AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ - All Your Questions Answered 🧐

We've had literally hundreds of questions about the new XDJ-AZ standalone DJ system - so we answer as many as we can here in today's live show..

⚡ TIMESTAMPS ⚡
00:00 Intro
02:05 Is this a replacement for the Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ?
04:25 Where's the XDJ-AZ send output, extra inputs, and ethernet hub?
06:49 Does the XDJ-AZ have stems?
11:04 Do I need to buy DJ software?
14:35 How fast is the track load?
14:54 Can I use the XDJ-AZ with the DJS-1000 or other external FX units?
15:54 Does it have onboard music analysis?
17:29 Can decks 3 & 4 control DVS?
18:54 Why does it only have one laptop USB?
21:19 What's with the channel numbers?
22:53 If this is meant for club DJs, why does the XDJ-AZ have controller-style performance pads?
25:07 Why is this labelled AlphaTheta and not Pioneer DJ?
27:05 Can you set the master EQ to isolator?
28:55 For a pro DJ, should I get the XDJ-AZ or CDJ-3000s and a DJM-A9 mixer?
30:14 Should I buy this instead of the Prime 4+, Opus Quad, or XDJ-RX3?
33:04 Do you have to reboot the unit between using software and standalone?
34:42 When exporting music to a USB, do I have to use the new Rekordbox Library Plus?
37:12 Can you choose which USB you record to?
37:45 When using the microphone (including talkover/push-to-talk), does it show up in the recording?
39:25 Do the EQ knobs and tempo faders have a "click" in the middle?
40:27 Do you have detailed training on the XDJ-AZ?
44:04 Will the Groove Circuit show up on other DJ gear?
44:28 What about multiple screen layouts?
45:56 Which is more like using a CDJ: the XDJ-AZ or Opus Quad?
48:34 When will AlphaTheta update their operating system?
54:08 How do I find more info on the XDJ-AZ?

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[digitaldjtips]

⚡ TIMESTAMPS ⚡
00:00 Intro
02:05 Is this a replacement for the Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ?
04:25 Where's the XDJ-AZ send output, extra inputs, and ethernet hub?
06:49 Does the XDJ-AZ have stems?
11:04 Do I need to buy DJ software?
14:35 How fast is the track load?
14:54 Can I use the XDJ-AZ with the DJS-1000 or other external FX units?
15:54 Does it have onboard music analysis?
17:29 Can decks 3 & 4 control DVS?
18:54 Why does it only have one laptop USB?
21:19 What's with the channel numbers?
22:53 If this is meant for club DJs, why does the XDJ-AZ have controller-style performance pads?
25:07 Why is this labelled AlphaTheta and not Pioneer DJ?
27:05 Can you set the master EQ to isolator?
28:55 For a pro DJ, should I get the XDJ-AZ or CDJ-3000s and a DJM-A9 mixer?
30:14 Should I buy this instead of the Prime 4+, Opus Quad, or XDJ-RX3?
33:04 Do you have to reboot the unit between using software and standalone?
34:42 When exporting music to a USB, do I have to use the new Rekordbox Library Plus?
37:12 Can you choose which USB you record to?
37:45 When using the microphone (including talkover/push-to-talk), does it show up in the recording?
39:25 Do the EQ knobs and tempo faders have a "click" in the middle?
40:27 Do you have detailed training on the XDJ-AZ?
44:04 Will the Groove Circuit show up on other DJ gear?
44:28 What about multiple screen layouts?
45:56 Which is more like using a CDJ: the XDJ-AZ or Opus Quad?
48:34 When will AlphaTheta update their operating system?
54:08 How do I find more info on the XDJ-AZ?

[burntbeagle]

4:01 spot on brother. I’ve been using my ddj 1000 for 5 years now? I can’t even remember it’s been so long. This is the upgrade I’ve been waiting for. You’re right, this thing is gonna

[BonkoemChemiya]

I run an event where I constantly invite guest DJs. At times, we play two songs each making really fun for us and the crowd, so the way switching over you propose wouldn't work. The need for dual USB switchover is needed so once again I will be passing until there is a better option. Seems like companies are forgetting about needs and concentrating heavily on non-needed GUIs and electronics.

[IvoMimica]

Great livestream Phil ! Thanks for all the info as always

[djcue]

Loved the whole video Phil, and I always take to you guys when it comes to learning about new gear. My favorite comment that you mentioned, was “how much as the guitar changed in the last X amount of years.” Personally I agree with you 1000%, and in my opinion, as much as I’ve played with Denon and Rane, everything always comes back to Pioneer for me because I have the same stance when it comes to the most important features - if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Thanks for all you guys do!

[actionjackson]

Right on about the gear. I love seeing what's out but I've been DJing on my Denon MC7000 for the last 4 years and they do the job. I love that controller/mixer so much that i bought another used one as a backup. Fun, loads of features I use and need and uncomplicated. I use a flex 4 to practice on and make mix tapes. And that's that!!! Love the school and your videos. I've bought 3 courses so far.

[pcflynn]

Regarding adding features: I think that engine OS having lighting control built in and full track analysis on standalone gear is actually pretty amazing. Streaming platforms, and stems on standalone is also something that people want. The problem with stems on standalone is state of the art changes rapidly so anything released now would be expensive and likely extremely limited compared to software + laptop in only a few months.

[hvxcolors]

Indeed, DJ'ing didnt change a lot for club DJ's / DJs playing a more or less prepared set. In the past you showed up with a box full of records, now you carry just a usb stick in your pocket. However, for mobile DJs it is a different world. A single turntable weighs about 20kg in its flightcase and when you played for a wedding you carried easily more than 50 kg on records. For me, the most important feature of digital DJ'ing has been reduced weight. And that is grossly undervalued in these comparisons. Put the xdj az in its AT branded flightcase and see if you are still able to carry the 30kg upstairs. So for the next iteration of the Prime 4 & XDJ I would ask for a lighter all in one solution or an upgrade of the sc live 4 (screen) which mostly solves the weight issue. This is certainly an issue if you want to be more inclusive towards all ages and genders.

[randomthoughts]

@digitaldjtips: I have a suggestion for a comparison video. AZ vs CDJ3000s and A9. This comparison never made much sense with previous all-in-ones but, for the first time in history, it would be very interesting to see this time around. Cheers, keep up the great content

[XanderEwald]

Great video, thanks for answering so many questions! I am still undecided between this, Opus Quad, or Rane Perfomer for my bedroom setup. So many options these days :D

[andycarey]

For me as a xz user. I really like the improved screen and the sonic headphones…..the standalone 4 decks is good but very rare I would use all 4. I use the DJs 1000 with my xz so no send is a problem…..think I’ll stick with the xz for now

[MixMasterG]

Sorry I couldn’t join the live stream – I've been busy preparing for ADE. Just wanted to point out a couple of small corrections, especially on the technical side. The Opus Quad introduced the Library Plus database, which is much more modern and processes data faster. The older library was designed to be as lightweight on resources (like CPU) as possible, but with today’s gear, that’s no longer a concern.

Also, cues and loops set on Library Plus devices will still appear on older gear, and vice versa. Just a note: cues and loops aren’t stored in the database, but rather in the .dat files on the USB.

[Skittlz]

Haven't finished watching yet, but a note on stem button mapping in rekordbox. Yes you can. Both through pad mapping and midi mapping, you will lose some pad/button features by replacing the, but that sounds the same as serato.

[djvargr]

Question: With all of the settings in the software, is there a way to save a settings profile to the USB? It would be nice to be able to load your preferred fader curves and other settings in case the unit is being used by multiple people.

[realname]

I love when you say stroke instead of slash :D

[jmrub]

The more videos I watch on the AZ, the more I am leaning towards getting a Denon Prime 4 +.

[EulerIdentity-wx]

The ending soliloquy was poignent and inspiring on what is important. Stems seem to be the only feature remaining to be added to this setup, but it requires an M1 or greater laptop-equivalent processer to happen. The next step appears to be a Push-3-Standalone like DJ setup, with processor integrated and Stems support, but that will be crazy expensive and just inaccessible to underground creators. This seems like the end-game for current at-home and practice creation.

[CruciblePlays]

So at 18:40 you talk about not being able to use pro dj link only 1 of channels 3 or 4, and I have also heard that in other videos. However I have seen in the settings that there are input options for both channel 3 and channel 4 independently, so what stops you from only changing one of those to link?

I have already preordered and I am disappointed to hear this as I currently use a ddj1000 and a djs1000, so I essentially do that now (with no link to the djs, just audio incoming) and was really hoping I could on this controller as well.

[EuroNation]

I can see stems still coming to Denon. There is no way they would put something out and shelve it forever.

[ALTERNATIVEMIXTAPES]

Coming in at $3K it has to be somewhat future proof. Really hoping for Tidal integration with a firmware update. Torn between the AZ or the Rane Performer and getting a standalone controller later down the road but so far I am loving the AZ and the Opus Quad. I am an open format DJ so having all of my music + room for requests from Tidal is huge. Lately my workflow has been Tidal playlists so I can have easy access to them between Serato and Rekordbox and when I'm out walking my dog.