Pioneer DJ has replaced its hugely popular entry level DDJ-400 controller with the new Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4 (here’s our review). While inheriting the look and feel of the DDJ-400, the DDJ-FLX4 (pronounced “Flex 4”) now works with Serato DJ plus a forthcoming Rekordbox DJ mobile app, has beginner-friendly “one button” effects and mixing features, and provides livestream mic routing.
It remains a two-channel controller, and at launch works out of the box with Pioneer DJ’s own Rekordbox DJ software for Mac and Windows, and with Serato DJ Lite for Mac and Windows, which you can choose to upgrade to Serato DJ Pro with a subscription or software purchase. You can access streaming services (TIDAL, SoundCloud Go+, Beatport Streaming, Beatsource Streaming) from within both platforms. The Rekordbox Mobile iOS/Android app follows in “early 2023”. Expect Virtual DJ compatibility imminently.
Main new features
Pioneer DJ has added a “Smart Fader” function that attempts to adjust the BPM, volume, bass and “other aspects” of tracks in the mix, the idea being that beginner DJs can simply move the crossfader to perform blends that will hopefully sound good even without knowing the skills of counting, timing, beatmixing, etc.
The other beginner-friendly feature is “Smart CFX”, which “applies complicated combinations of effects to the music with the turn of a single knob”.
Read this next: 7 Things You Need To Know Before Buying The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4
The DDJ-FLX4 DJ now routes the sounds from any attached microphone via the USB cable to the computer, making it easier to include your voice on recordings or livestreams.
Finally, Pioneer DJ has replaced the old-style USB socket with a USB-C socket, and there’s a separate USB-C socket for additionally powering the unit, presumably to help when using with mobile devices.
There is a “mono/stereo” switch on the back for Android devices – again, this is all tied into the forthcoming Rekordbox mobile app, with which the unit will apparently be able to communicate via Bluetooth.
Price & availability
The unit is priced at €319/£279/$299, and is available now. More info from Pioneer DJ.
Phil Morse
