PIONEER DDJ-FLX6

Product Information

And maybe that is the idea. In this time where hobbies rule and social media is how people express themselves, maybe that is the aim here – a fun home device that’ll help bored hobby DJs to play passable DJ sets, and do some of the “clever” sounding stuff they see their heroes doing on the big stages. Pitch bending and scratching feel natural on the DDJ-FLX6-W thanks to the large jog wheels, which are the same size as those on the flagship CDJ-3000 multi player. Each one features an On Jog Display too, so you can keep an eye on the playhead position.

Despite this, we should note that you certainly have a much tighter integration if you’re a Rekordbox fan. Pioneer DJ’s DDJ-FLX6 is a bedroom-oriented controller focused on performance features. With full-sized jogs, four channels, and a plethora of new (albeit slightly confusing) performance features, the FLX6 is very enticing for hobbyist DJs who want features without breaking the bank. The unit’s Serato and Rekordbox compatibility is also quite exciting. It has also been announced as working with Virtual DJ– This is good news, but then, it always did work with Virtual DJ in its previous DDJ-FLX6 incarnation. Maybe this is just exactly the same mapping made official and announced by Pioneer DJ, or maybe there are improvements (we’ll no doubt find out soon enough)Despite a couple of grumbles, the DDJ-FLX6 is still impressive in its own way. There are a few advanced functions that you won’t get anywhere else. Pioneer also boasts a new aesthetic for this DJ controller, but we’re not sure how much of a benefit that is at first glance. It doesn’t have the mobile-friendly features of the new DDJ-FLX4– While we suspect that when the Rekordbox for iOS & Android DJ app is launched in early 2023, there will be a way to get it working with the FLX6, but it won’t be as easy as with the DDJ-FLX4 that’s just been announced. That’s because the FLX-4 has USB-C connectivity and a USB-C charging port, neither of which are on the DDJ-FLX6-GT, sadly

As for the professional market, I believe a Mk2 version is needed with balanced outputs before the FLX can be viable for them. Nonetheless, the FLX6 has found a seemingly untouched niche in the DJ market, and will likely sell very well to lower-budget hobbyist DJs. Some DJs will probably find it easier to use the jog cutter feature than to learn how to scratch in the first place. It seems pointless to focus your attention on learning this new functionality when you could just practice scratching – and use your skills on other devices too. Beat FX If your computer doesn’t work, or something crashes, your music will stop too. For voice-over and other elements, the DDJ FLX6 has its own microphone input, but this routes directly to the outputs, so you won’t be able to apply effects.You do get a few simplicities built-in, such as a set of beat buttons, a level/depth knob, your standard on/off button, channel select, and FX select. The controls on the DDJ-FLX6-GT are set up the same way as on its predecessor, which is a club-standard CDJ + DJM setup. This makes it easy to perform. But the new matte grey body and graphite jog wheels give it a more elegant look. Virtual DJ Support There are a set of four DJ software channels to choose from, a set of color FX knobs, and a three-band EQ to enjoy. There’s also access to looping controls, eight performance pads, and some basic inputs and outputs. I feel a bit sorry for Pioneer DJ here. They took a lot of flak for not making their DDJ-1000 controller for Rekordbox work with Serato (they eventually released a Serato variant, the DDJ-1000SRT). Now they’ve released a controller that works with both, and they are still going to get flak for it.

The microphone input doesn’t connect directly to the soundcard, so you can’t add effects to your voice directly. Control-wise it is missing some small things I’d like to see (parameter buttons for the pads, a key sync or key shift hardware button, a slip button, better effects controls – more later) and the pitch faders seem almost comically small for such a large controller (again, it feels like a mismatch), but it’s generally all here. It’s only a software controller, which is fine, so there are no inputs for other DJ gear. However, I think not even having an Aux input is a bit much at this price. One exception to that statement is that the DDJ-FLX6 has a booth output, but no DJ is going to want to play with this controller in any venue big enough to have booth speakers – plus, when you have “booth” and master, having them both as unbalanced outputs doesn’t make sense.From a control perspective, this certainly isn’t the most advanced option on the market. There are a few things missing, such as key shift hardware or sync buttons.