While there could certainly be a debate on whether Pioneer DJ is the most impressive DJ controller brand out or not, they have long since established themselves as among the top, regardless of how you see them.
So, it was with big anticipation that the world was introduced to one of their latest introductions with the DDJ REV1 Serato.
This entry-level DJ controller is a Serato native that certainly comes out ready to play. Already having Serato DJ Lite installed, the DDJ-Rev1 takes the important features of a battle and scratch mixer and shrinks them down to a beginner’s controller.
Will it live up to the Pioneer DJ controller name or will it be one of their first real upsets that don’t quite stick the landing?
Is the DDJ REV1 any Good?
DDJ-REV1 is targeted at open format or scratch DJs and comes ready with Serato DJ Lite. Its layout is similar to that kind of gear, and the bigger REV7, that you will find in a nightclub. The DDJ REV1 is a solid entry-level Pioneer DJ controller for someone just starting out.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Build Is Surprisingly Resilient
- Jog wheels Are Fun To Use And Relatively Large
- Both Serato DJ Pro and Serato DJ Lite Come With Appealing Options
- A Super Close Replica To Scratch & Battle Mixers
Cons
- Controller Is Made Completely From Plastic
- Wheels Aren’t Motorized Nor Do They Have In-Jog Display
- Performance Pads Are Super Small
First Impressions – The Physical Build
Starting fresh and out of the box, two things are very clear with this Serato DJ lite focussed DJ controller.
The first thing is that this Serato DJ Lite setup is very much a beginner entry-level controller device. Its all-plastic build does give a cheap and flimsy feel to it that you often see with beginner DJ controllers.
The second thing that becomes clear is that despite it being for those just starting with Serato DJ Lite, the build quality in itself is actually solid.
You’d think that this would have the feeling of something that would fall apart at the drop of a hat, but it doesn’t. Unless you’re tossing it around or pretty much trying to break it, it’s quite resilient.
Deck LayoutÂ
The controller’s decks are laid out with all of the main buttons immediately visible. That includes the play/pause button, the cue button, and the pitch sliders all clearly on display.
The play/pause and the cue button are both stationed at the bottom right of either deck, while the slider sits at the top center.
Now, if you’ve never seen any DJ controllers do this before, that’s because it’s almost never done. Pretty much the only DJ setups that do have things like this are battle/scratch setups. It’s kind of a headscratcher since it works well and makes a lot of sense.
The same can be said for the mixer, which comes across like a miniature battle mixer.
This, along with the performance pads and EQ controls, is all positioned cleanly and simply that making things very easy to maneuver around.
Jogwheel Layout
The jogwheels on this DJ controller are fairly large. Not only that, but they feel good! This is huge when you remember that this isn’t a particularly expensive controller.
In most cases, DJ controllers around this price range have fairly flimsy and small jog wheels, so the fact that these are fun to use and big enough to use already makes them an impressive option.
They have a simple looping button system just above the bigger jogwheels as well as a deck switch button which will change things from decks 1 and 2 to decks 3 and 4.
This is available on both Serato DJ Lite and Pro, so you’ll have access to all four decks even at the limited free option.
Of course, they aren’t perfect, and their entry-level nature does mean they will be missing out on some things. They don’t have any in-jog displays, nor are they motorized (like the DDJ-REV7). The same goes for deck manipulation.
Yes, you’ll have access to each option, but expect it to be a lot more finicky than you’d like.
Still, in my opinion, it seems clear that the good more than outweighs the bad.
Mixer Layout
The mixer, like the jog wheels, is simply full of surprises. Whereas most mixers are fairly small, often creating a bit of a cramped feel to them, that isn’t the case here.
Rather quite the opposite.
The design of this 2-channel DJ controller feels like a professional DJM S mixer + PLX turntable setup, including specialized features for DJs wanting to scratch a little.
The controller is pretty big considering its overall size, working to give it a much more spacious feel – like you can get to everything quickly and easily without too much hassle.
The mixer’s three-band EQ and level control are also on full display here, sitting on top of the mixer.
The rotary encoder, as well as two loading buttons, are also on display, making track loading as well as library navigation incredibly straightforward endeavors.
Performance Pad Layout
Finally, when it comes to the physical setup, let’s go over the performance pads.
Unfortunately, while I had plenty of great things to say about both the mixer and jog wheels, I’m not going to be quite as kind when it comes to the performance pads, which is kind of a shame since they do have some bright spots.
The reality of the situation is that, because the mixer layout is as big as it is, and because the controller can only be as big as it is, there had to be some area that took the hit… and that area just happened to be the performance pads.
Here, they are fairly small and cramped without a lot of space to move or play around with.
They also only have one backlit color so it’s very easy to hit the wrong cue on accident, especially considering how squashed they are to one another.
Still, not everything is bad here, and there are some things worth pointing out. For one, the pads are completely rubberized instead of given their plastic feel, which means they don’t feel bad when you play with them.
They also do have all the cues you’re looking for when it comes to a performance pad. This includes your samplers, hot cues, auto loops, and transform effects.
“Tracking” & “Scratch Bank” Features
Most of these features are locked behind the Serato DJ Pro software, but even in just the Lite version, you’ll have access to the “Tracking scratch pad mode” feature, which digitally cuts the crossfader in and out in pre-programmed patterns.
This allows scratch DJs access to the scratch effects without needing to go through the hassle directly.
For those that invest in the full Serato DJ Pro purchase, not only will you get all of the aforementioned features, including Roll and Beat Jump, but you’ll also have access to one of the newer add-ons for Serato known as “Scratch Bank”.
This feature, while not new, has primarily only been offered to the more expensive Serato options. It essentially allows you to assign and “bank” scratch samples to a specific pad.
This allows DJs to regularly and quickly change samples on the fly, leaving you more of a mind to focus on more important tasks.
It’s a huge feature and a real game-changer for most scratch DJs and open format DJs.
Take A Deeper Look – The Effects
Back in the day, during the “old style” of controller layouts, effects generally ran off of two engines, each having three effects of their own.
These effects had several buttons and knobs, which most DJs eventually thought was a bit excessive. Today, the effects have been more dialed back, though now it may be a bit too far in the other direction.
Thankfully, neither is an issue for the DDJ-REV1. You still get the two effect engines as well as the ability to choose up to three effects per channel.
You also can alter the effect cycle value. In act, the only downside here is that you’ll have to deal with a single effects level knob.
In exchange for that, you’re getting all the fun additions and effects that DJ controllers of this level can offer. That includes easy on and off triggering, paddle effects, and a lot more. While you won’t be getting an exact 1-to-1 replica of a pro scratch or battle style setup, you are getting pretty darn close, especially at this price point.
Final Thoughts – Is it Worth Your Time?
The DDJ-REV1 isn’t a perfect controller setup and certainly does have its fair share of drawbacks. However, the reality is that it’s also carrying much of what makes Pioneer DJ, Pioneer DJ.
The jog wheels feel amazing, the mixer is spacious, and the body, while plastic, has a toughness that anyone foreign to Pioneer DJ’s works would be dumbfounded over.
No, they aren’t perfect, but they were never meant to be perfect.
Still, it’s an important question that needs to be answered. “Is the Pioneer DJ DDJ-REV1 Serato worth your time?“
On the whole, the simple answer is that, while it is indeed not a perfect controller if you’re someone looking for that battle/scratch mixer vibe, someone that wants a reasonably good controller deck to play within most environments, or a seasoned vet that wants a fun addition to your Serato collection, there’s not anything else that not anything out there that can reasonably compete at this price range.
On all fronts, for what you’re paying for, Pioneer DJ has done it again.
Our Final VerdictÂ
There are a lot of great Serato DJ Lite and Serato DJ Pro DJ controllers out there, with a lot of them offering a lot of stellar features. If you are someone that wants to experience that legit, old-school battle/scratch mixing, and want to do it on the cheap, the DDJ-REV1 is a great option, and it includes the Serato DJ Lite DJ software and is one everyone should consider.
Note: Definitely consider upgrading to the Serato DJ Pro version when you are ready!
Yes, the performance pads are a bit too small (more than a bit) and there are a few nitpicks here and there, but when you square them with other DJ controllers at its competing price point, there isn’t much of a discussion. Hands down, this is coming out on top.
