Pioneer DJ DDJ FLX6 (Good, Bad, or Ugly?)

Pioneer DJ dominates the DJ landscape as one of the best-known and most popular companies in the industry. Pioneer systems are versatile, effective, and often pretty great to look at too.

The question is, which product do you need?

Most of the time, Pioneer follows a fairly predictable pattern with product releases.

Still, the brand surprised most music enthusiasts when it released the new DDJ FLX6, a Rekordbox, and Serato DJ Pro dual-compatible DJ controller with a host of tools for creative mixing. 

The Pioneer DJ DDJ FLX6 is a powerful four-channel unit that makes it quick and easy to get your audience excited. It feels like a blend of the DDJ 400, DDJ 800, and the DDJ 1000, with a set of full-sized jog wheels, four channels, and a variety of effects and DJ performance functions, though not as much connectivity options.

Is the Pioneer DJ DDJ FLX6 Any Good? (in short)

The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX6 is a four-channel DJ controller, that is designed for use with Rekordbox DJ, although it does unlocks the full version of Serato DJ Pro too. It has some quirky and innovative features, namely “Merge FX” and “Jog Cutter” which are all designed to let starter DJs have more fun in the mix.

Watch our review here

Introducing the Pioneer DJ DDJ FLX6

The DDJ FLX6 is a mid-range DJ controller intended to offer excellent flexibility and versatility for today’s modern musicians. The Rekordbox/Serato DJ Pro or Lite mix ensures people from any background can experiment with all kinds of music with a reliable tool. 

However, while existing mid-range options from Pioneer focus heavily on durability and build quality – this one is all about performance features.

Unfortunately, that performance choice does come at the expense of some build quality.

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.

The machine weighs around 3.8kg and comes with a 24-bit sound card, as well as a set of two full-sized jog wheels to explore. Features include:

• 1 1/4-inch TRS Jack
• 1 USB port
• Outputs: Master (RCA) Booth (RCA) Headphone monitor x 2
• Slip mode
• Beat jump
• Manual loop and auto beet loop
• 8 different bad modes
• 8 hot cues
• 2 full-sized jog wheels
• 4 channels
• Frequency range – 20- 20000 Hz

DDJ FLX6 review: Setting Up

The DDJ FLX6 is all about versatility, hence the decision to ensure it works with both Serato DJ Pro or Lite and Rekordbox.

This full-sized DJ controller is almost as large as the Pioneer DJ DDJ-1000, but it feels closer to the DDJ-200 in build quality. This is essentially a device built for beginners and people who don’t want to spend a small fortune on their craft. 

This is a software-only DJ controller, so you can’t plug in extra equipment, even if you bought your CDJ or turntable directly from Pioneer themselves.

If your computer doesn’t work, or something crashes, your music will stop too. For voice-over and other elements, the DDJ FLX6 has its own microphone input, but this routes directly to the outputs, so you won’t be able to apply effects.

One bonus is that you will be able to choose between whether the mic goes through the Booth outputs or otherwise.

The DDJ FLX6 also has both Booth and Master outputs, which are RCA unbalanced only, with no XLR or balanced jack choices. 

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

Ignore some of the brand-new features like Merge FX and the Jog Cutter, and the DDJ FLX6 gives you a pretty standard DJ controller experience, similar to things like the Denon MC7000.

There are a set of four DJ software channels to choose from, a set of color FX knobs, and a three-band EQ to enjoy. There’s also access to looping controls, eight performance pads, and some basic inputs and outputs.

From a control perspective, this certainly isn’t the most advanced option on the market. There are a few things missing, such as key shift hardware or sync buttons.

There’s also the added issue of the tiny pitch faders, which really don’t seem large enough for the rest of a DJ controller.

Since this is first-and-foremost a software DJ controller, you won’t have to get used to any other inputs for your DJ gear. However, it feels as though we should at least have an Aux input here. 

Despite a couple of grumbles, the DDJ-FLX6 is still impressive in its own way. There are a few advanced functions that you won’t get anywhere else. Pioneer also boasts a new aesthetic for this DJ controller, but we’re not sure how much of a benefit that is at first glance.

The design looks good and follows a similar club-standard CDJ and DJM setup, so it allows for intuitive performance. 

We do like the dark grey matte finish and the decision to add some really sleek-looking full-sized jog wheels, but this doesn’t take away from the plastic feel of the build. 

Performance pads

The majority of the things you can do with the DDJ FLX6 come down to the performance pads, which are small and “clicky”, unlike some of the other rubbery pads you get on bigger devices.

These pads will operate differently depending on which DJ software you use them with. 

With Rekordbox, your pads will give you access to musical samples in a keyboard fashion, allowing you to merge and trigger multiple experiences at the same time.

There’s also the option to manipulate your samples and add unique effects at the touch of a pad. 

In the Serato DJ Pro or Lite software, you’ll find a range of simple performance features in the form of hot cues like loop, cue loop, auto loop, and loop roll. There’s a handy new sample bank included for loading tracks quickly and easily. 

DJ Software

The dual Serato DJ Pro or Lite and Rekordbox compatibility is quite a positive surprise for a lot of mid-level DJs in search of versatility.

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. 

Despite this, we should note that you certainly have a much tighter integration if you’re a Rekordbox fan.

Things aren’t as beautifully aligned with Serato DJ, and you might find some of the controls don’t line up with the labels.

Additionally, there’s no MIDI mapping and minimal customization features to explore.

However, you may find that the unit is slightly more responsive with Serato.

Jog Wheels

The Jog Wheel’s dimensions might be full-sized, but they’re not made of metal. These 7-inch capacitive jog wheels are tactile and weighted, despite being largely made of plastic.

The jog wheels have displays in the center and are lovely for gaining an insight into exactly where your needle is. If you’ve already used a high-level controller with better-built jog wheels, however, you might find that these jog wheels feel a little cheap.

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.

Each jog wheel comes with an on-jog display to help you keep an eye on your position, and they look aesthetically great too. 

1/O Connectivity

The DDJ FLX6 definitely makes waves as a consumer-focused DJ controller with the I/O selection. There’s a set of RCA master outputs, alongside a set of RCA booth outs and a quarter-inch microphone jack with attenuator controls.

The microphone input doesn’t connect directly to the soundcard, so you can’t add effects to your voice directly.

The front panel includes both 3.55 and quarter-inch headphone jacks, so you don’t need to fiddle around with awkward adapters.

The lack of balanced outputs and XLR will be enough to send many DJs in the opposite direction, however. PA systems generally rely heavily on the stability balanced outputs can offer. You may need to consider an external sound card to fix this issue.

On the plus side, the system is USB bus-powered, which makes it a little more portable in general than some other larger solutions. You don’t need to install any audio drivers when plugging the device into your computer, and you can start mixing immediately with a built-in sound card that connects straight to any amplifiers or speakers through a single RCA cable. You can also record directly to Rekordbox with the USB connection. 

Mixers, Effects, and Faders

As mentioned above, the DDJ FLX6 is a four-channel mixer with excellent access to a comprehensive four-deck DJ experience. This opens up a lot of possibilities that other competing mid-range devices won’t have. The knobs are mounted well and feel durable enough, though the crossfader is a little stiff, and surprisingly small. 

The DDJ FLX6 also offers an FX strip on the right similar to other products from Pioneer’s DJM portfolio. There’s a button to support toggling between each of the different effects in Rekordbox and Serato DJ pro banks, which you can choose and access whenever you like. There’s also a button to toggle between different channel assignments too. 

The biggest disappointment on this device from a control perspective is the lack of reverse and slip mode functions. There are cue controls and a range of other new features, but it seems like Pioneer has skipped some of the basics here. 

Jog Cutter

This brings us to one of the interesting newer features of the DDJ FLX6, the Jog Cutter.

Jog Cutter is a feature that you can access to “scratch” without actually scratching. You turn on the Jog Cutter button at the top right of your DJ controller, then touch your jog wheel to jump your music to the chosen cue point. A

s you move your hand back and forward, you can manipulate the sound. 

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. 

While all of this might seem simple enough at first, it’s actually a lot more complicated than you might expect.

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

For Beat FX, the DDJ-FLX6 comes with an effect strip on the right-hand side which feels a little more complicated than the DDJ-400. In some ways, there are actually some additional issues you need to address here, such as an inability to select effects from the system itself. 

You do get a few simplicities built-in, such as a set of beat buttons, a level/depth knob, your standard on/off button, channel select, and FX select.

The FX select simply cycles through the effects you’ve chosen for the two engines, with up to 6 options available.

Crucially, you will only be able to access one effect at a time. This could make the layout seem a little unusual in terms of unnecessary complexity. On the plus side, you can rest assured that you’ll have access to the Serato DJ Pro or Lite FX packs, and the pitch n’ time DJ expansion.

Merge FX

Merge FX is likely to be the feature that people talk about most when addressing the DDJ-FLX6. This is an all-new feature from Pioneer intended to add more “drama” to your mixes with ease.

No matter your chosen key or BPM for the next track, you’ll be able to add transitions however and whenever you want.

The Merge FX idea is that you can create huge drops and build-ups, festival-style.

Each active deck will have its own Merge FX knob/effect to choose from, and you can implement the effect via the large knob in the top right of the fader. You can activate the effect when pressing the Merge FX knob, and turning it clockwise to increase it.

There’s also the option to turn the merge fx knob anti-clockwise to reduce intensity too.

The result is typically built through a combination of an effect or sample. 

The Merge FX experience is relatively easy to get used to. All you need to do is choose a pre-set and press the knob to start building your music.

You then turn the Merge FX knob and press it again when you want to release the effect and move on to the next track.

Customization options ensure you can create a range of new sounds using Merge FX.

Dual-Deck Mode and Sample Scratch Mode

The DDJ FLX6 has both a dual deck and sample scratch mode. The Dual Deck mode assigns one deck’s controls to both layers on your machine at the same time, allowing for a range of exciting new opportunities, such as loading instrumental effects into separate decks while controlling them as the same track. 

There’s also a handy sample scratch mode, first introduced by Pioneer in the DJM-S11.

The Sample Scratch option means you can load samples directly not the jog wheel and scratch them without needing to take up a deck.

This is a valuable solution to a long-standing issue with a lot of scratch DJs who had to load tracks previously with consecutive samples for scratching. 

Sound Quality and Metering

There’s very little to grumble about when it comes to the sound quality of this device. You’re going to get an experience very similar to most consumer DJ controllers.

The USB power function means that you might find that you don’t get as much volume as you could get elsewhere, but this isn’t too much of a problem for most hobbyists.

The headphone amplifier is punchy and loud, with a selection of two sockets to choose from, plus a cue/master mix knob, and a volume option.

All of these solutions are stored on the front of the DDJ FLX6 unit, with no split cue available, unfortunately. 

You’ll also find VU meters in all four of the channels here, but there’s no master VU meter available. The meters are a little dim, however, so make sure you’re equipped to see them properly if you’re DJing in outdoor festivals with a lot of sunshine. 

DDJ FLX6: The Verdict

Overall, the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX6 is a decent consumer-focused controller intended for the mid-level market. This device focuses primarily on performance features rather than build, with four channels, and a host of new features – though some are more appealing than others.

This device is likely to be an interesting option for hobbyist DJs keen to explore new concepts. 

The DDJ-FLX6 may be a decent pick for home DJs and beginners who want to see what they can accomplish with all the benefits of an affordable four-channel controller.

Though there are some gimmicks, such as Merge FX and the jog cutter, that might confuse professionals, hobbyists are likely to enjoy the new features and the fact that they can use more than one type of software.

Pros:

• Large jog wheels with screen
• 4 channels to explore
• Decent aesthetic design
• Good microphone options
• High-quality sound
• Built-in sound card
• Easy enough to learn to use
• Not a bank-breaking price
• Innovative features like Merge FX
• Dual deck and sample scratch
• Rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro or Lite
• USB powered and lightweight

Cons:

• Some effects are confusingly complex
• Build quality isn’t great
• Missing some features like slip mode
• Feels a little gimmicky in places
• Effects slider can be a bit confusing

Although the DDJ-FLX6 is far from the perfect DJ controller, there is definitely a market for something like this out there, generally among mid-level professionals in search of something new.