5 of the Best MIDI Controllers for DJs: Extra Control, Additional Power
MIDI controllers for DJs from AlphaTheta, Native Instruments, Allen & Heath, and more!
Looking for more control over effects and parameters? Augment your rig with the best MIDI controllers for DJs.
The Best MIDI Controllers for DJs
Most DJ controllers are essentially just highly specialized MIDI controllers. With their plethora of buttons, faders and jog wheels, they give you pinpoint control over the parameters that you need access to the most. Although these DJ controllers can do a lot, they can’t do everything – and that’s where additional MIDI controllers for DJs can come in.
Instead of relying on your main controller to do everything, shunt some of the heavy lifting over to a separate device. MIDI controllers for DJs are perfect for handling effects and EQ, and targeting things like stems. Even better if you’re part of a DJ pair and things are getting crowded with one device.
Some of these are aimed at DJs, while others are more general-use MIDI controllers that DJs may find useful. These are the best MIDI controllers for DJs.
Many of the products mentioned in this story are available at Thomann*.
The Best MIDI Controllers for DJs: AlphaTheta Serato SLAB
SLAB is a new MIDI controller born out of a collaboration between AlphaTheta and Serato, two DJ powerhouses. SLAB’s primary function is to pair with Serato Studio, the company’s sample-based DAW, but it also works flawlessly with DJ Pro.
The big selling point for Serato DJ users is the ability to control the volume of stems on the fly. Via the encoders on SLAB, you can instantly adjust the level of drums, bass, vocals and instruments – even when they’re all on the same track. Of course, you also get the 16 Performance Pads and other controls to enhance your DJing.
If you’re a Serato-based DJ who gets down with stem separation, definitely look into SLAB. It also includes a free copy of Studio, making it one of the best MIDI controllers for DJs.
The Best MIDI Controllers for DJs: Allen & Heath Xone:K3
Allen & Heath is famous with DJs for its Xone series of mixers. The company also makes the Xone:K3 controller, a DJ-focused MIDI controller aimed at jocks who want to add MIDI control to a standard two-decks-and-mixer setup.
A slim controller, it’s got four endless push encoders, three rows of alternating velocity-sensitive knobs and backlit buttons, four faders, and an array of 16 buttons. Additionally, across the bottom, there are Layer and Shift buttons plus two more endless push encoders. Programmable, you get three layers to assign, giving you 174 possible individual MIDI parameters. You can use Xone:K3 as a general MIDI controller via USB, but it’s really meant to pair with a Xone mixer through the X-Link jacks.
If you’ve got a Xone mixer at the heart of your rig (lucky devil), Xone:K3 could be what you need to take things to the next level.
The Best MIDI Controllers for DJs: Native Instruments Traktor X1 MK3
X1 MK3 is part of Native Instruments’ modular Traktor lineup that also includes Z1 MK2. Although you could use X1 MK3 as a mixer in a pinch, it’s really meant as a sidecar for a more fully featured mixer, either Z1 or the recently released Traktor MX2.
So what is X1 MK3 then? Think of it as an effects and loop controller for Traktor Pro and Play. While there are no sliders (look to the Z1 for that), X1 gives you 34 backlit buttons, eight rotary controls, five(!) OLED screens, 20 push buttons for transport controls, and a light-based system across the bottom of the unit that tells you when you’re looping, or a song is about to end.
The Best MIDI Controllers for DJs: Akai Professional APC40 mkii
Not as many people DJ with Ableton Live these days. As DJing has gone ever-more digital, products like rekordbox, Serato and Traktor have usurped its throne. However, there’s still a lot to recommend when it comes to Live DJing – especially if you’re using it as a way to perform your own music.
While it might be getting on in years, Akai Professional’s APC40 mkii is still a very solid controller to pair with Ableton – or really any digital DJ platform, although it’s mapped to Live out of the box. You get a 5×8 clip-launch matrix with RGB feedback for clip status and color coding, nine channel faders, eight control knobs, eight device controls, and an assignable A/B crossfader, making it one of the best MIDI controllers for DJs – particularly for Ableton DJs.
The Best MIDI Controllers for DJs: Novation Launchpad Pro MK3
Staying with Ableton Live, the last device I’d like to recommend as one of the best MIDI controllers for DJs is Novation Launchpad Pro MK3.
The Launchpad Pro MK3 features 64 velocity-sensitive pads with polyphonic aftertouch, perfect for launching clips in Ableton Live – or Apple’s Logic Pro, if that’s your bag. The Launchpad Pro also gives you 42 backlit tactile-click buttons. No sliders, no knobs, though. This is a button-masher’s paradise.
Why recommend a clip launcher for DJs? Remember, we’re looking for controllers to supplement a rig. If you’re already sorted for faders and knobs but need a platform for triggering clips – and lots of them – this is the way to go.
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