There are 8 Merge FX pattern presets to choose from (4 if you use Serato DJ Pro) and you can use your own samples. If you’re DJing with rekordbox, you’ll find everything is customizable. Choose from 41 types of effects within the 4 categories that make up a Merge FX (Build FX, Build Sample, Release FX, and Drop Sample) and combine them to create more than 9,000 different patterns. You can save 8 of your own patterns and use the FX Select button on the unit to call them up whenever you want to perform a unique mix. Jog Cutter allows you to jump between one of six sections on your wheel to trigger different scratching experiences. According to Pioneer, there are around 10 different scratch jog cutter patterns to explore by moving your play head position, as shown on your on-wheel display.

It is strictly one effect at a time, and so what you basically have is a choice of six effects, to be triggered individually. The layout suddenly seems convoluted once you realise this. There’s an obvious software/hardware mismatch, but nevertheless it’s passable. The Beat FX section is underpowered, and while it’s at least easy enough to understand in Rekordbox, in Serato it is confusingly implemented. Most controllers do follow an exhausting trend of only using an exclusive single-software support option. It’s nice to see more than one option on one device.A bit of history is worthwhile here. You see, as of the Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000, Pioneer DJ abandoned the “controller” paradigm when it came to effects. To me, it’s a “confuse the hell out of your audience so you can play anything you want next” feature. Fun and innovative, but ultimately, you wouldn’t want to use it often. Later, with the Rekordbox DDJ-400, Pioneer DJ maintained the “club-style” effects control, only this time, you were controlling the software effects, as it had no hardware effects of its own. It was limited, but they managed to make it work.

The DDJ FLX6 bypasses things like advanced connectivity options and a metal-reinforced chassis to bring you a different set of bonuses, including full-sized jog wheels and four channels. It’s not a perfect Traktor mapping, or the easiest to get working– It isn’t plug and play with Traktor (you’ll need to install a TSI file to get it to work), and once it is up and working, some of the advanced features of the controller, such as the Merge FX and the in-jog displays, won’t work (plus, we suspect the jogwheel Midi will be laggy, as it always has ben in the past with third party Traktor controllers) But the truth is that this is really a Rekordbox controller, and in just about every area, Rekordbox is better implemented. So much so that for a beginner, Serato would be a poor choice to use here. The effects are confusing with Serato (more later), the pads are all labelled wrong, the Merge FX are very limited compared to Rekordbox (again, more later). In short, I cannot recommend the DDJ-FLX6 for Serato use, especially for beginners or people new to the software. According to Pioneer, the DDJ-FLX6 ensures you can “flex” your creative muscles with a host of new features and an easy-to-use interface. Usability/ Ease of Use With full size jog wheels, which are the same size as the flagship CDJ-3000, as well as a four-channel mixer - the first thing you’ll notice about the DDJ-FLX6 is that it feels like a step up from the entry level Pioneer DJ kit. While there’s no jog wheel adjustment, like that offered by the DDJ-800 and DDJ-1000, the tension setting feels just right – especially if you’re upgrading from the smaller DDJ controllers.Pioneer’s jog wheels on the DDJ FLX6 are responsive and lightweight, so they’re a decent choice for making natural and bending feel as natural as possible. Some DJs will probably find it easier to use the jog cutter feature than to learn how to scratch in the first place. It seems pointless to focus your attention on learning this new functionality when you could just practice scratching – and use your skills on other devices too. Beat FX

The controls on the DDJ-FLX6-GT are set up the same way as on its predecessor, which is a club-standard CDJ + DJM setup. This makes it easy to perform. But the new matte grey body and graphite jog wheels give it a more elegant look. Virtual DJ Support The DDJ-FLX6-W is available in selected regions (only available at specific retail stores in Asia Pacific and the Americas and Latin Americas – not available in EMEA regions).

Originally codenamed DDJ-600 internally at Pioneer DJ, the Flex - as it’s now known – has been developed to enable complex transitions between genres for DJs whose musical taste, or that of the dancefloor, is fluid. The DDJ-FLX6 has two really powerful features to help DJs jump from one BPM range to another Merge FX and the Jog Cutter. Merge FX