Best Standalone DJ Systems in 2024: No Laptops Allowed! | Ultimate DJ Controller Alternatives Guide

In this video, we’ll talk about the available options for standalone systems in 2024… and try to figure out which is the best for you!

00:00 | Introduction
02:50 | Rekordbox Devices
11:08 | Help Me Decide! (Rekordbox)
14:09 | Engine OS Devices
18:24 | Help Me Decide! (Engine OS)
21:10 | Cross-Shopping (Rekordbox/Engine)
25:45 | Wrapping Up

Unlike DJ controllers, standalone DJ systems are self-contained devices meant for the purpose of mixing music… without involving the use of a laptop.

While the most popular option for DJs (especially those just getting started) is to use a standard DJ controller, many modern DJs are opting for the all-in-one standalone solution… which mimicks a more CDJ-like experience.

Obviously if you don’t have a modern laptop, and have no intention of getting one, a regular old DJ controller isn’t going to help. These standalone systems require nothing but some music (and a set of headphones) to get you DJing.

Removing the laptop tether not only frees you of some cost… it also frees you of potential issues that are out of the manufacturer’s control. For example, you don’t have to worry about some Windows/Mac OS update, or weird driver issues, getting in the way of playing music.

You don’t have to worry about system requirements, latency, or whether you have the right number of USB ports… just get right to the DJing.

The nature of standalone systems means that they are overall simpler than DJ controller setups. With the laptop out of the way, there’s a smaller footprint and fewer wires to worry about.

If you’ve ever DJed with several other people using several other setups, you’ve probably seen laptops placed in some pretty interesting angles and positions. These systems eliminate that kind of problem.

REVIEWS: ========================================

REKORDBOX DEVICES:

ENGINE OS DEVICES:

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[alicevomsee]

While you did this video Denon made an Engine update that activates Bluetoots, for input. The BT out comes with the next release this year. So with Live 4 and Prime 4+ you get more bang for bucks. Denon doesn't tell you what hardware is in their controler. Then suddenley they introduce new software updates and you get suprised with totaly new features.

[alanaban]

The prime 4 is still hard to beet/ price / performance and sound

[sana-cmoc]

This is one of the best product comparison videos I've ever seen. Subscribed.

[Stewcrew]

I appreciate the update. I never saw the other videos. I'm using pioneer ddjsb2 at the moment.. Thanks again, I'm a Serato user.

[BobbyROTH-qg]

I got the Opus its dope was for sure waiting cor the XZ2 that never came then got intel from a reliable source at Pioneer stating it wasnt coming. The sound quality is better then my XZ cdj2's for sure

[theaverageguy]

I started on a Pioneer 350 controller and did jump to a XDJ-XZ a few years a go and love it.

This year i did upgrade to Pioneer CDJ3000 players and a DJM mk2 mikser. I love the 3000 setup but to be honest i think its more fun playing on the XZ. Why? It have its own usb record port and i just love the setup.

Im a Underground Dj and mostly plat at 1000-2000 and some 3000 deks. Many events around rigging up with RX3 and XZ.

To be honest the XZ beat the RX3 in so many ways and the Opus Quad is not worth the money.

I would and will recomend the XZ now in 2024 even if some say its old.

Why? Master out eq, full size jog wheals and a 4 channel 900DJM mikser.

Yes the dispaly screen is smaller but i dont mind.

I would never buy a RX2 or RR because of the soundcard and that the screen and loading time is lagging.

[tylerkepple]

Standalones are cool, I picked up a Denon SC Live 4 and I love it, the latest engine update brought some great features and blown away how good the speakers are, but I'm also glad that I can still hook up my laptop with Serato if I so choose, and seems like all the standalones out there other than maybe the Opus Quad, have that capability. So I don't think its a no laptop allowed kind of party, but its cool to see what a standalone unit can do. I happen to have started finding a lot of good tracks on Amazon music so I was very stoked to get that use feature on the Engine DJ standalone side (which for now, laptop setups can't do, although all Serato has to do is integrate a DRM component which pry wouldn't even require any special additional hardware). I like having the extra options, even though I own Serato exclusive controllers, but its nice to not be locked in to just being a standalone in my book.

[zangzang]

Good review and comparisons. Prime 4 & Prime Go are the frontline in my business, also have a conventional Pioneer DDJ-FLX10 for the guys that prefer the Pioneers. We do mainly weddings and all my DJ's are hired guns.

[thisguyrools]

Pretty sure you can plug LC6000 to the sc live 4 to use the other channels with

[bojanbojinovic]

mixstream pro and denon now have bluetooth in and out. update engine os to 3.4 :D

[DjKozDeFantastico]

Almost pulled the trigger on prime 4 plus. But I started using stems recently. And that is going to be a feature I can’t go without from now on. I use dj pro ai.

[djtwilite]

the sc live 4 and mixstream pro just got updated and they both have bluetooth enabled.

[gilianvanderheide]

Question: I'm a Pioneer user but i'm thinking of buying the SC Live 4. I'm concerned about the screen (it's size). I've got big hands/fingers.. Furthermore, i'm used to use the RX and RX3 and I really like the whole experience rekordbox/Pioneer. So, is the screen on the SC Live 4 easy to use to search tracks on tidal etc if you have bigger hands? And second: going from Pioneer/Rekordbox to Denon / Enige DJ is a bit scary, or is it worth it?

[djericanthony]

I’m looking at something to switch over to from NS7ii

[nickloss]

these are stand alone controllers. the main and most important factor is the internal processing since this is going to be the only device in the chain that controls your playback.. you've only talked about the dock in the Opus Quad. it uses a 32bit version of the dac chip found in the a9, V10 and euphonia (theirs is 64bit). so that tells me a little bit about the sound quality I would be expecting. 32-bit means that it's floating point conversion meaning that they'll be ample headroom and little to know distortion no matter how much gain is applied to the digital sources. sound quality must be top notch.
I really wish you didn't ignore this aspect in every other controller if you talked about.. this is one of the reasons why I rarely allow a DJ to hook up their controller to my club setup. and why a lot of other sound texts at high-end clubs just outright ban controllers. if we know shit about the digital to analog conversion being used, it makes it very difficult for us to ensure good sound quality on our often massively powerful system. the worst thing possible would be to pump through a crap signal thru speakers that drive nightclubs and festivals. amplifying a turd will never ever sound good.. and not because xlrs are built into the controller means that they are "professional"... its all about the DACs. the XZ and RX use 24-bit floating point conversion which is also found in the djm900 Nxs 2 mixer... those translate well..
I've heard some sound techs that have evaluated the Denon standalone PLAYERS and have found them to be far superior to the CDJ 2000 Nexus 2 Players. so I would be curious to know whether denon's standalone controllers also make use of whichever chip their newer players use.

[JoDubu]

Thanks for this, such a good comparison.

[bbKleefton]

I wish crossfader quality could've gotten some more attention :/

[운동마스터-jq]

question: 0:41 Could you tell me the name of the stand hoding the Omnis Duo?

[bboymac]

Over 3, 000 dollars yet no WiFi for streaming and no stems?? Hard pass!! Alpha Theta!!

[lrazo]

I have technicax1200s with a s 11 + a pioneer srt 1000. Looking for just a stand alone, this video helped with the optins but I'm going to wait to purchase because there are still options i want but aren't there yet like a serato stand alone controller. Fingers crossed, if it doesn't come. Ill just get the pioneer xdj rr.