{"id":2292,"date":"2019-07-25T18:34:33","date_gmt":"2019-07-25T18:34:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/audioordeal.co.uk\/?p=2292"},"modified":"2019-09-03T21:48:06","modified_gmt":"2019-09-03T21:48:06","slug":"best-dj-controllers-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/audioordeal.co.uk\/best-dj-controllers-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"Best DJ Controllers 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
If you are looking for the best DJ controllers in 2019, we have you covered. This guide will go over the climate of the DJ controller industry before going over our top picks and alternatives to suit you.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t It would seem that while this debate raged furiously in previous years, things are starting to mellow out a lot more now. There have been some key developments in the industry recently that have thrown a spanner in the works. One of the biggest being the huge rise in Denon DJ which has dealt a blow to Pioneer’s dominance as the main CDJ brand.<\/p> There is now a solid third category, which has been around for some time, but 2019 will definitely be the “year of the standalone”. Expect this third type to hybridise controllers and CDJs and eventually become the norm.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t Controllers are getting more advanced. Expect even the cheapest controllers to typically offer features that were premium 5-10 years ago. All controllers worth buying have built-in sound cards now, something which never used to be the case until the past few years.\u00a0<\/p> While there is a broad range of software, most work with Serato and Traktor, with Rekordbox still growing as a market contender. Controllers are still cheaper than CDJs and allow much more advanced mixing potential – generally with better effects and performance pads\/controls.\u00a0<\/p> Most beginners will choose controllers simply due to price. A basic controller will do almost everything a CDJ can do at a fraction of the price. Whereas a controller in the $1000 and higher range will far exceed a most club CDJ setups in performance capability.<\/p> You won’t see as much hate for using controllers anymore, especially as many of them are hardcore pro gear, but you may find that trying to set everything up in a club could cause annoyance.\u00a0<\/p> This means that controller DJs should still be ready to perform on CDJs more than their home setup.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t It is worth noting that a lot of “CDJs” don’t use disc drives anymore, instead loading their music from USBs and SD cards, or over Ethernet. This is why they are often now called media players. I shall continue to refer to them as CDJs as despite this technicality they are of the same family.<\/p> CDJs used to be black and white. You go to the club and there was a Pioneer setup. Most clubs wouldn’t have the very latest models, but they weren’t too far behind the industry either.\u00a0<\/p> You used to prepare your tracks in Rekordbox and just rock up to the club. Now this is slightly different. While most clubs will hold onto Pioneer, some are moving to Denon’s Prime series which offers more advanced features at a much lower price. This market is the most exciting at the moment.<\/p> CDJs are still seen as the “pro” setup. This is partly because a venue can have them and DJs only need USB sticks, they require much less setup than a controller and you can switch DJs quickly.\u00a0<\/p> The latest Prime series from Denon is the first time “controller” features have been seen on a CDJ.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t Standalone units have long been a thing, with controller-style decks fitted with CD\/USB drives and a mixer built into the middle.<\/p> It would seem a bit late for me to say 2019 may be “the year of the standalone” gear but the big change now is that screens and built-in computers are advanced enough to really offer something special.<\/p> Previously, a laptop with Serato or Traktor could always offer more advanced features, but now the brains in the latest standalone controllers are built to match the power of an external computer.\u00a0<\/p>Controllers vs CDJs in 2019
<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\tWhat is the difference between Controllers and CDJs?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Controllers<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
CDJs\/Players<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Standalone<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t