Pioneer DDJ-400 Review

Pioneer DDJ-400 front

 

Quarantine protocols brought about by the recent pandemic made most people sulk at the prospect of boredom — but it’s also given them space and time to explore new tricks, relinquish bad habits, and turn to music. For us personally, the lockdown has given us more time to put together reviews and recommendations for some of the best DJ gear on the market.

If you are aspiring to be a DJ, the first point of call should be to get yourself the right equipment to use or practice with. The best way to do this is to first analyze what you’re able to afford and how much space you’ve got to work with, then you’ll be able to get a more realistic idea on what an ideal setup will look like for you.

Of course, there may not be any face-to-face parties to be spinning the beats out just yet, but this is a perfect time and opportunity to practice, sharpen your skills, and build up some killer playlists before unleashing your fire on the dancefloor!

Just starting out? That’s perfect! Pioneer DDJ-400 is ideal for beginners

For aspiring beginners, the best way to get a few steps ahead of the game is to invest in the right equipment that’s going to give you the most value for money. Compared to other models and brands, Pioneer’s DDJ-400 happens to offer just that.

Here are some relevant bits of information that should help get you a few inches closer to making up your mind:

Pioneer has been around for decades, and this model in particular is one of the most lightweight and portable controllers in the whole range. It’s been ranked the number one DJ choice in multiple magazines, Youtube videos, and other online reviews — even today — so its durability and reliability speak for itself.

The controller also works with the highly-acclaimed professional performance software, Rekordbox. It’s considered one of the most amazing software of all time, and it really is. It’s an invaluable aid to master your controller’s creative capabilities and can help you make effortless transitions, loops, mashups and it comes packed with loads of other cool features so you can make the most out of your skills. The best part? It comes bundled in with the controller completely scott free! All it takes is activating it via the unique code you’ll get once you’ve purchased the gear.

Ever dreamt of performing at a party and putting some twists on your favorite tunes? Recreate, top it down, go ‘round and ‘round on your mixes with features like the sound color FX and beat FX buttons, both of which have curves crafted from Pioneer’s legendary DJM-900NXS2 mixer — a similar style interface to club-standard players.
Connect directly to your speakers or amplifier and let that crystal clear audio masterpiece do its thing. With or without recording, Pioneer DDJ-400 is as easy as Plug and Play.
For performance controls, you’ll get 2-deck control with pad FX, dedicated cue buttons, and sampler 16slot x 4bank. The controller is also compatible with any PC or Mac and can be connected up to Soundcloud Go+, Beatsource LINK, Beatport LINK and TIDAL.

Be your very own pioneer with Pioneer DDJ-400

More than just talk and text, the greatest deal about DJing is the DJ itself — you!
Remember to keep the fire burning! No one will ever have the most unforgettable and the greatest experience if the DJ itself isn’t on the same vibe with that passionate drive. These unprecedented times might have put off the plug and the beat inside of you, but as the saying goes: the hours you spent sulking and feeling bored and sorry for yourself are those same hours someone else is utilizing to become the best DJ they can be.

The first step is the hardest. Over time, the practice might even become a bit exhausting and monotonous, but this is key to any craft or hobby that you want to become a master in. By carving out some time out each day to work on your passion, you’ll be making important progress. Always know that stairs are supposed to be taken one step at a time and, and it gets even easier if you have equipped yourself with the right tools and mindset from the start — so keep going no matter what!

Plug the passion in and play with the rhythm — like a real DJ!

Different types of DJ equipment

DJ Headphoes

You can’t DJ properly if you can’t hear what you’re doing or gauge what the audience is hearing. This is why a top-class pair of headphones is essential in any DJ setup. There are hundreds of great headphones on the market, but what you need to factor in when buying is whether they will be in-ear or over-ear, the cup size, orientation, comfort, and durability, among other things.

Different types of DJ equipment

speakers

 If you haven’t got some already and need to add speakers to your shopping list, you’ll want to avoid cheap brands and opt for some which are powerful but suitable for your DJing environment. You wouldn’t go out and buy a huge PA system if you live in a cupboard under the stairs, and you wouldn’t invest in some tiny desk speakers if you are mixing in a large room with thick walls and high ceilings. A set of speakers that fit somewhere in the middle is best.

Different types of DJ equipment

DJ Software

If you’re looking to play solely digital, you’re going to want to invest in some good software. Some DJs who play from USB still do not use software, but the truth is, it can seriously help you stay organized. Software not only allows you to prepare your tracks into neat and tidy playlists, but it also detects the BPM and key of all your tunes, lets you set hot cues, make loops, mashups, and other really cool stuff that wouldn’t be possible if you simply stuck all your tunes on a USB stick or burned them to CD. If you’re just starting out as a DJ, there’s no question that using a high-quality software program will make mixing easier and your sets sound better.

Different types of DJ equipment

Controllers

 DJ controllers are highly convenient because they are an all-in-one setup that you can carry around with you, then plug in and play right off the bat. They also eliminate the need to spend thousands on individual pieces of gear. There are many different types of DJ controllers that are ideal for beginners, each with different functions, personalities, and more. Some are fantastic for multi-deck mixing, changing the volume, tempo, track settings, looping, panning, playing drum pads, and even scratching.

Different types of DJ equipment

mixers

For any analog DJ setup, a mixer is an essential bit of kit. Besides being used to make seamless transitions from one song to another, they also have a wide range of other functions. The crossfader can be used to make epic scratch performances, while the vertical sliders control the volume levels, panning, and can be used in conjunction with effects. They also act as a soundcard to process the music signal you’re sending out to your audience, and let you cue up your next track in your headphones while the current song is playing.

Different types of DJ equipment

Turntables

As mentioned, mixing on turntables is the classic way of DJing, and even some digital DJs still have a vinyl player or two in their repertoire. Turntables are ideal for those who want to get into scratching. They also allow you to switch between songs and albums, slow down tempos, alter the pitch, and do other creative tricks. While laptops and digital DJ setups are the most popular in this day in age, we still recommend learning how to mix on vinyl, even if you don’t plan to buy turntables or use them in your setup. The saying is true – if you can play on wax, you can play on anything.