Pioneer DJ - CDJ-3000X

The CDJ-3000X from Pioneer DJ changes the game with its built-in Wi-Fi. There's no need to lug around cables to get connected: you just sit back, scan your QR code and your set starts up as if by magic. And if your smartphone is running rekordbox iOS or Android, NFC takes over for lightning-fast access to your library.

The 10.1" touchscreen displays up to 16 tracks simultaneously, so you can prepare your transitions without squinting. You can even copy and paste track info into the search bar and reorganise your playlists directly from the machine. With Playlist Edit and Playlist Bank, your selections can be modulated live, like a sound paste that you shape to your own taste.

The Global Tag List function centralises your tracks from the cloud, streaming services or your USB stick into a single playlist. Online tracks start downloading as soon as they're tagged, so you can move on smoothly without waiting for the technology to follow.

In terms of creative performance, the CDJ-3000X introduces Gate Cue, Touch Cue and Smart Cue. You can listen, adjust and place your Hot Cues with precision, and you can even trigger them like instruments. By doubling or splitting the BPM directly on the screen, your mixes can take unexpected paths, from slow grooves to turbo climbs.

Reliability has been beefed up: the Play and Cue buttons have been strengthened to withstand hundreds of thousands more presses than on the CDJ-3000, and the jog wheel benefits from an extended tension setting. Whether you're into silky micro-adjustments or energetic scratching, the feel is calibrated to the millimetre. Add to that full song caching, and even a USB disconnection or a temperamental network won't disrupt your mix.

Last but not least, the sound of the CDJ-3000X is enhanced by the ESS Technology converter and an optimised power supply. The signal-to-noise ratio goes up a notch, bass becomes fuller, mids breathe and highs shine without being harsh. You can mix for longer, without hearing fatigue, and enjoy a sound reproduction faithful to what you imagined.