Controller Clinic #8: Which Two-Deck Controller For Studio Use?

Digital DJ Tips reader Bradley Olinger writes: “I am looking for a good DJ Midi controller for studio use. While I might occasionally do a DJ gig, my main focus is on using it as an instrument. I have a pretty solid audio interface already, and so really only need a two-deck set-up. I have already been looking at a few options mainly in the sub-$300 range, and I do have some flexibility since I don’t need an audio interface built in, but also I don’t want something that is obviously aimed at a casual hobbyist either, since I do take my production work seriously.”

Digital DJ Tips says:

If you don’t want jogs, the Novation Twitch is awesome. If you do, Traktor Kontrol S2 is great, though more than US$300 (you do get the software too). Both, though, have a built-in audio interface. Without an audio interface, the Kontrol X1 is good for controlling loops and FX in Traktor, but has no built in mixer or jogwheels. Compact but complete control over Traktor is offered by the Faderfox controllers; all are tiny but fully featured, and again, no audio interface. You could consider a single-jog controller (they have a switch to allow you to control two software decks) of which the Denon DN-SC2000 is a great example – professionally built and reliable, plus again no audio interface.

But for a basic controller that does a LOT more that its price and marketing suggest, the Mixtrack is a bargain. A controller for simple control over DJ software doesn’t have to be complex or expensive to perform, as this unit proves, and if you’re not using it out and about (although many people do), its plastic construction shouldn’t worry you. That’d more or less give you money left over to buy the full version of Traktor (I am guessing you want Traktor) within your US$300 budget.

Any different recommendations to make to Bradley? Please leave your advice in the comments below.