I've DJed on mixers worth thousands — but this super-cheap DJ controller is my Christmas pick for music lovers

I've DJed on mixers worth thousands - but this super-cheap DJ controller is my Christmas pick for music lovers Features The DDJ-FLX2 pairs easily with a laptop via USB-C, and is instantly recognized by the Rekordbox software.(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future) The DDJ-FLX2 is just barely wider than my main DJ mixer, not to mention the Pioneer DJ media players on either side.(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future) The USB port is top-mounted, next to a Kensington port(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future) The audio jacks are side-mounted, with annoyingly small volume knobs.(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future) Jamie Richards published In the mix with the DDJ-FLX2 As one of TechRadar’s resident electronic music nerds and a producer and DJ in my spare time, I’ve always loved showing people the ropes of DJing. The fundamentals of track selection and mixing are really quite simple, which ostensibly makes it one of the more accessible ways to enhance your music experience in a way even the best speakers and best headphones can't offer on their own. The problem is that DJ equipment - especially the pro-grade stuff we see in nightclub booths and on festival stages - costs a lot of money. We’re talking about five figure sums in either dollars or pounds for a set of industry-standard players and an accompanying DJ mixer, which is a touch beyond the scope of our audio buying guides. Take a look at any DJ booth and you’re more than likely to spot the logo of Pioneer DJ, now known as AlphaTheta. But while AlphaTheta is best known for its professional kit, it also makes one of the best cheap DJ devices I’ve ever used, which has now earned a place on my list of Christmas gift recommendations. Enter the DDJ-FLX2 , the cheapest, smallest, and simplest DJ controller from AlphaTheta. Inspired by the layout of the company’s CDJ media players and DJM DJ mixers, the DDJ-FLX2 takes a handful of essential dials and faders, as well as some neat assistive features for newcomers and wild effects controls, and puts it all on a faceplate not much bigger than a sheet of paper. To get specific, the DDJ-FLX2 is composed of two identical player sections, each with a jogwheel, tempo fader, cue and play buttons, and a performance pad array for loops and effects. The central mixer section has two channel faders, a three-band equalizer with filter, and headphone cue controls. A far cry from AlphaTheta’s pro kit, the DDJ-FLX2 comes in cheap at just $189 / £159 / AU$279. In my four years DJing I’ve mixed on a variety of systems made by Pioneer DJ and other top brands, and my current home setup relies on Pioneer DJ digital media players. Within the DDJ lineup of controllers, I previously owned the DDJ-FLX4 and DDJ-FLX6, and used each for hundreds of hours with AlphaTheta’s own Rekordbox software. This is all to say that I know Pioneer DJ / AlphaTheta kit very well, and have...

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