Pioneer DJ started strong in 2022, with 2 new controllers, the DDJ REV1 and DDJ REV7. We consider these two new releases important as they are the first products from Pioneer DJ to feature a motorized platter like the Rane Twelve instead of their signature jog wheels.
From a glance at the two new products, it is clear that the REV7 represents the professional line, with highly complex features that its target audience would expect.
The composite material chassis with the aluminium cover plate feels very sturdy, there can be no complaints about its construction. The faders and knobs work well as usual from Pioneer DJ and promise to be durable. The power supply is always the subject of a debate, as the built-in power supplies have the advantage of working with standard power cables, but the power supply itself makes the unit heavier and can overheat in certain situations. The REV7 comes with an external power supply, so you will have to pay attention not to forget it at home when you go to gigs. In return, the controller itself is lighter and smaller.
As it is a new category, the first thing to clarify (especially at this price point) is whether it works in standalone mode, like the XDJ series controllers. It does not. The REV7 would be more akin to the DDJ 1000, which is also dependent on the laptop, but has a standalone mixer section. This means that you can connect any player or even two turntables to the controller, thanks to the PHONO inputs. The built-in BPM detector, which does its job extremely well, will come in handy when using external media sources. The PHONO preamps also do their job as we would expect it, giving a decent signal, without any hum.
It should be mentioned that the REV7 works exclusively with Serato DJ, it cannot be used with Rekordbox, although this may change in the future. At this moment everything is mapped for Serato.
The platter, although only 7 inches, is easy to get used to. It has a particularly unique design, as the spindle is not visible, like on a regular turntable. Instead, it has a fixed acrylic base on which we can put two slipsheets by standard, and the control vinyl on top. Since it doesn't have the spindle, we think it was a very good idea to leave the display in the middle, like on the newer jog wheels.
The display shows the waveform of the loaded track and its BPM. Also there is a quick UTILITY menu, from which you can quickly customize some of the functions on the controller, such as motor torque, talkover level, etc. Essentially, the platter has a ring shape rather than a traditional one, which is both innovative and useful. The fixed platter also has its advantage when it is carried around in a flightcase as it will not fall off.
The control vinyl rotates on 2 slipsheets as standard, we were happy with it, but it is likely that some will prefer to use only one. Fortunately, innovation does not come at the expense of usability, the feel is very similar to a PLX 1000 or Technics 1200/1210 turntable.
The motorized platter does have one drawback, however. As it rotates mechanically, it has the same wow and flutter effect as regular turntables, but it is not perceptible by ear.
It comes with all the essential connectivity:
- 2 Master outputs (XLR and RCA)
- BOOTH outputs (6.3 Jack)
- 2 mic inputs (adjustable EQ and Echo)
- Aux inputs
- 2 USB inputs, so you can connect 2 laptops at the same time
An interesting feature on the playback section is a +/- PITCH BEND button. By pressing these you can speed up/slow down for a moment the track you are playing.
As with CDJs, you can also adjust the Vinyl Brake, which holds for how quickly the music stops after you press stop, but here you can also physically see the platter stop slowly. We also have 2 CUE markers at 12 and 2 o'clock.
In the upper section of the decks we have 4 extra PAD buttons that can be used for HOT CUE or SAVED LOOP. To the left of these is an INSTANT SCRATCH button to activate 4 factory loop samples. These can be used to quickly cut a track, for transitions, instant scratch, as the button suggests. The 4 factory samples cannot be replaced with yours.
In addition, of course, there are 2x8 nice big PAD buttons, which can be used in HOT CUE, ROLL, SAVED LOOP and SAMPLER functions.
We can also find some other useful functions, such as Auto Loop, Slip mode and Censor (reverse).
The mixer section is equipped with extremely high quality faders, like professional DJM mixers.
In addition to the 3-band EQ, you can use 6 effects: Echo, Spin, Flanger, Reverb, Brake and the new Duck Down.
When connected to a computer, you can also assign new effects under separate Banks with any custom parameters.
Mixing on this new powerhouse is extremely smooth, you can instantly fall in love with it. Everything works perfectly on the controller and although it has a lot of complex functions, everything is intuitive to use. Needless to say, it satisfies all our needs, its motorized platters work extremely well, have a nice traditional direct drive turntable feel and we loved the innovative design. While it's not on the cheaper end of the market, you get great value and nothing less than a Rane Twelve setup would offer.