Choosing a beginner DJ controller for yourself or someone else can be a bit of a minefield, not so much the price but which functions and features are a great fit and the technical setup too.
In this article I’ve broken down the top 5 DJ controllers that are going to help you beginner budding DJs make the best decision.
Hercules DJControl Starlight
Features:
- Flashing lights underneath controller
- Pocket sized, great for travelling around with
- DJ Software compatible with Serato DJ Lite (free) or Algoriddim DJAY
Build
The Hercules DJControl Starlight is build out of plastic which is expected for such as small sized DJ Controller.
Underneath the Hercules DJControl Starlight there are flashing lights that sync up with the DJ Software that’s connected. For example the lights change colour according to audio wave colour on the DJ software or in line with cue points.
TIP: set the settings to ‘Beat Fade‘, on the first beat of every bar is RED, and then BLUE on 2nd, 3rd and 4th beats. This helps beginning DJs learn how to count beats, bars and phrases. Therefore allow you to learn how to phrase match, ultimately becoming a better DJ.
DJ controller comes with a built-in sound card making it easy to simply connect a 1/8″inch jack to speakers.
DJ Software
Both Serato DJ Lite and Algoriddim DJAY are compatible with this particular DJ Controller which makes life easier for you guys who might migrate and upgrade to a more advanced DJ controller in the future. There are plenty of other Serato compatible DJ controllers out there with more advanced DJ controller features, check some out here.
Serato DJ Lite is free to use and is great for DJs looking to connect and stream music from a subscription service such as SoundCloud or TIDAL. It’s a super easy way to start DJing with music, as opposed to uploading DJ music from your laptop to the DJ software.
Speaker Connectivity
The Master output from the Hercules DJControl Starlight is a headphone size connection, 3.5mm jack (1/8″inch Jack – AKA mini-jack).
My advice would be to make sure you understand the connection type for your speakers so that you can get the correct cable. My speakers are 1/4″inch Jacks x 2 (white & red – which means left and right). For this DJ controller I would need a 1/8″inch jack (mini-jack to 2 x 1/4″inch Jacks).
Need cables? check out my recommended DJ Cables and accessories here.
Having said all this, you can connect your laptop to the speakers for better quality, as the audio quality is not the best coming straight out of the mini-jack master output of the DJ controller itself.
DDJ-200 Pioneer
Features:
- Connects to smartphone
- Compatible with WE DJ and Rekordbox DJ software
- Small & lightweight design with great functions for learning DJing
- Connects via bluetooth or USB cable
Build
The build and function of this DJ controller is very basic and stripped back. There’s no output connections available to connect to speakers, no headphone jack, no integrated sound card or microphone input.
And at around $140 it makes sense why it’s priced this way.
The DJ controller is essentially a remote control to send a signal to the DJ Software on either a Smartphone, Tablet or Laptop to do the audio processing there.
The functions, faders and buttons are all still great for learning how to DJ though. All of the basics are there to DJ with.
DJ Software & Connectivity
There are two options with connecting the Pioneer DDJ-200.
- Bluetooth connects the DJ controller to the device that you’re using for the DJ software.
- USB Cable powers the DJ controller to work.
Rekordbox (Laptop)
To use Rekordbox, you’ll need to use a laptop with the software loaded onto it.
A great feature of Rekordbox is that once you’ve unlocked ‘Performance‘ mode, you’ll have all the access available as if you were using any other type DJ controller e.g. DDJ-400.
I personally feel that this is great for those beginner DJs looking to upgrade in the future, there wouldn’t be much of a learning curve to move to a Rekordbox compatible DJ software.
Music streaming subscription services are available in Rekordbox which is a great feature if you want unlimited access to music. SoundCloud GO+, Beatsource and Beatport LINK.
WEDJ (Smartphone / Tablet)
Download and install WEDJ onto your device, and then you’ll be ready to use music already on your device to start DJing.
Alternatively make use of music streaming subscription services such as SoundCloud GO+, Beatsource and Beatport LINK.
NOTE: The DDJ-200 is also compatible with other software such as Algoriddim DJAY & MWM edjaying. Which is great because there are varying music streaming services available, different to Rekordbox and WEDJ. These include, DEEZER and TIDAL.
Speaker & Headphone Connection
To connect headphones and speakers, you’ll need a mono-split cable (which should come with the DDJ-200 – depending on where you buy it from).
The mini-jack connects to the output of the device you’re using to run the DJ software.
One connection splits off to the headphones and the other to the speakers.
TIP: If you’re using an Apple iPhone, you’ll need to purchase a Lightening to 3.5mm Jack adaptor.
DDJ-400 Pioneer
Features:
- Rekordbox compatible
- Built-in sound card
- Layout similar to club standard DJ equipment
Build
As mentioned the Pioneer DDJ-400 has a fantastic layout with all the functions and buttons etc that you’d expect to see on club standard DJ controllers, and equipment.
The performance pads, pitch shifter, music knob for selecting music, FX controls are all fantastic for a beginner DJ to learn. All the skills you can learn on this DJ controller are nearly 100% transferable to other DJ equipment and controllers.
Secondary functions are available under each performance pad, giving access to even more FX and performance features e.g. beat repeat, beat jump, hot cues etc.
DJ Software
Rekordbox is the main DJ software I’d recommend using with this DJ controller. As mentioned about Rekordbox before on the DDJ-200, you’ll find an epic amount of features available to DJ to high level using Rekordbox in conjunction with the DDJ-400.
Connectivity
Outputs are Phono, which allows you to connect RCA cables to any speakers that you wish. All you need is to make sure the cables have one side RCA and the other side compatible with your speakers, e.g. XLR or 1.4″ inch.
There’s also a mini-jack headphone connection to allow you to plug your headphones, cue up the music and start DJing. This actually allows you to DJ without having speakers connected, as you can simply switch the headphone setting to MIXING or MASTER.
The USB cable connects to the laptop to power up the DJ controller.
Roland DJ-202
Features:
- Large jog wheels
- Serato DJ software Compatible
- TR drum sequencer available
Build
The build offers a great deal of functions compared to the other beginner type DJ controllers.
For starters the amount of buttons and functions that are on offer. It’s most certainly maintaining it’s music producer heritage by offering the classic TR drum machine functionality. This takes a bit of getting used to, but once you get going you’ll be jamming away with the drum machine.
And power is given to this DJ controller by connecting the USB cable to the laptop that you’re using to power DJ software, Serato DJ Lite.
DJ Software
Serato DJ Lite is the main DJ software that you can use for this particular DJ controller.
Speaker Connectivity
The outputs for connecting speakers are RCA phono. So remember to get a cable the has the right connection type to plug into speakers (or an amp) e.g. XLR or 1/4″ inch jack.
Check out other DJ controllers that I’ve reviewed HERE, on my recommended DJ Controllers guide.
Do YOU want to take your DJing to the next level?
Fill in your knowledge gaps or up your game with one of Beatmatch Guru’s online DJ Course.
Related Questions
How do I choose a DJ controller?
The value for money, functions available, DJ software compatibility and technical setup / connectivity to other devices such as smartphone or laptop. These are the top ways to select and decide upon purchasing a DJ controller.
