5 of the Best DJ Hardware Effects
What Sounds Better Than Decks and FX?
Free yourself from software with these liberating DJ hardware effects from Pioneer DJ, Korg, Eventide, and more.
DJ Hardware Effects
With the rise in popularity of software DJing, the need for external DJ hardware effects has never been greater. Turntablists will want a hands-on approach to creative DJ effects, as will those who prefer the sound of hardware.
With that in mind, here are five of the best DJ hardware effects units on the market today. If you’ve got an analog mixer, you’re definitely going to want to take advantage of the effects send and return jacks and incorporate one of these incredible DJ hardware effects units. Hybrid DJs will love these too.
Many of the devices mentioned in this story are available from Thomann*.
DJ Hardware Effects: Pioneer DJ RMX-1000
As DJ controllers and mixers have gotten more technologically advanced, they’ve come to handle more than just mixing, with a variety of effects and sample triggers right on board. If you’re an analog DJ or prefer using a simpler setup, but still want access to the kinds of modern tech that cutting-edge DJs use, or you’re a hybrid DJ and electronic music artist wanting to incorporate DJ-style effects into your sets, RMX-1000 from Pioneer DJ is worth a look.
With features borrowed from Pioneer DJ’s other gear, including the DJM-2000’s Isolator FX, the X-Pad from the DJM-900NXS, and the EFX-1000’s multiple FX chaining, RMX-1000 is a standalone effects unit and sample player that does everything a sophisticated controller can do, but as an add-on to your existing setup.
It’s got Scene FX for creating break-downs and build-ups, Isolator FX for EQ and gating, an X-Pad for triggering samples and loops, and Release FX like back spins and echo. You can customize everything with the remixbox software editor, and also use RMX-1000 as a MIDI controller with plugins in your DAW.
Check out Pioneer DJ’s RMX-500 as well if the 1000 is too all-singing all-dancing for your needs.
DJ Hardware Effects: Korg KAOSS Replay
When Korg’s KAOSS Replay debuted in 2023, people may have gotten the wrong idea. Looking like an SP-404 with a KAOSS Pad strapped on, and despite the fact that it offers a comprehensive sampling section, it seemed to miss the mark as a phrase sampler. But that’s because it’s actually a performance device. One look at the DJ-style RCA connects will tell you that this is for DJs and performers looking to inject some KAOSS into their sets.
First, that touchpad. The famous Korg KAOSS pad gets an update for the 2020s with a gorgeous touch screen. Live effects processing is the name of the game, with an impressive 209 different effects to mix and match. As for samples, you get 128 of them stored in eight banks of 16, for a total of 100 projects, with 16 velocity-sensitive RGB pads for triggering. You’re also blessed with hot cues for live performances, and much more, making it a deep (and not to mention sturdy) device for live jamming.
If this is all too much, trade down to the Nu:Tekt NTS-3 KAOSS Pad, although keep in mind that being a kit, it’s nowhere near as robust as the Replay.
DJ Hardware Effects: Union Audio LE fx
Union Audio is a UK-based company that is known for its high-quality mixers. As of this year, it’s also now making a standalone effects unit. Called LE fx, it contains eight DSP-based effects algorithms to pair with your analog mixer or setup.
Much like a portable multi-effects unit but for DJs, LE fx offers two delays (an analog-style delay and a BPM delay with tempo detection), reverb, flanger, phaser, and bit crusher, as well as two additional highpass filters. You can access the effects in latch or momentary modes, and there’s a tap BPM button to keep things in sync. An effect selector knob, two program-dependent knobs, and a wet/dry dial round out the controls.
As with Union Audio’s other products, LE fx is a high-quality device built to stand the rigors of the road.
DJ Hardware Effects: Eventide H9 Max
An Eventide effects pedal may seem a strange choice for DJs, but hear me out. While the promotional material for the H9 Max does stress how good it sounds with guitar, it’s not limited to six-stringed instruments. It’s also not just a harmonizer – it’s jam-packed with DSP, with many effects algorithms that work extremely well with beat-based content.
Loaded with some of Eventide’s most famous effects, the H9 Max has got reverb, chorus, delay, modulation, pitch-shifting, and distortion effects, as well as a looper. The layout is simplicity itself, with a large center knob for dialing in effects, plus chunky foot switches to change presets, turn on bypass, and tap tempo, essential for DJ sets.
Still not convinced? The H9 has been spotted in DJ rigs from Sasha and Eats Everything. If it’s good enough for them…
DJ Hardware Effects: Benidub DS01E Dub Siren and Echo
For our last DJ hardware effect, I thought I’d suggest something a little different. Unless you’re into reggae or dub, or other genres like drum and bass that share some of the same sound system culture DNA, you might not know about dub sirens. Essentially simple synthesizers, they emit sirens that selectors use to hype the crowd. UK company Benibub makes a whole slew of amazing DJ hardware effects and dub sirens, including DS01E, which combines them both.
Combining the company’s classic DS01 dub siren and digital delay DSP, DS01E Dub Siren and Echo does what it says on the tin: dubbed out sirens that sound oh-so good. The device gives you control over the siren wave shape, rate, and low, medium, or high pitch. On the echo side, you’ve got time, feedback, and volume controls, plus a DJ-style low- and highpass filter for fine-tuning the delay tone.
Check out Benidub’s Spring Amp III, Phase, and Digital Echo for other dub-inspired effects.
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