DJ Controllers - The Wire Realm

Hercules DJControl Instinct P8 DJ Controller Review

Last Updated: March 1, 2018 By Sean

The Hercules DJControl Instinct P8 is one of our favorite DJ controllers in the market, and we were ecstatic when Hercules DJ gave us one of our own to write a fair and honest review here today. Coming in as an affordable and budget-friendly DJ controller, the Instinct P8 isn’t necessarily the most fancy or “jam-packed with features”, but is in our opinion the perfect solution for DJ’s on a budget, beginners, those who don’t need a lot of pizzazz (although this one of course has a nice light show function), or really, any experienced DJ who needs a simple solution for a controller that can be a nice addition to an existing setup, whether it’s a home studio or you’re playing on the road (it’s one of the smaller DJ controllers with jog wheels we’ve used, which is perfect for laptop setups and the like). Let’s get into the details of the DJControl Instinct P8.

[Read more…]

Novation Dicer Cue and Looping DJ Controller Review

Last Updated: December 19, 2014 By Sean

We have a nifty little DJ controller at our hands here made by one of our favorite brands, Novation Music. If you’re a digital-based DJ looking to have a super convenient visual feedback of your cue points and loops, the Novation Dicer may be something worth looking at. It was actually a result of a collaboration between Novation and the creator of DJ Tech Tools. With some nice aesthetics for those of us who perform or merely like a slick looking setup in our studio, MIDI assignment and compatibility with most DJ software out there, it may be a piece of gear you can’t live without from now on.

[Read more…]

Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S8 DJ Controller Review

Last Updated: October 15, 2014 By Sean

The gear kingpin Native Instruments has just dropped a bomb on us with an all new DJ controller specifically made for Traktor! The Traktor Kontrol S8 DJ Controller is an absolute beast, bringing us control over 4-channels and a seamless integration with their Scratch Pro software. The two LED’s on each side of the controller is crucial for those performing in terms of giving us some navigation control — Some are saying that ‘future DJ’s will no longer look at their laptop or computers’ — and although we think that could be the case, it all depends on your personal preference. With the S8, NI also bring us their new signature touch-sensitive knobs and faders, high-quality performance pads, some analog inputs and more. Let’s get into the Traktor Kontrol S8 in more detail.

[Read more…]

Pioneer DDJ-SX2 Performance DJ Controller Review

Last Updated: October 8, 2014 By Sean

One of the top creators of DJ equipment, Pioneer Electronics, has given us a bit of a surprise with a new piece of gear to drop before Christmas, the DDJ-SX2 DJ controller. As a lot of companies are doing so nowadays, the DDJ-SX2 is stated to be ‘made for Serato DJ’, which won our best DJ software a while ago. It seems like this is the trend nowadays — you’re either making gear for Serato or Traktor, although Pioneer’s controllers typically work with most software we’ve come in contact with. The DDJ-SX2 is a four-channel controller jam-packed with a bunch of features, not to mention they’ve made this one of their most colorful (another trend?) piece of DJ gear we’ve seen by them. Let’s review it and see how it holds up.

[Read more…]

Allen & Heath Xone:K1 DJ MIDI Controller Review

Last Updated: September 24, 2014 By Sean

We check out the new Xone:K1 controller One of our favorite creators of DJ equipment, Allen & Heath audio mixing consoles, has come out with an extremely solid piece of gear for DJ’s, the Xone:K1 MIDI controller. It’s a compact, slim line controller that works with any DJ software you have (not limited to Serato DJ like a lot of DJ gear out nowadays). You get convenient access to control your levels, trigger hot cues, add some FX or even instant looping. The slim line make and overall build of the Xone:K1 is exceptionally convenient, and all it can do is put another cherry on top of that solid setup you’ve already got running. I’ve got mine right next to my mixer. Let’s get into the details of the Allen & Heath Xone:K1.

[Read more…]