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Seems that the DJ world considers the BPM Show to be the place to unleash new gear. And I’ve woken up this morning to yet another new item to put on an increasingly packed Pioneer stand. Today, we’ve woken up to an unexpected bonus from them — a pint-sized DDJ-SX. Behold the Pioneer DDJ-SR, a 2+2 channel controller to compliment the 4 channel SX, which has more going for it that you might expect.

Here’s what Pioneer have to say on this fine but incredibly busy last-day-before-heading-to-BPM:

Pioneer launches the compact and portable Digital DJ SR two-channel controller
– designed for native control of Serato DJ 

12^th September 2013: Pioneer is putting intuitive control of Serato DJ software in the hands of even more DJs: with the launch of the mid-range Digital DJ SR (model name: DDJ-SR) two-channel controller designed with portability and performance in mind.

The DDJ-SR delivers all the superior performance features of the top-flight four-channel Digital DJ SX (model name: DDJ-SX), including an inbuilt Serato sound card and pre-mapped controls for the included Serato DJ software. However, with two channels and support for USB power, the smaller, lighter DDJ-SR is ideal for Serato DJ users that want to take the performance with them wherever they go.

Like its club-standard sibling, the DDJ-SR adds a fun, physical element to performance thanks to features such as the rubber LED Performance Pads – which enable DJs to trigger Hot Cue, Slicer, Roll and Sampler modes, and control the volume of samplers by how hard they hit the pads.

Hitting the new PAD PLUS button on the DDJ-SR adds another layer of control, with the ability to instantly trigger and manipulate FX assigned to each button. In PAD PLUS mode, samples and Hot Cues gain a Roll effect and can be looped in time with the beat, Combo FX enables tactile FX control, and Trans cuts the sound at pre-set intervals.

More features inherited from Pioneer’s pro-range include large, low-latency jog wheels and Slip Mode – which silently continues track playback during loops, scratches and reverses, bringing the music back in the right place when the DJ is done.

The DDJ-SR has been built to withstand the rigours of frequent use, and its stylish design and compact size make this affordable controller an attractive addition to any set up.

The DDJ-SR, bundled with Serato DJ, is available from November at an SRP of EUR 599/ GBP 499, including VAT.

KEY FEATURES OF THE DDJ-SR

1.     Designed for intuitive control of Serato DJ’s popular features
The DDJ-SR has dedicated controls for all the bundled Serato DJ software’s features including:

• Four-deck control
• FX engine Powered by iZotope
• Eight cue points on each deck
• Syncable six slot sample bank
• Auto Loops, Manual Loops and Loop Roll, for even more loop options
• Slicer to chop up tracks and create new arrangements

2.     Stripped back, compact unit delivers portability and ease of set up
Pioneer has made the DDJ-SR smaller and lighter than the DDJ-SX and added support for USB power – so DJs can fit the controller in a bag and enjoy fuss-free set up wherever they want to perform.

3.     Performance Pads with PAD PLUS add another dimension to DJing
Sixteen rubber Performance Pads are assigned to four modes – Hot Cue, Roll, Sampler and Slicer – to add a physical element to mashing up tracks. The LED illuminated pads’ Velocity Mode controls volume according to how hard DJs hit the pads.

DJs can hit the PAD PLUS button to unleash a second level of tactile performance features. PAD PLUS has three modes:

• Hot Cue/Sampler Roll: adds a beat-synced Roll effect to Hot Cues and samples, and lets DJs adjust the length of the roll using the loop controls.
• Combo FX: triggers FX when the pad is pressed, which stop when it is released, so DJs can tap the pad to instantly add FX to individual noises.
• Trans Pad: gates FX at pre-set intervals, which are accessed via the pads, enabling DJs to create a rhythmic gated sound manually.

4.     Two-channel mixer delivers four-deck control and Cross Fader Reverse
The two-channel mixer layout enables intuitive mixing and scratching with Serato DJ decks B and C; DJs simply hit the Deck Select button to effortlessly access decks A and D. The DDJ-SR also features Cross Fader Reverse, so DJs can swap decks from left and right to suit their scratching style.

5.     Slip Mode for precision edits
Inherited from the new club-standard CDJ-2000nexus, Slip Mode silently continues track playback during a loop, reverse or scratch and brings the music back at the right point when the DJ exits the manoeuvre.

6.     Low-latency jog wheel enhances scratching pleasure
The DDJ-SR’s low-latency jog wheel ensures DJs always get the scratch response they expect.

7.     Professional build quality and design

The high-quality faders are robust and durable, while the steel top plate and aluminium jog wheels give the DDJ-SR a premium finish.

See Also

REVIEW: Traktor Kontrol Z1 DJ Controller

8.     Other features

• Beat indicator: gives a visual representation of the BPM
• USB powered: via connection to PC
• Channel Fader Start: use the channel fader to control Cues
• Crossfader curve adjust: to suit any type of sound
• Master level and channel level meters: instantly identify levels on each channel
• MIDI compatible: control any DJ software

MAIN SPECIFICATIONS

Software	Serato DJ
Input ports	AUX x 1（RCA）MIC x 1（1/4 inch jack）
Output ports	MASTER OUT x 1 (1/4 inch jack）BOOTH OUT/ MASTER OUT x 1（RCA）HEADPHONE MONITOR OUT x 2（front 1/4 inch jack, MiniPin）
Other ports	USB B port x 1
Frequency response	20 Hz ～20 kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion ratio	0.006 ％or less
S/N ratio	101 dB （PC）
Maximum dimensions(W x D x H)	553.6 mm x 319.1 mm x 65.3 mm
Unit weight	4.5 kg

SERATO DJ SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Applicable OS (Windows)	Windows® 7 32-bit: (CPU) 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo/(Memory) 2GB 64-bit: (CPU) 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo/(Memory) 4GB
Applicable OS (Mac)	Mac OS X 10.8.4/10.7.5/10.6.8 32-bit: (CPU) 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo/(Memory) 1GB 64-bit: (CPU) 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo/(Memory) 4GB
Display resolution	1280 x 720 or higher resolution

* Serato DJ is a registered trademark of Serato
* iZotope, Powered by iZotope, is a trademark of iZotope, Inc. in the United States and other countries
* Windows^® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries
* Mac OS is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries
* Other names of products, companies, and organisations herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners

What’s different?

Aside from the obvious loss of 2 channels, there are other differences that the glossy shots don’t immediately tell: No strip search, no dual deck mode, no grid adjust tools, no manual loop controls and rationalised metering. This is also a pure controller, with just a single aux in, so no using it as an analogue mixer, and a loss of XLRs. There is however a bonus in this — USB power.

But what it does have that the DDJ-SX does not is Pad Plus.

What is Pad Plus?

On the DDJ-SX, the performance pads (hot cue, roll, slicer and sampler) perform a singular function. But the Pad Plus button enables a secondary function — hot cues become rolls, loop rolls become gates, slicer become momentary effects, and sampler also rolls. In my brief play with the Numark NS7 II, this really gave them an upper hand in the Pad wars, but the NS7 II does boast MPC pads, as well as RGB illumination. But this is a pretty cool feature for the DDJ-SR to have, and one that might turn the heads of DJs who could have wanted the SX for the extra creativity but not the channels.

Summing Up

One thing of note that I spotted with this week’s other Pioneer announcement of the white SX (and previous DDJ-SP1 too) — this is being promoted as the Digital DJ-SR. It’s a subtle change to the naming, slightly sidelining the DDJ nomenclature in the headlines. It’s probably something and nothing, but I notice these things.

Pioneer refer to the DDJ-SR as the mid-range model, but up against the SX, I’d say it’s not a pale imitation at all. It has some killer features that will appeal to a broader range of DJs, as well as being a lot more wallet and space friendly. The extra features on the pads also make it worthy of the more creative DJ’s attention. You’re going to have to work out if you can do without the things that are missing from the bigger sibling.

If you want one, it looks like this will be available almost immediately for $599/€599/£499.

Your Thoughts

Let’s hear what you have to say. Are you happy to see a smaller and more cost effective version of the most excellent SX? Do you really use your controller as a mixer as well? Could you see yourself picking this up over an S2 or VCI-380?

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