Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 In-Depth Review

Leaders in the audio landscape, Pioneer DJ recently announced the most recent addition to its collection of entry-level and affordable controller systems.

The DDJ-WeGO4 DJ controller is a lightweight and low-cost option for beginners that want to experiment with their music creation strategies.

This tool comes with all the standard extras to delight beginners in the DJ landscape, but it’s also brilliant for more experienced jocks too.

Available in a selection of colors to match your set-up, Pioneer has created something unique with the Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 – a system that’s fun to use, uncluttered, and appealing to everyone.

The DDJ WEGO4 is one of the more affordable choices in the Pioneer space, it’s smaller than many of the other two-deck controllers with mixer technology.

These factors will appeal heavily to DJs who need something ultra-portable and inexpensive. We’re going to take a closer look at what you can accomplish with a controller like this.

Is the DDJ WeGO any good? (in short)

Apart from a few minor issues, the Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 is an excellent control for DJs that really want to get into the digital landscape, without spending a fortune. You’re also likely to benefit from this controller if you’re experimenting with digital DJing, but you haven’t decided which platform or software you want to use yet. The Pioneer WeGO4 is a brilliant backup or secondary controller for advanced DJs who have their own larger four-channel controller already.

Pioneer DDJ WeGO: Key Features

Pioneer is always churning out new, more advanced controllers for an evolving audience. The options start with the world-changing DDJ-SX that took four-channel controllers mainstream.

Since then, we’ve seen the company delivering solutions ranging all the way from beginner models like the DDJ-SB and DDJ-RB, to the powerful DDJ-RZ and DDJ-RZX.

So, where does the Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 fit into this lineup?

Features include:

• Lightweight and compact 2-Deck controller
• On-board 48kHz sound card
• Essential controls including mini jogwheels
• Get full control over effects
• Hot cues and looping
• Access to advanced Rekordbox DJ software
• Compatible with WeDJ for iOS
• Support for various other virtual DJ software
• Includes independent RCA outputs and headphone outs

Pioneer WeGO4 Setup

The Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 comes with RCA jacks for master output, a quart-inch and an eighth-inch input for headphones, as well as a USB option for connecting devices via Lightning cables.

You can also link an Android phone too.

This all-plastic two-channel controller comes in two colors – white and black. There’s a two-band EQ and a filter knob. Along with 2 channel faders and a dedicated crossfader.

There are 2 jogwheels included – though they’re a little smaller than some of the more advanced options.

Each of the jogwheels on the Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 comes with a switchable sampler and hot cue buttons, as well as transport controls at the bottom.

At the top of each jog wheel is your loop off/on buttons, with 2 times loop size buttons, half loop options, and three Pad FX buttons.

These are like instant effects buttons.

The USB jack makes connecting to a laptop easy, and there’s a power receptacle for the adapter.

Knobs are available for headphone cue volume, the mic level, and the master output. There’s no headphone cue or master knob here.

However, you do get a slot at the top of the device where you can dock your smart device or tablet.

Jogwheels

As mentioned above, the jogwheels are a little smaller than you’d find on full-size controllers, but they’re incredibly responsive and tactile.

Since jogwheels are pretty important to any DJ experience, it’s important that you feel right at home with these.

If you’re a beginner, the slightly smaller size probably won’t bother you too much.

The good news is that the wheels have a good amount of tension to them – this makes it easier to scratch using the software that you feel most comfortable with.

Cueing tracks with tools like Rekordbox DJ is simple and effective.

This is the fourth version of the controller now available in Pioneer’s series, so it makes sense that everything would be wonderfully well-made.

The Pioneer DJ DDJ WEGO4 might look compact, but the jogwheels prove that Pioneer hasn’t skipped anything in terms of design.

Structure/ Design

As mentioned above, the design of the Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 is actually pretty impressive if you can get past the initial aesthetic of the machine.

The WEGO series from Pioneer isn’t the most popular on the market, and it has received some scrutiny in the past because of its appearance as a “toy controller”.

The multi-colored array of devices that you have to choose from, and the chunky design make this device seem a little less professional than most.

On top of that, let’s consider the strange button layout, which takes you away from feeling as though you’re working on a pro machine.

There are jogwheel buttons and RGB lights included.

Although it’s true that the Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 isn’t the most advanced-looking controller from the Pioneer DJ team – it’s not the worst product either.

This Pioneer DJ product is much sleeker than some previous iterations.

The company has opted for a sleek, mature design that looks more professional than anything else on the market.

If looks matter in your DJ setup, this is the best-looking model in the WEGO line.

FX buttons and mixer sections

The Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 DJ controller has the same set of four sampler / hot cue buttons as previous devices. There’s a button to the right that allows users to change the functionality of the four buttons from being sampler triggers to hot cues.

The sounds available will load into the software sample in Rekordbox DJ.

Loop controls on the Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 DJ controller are also excellent, with a dedicated off/on button surrounded by a half-size and 2x size set of loop buttons.

The 3 effects allow you to engage Pad FX, which provides a range of customizable effects from Rekordbox DJ.

The Pioneer DDJ WEGO4 has a robust mixer section with a two-band EQ. This makes it very similar to its predecessors. The EQ section has a low and hi option combined with a filter knob.

The other difference is that the DDJ WeGO4 ships with a Rekordbox DJ license.

The DDJ-WeGO4 has buttons for cueing the right and left decks, as well as a master output.

The two pitch faders, volume faders, and the crossfaders are all short throws, so you won’t get a huge amount of resolution here when you’re adjusting BPM or levels.

However, you do get an all-around good experience.

Software

The great thing about the DDJ WeGO 4 is that it’s surprisingly versatile for such a compact beginner’s controller. The powerful Pioneer DDJ WeGO 4 works with a selection of DJ apps on different platforms, making it one of the more versatile controllers on the market today.

For mobile use, the WeGO4 DJ controller is compatible with Android and iOS DJay, and VJay on Ios.

The DDJ WeGO 4 also works with the latest WeDJ software from Pioneer for mobile use too. The slot in the top of the product means you can easily dock a phone or tablet.

There’s also a USB jack in the back for connecting USB to Go or Lightning cables.

Unlike some of the prior WeGO series products, this device comes with Rekordbox DJ access too. You can use the Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 with your laptop, and it ships with both Virtual DJ LE and Rekordbox DJ.

You can also use the Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 with Traktor Pro 2 if you have the right mapping for it.

The DDJ-WeGO 4 plays well with a host of third-party DJ applications too. If you’re not 100% sold on Rekordbox DJ, then the DDJ WeGO 4 will also work with products like Algoriddim DJay 2 on your iPad.

You can also access Atomix Virtual DJ software across all mobile devices and computer technology.

Built-in Sound Cards

We mentioned above that the design and build of the Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 are pretty impressive if you can get beyond the toy-like aesthetic. With the DDJ WeGO4, you can even leave your entire audio interface at home if you like.

For DJs on the move that prefer to work with a simple iPad or laptop, the DDJ WEGO4 has everything you need.

Slick and streamlined, your controller features an impressive 24-bit interface, with standard RCA outputs so you can connect with virtually any DJ speakers or gear you can think of.

There are two headphone outs that allow you to cue tracks and share the stage with other professionals too.

The inbuilt soundcards and the robust structure of this controller make it an excellent choice for those who want a product that’s portable, small, and highly capable. The Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 is a brilliant complement to the otherwise unwieldy DDJ-RZ.

This product is also less intimidating.

You can show up at virtually any club with this product tucked in your arm without drawing too much attention.

Plus, setting everything up to get started is simple and quick.

If you’re looking for a controller that works well in a crowded booth and can travel with you from one location to the next at a rapid pace, this could definitely be it.

Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 Pros and Cons

Overall, it’s easy to recommend the Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 as a portable and effective controller for beginners. The build quality is great, the design is simple and reliable, and there’s lots of support for different softwares, so you’re not tied into anything in particular.

Unfortunately, from an ergonomic perspective, you will experience something very different from most DDJ tools.

Upgrading to the next level of Pioneer tools could come with a learning curve after you’ve been using something like this for a while.

Additionally, the mini-pitch fader and jog wheels definitely won’t appeal to everyone.

Pioneer DJ DDJ WeGo 4: The Verdict

People who fall in love with the DDJ WeGO 4 tend to do so because it’s portable, effective, and easy to use. It’s a brilliant complement to complex machines and even something you can work with solo if you’re just a beginner.

For simple bar gigs, the DDJ WeGO4 will definitely get the job done without freezing up – which is sometimes an issue with Rekordbox DJ.

Of course, the excellent performance of the Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 is more a testament to Pioneer’s speed updating of Rekordbox DJ than it is of the integration between the Pioneer WeGO4 and the tech.

However, it’s good to know that Pioneer is capable of providing casual controllers that can give you great results at simple gigs.

The Pioneer DDJ WeGO4 DJ controller is a decent investment for a beginner, but it’s probably not ideal for every music maestro.

Although this product is a lot more professional in appearance and performance than its previous iterations, it still looks a bit like a toy, and the plastic build might eventually break down under regular pressure-  particularly when exposed to sweat, grime, and the risk of spilled rinks.

Another issue is the lack of full-sized jog wheels.

Although the wheels are pretty tactile and comfortable to use, they’re also a little unprofessional in places.

The lights aren’t particularly appealing, and the hot cue buttons surrounding them are a little annoying too. Most people would probably prefer the rubber pads that Pioneer is more used to rolling out.

If you have a full-sized kit and you want something smaller to support you in cramped booth spaces, then the Pioneer WeGO4 is sure to be right for you.

Overall, however, this is a brilliant controller that shows we’re definitely entering the next level with digital DJing.