The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 DJ controller, the latest addition to the FLX range. This premium performance controller is the new benchmark in pro DJ equipment, designed for professional DJs who demand excellence.
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Following the lineage of the DDJ-FLX4 and DDJ-FLX6/GT, this is the third entrant in the FLX series. Representing ‘flexibility’, the FLX label denotes its adaptability with diverse software and its capability to DJ a wide spectrum of music. It’s poised to take over from controllers like the DDJ-1000 (Rekordbox) and the DDJ-1000SRT (Serato).
What makes the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 truly special is its compatibility with Pioneer DJ’s real-time stems feature, allowing you to create live mashups and experience a whole new level of creativity. With innovative functions like Part Instant Doubles, EQ control for stems, and FX Part Select, you have complete control over your mixes. The sleek design, top-notch sound quality, and versatile features make the DDJ-FLX10 the ultimate choice for DJs seeking unmatched performance.
Is the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 for you?
If you’re a professional DJ who demands the best, then the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 Controller should be at the top of your list. This flagship premium performance controller sets a new benchmark in pro DJ controllers and is designed specifically for those who are serious about their craft. With its innovative features and unmatched performance, the DDJ-FLX10 is a game-changer in the world of DJ controllers.
Let’s find out more!
Features and Benefits
With its four channels and standalone mixer capability, the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 ensures seamless DJ switchovers. Each deck boasts a dual-layer design, enabling all four mixer channels to operate concurrently in both Rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro. Deck layers 1 and 3 on the left, while 2 and 4 are on the right.
All faders and knobs have the expected nice Pioneer feel and weight to them. The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 has enhanced its Magvel crossfader, making it more efficient than its predecessors. The fader works really well in open format mixing. The latest version boasts four sensor points, a step up from the two in the earlier models. This translates to superior precision in cutting, mixing, and blending, capturing even the most subtle movements.
Jog Wheels and Display
The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 features full-sized jog wheels that provide excellent tactile feedback and precision control. These jog wheels have been enhanced with multi-colored jogwheel rings and in-jog displays that show parallel waveforms. This means you’ll have better visual feedback while performing, allowing you to make precise adjustments to your mix.
Pioneer’s DDJ-1000 set the stage by embedding waveforms and performance analytics into the jog wheel’s interface. Elevating this concept, the FLX10 presents an enriched display of diverse waveforms, enlarged details, and a deeper dive into performance metrics, highlighting features such as the Mix Point Link.
Now let’s dive into the displays a little more.
The displays offer four primary settings, each tailored to suit a diverse range of DJ tastes.
- Deck Overview – This mode provides details about the deck, encompassing the Overall Waveform. Notably, in Serato, it only presents the virtual deck’s play head, sans waveform.
- Waveform View – This setting visualizes scrolling waveforms from the two primary decks being mixed.
- Cover Display – Highlights the artwork of the track currently playing.
- Personal Branding – Allows for the upload of a bespoke image or snapshot, an excellent tool for personal branding!
An additional useful aspect is the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 jog wheel rings’ is the ability to illuminate in varied colors, signifying the specific sections of the track that have been singled out. To illustrate, when a song’s vocals are transferred to the third or fourth deck layer, the ring turning green offers immediate visual acknowledgment. The color-coded ring indicators are:
- Drums shine in blue
- Vocals radiate in green
- Instruments glow in red.
Dual Mode can be used when you want adjustments to blend across both decks.
Pioneer DJ Track Seperation
When it comes to track components, the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 stands out as the inaugural device offering hardware controls tailored for Rekordbox 6.7.x and its subsequent versions’ real-time track components, termed “Track Separation” by Pioneer DJ. This comprehensive and engaging feature set encompasses:
- Distinct buttons for the trio of available components: Drums, Vocals, and Instruments. This is slightly fewer than some other software options which often differentiate between melody and bass within instruments.
- Instant doubles for component sections: These can be transferred to the opposite deck or to the layered deck on the same side. The preference is customizable in the settings.
- Component ISO (akin to “stems on EQs”): By holding ‘Shift’ and pressing the ‘Cue’ button for a channel, the low/mid/high EQs are replaced with the three components, offering a more nuanced balance between them.
- FX Select: This feature allows DJs to decide if the selected Beat and Sound Color FX apply to the entire audio or specific components. For instance, one could isolate the drums and music while preserving the vocals or introduce a specific effect to the vocals, leaving the instrumental untouched.
Perfomance Pads
Directly beneath the jog wheels of the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10, you’ll find the performance pads. They have a familiar style, feel and include expected FX. Unlike their predecessors that glowed in a uniform hue, these are colour.
A quick tip! Pressing and holding either the left or right PAGE arrow key, followed by choosing a PAD MODE, will display all related parameters for that mode, like beat duration or effect label, on the jog wheel’s central screen.
The Mixer
On the right side of the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 mixer, there’s a set of 14 unique beat effects. Interestingly, these don’t come with an EQ control. To make up for this, there are pre-EQ’d options, like the low cut echo.
One effect that stands out is stretch. It allows for the elongation of a track’s sound or its individual segments, with the stretching effect intensifying as you turn the wetness dial. This effect shines particularly when used on isolated drum sounds.
The EQ in Serato DJ offers a typical –26db drop, rather than a full mute, which is often preferred when you want to subtly introduce track elements. This characteristic is also present in the DDJ-1000SRT. Meanwhile, in Rekordbox, users have the flexibility to choose between the -26db drop or a full mute, all of which can be adjusted in the software’s settings.
Sound Color FX
Positioned on the left segment of the mixer area, you’ll find the Sound Colour FX buttons. This year, all Pioneer DJ gear has embraced a design featuring six of these buttons, arranged in two vertical columns. The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 is no different.
The available effects encompass space, dub echo, crush, pitch, noise, and filter. There’s an absence of hardware parameter controls. As a result, adjustments need to be made directly within the software.
Sync Rate
The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 includes a new feature introduced on the deck section is the innovative sync rate, activated as the secondary control on the Beat Sync button. It synchronizes two tracks by adjusting to either half or twice the bpm of the master track. If you are mixing some crazy style between two different bpm ranges, which is common these days, this little feature comes in handy.
While reducing the BPM by half is always an option, doubling it is contingent on having an adequately broad tempo range set.
Mix Point Link
The Mix Point Link is an awesome inclusion on the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10. It allows DJs to select a cue point on an upcoming track, designating it as the “mix in” point or the starting point of the track. Concurrently, a cue point on the currently playing track can be chosen, indicating where the next track should commence. These cue points can be seamlessly toggled using the Mix Point Link buttons, with the selected choice prominently displayed on the screen and the in-jog display in parallel waveform mode.
The primary objective? To facilitate professional-grade mash-ups and live remixes. This feature liberates DJs, allowing them to focus on refining effects and being creative rather than adjusting doing the standard stuff like beat counting and hitting the play button.
While the concept might feel unconventional initially, especially since the cue point for the active track is selected using the Mix Point Link controls on the other deck, with consistent use, it could become second nature. It’s undeniably a captivating feature. I personally love this feature.
Improved Sound Quality
The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 is equipped with improved phono pre-amps, ensuring top-notch sound quality. You’ll enjoy crisp, clear audio that brings out the best in your music. Plus, the DDJ-FLX10 includes all the beloved features of the DDJ-1000 controller, so you can take advantage of its well-established reputation for exceptional sound.
Advanced Lighting Control
When it comes to elevating a performance, lighting plays a pivotal role. With the rekordbox Lighting function on the DDJ-FLX10, it was incredibly straightforward to sync with dynamic lighting effects. The best part? There’s no need for external DMX interfaces. I simply connected my DMX-compatible lights to the controller, and rekordbox did the magic, either through custom settings or by automatically adjusting the lights to the rhythm of my tracks. If you are new to DJ lights you should see our DJ Lights – Perfect Beginners Guide article.
The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 essentially integrates the capabilities of the now-discontinued RB-DMX1 lighting interface. This makes it the sole device in the Pioneer DJ lineup that supports rekordbox Lighting, the software’s innate lighting automation feature.
The real game-changer for me was the simplicity. Instead of juggling multiple cables and devices, I could connect my lights directly to the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 using a single DMX cable and then daisy-chain additional lights as needed. This setup offers a seamless blend of automated and manual lighting control, all thanks to rekordbox Lighting’s features.
Connectivity
The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 boasts comprehensive connectivity options. It features four stereo RCA inserts for devices like CDJs, with two having phono pre-amps for turntables. DVS isn’t included with Rekordbox or Serato and requires an upgrade. Audio output options include professional XLR and domestic RCA master feeds, plus a TRS booth feed. For collaborative DJing, there are two USB-C ports. Mic connectivity offers an XLR/TRS combo and a single TRS jack. A pioneering feature is the DMX XLR output for lighting, a first for Pioneer controllers. The unit is powered by an external 12V adapter, prioritizing its lightweight design.
Want to break the dependancy on DJ software check out our Best Standalone DJ Controller 2023 – A New Gold Standard article,
Technical Specification Tables
Specifications
| Frequency Range | 20 – 20000 Hz |
|---|---|
| Width | 716 mm |
| Height | 73.4 mm |
| Depth | 400.3 mm |
| Weight | 6.7 kg |
| Soundcard | 24 bit/44.1 kHz |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | 110 dB |
| Distortion | |
| Power Consumption | DC 12 V, 3 000 mA |
Performance Control
| Channels | 4 |
|---|---|
| Deck Control | 4 |
| Jog Wheel (Maximum Dimensions) | 206 mm |
| Sampler | 16slot x 4bank |
| Hot Cues | 16 |
Terminals
| Inputs | 2 LINE (RCA) 2 PHONO/LINE (RCA) 1 MIC (XLR & 1/4 inch TRS Jack) 1 MIC (1/4 inch TRS Jack) |
|---|---|
| Outputs | 1 MASTER (XLR) 1 MASTER (RCA) 1 BOOTH (1/4 inch TRS Jack) 1 PHONES (1/4 inch stereo phone Jack) 3.5 mm stereo mini jack x 1 |
| DMX | 1 XLR connector (3pins) |
| USB | 2 USB C ports |
Final Thoughts
If you’re like me, always on the lookout for the next big thing in DJ controllers, the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 feels like a natural progression from models like the DDJ-1000 or DDJ-FLX6. It’s designed for those of us who thrive in open-format DJing, be it hobbyists, mobile DJs, or seasoned pros. I adore the Track Separation controls, I do feel the track part isolation in Rekordbox could use a touch-up for a crisper sound.
The DMX lighting control addition is a dream, especially when on the move and in need of a streamlined setup. For me, the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 is the epitome of versatility, building on the legacy of its predecessors and harmoniously integrating both Rekordbox and Serato DJ.
I really love the impact mix point link can have on workflow and creative opportunity. However, its price tag is a commitment. If some of the advanced features aren’t on your must-have list, perhaps a simpler, budget-friendly option might be the way to go.
All in all, the FLX10 has been a delightful addition to my setup. Its stems feature is a game-changer, and while it feels more Rekordbox-centric, its compatibility with Serato is a pleasant surprise. It’s a blend of innovation and familiarity, catering to my ever-evolving DJ needs.
The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 is the ultimate controller for professional DJs. It offers unmatched performance, versatility, and advanced features that will elevate your DJ setup and push your skills to the next level. While it may come at a higher price compared to entry-level controllers, the DDJ-FLX10’s quality, features, and overall value make it a worthwhile investment for serious DJs.
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FAQ’s
Q: Is the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 compatible with my preferred DJ software? A: Yes, the DDJ-FLX10 supports both Rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro, giving you the flexibility to use your preferred software.
Q: Can I use the DDJ-FLX10 for one-person DJ shows? A: Absolutely! The DDJ-FLX10 features a DMX socket on the back, allowing for direct connection to lighting. This makes it possible to control your lighting setup via Rekordbox Lighting, perfect for one-person DJ shows.
Q: Does the DDJ-FLX10 come with any additional software or vouchers? A: Yes, the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX10 comes with a voucher code for Serato Pitch ‘n Time, allowing you to enhance your mixes with this powerful software.
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