Barcelona-based DJ and Audio Engineer Marc Monka has released the XDJ100SX, a brilliant DIY project that guts an old CDJ-100S and resurrects it as a fully standalone, modern DJ deck. The best part? It runs entirely on open-source software.
Under the Hood: The XDJ100SX #
Instead of relying on proprietary, expensive hardware upgrades, the XDJ100SX uses accessible maker-tech to bring the deck into the modern era:
- Core: Raspberry Pi 3B+ running a lightweight Linux OS.
- Software: A custom skin of the open-source DJ software Mixxx, allowing the deck to read Rekordbox-formatted USB drives.
- Interface: Integrated 5-inch touchscreen housed in a custom 3D-printed mount, and printed adhesive skin featuring new button layout.
- MIDI: Arduino/Teensy board handling the MIDI communication between the original Pioneer buttons and the Raspberry Pi.
Modern Features in a Vintage Shell #
Despite its retro exterior, Monka’s custom Mixxx skin and MIDI mapping mean the XDJ100SX functions like a modern media player.
You simply turn it on, plug in your USB, and load a track. It supports:
- 8x Hot Cues
- Beat Loop and Loop Roll
- Beat Jump
- Key Shift
- Stems
(Note: Marc mentioned to me recently that Stems works only when pre-analysed by a third-party app)
Monka even mapped the classic Pioneer effect buttons (Jet, Zip, and Wah) to control some of these new features, while keeping the rest manageable via the touchscreen display.
→ Check out the full video breakdown on Youtube
Rethinking DJ Technology #
The XDJ100SX, as well as being a cool hardware hack, is also statement on sustainability in the DJ community.
As Monka puts it, the XDJ100SX is about “rethinking how we can play music with fewer dependencies on brands and subscriptions.”
Instead of throwing away perfectly good hardware just because the internal chips are outdated, we can bridge the gap with open-source software like Mixxx. Proving that playing music doesn’t always mean buying the newest gear.
Building Your Own #
True to the open-source ethos, Monka has released the entire project for free. If you have a dusty CDJ-100S lying around and want to take on a weekend project, the complete 33-page PDF documentation is available online.
The GitHub repository contains everything you need, released under the GNU GPL v3 and Creative Commons licenses. This includes the Arduino firmware, the Raspberry Pi system image (Raspberry Pi 3B+ only), the custom Mixxx skin, and even the STL files to 3D-print the display mount and print new adhesive button labels.
→ Check out the full XDJ100SX project on GitHub
Have you ever attempted a DIY controller mod, or are you running Mixxx on a custom setup? Let me know what you’re building at: contact@beatform.com
