When Pioneer DJ launched the DDJ-1000 for Rekordbox last year, we knew the company was onto a winner – but few could have predicted the impact one single controller would have on DJing.
For pro DJs wanting a second system, and for serious hobbyists, the DDJ-1000 is the number one by a long way – something reflected in the sheer numbers in our community who have bought one or are considering it as their next upgrade.
So why has the DDJ-1000 been so successful? We think it boils down to these three things:
- Its controls are laid out in the same way as “pro” Pioneer club gear – meaning once you can DJ on the DDJ-1000, using club-standard Pioneer gear is much easier. That also means club DJs are instantly at home on it
- Its jogwheels feel EXACTLY the same as pro club gear – The jogs have a big, meaty, tactile style that only Pioneer DJ gear has, and that many DJs didn’t know they wanted on a controller until Pioneer DJ went and did it
- It uses pro DJ booth software – As this is a Rekordbox controller, you’re using the same software for both your controller DJing and for when you want to prep your music for club gigs, saving a LOT of time and hassle. For some, a disadvantage (“Why don’t they make it for MY software?”), but for those wanting to play on both a controller AND club gear, a huge timesaver
In short, Pioneer DJ has established an industry standard in the controller field to go with the industry standard it already has in the pro booth – and in daringly breaking away from the layout of most controllers up until now, the DDJ-1000 (and, more recently, the DDJ-800) has succeeded in making much of the competition look instantly dated.
Whether you love or hate the layout and the direction, Pioneer DJ has stuck its neck out and done this, and what this means is that if you’re considering buying a controller and you are serious enough about your DJing to be looking around its price point, the DDJ-1000 is going to have to be on your shortlist.
It’s no surprise that it’s the number one selling “pro” controller among our community by a very long way.
Learning to use the DDJ-1000
We made a DJ training course for the DDJ-1000 – something we rarely do for individual pieces of kit.
We usually resist doing that for a very simple reason: DJing is not about this piece of gear, or that piece of gear: It’s about having something you want to say with music, and gaining the knowledge and experience to be able to share that with your crowd – whatever gear you’re using.
But there are simply SO MANY DJs learning on this controller (and its smaller brother, the DDJ-800), that for the first time it made sense for us to offer training on how to use a single piece of kit.
So if you buy one, you should take a look – click here to learn more about the course.
What do you think of the “DDJ-1000 revolution”? Do you like the way controller design is going, at least as far as Pioneer Dj is concerned? DO you think this will “stitch up” the controller market as Pioneer has already done in the DJ booth? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Phil Morse
