Pioneer DJ DDJ-200 beginner controller aims at streaming market

Pioneer DJ DDJ-200 beginner controller aims at streaming market

The Pioneer DJ DDJ-200 has just launched, it introduces a large number of features aimed at getting beginners into DJing.

The new Pioneer DJ DDJ-200 looks strikingly similar to its bigger brother the DDJ-400, its a bit smaller however still maintaining the basic features you need to mix. It’s designed to work with Pioneer’s new mobile app, Rekordbox WeDJ, although it does work with a host of other apps such as Algoriddim Djay and Edjing Mix.

The Pioneer DJ DDJ-200 incorporates some features aimed at making beginner DJs more comfortable with mixing, the WeDJ app has built-in popup tutorials to help you learn, there are several automatic “Transition FX” to choose from which are automatically applied when you sweep the crossfader, alongside a system called “Phrase Sync” which not only syncs the beats of your tracks, but helps to align the arrangement for a smoother transition.

It looks wireless, how does it work?

The new DDJ-200 uses Bluetooth to send MIDI data to your mobile device, the audio is then passed directly out of the device rather than the DDJ-200. The unit is supplied with a splitter cable, allowing you to send a signal to speakers and to headphones to cue. The problem with this setup is that it runs in mono, so it works for beginners practicing at home or mobile use, however its not ideal for larger club and festival systems.

The Rekordbox WeDJ app is designed to work seamlessly with your music library and a variety of streaming services such as Beatport Link and Soundcloud Go+, another feature that makes it great for beginners who may not yet have an extensive music library to play with yet.

The Pioneer DJ DDJ-200 gets its power from a USB power supply, similar to a USB phone charger – that means you can most likely use it on a power bank, although that would need to be confirmed.

The Pioneer DJ DDJ-200 is set to retail for USD $149 (Around R 2 150 excl. duties), for more information check out the Pioneer DJ website here.