The new style includes a familiar layout of controls similar to how you would find them on the club-standard CDJ and DJM setups allowing for intuitive performances. Sample Scratch is a brand-new pad mode in rekordbox which enables you to choose sounds you’ve assigned to the sampler and load them onto the decks.

While there’s no jog wheel adjustment, like that offered by the DDJ-800 and DDJ-1000, the tension setting feels just right – especially if you’re upgrading from the smaller DDJ controllers. There are ten scratch patterns to select and can be switched by moving the play head position displayed on the jog wheels on-jog display. The VirtualDJ software will also be available to use with the original DDJ-FLX6 (black/white models) by updating the unit to the latest firmware version, and TRAKTOR PRO 3 will be available to use with either model by downloading the mapping files (TSI file).Just days after the launch of the new two-channel DDJ-FLX4 controller, Pioneer have announced an upgrade to the larger model in the versatile FLX range. With this regard, I would have considered the FLX10, but it's like 4x a used flx6 and I would only use it for private parties with friends, so I suppose it is overkill for my use case. There are 10 different scratch patterns and you can switch from one to another by simply moving the playhead position, shown on the jog wheel’s display, to point toward the angle for the scratch you want to use. With full size jog wheels, which are the same size as the flagship CDJ-3000, as well as a four-channel mixer - the first thing you’ll notice about the DDJ-FLX6 is that it feels like a step up from the entry level Pioneer DJ kit.

It has incredible versatility with four available channels and new features and has easy plug-in-and-play functionality. The DDJ-FLX6 has two really powerful features to help DJs jump from one BPM range to another Merge FX and the Jog Cutter. Use Jog Cutter to apply a professional sounding scratch effect to the last Hot Cue or playback position by merely moving the jog wheel. One great aspect of the Merge FX is that they allow for very complex FX chains, which would usually require more than two hands.Choose from 41 types of effect for each element (Build FX, Build Sample, Release FX, and Drop Sample) and combine them to create more than 9,000 different patterns. One Merge FX is made up of four categories Build FX, Build Sample, Release FX and Drop Sample, which include 41 types of effects, all of which can be united to create over 9,000 different patterns. The beauty is that it can be done at any point throughout any track and then play can be selected on the other deck to introduce the next track (from any genre with a different BPM) flawlessly.

Adding flare to sets and mixing between genres, no matter what the key or BPM of the next track is, can be flawless thanks to the new Merge FX feature. If you’re using Serato DJ Pro instead of rekordbox, then Scratch Bank can be used to trigger samples through the performance pads. Press it to engage the effect, turn it to alter the speed to add tension to the music, and press the knob again to release the effect. I was leaning towards a second-hand ddj flx6 for ~450€, but then I read on reddit that it's not a good controller with terrible sound. These customisable banks allow you to load build and release FX and samples which can then be used to create a dramatic lift before dropping the next track.The new unit adds support for VirtualDJ (license available separately), while retaining free compatibility with rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro. The software options for the controller is flexible as the controller’s DJ Performance functions can be unlocked with either rekordbox or Serato DJ Pro. Simply press the knob and turn it as fast or as slowly as you like to start building up the tension in the music. VirtualDJ is compatible with the updated unit (licenses available separately), which also offers free use of the rekordbox Core plan and Serato DJ Pro.