Over the years, DJ equipment and the methods used for DJing have seen some serious overhauls.
Where once there was just a pair of turntables, a single DJ mixer, and linked to a speaker system, now we’ve got DJ controllers, CDJs, laptops, and incredibly elaborate mixers, complete with things like beatmatching, EQ filters, FX pads, and more.
Still, one of the most important parts of being a DJ has (and will always be) the jog wheel platters.
Initially meant as the part of a turntable setup that would host a record or CD, jogwheels eventually became a vitally important part of the DJ controller all on its own.
By completely ditching the need for vinyl records or compact discs, jogwheels were able to allow controllers to move entirely over to a digital setting while still maintaining that analog physical feel that has been synonymous with the DJing experience, both for the DJs themselves as well as the crowd at large.
A pretty cool DJ development around. Embracing the new whilst holding on to the past.
Jogwheels are an essential part of the DJ’s performance.
Whether that’s for heavy scratching, mixing, or looping, there’s a lot of use that goes into the jog wheel beyond simply the original holding place for music records. Several different types of jogwheels are available, all of which have their respective strengths and weaknesses.
These include the mechanical wheels, the motorized wheels, and finally the capacitive wheels.
Here, we will go over each of these jog wheel options to find out which is the best, both in general as well as which is the best for you and your preferred DJ experience.
What are Jog Wheels for? (in short)
In the DJ world, jog wheels are devices typically found on DJ controllers, standalone controllers and
CDJ media players. They can also be referred to as jog dials, shuttle dials, jogwheels, jog knobs, and shuttle wheels. They allow DJs to conveniently jog, cue up, or shuttle through digital media, crucially without losing that all-important analog physical feel of Djing
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The Three Jog Wheel (Jog Dial) Types
While there are many different types of jogwheels on the market today, they will generally fall into three specific types: mechanical, motorized, and capacitive.
When deciding on the type of jog wheel that you’ll want, it’s important to consider several different and important factors, including budget and DJ style.
Below is a thorough breakdown of each of the three main jog wheel types as well as why you’d consider one over the other when deciding which one is the best for you.
#1. Mechanical Jogwheels
First on our list is the mechanical jogwheel.
Mechanical jogwheels, as their name implies, work via mechanical parts and components that are used to measure the amount of rotation a jog wheel has performed.
While all three jog wheel types have their respective aspects working both for and against them, the mechanical jog wheel is generally recognized as the option most often chosen by DJs that are serious about their work.
Still, there are some serious things to consider when deciding on whether the mechanical jogwheels are worth your time.
High-End Quality
One of the most immediate aspects of the mechanical jogwheels that you’ll notice is that they are almost always going to be attached to a high-end DJ controller or CDJ.
Whereas capacitive jogwheels may generally be more plentiful, if you opt for a mechanical jog wheel, you’re pretty much setting yourself up for a really good DJ performing experience.
Of course, this doesn’t go without its setbacks as well; namely, that, because they are so high-quality, you’re going to be paying much more for mechanical jogwheels than any other option.
Heavier & Higher Maintenance
Another big factor for mechanical jogwheels is that they are much heavier than either the motorized or capacitive jog wheel options.
Because the jog wheel uses more mechanical parts when compared to the other jogwheels, it can only be expected to weigh more as a result. And while this does help justify the increased price and quality of the jogwheels, it also means they are going to be much heavier and difficult to transport.
And if you thought a heavier build would mean that they’d be denser and more durable, the reality is, unfortunately, quite the opposite.
No, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that you’re playing on china, but I’d be lying if I said that they were more durable or “less breakable” when compared to the cheaper capacitive jogwheels.
This does make a bit of sense since the mechanical parts would likely be the first thing to break if you dropped the jog wheel.
Because mechanical components are needed to maintain proper calibration, you’ll need to be even more careful, and treat the jogwheels with even more care than either option, as even a moderate jolt can throw off its incredible precision.
Mechanical Jog Wheels: The Verdict
When it comes to the mechanical jogwheels, you’re getting arguably the best of the best, but at a cost.
Yes, these jogwheels are higher quality, more responsive, and more precise than the motorized or capacitive jogwheels, but that also means you’re going to be paying a higher cost and must be willing to essentially baby your controller or CDJ setup.
If you’re someone that wants to take your DJing to the next level, are a particularly big fan of scratching, or are just looking for the best of the best, then the mechanical jogwheels are the ideal decision for you.
On the flip side, if you’re just starting, or are not willing to go through the day-to-day catering required, you’re better off with one of the other options here.
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#2. Motorized Jog Wheels
The next on our list is the motorized jogwheels. These jog wheels, again, as the name implies, operate via an actual motor. This motor helps keep the jog wheel platter moving.
This is somewhat of a benefit as well as a detriment, particularly when you’re starting and just getting used to it.
Motorized jogwheels, as seen on the Rane One Professional DJ controller, are also the ones that most clearly resemble turntables, which is something many people in the DJ community find appealing (especially if they’re interested in the more old-school scene.
Motorized Jog Wheels: The Verdict
The motorized jogwheels only make themselves different due to their motorized moving platters. These platters are more awkward to deal with when you’re starting out and not super ideal for beginners.
This is largely down to the transition to mechanical or capacitive being much more difficult when building up from motorized.
All in all, while they do come with a slipmat and are great options from a novelty perspective, the reality is that they don’t have much more than that going in their favor.
Meanwhile, they’re difficult to transition into and even more difficult to transition out of.
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#3. Capacitive Jogwheels
Lastly and most commonly, there is the capacitive jog wheel.
The capacitive jog wheel is a much more digitally-based alternative when compared to either the mechanical or motorized options. Not only does it have a touch-screen interface, but it is much easier to manufacture and produce, meaning it is a cheaper option than the others.
As a result, however, these jogwheels are much less precise than the three and are more ideal for beginner DJs looking for entry-level devices.
Touch-Screen Interface
The capacitive jog wheel operates by way of touch-sensitive interfaces. This is not too dissimilar to most touch-screen phones and tablets available today. The only difference is that, rather than touching the surface screen to check out different apps, you’re touching the jog wheel surface and rotating to get the song you want or the right BPM setting.
Capacitive jogwheels don’t offer nearly as many parts as either the mechanical or the motorized jog wheels types.
Instead, the device is much more digitally-based.
As a result, if you’re a DJ, you won’t need to put out nearly as much force when playing with or operating the wheels.
This is both a good and bad thing, as a DJ doesn’t need to strain themselves to the same degree as with other jogwheels.
On the other hand, because you’re not using as much pressure as you’d normally put out, it’s much easier to accidentally spin the jog wheel or “overspin” while performing.
Easier to Manufacture
One of the biggest characteristics (both for and against it) regarding capacitive jogwheels deals with their manufacturing process.
More so than either of the other two options, capacitive jogwheels are incredibly easy to manufacture and produce, costing companies less money per device. It’s because of this massive reduction in production cost and time that these jogwheels are more readily available while also being sold at much cheaper and more affordable prices to customers.
Unfortunately, it is also because of this faster and more inexpensive production method that the capacitive jog wheel is notorious for lacking the same level of precision that either the motorized or the mechanical has.
Capacitive Jogwheels: The Verdict
Ultimately, when it comes to the capacitive jog wheel, while they certainly offer a lot of benefits, particularly for the younger generation, their cheap manufacturing process does just as much against them as it does for them.
Overall, these jogwheels are a great option for beginner DJs that are just learning the ins and outs of mixing.
They are also an ideal choice if you’re looking to slowly and gradually transition between the different devices.
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Jog Wheels Explained: Takeaway
When most people think of DJs and DJ equipment, interestingly (maybe even bizarrely), jogwheels are the first and last thing that they think of.
For example, while most starting DJ controllers will have capacitive jogwheels as the default if you are planning to transition to a CDJ setup, investing in DJ gear that actually uses capacitive jogwheels over mechanical or motorized may be worth considering.
Very few know much about the jogwheels in any real detail, with most assigning them the general concept of “the place DJs’ hands go for the cool effects” (my wife said that to describe them).
By understanding the importance of jogwheels, how they affect the overall DJ experience, and the jog wheel that is ideal for you and what you’re into, you can make a better-informed decision, whether it be on what controller you end up getting or the CDJ setup you decide to make.
As it stands, while mechanical jogwheels are objectively the best in terms of precision and refinement, if you are something that is just starting, they probably aren’t going to be the best option for you.
Instead, you may want to first get a solid pair of capacitive jogwheels and work your way up.
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