The setup that defined a generation - Pioneer Nexus Tried & Tested

Today on Tried & Tested, we look back at the original Nexus line up from Pioneer DJ. Released almost 10 years ago, these players went on to be the definition of "Club Standard". Being the first players to show case technology we take for granted today, such as Sync and Link, these players are still in use around the globe. What made these players so popular and why are they still in use almost a decade on? DJ Holland explains more!
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[@Crossfader]

Learn new DJ skills with our online DJ courses. From beginner to advanced courses, specific to various pieces of DJ hardware and software. Click here to find out more: bit.ly/learntoDJ

[@nanayawagyekum3891]

In tried and tested episodes, please do a mix at the end. At least 5 mins. So we feel why the equipment is the best

[@Crossfader]

I'll take it into consideration but we have a wealth of content and mixes on all these devices on our channel already :)

[@nanayawagyekum3891]

I know you do

[@nanayawagyekum3891]

But I personally would just like to see them

[@najg8099]

Hey Today i will Release a Remix at 20 o clock i Hope I’ll See you at the Premiere

[@BrotherPenny]

NYUnbox IT, don’t tell them what to do

[@luistron9774]

If properly maintained this setup is a joy to play on, not always the case for rental companies and clubs in Mexico city. Yet even in bad conditions pioneer setups always allow me to get the job done!

[@CRRSofficial]

The setup that I fell in love with after learning how to play on the CDJ-350 🥳 Love how you told the whole story, keep it up!

[@Crossfader]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@francescomorello6215]

I still remember when I got to try them for the first time. The other DJ told me "try em, they have sync" "They have sync? How?" That was unimaginable back then, and man they felt great.

[@Crossfader]

I remember the heat Sync brought with it!

[@CarlosGarcia-kt2du]

Love the overview of the current worldwide standard. I unfortunately couldn't' afford a set up like this but I did go with the "smaller brother" set up of DJM 850K mixer and 2 CDJ 900NEXUS which all pretty much do the same thing to some extent. :) keep up the great videos.

[@raverboyful]

Great review, it’s interesting to see the progression and how much things have changed. My time DJing in clubs was vinyl then through to the CDJ1000 era so it’s amazing to see how much things have changed. I got myself back into DJing at home with a DDM1000 on your recommendation (thanks) and am loving the creativity available with today’s tech. I remember how nervous I was playing in new clubs for the first time however at least the kit was more accessible for a home set ups in the good old days. It must be extremely daunting turning up to play on a Nexus set up for the first time in front of a crowd!

[@Crossfader]

Thankfully the DDJ range of controllers look and feel more like a bigger set up to bridge that daunting gap. The XDJ all in one units also do a great job of feeling like a small club set up, ideal when Rekordbox is used throughout the whole eco system to prepare the music :)

[@raverboyful]

Crossfader indeed. I’d have gone for an XDJ if planning on playing out again in future however for home use the DDJ is perfect. In my day all you had to worry about was taking a spare set of needles with you just in case!

[@arronhoffman7992]

I absolutely love these players and mixer! I've played on the 2000s and the Nexus 2000s. Both were very very fun to play on. I can't afford a CDJ set up (especially given the fact that I mix with 4 decks), so I got myself the DDJ-1000 so I still have that club standard feel for a fraction of the price!

[@Crossfader]

Share the same amazing jog wheels!

[@aksoofficial]

Super Video. What I really loved about the 2000 NXSs was that we didn't have to re-call the hot cues. The original 2000s required that we proactively call them for every track and were causing a split second delay the first time they were triggered. I personally love using hot cues and the workflow became so easy with the introduction of these players that I immediately fell in love with them.

[@Crossfader]

Recalling hot cues SUCKED!

[@aksoofficial]

@@Crossfader it did indeed

[@djkarlthomas]

I still use the nexus set up in many of my club gigs. Still a great set up but can’t wait to see what is next from pioneer cdj wise

[@Crossfader]

They are great, we love them!

[@najg8099]

Hey Today i will Release a Remix at 20 o clock i Hope I’ll See you at the Premiere

[@Salkinmusic]

I’m still loving the cdj-2000 🔥

[@DJJumpdancer]

I still use that setup to this day :)

[@tigersharkzh]

In my club I have three mixers that the DJ's can request. A Pioneer Nexus, an Allen & Heath XONE 96 and a Rane MP2015. The most popular is the Allen & Heath followed by the Rane. It's usually just the younger DJ's who request the Pioneer. I've just bought the new Pioneer DJM-V10 and can see some of the XONE 96 fans enjoying this new baby. Yes I agree with you, the Nexus is the go to mixer for clubs because everyone knows how to use it but the audio quality of it is always the weakest link in my system.

[@Crossfader]

Sounds like a dream venue!

[@tigersharkzh]

@@Crossfader The KV2 system is the icing on the cake :-)

[@kollegessig]

@@tigersharkzh They are good, but not the best.

[@littrandemakerjovy3770]

i always play on xone 92 and now 96 the sound is so much better and filters also for effects you can use traktor or serato.

[@MrDjpete1]

Hi I have two of the cdj 2000 Nexus but went for the djm 850 . Like you say awesome gear .

[@Crossfader]

Amazing set up!

[@normaneshuchi5474]

In Kenya, Most dj booths have Rane mixers, but almost always have CDJ2000 nexus or nxs2's in there. I have only played on the DJM900 nexus once and it was AMAZING!!!

[@Crossfader]

We would love to see more Rane mixers in DJ booths! The Pioneer DJM range is brilliant though!

[@DJGBinthemix]

As always banger content! Are you doing live this week?

[@Crossfader]

Not this week but we are working hard to bring back Off The Record Podcast and will aim to be live again soon!

[@Ziggy_v2]

I believe Pioneer's next CDJs will look more like the XDJ-XZ - with performance pads, removing the CD player, a dedicated loop encoder just like the Denon systems, etc. Pioneer doesn't make extreme updates - they mostly focus on quality over newer technology.

[@Crossfader]

We also think the XZ might give an insight to the next Pioneer units, only time will tell!

[@maximethetiot2703]

🔥🔥🔥

[@chadbrochill1764]

Denon is absolutely killing it now.

[@djnamhoang]

How about the Denon SC5k and X1800? 3 time Cheaper than cdj 2000ns and djm 900ns if buy full set up with 4 cdj to play all 4 lines of mixer, firmware can update, better soundcard, better screen, better build quality, and smarter,... I mean we buying DJ gear or spend money for the name of brand? after 20 years and Pioneer still give you old technology, even new controller and standlone system.

[@Crossfader]

The SC5000's came many years after the CDJ2000 asserted itself in DJ booths around the world. As mentioned they are better value for money in todays market place but this is a look back at a time before Denon had released the Prime range.

[@alphatecmusic8016]

Pioneer defined the previous generation and Denon now is defining the actual and future generation

[@KYLOWW]

Can’t wait to see what the new pioneer CDJs look like when it comes out. 😊😊😊

[@Crossfader]

We can't wait 😍

[@Nodadj]

Pioneer is actually getting out of the DJ line......not profitable was the response.

[@Crossfader]

@@Nodadj Pioneer DJ is a separate company to Pioneer. Pioneer DJ aren't leaving the DJ market anytime soon.

[@dawoudballout5246]

I feel like a perfect balance between a Club/Festival setup and a home use setup would be the XDJ XZ. It has literally everything a DJ would want or need.

[@simonbuchner8330]

except a xone mixer

[@blackcyborg009]

Question: What does the CDJ3000 have that the CDJ2000NXS2 does not? (apart from the 3/2 loop feature)

[@tjdunn3918]

I like the icon hat

[@TheTeacherMusic]

Really cool video but I dont understand why you didn't mention the XDJ-RX2 in the video. I've got one at home and for about €1.600 I think this is the far better option than spending atleast €4.000 for the cdj set. You can do almost everything on the RX2 as you can on the CDJ but for less then 1/3 of the full price of the cdj set.

[@Iron883NZ]

I have to say as all my music has been digital for the last 15 years I question cdj’s as a tool. They are basically a midi controller. I finally unplugged my last technics 1210 from my setup. Again it was just being used as a midi controller. If you are a scratch Dj... then I understand sticking with these type of controllers. But if your not ... other than nostalgic reasons ... not sure why you are still using them? A while back I got a pioneer DJ-xp2 controller ... wow! I don’t have a huge amount of desk space in my lounge ... so what I plug in needs to be functional and look good :) I found the xp2 did most things and even more than the cdj’s accept for one thing ... changing the loop lengths more dynamically rather than 4-2-1-1/2-etc. But by removing the 1210/cdj’s it gave me room to plug in what I really wanted to spice my music up ... adding an ableton push 2 and a cut down analog synth ... the acidbox. I still run an analog mixer - Rane empath so have send/return jacks. So for the cost of 2 new cdj’s I could buy the push/synth/xp2 and new hi-spec laptop and 27” curved monitor. I think my playing got better and more enjoyable. Just a thought to consider if you are just getting into DJ’ing and think the only real option is the club standard :)

[@Gir0wnes]

with a 900 and a pair of 2000s, you know its just gonna work perfectly, especially with Serato and HID mode

[@selectadisco]

I think the nxs2 range really hit the spot with the touchscreen and beat divides on the xpad but the nxs1 is all you need to play a pro mix.

[@Crossfader]

True!

[@DirtyJokesFan]

Pioneer DJ have done incredible so far but they also have to strike back hard after Denon set a new benchmark in technology, bugs and malfunctions notwithstanding, and live up to their namesake as pioneers.

[@truestory2227]

I’m leaning towards Denon

[@Rumarlan]

I luuv to have this set up it’s so cool and fun wouldn’t trade this for anything 😎😎😎

[@Crossfader]

A nexus 2 set up maybe?

[@bobosc20y20]

Turntables baby

[@12tribes61]

Vinyl will teach you more

[@WeAreSUNANA]

Hello from London 👋🏻👋🏽

[@Crossfader]

Big up the UK crew :)

[@WeAreSUNANA]

@@Crossfader 🙏🏻🙏🏽 cheers! 💃🕺🏽

[@R-C.]

I still am going to buy old nexus decks for practice. since most clubs havent upgraded past the original nexus anyway

[@SherwinBajao]

I have a CDJ-900NXS. Should I upgrade?

[@keithlee4963]

If you’re a club DJ the XDJ-XZ seems like a great cost effective home option to get that same feel to prepare. Thoughts?

[@Crossfader]

Agreed! The XZ even adds the pads to the CDJ feel

[@stewartmacdonald601]

For the right price is key here. I think they are still to expensive just now. Especially with Pioneer surely having to release new players soon. When that happens, I can see these players taking a decent drop in prices. The mixer might still be an ok buy mind you. The new V10 is in a different price league, and I'm not sure if they will bring out a new mixer to replace the nxs2, or how much of a leap forward that might be, so the nexus mixer is probably an ok buy just now, if you want a Pioneer mixer (I went for a A&H DB4 myself). As for my experience of them? I actually haven't played with the Nexus or NXS2. I did play with the original 2000's though, and very shortly after that play, I upgraded my Denon decks to the XDJ 1000 mk2's. I figured the 2000 Nexus / NXS2 were too much investment for home use, but the XDJ's had the right feature set for the right price.

[@timbernhard]

Buy Denon, they are innovative every year

[@timbernhard]

ah now he said🤣

[@Crossfader]

😂 had to be mentioned!

[@KH-mu2yx]

Denon will never be club standard 😂

[@timbernhard]

@@KH-mu2yx I wouldn't say that...🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Weaver_Games]

@@KH-mu2yx Denon was club standard before Pioneer released their CDJ range and slowly took over. So your apparently impossible situation has already happened once.

[@BryantFC]

Rumor is that the next "media player" from Pioneer DJ was suppose to be launched this year but due to COVID19, got pushed back. Apparently it's suppose to be very much like an XDJ1000.. So I'm going to go on a limb and say it's gonna be a mash up of the current 1000MK2 with the current NXS2 player, def new DAC/processor, possibly bigger LCD screen. I can't see them doing anything extremely different regular ergonomics because of the XZ that recently released.

[@Crossfader]

We can't wait to see what Pioneer DJ bring to the party next!

[@lukazk]

Anyone knows why nexus players does not load my USB? I am using my usb with XDJ-RX2, everything is fine. I have tried on original nexus, and nexus 2 players. Does not load on any of those :(

[@tomax2578]

I played on alot of pioneer cdjs, Nowadays I have the denon at home, and I do Like them more, except for the computer software, rekordbox is just more intuitiv for me.

[@vgb-beats3407]

Can you do a giveaway for the dj decks that you review!!

[@piurtv]

1:25 The DJM-2000 came along, not the DJM-2000 Nexus that came out some months after the CDJ-2000 Nexus.

[@Crossfader]

Yep, you're correct! My bad! The 2000 did gain Quantize and lot of other features from the Nexus in a free firmware update.

[@HoneyO]

nexus 2 colour waves are the best !

[@Crossfader]

The multi coloured waveform! 🙌🏻

[@1989_golfmk2]

i'm a big fan of the cdj range and have played on quit a couple of them (850, 2000, 2000 nexus, 2000 nexus 2). The only setback is the high price in comparison to the Denon equipment. They really should bring out a new modern unit at a more reasonable price.

[@Crossfader]

We think the next CDJ unit won't be far off now!

[@Weaver_Games]

I don't play out anymore so I've stopped caring about "club standards". Got back into my vinyl collection having lots of fun there!

[@househeadspeakz]

I've played on both Nexus and Nexus 2 DJ equipment. You have your Numarks and Denons but they will never replace the Pioneer Nexus DJ system. It is still the club standard to this day. Would I buy the system? If I had the $$ I would but you can get the XDJ CDJs and still get the 900 nexus mixer and save you some coin. Don't get me wrong. Denon is coming with serious DJ tech but as far as coming a "Club Standard," not anytime soon.

[@daviebhoy6794]

Denons Prime set up has been miles ahead for a few years now, yet the only reason stubborn DJ's don't switch is because of the brand name. Plus they're less than half the price.

[@bpetrovicz]

The new product should better be an XDJ-2000, without any CD player capabilities, and more tech involved. The CDJ line should be ended so we could refer to it as the "old standard" we loved.

[@brynleythomas5525]

Pioneer are literally pioneers. But Holy crap they are steep

[@DJ-Daz]

Even in poor/very used condition from CEX these are £650+ for the controller and £800+ for the mixer. It just goes to show how much value these hold even in a pre-loved condition.

[@Crossfader]

It's amazing what a new faceplate does to the image of the mixer! That said the knobs aren't cheap to replace sadly. Great point though, they aren't cheap devices! Shame they aren't looked after better!

[@DJ-Daz]

@@Crossfader Aye, there are skins available that will freshen up the look of old tatty gear, and for the plastic covering the screen, you can use brasso to work out the scratches. I think this looks fairly tasteful: i.ebayimg.com/images/g/0g4AAOSwQTVWCWre/s-l1600.jpg

[@Crossfader]

@@DJ-Daz Check out 12 Inch skins, they do amazing skins and even custom designs for almost every deck

[@gainstage4497]

Chump Standard... Couldn’t resist

[@Deepenuv]

Xone ❤️

[@fennix9005]

What is the best Controller you have ever tested?

[@Crossfader]

I'm sure everyone in the office would give a different answer, but for me it's the DDJ-1000 :) Holland

[@EJAY-THE-DEEJAY]

Denon dj prime 4 😎

[@Smiley869]

🤤🤤

[@Rickky007]

My original nexus gear will stay with me till I’m no longer in this planet just like my sl1200s .

[@Weaver_Games]

Might still be around the next generation too if Pioneer keep dragging their heels.

[@rhythmdroid]

Silly question, but as an American, I hear a very particular accent. Where is this accent from? Would you call it Yorkshire?

[@robinandersson7144]

They added stuff but they also replaced some realy nice stuff from the 800.

[@FR13NDS_ALEXIK52]

hi

[@DjGJ]

This video sounds like Pioneer Dj is finally up to some new release..trouble is no matter what they come up with, it will be way too expensive for average DJ 🤨... nightclubs, festivals sure... but not us mortals...only thing I would love to see is screens like denons...not this old fashioned sat-nav feel like touch screen 😂

[@carlocinelli6814]

DKM900 NXS 2012 e CDJ2000 NXS 2013 !!!

[@twosyde7975]

I thought this man was James Hype at the beginning

[@Crossfader]

James H.... olland 😂😂

[@kaitsu9608]

Paris Hilton DJ setup

[@brawlerz1299]

All I want is a Nexus CDJ that can run serato by itself. Not needing to buy a serato adapter. I do want to buy the Nexus 2 but I need the $ for it. Not happing anytime soon.

[@Crossfader]

DJM900 Nexus is a Serato Club Mixer if you have the correct licence

[@TuXuuTT]

seeing their (or xdj-xz) abilities make me want to sell my ddj-400 and upgrade, but there comes price. ouch, for bedroom djing (

[@Crossfader]

Yep, not cheap! The RX2 is a great unit and a lot cheaper however!

[@marcosa.catena6414]

the machine ( any machine ... the best machine ) is only as good as the one operating it

[@Crossfader]

That is very true, but sync does help! Haha

[@alphatecmusic8016]

And now in 2020 Denon ist defining the new generation with their Prime Lineup

[@FR13NDS_ALEXIK52]

first

[@djkamilo66]

thats because its been a generation without anything new...

[@12tribes61]

Still same price as a car!

[@Pieter2360]

To everyone considering Denon: I’ve had nothing but hardware and software issues with my brand new X1800, not to speak of the awful customer service of Denon. Went back to Pioneer (V10) and will replace my 5000’s as soon as there’s a successor to the nxs2 CDJs.

[@lvhotboi86-trustworthy34]

Wasn't a fan of the jogwheel tensioner on the 5000's and wasn't a fan of the Engine software. I thought however that the mixers audio quality was amazing however what was shitty was the master out constantly had issues.

[@maximillianparkinson4494]

Denon this, Denon that. My entire life I have only seen the Denon players in one club and that's because Laidback Luke performs there every six months or so. Otherwise they're placed in the gear room. Love them or hate them, it's Pioneer or nothing.

[@Wasylmax]

used to be technics or nothing..

[@nicka113]

Purchase all the Denon gear you like, deep down you will always wish it was a Pioneer setup.

[@rolletharold8843]

ahahahahh no.

[@dj_paultuk7052]

Mehh, i wont even use these anymore if they are in a Bar / Club. If they dont have Denon kit then i take my own. Each to their own i suppose but i just find these far too old fashioned now.

[@Soyboy10]

Lol

[@SuperPussyFinger]

Denon does it better.

[@juicy_rickys_world3273]

The DJM800 sounds atrocious but it's really intuitive to play on so i don't care 😂

[@Crossfader]

😂 all about the muscle memory

[@DjNikGnashers]

Top price, but not even close to top quality build, sound, or technical uniqueness. Pioneer fanboi's will lap up anything they release though, so they will keep churning shit out. Rane kicks it's arse.

[@SuperPussyFinger]

Agreed.

[@jackramsylad]

Denon do not last at all. Pioneer all the way