DJ controller

DJ controllers are devices used to help DJs mix music with DJ software using knobs, encoders, jog
wheels, faders, backlit buttons, touch strips, and other components.[1]

The Hercules DJ Console, one of the

first DJ controllers ever made.

DJ Controller Pioneer DDJ-RX

(launched 2015) with the mixing
software Rekordbox (by Mixvibes),
which comes packaged with many
Pioneer products, running on a
computer

Overview

DJ controllers are microprocessor-based control surfaces used to provide easier and more precise
control of the software than the computer keyboard and touchpad on a laptop, or the touchscreen
on tablet computers and smartphones.[2] They do not mix audio signals like DJ mixers; rather, they
send signals to a computer to tell the DJ software running on the computer how to mix audio. Many
DJ controllers also have a built in sound card with 4 output channels (2 stereo pairs), which allows
the DJ to preview music in headphones before playing it on the main output. Most DJ controllers
use the standard MIDI or HID protocols to communicate with the computer via USB.[3]

Modern DJ controllers emulate two turntables/CDJs and a DJ mixer. However, DJ controllers are
much cheaper than two turntables or CDJs plus a mixer. Indeed, the average price of a DJ controller
is around $800.[4] Unlike turntables, controllers can take advantage of the flexibility of computer
software, for example, by allowing the DJ to store multiple cue points with music files. Also, DJ
software allows users to remap the components of controllers to perform different functions than
the controller manufacturer intended.[3]

Some DJ controllers break from the conventional two jog wheels and a mixer layout and are
designed to be easily mapped however the user wants. Some controllers are designed to be used
either for live PA performances with software such as Ableton Live or with DJ software. A few DJ
controllers, most notably the Novation Dicers, are designed to be used with timecode vinyl. Many of
the DJ controllers that can be used with timecode vinyl can also be used as MIDI devices, or even as
standalone devices.[5]

DJ controllers are usually designed to work with one or a few DJ software programs endorsed by
the manufacturer. Most controllers use the standard MIDI or HID protocols, so other software can
usually be made to work with them. However, it may take considerable effort to get a controller to
work with software it was not designed for, and some controls may not make sense with other
software.[6]

DJ controllers have gradually become as powerful as professional media players and mixers,
including effects, LCD screens, and touch-sensitive performance pads. Modern DJ controllers
usually include drum pads, fader tempo control, and may include motorized platters. With the
exception of the classic look, feel, and operation of a vinyl turntable and mixer setup, DJ controllers
are starting to be just as versatile and efficient for professional club DJs.[7]

History

Pioneer DJ-Controller DDJ-SX2, 2014[8]

Early examples of DJ controllers include the Hercules DJ Console released by Guillemot Corporation
in 2004, which features a 6 channel soundcard with SPDIF and MIDI ports, traditional mixer-style
faders, crossfader and EQs, jog wheels and CD DJ style button controls. In 2007 , Vestax produced a
controller specifically designed for DJing, the VCI-100, that emulated two turntables and a DJ mixer
setup and was built with quality components acceptable to DJs.[9] Many manufacturers saw the
success of the VCI-100 and started selling their own similar devices. Unlike the original VCI-100,
some of those devices had integrated sound cards.

In 2009, Pioneer DJ produced new models of their popular CDJ media players, the CDJ-2000 and
CDJ-900, that could also be used as controllers to control DJ software via HID.[10] This way, CDJs
can be used to control DJ software without playing a timecode signal into a sound card. Aside from
their CDJ players, in 2011 Pioneer DJ has released their first two DJ controllers - the DDJ-S1
(Serato) and the DDJ-T1 (Traktor). Throughout the next decade up until today, Pioneer DJ has
released over 40 different DJ controller models including fully standalone devices, making it one of
the leading brands in the DJ equipment market.[11]

In 2010, Native Instruments released the Traktor Kontrol S4, which used high resolution jog wheels
and a proprietary protocol rather than MIDI to achieve better performance of the jog wheels.[12] The
Mk2 of the Kontrol S4, released in 2013,[13] uses standard HID signals rather than a proprietary
protocol to communicate with the computer.[14]

Among other popular brands producing and distributing DJ controllers today are Numark DJ,
Hercules DJ, Pioneer DJ, AlphaTheta and Denon.

As of 2023, DJ controllers with motorized jogwheels have entered the market, better replicating the
feel of traditional turntables. Brand producing these controllers include Hercules and Rane.[15]
Standalone controllers have also proliferated, with some brands including batteries and built-in
speakers to maximize portability, as have controllers with intelligent features, which allow DJs to
employ neural technology to separate stems so as to facilitate the isolation of vocals or
instrumental elements.[16]

References

1. Russ, Martin (2012-08-21). Sound Synthesis and Sampling (https://books.google.com/books?id

=X9h5AgAAQBAJ&dq=DJ+controllers&pg=PA497) . CRC Press. p. 497. ISBN 9781136122149.

2. Chamberlin, Hal (1985-11-01). Musical Applications of Microprocessor (https://books.google.co

m/books?id=RcJPAAAAMAAJ&q=DJ+controllers+microprocessor) . Hayden Books.
ISBN 9780810457683.

3. Steventon, John (2014-12-03). DJing for dummies (3rd ed.). Chichester, West Sussex.
ISBN 9781118937280. OCLC 888464041 (https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/888464041) .

4. "How much does a DJ controller cost? – A complete infographic" (https://djroundabout.com/h

ow-much-does-a-dj-controller-cost/) . DJ Roundabout. 2021-01-10. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
 5. "A Beginner's Guide To Digital Vinyl Systems" (https://www.digitaldjtips.com/2017/06/a-beginn
ers-guide-to-digital-vinyl-systems/) . Digital DJ Tips. 2017-06-29. Retrieved 2019-04-09.

6. Rohit, Shreja (2018-10-02). "Popular DJ Controllers You Need to know about" (https://musicgea
rblog.com/the-top-10-dj-controllers-reviewed/) . MusicGearBlog. Retrieved 2018-10-12.

7. "How to use a DJ Controller: Basic Parts, Connections, and Features" (https://djplayit.com/how

-to-use-a-dj-controller-basic-parts-connections-and-features-to-know/) . DJ Play It. 2019-02-
13. Retrieved 2019-04-09.

8. Test bei Bonedo.de (https://www.bonedo.de/artikel/einzelansicht/pioneer-ddj-sx2-test.html)

9. Golden, Ean (10 January 2011). "The VCI-100 is Dead- Long live the VCI!" (http://djtechtools.co
m/2011/01/10/the-vci-100-is-dead-long-live-the-vci/) .

10. Golden, Ean (17 September 2009). "Introducing the Pioneer CDJ 2000" (http://djtechtools.com/
2009/09/17/pioneer-cdj-2000-ne/) .

11. "Pioneer DJ Controllers – 10 Years Evolution" (https://djgear2k.com/all-pioneer-dj-controllers-li

sted-10-years-evolution/) . 2022-01-02. Retrieved 2023-03-08.

12. Golden, Ean (16 August 2010). "Traktor Kontrol S4 DJ System" (http://djtechtools.com/2010/0
8/16/traktor-s4-dj-system/) .

13. Staff Reporter (Sep 6, 2018). "Native Instruments Announces Suite of Updates for Massive,
Traktor, Maschine, and More" (https://reverb.com/news/native-instruments-announces-suite-of
-updates-for-massive-traktor-maschine-and-more) . reverb.com. Retrieved 12 October 2018.

14. "I Cannot Find the Driver for my NI Device on the Website (OS X) - Knowledge Base - Support"
(http://www.native-instruments.com/en/support/knowledge-base/show/1925/i-cannot-find-th
e-driver-for-my-ni-device-on-the-website-os-x/) .

15. "The Future of Digital DJing: Mixing the Past with the Present's Technology" (https://magnetic
mag.com/2023/09/the-future-of-digital-djing/) . magneticmag.com. 2023-09-13. Retrieved
2024-09-30.

16. updated, Si TrussContributions from Harold Heath last (2022-02-09). "Best DJ controllers 2024:
Hands-on control for Serato, rekordbox, Traktor and more - our expert picks" (https://www.musi
cradar.com/news/the-best-dj-controllers-in-world-today#section-best-for-stem-separation) .
MusicRadar. Retrieved 2024-09-30.

External links