The Pioneer DDJ-WeGO is available in five colours – Black, white, red, green and violet.
With its compact size, choice of five colours and “affordable” price point, Pioneer’s latest DJ controller – the DDJ-WeGO, launched today – represents the company’s attempt to grab some of the lucrative entry-level DJ controller market. (Update: here’s our full Pioneer DDJ-WeGo review & demo video).
Borrowing its styling partly from Pioneer’s own DDJ-ERGO model, partly from funky “any colour but grey” fashion netbooks, and partly from retro-chic landline telephones (check out those buttons around the jogwheels!), the controller is aimed squarely at consumers and and beginner DJs. Read on for info, photo gallery, press release and video.
The Pioneer DDJ-WeGO comes with Virtual DJ LE, and inherits features from higher up the DJ controller chain, with hot cue buttons right at the front of the unit, jogwheel-controllable effects, and hardware control of Virtual DJ’s effects among its relatively small number of controls.
It represents the company’s attempt to grab some of the lucrative entry-level DJ controller market.
It has a microphone input (but no auxiliary), is USB powered, has a built-in sound card, and shows Pioneer’s penchant for flashing lights, with a whole ring of them built into its jogwheels.
There’s a 5-bar VU meter up the middle of its two channel faders, and the unit can control four decks in Virtual DJ via two deck layer buttons. Sockets are provided for both 1/8″ and 1/4″ headphones.
The DDJ-WeGO will be available from October 2012 at an SRP of £249 / €299.
• See a full DDJ-WeGO photo gallery over on our Facebook Page
• See the official DDJ-WeGO launch video
• Read the Pioneer DDJ-WeGO Press Release on the Digital DJ Tips Newswire
Do you think this is serious competition for controllers from Hercules, Numark, Reloop and others down at the entry level point of the market? Do you like the unusual button layout around the jogwheels? What do you think of the colour choice? Please share your thoughts below.
Now go to:
Review & Video: Pioneer DDJ-ERGO-V DJ Controller
Review & Video: Hercules DJ Control Instinct With DJUCED Software
Review & Video: Reloop Beatmix Virtual DJ Controller
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How much is it gonna cost? Phil, you say it’s gonna be ” affordable” but how much more or less? Anyways this was a segment of the market that was growing, but it was mostly dominated by Hercules, now, we will see what will happen!
[ link ]Price is at the end of the article. Not got confirmation of dollar price yet.
[ link ]My God! That is ugly! But in a very charming way!
[ link ]I noticed that there are C and D deck buttons which leads me to my question: is the unit 2 or 4 decks? At this price point it would be common sense that it would be a 2 deck unit.
[ link ]It is capable of controlling four decks, I am not sure whether the version of Virtual DJ provided allows you to do that though.
[ link ]The most basic free version of virtual DJ allows you to control up to six decks
[ link ]Except I’ve seen more limited LE versions that restrict this.
[ link ]It’s war!!! I guess we’re going to see Sony, Samsung, and greedy evil Apple coming out with them next.
[ link ]this is funny, lol, or truth
[ link ]There are great features for a beginners setup. But the price isn’t attractive… I’ve bought the traktor s2 new on ebay for 300€. And before the vestax spin wich is good and new at 200 euro.
[ link ]wow. this looks terrible and the pricing is equally ridiculous. add $50 and you get a serious controller like the twitch. pioneer has been releasing mediocre controllers so far
[ link ]happy i went with the beatmix as my small mobile controller look how silly this looks the hot cues are all around the jogwheels i imagine someone pressing them while trying to scratch or pitchbend,ugly and not pro looking still vms4.1 is a better choice for 4 deck support(and standalone mixer) and the beatmix-mixtrack pro cannot be beaten as they are cheaper and they look more professional
[ link ]A while ago, there was this action from Traktor where the Traktor S2 costed way less. In my DJ group, we payed 300 euro for the Traktor S2, which equals the price of this entrylevel controller. Ridiculous!
[ link ]And some people ask me why all my gear is Denon. Easy answer i think. Denon users love Denon gear, Pioneer users will find out why when they try it!!!
[ link ]doesnt look sooo pro..but instead, an expensive toy for young kids..pretending djing.. or not..?
[ link ]better ergo..?
there were alot of complaints with the ERGO looks, well Pioneer has an answer for that, let’s do something that looks more terrible. Whoever is in charge with Pioneer’s controller design is at lost and should be fired.
All he has to do is design a controller from previous ones that works like the Kontrol S4, VCI-400, Twitch, etc. But, no he has to create something that’s so expensive and ugly.
[ link ]Eeeeerrrr, no I actually like the pioneer design, and the ergo and this one. I already own a mixtrack pro (which i find serious lookin and boring but I like the big size for the price) so if i would upgrade i would buy something better and more expensive but no need for a few years yet. looks a bit small though. dont you think that controllers apart from a few exceptions should be a little bit bigger?
It’s down to everyone’s taste. some people given loads of money would buy an expensive mercedes sedan, i would get a skyline gtr.
[ link ]I think they are bold to do something that looks different, and I imagine if they felt it had been a mistake the the ERGO, they wouldn’t have repeated it with the WeGO.
[ link ]Yeah I like this one, but I didn’t like the Ergo.
[ link ]Nice write up Phil thank you! Strikes me tho that Pioneer are really hammering the novice market having just pummelled the pro market (CDJ850 / 900 / 2000) but are not offering anything to the intermediate customer-base.
Personally I’d like to see a mid-range HID compatible controller that also has CD capability!
I know the haters are gonna pipe up that nobody uses CDs – but haters are gonna hate no matter what and I use CDs as do a whole bunch of djs I know!
I’d like to see pioneer do a product similar to the Numark Mixdeck Quad – if pioneer did something like that I’d be all over it like a fat kid on cake!!
As a side note it’d be good to see a comparison chart of all the functions of the latest pioneer controllers side-by-side in a chart!
Thanks again tho Phil, enjoyed your writeup!!
Phil
[ link ]I’m gonna sound old here, but really this looks excellent, I think the cues round the jog look fine, the whole thing looks good. Not everything has to look like its been lifted from a space shuttle.
It nice that companies like Pioneer try out stuff.
But when I think I got my first pair of decks…some basic Soundlab belt drives and a bottom of the ladder Kam mixer, this is amazing.
Remember people starting, just started out, you get so much Tech for your money now days it is silly.
You could use this in a small bar easy, back in the day when you were putting on a asmall bar gig you had to walk through the door with 2 1210s and a mixer, you can put this in a backpack.
I like it.
[ link ]I like it too!!
[ link ]IDK I always say simpler is better and I am glad manufacturers are realizing these things should fit in a backpack. I still am not a Pioneer fan of their button layouts or lack there of.
[ link ]I am in the market for a new controller. I really like the new Denon MC2000 that is going to be the same price and comes in March also. Denon knows where to place that pitch bend button imo.
I am pretty excited about this. I can’t wait to use it to control effects, looping, cue point and the sampler, along with my time coded vinyls.
I also like its size, right now when I go on vacation or to friends houses I still bring my Hercules Dj console mk2. This is quite an upgrade.
I don’t under stand why people are upset with pioneer for this product? The cdj 2000 and djm mixers are in every club. I see people saying they should focus on higher end gear, well what more do people want from cd players?
I also like the design. Since when are lights and LEDs a bad thing?
[ link ]Interesting unit for beginners and home dj… Will it be a serious competitor for the new Denon MC2000? I’d be interested in seeing a comparison. Nice work Phil.
[ link ]Im a beginner dj and a comparison between the mc2000 and the ddj wego would be relay helpful. I just cant decide between these two dj controllers. Hope i can get some help.
[ link ]We’ve not reviewed the WeGO yet, but plan to do so soon.
[ link ]@ Chris Duran I agree totally what you wrote. I mean people it’s about innovation and size comes with that. Do you remember cell phones and how big they were? I think pioneer is putting something out for everyone ,not just targeting pro’s,new dj’s need to start somewhere and I wouldn’t give them my tech’s to start with. Looks,functions etc it really comes down to the dj and what music choices he/she makes.
I like it.
[ link ]@ Phil another great article covering all bases.
[ link ]Hey, when will the full review come out for this?Cheers!
[ link ]We’ve requested one for review, will keep you informed.
[ link ]I actually bought the WEGO a few days ago… I was looking for a simple and affordable 4-channel controller to use for my smaller sets, video mixes and karaoke events. I think it’s a good buy especially for what it’s designed for.
No it’s not as sturdy or heavy-duty as a Denon unit… BUT the ability to control 4 decks and have full access to effects & samples… make it worth it all by itself! When I’m doing karaoke.. it’s common for me to have two karaoke tracks in A & B while keeping two songs or videos in c & D to mix between singers. It works great on my MacBook AND my Dell Inspiron and fits neatly in my bookbag with either one.
I’ve been DJing for over 20 years and will probably always have my 1200′s and TTM57 (along with my traktor/audio 8 combo), and I was about to pick up the Denon MC6000 when I heard about the upcoming SSX and saw the WEGO being played in the store by me. I’m waiting to see what the SSX and the new Serato DJ software is going to look like before I snatch up the 6000 BUT in the meantime I opted to try the WEGO for my regular Karaoke & Video Mix nights… the price was great and I think it’s a great look for a small set controller. I actually like it a little better than the Mix Track Pro… which I loved for my karaoke sets before I picked this one up.
I guess it’s to each his own… I’ve always loved DENON and would’ve probably snatched up the MC2000 if it had the ability for 4 decks… but that was a necessary selling point for me and so… Here WeGO!!!
Can’t wait to see your review on this one Phil
[ link ]We’ve requested one from Pioneer so as soon as it arrives…
[ link ]Hi Phil, I’ve watched a lot of your reviews and I’m starting off soon into the DJ world with controllers, all types of music but mostly hip hop and pop at house parties and such.
[ link ]What do you recommend as my first? This, the Numark mixtrack pro, Reloop mixage ie, Stanton djc.4, Reloop beatmix or Denon djmc200?
Thanks.
To be honest, you can’t go wrong with any of them. Decide what software you prefer the look of first, and choose a controller according to that and your budget. The Mixage IE and DJ MC2000 are better built than the rest.
[ link ]I was hired to run a gig right after the New Year’s eve for an art exhibit in SOHO (NYC) and since i sold Numark V7 a while ago (swapping between 2 decks with a switch on V7 turned to be not so practical due to some freezes etc, plus overall instability… ). I refused to travel with vinyls and turntables, so I thought to get something new and small. First I though to look at Vestax VCI 400.. the machine is fine, looked great, nevertheless, the placement of some buttons, as many reviewers claimed, turned out to be risky and still – the size was a bit bigger then i was hoping..& the price of $800 … eeeh. Not convinced.. and then the guy pulled this little DDJ WeGo… It was of a black color and for used unit he asked $200!.
[ link ]I thought – hmm , not bad investement.. it controlls 4 decks, has built in interface, and those platters are made of aluminium that gived it very addictive, literally cool feel.. The price, size, and overall feel, color leds etc+ pioneer’s reputation convinced me. I don’t have a car and I wanted something portable, with possibility of scratching etc.. So i got it & hooked it up .. and in a few hours i’ve learned the machine . I need to say – it is NOT BAD AT ALL!!! I pulled a gig with praises and got nicely payed. I was mixing house with classical music at fancy art exhibit and the whole system froze just once at a beginning (thanks god no-one was there yet!) i think it was either Virtual DJ’s or computer’s fault. I think my laptop overheated. The rest of the night went well, and i had a blast – even with limited possibilities of WeGo – it doesn’t have automatic backward spinning as on other machines, only 4 hot cues… and – the pitch sliders i couldn’t get working accurately, but it could be problem of Virtual DJ .. I still need to test it with Traktor. But, i can say this: YOU CAN PULL A PROFESSIONAL, PAYED GIG WITH THIS and no-one will complaint if you know how to mix!
It is certainly not a toy only for the beginners just because of its compact size. It does all that it should + it offers playing with 4 decks at once! Plus, the scratching is great! I give all the stars for this, and i will keep it until someone will release something similar of this size with more functions. Cheers.
I like it, compact, portable plenty of functions big + 4 decks!
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