Pioneer has added a new DJ controller to its range for Serato DJ, with the launch of a new budget model, the Pioneer DDJ-SB. Compact and portable, it shares a similar layout to the bigger controllers, with pad access to Serato’s cues, loops, FX and samples. It also has “filter fade” which according to Pioneer “helps aspiring DJs create seamless mixes by adding a high pass filter to the crossfader – enabling smoother transitions with just one control”.
Unlike the other two models, this one comes bundled with Serato DJ Intro, so you’ll be factoring in an upgrade of $129 if you want to graduate to the full version of the software. As well as filter fade, it has eight performance pads, manual high/low pass filter per channel, and an emphasis on teaching new DJs the ropes, with a dedicated website full of tutorials to get you going. The unit has a builtin sound card, is USB powered, and will retail from January 2014 at €249/£199.
Pioneer video talkthrough
Do you like the look of this? Is it a smart move by Pioneer to be competing down with the Mixtrack Pro and Denon DJ MC2000.
Phil Morse
