Learn
Tap a control on the diagram to see its name, what it does and how DJs use it in the club.
DJ gear guide
Every button, knob and fader of professional Pioneer DJ gear — with its name, a plain explanation and a mentor tip. For self-study and for teaching in class.
Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000A club media player: it plays tracks prepared in rekordbox from a USB stick or SD card. You'll find it in many clubs, so it makes sense to start here.32 functions →
Pioneer DJ DJM-A9A 4-channel club mixer and the successor to the DJM-900NXS2: two headphone buses, a mic with effects, Bluetooth and an expanded Beat FX section.34 functions →
Pioneer DJ DJM-900NXS2A 4-channel club mixer from 2016. Clubs still often have it, and its layout is almost the same as the newer DJM-A9.35 functions →
AlphaTheta XDJ-AZEverything in one unit: two decks with jog wheels like the CDJ-3000, a 4-channel mixer in the style of the DJM-A9 and a large touch screen. You play from a USB stick, just like in a club, with no laptop.30 functions →
rekordbox 7The software where a DJ prepares music: it analyzes tracks, sets cues, builds playlists and exports everything to a USB stick for CDJ and XDJ players.23 functions →
Pioneer DJ PLX-1000A direct-drive turntable for vinyl: two speeds, three tempo ranges and an S-shaped tonearm in the classic club layout.24 functions →
Pioneer DJ PLX-CRSS12A direct-drive hybrid turntable: it plays regular records with a stylus, and in DIGITAL VINYL mode it controls tracks in rekordbox or Serato with no stylus and no timecode vinyl. It has a battle-style layout and four pads.27 functions →
DJ glossaryCore DJ terms in plain language — from BPM and cue to harmonic mixing.40 terms →
How to use it
Lesson
Classroom mode: the mentor walks through step by step while other controls fade out. Put it on a big screen and use the arrow keys; F for full screen.
Quiz
The diagram without numbers: find the right control. 10 questions, pick your level.
Levels
Beginner: what you need to mix a track. Confident: loops, hot cues and effects. Pro: fine settings and connections.
Now try it on real decks
Lessons run on the school's Pioneer DJ / AlphaTheta gear. A mentor shows you every control live, and you mix your first track yourself.