Denon DJ PRIME 4 G2 vs PRIME 4+: What’s New and Is It Worth Upgrading?

The Denon DJ PRIME 4 G2 has arrived, replacing one of the most capable standalone DJ systems on the market with a new generation focused heavily on performance, Stems, effects, larger jog wheels, improved hardware, and deeper integration between standalone and software-based DJing.

The outgoing Denon DJ PRIME 4+ was already an incredibly powerful 4-channel standalone system, so this isn't simply a case of adding a few new buttons and changing the colour. Denon DJ has made some substantial changes to the way the G2 can actually be played, particularly with the introduction of MPCe performance pads, onboard Stems rendering, 8-inch jog wheels, built-in DMX output, and an expanded effects workflow.

So, what exactly is different between the PRIME 4 G2 and PRIME 4+, and should existing PRIME 4+ owners consider upgrading? Let's take a closer look.

Denon DJ PRIME 4 G2: the biggest upgrades

At its core, the PRIME 4 G2 remains a 4-channel, 4-deck standalone DJ system. You still get the large 10.1-inch touchscreen, Engine DJ workflow, streaming, professional audio connections, independent Zone output, external inputs, microphones, internal storage expansion, and the flexibility that made the PRIME 4 series particularly popular with professional mobile and open-format DJs.

Where the G2 moves things forward is in how much creative control you have directly from the hardware.

New MPCe performance pads are a major change

One of the biggest upgrades on the PRIME 4 G2 is the introduction of 16 MPCe velocity and pressure-sensitive performance pads with 3D-sensing technology.

These aren't simply updated versions of the performance pads found on the PRIME 4+. The new multi-zone MPCe pads are designed to allow multiple functions and parameters to be controlled from different areas of the same pad, opening up completely new performance possibilities.

You can use them for traditional functions such as Hot Cues and Stems, but they're also designed for manipulating effects and lighting in much more expressive ways. Pressure becomes another performance control rather than the pad simply registering whether you've pressed it or not.

For DJs who like finger drumming, live remixing, effects-based transitions, and more expressive performances, this could be one of the most important reasons to choose the G2.

Onboard Stems rendering

Stems were added to the PRIME 4+ through Engine DJ, so Stems themselves aren't completely new to the PRIME platform. The big change with the PRIME 4 G2 is the ability to handle Stems rendering onboard.

The G2 also places much more emphasis on Stems as part of the physical performance workflow, with dedicated Instant Acapella and Instrumental buttons, a dedicated Stems pad mode, Stem Level EQ, Stem effects, and Stem status information displayed within the jog wheels.

This makes Stems feel less like an additional software feature and much more like an integral part of the DJ system itself.

If you're regularly creating live mashups, isolating vocals, removing instrumentals, or using Stem elements as part of your transitions, the PRIME 4 G2 represents a significant improvement over the PRIME 4+ workflow.

Bigger 8-inch jog wheels

Another immediately noticeable difference is the move to full-size 8-inch high-resolution jog wheels.

The PRIME 4+ uses more compact 6-inch platters, whereas the larger jog wheels on the G2 provide substantially more surface area and a more spacious professional feel. They also feature integrated RGB LED displays capable of showing Stem status and cue position information.

For DJs coming from larger club players or those who simply prefer more physical control for scratching, cueing, pitch bending, and track manipulation, this is a considerable hardware upgrade.

A much deeper effects system

Effects were already one of the strengths of the PRIME 4+, with more than 25 Main FX, Sweep FX, and touchscreen-based Touch FX.

The PRIME 4 G2 takes this considerably further.

There are now two dynamic internal Main FX modules with more than 25 effects, physical toggle paddles, and Favourite FX buttons. You also get 10 reactive Touch FX with latch functionality, Fader FX that can be triggered using the channel faders, and four Sweep FX with dedicated controls for each mixer channel.

The result is a much more performance-oriented effects workflow. Rather than navigating effects and then applying them, more of the system is designed around being able to grab an effect and immediately perform with it.

Fader FX add another way to perform

Fader FX are another new creative tool on the G2, allowing effects to respond to the movement of the mixer faders.

This gives DJs another way of creating transitions and rhythmic effects without needing to dedicate a hand to an additional effects control. Combined with the new MPCe pads and expanded Main FX section, the mixer section of the G2 feels significantly more performance-focused than before.

Premium new faders

Denon DJ has also upgraded the physical mixer controls with new 45 mm side-mounted faders.

The design helps reduce the amount of dust and debris entering the fader mechanism while providing smooth, low-noise operation and improved longevity. It's the sort of upgrade that might not immediately grab attention on a specification sheet, but it matters enormously to mobile and professional DJs using their equipment several nights every week.

Built-in DMX output – huge for mobile DJs

This is potentially one of the biggest G2 upgrades for wedding, mobile and event DJs.

Engine Lighting powered by SoundSwitch is built directly into the PRIME 4 G2, but the system now also features a physical isolated DMX output.

That means the PRIME 4 G2 can directly control a DMX lighting system with one universe of up to 512 channels without requiring an additional DMX interface.

Support for Philips Hue and Nanoleaf remains available, and DJs wanting larger lighting systems can expand the setup with SoundSwitch DMX Micro or Control One for up to two universes and 1,024 channels.

For professional event DJs, integrating your music and lighting system into one piece of hardware could substantially reduce the amount of additional equipment required at a gig.

Bluetooth Deck brings phones and tablets into the mixer

The PRIME 4 G2 also introduces a Bluetooth Deck, allowing audio from compatible smartphones and tablets to be brought directly into the mixer.

This could prove extremely useful for mobile and open-format DJs. If somebody hands you a phone with an unusual request, or you need to quickly play audio from another device, Bluetooth can be selected as an audio source and mixed alongside your Engine DJ decks and other inputs.

It forms part of a much broader on-screen mixer system where channels can be assigned between Engine, Computer, Bluetooth, and Line sources.

OmniSource is coming to the PRIME 4 G2

One of the most interesting features planned for the PRIME 4 G2 is OmniSource.

Scheduled for a future update, OmniSource is designed to allow seamless mixing between standalone Engine DJ sources and compatible computer DJ software, with support planned for platforms including Serato, Algoriddim, and VirtualDJ.

This could dramatically change how hybrid DJs use an all-in-one system. Instead of treating standalone mode and laptop mode as two separate ways of using the hardware, the aim is to allow both environments to work together within the same performance.

It's important to remember that OmniSource is a forthcoming feature rather than something to base a purchase on for immediate use, but it gives a good indication of where Denon DJ sees the PRIME platform heading.

Updated audio architecture with ESS Sabre DACs

Sound quality has also received serious attention. The PRIME 4 G2 uses ESS Sabre HiFi 32-bit digital-to-analogue converters, with the balanced main output offering a dynamic range of up to 119 dB and a maximum output level of +20 dBu.

For professional sound systems, clubs, and high-end mobile setups, the aim is clean, powerful output with plenty of headroom.

More modern USB connectivity

Connectivity has also been updated for modern setups.

The PRIME 4 G2 features both USB Type-A and USB Type-C connectivity, including a locking USB-C computer/media port alongside USB media connections, SD card support, and the familiar internal SATA drive bay.

Installing an internal SSD remains one of the best features of the PRIME platform. DJs can effectively keep an enormous permanent music library inside the unit rather than relying entirely on external USB drives.

The Zone output remains – and that's important

One feature Denon DJ wisely hasn't removed is the independent Zone output.

This remains enormously useful for professional event DJs. You can run your main DJ performance through one sound system while sending a separate deck or playlist to another area through dedicated balanced XLR Zone outputs.

For example, a wedding DJ could perform in the main room while simultaneously sending background music to a separate bar or reception area.

The G2 adds a dedicated Zone Cue button, further improving control over this workflow.

PRIME 4 G2 vs PRIME 4+: key differences

Feature	PRIME 4+	PRIME 4 G2
Standalone decks	4	4
Touchscreen	10.1-inch	10.1-inch HD multi-touch
Jog wheels	6-inch	8-inch high-resolution
Performance pads	Traditional performance pads	MPCe velocity/pressure-sensitive 3D pads
Stems	Stems playback via Engine DJ	Onboard rendering plus dedicated Stems controls
Instant Acapella / Instrumental	Software/Stem workflow	Dedicated hardware controls
Stem Level EQ	Limited compared with G2	Yes
Main FX	25+ FX	Dual Main FX modules with 25+ FX
Touch FX	Yes	10 reactive Touch FX with latch
Fader FX	No	Yes
Built-in physical DMX output	No	Yes – 1 universe / 512 channels
Bluetooth audio	Yes	Bluetooth Deck with Bluetooth 5.4
DAC	Professional Denon DJ audio architecture	ESS ES9017S 32-bit DAC
USB-C	Older USB connectivity	Multiple USB-C connections
OmniSource	No	Planned for late 2026
Independent Zone output	Yes	Yes, with dedicated Zone Cue
Internal drive bay	Yes	Yes – SATA 3.0

Has the PRIME 4+ suddenly become outdated?

Absolutely not.

The PRIME 4+ remains an extremely capable 4-channel standalone DJ system. It already provides a large touchscreen, standalone Engine DJ workflow, Stems playback, extensive effects, Wi-Fi streaming, professional outputs, independent Zone functionality, internal drive expansion, and the ability to control four decks without a laptop.

If you already own a PRIME 4+ and primarily use it for straightforward two or four-deck mixing, the G2 isn't going to suddenly make your existing unit incapable of doing the job.

The difference is that the PRIME 4 G2 puts much greater emphasis on creative performance.

The new pads, onboard Stems workflow, larger jog wheels, Fader FX, enhanced effects, built-in DMX connection, and upcoming OmniSource functionality provide significantly more possibilities for DJs who actively use these features.

Should PRIME 4+ owners upgrade to the PRIME 4 G2?

That depends heavily on how you DJ.

If your PRIME 4+ is primarily used for mixing tracks, playing weddings, streaming music, and running conventional four-deck sets, it remains an exceptionally capable system.

However, the PRIME 4 G2 becomes considerably more attractive if you regularly use Stems, perform live mashups, rely heavily on effects, want larger jog wheels, control lighting at events, or want a system designed around a more expressive performance workflow.

Mobile DJs may find the integrated DMX output particularly valuable, while club and performance-focused DJs are likely to appreciate the larger platters, MPCe pads, Fader FX, and dedicated Stems controls.

Is the Denon DJ PRIME 4 G2 worth it?

The biggest compliment we can give the PRIME 4 G2 is that Denon DJ hasn't simply replaced the PRIME 4+ for the sake of releasing something new.

The fundamental concept remains intact: four standalone decks, a professional 4-channel mixer, large touchscreen, streaming, internal storage, external inputs, independent Zone output, and the flexibility to handle everything from home practice to demanding professional events.

What has changed is the amount of creative performance control available directly from the hardware.

The MPCe pads, onboard Stem rendering, dedicated Stem controls, 8-inch jog wheels, expanded FX system, Fader FX, built-in DMX interface, Bluetooth Deck, upgraded audio architecture, and future OmniSource integration make the G2 feel like a genuine next-generation PRIME system rather than a minor refresh.

For new buyers looking for one of the most powerful standalone DJ systems available, the Denon DJ PRIME 4 G2 is going to be extremely difficult to ignore.

And for existing PRIME 4+ owners? Your current system is still seriously capable – but Denon DJ has finally given you some meaningful reasons to consider upgrading.