Allow me to introduce myself. I’m currently a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and lifelong audio buff. But when I was a teen, my first love was audio and DJing. I DJ’d/MC’d for parties, youth group gatherings, and sporting events. My favs were house and techno. Then in my early 20s, I went to college and got a music degree. But I never lost my love for DJs, a good mix, and Electronic music (hit me with those 90’s mixes Wil!).
Professionally, I’ve been in the music industry for almost two decades. I have worked for almost 50 different brands. I’ve worked for many of the DJ brands you have grown to love: Vestax, Xone, Reloop, Novation… and most recently Pioneer DJ, Alpha Theta, and Jetpack. I’ve always kept a pulse on the DJ industry. Some of my best friends are here.
So when co-founder Alex was looking for someone to take The DJ Hookup to the next level, I became interested. I had been serving TDJH from the manufacturer side for years and we had a great relationship. After weeks of talking about it, I decided to make the leap… And here I am!
I may be new here, but all the rest of the crew is still here! Natalie (original co-founder), Arturo, Danny, Sebastian and Eddie. And we are expanding team (welcome Alejandra!)
We are (still) here to make your setup the best with the latest / best gear at the best prices.
What’s Coming?
Over the next few months you will see more than the fresh new look we are introducing today. We will be adding more categories and brands including LIGHTING and ATMOSPHERICS!
We will be more active on social media with specials and giveaways. You want to be involved and have a robust social media following? Contact me!
Further, we will be launching many initiatives that allows us to give back to the DJ community. Many of you have shown a loyalty to TDJH. And to us… You are family!
By the early 2026, we plan to launch the Distressed DJ Fund (DDJF). This fund will allow the community to nominate a fellow DJ that has had some recent bad luck (gear stolen, unemployment, illness, unexpected life circumstances, etc). We will team with our manufacturing partners to get the chosen nominees back on their feet with gear and/or funds.
In conclusion, WE ARE SO GLAD YOU STAYED WITH US!
And if you’re new, please bookmark our website and follow us on all the socials @thedjhookup.
CDJ-3000X review written by David Michael of Passionate DJ.
Introducing the CDJ-3000X
With an enormous new screen and Wi-Fi access, AlphaTheta (notably, not Pioneer DJ) has brought its flagship player into 2025.
It’s the best-sounding and, we’ve been told, the best-built CDJ ever made.
The Pioneer DJ / AlphaTheta CDJ line of products has long dominated large-scale professional installations in festivals and clubs all over the world.
With this CDJ-3000X, we’re seeing an acknowledgement that music is accessed differently in 2025 and beyond. DJs are no exception.
In fact, the lack of Wi-Fi streaming capabilities was a huge miss on the original CDJ-3000, which is now being rectified – and doubled-down on. New features such as logging in with NFC (or QRC code) hint at this new direction.
CDJ-3000 vs. CDJ-3000X (What’s New?)
Here’s the list of new features on the CDJ-3000X:
Built-in WiFi
Cloud access + streaming services
Full track caching
10.1” touchscreen (same capacitive glass display found on the XDJ-AZ, Opus Quad)
NFC or QR code login
USB-C connections (SD card slot removed)
Strengthened Play/Cue buttons + RGB hot cue color
Redesigned jog wheel and tension adjustment
Global Tag List
Copy/Paste (more playlist editing features planned)
Playlist reordering
SQ improvements (new ESS Technology DAC and power supply)
Gate Cue/Smart Cue/Touch Cue
Wider
Refined aesthetic
The built-in WiFi is welcomed. This gives you access to cloud storage via Google Drive or Dropbox, or streaming music via Tidal or Beatport.
You can stream music straight to the CDJ from these services, and don’t even need any USB connected. CloudDirectPlay means you get direct access and it will just play.
You also now have full track caching, which means that if someone steals your USB, at least the party will keep going until the end of the song. No more emergency loop.
The enormous upgraded touch screens are the same 10.1” capacitive glass displays found on the XDJ-AZ and the Opus Quad. They look bright and crisp, though black levels could be better.
The “tap to login” feature worked well. When the little symbol on the front of the player is flashing, tap your phone on it, which will send you a notification and complete the login process.
I found this process pretty easy, and I was able to access my TIDAL account on the device even though I currently pay for no other rekordbox or cloud subscriptions.
You’ll also notice the addition of USB-C ports, though there’s still a port for your old-school thumb drive. The SD card has now been removed. There’s also a USB-C port on the back of the player for connecting to your laptop.
More Great Updates
Overall, AlphaTheta has improved the physical reliability of the device. Specifically, they mention that the play and cue buttons can withstand over half a million more presses.
Perhaps a little more interesting is how the cue button changes colors with different hot cues.
They also have redesigned the jog wheel, and its tension. Indeed, the jog wheel feels nice and spins flawlessly (see demonstration in the video above).
The new Global Tag List feature means you can tag songs across all sources (whether USB, streaming, or on the cloud) and have them show up in one temporary playlist.
Also, these songs will download locally to the device (up to 40 or 50 songs at a time), so that you can play without worrying about losing connection in the moment.
This helps build a lot of confidence with the idea of using music sourced from Wi-Fi.
The 3000X now has a copy-and-paste function. Simply hold down on the bit of text you want to copy, like a track title, then use the on-screen paste button.
You can even do some basic playlist editing now. If you click the edit button, you can drag songs around and re-order them. AlphaTheta says that more onboard editing features are coming with future updates.
They’ve also, once again, upgraded the sound quality using a new 32-bit digital/analog converter from ESS technologies and a redesigned power supply.
Cue Features
You can also find a few new Cue related features. Normally, Hot Cues will play the track continuously. However, Gate Cue makes it so the track only plays while you hold the Hot Cue down.
Smart Cue means the position and color of a called-up hot cue will automatically overwrite the current, temporary cue point.
With Touch Cue, you can preview a song in your headphones simply by touching the waveform with your finger.
In summary, it’s the best version of the CDJ ever made – though you’re not going to find any crazy new features like stems or dual layer technology. Keep this in mind if you’re an owner of the original 3000 and considering an upgrade. The original is still a fantastic player in its own right.
Sound Quality
AlphaTheta claims that this is the best sounding CDJ yet, with upgraded components that deliver the utmost in pristine sound quality.
I did test this myself, of course, and here’s my standard disclaimer: I don’t have a sound-treated room, audiophile-grade speakers, or magic ears. Everything I say about sound quality is subjective.
And indeed, when comparing the output of these players vs. my old-school XDJ-1000s, I hear a subtle difference. I tested this by connecting them both to a DJM-A9, syncing the songs for time and volume, and flipping back-and-forth with the cross fader.
I had to try to hear the difference. It was subtle, but it was there: slightly more presence in the upper midrange, slightly more beef in the bass range, and maybe a little better stereo separation.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have an original 3000 in the room with me to do this same comparison. But again, I’m comparing it with a much lower end option, and I had to really try to hear the difference. I’m not sure if I’d hear anything in comparing with the 3000 (or the Denon SC6000 for that matter) that wasn’t placebo effect.
So, yes, the 3000X sounds pristine, at least when tested on my QSC speakers here in the studio.
Wrapping Up
Generally speaking, the 3000X has an overall wider stance and a refined aesthetic. It truly looks good, feels very solid, cleans up easily, and is the high-end flagship product you expect.
It’s the best version of the CDJ ever made, though you’re not going to find any crazy new features like stems or dual layer technology.
Keep this in mind if you’re an owner of the original 3000 and considering an upgrade. The original is still a fantastic player in its own right.
In any case, the price tag is a seriously big ask for those of us looking for something for home use.
Not to state the obvious, but these 3000X’s are meant to be installed in clubs and festivals around the world, for multiple working DJs to use, where the priority is consistency, reliability, and top-notch sound quality.
Whether we’re talking AlphaTheta or Pioneer DJ, the company still offers a bunch of entry points. You could instead get a pair of XDJ-1000 mk2s and a DJM-750 mk2 mixer, and I guarantee it will cover the needs of most of us.
Or, you could get an all-in-one like the XDJ-AZ, which is also expensive, but not nearly as expensive as *four* CDJs and a mixer.
Hell, to be honest, many of us would be better off with a DDJ-FXL10 or similar Rekordbox controller at home.
But for those who want the “Ferrari”, the CDJ-3000X offers a delightful experience.
Ports & Specs
Compatible Software
rekordbox for Mac/Windows rekordbox for iOS/Android Serato DJ Pro – license needed
Compatible rekordbox/CloudDirectPlay
Dropbox, Google Drive
Compatible Music Streaming Services
Beatport, TIDAL
Playable Media
USB flash drive USB SSD / HDD PC/Mac (USB / LAN) Mobile devices (iOS / Android)
Connectivity
USB Type-A × 1 (for storage) USB Type-C × 2 (storage / PC connection) LAN port × 1 (PRO DJ LINK) Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11n/ac) NFC login supported
Compatible Library
Device Library Plus rekordbox-analyzed libraries can be exported and used via USB
Jetpack is a brand that makes extremely functional and stylish bags for all types of DJs. For the purposes of this guide, I’ve divided the bags into four types:
First, there’s Roller Bags (Glide, Drop). These are meant to hold larger and heavier DJ gear, and can be rolled around like a piece of traveling luggage. They have smooth rollerblade-style wheels, telescoping handles, reinforced handles, and a front pouch for the Snap backpack.
Next are Standing Backpacks (XL, Prime, Remix). These hold a ton of DJ gear, and your laptop. They are larger than a typical backpack, and have rubber feet on the bottom so that they stand upright.
Then there’s Over-the-Shoulder Backpacks (Slim, Snap). These are more of the size and shape that you think of when you think “backpack”. They’re lightweight, but tough, and designed to carry your laptop, headphones, and other smaller bits.
Finally, we have Headphones Bags (Deloop Sport, Deluxe, and Audiophile). These can also act as a small clutch for various accessories you might need when DJing.
All Jetpack Backpacks have bright orange interiors for visibility in dim environments, secure headphones storage, high-quality zippers, and padded shoulder straps.
Custom Embroidery
All Jetpack backpacks feature optional high-quality threaded embroidery – my favorite thing about these bags!
Generally your logo is placed on the front, slightly above center, as large as reasonably possible. The size of the logo is usually between 5 to 7 inches for the longest dimension (depending on which product you ordered, and the shape of logo).
I got to examine several bags which used this service – including a Jetpack Remix I ordered for myself.
The quality of the stitching is top-notch. The color was vibrant, and accurate to the colors of my logo.
These images are made using colored threads (not a print). Therefore, certain design elements will not translate completely.
Jetpack suggests keeping it simple, mostly text based, and to avoid complex images. It just won’t look good. Avoid fading colors and gradients, sparkles, shading, metallic shiny effects, glowing, etc.
Having a screen-printed logo on something is cool, but having an embroidered logo is just that extra bit of class. I really like the way this looks.
Shoulder Backpacks
These over-the-shoulder style backpacks are lightweight, but tough, and designed to carry your laptop, headphones, and other smaller bits.
The Snap combines with either of the Roller bags, to form a complete system.
Jetpack Snap (DJ Bag Review)
If you’re looking for a lightweight way to carry your laptop and headphones, the Snaphas got your number.
There’s one main compartment, meaning the laptop is in a shared space with your headphones, cables, and accessories. This allows it to be as compact as possible.
That said, your laptop is still in a protective sleeve with a velcro strap (and I had no qualms tossing my Macbook Pro in there).
On the side is a rather large “passport pocket”. This large wallet-sized pouch could also be useful for smaller flyers, documents, etc.
There’s also a hidden flap which unzips, revealing a rigid place to store documents or a folder. This could be useful for flyers, payments, contracts, or anything else you need while DJing.
The Snap is a nice backpack on its own, but it’s also designed to be part of Jetpack’s roller bag systems. This makes a complete solution for your mixer or DJ controller + your laptop and accessories.
Jetpack Slim (DJ Bag Review)
The Slim is a “normal”-sized backpack with two main zippered compartments. The laptop gets its own space, making it feel well-protected.
In the second compartment, along with the laptop, you’ll find space for two vinyl records (without sleeves). This could be useful if timecode and turntables are part of your DJ setup.
While it lacks the passport pocket of the Snap, you will find a small stash pocket on top. I found this to be very handy for storing USB drives without having to look for them.
There’s a hidden document storage area, which unzips and reveals the perfect area to keep a folder of your important papers.
The Slim is made of waterproof ballistic nylon, and the material inspires confidence. It feels tough enough to go gigging.
Unlike the Snap, it’s available in multiple finish types (black, gray, camo). I found the gray finish to be my personal favorite – it’s quite sharp!
Which Should I Choose?
If what you need to carry to a gig is your laptop, headphones, and a basic set of cables and adapters, the Jetpack Slim or Snap will cover your needs.
When comparing these over-the-shoulder backpacks, the important thing to consider is price. The Jetpack Slim comes in at $149.99, and the Snap comes in at $119.99.
However, when purchased as part of one of the Roller Bag systems – either the Drop or Glide – the Snap ends up being only $100 extra dollars.
Both backpacks have lovely double-layered headphones pouches, to keep things organized and secure. They each have two large internal pouches that are great for holding small accessories like microphones or USB drives. They are bright orange on the inside, for visibility in dark club environments.
If carrying timecode records is important to you, you want a tougher material that will last longer, or you want more finish options, choose the Slim. If you want the best bargain, or you want the thinnest and lightest-weight bag you can get to safely carry your laptop in, choose the Snap.
Standing Backpacks
If the smaller backpacks above aren’t enough for your needs, consider the Jetpack Prime, Remix, or XL.
These hold a ton of DJ gear and accessories, in addition your laptop. They are larger than a typical backpack, and have rubber feet on the bottom so that they stand upright.
These also contain a chest strap, to help remove strain from your neck and upper-shoulders.
Jetpack Prime (DJ Bag Review)
This is a rather large backpack that you might consider if you need to carry a larger or heavier piece of gear in addition to your laptop and headphones.
The front compartment of the Prime is configurable using a padded guard and velcro strap. This area is large enough to hold a 2 channel mixer, compact DJ controller, drum machine, or FX unit.
The rear compartment, in addition to sleeves for four vinyl records, contains an area specifically to hold a tablet (like an iPad).
The middle (laptop) compartment contains tons of pouches, zippers, and slots for all your little doodads. I used this to store microphones, headphones, USB hubs and the like.
There are also large side pockets on either side of the bag. If you need lots of separate pouches (but none of them small), the Prime has you covered.
One disadvantage is that it’s a bit stiff in comparison to the Remix. The middle compartment does not open more than about halfway, making it tough to see everything at a single glance.
Jetpack Remix (DJ Bag Review)
The Remixis what I chose for my own personal bag. To me, it’s the perfect balance: a large standing backpack with slim design (but extra storage for my DJ goodies).
Accessing the Remix is easy thanks to each compartment opening wide (if not quite 180 degrees). I greatly appreciate this when trying to find something quickly, or in the dark.
Without an extra large front compartment, or side pockets, the Remix stays svelte and contained within its own rectangular shape.
Like the Prime, it has three primary compartments and the laptop is stored in the middle. You get space for four timecode records (more than I need!)
I found that even though there’s space for headphones, accessories, documents, and even my iPad – a loaded down Jetpack Remix doesn’t feel particularly cumbersome in comparison to a normal shoulder bag.
Jetpack XL (DJ Bag Review)
This is the big boy! The XL aims to be the largest and most functional DJ backpack that can still be worn and used.
This bag has more pouches and sleeves than you could shake a stick at. In addition to everything we’ve discussed on the above bags (floating headphones pouches, secure flaps for storing accessories, flat document storage, and 4x vinyl record sleeves) – the XL has room for two laptops.
Unlike the other standing bags, the XL indeed opens up to 180 degrees making for easy inspection.
If there’s a place for extra storage, Jetpack has found it and put it on the XL. It has external front and side pockets, a passport pocket, and even has enough room for your scratch mixer.
I think of the XL as a specialized choice, rather than a practical option for most DJs. If you need to bring two laptops, and a scratch mixer or small controller, plus a bunch of accessories to a gig without making multiple trips to the car, it may indeedbe your only choice.
Which Should I Choose?
All of these standing bags have 4 vinyl slots, chest straps to reduce strain, an air-mesh construction, a pass-thru trolley sleeve and rubber feet. They are available in black only.
In this segment, the Remix is the most similar in size and weight to a reasonable backpack that I want to regularly wear. As a result, it holds less stuff.
The XL and Prime have side pockets, where the Remix does not. The XL also has a double front stash and passport pocket – the Prime has a small stash pocket, but there’s no such feature on the Remix.
You also get a double laptop slot on the XL, in case your setup requires two. It also has extra foam padding, reinforced handles, and is all-round a tougher bag.
Choose the Remix like I did, if you want a standing bag, but just barely – and you don’t need a zillion places to stash items. Choose the Prime if you need to carry laptop and a mixer or small controller, and want to do it all in one trip.
Get the XL if… well, if you need something that large, you probably already know.
Roller Bags
These are meant to hold larger and heavier DJ gear, and can be rolled around like a piece of traveling luggage.
When combined with the Jetpack Snap backpack, they form a complete system for your gear, laptop, and accessories.
Both rolling bags have telescoping handles, rollerblade wheels, reinforced handles, and a front pouch for the Snap backpack. They’re available in black and without embroidery, though you can get that done on the backpack instead.
Jetpack Drop (DJ Bag Review)
The Dropcan almost be considered to be a rolling mixer case. It’s large enough for just about any scratch mixer, and some smaller 4-channel ones.
It has an expandable top, which unzips and reveals a somewhat larger compartment that carries longer mixers or other types of gear.
Inside is an adjustable floating divider, so you can decide how to best organize your own hardware. This makes it possible to, for example, carry a drum pad controller in addition to your mixer (or, use it for your laptop).
At the bottom of the mixer compartment is a padded box which can be used to hold cables, accessories, microphones, or anything that you want to keep organized and protected.
This padded box acts as a riser to protect the bottom of the mixer when it’s rolling around (or, it can be removed for more room).
Jetpack Glide (DJ Bag Review)
If you need to carry around a larger 4-channel DJ controller, the Glideis the ideal option.
Unlike most cases for these types of devices, it’s both fully configurable for just about any piece of hardware – and you can roll it around instead of carry it like a briefcase.
Inside the Glide are many removable pieces of foam padding, as well as a rigid bottom pad which flips upside down to accommodate controllers with protruding feet.
Rather than making a bespoke case for every large-format controller (or requiring you to custom cut internals), the Glide makes it possible for you to configure and re-configure the shape of what’s held inside.
All of this makes for an extremely versatile bag – but outside of this, it doesn’t carry much else. This is a purpose-specific case, meant to hold your controller or standalone (and not much else).
That said, in combination with the Snap backpack, the Glide System makes for a complete solution for nearly any DJ controller ever made.
To cater to the varied nature of the tops of these controllers, a foam pad and velcro strap are included to keep your gear safe and secure.
Which Should I Choose?
Unlike the bags we’ve discussed earlier, there’s not too much crossover between these two. It should be clear which you need.
Chose the Drop if you need to carry a scratch mixer or smaller 4-channel mixer, and perhaps an additional small device. Choose the Glide if you need to carry a large 4-channel DJ controller or certain standalone DJ systems.
Pair either of these with the Snap backback to combine it with your laptop and headphones for the ultimate solution.
Headphones Bags
These act as a small clutch for headphones and various accessories you might need when DJing. This includes the Deloop Sport, Deluxe, and Audiophile.
All of these are high-quality bags meant to store and protect your headphones, cables, and small accessories.
In any form, the Deloop bags are designed to be fashionable and stylish, in addition to protective.
Owing to its shape and soft design, there’s a great chance that your headphones and accessories will fit comfortably. The Audiophile is a larger option for those who are worried.
The Sport and Deluxe are the same, except for material and cost. The Deluxe is made of leather (or pleated leather, if you prefer) but nearly doubles the cost.
The Sport is available in multiple finish types – black, grey, and camo.
See the video above for a more in-depth comparison of these headphones bags.
Jetpack Pulse (Alternative Option)
While not quite a headphones bag, it’s not quite a laptop bag either.
The Jetpack Pulse sits comfortably slung over one shoulder, and therefore might be considered an over-the-shoulder headphones bag.
This is a great option for non-laptop DJs who only need to bring digital media (e.g. USB drives and SD cards), small tablets, and headphones to the gig.
The Pulse has plenty of storage for your everyday items, such as keys, phones, wallets, or ear buds. Chances are high that you’d find this bag working its way into normal daily use, outside of DJing.
As with the other Jetpack backpacks, the Pulse is available with custom embroidery.
Help Me Decide!
If you’re still not sure which DJ bag is the right one for you, be sure to watch the video above. Each bag is talked about in much greater detail there!
That said, let’s summarize the entire Jetpack line.
Keeping it Light
For DJs who only bring headphones, USB drives, and little else to a gig, the Deloop line of headphones bags is a wonderfully stylish way to show up at a gig.
Choose the Sport for toughness and value, the Deluxe for its fashion sense, or the Audiophile for a little more room. Only the Sport is available in multiple finish types.
The Jetpack Pulse is a sort-of in-between option. It doesn’t let you hold a laptop, but you could hold your headphones and a bunch of goodies, in a more traditional over-the-shoulder style. Get this if you like it better than the handbag style of the Deloop.
If what you need to carry to a gig is your laptop, headphones, and a basic set of cables and adapters, the Jetpack Slim or Snap will cover your needs.
The Slim is a nicer bag, is covered in nicer materials and has a separate laptop compartment – but the Snap is extremely lightweight. When bought as part of a Drop or Glide system, it’s a $50 savings over a Slim.
Heavier Duty
Laptop DJs who find themselves bringing more items on the road might opt for a larger standing backpack, or a roller. All of these have 4 vinyl slots, chest straps to reduce strain, an air-mesh construction, a pass-thru trolley sleeve and rubber feet. They are available in black only.
The Prime or XL will easily support any 2-channel mixer, and perhaps some smaller 4-channel ones. But so will the Jetpack Drop. So if you want to bring a laptop and a scratch mixer to a gig, maybe it makes sense for you to roll it in with a Jetpack Drop and Snap combo, rather than lug it in on your back.
The Jetpack XL carries a ton of stuff, but it weighs almost 9 lbs BEFORE you put anything in it.
If you’re bringing a large 4-channel DJ controller or standalone DJ system to the gig, the Jetpack Glide is basically your own choice. Getting this with the Snap for an extra $100 is practically a no-brainer – assuming you use a laptop – and all the various carrying handles will make it easy to put in and out of your vehicle.
Both rolling bags have telescoping handles, rollerblade wheels, reinforced handles, and a front pouch for the Snap backpack. They’re available in black and without embroidery, though you can get that done on the backpacks instead.
In any case, you can’t go wrong with a Jetpack bag!
RANE One MKII review written by David Michael of Passionate DJ.
Introducing the RANE One MKII
The RANE One MKII is a wonderfully robust DJ controller, for hands-on mixing with motorized platters.
Inside this new version of the controller are the guts of a proper RANE hardware mixer – including 29 internal hardware FX and premium faders.
Stems controls have been added too, giving you the ability to add or remove song elements (like vocals or drums).
Like its predecessor, the RANE One MKII presents with exceptional build quality. This is apparent from the moment you unbox and install the 7.2” platters, which seem to be carved from solid chunks of metal.
The exterior is finished in matte white – something we often see on special editions, but rarely on hardware revisions like this MKII. I must admit, it looks sharp – and probably helps with visibility in the dark.
This controller allows you to enjoy the tactile feel of mixing records, while enjoying the flexibility of a digital setup. That said, your analog turntables are also supported (or any other external audio sources, such as CDJs).
For open-format DJs who need lots of tactile control, the RANE One MKII is a top choice. It gives the feel of mixing 7” records (with selectable torque), in a portable chassis.
What’s New?
Onboard Hardware FX
The MKII no longer relies on Serato to handle FX – it’s now done on the hardware itself. This comes with a few advantages:
Higher quality FX. RANE’s onboard FX can be preferred to many of Serato’s stock. (However, you can switch back with a simple button).
Works with other sources. Even when playing records on a turntable through the RANE, you can apply FX to your songs (no laptop required).
Less work for your laptop. Since FX processing is being done on the RANE, your laptop focuses on crunching other things instead (like low-latency scratching, or Stems).
There’s now a dedicated OLED display, letting you change FX parameters in a convenient way, which is very sharp and readable.
The Beat and Depth knobs that were on the original RANE One have been replaced with an encoder knob and tiny joystick, allowing you to change the details of your Main FX on the screen.
You also now get access to four different Channel FX. In addition to your original Filter, you can select Filter Roll, Flanger, and Noise FX.
Stems Controls
Since the original RANE One was released, Stems have hit the mainstream in a big way, and thus have made their way to the MKII.
You can use the new Acapella and Instrumental buttons to easily toggle vocals and music (similar to other controllers like the RANE Four).
Using Stems Level Mode, your EQ knobs can be used to easily mix Vocals, Melody/Bass, and Drums levels.
Or, you can use your beat pads to access Stems. Simply enable and disable the various Stems using the 8 beat pads under each deck, as is common on many controllers.
These various modes make it easy for you to access Stems in the way that makes the most sense to you, while not being too invasive to the overall design.
There are also two new modes:
Stem Roll – a repeating roll effect applied to individual stems (e.g. vocals)
Stem FX – transition or wash effects applied to individual stems (e.g. Echo Out)
Listen to Stem separation demos, including the two new Stems modes, in the review video above.
Secondary Performance Pads
On the top of the RANE One MKII you’ll find a new set of four buttons above each deck, replacing the touch strip that existed there previously.
This allows you to easily access another pad mode, in addition to whatever mode the “normal” pads are in. For me, the best use of this is for accessing stems while keeping your hot cues available to you.
All things considered, I find this to be a better use of the space than the touch strips.
Upgraded Faders
In addition to the Mag Four crossfader that was on the original unit, RANE has added upgraded PRECISION FEEL upfaders (the same ones found on the Performer).
All faders on the unit have customizable cut-ins, curves, and tension – which was also true of the original unit. But now the upfaders match the premium level of quality found in the MAG FOUR crossfader.
Other RANE ONE MKII Upgrades
On the front of the unit, you’ll find a new Sampler Volume knob for easy control of the Sampler.
There has also been Reverb and Echo FX added to the Mic 1 slot.
FX
The RANE One MKII now has FX built in, which means that they will work no matter the source (including turntables or CDJs).
These high-quality FX also save CPU cycles on your laptop, since all the FX “work” is being done on the controller itself.
There are 29 meticulously-crafted FX (as can be found on RANE mixers) and it includes a new OLED display for adjusting parameters. The screen is crisp, readable, and a welcome addition.
Should you still want to use Serato’s software FX, this can be done with the press of a new button.
Headphone Outputs (1/4”/6.35 mm and 1/8”/3.5 mm TRS)
Maximum Output Voltage: 4 Vrms (no load)
Output Power: 50 mW (50 ohms)
Dynamic Range (A-weighted): 108 dB
Wrap Up
As a two-channel DJ controller with high-torque motorized platters, the RANE One MKII is aimed squarely at the turntablist-style scratch DJ.
When I reviewed the original RANE One, I spent a few moments talking about value. In today’s world of rising costs, this holds even more true for the MKII.
The only real caveat is that you must be a Serato user. If you’re already in the fold, and you’re a digital DJ who likes to scratch… the RANE One MKII is a no-brainer.
If you already own the original, you may not be compelled to upgrade unless access to Stems is really important to you.
With the MKII, RANE has taken an already great controller, and updated it to cater to modern expectations. That’s exactly what a MKII is for.
Thankfully, the terrific guts of the original controller seem to be present here, and should make many Serato DJs happy for years to come.
This AlphaTheta HDJ-F10 review is brought to you by David Michael of Passionate DJ.
Introduction
It’s a bit crazy, when you think about it: you never really see wireless DJ headphones in the booth.
If you’ve ever turned your head to talk to someone and had your headphones go flying off, you know what I’m talking about.
But the issue with wireless protocols (e.g. the Bluetooth SBC codec) is almost always latency, or “lag”. In other words, the time it takes for you to hear something after you do something (like push a button).
AlphaTheta’s solution to this is called SonicLink. This protocol is 20 times faster than Bluetooth, bringing the latency down to 9 msec – close to imperceptible.
This means you can monitor, mix, scratch, and cue just as if you were using wired headphones – a game-changer for the DJ booth.
In the boxyou’ll find a very nice carrying bag and a pair of replacement ear pads.
You can buy the headset itself for $389. But to get it with the SonicLink-capable transmitter costs $499. Currently, the only device that supports the HDJ-F10 headphones without the transmitter is the AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ (it has one built-in).
Features & Usability
The HDJ-F10 headphones offer a similar suite of features that you’d find on upper-end consumer-level cans.
AlphaTheta was smart to not lean all the way into wireless DJ headphones. Today’s users want today’s features, and they are basically found here.
By sliding a small switch on the left cup, you can easily decide whether you’re using SonicLink or Bluetooth.
SonicLink Features
Max Transmission Distance: About 15m (unobstructed)
Playback Time: About 9 hr *
Frequency Band: 2.4 GHz
Latency: 9 msec
Pairs With: HDJ-F10-TX transmitter (or XDJ-AZ) only
Bluetooth Features
Max Transmission Distance: About 10m (unobstructed)
Playback Time: About 30 hr *
Frequency Band: 2.4 GHz
Latency: 180 msec
Pairs With: Any Bluetooth-capable device
* see Battery Life section below – it may surprise you!
Thanks to the built-in mic, the HDJ-F10 is capable of handling phone calls when paired to your phone in Bluetooth mode.
With all this in mind, the HDJ-F10 can be used anywhere outside the DJ booth. Using the included cable, you can even use them as traditional wired headphones.
Noise Cancellation & Transparency
The onboard mic isn’t just for taking phone calls. Like other modern headsets, you can use Active Noise Cancellation to filter out incoming noise.
Or, you might enable Transparency mode to let external sounds in. This lets you continue having conversations with people around you while listening to music.
You enable or disable these functions using a dedicated button on the right cup.
These features only work in Bluetooth mode.
The quality of these features is worlds apart from my AirPods Pro, or any other high-end headphones. I didn’t find myself impressed, here.
The physical sound isolation of the headphones is very good, so thankfully, this isn’t a dealbreaker.
General Use
The appropriately-named Multifunction Button is used to do several things, depending on when (and for how long) you push it.
Hold it for about 2 seconds, and the headset turns on. Hold it just a little longer, and it turns off.
Use a long-press (about 5 seconds) and it will enter pairing mode.
Once the headset is in pairing mode, you can do a similar long-press on your transmitter’s button. They will both flash, indicating they are paired together. The process is similar whether using Bluetooth or SonicLink.
Currently, the only other device that supports the SonicLink protocol is the Wave-Eight wireless speaker. However, it does not pair to the HDJ-F10 stuff, nor to the XDJ-AZ (which has its own transmitter).
I tried some failure tests with these wireless DJ headphones, and it fared quite well. When stepping outside of range, it would drop, but then immediately reconnect to the transmitter as soon as I came back.
Their claimed 15m range (on SonicLink) seems fairly accurate. As expected, the more obstructions and Wi-Fi signals you have nearby, the worse your range will be.
There’s a small onboard LED to indicate connection status, as well as three dots indicating battery level. Volume controls are also included.
Latency
Bluetooth SBC audio latency is approximately 180 msec… an eternity when it comes to describing audio lag. It can be better or worse than this, depending on the level of post-processing (by noise cancellation, for example).
SonicLink reduces this time to 9 msec, which is fast enough to make it unnoticeable.
This means that actions like hot cueing, scratching, or scrubbing tracks sound just like they would if you were wearing wired headphones.
See demos of this in action in the video above.
Comfort & Wearability
I found the HDJ-F10 headset to be reasonably comfortable for long-term use. Though at 356g (or 0.8 lbs) you will feel the weight after a while.
Adjustability is good – the headband is angled slightly rearward, and both sides have a nice ratcheting action when setting the height.
The cups swivel, but only slightly. They are perfect for the “one cup on, one cup off” thing, but less ideal if you do the “hold the headphones upside-down and listen to one side” thing.
With both cups on, they fit over the ear and don’t make me sore quickly like on-ear ones do. I was able to clock in a few hours before feeling like I needed a break.
Generally speaking, the headset is comfortable, if not a touch heavy.
Physical sound isolation of the HDJ-F10 headphones is quite exceptional. The ear cups formed a nice seal against my head, providing great volume and bass response at all times.
Battery Life
SonicLink has a performance implication: AlphaTheta claims 9 hours of battery life on SonicLink, vs. 30 hours on Bluetooth.
However…
I tested this myself, and the headset didn’t stop for 32 hours when using the SonicLink protocol. Color me shocked.
The transmitter itself lasted for almost 11 hours before needing to be plugged into 5V USB-C, at which time it continued sending music.
I’m not sure what accounts for these results. 32 hours is almost 4X what AlphaTheta claims these will do on their proprietary protocol.
Who knows what it will actually do with Bluetooth?!
While the headset itself can’t be used while charging, it can be used as standard wired headphones by using the included cable (just steal it from the transmitter).
I’ve never had to DJ for 32 hours, or even 9 hours straight… so the battery life of these headphones seems more than sufficient for my needs.
I’m not saying you should expect these results: many things could decrease battery life, such as increased volume, the presence of other 2.4 GHz signals, or the age of your battery. But, you should expect AlphaTheta’s claims to be conservative.
The headphones take about 2.5 hours to reach full charge (and about 4 hours for the transmitter).
Sound Quality
Headphones Type: Closed, dynamic
Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 30 kHz
Impedance: 32 Ω
Output SPL: 105 dB
The HDJ-F10 headphones will get as loud as you want them to get. Whether used wirelessly, or with the included cable, I had no trouble getting these things to bump.
The audio itself sounds quite lovely. Audio reproduction quality is good, and bass is emphasized (as you might expect – and want – from DJ headphones).
With the cups covering my ear and forming a gentle seal against my head, the isolation was sufficient to make it sound like I’m in a quiet room, even without active noise cancellation on.
Higher-end sounds are produced with clarity (and without harshness), while all the midrange is still present when listening to music made by humans and instruments.
Like other Pioneer DJ audio gear I’ve reviewed, you can find a little bit of hiss if you really listen for it. I never found it to be distracting.
To be clear, these are not meant to compete with audiophile-grade headphones, and will not blow your mind in this regard. But they do sound very good, and they get loud in loud environments (perhaps the most important thing in DJ headphones).
I tested making phone calls with the headset on, and everything sounded crisp and clear on both ends.
Final Thoughts
The AlphaTheta HDJ-F10 seeks to solve a real problem in the DJ booth. Having a wire tethering your face to a mixer feels really archaic in 2025.
If you’re an early adopter type, this is a great time to pony up and show the company you want low-latency wireless tech in the DJ booth.
If you’re not, AlphaTheta has future-proofed the headset by making it work with standard Bluetooth protocols, as well as with a hard wire. In the absolute worst case scenario, these will always still be really good headphones.
But whether the market will support this shift into a new wireless DJ headphones technology remains to be seen.
That said, I’m happy that someone is addressing this latency issue, and this is a company well-poised to introduce this new tech.
At the end of the day, the HDJ-F10 is a comfortable wireless headset with incredible battery life and very good sound quality. It just so happens that you can supercharge its performance using a SonicLink transmitter.
The AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6 is a four-channel controller for rekordbox or Serato, and the rekordbox mobile app. And as of their latest releases, it’s also supported by Virtual DJ and Algoriddim Djay.
It provides that club-standard-style of layout that so many of us desire – meaning, it follows the design language of the CDJ-3000 and DJM-A9, including its placement of hot cue pads above the jog wheels.
When used with rekordbox, there’s an onboard remix function called the Groove Circuit. This allows you to replace the drum tracks on your songs with other ones.
When used with other software, particularly Serato, this function becomes Stems FX. This lets you apply effects such as Roll, Trans, Echo Out, and Delay to the separate Stems of a track – drums, bass, vocal, or melody.
Overall it has a nice aesthetic, with a nice black matte finish covering most of it. It has a spacious, ergonomic design that is mostly symmetrical.
The new Smart Rotary Selector allows for up/down and left/right tilting as well as conventional rotation and push operations. This makes it much easier to find the track you’re looking for, no matter the size of your music library.
The GRV6 is appealing to many DJs because of its broad compatibility, its familiar layout, and the set of features it brings for the price.
That said, one thing you might notice is its minimalist approach, visually speaking. I’m mainly referring to its lack of full-color LCD screens, or crispy OLED displays giving feedback under knobs.
As far as visual feedback, you get the spinning jog ring, some flashing lights, and that’s mainly it.
But keeping those things simple means that despite its feature-set, the GRV6 is able to come in at a reasonable mid-range price point of $829.
Features & Layout
The layout of the DDJ-GRV6 deck section is CDJ-3000-like, with 9 pads placed above large jog wheels.
Small pitch faders make way for large jog wheels, which are of upper-mid quality. Perhaps equivalent to something like an XDJ-1000mk2.
The mixer is DJM-A9-like, with its entire suite of FX included. Though, you don’t get all the same controls (e.g. no X-pad or EQ bands to apply FX to).
The faders (including the crossfader) feel nice, but not top-tier like a Magvel.
Using Stem Iso mode (by holding shift + any channel’s cue button), you can convert the EQs to stems controls. If you want to drop (or fade) the specific elements of your track, this will come in handy.
Stems can also be toggled using the pads, whether using rekordbox or other software.
Build quality overall is enough to instill confidence. While made of plastic, there’s nothing on the GRV6 that feels particularly cheap.
Carrying handles on the underside make for easy transport. Jog wheel size is prioritized, and certain features are omitted to make for a more spacious design.
Using the new Smart Rotary Selector, you can easily browse through a library of any size. In addition to the normal rotate and click options, it moves up/down and side/side like a joystick, helping you flip through crates and directories.
Ports & Connections
2x USB-C ports – power input, “device output”
For PC/Mac, power is supplied via USB.
For mobile devices, power must be supplied to the DDJ-GRV6 from an outlet or mobile battery.
Android mono/stereo switch
Balanced mic
RCA Booth
RCA Main + Balanced ¼” Main
Groove Circuit (rekordbox)
The unique Groove Circuit function uses dedicated buttons to replace the drum parts of a track, creating live remixes.
You can insert entirely different drum loops, effectively changing songs into different genres, creating fills, build-ups, and breakdowns.
There’s a Groove Circuit on each side, each one having an independent gain control.
They also each have what we’ve come to think of as an FX paddle, labeled “Drum Release”. We then have a “Drum Swap” and “Drum Roll” section, each with four buttons.
The “Capture” button in the middle allows you to save a drum loop from the current track you’ve loaded into the deck.
There are a handful of premade loops inside rekordbox already, and with the ability to add your own, the possibilities are endless. It’s easy to change the mood of a track by simply changing the percussion.
If you’re the kind of DJ who likes to play a well-known house song, but change it to a breakbeat, you’re gonna love this feature.
Using the Drum Roll, you can “roll” only the percussion section in a repeating loop.
Use this in combination with the Drum Release paddle to add a little sparkle to your set. This lets you use Echo, or other selectable FX (like Vinyl Brake).
See the video above for demos.
(This function is only available on rekordbox for Mac/Windows.)
Stems FX (Serato)
When using Serato DJ, Groove Circuit is replaced with Stems FX. In fact, with the included overlay, you can ensure that the controls are labeled properly for your preferred software.
Not only is this hugely functional, it helps you not feel like a second-class citizen by having the wrong labels on these buttons – and makes it feel like it truly supports both platforms.
Pro-tip: save whichever overlay you don’t use, and keep it nice. Somebody will want to buy it from you, one day.
Stems FX applies effects to the individual stems of a track (drums, bass, vocal, melody). These are classic FX like Roll, Trans, Echo Out, and Delay.
Drum Roll is replaced with Stems Roll – actually a more useful version of the same function which lets you roll individual (or multiple) stem parts.
See the video above for demos.
Complaints/Wish List
I have a couple minor ones:
Looping is unintuitive. It’s hard to get used to a long-press to engage a 4-beat loop, and the length controls are in a different location (see video). Give me a rotary loop encoder any day!
Why ¼” balanced instead of XLR on main out? This is a minor complaint, and technically it works fine. But be sure to keep your own cables and adapters around for this when playing out.
Groove Circuit is “risky” – easy to engage off-beat.
My main complaint about the GRV6 is its lack of useful visual feedback.
And honestly, it wouldn’t take much. RGB backlighting on the beat pads would be hugely useful. This makes it easy to identify hot cues, easy to tell which stem you’re removing, etc.
RGB backlighting could also be used to make it more obvious whether you’re controlling the primary or secondary decks. Currently you could be forgiven for forgetting whether you’re on Deck 1 or 3.
It could also be used to help differentiate whether your CUE buttons are in CUE mode, or in Stem ISO mode.
There’s nothing particularly useful in the center of the jog wheels either, other than a spinning ring. No BPM or pitch data, no library browsing.
None of this is a huge deal individually, but having them all means there’s a non-zero chance of getting lost while DJing. At least for me. (Admittedly, I’m scatter-brained.)
This is a DJ controller in the traditional sense – it’s not meant to help keep your eyes off the laptop screen. Which is fine – not every DJ controller needs a zillion OLED screens.
But at this price point, I think RGB backlighting would be a fair (and useful) inclusion.
Wrap Up
The DDJ-GRV6 is a device that handles the main DJ tasks well: manipulating tracks with its full-size jog wheels, easily skimming a large library with that multi-function browse knob, and sounding good (all the way down to its full suite of Pioneer DJ FX).
The GRV6 is a solid all-arounder. You get a stout, four-channel, handsome controller with multi-software support and unique remixing features.
It does all the basics well, though that doesn’t mean there are places it could be improved upon. But generally speaking, it’s a joy to use.
The GRV6 is for just about any DJ who wants four-channel control, a club-style layout and doesn’t care about mixing external sources.
It’s a proper mid-range controller that mimics the functionality of the big boys. Its wide level of software support is another reason to make this easily recommendable.
For something a little more entry-level, check out the 2-channel DDJ-FLX4.
The XDJ-AZ is not the first four-channel standalone DJ system from AlphaTheta, but in a sense, it’s the one we’ve all always wanted them to make.
Its design philosophy is shared with the earlier XDJ-XZ, whose primary flaw has always been that it only offered 2 channels in standalone mode. It was 4 channels as it relates to the mixer, only.
The Opus-Quad is a great unit that offers true 4 channel operation, but it strays from the club design philosophy, and doesn’t truly feel like a CDJ-3000 experience.
The AZ fixes all this, and includes one of the nicer screens you’ve ever seen on a standalone.
It works with your own library via its dual USB ports, by streaming via CloudDirectPlay, and also supports Beatport and Apple Music. This is great, though I’d like to see TIDAL here.
The experience of using the XDJ-AZ is truly the closest thing I’ve found to using CDJ-3000s and a Pioneer DJ mixer – all the way down to the FX suite that comes straight out of the DJM-A9. If it had two screens and browse knobs instead of one, I bet you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.
AlphaTheta has brought their low-latency SonicLink technology to the XDJ-AZ, which means if you buy their high-end proprietary headphones, you can enjoy lag-free audio without any cords or dongles.
On top of all this, the AZ is designed with high audio quality in mind. The onboard 32-bit A/D converters by ESS Technologies, the high quality mic circuits, the balanced connections and those crispy “Pioneer FX” all combine for a crystal clear experience.
Features & Layout
Using the older XZ as a base, they’ve removed some of the hard controls that you don’t need to access frequently, and put them into the screen.
This means that while the XDJ-AZ is indeed enormous (35.24” × 19.85” × 5.25” and just shy of 30 lbs.), it’s ergonomically stout.
Everything is well-spaced, your hands know exactly where to go from muscle-memory, and there’s no extra fuss. However, adjusting your fader curves or enabling a recording is a single button-press away.
Special attention is given to the dual mics, with full three-band EQs for each, and a talkover button. They could’ve easily gotten away with dual-band EQs, so this is nice to see. There’s also a 3-band EQ on the Master.
The upfaders and crossfader feel decent: not cheap and grindy, but they’re also not Magvels. The mixer is capable of doing some scratching, though I’d be concerned about how the crossfader would hold up over time if you do this for hours every day.
The jog wheels are basically perfect. They remind me very much of the CDJ-3000s, and are adjustable for tension. When moved all the way to the “light” setting, the wheels will easily spin for several seconds.
While I personally prefer loop encoders, loops are easy to engage (especially with the 4/8 bar loop buttons), and can also be set manually.
The beat pads feel of high quality, with a rubbery resistance and crispy RGB backlighting.
Filters & FX
The FX for the XDJ-AZ have come straight out of the DJM-A9, so you’ll feel right at home if you’ve used any of the brand’s higher-end mixers or standalones from the past few years.
Effects come in two forms: Beat FX, and the simpler Sound Color FX (which use a single knob turn). This knob also works as your filter knob.
Beat FX can be engaged by pushing the big blue button, or by tapping on the X-Pad (a small touch strip). The X-Pad lets you engage FX at different increments, such as beat divisions. If you swipe your fingers around, you can often manipulate the FX.
Pioneer DJ / AlphaTheta is still the king of onboard FX, and on the XDJ-AZ, they sound as nice and crispy as ever.
Like DJM mixers, you can select the frequency bands you’re applying those FX to: Low, Mid, and Hi. The most common use here for me, is to disable the Low band to avoid rumble.
You can touch the X-Pad on any little division, and the FX will instantly turn on without you needing to push the engage button. The large screen will tell you what the divisions are if you need a reference.
XDJ-AZ Beat FX:
Delay
Echo
Ping Pong
Spiral
Helix
Reverb
Flanger
Phaser
Filter
Triplet Filter
Trans
Roll
Triplet Roll
Mobius
XDJ-AZ Sound Color FX:
Space
Dub Echo
Crush
Sweep
Noise
Filter
Demos of these FX can be found in the video above.
Screens & UI
The touch screen is as responsive as it is sharp. It’s nice that the CDJ-3000-style shortcut buttons are included above the screen. It’s really easy to just hit browse, select a track, tell it which deck to load into, and go.
Beyond the dedicated Mixer Settings button lies a screen of adjustments for your mics (such as feedback reduction), your recording settings, your deck 3/4 assignments, headphones settings and curve adjustments.
Skimming through the rest of the menus, you’ll find settings for your Decks, Display, Audio Output, Network, Bluetooth, etc. The menus are intuitive and easy to use.
Everything around the browse knob is what you expect from a CDJ-3000, including Track tag and filter options and the shortcut button.
The round displays inside the jog wheels are lovely, sharp, and colorful as well. But they also have a trick up their sleeve.
Double-tap the Shift button, and you’ll engage your Pad Info Display. This changes these screens into a small grid that represents your beat pads, and tells you what each pad will do. For example, each Hot Cue displayed by color, or what beat division will be enabled for Slip Roll.
Having this visual feedback at the press of a button, without having to search for this info on your laptop screen, is a rather under-rated feature.
Ports & Connections
On the back of the AZ, you’ll see a single USB-C port. If you’re using Serato or rekordbox with your laptop, that’s where you’ll connect it.
There’s an ethernet port, which gives you internet access via a hard wire, and lets you connect to other CDJ/XDJ players for more control.
There’s a nice set of balanced connections: XLR main output, ¼” booth output, and you also have two XLR/quarter inch combo jacks for microphones. Of course, there’s also an RCA master out.
You get two sets of RCA inputs for your external sources, including turntables. There’s a ground peg in the middle if your tables require that.
The inclusion of a standard IEC power port is nice, and your power supply is completely internal. So yes, the AZ is huge, but at least you don’t have to deal with a “wall wart”.
Wireless Headphones: SonicLink
Inside the XDJ-AZ, AlphaTheta has included a transmitter for their new low-latency wireless standard, called SonicLink.
This matches perfectly with the AlphaTheta HDJ-F10 headphones (mainly because it’s currently your only option). These are the first SonicLink headphones on the market.
There’s no support for Bluetooth headphones, mainly because the latency (or lag) makes it difficult for Bluetooth to be useful for a DJ.
There’s also no built-in support for their SonicLink speaker, the Wave Eight, though this could still work using its included adapter.
I’ll be reviewing the HDJ-F10 headphones in an upcoming video, but I definitely wanted to test it with the AZ. To show the response time, I shoved my microphone into the headphones so you can hear what it sounds like to cue in them. As you can see in the video above, it’s very responsive and lag-free.
Pairing these headphones works very much like Bluetooth. Hold down the pairing button on both devices, until they start blinking and ultimately find each other. Simple enough.
A high-speed wireless audio protocol is a great idea for the DJ booth. But regarding whether SonicLink itself will catch on, time will tell.
Wish List
Generally speaking, the XDJ-AZ answers my prayers, in regards to a 4 channel all-in-one standalone rekordbox solution. But I do have a small wish list.
Firstly, it would’ve been nice to have a tilt screen. This is one of the best features of Denon DJ’s PRIME 4+, not only for comfort, but to help avoid glare from overhead lights (or the sun).
Also, it would have been really cool to have included individual deck screens in addition to the big middle screen (as they demonstrated on the Opus-Quad). Maybe this is a little overkill, but I think it would’ve been convenient to see individual track data on each side.
The recent inclusion of Apple Music is nice, but it would be nice to see TIDAL on the list of streaming services. Not for any brand loyalty reasons, but for the limited libraries offered by these services.
Finally, the inclusion of a dual-cue system would be the icing on the cake, making it easier for 2 DJs to do tag-team sets or pass back and forth.
None of these things are deal-breakers, but would’ve been nice inclusions at the price point.
Comparisons
AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ vs. Opus-Quad
The Opus-Quad is an obvious alternative to the XDJ-AZ, since they are both high-end units from the same company, which cost the same money.
While the XDJ-AZ appeals to the club, festival, or rave DJ – the Opus-Quad has features geared towards high-end mobile DJs, or any home user who wants a unique aesthetic (but doesn’t care about so-called “club standard” design).
Differences:
Individual deck screens are included on the Opus-Quad. Rather than a focus on the jog wheel display, much of this information is located in a larger rectangular display above each deck.
Jog wheels on the Opus-Quad aren’t as nice as the XDJ-AZ. The feel is more similar to a CDJ-2000NXS2 than a CDJ-3000. See comparisons in the video above.
The XY Pad on the Opus-Quad offers a neat way to add creative control to your FX, where the XDJ-AZ has an X-pad only.
The FX are accessed differently: on the Opus-Quad, you don’t have as many hardware inputs. Rather, when you turn the select knob, your FX options pop up on the screen.
Streaming services differ as well. At present, the Opus-Quad supports TIDAL and Beatport. The XDJ-AZ supports Apple Music and Beatport.
Gate Cue Mode is only offered on the XDJ-AZ, enabling controller-style hotcue behavior.
Pro DJ Link is only offered on the XDJ-AZ, enabling expansion with other players.
Zone Output is only offered on the Opus-Quad, enabling separate audio output to multiple rooms.
AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ vs. XDJ-RX3
The XDJ-RX3 is, effectively, the two-channel version of an XDJ-AZ. If you never actually use four channels, you can save over a thousand dollars and just get this.
The screen, user interface, decks section and jog wheel are based around the CDJ-3000 (much like the XDJ-AZ). The mixer section is more like a 2-channel version of a DJM-900NXS2.
The build quality is top notch, the screen is terrific and responsive, and you can still connect external players (such as turntables).
AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ vs. Denon DJ PRIME 4+
As far as competitors from other companies, the PRIME 4 (now 4+) from Denon DJ was the original 4-channel flagship standalone, and it’s the standard all new standalones still get compared to.
Denon DJ wasn’t messing around when they dropped the PRIME 4. It might even be fair to say that it was revolutionary in the DJ space – or at least, it helped make huge waves when it came to “changing your rider” (aka switching from rekordbox).
But in the few years since, this segment has grown – so where does PRIME 4+ still have the edge?
Differences:
The Touch Screen on both units is lovely, but the PRIME 4+ edges it out both in sharpness and smoothness (e.g. waveform scrolling). It also pivots!
Music Sources are more varied on the PRIME 4+:
There are four USB inputs vs. two. This is also how you might connect controllers for decks 3 and 4 (like LC6000s).
There’s an SD card slot.
There’s a SATA drive bay underneath.
You can connect four external sources vs. two.
Streaming Services are more plentiful on the PRIME 4+: Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, TIDAL, Beatport, Beatsource, SoundCloud Go+.
Zone Output is offered on the PRIME 4+, enabling separate audio output to multiple rooms.
Lighting Control is available on PRIME 4+, thanks to Engine Lighting.
Stems are available on PRIME 4+ only (but must be pre-rendered). This lets you separate your songs into vocal, melody, bass and drums.
Jog Wheels are bigger and better on the XDJ-AZ
Software compatibility is better on the XDJ-AZ, since it supports rekordbox and Serato when using it as a DJ controller (PRIME 4+ supports only Serato).
Generally speaking, the PRIME 4+ offers a value that’s hard to beat. You can save a thousand dollars over the XDJ-AZ, and still have a well-supported flagship product that plays in four channels, using any source your heart desires. Though it’s worth noting that the XDJ-AZ is noticeably larger than the PRIME 4+.
The XDJ-AZ is one of those devices that looks like a value if compared to its individual components, but looks expensive if compared to its competitors.
The same could be said of its physical size.
But it mimics the professional club setup so perfectly, at less than half the cost. This makes me think it’s a viable option for smaller bars, clubs, and venues who want a pro-level house setup (and are tired of renting gear).
It’s also great for any DJ who often plays on a rekordbox-powered setup, who wants the “best” club setup duplicated at home – within reason.
With the availability of the XDJ-AZ, it really makes the idea of buying CDJ-3000s and a DJM-AZ for home feel like overkill.
It’s the standalone 4-channel DJ system that they should’ve released from the beginning. The Opus-Quad is nice, but I’m honestly struggling to find reasons to recommend it over the AZ. I can think of plenty of reasons to recommend the reverse.
While this is in many ways the answer to our standalone-rekordbox prayers, $3200 is a hard sell for many of us. If that’s too pricey for you, there’s no reason you can’t get a DJ controller instead.
Pocket Jacks LLC led by Chad C Bscherer announces its acquisition of The DJ Hookup (TDJH), the highest customer-rated DJ Equipment retailer online.
In September 2024, 14 years after its founding, co-founder and CEO Alex Pyatetsky announced that The DJ Hookup (thedjhookup.com) was up for sale on the company’s blog and newsletter.
After years selling DJ and music-production equipment with an obsession for customer experience, many of TDJH’s loyal customers were concerned and saddened about the future of the site. However, April’s relaunch under new ownership was met with ecstatic feedback. Pocket Jacks not only reinforced the site’s longevity, but also brought new initiatives and fresh vision for contributing to the DJ community.
“In 2010, we started The DJ Hookup to ‘hook up’ every customer like they were a friend,” says co-founder and former CEO Alex Pyatetsky regarding the sale. “We weren’t trying to change the world, just make this corner of the universe a little bit better. Fifteen years later, I’m proud we’ve created the highest customer-rated company in the space. And that’s what counts – happiness in relationships, not awards or any other hype. That said, I haven’t DJ’d in over 10 years and I knew it was time for someone with the same enthusiasm I had 15 years ago to take the wheel. When Chad came to us, it was a huge relief. He’s been an industry colleague for years. He gets our customer-obsessed DNA and respects what we’ve built. With new resources, initiative and enthusiasm, our team is ready to continue making the lives of DJs better.”
Pocket Jacks CEO, Chad C Bscherer, followed up with his thoughts regarding the purchase. “I have been in music industry sales professionally for almost two decades, working with retailers while representing nearly 50 different brands. I’ve sold many of these brands to TDJH and I became friends with co-founders Alex and Natalie over the years. I was impressed by the deep connection they had built with the DJ community which I also had built. After being approached by Natalie, I decided to engage in some exploratory purchase conversations that soon became very serious. I started to see the potential of taking this site to another level. Now that the purchase is complete, I am VERY excited on what the future holds for TDJH with improved service and new DJ community initiatives!”
Pocket Jacks is committed to preserving The DJ Hookup brand and will continue to build on its foundation at TheDJHookup.com. New management will continue expanding the catalog with leading brands, including a foray into lighting and atmospherics, an essential product category for DJs that the company has never carried. Likewise, various operational initiatives will allow for faster, more reliable service with every future order while ensuring industry-leading pricing. Pocket Jacks will keep the entire operating team intact, with co-founders Michael and Alex Pyatetsky serving as transitional consultants, while co-founder Natalie Pyatetsky will join Pocket Jacks as VP of Sales & Procurement.
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