Most DJs start small and often with a smaller investment when it comes to buying DJ controllers. Many DJs also remember the night when they played for the very first time on one of the larger DJ consoles/mixers, with sweat dripping from nervousness. For some, it may have been the first time at a nightclub, bar, or at a friend's place, who might already have a mobile disco set up. With this guide, we aim to tell you about the advantages and disadvantages of transitioning from a small to a large DJ mixer console, recommendations for choosing DJ controllers, and the responsibilities that come with playing at venues such as nightclubs or corporate events.

Overall advantages of switching to a larger DJ controller

Overall, there are always advantages to transitioning from a small DJ controller to a larger one. With a larger DJ controller, you have several advantages, including:

  • More control and more buttons - allowing you to have greater control over the music you play.
  • It typically has more inputs and outputs. This allows you to connect more devices and sources to your setup, for example, if you are operating as a mobile disco.
  • Faster software, which quickly reads your music with incredibly fast loading times. This provides a smoother flow when you're playing.
  • Greater comfort - more space to work with. It becomes easier for you to mix and manipulate your music in a more natural and intuitive way.
  • Longer durability. A larger DJ console will often be built of stronger materials - robust construction. Resistant to wear and tear.
  • If we take the contrast between a Pioneer DJ DDJ-200 or DDJ-FLX4 and a complete console with two Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000 players including a Pioneer DJ DJM-A9 mixer connecting the two players, there is a huge contrast in what each can do.

As you can also see in the pictures, the first thing you'll notice is the size, but also the number of buttons. Don't worry, it shouldn't scare you away. The large one with CDJ-3000 players and DJM-A9 mixer can do more things and has significantly more features than a DDJ-200, but the starting point for being a DJ will always remain the same.

Beginner console

DDJ-200
Taking a specific look at the DDJ-200, it is an excellent DJ mixer to start with as it can be connected via your iPhone, where you can learn to play using a free app (WeDJ) with the help of a tutorial function. You just need to connect your iPhone to your DDJ-200 and from there, you can mix your songs from, for example, iTunes/Music. The mixer also comes with a quick start guide showing you how to set up the DJ controller with WeDJ and Rekordbox.

Additionally, the DDJ-200 has several functions and advantages such as:

  • Number of channels: 2
  • Easy to transport: Weighs only 1.2 kg.
  • Touchpads and effects
  • Transition FX
  • Bluetooth 4.2 (Only for WeDJ App)

Disadvantages:
With this console, you are forced to use a split cable to separate audio output from smartphone or PC, so you can have audio output to headphones and external monitors. This way, you can check the sound in the headset when using the que button for the next track, while guests can hear the master output from the speakers.

DDJ-FLX4
Taking another look at a beginner console, which is also more suitable for a new DJ, as it also has a master output, so you can get a feel for what it's like to play out as a DJ, the DDJ-FLX4 is a fantastic choice.

With a DDJ-FLX4, it has never been easier to start your DJ career, and the setup of this controller is very similar to Pioneer's top products.

Compared to the DDJ-200, there are more advantages and features on a DDJ-FLX4:

  • Number of channels: 2
  • Beat FX
  • 8 Hot Cues
  • Microphone input
  • Master output (RCA: Phono Left & Right)
  • Headphones output (mini-jack)
  • Trim (channel level)
  • Loops (in & out, 4 beat and call function)
  • Comes with Pioneer's DJ software: Rekordbox DJ and Serato DJ Lite
  • Pioneer DDJ-FLX4 controller is packed with cool features and effects
  • Bluetooth 4.2
  • Sold with a flight case

Disadvantages:
This DJ controller can do practically everything a DJ needs. The only major disadvantage is that you cannot use a USB if, for example, you have all your music stored on it.

For the Experienced DJ

CDJ 3000 X DJM-A9
If you're up to Pioneer's latest trend, then the CDJ 3000 players and DJM-A9 mixer are a huge go-to! This is the console that represents Pioneer's top-class product.

CDJ 3000 Player
There has been a revolutionary development in the CDJ collection over the last 30 years. The CDJ 3000 players have everything you dream of when playing as a DJ. There are a plethora of features and advantages, but among the most important are that it:

  • Reads almost all hardware (hard drives, USB, SSD, SD, PC/laptop, etc.)
  • Lightning-fast loading time
  • 8 Hot Cues
  • Loops (in & out, 4 beat and call function)
  • Built-in screens, which are larger than its predecessor (CDJ 2000 NX2)
  • Jog wheel adjust (hard and softness)
  • Jog mode
  • Master tempo and tempo
  • Touch bar keyboard
  • Search button

You can also connect the two players with a link cable into a switch along with the mixer, so when one player sends music from a channel, it lights up red, while the other, not playing music, lights up white. This way, you are never nervous about knowing which player is sending out music.

The CDJ-3000 needs a regular power cable to come to life. Additionally, it has an "audio out," where you can play music from the player alone using RCA phono cables without a mixer.

DJM-A9
DJM-A9 is a 4-channel professional DJ mixer that takes the standard for club mixers to entirely new heights.

It is built much wider, and with it, you have much more space to work with. Some of the most important (and newest) specs are:

  • Two computers/PCs can be connected at the same time
  • Two outputs for headphones (ideal for B2B DJs)
  • Center Lock
  • Condenser microphones (+48V phantom power)

When comparing DJ controllers to the latest top products from Pioneer, there is no doubt that more expensive is also better. It's everything from features, size, speeds, to the user-friendliness of the product, which proves to be a huge contrast.

Recommendations

Regarding recommendations for each DJ, it must be said to be an enormously subjective opinion. If you are completely new to the field, it is recommended to step into a DDJ-FLX4, as it has a lot of features that a DJ should learn to get started properly. Also, if you, for example, want to play at a nightclub in the future, it is advantageous to choose DDJ-FLX4, as it has many of the features that Pioneer's top products from the CDJ collection can do.

If you are a more experienced DJ and have been playing for a few years, it will definitely be cool to have a complete console with CDJ 3000 players and a DJM-A9 mixer at home, but of course, there are a plethora of options where you can save money. It is recommended to invest in this complete console if you want top-class features or if you want to prepare a set 1-1 if the same console should be at a nightclub or a festival.

Remember the most important thing!

As mentioned, there are a plethora of differences in DJ instruments, but it is essential to separate what each one can do precisely and whether it is necessary to upgrade. Here is a list of the most significant differences in the shifts for the 3 consoles mentioned in the article. It gives you an overall picture of what you get out of your investment.

Pioneer DDJ-200 Pioneer DDJ-FLX4 Pioneer CDJ-3000 + DJM-A9
     
Advantages Advantages Advantages
Portable: weighs 1.2 kg. Has sound output via RCA phono cables Can read USB, SSD, SD, and PC/laptop
Compatible with smartphone Can adjust trim/volume per channel Wider and larger screen
Free app Can connect headset More control
Works with RekordBox Portable: weighs 2.1 kg. More buttons
8 Touchpads/que points Compatible with smartphone More inputs and outputs for output
Transition FX Free app Greater comfort
Bluetooth Works with RekordBox Longer durability
Cheap Cheap Robust
    Center Lock on filter
    Two outputs for headset
    Two PCs can be connected at the same time
Disadvantages Disadvantages Disadvantages
Cannot adjust trim/volume per channel Does not read USB Heavier in weight
Split cable for output Less comfort Higher prices
Less comfort Fewer buttons  
Less control    
Does not read USB    
Cannot connect headset directly    

History - DJ Controllers - DJ Belmin

I started on the then Numark N4. The purchase was cheap and it was easy to start. After a few months, I saw a video of a very talented DJ, which I was extremely fascinated by. He could do some tricks on the then DDJ-SX that were not possible with the features Numark offered.

This was the reason why I sold my old DJ controller, switched to Pioneer's DDJ-SX, and from there, I got a more dedicated approach to the DJ world. I couldn't thank myself enough, as the purchase gave me the courage to make a lot of DJ videos, which later gave me a steady gig at the most popular nightclub in my hometown. Before my first night at the nightclub, I was extremely nervous because I knew I had to play on a CDJ 2000 console. It made me invest in a pair of brand new CDJ 2000 NXS players and a DJM-900 NXS mixer.

They have held up ever since, and now I want to invest in a single CDJ 3000 player, just for the reason that I can play music from 3 players at the same time, giving me room to make advanced mixes, live mashups, and edits. That way, I can make more videos and brand myself and my skills.

We hope you learned a little something new about the differences and similarities among DJ controllers, players, and mixers.

Enjoy starting and investing in your DJ career!