Pioneer DDJ-SR digital DJ Serato DJ 2 channel controller (6)
mark Settle·
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The Pioneer DDJ-SR controller — the DDJ-SX’s mini-me

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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 logo

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

12th 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

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

SoftwareSerato DJ
Input portsAUX x 1（RCA）MIC x 1（1/4 inch jack）
Output portsMASTER 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 portsUSB B port x 1
Frequency response20 Hz ～20 kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion ratio0.006 ％or less
S/N ratio101 dB （PC）
Maximum dimensions(W x D x H)553.6 mm x 319.1 mm x 65.3 mm
Unit weight4.5 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 resolution1280 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

Pioneer DDJ-SR digital DJ Serato DJ 2 channel controller (3)

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.

Pioneer DDJ-SR digital DJ Serato DJ 2 channel controller (5)

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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26 Comments

  1. The missing mixer is the break dealer for me. I also got a response from Serato’s Facebook fan page that there is no plans to make DVS available with controllers anytime soon.

    Two deal breakers that make me stick with my VCI-380 which is great too.

  4. One hand giveth and the other hand taketh away….
    .
    At least the SX had fully featured mic channels with three way EQ & one XLR input.
    .
    The SR, although probably priced and sized more suitably for mobile DJs, takes away the thing that they’re more likely to need over club DJs, leaving just a jack input and volume control. Doh!
    Since when has the DDJ-SX been a club standard? Pioneer love that phrase don’t they? LOL
    .
    I personally would like to see companies going in the other direction. Instead of making smaller versions, make bigger ones – with features like the ability to play completely untethered from a computer. Where are the bigger versions of the Aero or the R1?

  5. Maybe I’m missing something but I struggle to see why pad plus is hardware specific, surely it’s jus a case of the enabling this feature. It would be a shame if Serato dj carried on with the hardware specific features ala Itch.

    That all said I think NI have to really pull it out the bag and do something special to beat these pio controllers, the price and build of theses Serato dj units are incredibly competitive. As Traktor user I fear NI will jus carry on down the mass consumer root, more plastic with a dash of rgb lights

  6. Just a couple of notes – the Master Out is still balanced, which offers the same quality as XLR, but just on a Jack connection. Really no difference in quality, XLR simply offer a locking mechanism.

    Also maybe not clear is it’s completely USB powered, the SX must be plugged into the wall to power it (mainly due to mixer element).

    Also, the press release has an error, please ignore/edit point 6. There is no on-jog display.

    When controlling decks 3 and 4, the mixer also controls channels 3 and 4, plus you can assign the FX to all four decks, so that’s quite nice.

  7. Two questions Mark, is the Pads Plus feature going to be available for the SX also? I know on the video it does not show the platter lights on, but on Pioneers website and on bullet points it says that it will have that. Will it have the platter lights?

  9. Two questions , is the Pads Plus feature going to be available for the SX also? I know on the video it does not show the platter lights on, but on Pioneers website and on bullet points it says that it will have that. Will it have the platter lights? Thank you.

    1. It doesn’t have the platter lights. That was an error and has been corrected by Pioneer. As for the SX getting it – no idea. I expect not right away as Serato like for their partner’s controllers to have differentiation.

  10. If this had the jog display I would have considered picking one of these up for the portability and kept my DDJ-SX for my bigger gigs. Damn shame… I am REALLY jealous this gets a loop display, it would be great to have some sort of visual reference on the DDJ-SX, there must be something that can light up on the SX to let you know what beat count you are on.

  11. One killer feature they left out was a 100mm pitch fader – I guess they didnt want to sabotage the SX “too much” so understandable.

    With this being launched will the ergo be discontinued I wonder ? Seems odd that they’d keep on a super consumer styled unit out there when the semi-pro/pro unit is available at the same price ?

    It’s sure nice to finally see a really pro looking piece of intro gear from a known, reputable manufacturer.

  13. I run a Vestax 3000mk2 which will always be a reliable controller but I would like to expand a little and have been considering a new controller for next year. Running a straightforward set is pretty easy on most of the controllers available and to be fair most controllers cover all the genre’s I would include in my set. In fact the Denon MC2000 may even come out on top yet even over the high end models that are over twice the price…..we all know what I am saying here. The 380 was not my next choice after the 300 though, It was the 400. But now the SR is here it is certainly a consideration but there are some possible drawbacks like plug and play. That may seem a fuss to some but if a machine is sold with moving parts and they can’t be replaced…..it is in my books a sharp intake of breath. If the SR is such a machine then yes I would prefer either the 380 or the 400 from Vestax. And for one hundred pounds more you have the vitals covered for upgrade or complete replacement. Performance wise I have little expectation of any noticable difference and sound quality…..well I cannot complain about my rather flexible 300mk2 from vestax and the later models are supposed to be better! Just some thoughts brothers and sisters! Cheers.

  14. one thing aim not sure of is they said they left out the sample deck and 3 loop then they say you can sample roll can u or cant you its deal breaker for me if I cant use my sample

    1. Just noticed your DDJ-SX review, very good!

      You are very clear about the finetuning of the Touch Sensor level.
      So that bothers me even more with the DDJ-SR.. Where is it?

  17. The DDJ-SR us intriguing, but I think I will hold off until the Numark NV is available to compare. What are your initial thoughts about how they will compare?