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Filter and FX
Let’s cover the filter first. It’s a proper hardware filter, like on the Vestax VCI-400. That means that you can use the filter on your external sources too, which is a great boon. Frankly, give me a mixer with just filters and no other FX and I’ll be fine, and I am sure many other DJs feel the same – it’s got to be one of the main reasons that filters are being broken out of the main FX areas so often nowadays.
This particular filter sounds great: You have one on each channel, and it’s exactly as you’d expect a one-knob filter to be: Left is low-pass, right is high-pass, and centre is through.
Four hardware filters are a juicy addition, as they can be used for software and external sources.
So onto the FX section. Much has been made of the new effects in Serato DJ, and we cover them further in our Serato DJ software review. Here I’m going to try and concentrate more on the hardware controls available to you.
So to select an effect, you press shift and any of the “on” buttons. This brings up a menu, the repeated pressing lets you cycle through the available effects. There’s delay, echo, reverb, phaser, flanger, low-pass filter, hi-pass filter, combined low/hi-pass filter, distortion, and ping-pong delay.
I don’t really see the need for all of those filter options on this controller with its hardware filters, but understand the software has to cater for mere mortal controllers too! However, I would like to have seen at least a gater effect here.
But what do they sound like? Well as you might expect, the quality is there (they are iZotope-sourced and they do sound good, a definite improvement over the old ITCH effects), and a bonus is that they’re post fader.
That means that for echo, delay and reverb, the effect continues even if you move the crossfader away from the channel, or turn its line fader down, or stop the track entirely.
This is the preferred behaviour to have, because if you want the effect to stop dead, you can always make this happen by turning it off. This way, you have the choice.
Each effect has a number of parameters adjustable. You variously get control over mix level (ie wet/dry), intensity, cutoff frequency, LFO depth, loop size and many more parameters depending upon the chosen effect, while the “beats” knob allows you to control the cycle of the effect as a factor of the currently determined BPM, including dotted / triplet notes – great for that classic dub echo sound!
For echo, delay and reverb, the effect continues even if you move the crossfader away from the channel, or turn its line fader down, or stop the track entirely.
Finally, in order to assign an effect to a channel, you press either the “1″ or “2″ FX button above the channel line controls. To preview effects in your headphones, you press the “master cue” button in the middle of the mixer.
The biggest surprise is that you can only control one effect per bank. You would expect that each of the effects sections would be able to give you the choice of chaining three effects, instead of comprehensive control over one effect, should you wish for this.
This looks like it’s coming, given away by the “single/multi” button (shift + tap) plus three separate effects select options per channel, but for now you’re limited to one effect per side (plus a filter of course).
As I say we’re not going into too much depth about the software in this review as it’ll be exhaustively covered in the forthcoming Serato DJ review, but suffice to say here’s some clear blue water between Traktor and Serato DJ v1.0; if one effect per deck plus per-channel filters sounds like plenty for you, you’re in business, but if you fancy yourself as an FX-layering demon controllerist, Serato DJ and the Pioneer DDJ-SX – at least in their current incarnation – maybe aren’t for you.
Looping
The standard looping section comprise five buttons at the bottom right of each deck. You have manual or auto loops. Autoloop loops a fraction or multiple of the currently detected beatgrid bars, meaning basically it delivers properly beatmatched loops at the push of a button. You have a number of loop slots that you can also have pre-defined loops prepared in.
In auto looping, one shortcoming is that while you can halve or double the length of the current loop, there’s no way to see what value is currently set without turning the loop on. In other words, pressing half / double will do what it says, but you can’t see it in the software; the 1/8 bar, 1/4 bar, 8 bars, 16 bars indicators etc. remain unlit.
The Pioneer DDJ-SX pads and looping area: note the parameter buttons at the bottom right, that alter ranges for certain pad functions.
It is possible to shift the currently active autoloop by its own length left or right (ie backwards or forwards in the music) by holding “shift” and pressing the “1/2″ and “2x” buttons respectively.
Manual looping is controlled by in and out buttons; you press “in” where you want the loop to being, and “out” where you want it to end. By then holding the in or out button and turning the jogwheel, you can fine adjust the start and end points of the loop, and the waveform freezes to facilitate this.
Performance pads
First appearing on the Novation Twitch, performance pads have been shamelessly copied by several controllers since, and the Pioneer DDJ-SX is thus just the latest in this line. Here’s a brief look at what they do in this particular controller:
- Hot cue. There are a generous eight hot cues per track – pre-determined places where you can trigger playback from. In certain display modes you can see them all on the screen, but in some you can only see four. (You get to choose whether to display eight hot cues or four hot cues and four loops.) Pressing shift then a hot cue deletes it; the blue light in the pad that lights to indicate it as set then turns off
- Loop roll. Press this and the performance pads become loop controllers. Using the parameter buttons you can choose whether the range is 1/32 of a beat up four beats, all the way up to 1/4 of a beat to 32 beats. You perform loops by pressing the buttons, and when you release them, the track carries on playing from where it would have been had you not done anything
- Slicer. The biggest lift from Novation’s Twitch. This takes a loop (anything from one bar to eight bars, which you set using the parameter buttons and shift), and divides it into eight equal parts that are then assigned to the performance pads. Press the slicer button once, and this is rolling – ie the track plays as usual with the “loop” moving along as you go. But press it twice and it “sticks” on the current loop. Now, you can remix that section by hitting the performance pads in an order of your choice. When you’re done, switch away from slicer and everything carries on as normal
- Sampler. Like the effects, the sampler controls are maybe over-simple. There are four banks of six sample slots, remembered between sessions. You drag samples from your library to each slot, and can choose one hit, complete play or loop for each one. Each slot has its own Sync button, keylock and mute. The disappointment here for me is that you have to revert to the mouse pointer to control all of this. This controller is huge – let’s have some hardware control! Once samples are assigned, the performance pads trigger them. There’s a nice touch here: If you hold the sampler button for over a second, you enter sampler velocity mode, where the volume of the sample is dependent on how hard you hit the pads
Slip mode
Borrowed from Pioneer’s own CDJs and Denon’s DJ CD players (where it used to be called “dump” mode), and also a recent addition to Traktor where it’s called “flux”, slip mode is similar to loop roll that we previously described, in that it takes note of where the track would have been had you continued simply playing it, ready to jump back when you disengage slip. But it takes it beyond looping.
When you disengage slip, everything carries on as if you had done nothing…
That means you can scratch, loop, even stop the tune with a long brake time (brake, or the speed a tune slows down at, is something you can set in Serato DJ’s options), and when you disengage slip, everything carries on as if you had done nothing. Therefore by using the autoloop and slip, you can do pretty much the same thing that “roll” allows you to do with the performance pads.
It’s activated and deactivated by pressing the “slip” buttons top right of each deck.
Dual deck mode
This is one of my favourite features, and it’s nicely implemented too. Basically it allows you to join both decks up on each side of the controller.
The Dual deck mode buttons: Note the two-colour central button. It’s undeniably cool…
As with all four-channel controllers that only have two jogwheels (ie every single one of them), there are layer buttons – we spoke about them when describing the tempo control’s takeover lights.
Basically, you choose which deck you want active control over by pressing 1 or 3 (left side) or 2 or 4 (right side). But the DDJ-SX adds a unique feature here: it lets you “link” the two decks by pressing the “dual deck” button that appears between the layer buttons. This lights up in a cute two-tone colour to represent the blue and white colour coding of the deck layers, and then when you start, stop, scratch loop and so on, it happens on both decks at once.
So for instance you could get an acappella running over a bassline instrumental, and scratch the whole thing, or beatmix the whole thing with another track on the opposite side of the crossfader, really easily.
It’s a great idea, and it’s well implemented. Top marks.
Standalone mixer
With two mics, two phono channels and two line channels, there’s plenty of scope for external sources with the Pioneer DDJ-SX.
You select each source with the three-way switches on the front panel. If you turn a channel to an external source, the word “THRU” appears on the software deck, and control is handed over to the internal mixer of the Pioneer DDJ-SX.
While you can’t use software FX, you can use the filter and all volume and EQ controls, so all is not lost!
In some systems, you get the choice to route through the software, so you can use the effects and so on on your external source, but not here: it is just what it says, a “thru”. While that may be disappointing, at least it means that if the laptop goes down your external sources don’t. I tried it; I just pulled the USB out, and no problems, my iPod in one of the external channels carried on unabated.
However, while you can’t use software FX, you can use the filter and all volume and EQ controls, so all is not lost! It’s all we ever had in the 80s (ooh, it was great in ’88 
).
As mentioned earlier, metering is organised so you get full per-channel “pre-fade listen” gain control and master metering. In short, the standalone mixer is well implemented and works well.
Sound quality
Funnily enough I couldn’t find any mention anywhere of the audio interface on the specs of this, but I’d assume it’s going to be on a par with Pioneer’s best installation pro DJ gear.
It certainly sounded great to me – we had it running through some new Reloop Wave 8 DJ/producer monitor speakers, and a pair of Ultrasone Signature DJ headphones, and the sound certainly appeared on a level with the DJM-850′s audio interface, that being the other piece of Pioneer gear we had lying around to compare it to.
Firmware adjustments
Finally, let’s look at the firmware. By holding shift plus play/pause while turning on, you enter the firmware set-up mode. Here you can do this stuff:
- Set the velocity curve for the sample pads. It can be straight, concave or convex, but also it can be in three steps – I like the idea of the latter for more “mechanical” pad drumming…
- Switch the unit into Midi mode. Want to use your Pioneer DDJ-SX with other DJ software? You can switch it away from Serato and to a universal Midi mode with one key stroke here
- Turn sync on/off for channel fader start. By default, a song will start when you open the fader with sync off, but if you want it to sync, you can set that behaviour here
- Attenuate the master output. Choose from 0dB (default), -3dB or -6dB
- Disable slip mode flashing controls. When the slip mode is engages, the controls you can use flash. If you don’t like that, you can turn it off
- Disable the demo mode. Leave the unit 10 minutes, and everything starts flashing like a Christmas tree, just as if someone’s spilled water into the thing. Don’t like it? Turn it off. Done
- Set aftertouch for the sampler. You can have an aftertouch behaviour where how hard you press a sample pad after it’s triggered a sample gives you continuous control over that sample’s volume. Here’s where you turn that off and on
- Set the LED pattern for the jogwheels. There are a few variations as to how the LEDs indicate motion in the centre of the jogs; here’s where you choose your favourite
Conclusion
Let’s get the bad out of the way first. Some of this is software related, to be fair.
They’ve missed a trick with the over-simplified effects, despite the fact that they sound great. While we’re here, it would have been nice to see some effect innovation – maybe fader effects, or throwing them to the pads?
The sampler needs far too much mouse pointer attention to be truly easy to use – I’d like to have seen much better hardware integration, especially on a controller of this size.
But truly, apart from these small points, there’s very little I can find fault with, excepting the damned thing’s size! It may have borrowed lots of features from Novation’s loveable little Twitch, but it certainly didn’t borrow any sense of portability from it.
The Serato DJ software: Whether you feel it’s for you will play a part in your decision over this controller, but note that the controller can also be remapped to other software.
As such, it is going to find favour with those who drive to their gigs, as a semi-permanent installation device in smaller bars, lounges etc, or – and I suspect that this is its prime market – as the ultimate home DJ controller.
As the heart of a hybrid digital / analogue set-up, it is an unsurpassed device. The standalone mixer is superb, and the quality of all controls is market leading. It has just about everything you might want on a DJ controller, and all of this makes it amazing fun to use.
As I mentioned at the start, Pioneer has borrowed the best bits of every other controller. In doing so, it has come up with probably the most complete DJ controller on the market.
The fact that Serato DJ also lets you Midi-map external devices, means that someone may well come up with a sample player control box, or you could certainly map your own.
To me it is pretty obvious that the next software move for Serato is to combine Serato Scratch Live and Serato DJ…
Unlike the Traktor Kontrol S4 and Traktor Scratch, you can’t use this with Serato Scratch Live vinyl, which is a shame. However I’m going to guess that down the line you will be able to do just that with Serato DJ controllers, because to me it is pretty obvious that the next software move for Serato is to combine Serato Scratch Live and Serato DJ – “Serato Scratch DJ”, anyone? At that point, who knows, maybe digital vinyl compatibility will arrive for the Pioneer DDJ-SX.
But overall, this is a worthy first controller for the software that marks a new chapter in Serato’s story. I expect it to sell well, and I even think it might poach users of other software systems.
Video
Summary
We like:
- It’s like the best bits of every other controller rolled into one
- Slip mode and dual decks are great additions
- Class-leading VU metering
- Decent standalone mixer with real hardware filters
We don’t like:
- Effects limited by software capabilities
- Not enough control over sampler
- Not particularly portable
Star ratings:
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Build quality: |
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OVERALL: |
Product details:
Size & weight: 26.1 x 14 x 2.8 (664 x 357 x 70mm), 12.8lb (5.8 kg)
Price: US$999 / £809 / €1005
Buy from: Amazon (US), Juno (UK), Juno (rest of Europe & world)
What do you think?
The ultimate DJ controller? Would you buy this even if not to use with Serato DJ? Or are there functions / features you think are missing? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Now go to:
Review: Serato DJ 1.0.0 Software
Review & Video: Numark NS6 4-Channel DJ Controller
Review & Video: Vestax VCI-380 Serato ITCH DJ Controller
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Wish I could buy this now…but great review, been waiting on this!
[ link ]And I’ll have to wait untill monday before thomann.de has it and then one week to get it to my country
I want it now thanks for the review
[ link ]No bloody split cue yet again!
[ link ]Split cue is there! The knob appears right at the centre of the mixer in between the LPF/HPF knobs.
Check out the 5min mark in this video.
[ link ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HSd6ZMz4Mk
I think he means putting the master in one headphone channel and the cue in the other. It’s something that, along with kill switches, has fallen from favour with manufacturers of late.
[ link ]Phill I have a rela hard question.. Do you think it will be smart to buy an ddj sx to play with traktor? I mean I love traktor and this unit seems way better than the s4..
[ link ]You would struggle to map the jogs as tightly as they perform in Serato,
[ link ]If I dont really care much about scratching because i am not a big fan of it but i will use the analog mixer It will be better to go with the sx right?
[ link ]Sorry, better than what?
[ link ]better than the s4 because of the analogue mixer and vu meters, etc
[ link ]Responding to the Traktor question usally they relese two versions, like with the pioner ddj-t1 and ddj-s1 where this is like the ddj-sx and there will probally be a ddj-tx in the future… might not be for a while but its all good.
[ link ]I want to know if I can use Traktor with the DDJ-SX and if I did what are some of the advantages and or disadvantages? It’s an awesome controller!
[ link ]You can map it to Traktor as stated in the review. However you’ll not get the same quality of jogwheel control in my experience – and that’s a dealbreaker for me.
[ link ]So phil…
This versus the DDJ T-1… what do you think?
I must say I like the ability to plug in extra CDJ’s etc… and the whole USB thing…
But other than that, it doesn’t appear to be as rounded? and another question.. does it have a separate monitor plugin at the back?
[ link ]There are TRS booth outputs!
[ link ]Definitely this.
[ link ]Seeing this really makes me glad that I’ve decided to move away from “all-in-one” units and into a more modular setup; the level of control is only limited by a few things, and I get the benefit of being less costly.
[ link ]I agree, also the bigger all-in-one controllers get, the more you can compare similar modular set-ups favourably to them, because the convenience and portability of all-in-ones is one of their great advantages.
[ link ]Have you done a serato vs traktor yet phill would be intrested in this as I am ddj-t1 owner but this controller is making me think of switching but then there is always the case that they will bring out on for traktor in the coming months oh what to do
[ link ]We’ll be reviewing Serato DJ in the next few days, we’ve reviewed traktor 2.6 previously. On a basic level, they all do the same thing – you need to decide what “extras” you want and what software delivers them best for you.
[ link ]Great in-depth review as usual, Phil – thanks!
Seems like a really nice controller. Don’t have a car though…
[ link ]Looks like an awesome piece of kit, but I will not be purchasing until Serato DJ has integration with Ableton either via the Bridge or midi clock send.
[ link ]Sounds like I will still stay with my lovely Vestax VCI-380.
[ link ]Certainly not a massive upgrade from VCI-380 to this.
[ link ]My unit was sent today. Can’t wait to try it in a few days
[ link ]1. Will we be able to use this software immediately with the ddj s1 (until the ddj sx is available)?
[ link ]2. Will there be full EQ kills mapped for the SX (just like the S1 worked with itch)?
3. Will the braking stop/start time be controllable directly from your SX controller (again, like with the S1)?
4. Did you ever fix that annoying playback setting “lock playing deck” which is very useful to avoid mistakenly loaded tracks on playing deck, BUT also blocks the needle search unless paused?…
5. Where is the “sort cues chronologically” option?
6. Why can’t we label (edit the name) of the cue points??
1. No you’ll have to wait for Serato to make it available – go sign up at their website and they’ll email you when it is
[ link ]2. They are full EQ kills
3. No, it’s controllable from the software setup panel
4. Not checked that!
5. We’ll review the software soon and cover this
6. No idea, ask Serato!
2. Any chance you could verify that the EQs are full kill? They aren’t labeled as such and my decision to purchase the controller hinges on whether or not those eqs are full kill. Thanks
[ link ]Yes, they are – 100% confirmed.
[ link ]Feels like Pioneer is moving the price down. Its a huge step for them and i think many dj’s can do with this setup.
[ link ]The thing is though if this setup will be a new “CDJ” that DJ’s have to know how to operate. So, what do you think Phil, can this be the new workhorse in many places?
Not professionally, no – I can’t see this being a venue installation choice and I don’t think that’s what Pioneer intends for it.
[ link ]I feel this is the problem with all the hardware. You have to upgrade each time you get better. Feels like too many different standards, bedroom djs stay at this and to get up you have to practice on the hardware that is actually in use at the venues and to do this you have to know it…dont know, but to spend this much money on the pioneer and its no use in clubs feels like you might as well go next step. Otherwise better go with s4 or s2 which will get the job done if you play as a mobile dj…what is the point of this setup if its hard to take along?
[ link ]there is the xdj aero for the same price the new gemini cdmp7000 still can’t decide which of the three i want
[ link ]How are the pitch faders? Are they high resolution like the DDJ S1?
[ link ]Yes I am sure they are, although the software only reports BPM in tenths do hard to check this.
[ link ]Thoughts of jog wheels compared to those of the Vci 380?
[ link ]I’m in the same boat. How do the jogs compare to the VCI-380?
And regarding spinbacks, are you saying that it’s pretty much impossible to do a long spinback with the SX, Phil? Pity if so. Are the jogs adjustable? It doesn’t sound like they are.
Thanks, and great review!
[ link ]The jogs are excellent, but as you say it’s impossible to do long spin backs.
[ link ]They’re excellent, but I prefer 380 jogs simply because they have a weighting control.
[ link ]Was able to snatch one at one of the unveilings today… Can wait to star playing with it…. So far after playing with it at the store, I’m really impressed…. Thumbs up Pioneer and Serato….
[ link ]Got mine on Wednesday and im pretty impressed. It’s an amazing piece of Hardware and Software aswell.
999€ is in my opinion a fair price but i really think this is more worth
Thanks Pioneer & Serato!
[ link ]i have an allen & heath xone dx. is it worth switching?
[ link ]Not if you’re happy with what you have. But the DX won’t get Serato DJ software, so you’ll slowly be left behind.
[ link ]I dont get it, I went on the serato website and downloaded the software for free? I thought you had to pay, I wanna use it with my TM2 btw
[ link ]It won’t work out of offline mode for any controller except Pioneer DDJ-SX at the moment.
[ link ]Do you know if DDJ-SX works with Pioneer RMX-1000? Does it have Send/Return?
Tnanks
[ link ]No, there’s no send/return. You’d have to use it across the Master Out.
[ link ]Hello Phil,
Question over to you. Can you find out if the tension of the jog wheels can be adjusted on the hardware itself? I’ve heard from a lot of people that they feel the jog wheel is too loose for their taste, mostly complaints from scratch djs as when releasing the platter the song will slip due to not enough tension on the wheel.
Some controllers have an internal screw (yes you have to do some teardown) to adjust the jog wheel tension and even CDJs.
[ link ]I would like to map this controller to Traktor Pro 2..
[ link ]I use scratchlive and vinyl but just ordered this baby but shiuld i still use my scratchlive ans serato box or just switch to serato dj
[ link ]Why not do both till you’re sure? They share the same music library anyway.
[ link ]I’m currently using a Numark Mixtrack pro , and am wanting to produce some mixtapes soon. How does the SX compare to the mixtrack pro? Should I consider this, or the s1? Or stick with mixtrack pro?
[ link ]Your mixtapes will sound fine with any of those.
[ link ]I have just purchased the DDJ-SX for my partner.We want to be able to do radio shows online with this but we dont know how to hook up.He likes to use Sam broadcaster if possible can you help please
[ link ]What do you mean by “Unlike the Traktor Kontrol S4 and Traktor Scratch, you can’t use this with Serato Scratch Live vinyl, which is a shame.”?
[ link ]With Traktor Kontrol S4 and Traktor Scratch, the S4′s audio interface acts as a Traktor Scratch interface. The DDJ-SX’s doesn’t act as a Serato Scratch Live interface, so you can’t use the unit at the heart of a DVS system as you can the S4.
[ link ]Since the jogwheels are now capacitive touch (much like an iphone screen) how do they respond when your hands are cold or wet? Plenty of people might have a drink in hand while in the booth, and I’m worried that the jogwheels might not respond well in this sort of situation (since most capacitive touch screens have issues with wet/cold hands)
[ link ]They’re fine, remember most DJ controllers are this way.
[ link ]Awesome, thanks!
[ link ]I’m currently using M-Audio Torq/Xponent and they aren’t making them anymore, would this be a good upgrade?
[ link ]Yes it’d be excellent.
[ link ]Has it got mic EQs and gain?
[ link ]Can this controller be mapped to TORQ 2.0 if so are there any video out there showing it ???
[ link ]In theory, yes, but I doubt you will find many people doing this as Torq is now long discontinued.
[ link ]Yes to both (gain, tone, top left).
[ link ]Hi Phil,
You seem to be the man in the know, I wonder if you can offer any advice.
I am by some of the above peoples standards a novice DJ, I have been djing since the mid nineties using only vinyl and about 12 months ago finally decided to try going digital, I bought 2Denon dn21200′s and use those with my DJM600 Mixer, I bought the Denons really to find out if I could adjust before spending CDJ money and finding out I can’t… I have been very impressed with the Denons so far and rarely play any vinyl anymore, so I was thinking of upgrading to CDJ850′S However the Traktor S4 First took my eye and now the DDJ – SX too, I have never really used either Traktor or Serrato and I am very unsure as to what laptop I would require to run one of these controllers relliably, I currently use a Windows laptop running Vista, People have said if I switch to one of these controllers I really should be using a mac…is this the case? and would you reccomend one of these over the CDJ’S? I have pretty simple needs in as much as I don’t really use many effects and I am quite happy using USB’S to store my songs, the in programme record function appeals to me as does Pioneer controller itself as I do record my mixes and I am now starting to get gigs where I need to be familiar with Pioneer CDJ’S which to be honest I am not really. I also love the feel of my Pioneer Mixer so the SX is very appealiing that way, and I am sure with practice I would start to use the effects and multi deck functions too. I have about £1000 budget maybe a little more but that would not buy me the controller and the mac… can you offer any advice?
Kind Regards
Billy
[ link ]The SX with Serato is a good combination and your laptop would run the software fine. But it’s Pioneer in name only when compared to their CDJs – this is a DJ controller, and that makes it different from club installation gear. If you want to go the controller route, choose your software before your hardware – Traktor and Serato do the same thing but differently so that’s really more important. And come and ask further on the Digital DJ Tips Forum (http://www.digitaldjtips.com/forum), as we can go deeper there if you wish.
[ link ]James says:
Hi Phil,
Looking at purchasing a controller for Xmas, Think im going for the vci-380, wanted to find out if this is worth an extra £200 pounds? Am aware i need to wait for itch to serato upgrade, do you know much about vci-380 reliability issues as have read about problems on early release. Do you know if this has been sorted? Is it worth an extra couple of months of savings???
Thanks
[ link ]Hey Phil,
Your answers are awesome man! Very helpful!
I am going to be mapping my DDJ-SX with traktor. Can you maybe help me out with this? Do you post any videos at all?
[ link ]Best place to ask is the DJ TechTools forum for Traktor mappings etc, we’re not going to be trying this any time soon!
[ link ]thanks!!!
[ link ]Why pioneer shipped so few sx that’s the reason I didn’t got mine waiting on the next batch. Can’t wait to get it
[ link ]Thanks Phil, for another great review!
[ link ]To that, is there any advantage to going with the NS6 over this one? Or based on price point, will this be the NS6 killer?
I just saw my neighbor’s DDJ-SX (He got on the first shipment) and it is the best looking controller that I have seen to date, definitely high-class! Everything is well lit, the pads are large and easy to use, the jog wheel has a very good feel as well as the controls. It has a nice selection of inputs and outputs, and is a very competitive unit in its class. I am hoping they come out with a “DDJ-TX” for Traktor. It’s an impressive unit and worth upgrading to.
[ link ]I went to a Sam Ash over the weekend to give this controller a go. Basically just to see how serato dj works. Compleatly sold out:(
[ link ]I suspect there will be high demand for a while for this one.
[ link ]Hi Phil,
Looking at purchasing a controller for Xmas, Think im going for the vci-380, wanted to find out if this is worth an extra £200 pounds? Am aware i need to wait for itch to serato upgrade, do you know much about vci-380 reliability issues as have read about problems on early release. Do you know if this has been sorted? Is it worth an extra couple of months of savings???
Thanks
[ link ]Just had the call mine is on its way …. Be hear in 24 hours then the change over from S2 and traktor 2.6 to DDJ sx it will be a steep learning curve ….. Or will it …..
[ link ]Kudos for the awesome review. Comprehensive, yet neat.
[ link ]In the standalone mixer section it is written that the external inputs can not be routed through the software. Is that “problem” only present in the serato dj software? Or is it present in all the other dj software?
I would like to upgrade from a numark n4 to a more professional controller with a better sound quality and more features.
I also mix using timecode and the n4 had the option to rout the signal into traktor. Can I do the same with the DDJ-SX controller? If not, what other controllers, similar with this one, have this feature?
Thank you
[ link ]Virtual DJ and Traktor let you route through the software, and you’re right, Serato doesn’t. You can use it with DVS but you’ll need a Traktor (or Serato) audio interface.
[ link ]To piggy back… In Traktor with this device the Mic is not available as an input. Serato DJ doesn’t have input settings and it seems as a result, the device wasn’t made to pass the signal through.
It will let you DJ a little more than in a purist mannor.
[ link ]expensive toy ,an I love it
[ link ]Great review Phil. One question, do you have any effects control with the mic?
[ link ]You can use the filter but nothing else.
[ link ]Great Review Phil!
[ link ]anyway do i still need a Kontrol F1 or Xone K2 with this?
I’d say not.
[ link ]Does the DDJ-SX have pitch shift buttons like on the Vestax controllers? (+/-8?)
[ link ]You can alter the pitch range, not sure what else you mean.
[ link ]Phil,
I just bought a NI F1 controller, and I am upgrading to the Numark 4trak for the standalone mixer, jogs, and extra controls. My question is, if I have both of these systems (4trak and F1), is there really any difference between this and the DDJ SX? I feel that if they are equal (other than software), that an F1 and 4Trak is a cheaper method of acquiring the same toys. I mean $700 < $1100. What are your thoughts?
[ link ]The F1 provides something Serato doesn’t provide – Serato has nothing like the Remix decks, it’s sampler is more orthodox than that. You say “equal other than software”, but remember all these things really are are software controllers – the software you choose to use is absolutely key. Choose your software first, then choose your controller accordingly is my advice. The DDJ-SX is a great Serato controller; as you’re a “Traktor” person, it’s not for you.
[ link ]You might want to plug it back in and give the mic a test drive at club sound levels…massive reports of distortion from BOTH mic ports. I have dealt with this in the two shows I used my controller at so far. Pioneer forums not admitting there is a problem, telling people they need lessons on how to use their mics. The controller is great on all other levels so far…but the slimey manner in which Pioneer is treating their customers about this issue is pretty low. But if you are cool with spending a grand then finding a workaround for a basic hardware failure it is a lot of fun the use.
[ link ]We didn’t get a chance to test the mic at club levels and have returned the unit to Pioneer now. We’ll watch this one…
[ link ]hi Phil,another great review,i currently have the mixtrack pro,which i use with traktor,i am thinking of buying either the s1,t1,ns6 or this.Which do you think is slightly ahead overall. Also In terms of scratching,spin backs,and general jog performance.
[ link ]All have good jog performance, for me I’d go for the NS6 as I like its jogs best of all of them.
[ link ]I bit the bullet, this device )kit) kept calling me so, I ordered one. Got it yesterday and what a lovely piece of machine it is. Very well built, the size is big but it’s meant to feel like a luxury SUV… And it does.
The platters are the best on the market, they have the right weight to them (imagine pulling vinyl on slip mat and spinning turn table). The inner lit track marker should be a must on all controllers, it’s great.
Most of the drawbacks I see are software related and one hardware (not passing the Mic single thru for use with software). The software things; not being able to load and record samples from it, not being able to fast scroll the library… to name a few.
I can’t say I expected much out of it in terms of controlling Traktor.. I wish it did, but I also wished the Denon MC6000 worked the same in Serato Scratch as it does Traktor and it does not. Seeing as the devices are being branded it makes sense that they careless about it running well on the competitions software. I’d love to see it run in Traktor the way the MC6000 does and this thing would be the best ever…
[ link ]short-lived… i’m glad I don’t get so attached to these devices that I can’t let them go…
Deal breaker, mic signal does not pass thru to the software. I liked the Pioneer and Serato DJ, but not enough to just give up “how” I DJ… I learned on Traktor so my expectations of “things I should be able to do in the software using the controller” is quite high.
Truth be told i’ve wanted a VCI-400 since first seeing it, glad to have it.
[ link ]TRAKTOR and Serato DJs.Pioneer is a little late into the DJ controller market but this DDJSX sure is a combination of all the best feature on the previous dj controllers along with some of Pioneer trade mark features.I like the controller and got it for a great deal at http://bit.ly/12DPwYt . However for $1000 I dont see why Scratch Live couldn’t include the video plugin for everyone who buys a DDJSX .
[ link ]The Pioneer DDJ-SX can only be used with pc or like the numark ns6 can play with and without the computer?
[ link ]Hello! I can get a refurbished NS6 for $550 or I could a new DDJ-SX for $1200; do any of you think the DDJ-SX is worth twice the money? Please let me know your reasoning if it’s not too much of a hassle. Thanks for reading
[ link ]It’s not about the cash – you’ll be using this gear for a long time. Go with what suits you best, get a few paying DJ gigs, and you’ll soon forget the price, whichever you go for.
[ link ]Hello Phil, great review ! The only question i have before i purchase the DDJ-SX is can this mixer be use as a standalone mixer while using serato scratch, like the Vestax VCI-380.
[ link ]Yes, it can.
[ link ]one quiestion, if you said that everythings in there whats the piont of getting a cdj or an individual mixer, i mean whats the diference?
[ link ]Hi Phil,
ive pre-ordered a ddj sx and now see Numark have an N7 Mark II on the horizon with moving platers and more things abeit at a £1200 rrp (400 quid more), how do you think these will hold up against each other? (does the numark have slip?) can we see a ddj-sx vs N7MII comparison battle?, I think the ddj sx will win for me, love the pioneer brand, build and quality.
[ link ]Great review and heads up
Does anybody knows if Is it possible to use and midi mapping this controller with the Traktor Schratch Pro?
[ link ]Hi
((
Please could somebody help me
Ive spent alot of money and still no closer to where i want to be !!
I have a large nightclub ( 1200 people ) and dj in it myself , i really want to use mix emergency for video with searto dj, as more effects than VDJ.
I currently have a DJM 850 mixer and 2 CDJ900s and use a Traktor sound card and am running VDJ.
The sound is awsome !!
I want to buy the DDJ-SX controller to replace the above setup so i can run serato dj and mix emergency but my question is will the sound quality / level be worse if i switch to the DDJ-SX inbuilt sound card ?
Thanks in advance
[ link ]Greg
sorry just to add i currently do not use the inbuilt sound card on the DJM 850 , i use the Traktor external sound card.
[ link ]No, it’ll be fine.
[ link ]Hey there great review, would you recommend this controller to someone who doesn’t scratch at all and only plays electric dance music? And also, do you feel that this is the best controller to get as of now since pioneer makes it. All of the pros use pioneer cdjs and a pioneer mixer so would this be the next best thing to buy without spending 6000$ for the nexus system? Or what is the best thing to buy that is not the 6000$ nexus system? Thanks
[ link ]It’s no better than any other controller just because it’s Pioneer. you don’t need to be able to scratch to enjoy a controller with joghweels, but this is quite a big controller and you may want to look at something smaller if jogs aren’t massively important to you.
[ link ]another thing, have you heard of the rmx 1000, pioneers new remix station, can you make that thing part of this mixer?
[ link ]Hi Phil,
Great reviews! I do need some advice though. I just sold my djm 700 and cdjs 1000 because I’m moving overseas and was going to get the same setup when I get there but now looking at how evolved the digital controllers are I’m considering the switch as it’ll be cheaper and may take up less room? What do you recommend for me to get if software isn’t an issue as I’ve never been into that. I’m looking at the S1, T1, and now SX. I don’t really care for the extra bells and whistles. All I’m looking for is a comfortable and similar feel to my cdjs and djm. I don’t use too many effects so that’s not a deciding factor. Im mostly a club dj (would never take my own gear) but looking for something where i can easily start an online radio station or podcast at home and i guess occasionally at corporate gigs to take my gear to. So which one would be the most bang for my buck? Or stick with my old setup? Thanks a lot!
[ link ]Hey Phil,
[ link ]I was all for the ddj sx untill I tried the model they had out in the store. The pads would not respond as well as I wud have liked them to. I would find that when I hit the pad it would keep playing even after releasing the pad. Did you encounter this problem or was it just a faulty model? I am debating between this and a ns7ii. I am currently a huge fan/user of the ns7
Strange, maybe the PC it was connected to wasn’t set up right. We found no such issues in our testing.
[ link ]Hi Phil,
can you record Phono-Input for digitizing your vinyls?
Greetings.
[ link ]Yes.
[ link ]I think it would be perfect for the use. I just bought one, pretty much for the same cause and it works very well. As for the S1 and T1 I think it would be better to go for the sx as the price difference isn’t very much and you will be missing a lot. Moreover I think if you were using the 1000s and 700, the sx would make you feel at home.
[ link ]Excellent review.I already ordered mine.The review really did help me make up my mind since i decided to go digital.Blessings.
[ link ]Hello phil.this is Rasibou1 I got mine last saturday all because your good review.I really liked it IT is a jewel lots of things I can do with.the feel is wonderful and powerfull sound come out o it with the jbl prx 635.The only problem i encountered so far is is one of the fx2 pad is not lighting up after i press on it .the rest of them are fine it actually the fx botton number 3Precisely the 1 next to the tap.Thanks for considering.
[ link ]just wondering what is the best computer to use with the sx and serato duality? I am debating between a macbook pro (portability and overall diversity) or a mac mini with monitor (larger screen size and cheaper computer system)?
appreciate anyone who responds with help.
-dj tays
[ link ]I would choose the setup with the best performance over the other pros I listed.
[ link ]Great review, how do I get place order for one of this baby.??
[ link ]Hi,
I’m trying to find out if this unit can be used as a midi controler and sound card in ableton live.
can be fully midi mapped in Ableton?
can be used as a sound card in ableton? if yes, how many channels can be routed?
thanks in advance!
[ link ]G.-
So i’ve been patiently waiting for the rumors of an upgrade for the Pioneer DDJ SX. After blog mining and reading on people’s wishes and anticipations I see that many feel the same. Mainly, 2 anticipations arise..drum roll…Will the next Pioneer controller have USB ports and LED screens??? I mean the Numark MixDeck has them (and CD capabilities). Wait wait wait, I am in any way comparing the 2 because the Pioneer DDJ SX clearly blows it out of the water. But imagining USB ports and LED screens on the Pioneer DDJ SX is something i can’t help but dream about. I know I’m not alone. Someone please tell my dreams come true…
[ link ]First and foremost, thank you for making excellent products. Seriously. Now So i’ve been patiently waiting for the rumors of an upgrade for the Pioneer DDJ SX. It is an excellent unit. But, after blog mining and reading up on people’s wishes and anticipations I see that many feel the same way that I do. Mainly, 2 anticipations arise. Drum roll, Will the next Pioneer controller have USB ports and LED screens like the ones found on the CDJ’s I mean the Numark MixDeck has them (and CD capabilities). Wait wait wait, I am in no way comparing the 2 because the Pioneer DDJ SX clearly blows the Numark out of the water. But imagining USB ports and LED screens on the Pioneer DDJ SX is something i can’t help but dream about. Ive had this conversation with many who own the DDJ SX and know I’m not alone. Someone please tell my dreams come true…
[ link ]So I can’t use the ddj-sx for weddings and parties?
[ link ]Hi,
if i buy and install this, when it comes to me going back to the separates in the club i work at, will the software also work as it did with the SL3?
Or would i have to install 2 versions?
thx
[ link ]