Are you a music enthusiast looking to get into the world of DJing? Or maybe you’re a seasoned pro who’s looking to upgrade your current setup. Either way, you’ll need a good DJ controller.
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at the 10 best DJ controllers on the market. We’ll be considering things like features, price, and build quality. By the end of this article, you should have a good idea of which controller is right for you.
Table of Contents
Pioneer DJ Controller
Pioneer DJ Controller Review
The Pioneer DJ Controller is a great addition to anyones setup. The build quality is top notch and the overall design is very sleek and modern. The unit itself is very lightweight and portable, making it easy to take with you on the go. The included software (Rekordbox DJ) is simple to use and provides a ton of features and options for customizing your performance. The jog wheels are large and provide excellent response, while the faders and buttons are all laid out in a logical and easy-to-use manner. Overall, the Pioneer DJ Controller is an excellent piece of equipment that is sure to take your performances to the next level.
Numark Mixtrack Pro 3
Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 | All-In-One 2-Deck DJ Controller for Serato DJ Including an On-Board Audio Interface, 5-Inch High Resolution Jog Wheels and Performance Pads
Numark, the world’s leading manufacturer of DJ technology, is excited to announce the next generation of the award-winning Mixtrack DJ controller series – the Mixtrack Pro 3. The new Mixtrack Pro is a two-deck controller that gives you comprehensive control over its included Serato DJ Lite software (upgradeable to Serato DJ Pro). With its clear multi-function displays, high resolution 5-inch jog wheels, 16 performance pads and 100mm pitch sliders, the Mixtrack Pro 3 lets you keep your eyes on the mixer and not on your laptop.
The Mixtrack Pro 3 gives you comprehensive control over Serato DJ Lite right out of the box. With its clear multi-function displays, high resolution 5-inch jog wheels, 16 performance pads and 100mm pitch sliders, the Mixtrack Pro 3 lets you keep your eyes on the mixer and not on your laptop. The integrated sound card offers 24-bit audio quality with low latency performance while the all-new 2-deck layout gives you more control than ever before.
The Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 is a great starter controller for anyone looking to get into digital DJing. It’s got all the basic features you need to get started, including a built-in sound card, good quality jog wheels, and basic transport controls. The performance pads are a great addition, and the 100mm pitch sliders give you plenty of control over your mixes. The only downside is that it doesn’t come with a copy of Serato DJ Pro, so you’ll have to upgrade if you want to use all of the features. Overall, the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 is a great entry-level controller that will give you everything you need to get started with digital DJing.
Denon MC4000
The Denon MC4000 is a professional DJ controller that offers a versatile set of features and controls. The unit is well built and offers a good level of control over your mix. The faders are precise and the buttons have a good response. The jog wheels are large and offer a good amount of resistance. The overall layout is logical and easy to use.
The MC4000 comes with Serato DJ Intro software, which is a basic version of Serato DJ. The software is easy to use and offers a good set of features. The included mixer allows you to mix two tracks together, and the sampler allows you to trigger samples from your tracks. You can also use the software to record your mixes.
The MC4000 has a USB port that allows you to connect it to your computer. The unit can also be powered by an AC adapter or batteries. The battery life is good, and I was able to get about 4 hours of use on a single charge.
TheDenon MC4000 is a great choice for DJs who want a versatile, well-built controller that offers a good set of features. The unit is easy to use and comes with everything you need to get started mixing. If you’re looking for a controller that will grow with you as your skills improve, the MC4000 is a great option.
Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 MK2
The product is great. I’ve been using it for about a month now and I absolutely love it. The build quality is amazing, the pads feel great, and the touch strip is extremely useful. I would highly recommend this product to anyone looking for a high quality DJ controller.
The only issue I have with the product is that the software it comes with (Traktor Pro 2) is not very user friendly. It took me a while to figure out how to use some of the features, and even then I’m not sure I’m using them to their full potential. Overall, though, I’m very happy with the purchase.
Akai MPD226
Akai MPD226 is the latest and greatest addition to Akai’s line of USB/MIDI controllers. It builds on the success of the previous MPD2 models and adds several new features that make it an even more powerful tool for music production. The MPD226 has 16 velocity and pressure-sensitive pads, 4 banks of assignable Q-Link knobs, 4 assignable faders, and 4 assignable buttons. It also has a built-in arpeggiator, step sequencer, and transport controls. All of these features make the MPD226 an incredibly versatile and powerful controller for any producer or performer.
The pads on the MPD226 are velocity and pressure sensitive, making them perfect for drumming or playing melodic parts. The pads are also super responsive and have a great feel to them. The Q-Link knobs are assignable to any MIDI CC, making them very versatile. I love being able to control multiple parameters with one hand while I’m playing or composing. The faders and buttons are also assignable to any MIDI CC, making them just as versatile as the Q-Link knobs. The arpeggiator is a great feature that can add a lot of interest and movement to your parts. The step sequencer is also a great feature, allowing you to create complex patterns with ease. The transport controls are handy for quickly moving around your DAW or live set.
Overall, the Akai MPD226 is an incredibly powerful and versatile USB/MIDI controller. It has everything you need to compose, perform, and produce music. The pads are extremely responsive and have a great feel to them. The Q-Link knobs are very versatile and allow you to control multiple parameters with one hand. The faders and buttons are also very versatile and allow you to control any MIDI CC you want. The arpeggiator and step sequencer are both great features that can add a lot of interest and movement to your parts. The transport controls are also handy for quickly moving around your DAW or live set. If you’re looking for a USB/MIDI controller with tons of features and incredible build quality, then the Akai MPD226 is the perfect choice for you!
Arturia Beatstep Pro
The Arturia Beatstep Pro is a very capable MIDI controller that can be used for a wide range of applications. It has a built-in sequencer, drum pads, and CV/gate outputs, making it ideal for use with modular synthesizers or other hardware devices. The Beatstep Pro is also well-suited for use as a general MIDI controller for DAWs or virtual instruments. The build quality is very good and the unit feels solid and sturdy. The pads are velocity-sensitive and have a nice feel to them. The knobs and buttons are all nicely sized and spaced out, and they have a good amount of resistance. The OLED display is clear and easy to read.
The Beatstep Pro’s sequencer is fairly easy to use once you get the hang of it. It’s not as intuitive as something like Ableton Live, but it’s not overly complicated either. You can create up to 64 steps per sequence, and each step can have its own gate time, velocity, and pitch values. There are also several different modes that you can use to change the way the sequencer behaves. For example, you can set it to loop continuously, or you can have it trigger a new sequence every time it reaches the end. You can also set the tempo manually or have it sync to an external source.
The drum pads on the Beatstep Pro are velocity-sensitive and have a nice feel to them. They’re also pressure-sensitive, which allows you to control the volume of each pad independently. There are 16 pads in total, divided into two banks of eight. You can access the second bank by pressing the shift button. The pads can be used to trigger drums, samples, or anything else that can be controlled via MIDI.
The CV/gate outputs on the Beatstep Pro allow you to control analog synthesizers or other hardware devices that use CV/gate signals. Each output has its own dedicated knob that can be used to adjust the voltage level. There are also two assignable CV/gate buttons that can be used to send gate signals on or off. The CV/gate outputs are located on the back of the unit, along with the power input and MIDI I/O ports.
Overall, the Arturia Beatstep Pro is a great MIDI controller that is perfect for both studio and live use. It’s well-built, has a great selection of features, and is very easy to use. The only downside is that it’s a bit pricey, but it’s definitely worth the money if you need a good all-in-one MIDI controller.
Novation Launchpad Pro
Novation’s Launchpad Pro is the best and most capable grid-based MIDI controller on the market, hands down. It’s an essential piece of gear for any producer, live performer, or DJ who wants to take their music production and live performance to the next level. The Launchpad Pro is a professional grade MIDI controller that is designed to be used with Ableton Live. It has 64 RGB LED pads that can be used to launch clips, play drums, and trigger effects. It also has 8 assignable faders and buttons, as well as a built-in arpeggiator. The Launchpad Pro is extremely well-built and feels very solid. The pads are extremely responsive and have great velocity sensitivity. The faders and buttons are also high quality and feel great to the touch. The unit is very easy to use and the included software is very intuitive. Overall, the Novation Launchpad Pro is an excellent MIDI controller that is perfect for any producer, live performer, or DJ who wants to take their music production and live performance to the next level.
Ableton Push 2
Ableton Push 2 is the newest and most advanced version of Ableton’s extremely popular Push controller. It builds on the success of the original Push by adding a multitude of new features and improvements, making it the ultimate tool for performing and composing with Live.
The first thing you’ll notice about Push 2 is its sleek, redesigned hardware. The new black-and-white color scheme not only looks great, but makes the unit much easier to read in low-light situations. The screen has also been upgraded to a full-color OLED display, which provides even more information at a glance than the previous monochrome screen. One of the most significant hardware upgrades is the addition of pressure-sensitive pads, which offer a much more expressive way to play and program beats.
In addition to its upgraded hardware, Push 2 also features a number of software improvements. The biggest of these is probably Live 10 compatibility, which brings a number of new features and workflow enhancements to the table. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of Max for Live, which opens up a world of possibilities for creative sound design and live performance.
Overall, Ableton Push 2 is an incredible update to an already amazing product. If you’re looking for the best way to perform and compose with Live, Push 2 is definitely worth checking out.
Roland Aira TR8
The Roland Aira TR8 is a drum machine that was released in 2014. It is part of the Aira series of instruments from Roland. The TR8 is a modern update to the classic Roland TR-808 drum machine. It features new sounds and updated hardware. The TR8 has been well-received by critics and users alike.
The Roland Aira TR8 is a great drum machine for those who are looking for an update to the classic 808. The machine sounds great and is easy to use. The only downside is that it is a bit expensive. Overall, the Roland Aira TR8 is a great choice for those who want a modern update to the classic 808.
Korg nanoKONTROL2
The Korg nanoKONTROL2 is a great little MIDI controller. It’s very simple to use and it’s very portable. I use it with my laptop and it works great. The only thing I don’t like about it is the lack of a pitch bend wheel. Other than that, it’s a great little controller.
The Korg nanoKONTROL2 is a great little MIDI controller for the price. It’s very simple to use and it’s very portable. I use it with my laptop and it works great. The only thing I don’t like about it is the lack of a pitch bend wheel. Other than that, it’s a great little controller for the money.