The Pioneer XDJ-RX2 is the all-in-one solution for DJs who want to get as close to a CDJ and DJM setup as possible without blowing a fortune. With a huge range of performance pads, an improved library search functionality via touchscreen QWERTY keyboard, and more, it's a powerhouse that can do almost anything a pro DJ needs it to.
The XDJ-RX2 takes the design cues from its predecessor and improves upon them in some key ways, too. The pad layout is a big improvement on the original, with eight rubberized and velocity-sensitive pads that do everything from jump to different cue points within a track (Hot Cue mode) and instantly set loops of varying lengths (Beat Loop mode) to insert live remixing loop effects (Slip Loop mode). The screen gets a major upgrade as well - Pioneer's ripped it straight out of their top-flight CDJ-2000 Nexus range, resulting in added features like Needle Search, QWERTY search and a track filter.
Another major improvement is that the Shift button, which used to sit in the pad function row, has been moved above the transport controls - it's a much more logical place for it and gives DJs more options when navigating their music. The XDJ-RX2 still lacks onboard track analysis though, which will put off DJs who are looking to take it on the road and perform without a laptop.
The XDJ-RX2 works with the Rekordbox DJ software, meaning that DJs will have to analyse their tracks ahead of time, set cue and loop points, fix the beat grid, and create playlists in order to use it properly. That's a little frustrating given that many all-in-one DJ solutions, including the closest competitor, the Denon DJ SC5000 Prime 2, have onboard track analysis.
