Product Comparison: Denon MCX8000 vs Pioneer DDJ-SX2

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Best Pick

Denon MCX8000 DJ Controller

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Pioneer DDJ-SX2 Professional DJ Controller

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General Specifications

Brand

Denon

Pioneer

Origin

China

Malaysia

About the Product

The MCX8000 is one of the only media player/ controller that has its own built-in software and interfaces seamlessly with Serato DJ. We propel the DJ into the next generation of high performance standalone technology (Engine) with high-definition screens, simultaneously run Serato DJ, and a solid professional grade 24-bit 4-channel mixer which makes you limitless.

The 4-channel DDJ-SX2 controller builds on the success of its predecessor but inherits two must-have features from the top-flight DDJ-SZ: Performance Pads with multi-coloured cue point LEDs and an on-jog cue countdown. Plus it’s Serato DJ DVS upgrade-ready and boasts improved jog wheel latency, making it the scratch DJ’s ultimate companion.

Model

MCX8000

DDJ-SX2

Key Specs

Jog Wheels

Yes

Number Of Channels

Effect Type(s)

3-band EQ, Samples, FX group

3-band EQ, Samples, FX group, Roll, Filter

Software Compatibility

Serato DJ Pro

Serato Flip, Serato Pitch 'n Time

Jog Wheels
Number Of Channels

What customers say about "Key Specs"

Denon MCX8000 DJ Controller

I am veteran DJ that started out in 2001 playing vinyl on belt drive turn tables. I was looking for a way to eliminate the laptop from my mobile set up and this stand alone unit does just that.
This works great. It's solid and well-built. I haven't experienced any glitches or problems. It connects to Serato instantly and you can use Serato and the stand-alone system together.
Nice Jog Wheels. Good pitch and grid accuracy. Amazing sound quality.
]You don't need to use engine software to go standalone. (Still recommended, however.)
The jog wheels could feel "loose" for some people.
Firmware could use an update. I ran into a distortion issue that I was unable to recreate (No problems since the first time it happened). Also sometimes if you are doing quick cuts of tracks, the on screen displays lag after you stop a track.
Would be nice to have engine control across all four channels. However, its not something you will lose sleep over.

Pioneer DDJ-SX2 Professional DJ Controller

The jogs feel like you're turning a Pioneer volume knob, except it's 6 inches. In other words, they're incredible with resistance and perfect for scratching.
If you use Serato DJ software, this is as good as it gets without spending the money for the SZ. It is hard to find for a reason and the price is retail.
I knew I liked 4 channels if for nothing more than if anything goes wrong on the main 2 you have instant backup. You do pay for that ability though.Plus mixing 4 channels is more fun with 4 channels.
Comfortable controller. With lot of new effects and details. Perfect for scratching and mixing live.
Some features would work sporadically with the Serrato DJ software.

Size & Weight

Height

2.8 in.

2.77 in.

Width

28.7 in.

26.14 in.

Depth

17 in.

13.91 in.

Weight

18.4 lbs.

12.79 lbs.

What customers say about "Size & Weight"

Denon MCX8000 DJ Controller

It has the sturdy build and feel of using CDJ's.
Build quality is amazing.
The design is beautiful and the buttons and knobs have plenty of space. It just doesn't feel crowded with buttons at all.
Excellent proffesional look. well built and very responsive.

Pioneer DDJ-SX2 Professional DJ Controller

The DDJ-SX2's size and weight makes it perfect for mobile gigs or at home workout sessions.
This a great tool for mobile djing. Even though I love my turntables this is good because it's all in one and light weight and has serato Dj built in.
I like the sx2 because it is a full featured controller within a reasonable amount of space and weight.
It doesn't heavy and i can fit it in my bag even.

Features

Decks Control

Cue, Play, Hotcues, Pitch, Shift, Sync, Faders, Crossfader, Key lock, Pitch bend, Slip mode

Cue, Play, Hotcues, Faders, Crossfader, Shift, Key lock, Slip mode, Needle search, Gain

LED Metering

Yes

Additional Controls

Master Volume, Cue level, Cue mix, Mic volume, Loop Recorder

Master Volume, Mic volume, Cue level, Desk's load buttons

Looping Capability

Yes

MIDI

Yes

Input(s)

2x RCA (line-level, unbalanced), 2x RCA (phono- or line-level, unbalanced), XLR+1/4” (6.35 mm) input (Microphone 1), 1/4” (6.35 mm) input (Microphone 2)

2 CD (RCA), 2x MIC, 2x PHONO/LINE (RCA), USB type B

Output(s)

2 XLR (master left/right, balanced), RCA (master left/right, unbalanced), 2 XLR (booth left/right, balanced), 1/4” (6.35 mm) stereo output (headphones), 1/8” (3.5 mm) stereo output (headphones)

2x Headphone Monitor (1/4 inch Jack, mini-jack), 2x Master (XLR, RCA)

Extras

Includes revolutionary Denon DJ Engine standalone technology, 2 USB inputs for Engine playback in standalone mode, Includes 4-deck Serato DJ software, 2 high-definition displays show Engine and Serato DJ operation, Professional 4-channel digital mixer with 2 microphone inputs, 3 built-in instant effects for Engine playback and line inputs, Velocity-sensitive performance pads for cues, rolls, slicer and samples, Stage LinQ network connection to control lighting and video, Metal construction

Sound color filter, Needle search, Slip Mode, Backlit perfomance pad, Large Jog Wheels, Native Serato flip

Power Source

DC power supply

AC adapter / USB

What customers say about "Features"

Denon MCX8000 DJ Controller

This is a monster of a controller. A lot of flexibility. Sound is great. Denon made an awesome job on this product.
Not only is this unit a great controller for Serato, but it's a standalone unit where you can play from one or two USB flash sticks. Just like if you had two CDJ's and a mixer, but for a fraction of the cost.
Screens are awesome. as a serato controller it does just about everything you could think of. is tailored for mobile djs as well as club djs everybody wins if they go for this as their main controller.
This machine does take some getting used to. There are a lot of buttons, all useful, you just need to take the time to learn the placement.
Had to upgrade to Windows 10 (meh). Denon's music software is clunky and doesn't compare to the ease of using Serato. Have had a couple instances where the displayed wave form froze and I had to reset the unit.
God awful engine app is not smart at all anything you do is a time waster and makes you spend hours just adding your music to it, engine app crashes every 5 minutes.
Here's the downside, if you use Virtual DJ, this isn't going to work without some detailed mapping. They are currently working on it, but even with the mapping, the screens will not work.

Pioneer DDJ-SX2 Professional DJ Controller

VU meters are GIGANTIC, making deck monitoring a breeze.
Volume sliders (high resistance) have this click noise when they return to zero or go to max (AWESOME FEATURE).
Tempo sliders have a large groove they slide in, with lights indicating whether you are -/+ on the tempo.
The Trim/mid/bass/tre/filter/effec knobs have GREAT resiatance, with very precise movement.
Sync would not work at all from the deck as well as other features.
Only lasted one month then broke on me.
Very nice controller, well constructed. The mic input is not very good.

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

1 year(s)

2 year(s)

Certifications

Other Information

Manufacturer

Link

Manual

Download