If you’re choosing between the Pioneer DDJ-1000 and XDJ-XZ, the XDJ-XZ is the better choice if you need standalone USB playback and a larger club-style all-in-one setup. The DDJ-1000 is the better option if you’re happy using a laptop and want something considerably smaller and lighter.
Both are now older models, with the DDJ-FLX10 succeeding the DDJ-1000 and the XDJ-AZ succeeding the XDJ-XZ, but they can still be very capable options on the used market.
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Pioneer DDJ-1000 vs. XDJ-XZ – full specification comparison
| Specs |
|---|
XDJ-XZ standalone mode
The XDJ-XZ can function in a standalone mode – that is, you can use it without a laptop plugged into it, supplying your music on a USB storage device.
Keep in mind that while using the XDJ-XZ in standalone mode you can utilize only 2 decks at once. 2 additional decks are available once you connect your XDJ-XZ to a laptop and Rekordbox / Serato DJ software.
Once the XDJ-XZ is connected to a laptop with Rekordbox or Serato DJ software it can function as a standard DJ controller. When using the XDJ-XZ with your laptop more features become available that aren’t accessible in standalone mode (for example sampler pad mode, key sync, control over decks 3 and 4).
The DDJ-1000 is designed primarily for Rekordbox, but it also officially supports VirtualDJ. Serato DJ Pro users need the separate DDJ-1000SRT model.
Weight and size
While the XDJ-XZ can be used without a laptop it’s also much bigger and heavier than the DDJ-1000. Here are the dimensions of the two controllers:
DDJ-1000:
- Width: 28″ (71 cm)
- Height: 3″ (8 cm)
- Depth: 14″ (35 cm)
XDJ-XZ:
- Width: 35″ (89 cm)
- Height: 5″ (13 cm)
- Depth: 18″ (46 cm)
[these are rounded dimensions from the official Pioneer DJ website – for exact measurements refer to the said website here: DDJ-1000, XDJ-XZ]
Additionally there is a great weight difference between the two: the DDJ-1000 weighs about 13.2 lb (6 kg), when the XDJ-XZ weighs 28.7 lb (13 kg) so more than twice as much.
The screen on the XDJ-XZ
The Pioneer XDJ-XZ features a 7-inch resistive LCD touchscreen that enables you to control the track playback on 2 decks at once, keep an eye on active Beat FX, cue points, loops and track information.
The track library controls are located around the screen to make the track selection process quick and efficient.
Because this is a resistive screen rather than a capacitive one, the device won’t let you make use of multi-touch functionality, on-screen gestures or smooth finger scrolling – things you would be able to do on a capacitive (smartphone-like) touch screen.
As DDJ-1000 is not a standalone device and it’s made to work solely with a laptop, it doesn’t feature an LCD screen besides the jog wheel displays that are made for mirroring track info from your DJ software.
Audio FX – effects section comparison
The XDJ-XZ and the DDJ-1000 both feature 14 Beat FX but the available effects differ between the two devices.
The Beat FX on the XDJ-XZ are the exact same audio effects that you would normally find on a DJM-900NXS2 mixer.
In the set of effects of the Pioneer DDJ-1000 you can find effects that aren’t present on the XDJ-XZ – that is: Low Cut Echo, Mobius Saw, Mobius Triangle and Enigma Jet. Because of the presence of those effects the DDJ-1000 lacks some effects that the XDJ-XZ has as both devices are limited to 14 Beat FX.
In the DDJ-1000 Beat FX section you won’t find the classic Filter, Delay, Vinyl Break and Helix effects that are present on the XDJ-XZ (although there is an MT delay present, and the filter is naturally accessible from the mixer knobs as a Sound Color effect).
An important difference is also the lack of an X-pad for additional touch control of FX parameters of the audio effects on the DDJ-1000. The XDJ-XZ has the touch X-pad built in.
Additionally on the XDJ-XZ you are able to control which frequency ranges will be affected by the chosen Beat FX using three dedicated buttons – you won’t find those on the DDJ-1000.
Both devices feature a knob that lets you control which audio channels will be affected by the Beat FX.
When it comes to Sound Color FX the XDJ-XZ features a full set of 6 Sound Color FX, while the DDJ-1000 only has 4 of these.
DDJ-1000 lacks the Crush, Sweep and Space FX in the Sound Color section. On the other hand you won’t find the Pitch effect on the XDJ-XZ while it’s present on the DDJ-1000.
There is a Sound Color parameter knob present on the XDJ-XZ that you won’t find on the DDJ-1000.
You can also find additional sampler controls beneath the Sound Color FX section of the DDJ-1000 as the device supports a sampler pad mode while the XDJ-XZ in standalone mode doesn’t feature a sampler.
To use a sampler from the XDJ-XZ’s performance pads, you need to use the device in software control mode with Rekordbox or Serato DJ Pro.
The mixer section and other differences
The mixer section on the XDJ-XZ closely resembles the mixer panel of the DJM-900NXS2 with its big silver Color FX/filter knobs.
The DDJ-1000 also follows a club-style mixer layout, although its controls and effect selection differ from those on the XDJ-XZ.
Pioneer XDJ-XZ also features the additional hardware control sections in the top part of the controller, from right to left: double microphone audio mixer and EQ with feedback reducer controls, the 7-inch LCD display and track selection controls, the master level and master EQ controls alongside with the USB storage devices input bay on the right hand side.
DDJ-1000 does not feature any of the sections mentioned above.
The XDJ-XZ does not feature key sync or key reset buttons on each deck near the pitch fader like the DDJ-1000 does and it doesn’t let you change the track’s key in standalone mode, although it lets you control the track’s key in the controller mode using the performance pad shortcuts.
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The other important thing is that, as mentioned above, you can’t fully utilize all 4 mixer channels in standalone mode on the XDJ-XZ. If you’re not using the XDJ-XZ in the link mode with additional Pioneer CDJ players plugged in, or in the controller mode with your laptop, you can only use two channels for loading and playing tracks.
When using the XDJ-XZ in controller mode you will have to either switch the decks using the touch screen or on the newer firmware versions by double tapping the shift button as there are no dedicated deck changing buttons on the device.
DDJ-1000 on the other hand has a button on each deck that enables you to quickly change the decks from 3 to 1 and from 2 to 4.
The crossfader
When it comes to the crossfader, the DDJ-1000 features a MAGVEL fader while the XDJ-XZ does not. This may be important for scratch DJs, although both devices are more than suitable for scratching.
The jog wheels
The jog wheels on both units are equally sized, full-sized mechanical jog wheels designed to provide a club-style CDJ feel.
The jog wheels on both devices feature LCD displays that are able to indicate which deck is currently active, if the sync or slip mode are on, you are able to see the tempo and key of the currently playing track and additionally there is simplified track waveform view present on top of each of the jog wheels.
The tension of the jog wheels can be freely adjusted both on the DDJ-1000 and the XDJ-XZ using a knob present on each deck.
Performance pads
When it comes to the performance pads, besides the visual differences, one major thing here is that the XDJ-XZ in standalone mode does not let you control the sampler using the performance pads and therefore it does not feature dedicated sampler hardware controls.
The XDJ-XZ in standalone mode lets you use 4 pad modes: Hot Cue mode, Beat Loop mode (auto loops), Slip Loop mode (loop rolls) and Beat Jump (beat skipping).
When the XDJ-XZ is connected to a laptop with Rekordbox you can access a few additional performance pad modes – for example the Rekordbox pad FX mode or sampler mode.
Inputs & Outputs
Here are all the inputs and outputs present on both devices (source: DDJ-1000, XDJ-XZ)
DDJ-1000:
| Inputs | – 2x LINE (RCA) – 2x PHONO/LINE (RCA) – 2x MIC (XLR & 1/4 inch TRS Jack) |
|---|---|
| USB | – 2x USB B ports |
| Outputs | – 2x MASTER (XLR, RCA) – 1x BOOTH (1/4 inch TRS Jack) – 2x PHONES (1/4-inch stereo jack, 1/8 inch stereo jack) |
XDJ-XZ:
| Inputs | – 2x LINE (RCA) – 2x PHONO (RCA) – 1x AUX (RCA) – 2x MIC (XLR & 1/4 inch TRS Jack) |
|---|---|
| LAN | – 3x (100Base TX) |
| USB | – 2x USB A ports – 1x USB B port |
| Outputs | – 2x MASTER (XLR, RCA) – 1x BOOTH (1/4 inch TRS Jack) – 2x PHONES (1/4-inch stereo jack, 1/8-inch stereo mini-jack) – 1x SEND (1/4-inch TS jack) |
The Pioneer XDJ-XZ features inputs only for channels 3 and 4, sadly there are no separate audio inputs for the channels 1 and 2 present on the device.
DDJ-1000 features separate audio inputs for all 4 mixer channels.
The DDJ-1000 also features two USB-B ports, so you can connect two laptops for back-to-back mixes. The XDJ-XZ has one USB-B port for a computer connection, plus two USB-A ports for storage devices.
Another thing is the XDJ-XZ doesn’t need an external power supply as it has one already built in. This means that you only need a simple AC power cable to get it running. With the DDJ-1000 you have to use a power brick that comes with the device.
Software compatibility
The DDJ-1000 is primarily a Rekordbox controller and also officially supports VirtualDJ. There is a separate Serato DJ Pro-compatible version – the DDJ-1000SRT.
The XDJ-XZ is compatible both with Rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro. The device also supports DVS – Serato DVS requires a paid upgrade, while Rekordbox DVS requires the Core plan or above.
Aside from using the XDJ-XZ in standalone mode you can use it with a laptop in two modes:
- Export mode – here your laptop will simply function as a plugged in music storage device.
- Controller mode – this mode gives you full control over the Rekordbox or Serato DJ software.
You might also like: DVS And Timecode For DJs Explained.
Which one should you get?
If you need standalone USB playback, the XDJ-XZ is the clear choice between these two. If you’re comfortable using a laptop and want a significantly lighter and more portable 4-channel controller, the DDJ-1000 makes more sense.
The XDJ-XZ is considerably larger and heavier, but gives you its built-in screen, 2-deck standalone playback and a more complete all-in-one setup. The DDJ-1000 is much easier to transport while still offering 4-deck software control, full-sized jog wheels and a club-style layout.
If you’re buying new rather than used, keep in mind that both now have newer successors. The DDJ-FLX10 replaced the DDJ-1000 series, while the XDJ-AZ succeeded the XDJ-XZ.
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