It's an imposing controller and it's certainly got the 'wow' factor, but does it have enough to compete at the upper end of the controller market?
Pioneer came late to the digital DJing party, at least as far as controller DJing goes. But earlier this year it launched the DDJ-S1 and the DDJ-T1. We’ve already reviewed the DDJ-S1 here, but we’ve yet to take a close look at the DDJ-T1.
One of the main differences between the two controllers is that the DDJ-S1 is for Serato ITCH software, and the DDJ-T1 is for Traktor. When Traktor Pro 2 came out, Pioneer followed up with a Traktor 2 version of the software for the DDJ-T1, and we wanted to review the unit with this software in place, as this is what new buyers will be using it with out of the box.
First impressions and setting up
The unit is big! Everything is jumbo compared to the majority of DJ controllers, so it feels well spaced out, with big jogwheels (similar to those on Pioneer’s lower-end CDJ players), long-throw pitch faders, a decent-sized mixer section, and big play/pause and cue buttons in the typical Pioneer styling.
There are also big (removable) plastic feet raising the unit up to a good few inches from the surface it’s placed on, further adding to its stature. It’s a similar size to the Numark NS6, but bulkier due to those feet (however, it’s also predominantly plastic albeit with a metal chassis, so it’s lighter than the Numark unit).
It is mid metallic grey in colour with darker jogwheels, and a mix of mid-grey and black knobs and faders. Overall the impression is of a solid, imposing and built-for-business DJ controller, which while not exactly made with the most expensive components, is built to last and do a job.
It's a big controller, that allows the DJ to 'spread out' and not be always forced to 'push buttons' in a cramped, fiddly way like more portable controllers do.
Because of its size, you tend to adopt the pose of a “traditional” DJ much more when using it compared to tiny controllers, because you can stand in the middle of the unit and both hands then move out to the sides to control the jogs, unlike web using some smaller controllers, when from afar you appear to be DJing with fingers twiddling around in front of you!
A quick glance at the front reveals the mic and headphones inputs, and round the back are ins and outs, and the usual USB and power sockets (the unit comes with a power supply but can also work from USB power at a push, albeit with reduced LED lighting and no pretty jogwheel effects).
So to setting up. Install software (all units from late August 2011, ie a couple of weeks ago at the time of writing, come with Traktor 2 Pioneer Edition, but you can get a free upgrade if you buy earlier stock), install drivers (if on Windows), plug in, run setup wizard, set audio settings, and in theory you’re off.
The unit comes with a power supply but can also work from USB power at a push…
In my experience (as happened this time, and often with Traktor) it’s never that simple, but a reboot, a bit of unplugging and plugging in again and some head scratching seems to to lead to the onscreen controls finally responding to the unit.
So prior to getting stuck in, let’s observe that the jogs have lovely red LEDs to indicate movement around their circumferences; all the square and rectangular buttons have various yellow, green or red backlighting to indicate state; and that a big omission in my view is apparent: that of VU meters. Of course, there are VUs on the screen, but I want to mix looking at my mixer, not at the computer screen.
Software
Let’s look at the software to start with. You get Traktor 2 Pioneer edition, which is basically the LE edition of Traktor with some of its more obvious limitations removed.
The hardware has good effects controls, but you're limited in what you can do with them by the supplied software.
For instance, you can record with this version (I don’t think you can with LE on any other controller) and you can use four decks. Apart from that, it comes with all the main improvements of Traktor 2 – better waveforms, waveform zoom and improved sync being the standout ones. Overall, the software does what most users will require it to do out of the box, but controllerists would not live with the lack of “proper” effects (Traktor’s advanced mode is not available so you’re tied to six effects in total in chained mode).
Sample decks, what sample decks?
Of course, one of the big draws of Traktor Pro 2 is the sample decks. It is not possible to use Traktor Pro 2′s sample decks with the DDJ-T1 out of the box, as the supplied software doesn’t support them.
If you’re a Traktor Pro 2 user, there’s a mapping available officially from Pioneer…
However, if you’re a Traktor Pro 2 user, there’s a mapping available officially from Pioneer that allows you to use them; although it doesn’t map all functions, it does a decent job of mapping the main ones.
Such a post-release fix is always going to be shoehorned, not least because there’s no indication on the controls themselves as to their sample deck functions, but once you’ve learned them you’ll be able to at least use them. The Traktor Kontrol S4 has definitely got the edge here though as it’s currently the only Traktor controller out there actually designed to use the sample decks from the ground up.
Good enough, but…
This unit is to me aimed at DJs migrating from other Pioneer gear (say, a two CDJ-350 and DJM-400 set up), and the software does the job to put the familiar functionality into their hands, with a few bells and whistles too. So it’s good enough in this respect; Pioneer has ensured that as far as Traktor LE goes, they’ve got the best version out there.
However, pro users and serious controllerist hobbyists will definitely want to invest in Traktor Pro 2, if not only to use the sample deck mapping and full-strength effects.
Traktor compared to other software
Of course, Pioneer has a Serato ITCH controller (the DDJ-S1) and also is about to release an as-yet-unnamed Virtual DJ-compatible device, so you can now buy controllers from this company for all three main software brands. So if you’re a new user with no experience of the software, you may ask: Which is best?
Pioneer's as-yet-unnamed new controller uses Virtual DJ, so along with their DDJ-S1, they now offer controllers for all major DJ software.
Of course there’s no quick answer, but if you want serious controllerism with full-strength effects and insane (if difficult) mappability, Traktor wins; if you want elegance, ease of use and the tightest hardware integration there is, Serato ITCH is your man; and if you want a mixture of ease of use, controller transparency (it works with just about anything) and a kind of down-to-earth hackable charm, Virtual DJ may be for you. This is the only one of the three that works with video, by the way.
(I’m just mentioning all this stuff for people who may be migrating to controllers from CDJs or vinyl and want to know the main options.)
Hardware
Library functions
OK, let’s look at the unit itself. The first thing you’re going to want to do is put a track on, and it works well in this respect – you just use the big browse knob top middle to navigate Traktor’s library (pushing the button in to click it opens/closes library view) and hit one of the load buttons to bring the track onto a deck.
Cueing
Headphone cueing is exactly as you’d expect, with cue buttons for each of the four channels, and a cue/master headphone mix knob alongside a headphones volume control.
There are also, usefully, 1/8in and 1/4in headphone sockets on the front…
There are also, usefully, 1/8″ and 1/4″ headphone sockets on the front of the unit so you can plug whatever phones in you have – useful if you’ve lost the adaptor or left it in your drawer at home, as I’ve done more than once.
You can activate more than one cue, as it’s not an either/or cueing system – each cue is an independent toggle. On decent headphones, cueing volume is very loud indeed.
The mixer
The mixer is an area where the extra size of the unit shines. It has four full channels with everything well spaced out. Starting at the bottom, the crossfader (non-replaceable) is in a sea of empty space which scratch DJs will appreciate (although to lack of hardware crossfader curve adjustment isn’t). It is also perfectly loose for cutting.
The channel faders have channel fader start buttons, which basically when activated allow you to autostart that channel by just opening its fader. This is beloved of mobile DJs but could also allow you to trigger pseudo-sample decks on decks C and D when the jogs and cues are switched onto decks A and B, simply by throwing their faders open. Good for idents, vocal drops and so on. I like them – although the buttons are a bit stiff to activate.
Mixer section - it's all nicely spaced out and easy to use.
The decks are arranged in C-A-B-D order, which I like as it’s pretty intuitive – if you’re only DJing with two decks, then the two internal faders function as your main faders, and I’d wager that all but the most diehard four-deck demons still use A and B more than C and D.
Traktor has a (to me) rather complex system of master tempo to keep stuff in sync, and so each channel has master and sync buttons in order to let you choose it as the master or to pull it into sync with the other channels, and also there are FX activation buttons for each channel that allow you to choose either/both of the two available effects sections to be activated on that particular line. Effects are pre-fader, by the way, so no long echoes fading into the distance as you cut out of a track.
This is just a mapping thing, but it irks me as I don’t see why you wouldn’t set the mapping up this way.
The EQs don’t quite kill and as there are no separate kills, it’s not possible to completely remove the bass, say, from your mix as you could with 100% kill pots or separate kill buttons. This is just a mapping thing, but it irks me as I don’t see why you wouldn’t set the mapping up this way. However, having said that, they do cover a wide range of boost/kill.
The gains, master volume (and aforementioned headphone pots) are all smaller than the EQs, which is a nice bit of design, especially when you have section containing 20 such controls – keeps everything neat and functional.
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Tags: 4-channel dj controller, 4-deck dj controllers, dj controller, pioneer, Traktor, traktor controllers
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Awesome review again Phil…thank you ! I’ve played around with one of these and have to say it is ridiculously easy to use and the ergonomics are great, but opted to go down the Kontrol X1/Audio4 path purely from a practical point of view. I agree with your final paragraph, it will be very interesting to see what Pioneer does from here on in, given the release of 4 controllers in the last year (I’ve counted the DJM-T1 in that also). My guess is Rekordbox will be enhanced to eventually rival Traktor (albeit far too late) and another mixer along the lines of the DJM-T1 targeting TP2 users who have no interest in scratching or using time codes or CDJ’s.
[ link ]Could be… definitely interesting times for digital DJing (aren’t they always)?
[ link ]I recently borrowed one of these from my Dj friend and I love it! Im actually thinking about buying it from him myself. It also is a great way to get introduced to the Pioneer Dj equipment, being laid out almost the same as the CDJ 400′s and there mixers.
[ link ]Yes, that’s definitely one of its strengths.
[ link ]“The EQs don’t quite kill”
It always bugs me seeing this sort of thing in controller reviews. That’s a limitation of the software, not the hardware. Traktor EQ knobs never kill, irrelevant of the controller.
[ link ]So? The end user doesn’t care, they just want it to work how they wish, and if it doesn’t, it might not be for them.
Admittedly I said it was a mapping thing – I don’t know for sure as I’ve never tried to map the EQs to 100% kill in Traktor, but whatever it’s a limitation of, it doesn’t kill 100% and that’s irksome to me (as a DJ, not as a techie).
[ link ]I agree completely with Phil on this one.
Recently i ordered an S4 and was completely upset that the EQs dont kill.
I hated it so much that i got a DB4 now instead.
Its just nice to know what are eventually some drawbacks – therefore – thanks Phil
[ link ]Traktor knobs can kills use this mapping:
create EQ kill high:
Learn (high knob)
Select “button”
Select “hold”
Select “invert
create EQ kill
Learn (high knob)
Select “button”
Select “direct”
Value “0″
Do the same for the rest
[ link ]Thanks for a good review Phil!
My thoughts of the Pio “pice of plastic” is that
Pioneer has started very late to develop their controllers
and I do think that they are a bit behind.
That is why the quality and what you get just doesn’t
match the pricetag! (It never does with Pio IMO)
But Pioneer fanboys will always say otherwise IME.
It would be nice if you could do a review of my favorite controller (IMO the best) the Denon MC6000 in a near future.
DJ Hessler
[ link ]Here you go: Denon DN-MC6000 review
[ link ]Whilst you may not like Pioneer products or the brand (everyone is entitled to their own opinion) , I think the key point is that another big player has entered the digital market and that does two things. It firstly gives weight and adds legitimacy to the digital realm and secondly it creates competition which ultimately leads to more choice, more competitive pricing and more innovation…so we the consumer benefit.
[ link ]Phil!
Thank you for the link (didn’t do my research properly, sorry).
//DJ Hessler
[ link ]Eros:
It is a missunderstanding that I do not like Pioneer as brand or in common. I do not like the pricetag / value for money on Pioneer.
IMO Denon and Pio is the two top quality brands on the market, then comes Numark and after that the rest.
Otherwise I agree with your statement
//DJ Hessler
[ link ]I bought one of these when I consigned my Technics to the loft due to space reasons. I spent a long time researching what to get to replace my decks and prior to seeing this unit had pretty much decidided that I wanted CDJ’s to use with difital file formats from an external hard drive. When I saw this unit, it did everything the CDJ’s would do, plus more, and leave me with more than enough spare cash to get a nice new Macbook Pro as well.
From my perspective, as a vinyl DJ, the transition to digital via this unit has been flawless – when I’m using it it ‘feels’ the same as using vinyl. I don’t feel like I’m using a computer program and the unit disguises the fact that the laptops doing it all very well – it feels like everything is being done by the controller; it’s an illusion but it works and adds to the feeling that you are ‘proper’ DJing. I looked at other controllers but they were a leap to far for me – I’m in to playing music not button twiddling.
Mine is still running the older Pioneer version of Traktor and this is fine for me at the moment. I usually only use two decks and very rarely use the effects – I trust the song producer to add the right amount of delay and reverb, I’m sure they know more about it than me. It’s nice when you do get the vibe to run four decks though so I’m glad the facility is there.
I’m sure there are plenty of peope who will love this unit and not just ‘Pio Fanboys’ what ever that means :/
[ link ]Hi Phil! Terrific review as always. Could you please do a head-2-head comparison on this Pioneer vs the S4 as I’ve been waiting for your review to decide between one of these controllers. BTW, I’m currently using a Denon 5500 and X1 for DJ’ing.
Love your site & reviews
[ link ]hi,
[ link ]interested in getting one of these soon.
What do the knobs and faders feel like are they just cheap plastic or what?
I have a numark mixtrack at the moment and the knobs on that definitely feel very cheap.
Also what is the deal with plugging in an ipod straight into the unit? I have heard it is possible but i assume no effects etc?
Cheers
Faders are good, knobs/buttons hard plastic – not totally cheap, but not the best feeling either. You can plug iPod in but need laptop also plugged in for it to work. there’s only a volume control for the aux input, no FX, EQs etc.
[ link ]I bought this unit on UK release day as my jump from vinyl after 20 years. I upgraded to traktor pro when version 2 launched and did the sample deck remap. Aside from some issues with external hdd content lock ups it has been brilliant. I would recommend it to anyone looking for the next step in djing. PS don’t spill beer on the wheels, doesn’t improve it
[ link ]In what way is Serato Itch elegant? The UI looks like from the middle ages (design wise)…
[ link ]Thanks Phil for great review. I am a cd/vinyl DJ and I think I am ready for the move to full digital
I am a big fan of pioneer and I believe this is the right controller. Now, would you recommend me to buy Traktor Pro as obviously I would keep the DDJ at home and take my laptop to clubs. Have you tried to add an external cd player or any external for that matter into what seems to be the only rca input? The reason is I may be adding either a 3rd CD player or another device…
Thanks man!
[ link ]Any serious DJ will want to upgrade to Traktor Pro. If you want to play in a club with just your laptop and Traktor you need Traktor Scratch Pro and an external sound card to have a full digital vinyl set-up.
[ link ]Thanks for the thorough review. One lingering question for me that I don’t think you covered is how easy it might be re-map the DDJ-T1 controls to use with other software besides Traktor?
[ link ]Good question. Does anyone have an answer – is it possible to remap the ddj-t1 to use different software??
[ link ]Yes it’s only a Midi controller, so it’s perfectly possible.
[ link ]Hey Phil, im looking to buy a controller sometime soon here. and im torn between ns6, ddj-t1 or denon mc6000. what would you prefer? im just starting out. and looking to go digital. my friend had ndx800s and i play around with them once in a while but i really want to get my own unit. also is serato a little bit harder to use than vdj7 or traktor?
[ link ]Serato is easiest, the Virtual DJ, the Traktor. They’re all good controllers, although the DDJ-T1 is overpriced and more “plasticky” than the others.
[ link ]does the ns6 have booth output too or is it just the mc6000 that has it? ya i figured that ddj-t1s are a little overpriced. i guess my picks just got narrowed down to mc6000 and ns6. im leaning towards ns6 cause i would like to do a little bit of scratching also i guess it just comes down to which layout i like.
thanks a lot phil.
[ link ]Can’t remember TBH, check our review…http://www.digitaldjtips.com/2011/07/numark-ns6-review-dj-controller/
[ link ]Hi Phil,
I’m torn between the DDJ-S1, DDJ-T1 and Traktor Kontrol S4. could you please guide me as to which one will feel the best and perform best? I am not phased about whether it has 4 channels or not.
1. Which software program is more seamless and can Serato record? Or rather which one would you go for? I am using a Dell i5 but peers have been telling me that Traktor crashes on you while mixing on a Windows pc.
2. My only concern is, with regards to the controller,that I would want to record samples so if I wish to do live remixing it will work for me?
Regards,
[ link ]Ebi K
Why not consider the S2 or the Reloop Jockey 3 as they both can control two decks plus sample decks in Traktor. No Serato controller can currently control that software’s sample decks.
[ link ]I considered the S2 but im worried it will date fast.
If i invest in something like this, i would want it to last me a solid few years until i can afford to upgrade, which is why i thought pioneer because of their build quality.
I want to buy within the next week so i can master the controller, but all of them have a little of what i would like. Traktors controllers look best but not a fan of the EQs not being able to kill sound
[ link ]I own the ddj-t1 an have since last April and I love it. I use a x1 for controlling the sample decks and so on as I found the mapping a little restrained for the t1 for tp2. I have gigged out on it once and apart from contacting the club to send me a picture of there dj booth so i knew I could fit in the t1 there was no problems. It did feel a bit strange to be stood to one side of the cdj’s and not touching the mixer in the club. I was lucky enough to get tsd2 of a mate so now i have the perfect home and gigging out set up the ddj-t1 and x1 for home and tsd2 and the x1 for gigging out so
[ link ]Know more worrying if I will be able to fit the t1 into the club booth
hey, nice review!
Will the aux fail even if the DC cord is plugged in?
all the best,
Åke
[ link ]I have the same question too….if I have my Ipod is connected to the Aux section of the DDJ-T1 as a back up, will my ipod still work if my laptop crashes and the DC cord is plugged into the DDJ-T1?
[ link ]I seem to recall that yes, it will, but only if mains power is plugged in – we haven’t had a DDJ-T1 here for many months so I can’t check that for you.
[ link ]OK, thanks for the reply!
I’ll order one for my band today, I’ll keep in mind to tell you once we’ve recieved it!
[ link ]Hi there. I got one question about the jogwheel LED’s. Are those MIDI mappable or is this something that unit control by firmware?
I’m trying to map DDJ-S1 to Traktor so I need a hint on this.
[ link ]Pretty sure it’s firmware.
[ link ]Hi Phil,
Great detailed review.. but just a few thoughts if i may..
Would Aux through work if the unit was powered through the DC power pack even if laptop usb was pulled out? Could yo test this?
If not i assume that it is just for connecting an iPod rather than as a backup… In a club it does not matter too much connected to mixer just connect iPod into their analogue mixer instead maybe..
The mic does not have EQ or gain or just no EQ? Again the mic could just plug into the club mixer or for me luckily i have a Traktor Soundcard so can use that for booth and mic.. Can i use that at the same time as the Pioneer in Traktor? Will it recognise both just as two/four more channels in the software?
I am very tempted to upgrade to this from my Digital Jockey 2 Interface Edition which also does not have analogue mixer built in but wondered if you had any advanced hints of Pioneer addressing the little niggling issues you mention for the T1 version and maybe including an analogue mixer or do you think this would cannibalise their main business of selling DJM- Mixers and CDJs and so unlikely to see a CD hybrid like the Numark Quad too?
[ link ]I can’t test the aux thing (we no longer have a unit here) but I’ve seen it tested and it works. Without having a unit here to jog my memory I’m not sure about the mic, but it will surely have a gain (can’t recall ever seeing a mic that didn’t). Consider the Numark 4Trak if you want an external mixer – it has four channels (although as with all DJ controllers, it does have its own quirks), or the VCI-400 as well as the Pioneer.
[ link ]Thanks for such a quick reply mate!
That’s great news the Aux-Thru on DC works, a biggie for me!
Re Mic you make a good point about using onboard mic controls, i personally do not use a mic but if i decided to in the future would just buy a specialist mic as such rather than my SM58 and SM57 for instruments i use for recording atm, i actually meant does it have volume or EQ on the Pioneer unit or would i have to plug into mixer or another booth unit i.e. my Traktor sound card i mentioned.. Can Traktor run two sound cards at once i.e. double up and effectively split/route out the RCA to use for your monitor mix in the booth.. booth mixes are so you can hear for live mix phasing issues rather than hearing what’s in your headphone right, so could this work?
I have looked at Numarks, thanks for the advice, they look cool but they lack the pro audio sound which is noticeable and standard layout of a Pioneer as you mentioned..
Now you have clarified that the Aux through works and if the booth thing can be done as well as the mic i cannot see why this is not the perfect controller, since CD’s can be burned to WAV on the laptop as can any tracks on USB you may be handed during the night…
[ link ]Phil, please I want to ask a question and I would be sooo glad if you could answer me fully.
I have some questions and they are:
1. What effects are available with the ddj-t1 software as there are only 3, which ones are they? And is it possible to get all of the other effects(example, if I upgrade?) ?
2. What does it mean if there is a booth output and what does it mean if it’s not there. Can I still play in clubs, as I’ve seen on yt that many of them played.
3. How can I manage to use the sample decks?
Thanks in forward
[ link ]1 – TBH I can’t recall, sorry. 2. It’s not important for playing in clubs. 3. There is I believe an updated DDJ-T1 mapping that gives you some control over the sample decks.
Feel free to consult the community over on the Digital DJ Tips Forum (http://www.digitaldjtips.com/forum) if you’d like further help with this.
[ link ]Thanks for your answers Phil, appreciate it.
Just one more thing, as I remember I saw people saying it is possible to update to the full version of the Traktor Pro 2, and to use all of the effects that are within the software, is that possible?
[ link ]Hi Phil great review, it ticks all my boxes except for one thing, I want to plug it straight into a pa system, the mic has no eq, can one of the other channels say channel c be used as a mic channel and channel d be used as aux in for a back up cd player?
[ link ]Pretty sure not, but you could investigate routing the mic through Traktor. We don’t have one here any more to test this or check for you, sorry.
[ link ]I am and have been a 1210 (with Allen & Heath Xone:92) guy for a pretty long time now but due to where I live now (Bahrain) I had to make the switch to a controller as none of the clubs have 1210′s installed. I went with the T1 because i was pretty familiar with pioneer products (who isn’t) and, being a bit old school, it has more features than I will ever use. Whilst one of the negatives in the review was “plasticy” build don’t let this fool you, this thing is a tank. It has been carted around the island of Bahrain to gigs pretty much every weekend for the last year. This has been in a club environment where it has had drinks spilt on it and has been dropped a couple of times and it is still working perfectly. As for sound quality, it is only as good as the sound system you are running it through but if you are playing through a good rig you will be impressed, not quite as good as my Xone:92 but very good all the same.
[ link ]hi, the original edition of the tractor 2, only 6 effec arrive, when I check with service center does not update any, traktor ddj t1 and saw some videos on youtube from 2 to more than 6 employees so there’s effec-effec only 6 have originally Pioneer effeckleri came with traktor and just beatmasher 2, gater, flanger, filter, delay, reverb, and more than that, but there are some youtube videos, I’d appreciate if you help …
[ link ]Since there is no natural sample deck buttons, could you still hook up the Traktor f1 to this unit?
[ link ]The F1 replaces sample deck buttons, so absolutely yes!
[ link ]