Pioneer DJ’s DDJ range of controllers are well known and much loved by many DJs, mostly because they’re intuitive to use and they do the job fantastically well. The range starts at entry level with the DDJ-200, ideal for the complete novice and a hugely popular purchase during the pandemic lockdowns.

At the other end of the spectrum is the DDJ -1000, which I and so many of my colleagues love to bits. In the middle we have the DDJ-800, the DDJ-FLX6 and the DDJ-400.

The latter is a brilliant little unit with all the key features in a very portable size. Now Pioneer DJ have released the DDJ-FLX4, effectively the DDJ-400’s replacement. At first sight, they look quite similar – a basic 2-channel controller with jog wheels and performance pads – but with a couple more buttons and the addition of a Bluetooth LED.

The DDJ-FLX4 not only works out of the box with Pioneer DJ’s Rekordbox software, but also with Serato DJ Lite (you can also buy a license for Serato Pro). Rekordbox and Serato both have seamless integration with the most popular DJ streaming services, making this a very cheap way for newcomers to start DJing. By the time you read this, compatibility with Virtual DJ should also be possible.

But in addition to a couple of fun new effects, what the DDJ-FLX4 brings to the table is compatibility with tablet software. And it’s an interesting point: this entry-level controller is marketed not only to working DJs but also to beginners. I recently found out that you can even buy them in Argos, so at the time of writing I imagine there will be a few kids unwrapping a DDJ-FLX4 on Christmas Day!

During early 2023 we should get a Rekordbox update for iOS and Android, which will allow you to use your DDJ-FLX4 with your favourite iPhone, iPad, or Android tablet, connected either via Bluetooth or using the USB-C connector. (Rekordbox is my software of choice, so for this review I’m just focussing on that functionality.)

So, let’s take a closer look at this little beastie.

Finished in a smart matt plastic, the unit is about the width of a 19” mixer. All power and data comes from your laptop via a USB-C port, but there’s also a second USB-C port on the back for power only. This is a nice touch that means you can power your tablet from a power bank or AC adapter whilst using it.

Output of the mixer is via a pair of RCA phono connectors on the rear panel, which is also where you’ll find a microphone input and its attenuator control.
On the front of the DDJ-FLX4 is a 3.5mm headphone socket. Unlike some other entry-level devices, Pioneer DJ has given the headphones a decent amount of volume, and the usual ways of listening to each channel and the main output are catered for.

The player sections either side of the mixer are laid out in classic format with everything where you'd expect it to be. The jog wheels are very sensitive to touch – this takes a bit of getting used to – but they work really well and are reassuringly smooth. Loops and cue points are easily triggered and recalled using the eight performance pads below each jog wheel. Unlike the DDJ-800 and DDJ-1000, these pads are single-colour only. The performance pads under Rekordbox provide the usual tools: hot cue, pad FX, beat jump, keyboard, key shift, and sampler functionality.

The mixer section on the main panel controls two channels, each with 3-band EQ, CFX filter, gain, fader, and an assignable cross fader. At the top of this, a simple encoder and two load buttons allow you to select and load your music into each channel. Mic level control is also included, but there is no form of tone control for this on board. Instead you can make these tone adjustments in the software, or alternatively feed the DDJ-FLX4 into a small mixer as a workaround. The beat FX section works exactly as it did on the DDJ-400, with a selection of classic effects to choose from.

Now onto the two new buttons: Smart CFX and Smart Fader. When the Smart CFX is not enabled, the CFX knobs provide the usual low- to high-pass filter function.
Enabling Smart CFX will change the function of the CFX knob to one of eight new CFX: phantom echo, reflect echo, mobius echo, vaporize, noise chopper, cyber jet, cyber pitch and twister. You can select the CFX on screen in Rekordbox and they’re honestly great fun (I can’t help smiling at the thought of vaporizing an Abba track at a wedding!).

The other new addition is a Smart Fader button. It’s tricky to put into words exactly what this feature does, but when enabled it will automatically turn on beat sync between the two loaded tracks. As you crossfade from the playing track to the incoming track, it will adjust to the incoming track’s BPM whilst also adjusting the EQ and adding a form of echo to the outgoing track as a final flourish.

These two new buttons (Smart CFX and Smart Fader) add some quantised automation to your mixing, making the whole experience creative and fun – perfect for those at the start of their DJ journey. This can only be a good thing.

In conclusion, the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX4 is simple to use and perfect for sparking creativity – no doubt it will sell like hot cakes. As an entry-level unit, it’s ideal for DJ novices or for home practice and bedroom setups. But the compact DDJ-FLX4 would make a great backup unit for established mobile DJs too. I also love the idea of using it without any mains power for an evening outdoor party or BBQ in the summer. I will certainly be adding this little beast to my ever-growing collection of DDJs…