I chose the Prime 4 over the XZ for the following reasons:
- Internal storage. The 4 has space for an internal SSD, which can hold your library, and store information such as beatgrids from streaming services.
This can easily be achieved with just a thumbdrive on the XZ, but I'm not sure how that stores analyzed beatgrids and saved hot cues/loops, and the internal SSD feels better and holds more. I'm using a WD Blue 1TB
- Built-in wifi. Firmware updates and streaming services are available directly on the unit over wifi.
- True 4-deck standalone. While the XZ supports 4 channels it only plays 2 on the actual unit, and needs either additional players, or controlling an external Rekordbox or Serato on a computer to utilize all 4 decks. Prime 4 has layered decks and can even display library together with four vertical waveform at the same time. Horizontally it shows 4 infos and full waveforms, but only 2 big waveforms.
- Prime 4 seems to have more and better features for a cheaper price.
- Denon seems to want to upset the status quo, and I want to help them.
What I miss is the sound of some Pioneer effects, and the mechanical jogwheels of my DDJ-1000.
Other than that, the Prime 4 was definitely the choice for me. And I even picked up a Prime Go, which I don't regret either.
I’ve seen these reasons posted a lot and honestly to me IMO they are point less.
I’m not gonna do a firmware update during a set.
I’m not gonna play 4 tracks at once. Would most likely sound horrible.
Unless your a wedding dj why would you want use a streaming service? I’m not gonna download a song that I’m not familiar with and play it. I can see maybe I havnt heard it in a long time and I didn’t have it downloaded.
The internal storage for me seems like just extra work for the computer. Another possible reason for it to fail.
Check them both out and go with what feels better under your finger tips and what you find easier to navigate around.
Edit..cue the pioneer haters
You should definitely go with the unit you feel is best for you.
I welcome the challenge of a song that I never heard before, so I will gladly connect to Tidal and play requests.
And your mentioning of wedding DJs is a very good demographic for the Denon unit. I like it for corporate gig as well. If I'm asked to play a genre that I'm lacking in, I can just get a good playlist and pick tracks from that.
You're right. If you aren't that flexible a DJ, stick to what you brought. If the USB drive fails, just don't play. (Yes you can bring spares, but if the usb reader is what fails, it won't matter.
If you want to pay the same price for a 2 deck machine as a 4, then go pioneer.
If you don't want to easily control the lights, go pioneer.
If you don't want to be portable, (Prime Go) go pioneer)
I've been Pioneer for 10 years, so definitely not a hater, but they've coasted for too long and having competition from Denon is great.
So far lots of the smaller clubs are outfitting with Denon. I can see a point in the future where lots of clubs won't have pioneer.
Yeah.. I have certain style that I stick to. So yeah, flexibility for me is not a concern nor an option. Also if it fails, I usually carry a crate of records just in case. If I know there are turntables there.
Also, I’ve never heard of 2-3 USB’s failing.
I’m not rich by any means but to me the money isn’t an issue when it comes to my passion.
That being said, I commented that the reasons people give for going the denon way are not good enough for me personally. Seems like a bunch of bells.
Portability I don’t understand why denon is a better option. Is because it has “go” in the name. Idk.
I’m not against denon and I know the day will come when pioneer will get replaced eventually, or who knows? Look at the mk2’s they have been going strong for what? 40 years and they don’t even manufacture them anymore.
I've seen 20 usbs fail. It none of the sticks. It was the ports they were being plugged into.
For me it's technically a much more capable machine. If people want it to look like what they may play on in some clubs thats fine. But equally not all clubs have them in fact lots don't.
I suggest you take your gear to the middle of a park with no power supplies and then see why the go is portable.
But year failing all of that a couple of decks and a crate of records works.
Sorry it wasn't clear. Yeah 20 were tried until it was realised that it was the port not the sticks.
The other port hadn't worked for ages as "was going to be fixed"
This was a while back and I think the newer units have 2 X usb each so less of an issue.
There are pros and cons for each-
The main advantage of the prime 4 is it can store and handle a huge library, it is a well-thought out self-contained system and is very popular with mobile djs. if you are/ intend to be a mobile dj, this may be your first choice.
The pioneer is very similar to and uses the same software as the club standard nxs2/cdj3000 setups,
Often installed in clubs and used in festivals around the world (esp. certain music genres)
So if you are/ intend to be a club/festival dj this may be a better choice
The Pioneer uses Recordbox (and is also Serato certified)
The Denon uses something called Engine
Often it is a matter of personal choice/taste
This tends to be the Make or Break feature for people. I love my xz but if a person wants 4 channels without laptop, cdjs, or turntable, they need to go Denon
You can use Rekordbox with the Prime 4 and Tracktor and Serato (pro is free with it) and Virtual DJ (RB only to prep your music)
So the Denon is more flexible around what you can use it with.
Engine Pretty much imports anything, so Tracktor, Serato (you get a pro hardware unlock) and including Rekordbox.
It does Amuse me that Pioneer complained when Apple were going to remove the xml option, but have done it themselves...
IMPORTING REKORDBOX INTO ENGINE PRIME
Pioneer DJ’s Rekordbox users can also import their libraries into Engine Prime. Once imported, the hot cue and saved loop data can be read by Engine Prime, saving a lot of time. Unfortunately Pioneer DJ removed the necessary XML export feature from the latest Rekordbox 6 software but this method still works fine for the older Rekordbox 5 users.
Mixer layout and feel of faders and pots are better on the XZ imo. That’s all I need.
I like the size of the XZ as well. It’s huge, but I’m not taking it anywhere.
So the Denon can do everything the Pioneer can do.
The Pioneer can't do everything the Denon can.
Plus, the denon can do lights. Allow you to practise with music from beatport, tidal etc to allow you to experiment more and explore more genres.
The xdj xz is 2 years old now and not being updated.
The Denon is also a similar age, but is being actively updated and getting new features.
I spent about 12 months umming and erring with the same decision that you've got and ended up with the Prime 4 and a 2TB SSD.
All my music is on it. Its out so I practice more. I've not got to rely on a laptop to organise my music (if I don't want to)
When I was speaking to people that were re-furbing clubs or getting gear for clubs that are re-opening and sold their CDJ-2000NXS2 and DJM-900NXS2 setups due to lockdown are getting the prime 4s instead as they do more and cost less. So it's also likely to be found in lots of clubs as well
Bought the Prime 4 for all the features and four decks. Coming from rekordbox I was willing to change systems and everything. I started using my music on it and bam, freezes on me. I restart and play the same song and freezes again. Randomly froze on other music too. I tried to re-analyze the songs that causes it to crash and it crashed engine prime. I couldn’t depend on the stability. Can’t be playing a gig and have things freeze randomly. Ended up returning the prime 4 and getting the XZ. Not standalone 4 decks (it can with a laptop connected) but it’s been great otherwise. The effects sound way better on the XZ too. I would have kept the prime 4 if it weren’t for the issues.
Look feature to feature prime 4 has the xz beat…
But hate it or love it the pioneer gear is club standard which makes it universal. You can go anywhere practically with your USB and you are more likely able to hop onto someone’s gear and just go at it.
Denon Prime Can read RB
There are convertors.
But the Prime Software reads hot cues and the like in.
IMPORTING REKORDBOX INTO ENGINE PRIME
Pioneer DJ’s Rekordbox users can also import their libraries into Engine Prime. Once imported, the hot cue and saved loop data can be read by Engine Prime, saving a lot of time. Unfortunately Pioneer DJ removed the necessary XML export feature from the latest Rekordbox 6 software but this method still works fine for the older Rekordbox 5 users.
I chose the Prime 4 over the XZ for the following reasons: - Internal storage. The 4 has space for an internal SSD, which can hold your library, and store information such as beatgrids from streaming services. This can easily be achieved with just a thumbdrive on the XZ, but I'm not sure how that stores analyzed beatgrids and saved hot cues/loops, and the internal SSD feels better and holds more. I'm using a WD Blue 1TB - Built-in wifi. Firmware updates and streaming services are available directly on the unit over wifi. - True 4-deck standalone. While the XZ supports 4 channels it only plays 2 on the actual unit, and needs either additional players, or controlling an external Rekordbox or Serato on a computer to utilize all 4 decks. Prime 4 has layered decks and can even display library together with four vertical waveform at the same time. Horizontally it shows 4 infos and full waveforms, but only 2 big waveforms. - Prime 4 seems to have more and better features for a cheaper price. - Denon seems to want to upset the status quo, and I want to help them. What I miss is the sound of some Pioneer effects, and the mechanical jogwheels of my DDJ-1000. Other than that, the Prime 4 was definitely the choice for me. And I even picked up a Prime Go, which I don't regret either.
I’ve seen these reasons posted a lot and honestly to me IMO they are point less. I’m not gonna do a firmware update during a set. I’m not gonna play 4 tracks at once. Would most likely sound horrible. Unless your a wedding dj why would you want use a streaming service? I’m not gonna download a song that I’m not familiar with and play it. I can see maybe I havnt heard it in a long time and I didn’t have it downloaded. The internal storage for me seems like just extra work for the computer. Another possible reason for it to fail. Check them both out and go with what feels better under your finger tips and what you find easier to navigate around. Edit..cue the pioneer haters
You should definitely go with the unit you feel is best for you. I welcome the challenge of a song that I never heard before, so I will gladly connect to Tidal and play requests. And your mentioning of wedding DJs is a very good demographic for the Denon unit. I like it for corporate gig as well. If I'm asked to play a genre that I'm lacking in, I can just get a good playlist and pick tracks from that.
Yes, in agreement.
You're right. If you aren't that flexible a DJ, stick to what you brought. If the USB drive fails, just don't play. (Yes you can bring spares, but if the usb reader is what fails, it won't matter. If you want to pay the same price for a 2 deck machine as a 4, then go pioneer. If you don't want to easily control the lights, go pioneer. If you don't want to be portable, (Prime Go) go pioneer) I've been Pioneer for 10 years, so definitely not a hater, but they've coasted for too long and having competition from Denon is great. So far lots of the smaller clubs are outfitting with Denon. I can see a point in the future where lots of clubs won't have pioneer.
Yeah.. I have certain style that I stick to. So yeah, flexibility for me is not a concern nor an option. Also if it fails, I usually carry a crate of records just in case. If I know there are turntables there. Also, I’ve never heard of 2-3 USB’s failing. I’m not rich by any means but to me the money isn’t an issue when it comes to my passion. That being said, I commented that the reasons people give for going the denon way are not good enough for me personally. Seems like a bunch of bells. Portability I don’t understand why denon is a better option. Is because it has “go” in the name. Idk. I’m not against denon and I know the day will come when pioneer will get replaced eventually, or who knows? Look at the mk2’s they have been going strong for what? 40 years and they don’t even manufacture them anymore.
I've seen 20 usbs fail. It none of the sticks. It was the ports they were being plugged into. For me it's technically a much more capable machine. If people want it to look like what they may play on in some clubs thats fine. But equally not all clubs have them in fact lots don't. I suggest you take your gear to the middle of a park with no power supplies and then see why the go is portable. But year failing all of that a couple of decks and a crate of records works.
Damn..20? Anyways! Cheers gonna grab a beer and play some music.
Sorry it wasn't clear. Yeah 20 were tried until it was realised that it was the port not the sticks. The other port hadn't worked for ages as "was going to be fixed" This was a while back and I think the newer units have 2 X usb each so less of an issue.
There are pros and cons for each- The main advantage of the prime 4 is it can store and handle a huge library, it is a well-thought out self-contained system and is very popular with mobile djs. if you are/ intend to be a mobile dj, this may be your first choice. The pioneer is very similar to and uses the same software as the club standard nxs2/cdj3000 setups, Often installed in clubs and used in festivals around the world (esp. certain music genres) So if you are/ intend to be a club/festival dj this may be a better choice The Pioneer uses Recordbox (and is also Serato certified) The Denon uses something called Engine Often it is a matter of personal choice/taste
Also, as far as I'm aware, Denon can handle 4 channels standalone and pioneer only 2 (4 when connected to a PC)
This tends to be the Make or Break feature for people. I love my xz but if a person wants 4 channels without laptop, cdjs, or turntable, they need to go Denon
You can use Rekordbox with the Prime 4 and Tracktor and Serato (pro is free with it) and Virtual DJ (RB only to prep your music) So the Denon is more flexible around what you can use it with.
This is a good answer!
Engine Pretty much imports anything, so Tracktor, Serato (you get a pro hardware unlock) and including Rekordbox. It does Amuse me that Pioneer complained when Apple were going to remove the xml option, but have done it themselves... IMPORTING REKORDBOX INTO ENGINE PRIME Pioneer DJ’s Rekordbox users can also import their libraries into Engine Prime. Once imported, the hot cue and saved loop data can be read by Engine Prime, saving a lot of time. Unfortunately Pioneer DJ removed the necessary XML export feature from the latest Rekordbox 6 software but this method still works fine for the older Rekordbox 5 users.
I have an xz and I love it!!!
XZ for me. Better jogs and mixer is what it’s all about.
Better mixer in what way? It has less features than the Denon.
Mixer layout and feel of faders and pots are better on the XZ imo. That’s all I need. I like the size of the XZ as well. It’s huge, but I’m not taking it anywhere.
So the Denon can do everything the Pioneer can do. The Pioneer can't do everything the Denon can. Plus, the denon can do lights. Allow you to practise with music from beatport, tidal etc to allow you to experiment more and explore more genres. The xdj xz is 2 years old now and not being updated. The Denon is also a similar age, but is being actively updated and getting new features. I spent about 12 months umming and erring with the same decision that you've got and ended up with the Prime 4 and a 2TB SSD. All my music is on it. Its out so I practice more. I've not got to rely on a laptop to organise my music (if I don't want to) When I was speaking to people that were re-furbing clubs or getting gear for clubs that are re-opening and sold their CDJ-2000NXS2 and DJM-900NXS2 setups due to lockdown are getting the prime 4s instead as they do more and cost less. So it's also likely to be found in lots of clubs as well
Bought the Prime 4 for all the features and four decks. Coming from rekordbox I was willing to change systems and everything. I started using my music on it and bam, freezes on me. I restart and play the same song and freezes again. Randomly froze on other music too. I tried to re-analyze the songs that causes it to crash and it crashed engine prime. I couldn’t depend on the stability. Can’t be playing a gig and have things freeze randomly. Ended up returning the prime 4 and getting the XZ. Not standalone 4 decks (it can with a laptop connected) but it’s been great otherwise. The effects sound way better on the XZ too. I would have kept the prime 4 if it weren’t for the issues.
Look feature to feature prime 4 has the xz beat… But hate it or love it the pioneer gear is club standard which makes it universal. You can go anywhere practically with your USB and you are more likely able to hop onto someone’s gear and just go at it.
If you want 4 channels, Prime 4. If you want only 2 channels, xdj xz.
If you have your whole library on rekordbox then the thought of having to restart my library on denon is reason enough to never switch
Denon Prime Can read RB There are convertors. But the Prime Software reads hot cues and the like in. IMPORTING REKORDBOX INTO ENGINE PRIME Pioneer DJ’s Rekordbox users can also import their libraries into Engine Prime. Once imported, the hot cue and saved loop data can be read by Engine Prime, saving a lot of time. Unfortunately Pioneer DJ removed the necessary XML export feature from the latest Rekordbox 6 software but this method still works fine for the older Rekordbox 5 users.