DDJ-SZ2 - Rekordbox DJ - Any updates?

I've been waiting for Rekordbox compatibility with DDJ-SZ2 since the controller was released. It's simple basic common sense and good marketing strategy to have these products work intuitively with each order since they're made by same company or at least under the same umbrella group. It doesn't take a genius to work out that if the SZ2 works with Rekordbox, sale of the hardware will relatively go sky high. I've got a lot of Pioneer gear since the CDJ500 to DDJ-RZX and I've got nothing against Serato because I do use all of the DJ software but the fact stands that SZ2 and Rekordbox share same manufacturer DNA and therefore should work together. If Pioneer team do read this forum then they need to acknowledge the request of their DJ support network and make Rekordbox compatible with DDJ-SZ2. After all VDJ works with SZ2 so why not Rekordbox? Otherwise, loyal Pioneer money spender will start re-considering their loyalty. How do you make two products that do not work together? Just pure and simply unreasonable and disloyal.

The DDJ-SZ2 is designed, marketed, and sold, as a Serato DJ controller. Yes, it is MIDI compatible, but there is nothing about the SZ2 which is specific to any other application. 

There are other "S" series products which do work with both Serato DJ and rekordbox, but all of them were produced and released either before rekordbox dj, or compatibility was introduced after the end of a manufacturer agreement. Our partnership with Serato wouldn't survive if we created hardware for Serato DJ, but then said "Oh, and rekordbox too." This is one of the reasons the "R" series products came to be. Have you looked at the DJM-S3 and DJM-250MK2?

Apart from the minor cosmetic differences, the hardware itself is virtually identical. If they're SO similar, why did we manufacture two different units?

This has nothing to do with being unreasonable on our part.

I fully understand Pioneer from a sales, agreement and marketing perspective when it comes down to this "issue". I bought my controller knowingly it was only Serato supported since since it was the "latest thing" on the market. Now I'm just hoping for Rekordbox support (if it ever comes), and will be glad if actually arrives. But if it never does, i will ofc understand why. 

Pioneer should just see this as great feedback. Customers are looking for a better software then Serato, and it seems like Rekordbox DJ is what they want instead. They could have gone for Traktor instead (that actually works  great with the DDJ-SZ2) but here we are, asking in the forums, for Rekordbox support :) 

I think Pioneer has done a great job working with the electronic music people in Europe, while Serato has a stronger game in USA, when it comes to Hiphop (which is more popular over in the US) and DVS... at the moment at least.  

This is got to be the worst excuse if ever there's one. A defensive excuse is nothing short of poor customer relation, lets not forget that we are the people spending thousands of pounds on Pioneer gears to keep these guys in business and in job (I dare say). This response from Pioneer rep is making out that Pioneer is doing us a favour, absolutely not the case and as said, this forum is design with intention to get customers views and/or feelings across and effectively a cheap and inexpensive way to survey. In the olding days survey cost companies a lot of money just like marketing their products and here we are, asking for basic understanding of our feelings (mindful of the number of posts around the same request) and you give this kind of response. Yes you have some kind of contractual agreements/arrangements with third parties ie Serato etc but hiding behind that statement is not answering the request honestly. Objective facts are that there's been Serato dedicated hardware by Pioneer that do works with Rekordbox so we're not asking for the impossible. If Pioneer gives some idea of how long we need to wait they wouldn't be getting all the "hassles" from loyal customers. It's a little thing called openness and engaging with customers to improve "satisfaction". Personally I'll survive with or without Rekordbox because our stock of Pioneer gears are the flagships but that's beside the point. I use different DJ platform but SZ2 with Rekordbox will be a good marriage just like the SZ etc. Customers are clearly saying we love Pioneer in it's entire entity...inclusive of Rekordbox. We want you to keep leading the market especially now that there are a lot more competition out there that'll give you a good run for your money. Don't ignore our cry!!! Like the ones before it, SZ2 will inevitable become Rekordbox compatible (one hopes) it's only a matter of "when" (and that's all customers wants to know) Keep up the good stuff.

 Nobody is "hiding" behind the statement that it's not possible due to a contractual obligation - that's the truth, and if you don't like it, I'm sorry. It has nothing to do with whether or not the hardware is technically capable of being used with both applications. If you purchased the SZ2 with the expectation of using it with rekordbox, something that was never promised, then that's hardly our fault, regardless of any other hardware which was previously made compatible.

The attitude seems really poor, seeing that there are quite a few of us that dropped $2,000 for a “top of the line” unit. Why is that? No one said that Rekordbox was promised with the SZ2....but did anyone say it WASNT going to be available?

You should stick that attitude in your back pocket if you don’t like the questions that are being asked...YOU may not think the questions are legit, as you seemingly look down your nose at us, but think about this:

Dont you think that your users buying end controllers, might be more inclined to purchase R Series controllers as well if they were able to even SEE if was to their liking? People like you taking this type of stance, are the reason people stop purchasing certain brands. Have some empathy towards your customers. Good night.

Nice one Dj Bignoodles,..Whoever this Pioneer rep is, definitely needs a fresh briefing in customer sensitivity and satisfaction awareness course because this individual clearly lacks the understanding of what the phrase "Customer Relations" mean. I mean,...the person is only a word short of calling us, the good spenders and Pioneer loyal supporters "idiots" and obviously believes that the only way to articulate himself (if you please!) is to insult us by insinuating that we bought SZ2 thinking it was design to work with Rekordbox. Please don't mistake the fact that we're Djs to mean that we can't read or that indeed don't know that the "S" is for Serato. Of-course, we know that (without private education)!!! So, please believe me when I say that it takes a lot to do what we do out there as djs whilst at the same maintaining the forefront of Pioneer marketing and promotions. Make no mistakes, your customers are the real powerhouse behind Pioneer's success,...we make Pioneer big my friend, and you work for Pioneer and therefore answerable to our request and I bet you haven't spent the insane amount of thousands of pounds that we spend on your gears. I wonder if your stakeholders share the same view as you, with your lack of simple basic customer etiquette. Some of us have spent the best part of ten thousand pounds on your gear in the last few months alone and guess what my dear Pioneer rep, I've been in this business for over thirty five years (you can do the maths). You name any Pioneer gear, besides the "tour series" and I've had it. Please do not underestimate the power of good customer relations and although you may be responding to one customer's query, the fact is hundreds of other customer will see the way you respond and wonders....
I do hope this is not the way you respond to every query and/or enquiries from your customers because quite frankly, it stinks and requires some attitude adjustment and transplant. Your response is way too personal and lacks objectivity....even if you dis-agree! We're saying that we love Rekordbox and SZ2 "marriage made in heaven" idea and you may not believe this, we do use Serato too. I use my RZX with Rekordbox and won't ask for Serato compatibility, why do you think that is?? I use my SZ2 with Serato/Traktor-P2/VDJ, and my RZ with Rekordbox/Serato. All my Pioneer X-Series uses all other platforms (VDJ/TP2/Serato etc). It's our responses that promotes Pioneer improvements and advancements after-all. Can I look forward to the release of RZ2 soon-ish or do I need to be insulted before I get an answer. Simply put, "We love Pioneer, -period! So, please Recognise. I'm out........

@Klass MC > Thank you for your comments and commitment to Pioneer DJ products.

As you likely know, Pioneer DJ does not discuss rumours or unreleased products. We are always listening to customer feedback and input to improve current products or design our future hardware / software, and we are always working on "the next thing."

I understand you love the SZ2 and would love to use it with rekordbox, however that is not a combination you should expect to see occur, sorry.