The Best DJ Controllers
Stock Photo ID: 1502720459
Back in the day, DJs spun vinyl on turntables, beat-matched and mixed by ear, and carried all their records with them in suave record bags. DJing this way is still popular, especially with the ongoing comeback of vinyl. However, it can be an expensive hobby if DJing isn’t an income source.
Investing in a DJ controller opens new doors. They are lightweight and portable and work directly from a laptop. They have numerous features to enhance any set, and the days of lugging all your records around are gone with the controller able to access vast libraries of music files.
Here are the best DJ controllers available today.
1. Pioneer DJ DDJ 1000
DJs often tout the DDJ 1000 as the greatest DJ controller ever released. It’s pretty hard to argue with that, and its premium price reflects this. It’s an easy-to-set-up four-channel controller compatible with rekordbox only. However, if you are a beginner, you should consider the necessity of having four channels at this stage.
The layout is familiar, with everything being where it should be. However, the most remarkable thing about the design is how Pioneer manages to keep things lightweight and portable despite the controller’s large, robust build. The buttons and faders are sturdy, and aggressive battle mixers certainly don’t need to hold back. Everything feels like it can take a bit of punishment.
Additionally, the full-size jog wheels are solid and mechanical. There isn’t even a hint of cost-cutting in their design. They have adjustable resistance and feature colorful LCD screens. Essential information you might want to keep an eye on, such as BPMs or waveforms, is just a glance away on these screens. This information is customizable and allows you to engage with your dance floor better, as there is little need to go back to your laptop while mixing.
The mixer section is logical and comfortable. Each channel has a three-band equalizer with the trims and meters where they should be. The channel faders are sturdy, and the Magvel crossfader is robust enough for even the most energetic scratch DJ. Add to this an insane amount of excellent FX and loop options, and you have a set-up ready to take down any dance floor.
2. Rane One
If you are a vinyl-loving DJ looking to move into the world of controllers, the Rane One is possibly the perfect choice for you. You may not yet be ready to give up the feel of a spinning wheel beneath your fingers. With this controller’s motorized jog wheels, you don’t have to.
They are robust and have adjustable torque, so you can get the resistance you are used to. They also feature touch strips that allow you to “drop the needle” anywhere you choose. They are a good size, too. At 7.2 inches, they are not quite the size of a 1210’s platter, but they still feel right. The eight standard and non-gimmicky performance pads that feature on each deck, including the popular Scratch Bank from Serato Pro DJ, allow you to get creative.
Serato is the preferred software choice for this controller. It comes with Serato DJ Pro, and installation is simple. However, Mac and iOS users might want to use it with Algorridim’s djay Pro AI, and it is also plug-and-play compatible with Virtual DJ.
3. Numark DJ2GO2 Touch
Not all DJ controllers need to cost a lot. If you are using DJ software on your laptop and looking for something basic to make the experience more tactile, the Numark DJ2GO2 Touch is an excellent, budget-friendly investment. It’s perfect for beginners because if you change your mind about a career at the wheels of steel, you won’t have depleted your bank account.
It’s an ultra-compact two-channel controller that is so lightweight and transportable that you could even slip it into a deep pocket to take to the party. The layout is simple, and the functions are basic. You get two smaller-sized jog wheels, pitch controls, a crossfader, and cue, sync, and play buttons. There are even basic pad functions to set up hot cues, use auto and manual loop controls, and even a basic sampler to experiment with. Pretty much everything you need, and more, to get started.
It works with Serato DJ software, and purchases include Serato DJ Lite. Download the software, plug in your headphones, speakers, and controller, and away you go. Once you master mixing on this little tiger, you can quickly move up to more advanced controllers with even more fun features.
4. Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 Mk3
Another top-notch DJ controller with motorized jog wheels and four channels is the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 Mk3. It is a more stylish and professional-looking controller compared to previous iterations. Not only that, but it is more streamlined and compact, too.
Small, high-resolution RGB displays show essential and customizable information to help you keep an eye on things. However, the most significant buzz regarding the features of this controller is the haptic-force feedback from the motorized jog wheels. When scrolling through tracks, you can feel the beats, cue points, and loops which further reduces the need to look at your laptop. These features keep the DJ in the moment and thoroughly engaged with their audience.
Native Instruments controllers are only compatible with Traktor software. This one comes with Traktor 3 Pro software, which you may download once you have registered the hardware. It’s an excellent software ranked right up there with the best and offers high-quality audio and creative DJ features.
The controller features new Mixer FX on each channel. A single knob gives simplicity and control to the most popular effects. They can aid in long transitions and ensure the DJ has as much fun as the dance floor. Additionally, you could use the four FX banks for more subtle effects, while you can adjust the crossfader curve to suit your DJing style.
5. Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3
If the Traktor Kontrol S4 is too much on the premium side, or you are looking for a more simplified layout and controls, consider the S2. It’s condensed down and is much easier to use. It has two channels, precisely the number a beginner should use.
It doesn’t feature the haptic drive with which the S4 is currently creating a buzz in the DJ world. Still, with its much more economical price tag, it’s hard to expect it to have advanced features like that. What it does have is ample-sized jog wheels perched above a bank of performance pads with a well-laid-out mixing station between them. This simplicity means you can focus more on pleasing your listeners and mastering the basics. Advanced features can wait because having fun is essential to being a beginner DJ.
The S2 maintains the simple-yet-effective Mixer FX button, which is serious fun once you get into it. In fact, most of the features are simplified and may disappoint more experienced users. However, for beginners and anyone that wants to cut out the faff and just party, it’s an excellent model to consider.
6. Roland DJ-505
The Roland DJ-505 is a feature-packed DJ controller. It has four decks you can input into two channels, so you can add your turntables or CDJs and use them in conjunction with your controller. It also acts as a standalone mixer, so by hooking up your two turntables, you can get mixing your vinyl, too.
However, the best feature is undoubtedly the built-in Roland TR-S drum machine and 16-step sequencer. It features classic genre-defining kits from the TR-606 up to the TR-909. Together with samples from the Serato sampler, you can essentially remix tracks live or even create your own drum-infused tunes. It even features a midi output that enables you to add and use other electronic instruments. This addition opens up a whole load of new avenues for live performances.
Make no mistake, this is a premium piece of equipment and an excellent choice for live gigs. However, it’s available at a mid-range price, and bedroom DJs who have moved on from the beginner stage will also have years of fun and learning with the variety offered by this controller.
7. Pioneer DJ DDJ 800
If you are not yet ready to splash out so much cash on the premium Pioneer DDJ-1000s, you could go for the next best thing, the DDJ-800. It comes at a mid-range price, and the features you have to cut back on probably aren’t as many as you anticipate.
You get the same familiar club-style layout, and the jog wheels also sport the highly-useful color LCD screens. You can customize these to feed you essential information while performing. However, the most obvious difference is the size and weight. The DDJ-800 is both smaller and lighter by about 25% in size and around a couple of pounds in weight; a clincher if portability is a big issue for you.
Another difference is the number of channels. The DDJ-800 has two channels compared to the four that the DDJ-1000 sports. However, if you only intend on using two channels, there is little point in splashing out on equipment with four. The jog wheels on the DDJ-800 are also lighter and smaller, similar to those you would find on other mid-range machines. However, you can adjust the resistance with the Feeling Adjust feature to get the required tightness. Battle mixers and scratchers should note that the crossfader is pretty standard on the DDJ-800, unlike the supreme Magvel the DDJ-1000 offers.
Sound quality is the same, and you can also use this machine as a standalone mixer, just like the DDJ-1000. All in all, if you need a high-quality two-channel DJ controller at a lower price, this could very well be the one for you.
