Pioneer DJ DDJ-SB2: An HONEST Review
- Admin
- Mar 3, 2018
- 4 min read
Today we are reviewing the top seller Pioneer DJ Controller, the DDJ-SB2. The descendant of DDJ-SB which was one of the best entry-level DJ Controllers at the time, it has now become even better, MUCH BETTER. With switchable four-deck controls, level meters, and trim pots. With compatibility amongst all the best DJ software in the market today including Serato DJ and Rekordbox, this is the best friendly-budget controller to buy in the sub-$250 range and with a completely professional look.
SETTING UP & FIRST IMPRESSION
The DDJ-SB2 has a pair of RCA outputs for Master, one 1/4″ and one 1/8″ jack for headphones, a 1/4 mic input, and a USB socket.
The DDJ-SB2 ships in a very simple package with just the hardware and a small USB cable. It has a USB socket in the back, a pair of RCA jacks for the Master output, a 1/4″ mic in jack, and 1/4″ and 1/8″ jacks for headphones.
It comes with Serato Intro which you can download for free online, but you can upgrade it to the full Serato DJ if you feel it's worth it ( AND IT IS). Alternatively you can try the 2 week free trial to see if you feel like buying it.
The DDJ-SB2 is also compatible with Pioneer DJ’s Rekordbox DJ software which has sharply improved both in stability and with its audio engine quality, so it’s starting to become a DJ app to be worth downloading.
Also Virtual DJ is a good option to begin with if you like it to be more cost-effective and software portable DJ Controller.
To make this review even better for you, I've already taken this controller to my studio.
USAGE COMFORT
I've used multiple DJ Controllers during my experience. Apart from being professional and fully compatible with every function I've always had one problem. Portability and setting up. Being big and heavy, I always had to carry out bags or cases and setting them up was very uncomfortable as they required a considerable table space for both the
hardware and the laptop.
With the DDJ-SB2 you will never have such difficulties, its perfect size and portability will make it a lot easier for you.
The hardware is made out of plastic but it hardly feels like a toy. It gives you the feel like its meant to be a portable controller for the professional DJs that want something handy for their next gigs.
All the features from the previous DDJ-SB that made it look like a professional controller are still here: the responsive jogwheels, three band EQ, dedicated filter knobs, and the switchable four pads that can be assigned to control Hot Cues, Auto Loop, Manual Loop, and the Serato SP-6 Sampler.
Other than these, the DDJ-SB2 comes with a few better features that make it even more professional.
TRIM POTS
The DDJ-SB2 comes with trim pots that let you manually adjust the gain levels of both channels.
At the top of both channels there is a small trim pot knob that lets you control the level of the track that you’ve got loaded. Serato DJ (and all other DJ apps) automatically compensates for the difference in level between tracks in your library, however sometimes it doesn’t get it 100% right. That’s why trim pots are useful and they let you manually adjust this level compensation on the DDJ-SB2 itself quickly.
LEVEL METERS
There’s a pair of channel level meters on the DDJ-SB2, so it’s easy to see whether or not you’re “in the red” on either channel.
Metering was a noticeably missing feature at the previous version of DDJ-SB. Now that's available at the DDJ-SB2 in the form of a pair of five-segment channel level meters, with each segment consisting of a pair of eight LEDs. That means you’re always seeing the levels of both channels one and two in greater detail thanks to the multiple lights that make up just one segment.
4 DECKS CONTROL
You can now control up to four decks in Serato DJ or Rekordbox DJ using the decks three and four buttons.
It’s now possible to control up to four decks with the DDJ-SB2: to control deck three, you just press the “3 Deck” button in the left deck, and to control deck four, you press “4 Deck” on the right. This assigns the jogwheel, transport, library, and mixer controls to decks three and four.
PAD TRANS EFFECT
The Pad Trans button turns the top row of four pads into gate / transformer-style effect triggers.
The DDJ-SB2 comes with the Pad Trans effect button, which sounds like a gate effect; each of the four pads has a different time value (from 1/32 up to 1/4 of a beat). This is an OK effect to have neither bad nor essential.
CONCLUSION
The best entry-level controller just got better, with switchable four-deck controls, level meters, and trim pots.
With compatibility supporting all the major DJ software today, including Pioneer DJ’s own Rekordbox DJ, plus a relatively low price tag by Pioneer DJ standards.
The DDJ-SB2 gave me a great impression and it's perfect for the beginner DJs that are about to get serious. It also fulfills the reason for professional DJs to carry a handy second Controller for their next gigs.
Advertised at 249$ this is the controller to buy!
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