What to look for
- Two channels. Two decks is all you need to learn mixing. Four-channel controllers add more to think about without teaching you more at the start.
- Proper jog wheels. You use these to nudge tracks into time and to find the start of a track. Larger, solid jog wheels are easier to control than small ones.
- A built-in sound card. This lets you send one sound to the speakers and a different sound to your headphones. Without it you can't preview the next track, which is the heart of DJing.
- Rekordbox or Serato support. These are the two most widely used DJ programs. A controller that works with them will have plenty of help and tutorials available.
- A three-band EQ on each channel. High, mid and low knobs are how DJs blend tracks smoothly.
- Pitch faders. These change the speed of each track. You need them to learn beatmatching by ear rather than relying on the sync button.
The controller our courses use
Our mentors teach on the Pioneer DDJ-FLX4. It's a two-channel controller that works with Rekordbox, has a built-in sound card and has a layout similar to club equipment, so the skills carry over when you step up to CDJs. Other popular beginner controllers include models from Numark and Hercules, and many of those are perfectly good for learning.
Why the sound card matters so much
A built-in sound card is the one feature you really shouldn't skip. It splits the sound into two: the master output goes to your speakers and the cue output goes to your headphones. That means you can listen to the next track, line it up and get it ready while the crowd still hears the current one. Cheap units without one force you to mix blind, which makes learning much harder.
Features you can ignore for now
- Built-in screens. Nice to have, but your laptop already shows everything.
- Lots of effects. Effects are fun, but they won't help you mix better. Most good mixes use very few.
- Standalone mode. Controllers that work without a laptop are useful later, not on day one.
Questions to ask before you buy
- Does it work with the software I want to use, on the laptop I own?
- Does it have a headphone socket and a separate master output?
- Are the jog wheels and faders a comfortable size for my hands?
- Is it light and small enough for where I'll practise?
Learning on your controller
Whatever you choose, the skills matter more than the kit. Our Starter course teaches beatmatching, phrasing and EQ from scratch in eight one-to-one sessions, at home or online. For younger learners, the Juniors course covers the same ground for ages 10 to 17.