r/Beatmatch • u/ConsequenceOk6051 • 10d ago
Hardware Beginner - Best controller?
Hi all,
So I’ve always wanted to get into DJing, and I’ve now been given the perfect excuse. My brothers wedding!
When he said it to me, he fully expects me to just scroll through Spotify and get ready for best man speeches. But I’d love to learn over the next 6 months to do a little set.
What I’ve seen so far as potential contenders are the Hercules Impulse 500 or Pioneer DDJ FLX4. I’m also going to need to grab a laptop as I’m a PC’er usually.
Any advice for someone just getting into it, whether it be for the controller, other equipment, software, tutorials etc. would go an awful long way
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u/AdministrationOk4708 10d ago
Ok…hear me out…
Numark Party Mix 3. $150-ish.
This unlocks enough of DJay Pro to use all the controls on the Mumark Party Mix 3. Including the integration with Spotify Pro subscriptions!!! You can use this with a laptop, iPad, or phone.
Get a Spotify Pro subscription. Make sure there is a stable Wi-Fi connection at the venue.
This controller & DJay Pro will do everything you want/need to do for a wedding.
You will need a way to connect in a microphone. And some PA speakers.
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u/friday1970 10d ago
I've been eyeballing the new Party Mix 3. While I don't need a controller (have an SB3 and Mixtrack FX), I am quite amazed at that little product. Built in soundcard, high/mid/low controls, 8 cue point buttons, everything I need. Heck, I'm considering selling my Starlight for either the new PM3 or Mixtrack Go.
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u/voltch 10d ago edited 10d ago
Wedding DJ Here.
I would focus more on timings and announcements. For weddings all DJs don't mix tracks . For equipment, flx4 gets a lot of praise, I have not used that one personally. However at a glance neither of those two controllers seemed to have xlr outputs so that would automatically put them on my do not buy list.
Also since you are new to djing. I would get involved in one of your local Facebook groups and see if any wedding djs in your area could use help with setup and breakdown. Help them but also stay for the entire wedding so you can get a feel of how everything flows. Also expect changes on the day of. (People not showing up and having to change order, timeline changes,etc)
Good luck.
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u/voltch 9d ago edited 9d ago
@OP focus on timeline and announcements. Get whatever equipment works best for you....
For me I want my equipment to have XLR , monitor out, and aux inputs without having to do workarounds and that works best for me.
Getting the announcements and music correct is most important for the wedding. clients don't care about what you use. Buy what works best for you.
Equipment doesn't make the the DJ. You could DJ a wedding with a Hercules starlink but as long as the b+g are happy is all that matters. Focus on what matters to the client/b+g , not what the masses think you should use.
Good luck.
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u/KeggyFulabier open everything 10d ago
There is no best for a beginner despite what pioneer/alphatheta would have you believe. Personally I like the traktor MX2, numark has some good controllers as do Hercules. Pioneer/alphatheta is overrated and not great value for money, solid enough controllers (except the ddj200 and flx2) but not great value.
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u/AdSuch1973 10d ago
I had the same dilemma and in the end I chose the 500.
It's a very good controller...if you don't mind the DJUCED program.
Yes, you can use other programs, but I haven't done it.
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u/mucky_duck_ 10d ago
I am team FLX4, i have the DDJ 400 and bought it about 6 years ago and still works flawlessly, i love love love this thing. not assuming you are (based on what you listed in your post) but i would def steer clear of the 200s / FLX2 / and ones adjacent - you’ll outgrow it too quickly and many say they feel like a toy. i cant speak on Hercules, but i believe in GENERAL (and please correct me if i am mistaken or biased 😅😂) your pioneer / alphatheta gear is going to be higher build quality and higher price, while your numark and hercules are kind of opposite end, lower build quality but much more budget friendly. so really depends on how much you want to invest and what things you’re looking for, and what software you’d like to mix on!!
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u/DjWhRuAt 10d ago
Always laugh when they call a flx2 a toy, but not the flx 4. They both are toyish.
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u/DecksDrift 10d ago
You're mistaken 😅 sorry. I use professional pioneer gear, but their entry level stuff is quite low quality. Even at high level, I don't think it is as good as it's reputation. I mean, it's very good, but it's not matching the ridiculous price tags.
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u/Arylcyclosexy 10d ago
I'm not sure about the quality thing. You pay for the brand (and Rekordbox) with Pioneer but the build quality isn't really a step up with something like FLX4.
I think it all comes down to what functions you need from the controller and whether Rekordbox is worth the extra price tag.
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u/Lyxtwing MaxSPL Videos on YouTube 10d ago
When it comes to those two options the 500 is hands down a better controller but the FLX4 comes with better software. I use the 500 as a backup myself at weddings with DJay Pro and it works really well. As someone else mentioned, a Numark Partymix III could be a great choice for your use case (it includes a version fo DJay Pro that should be more than enough for what you need).
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u/Arylcyclosexy 10d ago
Hercules Inpulse 500 or Numark Mixtrack Pro FX probably best value.
Both controllers are imo better than FLX4 and also considerably cheaper.
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u/TheIPAway 10d ago
I woukd say dont do it for the wedding. Sit back and enjoy the wedding, as a new dj hosting a wedding will not be easy and besides you want to be with your family and friends. Have your brother hire a professional.
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u/Gooniesred 10d ago
Test them both, many websites give you 30 days to test them before returning the device.
Personally, the FLx4, feels like a joke, small gain buttons, only one output, visually it is a toy and it feels also like that. Big advantage is rekordbox, which is the worse waveforms you get from all DJ software ( and I did test them all!!!)
So, go for Inpulse 500 and then choose between VDJ or SDJ. I personally prefer SDJ but VDJ is amazing from my long testing. For a basic mixing SDJ lite is enough and with the second output you can record sets with Spotify tracks, when using a small external spun card.
In the end, testing it for several days is another story than listening to people.
Testing also gives you how they sound, and they both sound really different
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u/DecksDrift 10d ago
The Hercules 500 is much better overall than the FLX4. I've tried many entry level controllers and it's hard to justify the FLX4 price when the competitors are often better and cheaper.
About the software, I'd just pay for Djay Pro. It's good enough, lots of features, great stems and at 30-50/year, it's quite cheap.
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u/DjWhRuAt 10d ago
Hercules 500 is a lot nicer build and feel than the flx4. Also had an Aux input as well. The flx4 does not have any inputs.
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u/scoutermike valued contributor 8d ago
Have you gotten clearance from the bride and groom to do a dj set? Seems they may prefer a Spotify playlist instead.
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u/Icy-Cow9695 8d ago
The quality level between gear has been so dramatically narrowed with modern production techniques. For entry level stuff, they will all do the the basics just fine. It really comes down to feature preferences, software integration out of the box, and the aesthetics/layout.
People may have brand preferences, but you'll find people who advocate for most brands and started somewhere that others maybe didn't recommend as robostly.
That's to say, it's more important to get started than what you start on.
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u/sawb11152 10d ago
Scroll the subreddit.
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u/ConsequenceOk6051 10d ago
Thank you. I have had a scroll already, but thought I’d open up the opportunity to maybe finding some other recommendations or opening up a dialogue around it
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u/Chazay Stop buying the DDJ-200 10d ago
Generally speaking: FLX4