Traktor s4 mk2 vs pioneer ddj sr2/17/2024 ![]() Oddly enough, the pad modes can’t be edited in Rekordbox, unlike other Rekordbox controllers. The pads themselves are of the clicky rubber variety – quite similar to those on the SB3 – and are unicolor and not RGB. Deck controlsīeyond the basics like play and cue buttons, the DDJ-FLX6 has a decent assortment of deck controls alongside its performance pads. Red LEDs indicate which effect and channel is selected. The effect is controlled by a level/depth knob, pair of beat value buttons, and an on/off button. It also has one button to toggle between channel assignment, with Channel 1-4 and Master options. ![]() It has one button to toggle between each of the six different effects in Serato and Rekordbox FX banks, which can be chosen by the user. The FLX-6 sports an FX strip on the right that is reminiscent of the DJM line. I had trouble with crab and transformer scratches on the fader, which is a considerable factor for scratch DJs. However, the crossfader is oddly stiff and manifests some significant resolution issues. The knobs are plastic and mounted on thick plastic pots, and have a sturdy feel. The four-channel mixer section of the FLX-6 allows for easy four-deck DJing, which opens up many possibilities that other competing midrange devices don’t have. The center on-jog displays are a nice touch as well, displaying needle position as well as other info like slip mode. Despite being capacitive, they act very similar to Pioneer DJ’s infamous CDJ jogs: weighted, noisy, and tactile. The main highlight of the FLX-6 is undoubtedly its 7-inch capacitive jog wheels. This issue could be mitigated with an external soundcard or portable live mixer. The lack of balanced XLR or ¼ outputs is a turn-off for many pro DJs, as PA systems tend to rely on the greater stability of balanced outputs. On the front panel, I was happy to see both ¼ and 3.55 headphone jacks, meaning no flimsy adapters are required to connect professional headphones to the device. That said – if you’re looking to livestream with the FLX-6, you could connect it to an external interface like an iRig Stream or a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and route that out to your device of choice. The mic input does not have soundcard connectivity, thus it does not output sound to software recording or streaming programs directly. The FLX-6 shows its colors as a home-oriented controller with its I/O selection: a single pair of RCA master outs, a second pair of RCA booth outs, and a single ¼ inch microphone jack with attenuator control. I did, however, find the unit to be more responsive with Serato DJ, but that may just be due to the fact that Serato DJ has traditionally optimized as a lighter program designed for turntablists. That said, the FLX-6 is a Rekordbox unit first and foremost, as its Serato DJ integration isn’t nearly as tight – there’s no MIDI mapping and less customization over features like Merge FX. Controllers have followed the annoying trend of exclusive single-software support for over a decade, and it’s good to see software brands working together again. The dual Rekordbox/Serato compatibility was a huge shock as well. Instead of a standalone mixer section and a metal-reinforced body (like the SR2), the FLX6 sports four channels and full-sized jog wheels – two very enticing features that are generally only found on higher-end Pioneer DJ gear. The DDJ-FLX6 looks to be Pioneer DJ’s solution to this market, providing a midrange controller that focuses on performance features. ![]() Existing mid-range units such as the DDJ-SR2 and DDJ-800 tend to focus on build quality over performance features, sporting similar layouts to their entry level counterparts while providing improved build quality and advanced connectivity options. It doesn’t make sense that home DJs have to spend over $1,000 to get a significant upgrade feature-wise, from $2-300 entry-level units like the DDJ-400. I’ve always felt that the controller market has been in a bit of a dilemma for home DJs. ![]() The FLX6 feels like a cross between the DDJ-1000 and DDJ-400, offering four channels and full-sized jog wheels by forsaking build quality and connectivity options. Pioneer DJ surprised us all with the release of the new DDJ-FLX6, a $599 Serato/Rekordbox dual compatible DJ controller.
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