and in this episode, we've got
two entry-level Pioneer DJ controllers:
the DDJ-400 over here which
was released in June 2018,
and the DDJ-SB3 over here,
released a few months prior.
Both are two-channel controllers
with their own unique strengths.
The DDJ-400 works with Rekordbox DJ
and bears a layout similar
to a CDJ and DJM set-up,
while the DDJ-SB3 works with Serato DJ
and has the pad scratch feature,
aka the "Jazzy Jeff Button".
Now, we've got reviews of
both controllers already.
I'll post the links below this video
so you can watch them after you're done
watching this Head to Head.
So, let's get to it!
First, let's talk about
the size and the layout.
The DDJ-400 and the DDJ-SB3 are
pretty similar size and weight wise.
They're controllers for beginners,
so you get the usual
stuff like two jog wheels,
two mixer channels and
built-in sound cards.
The pitch faders on the DDJ-400 are longer
than the ultra-short throw pitch
faders found on the DDJ-SB3
and the performance pads on the
DDJ-400 are slightly smaller
compared to those found on the DDJ-SB3.
Now, apart from those,
the main differences
really lay in the controls
and how they are laid out on both devices.
The DDJ-SB3 has Pioneer DJ's
more traditional control layout.
It's got an effects section over here
at the top of the two decks.
Plus, looping controls
beside the performance pads,
and the DDJ-400, on the other hand,
breaks away from the usual DDJ controller layout
by having looping controls
on the top of each jogwheel,
plus a condensed effects section here
via the Beat FX portion
right beside the mixer.
So, let's talk a little bit
more about the looping controls.
The controls on the DDJ-SB3 are similar to
older DDJ-SB controllers.
They consist of an auto-loop button
that toggles a loop on or off.
Plus, you've got loop length
half and double buttons.
The DDJ-400 does away
with this looping system
in favour of looping
controls that are similar
to what you'd find on a
CDJ or XDJ media player,
which makes it easier
to transition from using
a DDJ-400 at home to using
CDJs or XDJs at the club,
at least as far as looping goes.
Now, let's take a look at the effects.
The DDJ-SB3 has an
effects section over here
on both decks consisting of three buttons
for toggling the effects on or off,
plus a parameter knob
over here for dialling in
the amount of effects being applied.
Now, the DDJ-400 does
away with all that again,
and instead it has a Beat FX strip over here.
It sits right beside the mixer
at the centre of the unit.
Again, this is similar to
what you'd find on a DJM mixer
like the DJM-900NXS2, the
DJM-750MK2, and the DJM-450.
So, it makes jumping from the DDJ-400
to a club set-up with a DJM mixer easier
when it comes to effects tweaking.
Lastly, let's take a look
at the performance pads.
Now, the DDJ-SB3 has tonnes of
contemporary performance pad features.
It's got hot cues, effects fade, sampler.
It's got beat jump, roll, slicer,
trans, and of course, pad-scratch.
This is the unique selling
point for the DDJ-SB3,
letting you perform and
string together scratch tricks
at the press of a performance pad.
Now, the DDJ-400 doesn't
have the pad-scratch feature,
but it's still stacked with
performance pad functions.
Hot cue, beat jump, beat loop, sampler,
keyboard, pad fx1, pad fx2, and key shift.
Keyboard and key shift modes
are new performance features
found in Rekordbox DJ as of version five.
Which one's better?
and workflow of using a CDJ and DJM set-up.
If effects tweak ability using Serato DJ
and learning how to
scratch are priorities,
the DDJ-SB3 would be the better option
because of its pad-scratch feature.
Of course, you can scratch
using the jogwheels
on either the DDJ-400 or the DDJ-SB3,
but the pad-scratch feature
might help you learn
how a proper scratch sounds and looks
when you see the waveforms
moving in Serato DJ.
So, that's it for this
Head to Head episode.
Let me know what you
think in the comments.
Let me know if you liked
it, if you didn't like it,
what we could do to improve it.
And don't forget to "like" and
share this video, of course.
My name is Joey, thank
you so much for watching.
I will see you in our next
episode of Head to Head.
Don't forget to check out
the full article over at
the Digital DJ Tips site.
I've got a link to that over in the
description box below as well.
I'll see you next time.
