powerhouse for all scratch DJs who want to expand their setup properly. With its multitude of features, including the performance pad buttons for cues, stems, and samples, the "Step Pitch" function, and the innovative "Magvel Clamp," it stands out from the crowd.

The special feature of this turntable is the ability to control Serato and Rekordbox in a DVS setup without having to rely on control vinyl or the tonearm. This makes it a unique combination of a Technics 1210, a Rane Twelve, and the Phase wireless DVS system - a true dream for the open-format turntablist. For some, however, this might appear as too much of a good thing - especially considering the price.

Whether the Pioneer DJ PLX-CRSS12 is the right turntable for you ultimately depends on how much you value the diverse features or need them at all. It offers a wide range of possibilities - from playing records and working with any DVS vinyl to using it as a controller. But you could also acquire two good turntables and a Phase wireless system, or just timecode, for less money. Alternatively, you could use a pair of Rane Twelve controllers if you don't insist on playing analog records.

In our opinion, the Pioneer DJ PLX-CRSS12 has a lot to offer for those who love the feel of analog turntables but still value the flexibility of a digital system. The fact that it offers this versatility without looking gimmicky or overloaded, while packing everything into a stylish chassis, is commendable.

With a price of €1,400, it is certainly not a cheap option. But if you are prepared to invest in a pair of DJ turntables that can do everything, the Pioneer DJ PLX-CRSS12 should definitely be on the shortlist.