Pioneer DJ DJ Controller, Black, (DDJSB3)

Product Information

The Pioneer DDJ SB3 DJ controller performs and feels a lot like a shrunken version of a professional controller – like the Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000.

With DDJ-SB3, you do not need an external sound card to use the unit. Just connect the device to your computer/laptop through a USB to get control of Serato DJ Lite.The 2-channel DJ Controller has an intuitive, sturdy design. Though, it has a plastic outer frame and can make the unit feel like a substandard product. But that does not mean it does not give you the utmost best sound quality that it can. This particular model has been designed while keeping in view the designs of the predecessors and pinpointing what could make this new unit much more intriguing. It has a very distinct and intuitive interface that has all the buttons and features exactly where most users expect them to be.

The SB3 is the latest addition to the Serato controller family and inherits many of its features from the ever-popular DDJ-SB2 along with others in the DDJ-S series. The controller provides an instinctive layout, is easily moveable and includes top-of-the-range features, all of which are suited for a beginner DJ. DDJ-SB3 Key Features This allows for an affordable entry point for anyone with a passion for music. The Pioneer DDJ range makes it easy to slide into this new lifestyle. Additionally, it’s worth noting that the effects are now post-fader so that you can pull the fader from the mix and the effects continue. New Features Transport, Jogs, and Pitch Controls The most important part of any controller for me are the jogwheels, and these, while small, are well made (they’re aluminium), feel good, and they’re responsive and reliable.The DDJ-SB3 are leading Serato DJ controllers (it does also work with Virtual DJ) but they aren’t perfect by any means, it struggles with some missing features here and there, and it’s not going to be enough for many advanced DJs. This neat little feature isn’t there for advanced DJs. Instead, it lets you play around with some great scratch patterns when you’re getting used to a new style of music creation. Add scratch effects without a turntable” screams the manual. Actually, you can scratch just fine on the jogwheels of the DDJ-SB3, and you can also completely ignore the built-in “auto scratch” function if you want. Whatever your feelings on it, don’t let that sway your decision on this controller too much: These functions are actually quite a small part of the feature set, and it is a fine budget controller aside from all of that. DJ equipment used to be big and expensive. The rise of the digital era brought with it the introduction of DJ controllers. It’s a great feature for anyone who wants to learn how to start scratching and needs some help on what to practice. You need to get some basic introductions to the art before you can become a master – after all.

The sampler is a stripped-down solution, along with the Hot Cues selection. However, the functions are fun and easy to use. I agree with him: It’s a great feature for a beginner controller. It would have been nice to have Slip mode to work with this scratch mode, but I guess you can’t have everything!One of the most interesting things about the Pioneer DDJ-SB3 DJ controller is that it comes with a button that can actually scratch for you.

The effect is great fun but just like the controller itself, will only introduce you to the art of scratch DJ’ing. It’s a great place to start and gives you something to copy and work upon as your skills develop.

The page you were looking for doesn't exist

While the Pioneer DDJ SB2 was excellent, the DDJ SB3 is great too – offering some exciting improvements on previous generations. The capacitive jog wheels are a little small, as are the pitch-fading tools. However, everything is responsive and efficient. The patterns are simple (from Baby Scratch upwards), but they work fine and are fun; again, you could just as easily do them using the jogwheel, but according to Jazzy Jeff himself (see my exclusive interview with him), that’s the point: These are here to introduce beginners to scratching, and to show them what to practise.