I feel a bit sorry for Pioneer DJ here. They took a lot of flak for not making their DDJ-1000 controller for Rekordbox work with Serato (they eventually released a Serato variant, the DDJ-1000SRT). Now they’ve released a controller that works with both, and they are still going to get flak for it. Since this is first-and-foremost a software DJ controller, you won’t have to get used to any other inputs for your DJ gear. However, it feels as though we should at least have an Aux input here.

Ignore some of the brand-new features like Merge FX and the Jog Cutter, and the DDJ FLX6 gives you a pretty standard DJ controller experience, similar to things like the Denon MC7000. Depending how you view this kind of DJing, this is going to be potentially great fun to you, or anathema – an exciting way of adding to your sets, or an “echo-out on steroids” for people without the ability to properly programme music or figure out how to transition between their music. Noticed that the DDJ-FLX6 has a fresh look? It’s the first Pioneer DJ unit released in a new dark gray matte finish, and its jog wheels have a unique design to complement the aesthetics. Watch the introduction video or find out more about the new DJ controller. Prefer for me to show you this? If you’re considering the new DDJ-FLX6-GT, this video details everything you need to know to make the right decision.

The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX6 is a dual software platform, four channel DJ controller designed to simplify genre hopping transitions for DJs who are ready to upgrade from the DDJ-200, DDJ-400 or DDJ-SB3. Budget has been spent on the “standard” Pioneer DJ looping controls (which to my mind has never been as good as the “single encoder” loop control that has become standard elsewhere), and the memory cue buttons, both functions that are presumably there because Pioneer DJ wants continuity across its range for aspirational DJs – yet this controller is clearly not for aspirational DJs. It is for hobby DJs who have outgrown the DDJ-200 and DDJ-400 – yet in “pro” tech spec, it doesn’t step any closer to the DDJ-800 or DDJ-1000. AlphaTheta Corporation has today announced the release of the new DDJ-FLX6-W from its Pioneer DJ brand. This limited-edition version of the popular DJ controller for rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro comes in a high-quality matte white finish, bringing an eye-catching look to any event, livestream, or home setup.

It feels a bit like a controller of mismatches. It is too big and expensive a controller to get away with consumer build quality. The jogs are brilliant, but the crossfader lets them down. The controls don’t really control very well what the software can do, especially with Serato, where for me it is a dealbreaker. It doesn’t have the mobile-friendly features of the new DDJ-FLX4– While we suspect that when the Rekordbox for iOS & Android DJ app is launched in early 2023, there will be a way to get it working with the FLX6, but it won’t be as easy as with the DDJ-FLX4 that’s just been announced. That’s because the FLX-4 has USB-C connectivity and a USB-C charging port, neither of which are on the DDJ-FLX6-GT, sadly Pioneer DJ’s DDJ-FLX6 is a bedroom-oriented controller focused on performance features. With full-sized jogs, four channels, and a plethora of new (albeit slightly confusing) performance features, the FLX6 is very enticing for hobbyist DJs who want features without breaking the bank. The unit’s Serato and Rekordbox compatibility is also quite exciting.

We do like the dark grey matte finish and the decision to add some really sleek-looking full-sized jog wheels, but this doesn’t take away from the plastic feel of the build. Performance pads The DDJ FLX6 is all about versatility, hence the decision to ensure it works with both Serato DJ Pro or Lite and Rekordbox.

The jog wheels have displays in the center and are lovely for gaining an insight into exactly where your needle is. If you’ve already used a high-level controller with better-built jog wheels, however, you might find that these jog wheels feel a little cheap.Some DJs will probably find it easier to use the jog cutter feature than to learn how to scratch in the first place. It seems pointless to focus your attention on learning this new functionality when you could just practice scratching – and use your skills on other devices too. Beat FX The Jog Cutter and Merge FX are clever ideas, and innovation is to be applauded, but if you don’t understand what these things are doing, it is not going to help you to grow as a DJ – and if they are not easy to use, they won’t help you sound good, either. There are a set of four DJ software channels to choose from, a set of color FX knobs, and a three-band EQ to enjoy. There’s also access to looping controls, eight performance pads, and some basic inputs and outputs. The USB power function means that you might find that you don’t get as much volume as you could get elsewhere, but this isn’t too much of a problem for most hobbyists.