A first-timer DJ practiced with the DDJ-400 and made his party debut!

One day, I had a chance to take part in a DJ party as a DJ. But there was a big problem ...

I have never really practiced DJing!!

I’d had a small party with some friends using an iPad, but I'd never actually used a CDJ for DJing. So, when I asked a DJ I knew about equipment he would recommend for practice, he said, "The DDJ-400 good, isn’t it?" The DDJ-400…??

Pioneer DJ / DDJ-400 rekordbox dj専用2ch PCDJコントローラー

Insanely cool ...!!
A DJ controller made by popular Pioneer DJ! You can download compatible DJ software for free, and you can easily DJ just by connecting a cable to your computer! I tried it immediately!

■ Good points of the DDJ-400!!

• Arrangement of club standards
  The DDJ-400 follows the button and knob layout of the CDJ-2000NXS2, which has recently become a permanent fixture for clubs. As the actual site also had a CDJ-2000NXS2, there was no discomfort at all, and I was able to quickly figure out where the buttons were and how they responded.
• COMPUTER MASTER OUT
  Don't have speakers and can't practice DJing?! This will solve your problems. I was also glad that the settings ccould be easily switched with one click (when using rekordbox).
• Outstanding operability and button feel
  Compared to the older, cheaper PCDJ controllers used for practice at home, the DDJ-400 is comfortable as the performance pads on each deck, the knobs and faders on the mixer, and the weight are all just right! As expected, Pioneer DJ has provided the sensation of play that DJs demand from controllers!
• Compatible with rekordbox
  What is important when using a PCDJ is the choice of DJ software. I was worried about what software would be better, but I heard that rekordbox is good for on-site CDJ, because it has an easy-to-use USB / SD export function! A great function that can be used immediately during DJing just by inserting the cue point saved in rekordbox into the DJ equipment as it is. In addition, rekordbox is Pioneer DJ software, so compatibility with standard club DJ equipment such as CDJ-2000NXS2 is outstanding.
  Also, among DJs at clubs and event sites, rekordbox has an overwhelmingly high share rate! It is also great because you can easily exchange information with other DJs!

■ Compared with the CDJ-2000NXS2

The DJ mixer production environment: DJM-900NXS2, CDJ: CDJ-2000NXS2 x 2 club standard. Actually, it is similar when the real thing is right in front of you. The DJM-900NXS2 is a 4ch mixer, so the biggest difference is that it can be used uniquely. Also, the DDJ-400 has a slightly narrower set of functions than the CDJ-2000NXS2 and DJM-900NXS2. But I felt that many key functions remained.

By the way, my friend had used the CDJ-400 for practice. I had practiced on it for the entire day before the actual performance.

At this time, the CDJ doesn't show any waveforms, so it's like a DJ using analog records. I want to practice with rekordbox in the same way!! But there is no such convenient function...

Oh, wait! There is.

Since it was only mentioned in passing in the rekordbox instruction manual, I didn't know about it until I was told. There are shortcut keys that make the waveform screen smaller and the song selection screen larger. By doing this, you will be able to practice DJing “by ear"! It is a good point that you can carry out operations not only from the computer keyboard but also from the DDJ-400 side.

Another way,

■ Summary

So, I found that the DDJ-400 is a very easy to use, perfect controller for home practice. The nice thing is that you can change the crossfader curve. Isn't it all that you need? The fact that it is equipped with the functions that beginner DJs want makes it right for beginners and I am looking forward to future practice! By the way, if you can afford a little more, we also recommend the higher grade “DDJ-800”, the higher level model of the DDJ-400. This is closer to the CDJ-2000NXS2, the pitch fader is extended, and the center of the jog wheel is also liquid crystal.

Good news for me, because I had all but given up because equipment costs money! Why don't you consider your DJ debut with the DDJ-400!? Bye!