Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV7 Review – Hands-On Deep Dive

Product Featured

Model: Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV7
Release Price: $1,899 (contact by livechat, phone or email for ETA)
Released: January 2022

This Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV7 review was produced by David Michael, host of The Passionate DJ Podcast. Performance by Fatty Lumpkin.

Introducing the Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV7: The Latest Evolution in Motorized Controllers (Transcript)

It seems that motorized, rotating platters on digital DJ gear are having a second wind. Way back in 2009, Numark released the original NS7. Outside of making the platters spin on their own, it was a fairly simple device, coming in at a whopping 35 pounds. But it scratched an itch for many DJs who missed the feeling of vinyl slipping through their fingers. This would be followed up by the NS7 2 and 3, which was ultimately discontinued at the beginning of 2020

Almost exactly a year later, Rane stepped up with their own motorized controller for Serato. The Rane One made huge waves in the industry and has been well-received by DJs the world over (watch our Rane One Review here).

Almost exactly a year from that, Pioneer DJ is coming out with this – the DDJ-REV7. So, let’s dive in and see what it has to offer.

DDJ-REV7 Features & First Impressions

The DDJ-REV7 is a motorized scratch controller with 7” platters, and 3.5” on-jog displays with some interesting innovations thanks to its multiple display modes.

Overall, the unit essentially mimics a Pioneer DJ DJM-S7 mixer and a pair of PLX turntables in battle orientation. Continuing the scratch-friendly theme, Pioneer has included their Magvel Pro crossfader for buttery-smooth cuts, and you can adjust both the tension and the curve using dials on the front of the unit. 

With the new “Instant Scratch” feature, you can instantly jump into scratch samples while keeping the active deck loaded with its current track. It kinda gives you another virtual “layer” or “deck” for scratching, without having to actually tie one up.

In typical Pioneer style, the REV7 has a ton of great onboard effects, including 22 beat FX (3 of which are new), and 5 Sound Color FX. These are accessed using the paddles in the center (flip up to lock, or tap down and it will spring back).

Pioneer also claims that this is the best sound quality to ever be included in their DJ controller line and it’s pretty much got all the inputs and outputs you need for any DJ situation. Of course, it comes with the full version of Serato, includes a voucher for the Pitch n Time plugin, and comes in at a price of $1899.

If it already sounds like the DDJ-REV7 is right for you, head on over to TheDJHookup.com and
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DDJ-REV7 Platters & Displays

So let’s take a deep dive into the REV7 and see if it’s worth the price, and how it stacks up to the competition (namely, the RANE One), starting with those 7” platters. I was able to spend several days with the device, and I found the platters to be very slick. However, I do have some minor gripes with its design, which we’ll talk about later in the video. You can adjust the stop time of the track (you know, whether you want the track to stop immediately, or you want more of a turntable power-down effect). You can also switch between 33 and 45 RPM modes.

The top plate of the platter is made of acrylic and is covered in fine grooves that make for easy grip. If you dig into the settings menu, you’ll find a setting for high/low torque, though I found the high setting to be just fine. You can also adjust the friction ever-so-slightly by adding or removing the included “slip rings.” Each side comes with two. 

In the box, Pioneer has included stickers that you can use as markers on top of the platters, to help you keep track of your sample in an old-school way, but the 3.5” jog displays also give some feedback in a pretty unique (and more modern) way.

DDJ-REV7 Display Modes

Four display modes: Waveform Mode, Virtual Deck Mode, Artwork Display, DJ Logo Display

I found the Virtual Deck Mode to be the most innovative and interesting. When you set hot cues, there is a color-coded ring in the center that acts as a “progress bar” towards your next cue point. This helps the DJ cue up a sample visually without necessarily needing to pick up headphones.
Instant Scratch

Standout Feature: Instant Scratch

Acts like a virtual deck, or additional “layer” specifically for scratching.
It disables the playing deck, allows you to scratch samples on top, and then return toyour regular track.
There are four onboard samples, which work even when not connected to laptop.
You can provide your own custom samples via Serato Scratch Bank.

DDJ-REV7 Effects

  • 22 built-in Beat FX
    • 3 new ones: Duck Down, Fill Out, and Helix Out
  • Also can use Serato FX
  • While using an effect, you can trigger up to 6 more from Serato.
  • There are 4 FX Banks (which you edit via Settings utility)
  • There are 5 Sound Color FX (also edit via Settings utility)

Other Notables

There are just a few more features I’d like to mention here. One is “Silent Cue”, which will mute the deck until you hit the play button or a hot cue. This allows busy-handed scratch DJs to leave the crossfader open when cueing a sample or track, which can save precious milliseconds during complex routines.

And finally, there’s “Smooth Echo”. When you assign this effect to a selection of controls (such as a fader or pad), the echo will trigger as soon as you move or engage that control.

DDJ-REV7 Concerns

  • The underside of the acrylic top-plate is made of ABS plastic, and connects to the inner “jog ring” using thin plastic tabs. These could easily break, and also allows for a slight wobble which provides minor instability.
  • The “slip rings” (which are used in place of slip mats) are thin and seem to wear quickly.
  • This is the apparent trade-off for having center screens instead of spindles.

Our Conclusions

  • Great, well-built device (aside from the aforementioned concerns)
  • Innovative use of center screens (especially Virtual Deck Mode),
  • Overall, helps free up the hands of busy scratch DJs thanks to the Display Modes, and features like Instant Scratch and Silent Cue
  • Competitively priced (especially for Pioneer).

Your Turn

We put a lot of love into these reviews to serve you, our friends, the global community of DJs.

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2 Comments
Discussions from the Community.
  1. Mr. Wrisby says:

    Hi, I have a question , is pioneer coming out with a rekordbox version of the REV7? Reason why I’m asking is if they are I didn’t want to rush into buy the serto one if they are.

    Sign
    MWrza

  2. Xander says:

    No such indicator yet. Seems like a logical outcome though.

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