Controller Clinic #45: Which DJ Controller For A 7-Year-Old?

Digital DJ Tips reader Tamas writes: “I am looking for an entry level DJ controller for my son’s seventh birthday. It has to be not more than US$100. For obvious reasons. It is gonna be a toy in the first place, but I also want to be able to cue through headphones.

“I’m looking at the DJ-Tech-DJFORALL. This doesn’t has a sound card, but through your PC/laptop you can achieve the two outputs. I think for starting this set-up would do. It also has a headphone in the box, and it is the cheapest.The there’s the Numark Party Mix. This has a sound card, and Numark is a decent brand. The built-in lights could be fun for my child. Option three is the Hercules DJControl Instinct S. This also has a sound card, and I’ve read good reviews about this model.

My questions, to help me select: All three models delivered with different software (Deckadance LE, Virtual DJ, DJUICED respectively). Which one is the most simple, user friendly? Again, it is for a seven-year-old wannabe DJ. Can any of the above models could with DJ software running on an Android tablet instead of a PC/laptop? I might think of giving him full access to cheap gaming tablet (Shield K1), instead of a work PC/laptop. But this is just secondary.”

Digital DJ Tips says:

As long as the software gives the option, all DJ controllers can offer achieving two outputs through PC/laptop; it is done with a “DJ splitter cable”. However, having a built-in sound card is still preferable.

All the software mentioned is “adult” in that it is not particularly dumbed down for children to use, but that isn’t going to be a problem: As soon as your son is shown the ropes, I am sure he will more than hold his own with any of them.

As with all very cheap DJ controllers, the offered software is cut down and apart from Virtual DJ, they are all small names in DJ software. Again, your son will adapt to any new platform in the future if he gets serious about this hobby, so at this stage I wouldn’t particularly worry about that.

None of the platforms works on Android, so I’d discount that right away.

Purely on the basis that turning down the room lights and having some disco lights flashing along to the music would add an extra level of engagement for your son, I’d go for the Numark model out of your shortlist.

Have you bought a DJ controller for a young child? What did you go for? Any advice for Tamas? Please leave your thoughts in the comments.