DJ Controllers
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A buyer's guide to DJ controllers for beginners, advanced users and mobile DJs
DJ controllers act as the control centre of a digital DJ setup and are an ideal starting point for getting to grips with modern DJing, suitable for everyone from beginners to professionals and mobile DJs, and offering both an easy introduction and a wide range of creative features. With these devices, you can play tracks from your music collection as well as from streaming services such as Tidal, Deezer, and SoundCloud.
Thomann stocks a wide range of DJ controllers, from affordable entry-level models to fully-featured professional units. A suitable device can be found easily, as this buyer's guide introduces newcomers to the design of DJ controllers and the differences between devices, helping identify the right option to kick-start a DJing career or provide sound for corporate events, weddings, and similar occasions.
Please don't hesitate to contact our expert DJ department at any time by phone on +49 (0)9546-9223-441, chat, or e-mail to dj@thomann.de. Comprehensive additional information can also be found in the online guide to DJ controllers.
Good to know: Thomann's 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee allows you to shop risk-free, and after your purchase, Thomann's 3-year warranty ensures you can enjoy your DJ controller for a long time to come, worry-free.
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Which DJ controller is the right one for me?
The variety of DJ controllers is quite extensive, and to help you make the right choice, first determine which DJ software (Serato DJ or Traktor) you intend to use and how many decks you want to DJ with (two or four). If the focus is on learning the basics of DJing, a two-deck controller will suffice with full freedom to choose DJ software, whereas more advanced DJs who value a wider range of creative functions will be better served by a four-deck or four-channel controller. Users who have already gained experience with a particular DJ software and wish to continue using it should of course check that compatibility is assured.
Mobile DJs who prefer not to rely on a laptop at events can in turn opt for devices from Thomann's range that operate standalone. These DJ controllers come with integrated DJ software offering a range of functions comparable to computer programmes.
How does a DJ controller work?
In simple terms, a DJ controller can be considered a remote control for software, where the controls on the device send commands to a computer, triggering actions such as song playback or performing mixing functions within the software. A controller is used because operating DJ software with a mouse and keyboard feels unmusical, so to provide a more familiar working environment it is equipped with the same controls as a CD player and mixing desk, while the computer screen serves simply as a control monitor.
How is a DJ controller structured?
Housing
The housing of a DJ controller, made from plastic or metal, is divided into three sections containing two decks and a mixing area, with larger designs often offering greater ease of use thanks to the increased space for buttons and controls.
Decks
The decks of a DJ controller are structured like DJ CD players, with buttons for starting and stopping tracks and touch-sensitive jog wheels for track control and scratching. A pitch fader lets you control the playback speed manually, while a sync button does this for you, and for creative DJ mixes, DJ controllers are equipped with performance pads enabling DJ mixing tricks.
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Why do two and four-deck controllers have the same number of decks?
Two-deck and four-deck controllers both feature two physical decks, with four-deck models simply duplicating them, as controllers with four separate decks are not produced due to space constraints in DJ booths and the practical difficulties of transport. However, to ensure mixing can be performed clearly, four-deck controllers have mixer sections with four channel strips; they are therefore also called four-channel controllers.
Mixer
The mixer section, positioned at the centre of a DJ controller and structured like a typical DJ mixer, features up to four channel strips with gain and equaliser controls, along with channel faders for mixing. Crossfaders and filter knobs are used for blending tracks, while the output volume can be adjusted via the master and booth controls.
Effects
Effects are controlled in designated areas on the decks or within the mixer section, where specially assigned buttons, knobs, or toggle switches allow for precise control.
Loading tracks
To load tracks from the hard drive, DJ controllers are equipped with dedicated knobs and buttons, eliminating the need to perform these operations on the computer.
Display
DJ controllers that can be used standalone, meaning without a computer, as well as many conventional controllers, feature a display on which a wealth of information is shown in order to facilitate the mixing process and enable song selection. Standalone controller displays frequently feature touchscreen capability for increased user-friendliness.
Sound card
Most DJ controllers are equipped with a built-in audio interface featuring multiple inputs and outputs, eliminating the need for an additional sound card for audio output or connecting peripheral devices such as microphones, CD players, or turntables.
Connections
The majority of DJ controllers offer a similar range of connections to those of DJ mixers, with separate master and booth outputs and line, phono, and microphone inputs.
Which DJ controller brands are available?
The Berlin-based software company Native Instruments manufactures DJ controllers exclusively for its in-house DJ software Traktor, offering a range from two to four-deck units, as well as smaller controllers that control a specific function (mixer only, decks only). Denon DJ offers controllers for Serato DJ in various sizes alongside a wide selection of standalone units with integrated Engine Prime software, while Rane specialises in motorised DJ controllers featuring rotating vinyl records that also control Serato DJ. These devices appeal to professional scratch DJs, while beginners and advanced users can find a wide range from Numark, who offer super-compact controllers with Serato DJ Lite at very affordable prices through to standalone-controllers. Hercules also offers very affordable DJ controllers, while instrument specialist Roland provides specialised devices equipped with drum machines.
What accessories are available for DJ controllers?
When transporting your DJ controller to a gig, make sure to pack it securely to prevent any controls from breaking or the display from getting scratched, so check out Thomann's well-stocked range of accessories, where you'll find cases, bags, or backpacks tailored precisely to your controller. If you mainly use your controller at home, there are special covers (known as decksavers) that protect your device from dust. DJ laptop stands are very handy for raising a computer to the desired working height, and also free up more space on your work desk.