Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX6-GT 4-deck Rekordbox and Serato DJ Controller - Graphite

Product Information

Originally codenamed DDJ-600 internally at Pioneer DJ, the Flex - as it’s now known – has been developed to enable complex transitions between genres for DJs whose musical taste, or that of the dancefloor, is fluid. The rest of the unit also boasts a sophisticated look, with a brand-new matte gray color across its body. Turn on Jog Cutter and simply move the jog wheel to apply a professional-sounding scratch effect to the last Hot Cue or playback position you used on that deck. I was leaning towards a second-hand ddj flx6 for ~450€, but then I read on reddit that it's not a good controller with terrible sound.

Now, considering that I also play guitar, I do have a soundcard (behringer UMC204HD) which I might use to route the audio output. While there’s no jog wheel adjustment, like that offered by the DDJ-800 and DDJ-1000, the tension setting feels just right – especially if you’re upgrading from the smaller DDJ controllers. There are four channels at play, so ultimately tracks can be played on decks 1 and 2 whilst scratching can be on 3 and 4. The controller gives any DJ an edge when it comes to performing, and is a great way to keep the crowd's attention and take them on a journey they will not forget. The controller allows the DJ creative freedom when selecting and mixing tracks, and takes away the worry of trying to merge two tracks from different backgrounds together seamlessly.The beauty is that it can be done at any point throughout any track and then play can be selected on the other deck to introduce the next track (from any genre with a different BPM) flawlessly. Aside from the colour scheme, the jog wheels are updated with “ametallic texture on top and a rubberized coating on the outer ring for improved playability”. Scratching and pitch bending feels natural, and the inclusion of on jog display ensures vital information can be seen at a glance. The Pioneer DDJ-FLX6-GT introduces a new look and feel for its full-size jog wheels, which feature a graphite color plus a metallic texture on top and a rubberized coating on the outer ring for improved playability. If you’re using Serato DJ Pro instead of rekordbox, then Scratch Bank can be used to trigger samples through the performance pads.

Sample Scratch is a new pad mode in rekordbox which allows you to select sounds that have been assigned to the sampler and then load them on to the decks, which allows you to scratch with your favourite sounds. The layout of the controls on the DDJ-FLX6-GT is the same as its predecessor, echoing club-standard CDJ + DJM setup, so you can perform intuitively.In total, if rekordbox is the selected music software management system then there are eight Merge FX pattern presets (this reduces to four if Serato DJ Pro is in use), and everything is customisable. The software options for the controller is flexible as the controller’s DJ Performance functions can be unlocked with either rekordbox or Serato DJ Pro. The unit is bus powered and, when connected over USB, it will unlock whichever included software platform you choose. The best thing about this new feature is users who are new to scratching and have never scratched before can take full advantage of it. Sample Scratch is a brand-new pad mode in rekordbox which enables you to choose sounds you’ve assigned to the sampler and load them onto the decks.

Operation couldn’t be simpler – just tap the button in the centre of the Merge FX control and then twist the outer ring to set the intensity. The jog cutter will always revert to the start of the track/sample you’re using so this is a great way to drop a track from another genre with ease. Choose from 41 types of effect for each element (Build FX, Build Sample, Release FX, and Drop Sample) and combine them to create more than 9,000 different patterns.When the FX are released, the track playing on the channel you’re transitioning from will stop playing. The GT also introduces support for VirtualDJ software in addition to Rekordbox and Serato (VirtualDJ support can be added to the original FLX6 via a free firmware update). The fresh design of the DDJ-FLX6-GT introduces a new look and feel for its full-size jog wheels, which feature a graphite color plus a metallic texture on top and a rubberized coating on the outer ring for improved playability. Press it to engage the effect, turn it to alter the speed to add tension to the music, and press the knob again to release the effect.

The jog wheel is divided into 6 segments and you can grab the track playing, or a sample if preferred, and then move the platter backwards and forwards in time for instant scratch patterns. The VirtualDJ software will also be available to use with the original DDJ-FLX6 (black/white models) by updating the unit to the latest firmware version, and TRAKTOR PRO 3 will be available to use with either model by downloading the mapping files (TSI file).These customisable banks allow you to load build and release FX and samples which can then be used to create a dramatic lift before dropping the next track. 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. All you need to do is connect using a USB cable to a connected laptop that is running either of the music software applications, and you are ready to get DJing.