❌ Lacking many of the features of semi-pro and pro controllers ✅ Full-sized design, including excellent pro-style jogwheels ❌ Relatively small size may make using it fiddly for someįor home DJing and learning the ropes, you get a lot of features here – although its insides are really very similar to something like the DDJ-SB3, meaning this could be seen as quite expensive for what you get. ✅ Lots of unique functions, including EQ and compression over the master out, and a “zone” to play a playlist to one room while DJing in another
✅ Utterly professional DJ controller, with all the inputs, outputs and advanced features you could possibly want In many ways, this is the controller for DJs who really know – it may not look flashy, but it is the best specified device on this whole list, and as such, would particularly suit the working DJ looking for something easy to transport. Learn to DJ with ANY gear: The Complete DJ CourseĪnd finally, you can DJ with just your laptop, using keyboard shortcuts, with a paid-for Expansion Pack for Serato called “Serato Play” – good if you want to be able to practise DJ sets with just your laptop perched on your knees, for instance.
Pro DJs who use Serato in clubs often plug into those club set-ups (invariably made by Pioneer DJ), and use the club gear to control Serato on their laptops, which essentially turns the club equipment into a huge DJ controller.īut it is also possible to DJ with Serato on any gear – any old CD players or turntables – using a DVS (“Digital Vinyl System”), for which you would typically use special records or CDs to feed computer code to the software to control your music, and an interface box or special mixer to plug the computer in.
While a full 75% of our students here at Digital DJ Tips use controllers, it’s by no means the only way to DJ, and by no means the only way you can DJ with Serato. ✅ All the pro features you’ll likely need, including standalone mixerįull review: Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000SRT Review If you want a Serato DJ controller that you can happily use in pro situations, and that looks pretty similar to club gear, this is it. ❌ Only two channels – great for scratch DJs, but some may wish for four ✅ Unique motorised platter Serato DJ controller, that feels just like using mini turntables ❌ Because it’s designed as a standalone DJ system, it’s an expensive purchase if all you want to do with it is DJ with Serato on a laptopĪ scratch DJ’s dream, this is a heavyweight controller that is too bulky to tuck under your arm and move easily – but that is the closest you’ll ever get to the feel of using turntables in a DJ controller. ❌ Not specifically designed for Serato, so controls labelling is not all accurate ✅ Big central touchscreen for good feedback from the software ✅ Well-built, attractive, imposing professional DJ systems Really, this is the flagship DJ console in the Engine DJ system, a standalone (ie no laptop needed) way of DJing – but by making it compatible with Serato too, Denon DJ opened up another intriguing use for it. We’ve put these in price order, from highest to lowest – that doesn’t necessarily indicate “best to worst” though so read the reviews to decide what suits your purposes the best – we recommend them all. so you can trust that we’ll tell it how it is. We are 100% independent, funded totally by our students. We have hands-on experience with all of these units, and we’ve actually reviewed them properly (we link to our reviews below).Īlso, we don’t take a penny from any of these manufacturers. Our company, Digital DJ Tips, is the leading DJ school in the world. So why should you trust us?īasically, because we are actually DJs. There are many lists of controllers out there, and if you’ve been searching for info on Serato controllers, this may not be the first article you’ve come across. They’re not all “new for 2022” (indeed, most aren’t totally new) – rather, they’re the best that’s available right now. We’ll tell you why we like each one, and who we think it’d suit the best. In this article, we’ll look at our current favourite Serato DJ controllers, across a number of manufacturers. When it comes to what DJ controller you should use with Serato, you’re spoilt for choice, as there is plenty of gear out there made specially for this software.īecome a Serato Ninja – get the course: Serato Made EasyĪll Serato DJ gear is licensed by the company, so any controller you buy that works with Serato is going to work well – there will be no difficulty setting up or using it. Serato DJ is one of the most popular laptop DJ programs, and a good choice if you’re a DJ who plays hip-hop, open-format sets, who wants to scratch… but it’s equally at home with house and electronic music, too.