🎚️ XDJ-AZ Overview
The AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ is a professional all-in-one DJ system designed for both USB and laptop use. It’s the evolution of Pioneer’s XDJ-XZ, featuring a 10.1" touchscreen, four-deck control, and built-in support for Rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro.
It delivers the feel of club-standard CDJs and a DJM mixer in one unit. You can mix from a USB stick, connect your laptop, or plug in external audio via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or AUX.
Each side controls two decks (1 & 3 left, 2 & 4 right) for advanced layering, while beginners can use it as a simple two-deck setup.
At Pirate, the XDJ-AZ is already connected to the room’s speakers — just bring your USB stick, headphones, and a USB-B ↔ USB-A cable if you’re using a laptop.
💻 Connecting a Laptop
1️⃣ Bring the right cable
Use a USB-B ↔ USB-A cable (printer-style).
USB-B end: plugs into the rear port labeled “USB (PC/Mac)”.
USB-A end: plugs into your laptop.
If your laptop only has USB-C, use a USB-C ↔ USB-B cable or USB-C ↔ USB-A adapter.
2️⃣ Install drivers (Windows only)
Windows users must install the AlphaTheta XDJ-AZ Audio Driver before connecting.
Download from 👉 alphatheta.com/support.
After install, you’ll see the XDJ-AZ Setting Utility for latency and buffer adjustments.
macOS users don’t need a driver — plug in and go.
3️⃣ Choose your DJ software
The unit works with both:
Rekordbox (Export or Performance Mode)
Serato DJ Pro
💡 It’s a Hardware Unlock device, so Rekordbox Performance Mode runs without a paid licence.
4️⃣ Rekordbox connection
Export Mode (play from your Rekordbox library):
Press REKORDBOX (top-left of mixer).
Open Rekordbox → click LINK (bottom-left).
Select XDJ-AZ and press LOAD 1 / LOAD 2 to assign tracks.
Performance Mode (controller mode):
Press LINK (left of the touchscreen).
In Rekordbox, switch to Performance Mode.
Load tracks with LOAD 1 / LOAD 2.
5️⃣ Serato DJ Pro connection
Open Serato DJ Pro.
Connect the laptop via the rear USB (PC/Mac) port.
The XDJ-AZ should appear automatically — if not, install the driver from AlphaTheta Support.
6️⃣ Audio & monitoring
Raise channel faders and master volume.
Plug headphones into the front ¼″ or ⅛″ jack.
Press CUE on the channel you want to preview.
7️⃣ Disconnect safely
Stop playback → close your DJ software → unplug the cable cleanly from both laptop and mixer.
🔌 Connecting a USB to the XDJ-AZ
🎧 What you need
A USB stick formatted as FAT32, exFAT, or HFS+.
❌ NTFS isn’t supported. The unit won’t detect drives using that format.
For best performance, export playlists via Rekordbox and keep each folder under 10,000 tracks.
1️⃣ Insert your USB
Plug into USB 1 or USB 2 on the top-right of the XDJ-AZ.
The USB light will flash while reading — wait a few seconds before selecting it.
Avoid USB hubs or extension leads.
2️⃣ Select your source
Press [USB 1] or [USB 2] beside the touchscreen.
Use the touchscreen or rotary selector to browse playlists, folders, or tracks.
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Highlight a track, then press:
LOAD 1 → Left deck
LOAD 2 → Right deck
(Decks 3 / 4 available if enabled.)
When Auto Cue is on, the track pauses at the first beat. Hit PLAY to start.
3️⃣ Recording your mix
Insert a second USB stick into the spare port.
Press MASTER REC at the top of the unit to begin recording.
Press it again to stop.
Recordings save automatically to the second USB drive.
4️⃣ Eject safely
Press [USB STOP] for the active port.
Wait for the indicator light to stop flashing.
Remove the stick by pulling it straight out.
Never remove a USB while the light’s flashing — it can corrupt your Rekordbox data.
Factory Resetting the Unit
Power off the unit.
Turn it off completely with the power switch.
Hold down the [RELOOP/EXIT] and [DELETE] buttons.
Keep them pressed.
Power on the unit while holding those buttons.
Continue holding until the screen shows the reset/initialization message.
Release the buttons.
The system will reset to factory settings.
Want more detailed information? Check out the Equipment Manual here.