The company Pioneer, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Bunkyō, Japan, is currently one of the leading manufacturers in the field of DJ equipment. Since 2001, the DJ division has become one of the market leaders. The company offers headphones, studio monitors, and much more, as well as DJ equipment ranging from amplifiers, CD/multi-players, and mixers to all-in-one controllers. Their most well-known products include the DJM 800 mixer, which is widely used in the club scene, as well as the DDJ and XDJ controller series, popular among beginners and professionals.
Here is an overview of the most important and popular Pioneer categories
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| DJ controllers | DJ mixers | DJ headphones | DJ monitors | DJ turntables |
What sets the manufacturer apart?
Pioneer is trusted by the most famous DJs in the world and can be found in almost every club, festival, or concert. Pioneer offers the right products for every skill level. The manufacturer's controllers and mixers are all high-quality and well-made, capable of withstanding the demands of clubs and events without any issues.
In addition, Pioneer has set the club standard in recent years with the NXS series. The layout and functionality of these devices are widely used in festivals and clubs around the world and are even copied by competitors.
What products does the Pioneer range offer?
Pioneer offers suitable equipment for both those on a tight budget and professional club owners. The range extends from entry-level DJ controllers for around 200 euros to complete DJM Tour setups costing 16,000 euros. The following products are currently available in our Pioneer DJ shop:
- DJ controllers for Serato and rekordbox dj
- CD and media players for clubs and festivals
- DJ headphones
- DJ turntables for DJs
- Monitor speakers for studio and DJ home setups
- Samplers and synthesizers
- Add-on controllers
- DMX interfaces
- Effects devices for DJs
- Flight cases and bags
- Audio interfaces
- Cables and spare parts
In recent years, the Pioneer range has grown significantly, and every DJ or producer can find the right product for themselves in various price ranges.
Pioneer DJ controllers
The manufacturer offers a considerable number of controllers for DJs. Whether with 2 or 4 channels, for beginners or professionals, Pioneer has the right controller available for every DJ and skill level.
- For beginners, we currently recommend the Pioneer DDJ-FLX4. It is one of the most popular entry-level controllers, offering a solid feature set, good build quality, and an affordable price.
- For semi-professionals, the DDJ-FLX10 is particularly interesting. It provides all the features and functions needed for a professional DJ set or streaming, and more.
- For professionals, the XDJ-XZ is the best choice. It closely resembles a much more expensive NXS setup, works standalone, and offers all the features needed in clubs.
- For those who simply want to test if DJing is even a suitable option for them, the DDJ-200 provides an extremely affordable controller with all the basic features and integration with various streaming services.
For a complete overview of all Pioneer DJ controllers, you can check out our BLOG post here.
What is the difference between Pioneer DDJ and XDJ?
Pioneer XDJ devices primarily function as media players. This means that they usually do not have built-in CD or DVD drives and can play music from USB sticks, SD cards, or iPhones. Additionally, XDJ devices offer the ability to customize the set to individual needs.
XDJ series media players, for example, can be combined with mixers or controllers from other manufacturers. However, the biggest difference or advantage of the XDJ series is that they work standalone. They do not require a PC or laptop, so you can turn on the devices and start playing immediately.
The Pioneer DDJ controllers usually have an integrated audio interface, often a CD or DVD player onboard, and are considered as an "all-in-one" package. They combine a mixer and 2-4 decks in one device. All devices in this series do not work standalone; they require a computer or laptop to provide the software and processing power.
The DDJ series is usually more affordable since it does not need to incorporate processors, circuits, and other electronic components to make the device standalone capable.
CD and media players
Pioneer serves the club and festival scene like no other with its devices. They can be found almost everywhere. A Pioneer device, usually from the NXS series, is always present. Therefore, every professional DJ should be familiar with these devices.
In essence, a distinction is made between CDJ and XDJ devices.
A Pioneer CDJ is a CD and media player that works standalone. Typically, a setup consists of a DJ mixer and 2 CDJ units, allowing for autonomous performance. In addition to supporting CDs, USB, or SD cards, these devices also offer full MIDI compatibility. This means they can be connected to DJ software like rekordbox dj and function as digital DJ controllers.
Media players from the XDJ series are essentially the same as their larger CDJ counterparts. However, they focus more on modern, digital connectivity. They completely eliminate the CD drive. Instead, the focus is on playing music from USB and SD media and having complete control over the devices in rekordbox dj. The XDJ media players are significantly more affordable while still offering a high level of professionalism that will satisfy any professional DJ.
Which Pioneer CDJ player is recommended?
- The XDJ-700 is very popular—a pure USB/SD player with extensive rekordbox integration at an affordable price.
- For professional purposes, the XDJ-1000MK2 is excellent—standalone, with a large display and all the desired functions. It is the right choice for those who can do without CD playback.
- The current club standard is the CDJ-3000— it can be found at every major festival and represents the top of the food chain with its comprehensive features.
If you want to learn more about the Pioneer CDJ series, we highly recommend our CDJ blog post. It provides a comprehensive overview of the entire CDJ range, with all the information and background you need.
» Visit the CDJ buying guide in the blog
Pioneer DJM mixers
Pioneer also offers an extensive range of DJ mixers. Again, it depends on personal needs, budget, and the style of DJing to determine how much money one wants to spend and which features are required. The method and style of mixing are also crucial in choosing the right mixer.
Therefore, it is important to ask yourself a few questions before considering specific models.
- Do you want to expand a DVS system?
- Do you prefer to mix digitally or analog?
- Or do you want to be prepared for the future?
- Do you need 2 channels, or would you prefer 4 or even 6?
All of these questions should be taken into account before making a purchase to make the right decision.
Here, too, we recommend a blog post with an overview of all DJM mixers and comprehensive buying advice.
» Find the Pioneer DJM buying guide here
Popular Pioneer mixers
- For beginners, we can recommend the DJM-250MK2. If you can do without effects, this mixer provides a high-quality 2-channel solution that covers all the basics.
- Advanced users may consider the DJM-750MK2. It offers an extensive feature set on 4 channels, satisfying even professional DJs.
- For professionals and club use, the DJM-A9 is unrivaled. With professional sound quality, LAN connections, and digital outputs, it boasts numerous highlights.
