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DDJ-XP2: Pioneer DJ’s New Controller Unlocks Powerful Rekordbox and Serato DJ Functionality
Oct
Say hello to the DDJ-XP2 – this is a new accessory controller designed for use in either the Rekordbox/CDJ ecosystem or alongside Serato DJ Pro. The controller not only maintains the original functionality of the DDJ-XP1, but also adds a ton of new exclusive features in each of the softwares it works with. Keep reading to learn more.
DDJ-XP2: A New Accessory Controller
- Gear: DDJ-XP2
- Manufacturer: Pioneer DJ
- Release Date: October 2019
- Price: $299
- Availability: Preorders in the DJTT store, now
- Includes: rekordbox dj and rekordbox dvs licenses
There’s no doubt that Pioneer DJ’s original DDJ-XP1 accessory controller released in September 2017 was a smart move. It unlocked a host of additional function for both Rekordbox and CDJ users. Now, the company has announced the DDJ-XP2 – which brings the 32-pad controller to Serato DJ Pro users as well as Rekordbox and NXS2 CDJ owners.
Yes, the hardware is largely identical to the DDJ-XP1 – here’s a comparison image – but the big news is that it is a Serato and rekordbox controller.
One interesting point: Pioneer DJ has really decided to keep the hardware agnostic when it comes to labeling the controls. Look at all of the pad modes above the pads – they’re not labeled with the intended use, but simply left to numbering. This seems to indicate not only an intention of staying software-flexible, but also wanting to allow DJs to choose their own ordering and customization when it comes to pad modes. Rad – now let’s hope we see some clever mappings for other gear…?
and Serato DJ Pro!? Yes!
It’s been easy to imagine a future where Pioneer DJ and Serato go separate ways. But this new XP2 release makes it pretty clear that that isn’t happening. We first got a sense of this when the DDJ-1000SRT was announced earlier this year, but this new collaboration makes it clear that the earlier release wasn’t a one time thing. The powerhouse duo that is Pioneer DJ making hardware and Serato making software isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
The original Pioneer DJ accessory controller of this form factor was actually the Serato-oriented DDJ-SP1 – which made it possible for so many DJs to access lots of great functionality without replacing their core setup. It’s nice to see the intention behind the SP1 return with this collaboration, but we still miss the knobs from it.
Features Of The DDJ-XP2
There are some pretty powerful (and for the moment, a few exclusive) functions that this controller unlocks in both rekordbox and Serato DJ. Beyond the plug-and-play expected functionality (Hot Cues, Beat Jump, Slicer, track loading, key/beat sync, etc.), here’s the interesting stuff that we’ve pulled directly from the Pioneer DJ press release:
The DDJ-XP2 is set to be released early this month (October). We’re already taking pre-orders in the DJTT store here for $299 – which includes rekordbox dj and dvs licenses.
