Some controllers included here also work as a standalone mixer, without the need to connect to a computer, which could be another consideration. It’s also worth considering whether you’ll need any audio inputs built in - i.e, the capability to connect turntables, CDJs or an instrument to your setup - and if you might want to expand with timecoded vinyl or CDs in the future. These are the best studio headphones for music-making.
TRAKTOR DJ SKIN SOFTWARE
In fact, the majority of DJ controllers will be designed with one or two specific bits of software in mind, and many come with a certain application included in the price – so your choice of controller is likely to be very much influenced by your DJ app preference, or vice versa.
TRAKTOR DJ SKIN FULL
If you favour Serato DJ, it’s important to note that the software is only compatible with certain controllers, built in collaboration with Serato – a full list of which can be found over at their site. The first, and possibly biggest consideration is your choice of software. There are several things to consider when shopping for a DJ controller.
Pioneer DJ’s DDJ-SX line debuted back in 2012, and has arguably retained the crown of being the highest-quality, and most powerful Serato DJ controller available for under a grand. In fact, the 1000 is the closest thing we’ve found to condensing a club CDJ setup down into controller form. While Pioneer DJ’s rekordbox DJ mixing application remains, arguably, slightly in the shadow of the ‘bigger guns’ Serato and Traktor, used with Pioneer’s new flagship DJ controller, the DDJ-1000 it’s the perfect pairing.
Whatever your skill, we’ve got options to meet your needs and budget. In this roundup we're only concerned with those controllers aimed at digital DJs with laptops or mobile devices, so there’ll be no CDJs and other timecode systems. Whether you’re after something to replicate the feel of traditional turntables, mixers and CDJs, or a modern pad device designed for sample triggering and effects manipulation, the best DJ controllers in this guide offer skin-tight integration with your preferred mixing software of your choice, so you can properly get hands-on and expressive with your library or tracks.