Pioneer DJ XDJ-XZ: The Struggle of FLAC Support

As a professional DJ, I've had my fair share of struggles with Pioneer DJ's Rekordbox software. One of the biggest frustrations for me has been the lack of support for FLAC files on the XDJ-XZ controller. When I first started using Rekordbox, I was excited to take advantage of the 'pro' feature on my NXS2s - the ability to use FLAC files. However, as I soon discovered, this feature is not available on newer players.

When you try to export your playlist from Rekordbox, it gives you a big warning telling you that your music won't work on anything besides the CDJ-TOUR1 / CDJ-2000NXS2 / XDJ-1000MK2. This means that if you're planning to play at a gig where they don't have these specific players, you'll be stuck without a way to play your tracks.

The excuse that FLAC isn't used often is ridiculous, especially when organizations like the BBC have adopted it as their internal library format. The fact that it 'costs extra money' is also untrue, since the FLAC codec has been released for free over 15 years ago. Apple even caved in and added FLAC support to QuickTime/iTunes in 2019.

As a result of this decision not to support FLAC files, I've decided to return my XDJ-XZ controller and switch to a different software. This is a loss for Pioneer DJ, as they're missing out on potential customers like me who are willing to pay top dollar for their products.

Unfortunately, it seems that FLAC support will not be added via an update to the XDJ-XZ. It's disappointing to see a company like Pioneer DJ making decisions that alienate their customers and limit their software's functionality. As a professional DJ, I expect more from my equipment and software, and Pioneer DJ needs to step up its game if it wants to stay competitive in the market.

In conclusion, the lack of FLAC support on the XDJ-XZ controller is a major letdown for any professional DJ who uses Rekordbox. It's frustrating that Pioneer DJ has chosen not to support this widely used format, especially when other companies like Apple have already added it to their software. Until Pioneer DJ changes its mind and adds FLAC support, I'll be taking my business elsewhere.

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