If your phone or computer doesn’t have an optimal sound card, the music won’t sound terrific. You are rolling the dice on your audio fidelity each time you connect a device to the Pioneer DDJ 200.

DDJ-200 - Pioneer DJ - Global Download firmware or software for DDJ-200 - Pioneer DJ - Global

Depending on your app and device combo, you can also mix via streaming music services. Compatible services include Beatport LINK, SoundCloud Go+, Deezer, TIDAL and Beatsource LINK. However, what is unique is that by using the computers mouse, you can access of Rekordbox’s extensive performance features. This means you can even use Keyboard mode with the DDJ 200 just by pressing on the pad modes on the screen. Very impressive stuff even if it doesn’t necessarily appeal to the beginners who will be buying this controller. DJs can mix on either their mobile device (with a mixing app & streaming services) or computer (using Pioneer’s Rekordbox DJ.) In our current technocratic age, everyone has a smartphone. Not everyone has a suitable laptop for mixing. Prices valid in stores (all including VAT) until close of business on 1st November 2023. (Some of these web prices are cheaper than in-store, so please mention that you've seen these offers online.) The two-channel smart DJ controller has simple controls in a small, lightweight design. You can mix off a mobile app or computer via Bluetooth or USB cable port.

Recent DJ Content

The Pioneer DDJ-200 offers a smart way top mix your music. Connect your smartphone, tablet or PC/Mac and start mixing your digital music. The DDJ-200 is compatible with a wide variety of software programmes and apps, including WeDJ for iPhone, WeDJ for Android, djay, edjing Mix and rekordbox. Unlike the Pioneer DDJ 200, the DJ controller has a built-in sound card to standardize audio fidelity. It comes with the Serato LITE software, but can be midi mapped for use with other popular DJ software. It has powerful performance features, like 16 pads with 8 modes, large jog wheels, and immense effects. The controls are very rudimentary on the DDJ 200, but they get the job done well. Each channel has a 3-band EQ suitable for cutting or bumping low, mid, or high frequencies. An FX filter knob will sweep the high or lows for added mixing flair.

Pioneer DDJ200 (Black) | 2-channel Smart DJ Controller

DJs that are green behind the ears, with DJ technology and skills, can form their fundamental skills with the tutorial & “Pop-Hint” features in WeDJ. We take a look at Pioneer DJ’s most affordable DJ controller to date, the DDJ-200. With no audio connections and designed to connect to your phone via Bluetooth this little controller will no doubt turn heads in the DJ community. But aimed at the beginners who care more about ease of use than performance features, could this be the controller that launches the next generation of DJ? Let’s find out! The Pioneer DJ DDJ 200, the cheapest and smallest controller from Pioneer to date. The Hardware A DJ controller combines all the equipment DJs need into one single unit. Rather than buying a mixer and two players separately, all the gear combines into one sleek device.The DDJ-SB3 is another beginner DJ controller by Pioneer but steps up the complexity and controls from the DDJ-200. It’s got larger jog wheels for scratch DJs that need a little more room to work their fingertips.

DDJ-200 2-channel Smart DJ controller (black) - Pioneer DJ DDJ-200 2-channel Smart DJ controller (black) - Pioneer DJ

You can override this if you need, but it works well, and we never felt the need to adjust it. The app will also analyse and set beat grids required for Sync. Especially with the new phrase sync mode, its essential these grids are correctly set, and we found ourselves having to adjust them on more than one occasion manually. Thankfully this is easy enough to do and takes little time thanks to the intuitive controls. All in all, this is a fantastic little app that brings the best out of the controller! DDJ 200 and WeDJ Application Algoriddim Djay If you are tight on the budget you might be considering compensating for the DDJ-400 price by buying it used. Keep in mind that there are many risks that come along with getting used DJ equipment.Plus, a DJ controller typically comes bundled with a copy of a DJ software to mix off a computer. Instead of buying everything separately, which can get pricey, DJs get an all-in-one system cheap.

DDJ-200 vs. DDJ-400 (Which Is Better For You?) - djgear2k DDJ-200 vs. DDJ-400 (Which Is Better For You?) - djgear2k

While on the DDJ-200 you won’t be able to control loops using physical buttons, the whole loop functionality is easily accessible from the DJ app of your choice. A long time favourite amongst the mobile DJ community, Algoriddim’s fantastic DJay application (read our review here) is probably best known for its Spotify streaming integration. With Pioneer DJ not releasing the WeDJ on iPad yet, Algoriddim Djay will become the leading contender for using an iPad with the DDJ 200. A set up we enjoy due to the larger screen and magnetic stands currently available. You don’t even need to use the jog wheels to add scratches into the mix with the DDJ-SB3’s pad scratch feature. You can add scratches reproduced from the iconic DJ jazzy Jeff’s custom scratch samples. It’s kind of a bummer that each mixing app doesn’t support all the streaming services. The corporate shills won’t let all the platforms cross over. You’ve got to select the DJing app that suits your flavor of streaming.

Hooking up

DJ controllers are useful for DJs mixing strictly digital, as most support USB cable connectivity. They are lightweight and portable, which is great for DJs regularly on the go. The Pioneer DJ DDJ 200 is an extremely easy-to-operate USB bus-powered controller that’s super compact, lightweight, and cheap; with innovative mobile app mixing features. Using your phone for mixing on the Pioneer DJ DDJ 200 is pretty radical, albeit a little too consumerized for some professional DJs’ tastes. Algoriddim has done a fantastic job of mapping the controller to work flawlessly straight away. Even the crossfader activates a filter as you sweep across when you select the transition FX. Note you will have to choose the split output in the settings to activate the cue buttons, but this makes complete sense as you wouldn’t be able to cue without the output enabled.