The Lowdown
The Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV1 is a bold new entry-level DJ controller for Serato DJ (it comes with the Lite version of that software), that for the first time takes the “battle layout”, of two turntables turned through 90 degrees and a modern scratch mixer, and shrinks it into a beginner controller. It does most things right, but the pads may be a bit small for some fingers. Recommended.
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Video Review
First Impressions / Setting up
The DDJ-REV1 is an entry-level device, so it’s all plastic, but the build quality is fine – many pro DJs are happy to use these types of controllers as portable, secondary units, including our own tutor Jazzy Jeff (see his demo mix on this very device here).
The first thing you notice is that the “decks” are laid out with the play/pause button (and an honorary little “cue” button) bottom right, and the pitch sliders are horizontal at the top – just as if you turned two traditional turntables through 90 degrees as battle/scratch DJs tend to do. No DJ controller has ever done this before – and once you see it, you do wonder: Why not? It makes sense!
Next, you notice that the mixer section is like a shrunken battle mixer – it has the same clean, simple lower third (for uncluttered access to the crossfader), then the performance pads above that, then the EQ controls laid out in the Pioneer DJ DJM-S7/S9 format.
So overall, we’ve got a battle layout… in an all-in-one DJ controller. It is only a controller – no Aux inputs or anything like that. It works with Serato DJ Lite, but would also work with Serato DJ Pro if you already owned it, or upgraded to that software.
Read this next: When To Upgrade Your Gear (And When To Wait)
How to set up the DDJ-REV1
To get going, you download the Serato DJ Lite software from Serato’s website, and plug the unit in to your computer – you then plug in headphones, a microphone if you want to use one, and powered speakers – you don’t even need to do that if you don’t want to, as it can play through your laptop if you wish.
As is the case with most software nowadays, Serato will work with your own music files, but can also work with streaming services so you can play from TIDAL, Beatport Streaming, Beatsource Streaming and SoundCloud Go+, too.
Watch the live Q&A
Conclusion
As stated, this controller is basically the replacement for the ageing but hugely popular Pioneer DJ DDJ-SB3 Serato controller.
Firstly, it’s good to see that Pioneer DJ has done this. You might have thought that as the company has its own software (Rekordbox) with its own supporting controller range, that we’d have seen the end of Serato controllers from Pioneer DJ, but not so. It looks like Pioneer DJ has been pragmatic, and that’s a good thing, as these units are traditionally very popular.
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The new divide between Rekordbox and Serato Pioneer controllers now seems clear: The Rekordbox ones adopt the “club” layout (aping two CDJs and a DJM mixer), while the Serato ones copy the “battle” layout (two turntables thru 90 degrees and a scratch mixer). In this way, continuing to support Serato makes sense.
That said, Pioneer DJ’s Rekordbox controllers are still slightly better value, as the provided software is more powerful that Serato DJ Lite, and it’s an extra $99 to upgrade Serato DJ Lite to Serato DJ Pro.
Watch the demo
If you think you want to play open format styles, parties, maybe a bit of performance DJing and scratching, the DDJ-REV1 would be a great entry-level unit for you. With it, you’ll develop the muscle memory for where to find everything on such set-ups, ready to one day move up to the DDJ-REV7, or even to real turntables and a mixer (or maybe Rane Twelves in lieu of the turntables).
Overall, the DDJ-REV1 is a more than worthy replacement for the DDJ-SB3, and should prove popular with Serato DJs of all types and levels.
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