Phil, thank you so much for sharing this extremely valuable information! This is pure gold to me with my recent XDJ AZ purchase! I’ve been a student of yours for 10+ years in a variety of your DJ courses and appreciate everything you do for the community and my own growth. My appreciated brotha. Keep up the good work! 🙏🏼
Thank You so much for your time spent on this tutorial. I've bought your book at Amazon and was lucky enough to start with a XDJ-AZ. Your video will help in my journey.
Phil thank you for sharing the knowledge! As a former Prime 4 user, I wish the XDJ-AZ had a built in sampler. Next on my To Do list is to learn "How to use the Hot Cue Banks feature". Thanks again Phil. Cheers!
Phil, I'm really quite worried about what you highlighted when using the AZ with a set of CDJ3000's. My current setup is an XDJ-XZ with 2 CDJs and I play in standalone mode. I have an AZ on order to swap out for the XZ. You stated that on the AZ the waveform from the CDJS does not swap onto the AZ screen. I absolutely 100% believed that they would now talk to each other and waveforms could be stacked. Does this mean the waveform from the master deck on the AZ will not stack on the 3000's? Currently with the XZ this cannot be done. However, if you select phase meter on CDJ 3000 settings it is possible to have a stacked phase meter which effectively allows you to visually match the beatgrids from the two different channels? I would be grateful if you could clarify this for me.
I couldn't find a way of showing stacked waveforms, I may be wrong though. Also even if you have the AZ show you all four "full" waveforms at the bottom, it doesn't pull in anything from the CDJ3000 as it would from its internal decks 3 & 4 - it just says "LINKED PLAYER". The good news though is that if you select phase meter on the CDJ you can have at least have that showing, as you say, if the AZ deck you want to show is set as the Master. But no stacked waveforms that I could find, and it felt a bit buggy too.
Is this what I should replace my DDJ-SZ (original) with? Or the DDJ-FLX10? ... The latter is half the price of the XDJ-AZ so .. how to decide between the 2?
@@digitaldjtips it doesn't matter. I have laptops and use one with the DDJ-SZ now so that's not really the big factor for me. If the only thing the XDJ-AZ has over the FLX10 is being able to play standalone then I would choose the FLX10...
I wouldn’t…. Phil just replied to my post that they removed fader start from the xdj-az. Both of the models you have listed have it. If you’re an experienced dj mixing with four decks you’ll know how valuable this option is. Unfortunately those models are not standalone units. AlphaTheta really dropped the ball on this one. So much for being a flagship “has everything” controller. If this is a sign of things to come from AlphaTheta I’m done with this company. Removing useful features is not cool.
@@johnnyd3195 Honestly, I don't use fader start. I can work around that pretty easily. I'm more trying to see what extra features did they put in the XDJ-AZ that are not present in the FLX10 and visa versa. I'm coming from a DDJ-SZ so I need 4 channel mixer, pads, effects knobs as a must. What are the things that set these 2 apart besides the "standalone" option the XDJ-AZ gives you? I'm already using a laptop so continuing to do so isn't a deal breaker. I just don't want to invest in one and then figure out the other had features I would prefer to have. and extra $1500 for just standalone seems very steep, so there has to be more to it, right?
Any opinions on upgrading from a Traktor S4 Mk3 with Traktor Pro 3 to the XDJ-AZ? Appreciate not comparing apples with apples, main consideration is creativity! Thanks 🙏
@ thanks Phil. I’m quite reliant on loops and effects etc so not being familiar / having memory muscle for these functions playing out on Pioneer has been limiting in the past! Think I need to go have a play and consider if it’s worth the investment. Amazing video by the way, thanks for dedication to the cause 🎛️🎚️🎛️
@ thank you! I use the rotary dials so much for looping but also moving tracks in time for cueing I am wary about transitioning to buttons. Sounds like I just need to get over it 😂
I was excited to get Link Export working and this video helped me out, though I was sad to see my Itunes playlists in rekordbox weren't there. Is there a way to get this to work aside from "importing" every playlist one by one, or perhaps a future update?
Can't help but feel that pioneer have missed a trick by not creating their own version of the lc6000 for this controller with pro dj link/usb hub for full 4 deck control of the az and for those who want a modular mixer type set up with a laptop.
Hi Phil… Can you let me know if this unit has a fader start option or if it’s coming. Same for Opus Quad. I use the fader start on my DJM units and this is an absolute dealbreaker for me. Thank you.
@@digitaldjtipsPhil, I just want say Thank you! You always take the time to reply and your reviews are the best (most thorough) hands down. I wish you and your family will have a very happy holiday. 😊
Yeah. But it isn’t laggy at all in stand alone mode. Which is why I bought it. I suppose you could use the laptop screen? I didn’t care for it tbh. And I love my Denon mc7000, that the AZ is sitting on top of as a matter of fact.
@@DJPlatinumOneI think if I was gonna use it as a controller I’d rather use my laptop screen anyway tbh. It’s larger and Serato shows grids in vertical.
Laggy with rekordbox too. Played on it for the first time this past weekend for 6 hours. Works flawlessly on its own but with lag at times with rekordbox when scrolling for tracks and going through folders in the unit. Maybe the next firmware update will fix this. And yes for anyone thinking, I have a powerful laptop for processing. My rev 7 works flawlessly on it.
![Global DJ Census 2025 🌐 $20k DJ Gear & Course Giveaway [+ 5 key industry stats]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/i2Eu7I5tx7g/mqdefault.jpg)
![Global DJ Census 2025 🌐 $20k DJ Gear & Course Giveaway [+ 5 key industry stats]](/img/tr.png)
Protect this man and his chanel at all cost 🙏🏼
Thanks Alami
Oh fancy mine will be here in a few hours. How perfect to watch this while i wait.
I bet you can't wait, and I hope we help you to kill the time.
Great video Phil, respect xx I think this will be my next purchase - when it finally reaches Australia lol. Love your work, thank you.
we love you too man!
I hope you find it in stock soon! Keep up the good work yourselves.
Phil, thank you so much for sharing this extremely valuable information! This is pure gold to me with my recent XDJ AZ purchase! I’ve been a student of yours for 10+ years in a variety of your DJ courses and appreciate everything you do for the community and my own growth. My appreciated brotha. Keep up the good work! 🙏🏼
It's my pleasure! Thanks for your kind words - much appreciated.
Thank You so much for your time spent on this tutorial. I've bought your book at Amazon and was lucky enough to start with a XDJ-AZ. Your video will help in my journey.
You're very welcome! Enjoy the AZ, it's a great unit.
Mammoth effort Phil, really appreciate the deep dive and this is a must-watch for anyone who owns an AZ!
Thank you very much - I'm glad you found it useful.
Thank you very much Phil, I really appreciate the effort you make. Cheers Clarke from NZ
You're welcome Clarke
Phil thank you for sharing the knowledge! As a former Prime 4 user, I wish the XDJ-AZ had a built in sampler. Next on my To Do list is to learn "How to use the Hot Cue Banks feature". Thanks again Phil. Cheers!
Hot Cue Banks is definitely a way around that.
Phil, I'm really quite worried about what you highlighted when using the AZ with a set of CDJ3000's. My current setup is an XDJ-XZ with 2 CDJs and I play in standalone mode. I have an AZ on order to swap out for the XZ. You stated that on the AZ the waveform from the CDJS does not swap onto the AZ screen. I absolutely 100% believed that they would now talk to each other and waveforms could be stacked. Does this mean the waveform from the master deck on the AZ will not stack on the 3000's? Currently with the XZ this cannot be done. However, if you select phase meter on CDJ 3000 settings it is possible to have a stacked phase meter which effectively allows you to visually match the beatgrids from the two different channels? I would be grateful if you could clarify this for me.
I couldn't find a way of showing stacked waveforms, I may be wrong though. Also even if you have the AZ show you all four "full" waveforms at the bottom, it doesn't pull in anything from the CDJ3000 as it would from its internal decks 3 & 4 - it just says "LINKED PLAYER".
The good news though is that if you select phase meter on the CDJ you can have at least have that showing, as you say, if the AZ deck you want to show is set as the Master. But no stacked waveforms that I could find, and it felt a bit buggy too.
🙌🏽Much L&R🙌🏽from🇺🇸🌵PHX🌵🇺🇸
@ Digital Dj Tips , thanks for the walk through .
No problem 👍
Thank you! Great video!
Glad you found it useful!
FYI. You don’t have to hold down shift to get to secondary modes on pad effects. Such as gate cue, key shift etc.
Right, you can hit the mode twice and it goes into it, was confusing
Thanks for pointing this out, and you're right!
Brilliant upload, thanks everyone. Doesn’t help my GAS, though! I really want this unit …
Whoops, sorry about that.
Wow thanks for this 👌
You're welcome Matthew, it's a pleasure.
1:09:25 The grid adjust information given here is plain wrong. The < 1/2 1/2 > does not double it, it shifts the grid by 1/2 a beat.
Thanks for spotting that, and yes you're right - my bad on that one.
When I’ve sold some gear! I will get one of these! The 1210’s will be great either side!
Good choice!
Is this what I should replace my DDJ-SZ (original) with? Or the DDJ-FLX10? ... The latter is half the price of the XDJ-AZ so .. how to decide between the 2?
Do you want laptop controller or standalone?
@@digitaldjtips it doesn't matter. I have laptops and use one with the DDJ-SZ now so that's not really the big factor for me. If the only thing the XDJ-AZ has over the FLX10 is being able to play standalone then I would choose the FLX10...
I wouldn’t…. Phil just replied to my post that they removed fader start from the xdj-az. Both of the models you have listed have it. If you’re an experienced dj mixing with four decks you’ll know how valuable this option is. Unfortunately those models are not standalone units. AlphaTheta really dropped the ball on this one. So much for being a flagship “has everything” controller. If this is a sign of things to come from AlphaTheta I’m done with this company. Removing useful features is not cool.
@@johnnyd3195 Honestly, I don't use fader start. I can work around that pretty easily. I'm more trying to see what extra features did they put in the XDJ-AZ that are not present in the FLX10 and visa versa. I'm coming from a DDJ-SZ so I need 4 channel mixer, pads, effects knobs as a must.
What are the things that set these 2 apart besides the "standalone" option the XDJ-AZ gives you? I'm already using a laptop so continuing to do so isn't a deal breaker. I just don't want to invest in one and then figure out the other had features I would prefer to have. and extra $1500 for just standalone seems very steep, so there has to be more to it, right?
@@MikeNovelliYou would gain wireless headphones, a three band master eq and standalone use when compared to the flx10.
Any opinions on upgrading from a Traktor S4 Mk3 with Traktor Pro 3 to the XDJ-AZ? Appreciate not comparing apples with apples, main consideration is creativity! Thanks 🙏
You can do amazing things on both, the AZ is definitely not a more "creative" unit than yours, it is more a standard DJ set-up.
@ thanks Phil. I’m quite reliant on loops and effects etc so not being familiar / having memory muscle for these functions playing out on Pioneer has been limiting in the past! Think I need to go have a play and consider if it’s worth the investment. Amazing video by the way, thanks for dedication to the cause 🎛️🎚️🎛️
I went from s4 to xdjaz and found it pretty smooth. Beat jump and loop is there and easy, just takes a min to get over the knobs on s4
@ thank you! I use the rotary dials so much for looping but also moving tracks in time for cueing I am wary about transitioning to buttons. Sounds like I just need to get over it 😂
Yep, look to the button! Trading beat jump knobs down low for fx knobs down low is a big win for me
I was excited to get Link Export working and this video helped me out, though I was sad to see my Itunes playlists in rekordbox weren't there. Is there a way to get this to work aside from "importing" every playlist one by one, or perhaps a future update?
Not that I know of unfortunately.
You have anymore coupon codes for the serato play?
I have the Opus Quad, but kinda wish I got this, which one do you think is better?
Both very good, I wouldn’t worry!
Hi Phil.
Does the AZ work with algoriddim DjPro?
Not sure but not very well I guess (screen won’t work)
Will this unit be good for 5-6 years or should I wait? Big tech advances in ai recently...
Good for 5-6 years for sure
After the problemas with this controller, You Will Buy it?
I've had no issues, it's very reliable on 1.05 firmware
Can you make one tutorial for DDJ REV5 please
Thanks for the suggestion
Can't help but feel that pioneer have missed a trick by not creating their own version of the lc6000 for this controller with pro dj link/usb hub for full 4 deck control of the az and for those who want a modular mixer type set up with a laptop.
I guess they have, any of their Pro DJ Link media players.
Hi Phil… Can you let me know if this unit has a fader start option or if it’s coming. Same for Opus Quad. I use the fader start on my DJM units and this is an absolute dealbreaker for me. Thank you.
No fader start
@@digitaldjtipsPhil, I just want say Thank you! You always take the time to reply and your reviews are the best (most thorough) hands down. I wish you and your family will have a very happy holiday. 😊
Is anyone else experiencing a laggy screen when using it with Serato?
Yeah. But it isn’t laggy at all in stand alone mode. Which is why I bought it. I suppose you could use the laptop screen? I didn’t care for it tbh. And I love my Denon mc7000, that the AZ is sitting on top of as a matter of fact.
Weird, was fine on ours but we didn’t use it for too long to be frank… yet!
@@IamPreacherMan In standalone mode, mine is fine as well. Just when using Serato the waveforms lag. 😞
@@DJPlatinumOneI think if I was gonna use it as a controller I’d rather use my laptop screen anyway tbh. It’s larger and Serato shows grids in vertical.
Laggy with rekordbox too. Played on it for the first time this past weekend for 6 hours. Works flawlessly on its own but with lag at times with rekordbox when scrolling for tracks and going through folders in the unit. Maybe the next firmware update will fix this. And yes for anyone thinking, I have a powerful laptop for processing. My rev 7 works flawlessly on it.
👍👍👍👍👍
Mojaxx gonna be after you for the Tips & Tricks copyright 😂
Mojaxx is cool 😎
alpha sucks
Why are you here then?