One of the first pieces of kit any aspiring DJ needs in their bag is a good DJ Controller. This is the brain of your setup and it’s an important part of learning the ropes too, for beginners. In this article, we’re going to take a look the options available on the market when looking for the best DJ controller for beginners that money can buy. We’ll have an easy-to-read, quick-look table in which we’ll rank these items, and we’re also featuring a buying guide too.
The choice for DJ equipment is massive, and especially when you’re starting out, this can cause you all sorts of problems. Which is the right one for a newbie? How do you even know what you’re looking for? Well, never fear, because we’re here. And we’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about DJ Controllers to get you started and learning the moves.
Good advice when you’re seeking to get into the art of being a DJ and looking for a controller is to watch out for a few things. Try to get a controller that hasn’t got too many channels. It keeps things simpler when you’re starting out. Two is enough. Four is even better, because it gives you more room to grow into it, before you need to upgrade. Included software will save you some significant bucks. Weight and portability are desirable – because that’ll give you scope to get out and about, and learn more from more established DJs. We’ll cover all of this in the detailed reviews and buying guide.
But enough talk. Let’s start getting into this. I’m going to take you through the ins and outs of the best DJ Controllers for beginners, so hang onto your headphones.
There are lots of complicated-sounding terms that you’re likely to read on your search, and most of them are simple enough once you break them down. It pays to know what you’re reading about – because the last thing you want to be doing is spending cash on features you’re not going to be using. On the B side – you don’t want to buy a unit that doesn’t include the right specifications to get you making music either. So, pay attention.
USB ports are your friends. The more a controller has, the more options you have to connect other devices and the more versatile it’ll be. Internal memory won’t necessarily be a feature of your beginner’s level controller, so you may be using a USB stick to store your cues. If the unit is compatible with your iPad or laptop, this is also how you’ll be hooking up. Work out what you’ll need and choose accordingly.
Weight is an interesting factor to the newbie. With learning anything, it’s usually a massive plus to be able to get out and mix – literally – with other students of the art. Whether they be more, less, or equally advanced as yourself. Portability is going to help in this regard, and it’s also true that it’s a great feature for when you’re ready to go out start impressing at events, especially if you don’t own a car, or a big car.
