Newest DJ Controllers 2024 Release

Last Updated on May 1, 2024 by Daniel Osakwe

Newest DJ Controllers

Products	Features	Where to buy (New)	Where to buy (pre-owned)
Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol X1	Connectivity: USB\| Channels: n/a\| Deck control: 2	Get it on Amazon	Get it on eBay
Roland DJ-505	Connectivity: USB 2.0 x1\| Channels: 2\| Deck control: 4	Get it on Amazon	Get it on eBay
Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3	Connectivity: USB/iOS\| Channels: 2\| Deck control: 2	Get it on Amazon	Get it on eBay
Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000	Connectivity: 2x USB 2.0\| Channels: 4\| Deck control: 4	Get it on Amazon	Get it on eBay
Pioneer DJ DDJ-400	Connectivity: USB\| Channels: 2\| Deck control: 2	Get it on Amazon	Get it on eBay
Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 Mk3	Connectivity: USB 2.0\| Channels: 4\| Deck control: 4	Get it on Amazon	Get it on eBay
Rane Twelve MkII	Connectivity: USB\| Channels: n/a\| Deck control: 4	Get it on Amazon	Get it on eBay
Denon MCX8000	Connectivity: 2x USB 2.0\| Channels: 4\| Deck control: 4	Get it on Amazon	Get it on eBay
Pioneer DJ DDJ-SB3	Connectivity: USB\| Channels: 2\| Deck control: 4	Get it on Amazon	Get it on eBay

In recent years, DJ equipment has evolved into a fairly sophisticated and high-quality system that has been specifically designed to take on the challenge of mixing the best in modern music. DJs have been using DJ mixers for decades to play their favorite music, but the DJ mixer has really taken a step forward in recent years. From basic to high-end, the best DJ mixers are versatile enough to handle all sorts of modern music, and they’re often equipped with a good number of useful features to help DJs do their job.

So, which are the newest DJ controllers? To help you find the best one for you, we’ve picked out the 13 best DJ mixers. This is a list of the newest DJ controllers of 2023, and it contains some of the most popular products on the market. There are controllers for beginners, and professionals. So you can find a DJ mixer that fits your needs perfectly.

Table of Contents

Newest dj controllers for professionals

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol X1

The Traktor Kontrol X1 has been available for more than a decade, but for NI’s 25th anniversary, the company recently gave it an aesthetic upgrade with the release of limited edition Ultraviolet and Vapor Grey variants.

Practically speaking, every X1 is the same. These are little add-on controllers that provide easy access to Traktor Pro’s loops and FX modules. Additionally, Traktor’s library is available for browsing and loading. All current generation X1s, which have been upgraded to MkII since 2013, now include with a touchstrip, which is useful for navigating and nudging songs.

Despite being an older design, they are nonetheless useful and well-liked. When used in conjunction with some other Traktor controller or a digital vinyl setup, these are a useful add-on.

Read the full Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol X1 review

Pros	Cons
Assignable touch strip	No software included
LEDs and digital readouts

Roland DJ-505

For the first time in recent years, Roland entered the DJ controller industry by introducing a variety of Aira-branded controllers for Serato DJ Pro. The addition of the “TR-S” drum machine is the primary selling point here, and the DJ-505 excels in this area.

There are digital reconstructions of Roland’s 909, 808, and 707 beatmakers, some of the best emulations you’ll find in contemporary hardware, and the sounds are identical to those in the original TR-8.

The Roland 505 controller isn’t at the top of the line, but we like how affordable and practical it is. Despite the 505’s somewhat garish appearance, given its small size and low cost, it would be an ideal studio addition for bedroom artists.

Read the full Roland DJ-505 review

Pros	Cons
Easy to use	Looks a little garnish
Plug-and-play setup

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3

New DJs will benefit greatly from the most recent version of NI’s entry-level Traktor controller. It doesn’t require a separate connection or adapter to connect to a laptop running Traktor Pro 3 or NI’s free Traktor DJ iOS software. Although its jog wheels lack the elegance of its larger siblings, this controller is incredibly simple to operate and comes equipped with all you require to get started and play in small parties or home DJ sets.

Traktor is a wonderful choice for a fun and portable DJ controller, but we’d want to see a little more integration between the iOS and laptop versions of the software – libraries and cue points aren’t currently importable from one to the other.

Read the full Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3 review

Pros	Cons
Laptop and iOS compatible	Just two decks with no extra inputs
Well built

Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000

It’s advantageous for Pioneer DJ’s flagship four-channel controller for rekordbox DJ to borrow some design elements from its CDJ and mixer product lines. The core mixer part is effectively a slightly scaled-down version of the company’s well-known DJM-900, complete with its effects section, and the jog wheels are full-sized and pressure-sensitive for a pro mixing feel.

Rekordbox DJ is an amazing mixing program even though, on the software side, it doesn’t nearly have the same history as Serato DJ or Traktor. Its music library is also completely compatible with Pioneer DJ’s dependable CDJs.

Pros	Cons
DJM-900 inspired mixer section	Significant size/weight footprint
Large jog wheels with HD screens

Pioneer DJ DDJ-400

Pioneer DJ’s two-channel rekordbox controller is evidence that entry-level DJ equipment doesn’t always have to be cheap. The DDJ-400 is more than capable for handling most club DJ tasks but lacking some of the more sophisticated capabilities of the DDJ-1000, like the deeper effect controls.

The design cues that the DDJ-400 shares with Pioneer’s high-end Nexus CDJs and mixers are what make it most intriguing. Along with having a similar look and feel, these higher-end devices also share several specific features, such as memory cue buttons and dedicated loop controllers.

Because the 400 effectively allows users to transfer their expertise to Pioneer’s industry-standard club setups, it’s a great DJ controller for both novice and experienced DJs.

Pros	Cons
Easy-access loop controls	Lacks deeper effects control
CDJ-style layout

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S4 Mk3

The four-deck Traktor controller from NI has undergone a considerable overhaul with its third edition. The jog wheels, which are now motorized and employ the company’s new “haptic” technology to provide tactile feedback of cue points and more, are the key components to undergo an upgrade in this case.

But there has also been a change in the design as a whole. One difference is that the pitch faders are now positioned in a CDJ-style “both on the same side correlation” rather than on the Mk2’s outside borders. Additionally, there are new Mixer FX sections and tiny screens that are located beneath each jog wheel.

Users who are moving from version two to version three may feel a little disoriented and will need to relearn some of their mixing techniques to accommodate the new control placements, which is the drawback of these modifications. However, this is still at the top of the Traktor list.

Pros	Cons
Tight Traktor 3 integration	Users of previous versions may feel a little lost
Innovative haptic jog wheels

Rane Twelve MkII

The Rane Twelve differs in some ways from the majority of the controllers on this list, as is probably obvious from simply looking at it. This controller is made particularly to take the place of a single vinyl turntable rather than trying to emulate a full DJ setup with two or more players and a mixer.
With its aluminium platter and “genuine vinyl-style” drive, the Rane Twelve is as close as you can get to mixing with wax without using the actual thing. Most DJ controller jog wheels tend to feel, at most, similar to a club standard CDJ.
The deck outputs DVS audio via an RCA connection, which is compatible with most significant digital vinyl systems, and is also USB compatible with software like Serato and Virtual DJ. It also has MIDI capabilities.

The lack of mixer capabilities is obviously a drawback, as it means you’ll need additional equipment to finish your setup. Though it may be combined with anything from a second Twelve deck to a sampler or pad-based controller, it performs fantastically as an authentic-feeling complement to a DVS-ready mixer configuration.

Pros	Cons
Works with most DVS setups	No mixer controller
Genuinely vinyl-like action

Denon MCX8000

Denon DJ’s flagship controller, the MCX8000, is proudly referred to as “the first true DJ hardware/software controller,” according to the firm. Wild claims, but the 8000’s specifications are quite astounding. This 4-deck mixer can work entirely independently owing to the Denon DJ Engine software, in addition to being utilized to manage Serato DJ on your computer.

The MCX8000 features a Stage LinQ network connection for controlling lighting and video and is comparably less expensive than comparable standalone controllers from top manufacturers.

Pros	Cons
Dedicated filters	Not the largest platters
Standalone capability

Pioneer DJ DDJ-SB3

A 2-channel DJ controller called the DDJ-SB3 was created specifically to work with Serato DJ Lite. Its design is comparable to that of the more expensive DDJ-S equipment and features jog wheels, performance pads, play and cue buttons, as well as independent auto loop buttons.

The DDJ-SB2 has been updated to the SB3, which has a function called Pad Scratch that was developed in conjunction with DJ Jazzy Jeff. This lets you to launch eight of his signature scratching techniques, which may be used independently or in conjunction with your own scratching. The scratch is automatically tuned to the track’s BPM.

Pros	Cons
Bundled with Serato DJ Lite	Small pitch faders
Pad scratch function

Newest dj controllers for beginners

Pioneer DJ REV-1

The words “budget” and “scratch” don’t frequently go together. Cheaper controllers typically aren’t up to the task because turntablism requires accuracy and dexterity. However, Pioneer DJ hopes to change that with the launch of its new REV-1 controller.

The pitch faders of the REV-1 are positioned above the jog wheels rather than next to them because it is a two-channel controller in battle configuration. Although the REV-1 is quite small, it has larger jog wheels than the norm, which is one of the key areas where inexpensive controllers sometimes fall short for scratch DJs.

The mixer portion is somewhat smaller and less fashionable than Pioneer’s DJM-S line of battle mixers, although it is based on those models in general. However, the REV-1 comes with performance pads and a mic input, so it is well-equipped.

The REV-1 is intended for use with Serato DJ Lite, a free program, which is a polite way of saying that no software licenses are provided. However, users can upgrade and enjoy Serato Pro capabilities as well.

Pros	Cons
Decent scratch capabilities at a low price	No software license included
Decent crop of performance pads

Reloop Mixon 4

Reloop’s flagship hybrid controller, the Mixon 4, is the only one of its kind in this list of the finest DJ controllers. The Mixon 4 can mix on PC, Mac, iOS, and Android. It was created for Serato Pro DJ and Algoriddim djay PRO.

Additionally, the djay 2 program includes Spotify integration, which calls for a paid subscription. The controller has 16 performance pads, a docking station for a 12.9″ iPad Pro, a four-channel audio interface, and four deck control.

Pros	Cons
Multi-platform support	Mic input not XLR
Integrated docking station can hold an iPad Pro

Numark DJ2GO2 Touch

DJ2GO2 is the perfect portable pocket DJ controller thanks to its built-in sound card, which has channel gain knobs, a master gain knob, and a headphone output for cueing. The pad modes allow you access to performance features often seen on larger controllers, and it contains two channels with a crossfader and pitch faders for simple blending.

To improve and increase the responsiveness of mixing, the most recent version of “Touch” has capacitive jog wheels.

The DJ2GO2 might not be everyone’s first pick but given its low cost and compact footprint on your equipment list, it might be the ideal backup controller for the traveling DJ.

Pros	Cons
Portable	Jog wheels are a little fiddly
Bundled with a free 3.5mm to RCA cable

Tips On Buying A Good DJ Controller

Software

The value of investing in a quality software package is among the things that are most simple to miss. This can open up a wide range of musical possibilities for you.

However, there are numerous unique software programs available. Performance varies from person to person. Make sure you comprehend how the software functions before you make a purchase.

Features

The features that are offered are one of the most crucial elements to take into account. The majority of current controllers will offer a few standard features. A helpful control surface comes first. This merely indicates that there are numerous knobs and buttons to inspect. If you’re a beginner and are unsure of what each button performs, don’t worry. As your understanding increases, you’ll become more adept at using increasingly complex features.

Consider the different types of technologies that it can interface with as well. There are DJ controllers that can play CDs and vinyl. The use of more recent technology, such as tablets or even smartphones, will be permitted by others. Depending on where you’ve stored your music, you can choose the interface type you like most. If you’re just starting off, you might value a system that supports tablets. As a result, transportation will be simpler.

Connection Type

Consider the connecting points that are available. This may significantly affect the kind of functionality you can get. For instance, some DJ controllers may be able to sync with a PA system. This allows you to quickly set up and begin performing.

Price

The cost of the controller is perhaps the last thing you should consider. You don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a basic model. You should frequently be prepared to spend anything between $300 and $2,500 depending on the type of device you select. Models that cost less than $100 may be available. Although this can seem like a good offer, you should stay away from certain models. They are frequently composed of flimsier materials, making them more prone to breaking. A decent DJ controller should be durable and capable of lasting for many years.

Final Thoughts

The best and newest DJ controllers are the most efficient way to play out the music that you are making. As the name implies, they are essentially made to be used by DJs. These controllers are portable and come with a variety of features to help you out with your job. Before buying, ensure you check all the features and performance.