If your goal is to become a DJ, maybe a professional, one of the first steps is to buy the necessary equipment. The DJ controller is one of the most important pieces of equipment you need to get, as it allows us to mix tracks with knobs, pads, faders and jog wheels. Even if you’re a beginner DJ, it’s worth investing in one of the best DJ controllers currently available.
DJ controllers send signals to a computer and communicate to the DJ software running on it. Indicate how to mix audio based on your actions on the controller. Many DJ controllers also include an integrated sound card. This allows you to preview the mix on your headphones before playing it on the main output and being listened to by everyone.
DJ controllers generally mimic classic analog turntables and a DJ mixer. However, DJ controllers are much cheaper than two turntables and a mixer. The great advantage of DJ controllers is that they are able to take advantage of the flexibility of computer software, which of course the turntables can’t do. Unlike turntables, controllers allow you to store more cue points with music files. If you are an advanced user, you can manipulate and remap the DJ software so that the components perform different functions than initially expected.
Also, read our other guides on the best DJ headsets, DJ turntable, MIDI controllers, and the best DJ studio monitors.
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What are the best DJ controllers in the market right now?
A DJ controller is indispensable equipment for mixing music live and in the studio. DJ software has evolved a lot over time and the mixes are complex. The DJ controllers integrate wheels, faders, knobs and all kinds of controls that allow you to handle all the subtleties of the software in a simple way and also helps you to make each element of the mix sound in the best possible way.
It is important to consider several factors when choosing a controller. The quality of the construction is obviously very important, especially if you are a mobile DJ, you will want equipment that is resistant to movement. Also, pay attention to the controller layout, make sure the controls are positioned in a way that makes sense to you.
In this article, we focus on the best all-in-one DJ controllers. All-in-one DJ controllers are designed to work with DJ software on your computer or laptop.
Pioneer Pro DJ DJ Controller DDJ-1000
The Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000 is the first Pioneer DJ controller that integrates high-resolution displays in the center of the jog wheels. This idea is not new, since some Numark and Denom models also use them. However, the Pioneer DJ controller includes waveforms on its screens.
The jog wheels are pressure sensitive. Most DJ controllers integrate touch plates with touch-capacitive technology, but the mechanics of pressure-sensitive feel much better. In addition, they have a potentiometer to adjust the tension of the dishes to your personal taste.
This Pioneer DJ controller is designed to work with Rekordbox DJ software. The pads support many functions of this program, such as Hot Cue, Pad FX1, Pad FAX2, Beat Jump, Beat Loop, and Sampler. Some of these functions are only accessible through the Shift button, which is unfortunately very small and somewhat remote from the pads.
The Pioneer DDJ-1000 DJ controller integrates many inputs and outputs to suit any professional. It has master outputs XLR, RCA and a TRS. It also has RCA inputs for each channel, two microphone inputs and two USB inputs that allow you to connect two computers at the same time.
The Pioneer DDJ-1000 mixer is the most advanced we have found in a DJ controller. It manages four channels with a Magvel crossfader. The four channels can be switched between external inputs and USB ports. It also integrates four Sound Color effects (Echo, Pitch, Noise, Filter) and a total of 14 beats effects.
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Numark Mixtrack Pro 3
For its price, the Mixtrack Pro II is one of the best cheap controllers for DJs on the market, designed for both beginners and more advanced users, but more suited to those who already know at least the basics of music mixing.
Numark redesigned its Mixtrack series to offer you a more streamlined but more expansive layout in its professional controls that include 16 backlit drum pads with a multitude of features including loops, hot cues and samples.
The plates are fully illuminated and activated at the touch, for precise control and incredible stretches. It has a 3-band equalizer and a combined cross-fader in a complete mixer section. There are also navigation controls for your music library to give you maximum mixing freedom of your favorite tracks.
With a complete set of controls and effects, Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 is one of the best DJ controllers to invest in. It is also supplied with the basic version of Serato, so it should be an excellent tool for both novices in the sector and those who are migrating from other systems to a completely digital one.
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Pioneer DJ DJ Controller DDJ-SB3
DDJ-SB3 and DDJ-RB are 2-channel DJ controllers, very similar in size and weight, with an almost identical appearance, and two 128mm jog wheels. Both are equipped with a 24 bit / 44.1 kHz sound card, a frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, as well as the same inputs / outputs.
The main difference between the two controllers is the software they work with. The DDJ-SB3 was originally designed to work only with Serato DJ, but when Pioneer DJ released Rekordbox DJ a few years ago, it extended the compatibility list of the DDJ-SB3 to include it. The DDJ-SB3 also works with Virtual DJ 8, djay Pro and Traktor Pro 2 software.
The DDJ-RB, on the other hand, does not work with Serato DJ. Pioneer DJ released it as a specific controller for Rekordbox DJ and was one of the first controllers to distance Pioneer DJ from Serato. In addition to Rekordbox DJ, it also works with Virtual DJ 8, djay Pro and Traktor Pro 2.
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Numark Mixtrack 3
If you are looking for a beginner DJ controller, you might want to consider the Numark Mixtrack 3 All in One. It is similar to the Mixtrack Pro 3 but, of course, with slightly reduced functionality.
To begin with, this Numark DJ controller is not bundled with Serato Intro. It comes instead with Virtual DJ LE, which you can download from the web. It also does not have an integrated sound card, so you will need to purchase a sound card to connect the All in One to your speakers and headphones.
Mixtrack 3 All in One provides the layout from both Pro II and Pro 3 versions and combines them in a simple way, with a double-deck and mixer controls positioned appropriately in the center.
The rubberized trigger pads are highly responsive and the backlight creates a fantastic lighting effect. The highly touch-sensitive metal jog wheels offer the feeling of working on a professional DJ console.
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Pioneer Pro DJ DDJ-WeGO4-K
It is the entry-level controller proposed by Pioneer, with two channels with two-band equalization, a dedicated filter knob, cues, faders, crossfaders and bright jog wheels.
For those approaching digital DJing, this device is an excellent choice, and its strength is its compatibility with almost all DJ software.
At the bottom, each of the jog wheels has four switchable hot cue / sampler buttons and transport controls. At the top, we find the loop on / off buttons with the 1/2 loop and 2x loop buttons, plus three Pad FX buttons, which act as instant effect buttons.
What’s new with DDJ-WeGO4 is its compatibility with Pioneer’s new WeDJ software, a simplified iOS app that’s easy to use. One of the main differences between the DDJ-WeGO4 and its predecessor DDJ-WeGO3 is the EQ section – instead of the three EQ bands of the DDJ-WeGO3 (low, medium and high), the DDJ-WeGO4 has a two-band EQ (bass and high) plus a filter knob.
Another difference is that DDJ-WeGO4 comes with a Rekordbox DJ license plus Virtual DJ LE. DDJ-WeGO3 comes only with djay and Virtual DJ LE, so if you want to use it with Rekordbox DJ, you need to purchase it separately.
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Numark iDJ Pro DJ Controllers
This DJ controller for iPad works well with the famous Djay app compatible with the Apple tablet. Keep in mind that it won’t work with the first generation of iPad because the Algoriddim app only works well from the second generation of iPad.
The strength of this combination between iDJ Pro and iPad is that you can become a real DJ in the cloud, taking full advantage of the extraordinary wireless capabilities of iPad, integrating all your iTunes songs, with the processing power and intuitiveness of the iPad touchscreen. IDJ Pro is also compatible with any Bluetooth speaker and those that work on AirPlay.
The volume knobs are in die-cast aluminum while the plates are designed to offer maximum sensitivity thanks to the integration of capacitive tactile sensors. The effects, loop and hot cue controls are in brushed aluminum which gives it a truly professional look.
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Hercules DJ Control Compact
Hercules DJ Control offers exceptional features but without spending a fortune. It has a very simple but super functional layout that facilitates the learning process.
Each of the two decks has a very well built jog wheel, 4 illuminated LED pads, 2 equalization potentiometers and a volume potentiometer.
The 4 pads allow immediate access to 4 different modes including Cue, Samples, Loop and Fx.
Also included are a 1.77-inch crossfader, 10 control buttons, and a SHIFT command that doubles the functionality of the pad controls.
The individual controls for the DJ Control decks are positioned on the sides while the mixer controls are elegantly positioned in the center.
Although Hercules does not include Serato or DJay, we find the DJUCED 18 software that is intuitive enough and powerful enough to mix your tracks.
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Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2
Traktor Kontrol S2 is an all-in-one DJ controller that comes bundled with the FULL Professional version of Traktor Pro 2, so the user has everything they need to get started. Just add a computer and your favorite music files.
After installing the software on the computer, connect the Traktor controller to the computer using the supplied USB cable. The operation is very simple because the new Traktor software already has the drivers installed for the S2 MK2.
The equalization knobs, positioned towards the center of the unit, have plenty of space, which makes them really easy to spot on the fly. Below the EQ knobs of each channel are the two CUE buttons for pre-listening with headphones. Each channel also has an FX1 and FX2 button to activate the two effects modules.
One of the improvements welcomed by the S2 model to the new S2 MK2 is the inclusion of 8 backlit rubber pads for the transport and Cue / Remix buttons. The eight rubberized pads are positioned under each jog wheel and work perfectly for live performances and drums.
The Traktor Kontrol S2 MK2 is also a MIDI controller; this means that it can be customized with a mapping for each button, knob and fader to be configured exactly as you prefer.
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Denon DJ MC4000
For those looking for a professional and well-built device, MC4000 is a solid portable controller built-in Pro-grade steel, equipped with many mixing features.
The MC4000 is a step ahead of the highly compact MC2000 and offers more controls for the software. It doesn’t have all the analog inputs and outputs on the MC6000, but many DJs don’t need extra connectivity.
Precision touch-activated jog wheels, dedicated hot-cue and sample pads for on-the-fly creativity. 2 balanced microphone inputs with two-band equalization, Ducking, and Eco effect. Dedicated EQ and effects control on each channel.
The Denon DJ MC4000 controller comes bundled with Serato DJ Intro, with a 50% discount code for the purchase of the full version. The MC4000 is compatible with Serato DJ, VirtualDJ 8, Algoriddim and Traktor 2.9.
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Hercules Djcontrol Jogvision DJ Controllers
Hercules DJ Control Jogvision is equipped with two metal jog wheels with an LED display in the center of each, for an immediate display of listening speed and position on the track. Whatever your scratching skills, the display will also guide your hand movements.
These displays allow the disk jockey to spend less time looking at the computer screen, focusing only on mixing with faster responsiveness and better track synchronization, paying attention only to the music and the audience.
Cue Color Match: adapted for the control of cue points and samples, the colors of the drum pads correspond to the color of each cue point in Serato DJ and DJ Intro, so that cue point control is natural and intuitive.
Air Roll: with simple hand movements in mid-air on the sensor, spectacular effects are produced with a low-pass filter that faithfully follows our gestures.
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Why you should trust us?
Our comparisons are based on several key points that we believe are necessary to evaluate the professional DJ Controllers:
Product Prices on the Market
Nobody wants to buy a professional DJ Controler too expensive for what it’s worth! We always consider the value of the product with respect to its cost before admitting it to our rankings. In this way, we can evaluate expensive products and cheap products, but really worth what they cost.
Opinions of users and professionals
Reviews are often the best index to check whether a professional DJ Controller does or does not. I’m really the “voice of the people”; but in any case, we carefully evaluate whether the reviews are true or not! Many sellers advertise themselves through bogus reviews. We also verify the opinions of industry experts in order to have a complete view of the situation.
Professional DJ controller test
How can you give an opinion on a product without having it in your hands? If the products are interesting and potentially suitable for entering our rankings, we are committed to buying them, testing them and comparing them with each other.
Only then are we sure that the best ranking is the best resource to use for opinions, prices and to know how and when to buy a product.
How do we select the products of the best brands?
Choosing the best brands is not always easy. Some professional DJ Controllers produced by semi-unknown brands can prove to be very good! However, the reputation of the brand itself is fundamental, because it will be their concern to offer support and in some cases support product functionality.
The best brands, therefore, based not only on the product they produce, but also on their history and on what users think of the products they produce.
However, we don’t want to limit ourselves to talking about brands – we do everything to evaluate only the best professional DJ Controllers.