Chose to become a DJ and not an engineer or an accountant? Well you’ve decided to take the road not many have and if you’ve decided to stand out, don’t let your equipments bring you down. Buy the best DJ Controller within your budget and keep rocking.
Know if you need a modular or an all-in-one DJ controller
While some prefer to use a modular controller, most of them prefer all-in-one controllers. Having a modular controller means you have separate turntables, a separate CD/ media player, and a mixer. You might have a sound card in a modular controller which will let you operate your gear through software.
An all-in-one DJ controller can be directly connected to the laptop and can be operated with the help of software. It comprises of media players, a mixing section, and a computer / iOS interface which lets you connect it to your laptop of iOS device like your iPhone. Apart from these, an all-in-one controller has knobs, buttons, and sliders.
The all-in-one DJ controller has an edge over the modular controller because of the presence of the knobs, buttons and sliders. Even though you can set most of the things through your laptop or iOS device, once it’s done you cannot keep changing it rapidly. This is where the physical knobs and sliders on the controller come to play. They make your work much smoother.
Key features of a DJ controller
The control surface: It consists of all the knobs, jog wheels, buttons, pads, faders and slides that let you to manipulate the music. You can control the audio level, the display, and lights on the control surface.
The computer/ iOS interface: This interface let you connect your DJ controller with the system that you operate your software on. It can be your laptop, tablet or iPhone. It transmits audio and MIDI signals to your device.
App control: In some of the new DJ controllers there are options to control your DJing app on smart phones and tablets.
Optional keyboard: You can add a keyboard to your controller which is of high advantage. It enhances the playability and musicality of the DJ rig.
The right software
The controller only lets you manipulate the flow of your music which already has been controlled by the software. The software is crucial since, it is responsible for all the cool grooves and rhythms which you get by interpreting the music files.
The software not just transfers your playlist to your computer but also helps in the virtual transport controls to create new decks from which you will mix your music files. A few of the DJ softwares available in market today are Traktor Pro, Serato DJ softaware, Pioneer DDJ-SB Serato DJ Intro controller, Ableton Live, Deckadence, DJAY, Virtual DJ, and The One.
Finally you have the formula to become a rocking DJ. Get the right software which is compatible with your device and which you are comfortable with. Buy your DJ controller according to your software and your budget.
