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Pioneer DDJ-FLX6-GT Review: All About MERGE FX! | DJ Controller Demo

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Passionate DJ

The DDJFLX6GT is a 4channel DJ controller which is USBpowered and driverless, supporting Rekordbox, Serato, Virtual DJ, and Traktor. While the original FLX6 was advertised as being for Rekordbox and Serato only, it now supports Virtual DJ and Traktor as well.

Pioneer’s marketing makes it look like the GT model does something the original doesn’t, but that’s not actually true. The GT is, quite simply, an FLX6 with a different paint job and slightly upgraded jog wheels. Therefore, I’m essentially reviewing both models, here.

00:00 | Intro
02:59 | Where To Get It
03:35 | Design & Layout
09:32 | Ports & Connections
12:11 | Special Features: Merge FX
19:35 | Special Features: Jog Cutter
21:51 | Software Compatibility
25:09 | Wrapping Up

The graphite grey finish does look nice (though it’s a lighter color in person than in photos), and the jog wheels have a new rubberized finish. The wheels are impressivelysized: they are the same size as the ones you’d find on a CDJ3000 (or Pioneer DDJ1000).

The FLX6 is designed around the concept of Merge FX, which are transitionbased FX that help you get from one song to another regardless of BPM or genre. To the topright of each deck is a rather chunky knob with a button in the middle, used for engaging these FX.

Jog Cutter is my least favorite thing about the DDJFLX6. This allows you to move the jog wheel back and forth between 6 defined sections, and “a professional scratch effect will be applied to the last Hot Cue or playback position you used on that deck”.

There are 10 different scratch patterns which can be accessed by simply moving the playhead position (on the jog wheel’s display), and when you lift your hand, the track will continue to play as normal.

In practice, I found Jog Cutter to sound unnatural, and was not fun to use.

The FLX6 and FLX6GT are great options for DJs who like mixing between wildly different styles or tempos, and need a way to get from point A to point B. In this sense, Merge FX could be a lifesaver. My only concern there is that you may become reliant on them, only to not have them when it comes time to upgrade your gear.

Generally speaking, this is a sturdy and handsome controller which offers a lot of features for the price. It makes for an excellent rekordbox or Serato controller. I’m less enthused about using it for Virtual DJ or Traktor.

Being a midrange controller, there are compromises. For example, there are no external inputs, nor balanced XLR outputs on the device. There are some features found on other controllers (like the DDJ1000) that won’t be found here, like a track skip button or tension adjustments.

But with enormous jog wheels, the unique Merge FX feature, and full control over four decks… this is one of my top recommendations for a DJ controller at this price point.

posted by cyffiaubo