Best DJ Controller for Beginners:
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Authors side note: Although this post contains reviews of the 10 best DJ controllers, nothing, in my opinion, beats Novation and Numark. Enjoy reading 🙂
#1 Novation TWITCH DJ Controller – a completely new take on DJing
In the world of music technology Novation is a brand name that I instantly associate with innovation and quality.
As a producer and DJ I have owned many of Novation’s products over the years and I have always been satisfied with what they have had to offer
I have found their midi controller keyboards with their patented AutoMap technology to be an absolute godsend both in the studio and on stage.
On its release Novation’s Automap was an incredible leap for music technology enabling producers and musicians to manipulate their virtual synths and effects in real time using physical controls on their keyboard or midi controller!
And now, I am pleased to see that Novation has continued their long tradition of innovation by teaming up with leading DJ software manufacturer Serato to give us the Twitch. The great thing about this collaboration is that it means that the Twitch is midi mapped out of the box to work with Serato’s Itch. If you’re prepared to do the midi mapping yourself the Twitch will also work with Ableton Live and Traktor.
Stand out
In a market where many cheap DJ midi controllers look like toys, the Twitch stands out as it looks like a serious DJ performance tool.
It is a unit that that you could confidently take to any DJing situation without the risk of feeling embarrassed about the fact your controller looks like a child’s toy. We all know that Digital controllers have not yet gained full acceptance in the world of DJing just yet so Novation have done well here to build a unit that looks like it means business.
The overall build quality is excellent and the all important cross fader seems like it will withstand regular use in even the most demanding of sets. The actual control surface features two banks of eight MPC style trigger pads on each channel that can be used for hot cueing or triggering samples. The trigger pads are of a decent size meaning that even if you have had a few too many drinks before your set you will still be able to hit them with a high degree of accuracy.
When the Twitch is used with Serato’s Itch it offers four versatile performance options (Hot Cues, Slicer, Auto Loop and Loop Roll). There has been much talk about creating your own edits and remixes ‘On the fly’ in recent years by various manufacturers but I have yet to see a product that can back up these claims as well as the Twitch. It’s features like these that really stand out to me and I am sure will appeal a great many DJs out there.
Features
The two LED backlit touch strips are an excellent addition and seem to be an update on the XY pad technology employed within Novation’s Xiosynth range. The touch strips can be assigned to a variety of parameters including needle drop, changing the pitch or even FX intensity.
The twitch features a crystal clear club ready 2 input 4 output built in soundcard, unlike some cheaper (and far inferior) models, this unit is ready to be used on any sound system in any club. I was pleased to see they had included a mini and quarter inch jack input which means no stress if you happen to forget your headphone adaptor when your playing out! Anyone who has played out at a club where they do not know the other DJs and has forgotten this small but essential bit of kit will know what a godsend this simple addition truly is!
Portability
Novation have got it spot on when it comes to the size and portability of the Twitch, its small enough to fit in even the most cluttered DJ booth or laptop bag without sacrificing usability. Each control is big enough to be able to be used accurately, something that a majority of smaller DJ controllers leave to be desired.
In conclusion I highly recommend the Novation Twitch to any DJ seeking an intermediate digital solution that will open up a myriad of creative possibilities at a price that wont break the bank.
Numark NS6 DJ Controller
The Numark brand is well known for their high quality workmanship and awesome looking equipment and now they bring us the NS6.
It’s ecstasy to the eyes.
A four-channel DJ controller with complete built-in mixer, it features four decks of software control, something that the Numark NS6 sits ahead of the pack with unrivalled. It builds on it’s critically acclaimed breakthroughs of the NS7, NS7FX and V7 by adding four-deck capability and a full-blown four-channel mixer in a compact, portable, all-metal (sexy) housing that is built to perform. Of course accompanied by the much loved Serato brand.
One of the key features of the Numark NS6 is the exceptionally responsive, high-resolution touch-activated platters. They deliver 3600 ticks of resolution per rotation and when combined with its automatically adjusted platter sensitivity, results in super-precise turntable control that acts like the vinyl it emulates.
The NS6 also sports enhanced Strip Search virtual needle drop technology by adding position indicators that allow DJs to keep tabs on track position. A great feature that allows them to concentrate on the music and not stress about the small stuff. In addition, bi-colour LEDs indicate which deck is in control and the playback status.
Along with upgraded features like direct access to beat grid controls and beat skip, Numark stayed true to their fans and their design favourites such as mouse-free Serato library navigation, complete Pitch Control, Key Lock, manual and instant Looping and Hot Cues.
The Numark NS6 also features a professional 24-bit audio interface that provides pristine audio quality from the computer. Featuring XLR outputs, a headphone out, two mic inputs, two phono inputs, four line-level inputs, and USB output, the NS6 has a wealth of connectivity options.
Thanks to close collaboration between Serato and Numark we see them again bringing us a great package with Serato’s ITCH DJ software shipping with the NS6.
They’ve once again used the same cutting-edge control technology as in the NS7, where turntable and control information are communicated between the hardware and software at over ten times standard MIDI resolution.
It’s a massive data stream and it allows for completely latency-free control. Due to the NS6′s use of MIDI information to communicate, it allows for use with a wide variety of MIDI software.
The NS6 brings us a great marriage in the digital and analog DJ worlds, offering a very powerful control on digital audio and the crowd.
The Numark NS6 is sure to spark the “WOW” factor in you and every great DJ out there. So get yourself a great piece of machinery before someone else is burning up those wheels and stealing that amped up crowd away from you!
#3 ION Audio iCUE3 Discover DJ System – Review
Perfect for beginner DJs.
If you want to test drive your DJ skills… or you know someone who’s dying to give it a go for the first time. The ION Audio iCUE3 Discover DJ System is the perfect way to suck it and see. If it turns out you don’t enjoy being a DJ at least you haven’t spent a fortune on professional kit. And you’ll have a whale of a time finding out!
A cool low cost computer-DJ package
This smart little beast is ideal for music lovers who have never tried DJing before, harnessing the considerable power of your PC or Mac to make parties, events and even club nights go with a swing. Expect a hardware DJ control surface with a convenient, standard USB connection and really good DJ software courtesy of MixVibes excellent CROSS LE performance software.
Everything you need to test-drive becoming a DJ
- everything you need to DJ via your computer, supporting your digital music collection or iTunes library via M4A, AIFF, WAV, MP3, FLAC and OGG audio formats
- A smart two-deck controller with volume, three-band EQ, pitch controls and a scratch wheel for each of the two decks
- Bass and treble controls plus big, clear touch-sensitive scratch wheels for that traditional vinyl feel
- Includes a cross fader so you can mix between songs
- Matches the tempo automatically between tunes
- Lets you record and share your performances
- Allows you to extend your mixes with loops
- No drivers or power adapter needed
- Measures just 7 x 4 x 12 inches, takes CR2 batteries
- Easy-to-use software
Designed with practicality and creativity in mind
The controller is laid out in the same way as the traditional two decks and mixer format for a professional feel . Simply load your tracks to either desk and you’re off – it’s a dream to cue up, create exciting advanced transitions and even get to grips with scratching.
- Pitch your tunes up and down effortlessly and match BPM with ease
- Enjoy automatic beat-matching
- Shape your sound beautifully with bass and treble control
- Easy for anyone to learn from scratch
- Record, play back and share
What do the experts say?
Phil Morse at digitaltips.com says that the ION Audio Discover DJ System is a no-frills, cheap-as-chips DJ controller, a good starter product for digital DJing.” And it’s tipped to be a big hit this Christmas. While it isn’t a professional product, it’s very good value indeed for beginners and people who think they might like DJing… but aren’t 100% sure. If you get hooked, you can always invest in something with a little more oomph.
Buy now in time for the holidays
#4 Mix Vibes UMIXCONTROLPRO DJ Mixer Review
A great package with integral sound card but the inbuilt effects leave a little to be desired. More Details
Are you looking for a complete DJ package?
Consider buying the Mix Vibes UMIXCONTROLPRO DJ Mixer.
I’ll tell you why.
The package consists of a controller with external MIDI DJ and CROSS DJ software. The controller comes with an interface for the internal soundcard and the best thing is that the Mix Vibes UMIXCONTROLPRO DJ Mixer looks so cool in a very compact design.
This DJ Package has an attractive look. It’s rugged but not too heavy. The front and back side is wrapped in a solid metal chassis. Inputs, outputs and controls surface are well-designed. The control surface consists of easy-to-use buttons, faders, and knobs. The jog wheels are also well-built and a lot of fun to use.[button content=”More info/Buy” color=”orange” text=”white” url=”http://amzn.to/29kTvAs” openin=”_blank”]
#5 M Audio X Session Pro Mixer DJ Controller
This is a cool device for DJs who are used to the two channel style of working. But if you want more you should look at another device and system. More details…
Every DJ has their own way to express themselves and present their personalities through their mixing. If you are hunting for a digital solution that will enable you to fully express yourself the M Audio X Session Pro Mixer DJ Controller may be exactly what you are looking for. All you need to get started in digital, laptop DJing is provided in the package.[button content=”More Info/Buy” color=”orange” text=”white” url=”http://amzn.to/29Bj7fE” openin=”_blank”]
#6 Reloop Mixage Interface Edition DJ Controller with Audio interface – Review
This is a great piece of kit. Lots of fun to use and the audio quality is superb. But the buttons and controls could be more clearly labelled. More details
The ReloopMixage Interface Edition DJ Controller with inbuilt Audio interface is one of the innovations that can transform the way in which DJs perform.
For those who want to create and sculp music which is capable of making people get up on the dancefloor the right tools are needed. There have been so many innovations which are offered in the market today and one of the best types of DJ controller is made of Reloop. It is reasonable to call it one of the best DJ controllers of all time for it is very innovative and provides a variety of features that are ideal for today’s digital DJ.
By using these innovations DJs are able to express their creativity in ways that were previously restricted to the studio. Read on for more details on what this device can do.[button content=”More info/Buy” color=”orange” text=”white” url=”http://amzn.to/29rcDBx” openin=”_blank”]
#7 M-Audio Torq MixLab DJ Controller Review
This is a great out of the box controller. Simple to use, very affordable and with a top class pedigree. Read the details
The M-Audio Torq Mixlab is the best choice if you want to touch the sky with digital DJ-ing. This device provides the complete package that will propel your digital DJing to a whole new universe.
This M-Audio Torq MixLab offers one of the simplest and most intuitive user interfaces of any of the DJ controllers that I have checked out. The controller with the USB port immensely easy to install and use.
It truly is plug and play. No need to install any other hardware driver to support the USB because you will find it instantly recognized by the Mac OS X and Windows XP.
The software provided is all you need to mix up some killer sets. The USB controller included gives you easy access to all parameters and if you get to grips with all of the available features you will be rocking the dancefloor in no time. Are you feeling this?
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#8 DJ-Tech 4Mix DJ Mixer Controller Review
Some great features on this device such as the comfortable trigger pads. But you need to test this before you buy and make certain it works with your laptop and software. [Details]
The DJ-Tech 4Mix is highly popular with people who work in clubs. If you want to try one of these you should have no problem in finding one in stock at your nearest DJ equipment store. Availability is one of the things you have to consider when you are planning to buy DJ devices. But what does the DJ-Tech have to offer?
The word ‘compact’ ideally describes this DJ-Tech 4Mix. The controls are round buttons with non-slip rubber feet and is covered in black –plastic. It is also supported with a silver and black bushed cover. The well made knobs are made from silver–effect plastic look unnecessary, but the knobs are sturdily built.
It is very easy to remove the cover to change the VCA cross-fader. The virtual DJ LE is built with four types of controller. Big pads offering joint control of four lines with filters and samples are amazing features. The controls are simple, bold and chunky. In the middle of the device, there are four lines with equalizers, line faders, knobs, and buttons and there is also a cool red LED button.
The DJ-Tech 4MIX is an amazing controller and a nice concept even though the virtual DJ LE provided doesn’t support fully support the device and the software is not really brilliant because of the bizarre mapping. But, other devices have the same problem, and you can’t dwell on it as you have to remember the other great features.
It’s likely that the limitations that I encountered were due to my trialling a pre-release unit and the manufacturer will most likely update the firmware to overcome the reported limitations. You can use the popular Traktor software for performance mapping.
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#9 Behringer BCD3000 DJ Mixer Review
A very affordable DJ mixer and controller. Ideal for those on a budget who want to break into digital DJing. Details
For budding DJs on a budget, the Behringer BCD3000 DJ Mixer may be exactly what you are looking for. This device lets you play and mix any WAV, MP3, MIDI, or other kinds of audio format with its real vinyl feature. This Mixer is suitable for use with your PC with Windows XP and MAC OS X operating systems.
Behringer are a reputable audio kit manufacturer with a presence across 5 continents with 1,500 employees. Over 13 years, this company has become well respected since it has introduced many sound-related products including mixers and headphones.
This DJ equipment won an award as best TRAKTOR 3 controller.
Ease of operation and the no nonsense interface makes this an ideal beginner setup. You can easily take it anywhere because of its small size and you do not need to bring stacks of CDs with you as you can store all of your digital audio files on your laptop.
The Behringer BCD3000 DJ Mixer has 4-channels with USB audio interface. This enables you to control all DJ applications by using the TRAKTOR 3 LE software. It also has a high quality microphone and 3 band kill equalizers for each channel which are the absolute basics needed to mix tracks live. It is perfectly suited to those who like to party, due to excellent sound quality.
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#10 Allen & Heath Xone 4D Universal DJ Controller Review
This is a top end controller with advanced features developed by respected DJs and producers and from a reputable manufacturer in this field. Highly recommended.
If you are looking for a serious professional DJ controller to use in conjunction with your personal laptop, you would do well to consider the Allen & Health Xone: 4D Universal DJ Controller. This professional DJ controller is an updated version of the previous DJ controllers: Xone: 1D, Xone: 2D, and the Xone: K2.
This device combines comprehensive DJ features and high specifications which makes it highly desirable as both a great device for bedroom DJs or as a truly professional digital DJ system.
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The Evolution and History of DJ Technology
If you go to any club today and take a look at the DJ booth you will probably see a variety of devices, levers, wires and machines that the DJ skilfully uses to get the club jumping night after night. You may not recognise every piece of equipment each DJ uses but the modern, highly technological set up definitely marks a huge departure from the simple two deck vinyl record based systems that were used right up until the 1980s.
DJ technology history has come a long way in recent years, moving from simple turntable systems to modern DJ Midi Controller Technology and you can track it from it’s earliest origins right here!
