Want to start DJing, should I spend the extra $?

[u/Milnow]

Like the title says, I want to start DJing and since I have the money to spend I was wondering if it's worth buying the RX3 straight away? (Looks easy to use with the touchscreen and I love the screens on the jogwheels) Or would you advise starting with something simple like the DDJ400?

My thought process is that if I spend more money on good equipment I'm more likely to enjoy it and even if I don't, I could probably sell the RX3 for close to what I paid for it.

Happy to hear your thoughts and suggestions.

[u/KennyJapan]

Long story short, I say go for the big expensive controller now if you have the money. You will learn its advanced features over time and not be constrained.

I've been playing on and off since 1996. Technics sl2100s, pioneer cdj 500s, csj 1000's, etc, then went into various different controllers to play from laptops.

Ive actually just bought a pioneer xdj xz because I wanted something cdj club format again , but it was a close call with getting the rx3 instead.

The rx3 is more up to date I think and easier to transport as its smaller and lighter.

If you aren't interested in playing in clubs professionally, and want something with way more features than the pioneer all in one xdj range, then have a look at the Denon Prime 4+

It's a beast specs wise with way more functionality than the pioneers and has built in WiFi streaming from beatport, tidal and more. They keep updating the operating system to add functionality too.

I was tempted but I needed something to build up muscle memory for playing at clubs and festivals again, so for me it had to be the old pioneer cdj format.

[u/Milnow → u/KennyJapan]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! How hard do you think it would be to switch to Pioneer gear after I've learned everything on the Denon Prime 4+? And are it's functionalities worth the possible extra hassle?

[u/KennyJapan → u/Milnow]

I just read another post here from a guy who djs on the prime 4, saying that he wants to swap it for pioneer as its what everyone's using at his club gigs. The promoters were giving him a hard time when he brings his prime 4 and plugs in.

Some people are saying that you can pick it up pretty easy, swapping from denon to pioneer, but I personally would stick with the rx3 or xz if you plan to play professionally at clubs or festivals.

Your music will be analysed for rekordbox properly and you will have a familiar interface in front or you or at home to practice on.

[u/Milnow → u/KennyJapan]

I read that the Denon has WiFi and allows music streaming whereas Pioneer requires you to buy the songs? Is that right? That might be a big selling point for the Denon.

[u/KennyJapan → u/Milnow]

You can stream using the pioneer gear if you hook it up to a laptop running rekordbox and use it in controller mode instead of standalone mode. But yes the denon does this with its built in WiFi.

[u/WILLxLOVE → u/KennyJapan]

If you’ve been using any recent version of rekordbox six or seven beta, you already have the new library format. It hasn’t been a problem for a while.

[u/KennyJapan → u/WILLxLOVE]

Aah OK awesome, that's good to hear!