Last Updated on March 25 by Monty Python
The experienced DJs rank Pioneer DDJ SB3 controller right up among the best possible option to do the job. The brand needs no formal introduction as it has facilitated the DJs community for quite a long time. It is an affordable and feature-enriched system that will cater to all your basic and many of your advanced needs as well. Let us take a deep dive into this product and find out that what features it has and how it could facilitate the DJs.
Table of Contents
Features to consider
The Pioneer DJ SB3 is packed with some amazing features where the most considerable ones are given below:
Serato DJ Lite Software
The Serato DJ Lite software set this controller apart from its competition. It is aptly built for the Serato DJ Lite, which may also be used with the other platforms if you are OK with mapping all of its buttons and functions. For this purpose, you need to get accustomed to MIDI mapping. However, the entry-level DJs will find it fairly easy to use on its own as it is quite easy to use.
Connections
As a novice DJ, you will be impressed with its easy and versatile input and output connections. You will be maximizing the RCA master out instead of an XLR. This shouldn’t be seen as a problem as the subject controller was never meant for professional use. There are no external inputs provided. This means that you will not be able to connect your smart devices with it. However, it does come with an unbalanced mic input along with the volume control option. The headphone jack supports the 3.5mm port only.
Jog Wheels
The jog wheels are the dials that allow the DJs to customize their music. By using those, it will be possible to pause and play the music. If you move those back and forth then you could cue and scratch the music. The jog dials provided on this unit are quite large enough to suit the needs of the entry-level DJs. You will be comfortable with the level of tension provided on these wheels which makes scratching seamless. On top of that, the responsiveness of these jog wheels is quite great as well. It is something that novice and experienced DJs look for. Thanks to the top-class aluminum material used for its construction.
Mixer
The mixer of this particular DJ controller is one of the major highlights. You will find this one to be a highly productive mixer with plenty of features that an entry-level DJ would look for. It comes with a full 3 band EQ, crossfader, VU meter, master Cue button, and many other options as well. You will be pleased to experience that the crossfader of the system is not at all heavy. The full 3 bands EQ is the one that will enable DJs to get full control over the low, medium, and high frequencies with ease. The transitions with such great implementation would become extremely simpler and smoother. There are a couple of channels provided in the mixer. There are separate gain knobs that enable you to get full control over the volume for both the channels separately. On top of that, there is a separate low/ high pass knob for each channel.
Buttons for Selection
There are plenty of knobs and buttons provided on this controller. There is a deck switch button, a sync button, and a slip/ vinyl button. The slip model is amazing that allows the jog wheel to be moved while keeping a check on the track which is been played in real-time. The vinyl mode on the other end is the one to enable switching between the vinyl and CDJ options. Learn more about dj controller vs mixer. This is also the mode that allows you to perform all of the different functions as compared to what a vinyl player could handle. You could decide between the given options based on your personal preferences and style of playing music.
Pad Scratch Mode
This is the most innovative and latest feature to make its way into the DDJ SB3 DJ controller. This specific feature is co-developed with all the great support coming from DJ Jazzy Jeff. Beginner-level DJs will love this feature as it will provide them with a great entry into the world of scratching. This specific mode will come up with a range of scratching sounds for the cues. These scratches could be easily seen in your software as well and that makes it productive learning equipment for amateurs.
Pros
- The controller comes with an intuitive layout
- Premium material used in construction
- Low-latency and large-sized jog wheels
- Scratch response of jog wheels is excellent
- FX fade option makes mixing easy
Cons
- Need to pay to upgrade from Serato DJ lite to Serator DJ pro
Conclusion
The Pioneer manufacturer did a great job with the introduction of this feature-packed controller which had the DJ community talking. This is a top-class DJ controller for novice DJs. For the price and considering the needs of the entry-level DJs, this is a highly affordable and versatile system.