Morning all. It’s the start of another big week in the world of DJ stuff, and first up is another new Pioneer DJ piece. The new Pioneer DJ DDJ-SB2 is not in quite the same earth-shattering league as last week’s DJM-S9, but does bring some needed tweaks to the original DDJ-SB.

THEIR SAY

Introducing the entry level DDJ-SB2 controller for Serato DJ
– with trim pots and Pad Trans effect

10^th August 2015: Aspiring DJs now have uncompromised control, with the launch of the DDJ-SB2 entry-level controller for Serato DJ Intro and Serato DJ. The two-channel DDJ-SB2 boasts all the features of the original DDJ-SB – including Filter Fade, Performance Pads and advanced features not usually available at this price point – and adds trim pots, level meters, the Pad Trans beat effect and 4-deck control.

The DDJ-SB has been hugely popular with budding DJs, thanks to its intuitive, plug-and-play control of Serato DJ Intro (free) and Serato DJ (paid upgrade), which offers features including iZotope FX, Slip Mode, record and a host of expansion packs. The controller’s innovative Filter Fade lets DJs mix seamlessly, adjusting the volume and high pass filter with just one hand. So they’ve got a spare hand to unleash their creativity – using the tactile Performance Pads and buttons to trigger samples, FX, loops and cues.

Now the DDJ-SB2 adds pro-DJ features usually found on top-flight controllers, including trim pots and level meters to control the volumes on each channel. Also new at this price point are four-deck control and the quantized Pad Trans Pad beat effect, which cuts the volume in time with the BPM when the DJ hits the Performance Pads.

The USB-powered DDJ-SB2 is more compact and portable than its pro-DJ stable mates, the DDJ-SX2 and DDJ-SZ, but offers the same intuitive layout, high-quality build, and many advanced features.

The DDJ-SB2, bundled with Serato DJ Intro, is available from September 2015 at an SRP of €259, including VAT.

Watch the DDJ-SB2 in action.

Find out more here.

KEY FEATURES OF THE DDJ-SB2

1. Intuitive controls for a physical performance

The DDJ-SB’s layout mirrors Serato DJ Intro and Serato DJ interface, so getting hands on with the controller’s buttons and dials soon becomes second nature. Tactile controls include:

• Performance Pads: four rubber pads enable DJs to trigger Hot Cue, Auto Loop, Manual Loop and Sampler – while a further four give immediate access to Play, Cue, Sync and Shift functions.

• New trim pots and level meters: the DDJ-SB2 is the first controller at his price point to feature trim pots and level meters, putting control of the volume of each track at DJs’ fingertips.

• Manual filters on each channel: independent low/high pass filter dials for each channel are inherited from the premium DDJ-SX2 and DDJ-SR controllers. 

2. Filter Fade and Trans effect take beginners beyond mixing

The DDJ-SB2 is packed with features to help beginners hit the ground running, such as:

• New quantized Trans beat effect: DJs use the Performance Pads to trigger the Pad Trans effect and cut the volume in time with the beat.

• Filter Fade: makes mixing effortless by adding two high pass filters to the crossfader – so DJs can manipulate the volume and the bass filter with just one hand.

3. Plug-and-play with Serato DJ Intro, including 4-deck control, and Serato DJ upgrade-ready

The DDJ-SB2 is the first controller at this price point to let DJs perform with all four of Serato DJ Intro’s decks. Deck 3 and Deck 4 have their own buttons to allow seamless switching.

Plus there are dedicated controls for all of Serato DJ Intro’s features including four Hot Cues and four samples. The controller has two FX units per channel, with six FX to choose from, and DJs can manipulate the parameters using a central Level/Depth dial.

DJs can upgrade to Serato DJ for intuitive control of even more cue points, samples and loops – plus advanced features including Slip Mode, record, and FX Powered by iZotope.

4. Professional design and build

Made with premium materials and audio circuitry, the DDJ-SB2 is both stylish and built to last.

5. Other features

• USB powered
• Built-in sound card
• MIC input
• MIDI compatible

Main Specifications

Software	Serato DJ Intro (free, bundled) Serato DJ (paid upgrade)
Input ports	Mic x 1（¼-inch TS jack x 1）
Output ports	Master Out x 1 (RCA x 1)Headphone Monitor Out x 2（¼-inch TRS jack, 3.5 mm stereo mini jack）
Other ports	USB B type x 1
Frequency response	20Hz ～ 20kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion ratio	0.005% or less
S/N ratio	90 dB (PC)
Maximum dimensions (W x D x H)	487 x 58.5 x 271.2 mm
Unit weight	2.1 kg
Serato DJ Intro System Requirements
Applicable OS (Windows)	Windows 8.1/ Windows 8/ Windows 7 with Service Pack 1CPU: Intel processor Core Duo 2.0GHz or higher, Intel processor Core i3, i5 and i7Memory: RAM 1 GB or higher
Applicable OS (Mac)	Mac OSX v10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7CPU: Intel processor Core Duo 2.0GHz or higher, Intel processor Core i3, i5 and i7Memory: RAM 1 GB or higher
Display resolution	1,024 x 768 or higher

OUR SAY

Tidy. This has a few useful updates to move it a few steps beyond raw beginner and definitely adds a few key elements there conspicuous by their absence.

See Also

Roland TR-08 — big box to small box in a cardboard box

Filters and gains per channel as well as meters bring the DDJ-SB2 right up to the standard accepted minimum spec for any DJ gear. And the new quantised trans beat effect adds something new and creative to the entry-level controller market too. I really couldn’t care less about 4 deck control on a 2 deck controller — never have and never will. I’d love to hear your thoughts though.

So yes, it’s a solid upgrade, and does perhaps signal a rationalisation of the DDJ range. Does there need to be a DDJ-SR now?

And Pioneer DJ — I like the video. There’s something about it that really works, and I think it’s that it shows that a controller pitched at the beginner can be put out great results. Rob Anderson’s skills are not included though — that comes with practice.

Nutshelling, the DDJ-SB2 comes with Serato DJ Intro and can be upgraded to Serato DJ, and hits the streets in September for €249. And no, I don’t know what that is in other currencies yet. Every manufacturer really needs to add this to every press release, because it’s the first question asked.

GALLERY