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DJ Tech Reviews

Hercules DJControl Inpulse 300 MK2

A two-deck Serato and DJUCED controller with lights that teach beatmatching; built to learn on, not to grow into.

Hercules DJControl Inpulse 300 MK2 from above

Photos: Hercules

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3 of 3 reviews recommend it

See reviews
Best for
Beginners learning to beatmatch by hand with Serato DJ Lite or DJUCED.
Skip it if
You own the original Inpulse 300, or want a controller to grow into.

The Internet’s Opinion

From 3 professional reviews: a fair amount of evidence.

All three professional reviews found recommend it as a controller to learn on, for its Beatmatch Guide lights, Serato DJ Lite and DJUCED in the box, and simple setup. The reservations are the compromises of an entry-level unit: short tempo faders, no cue/master knob, one-colour pads, and little reason for owners of the original Inpulse 300 to upgrade. No owner reviews could be read.

3 recommend0 mixed0 avoid

What people praise

  • Beatmatch Guide lights show which way to move the tempo fader and jog wheel
  • Serato DJ Lite and DJUCED both come with it
  • Plug-and-play setup
Show 2 more
  • Jog wheels improved over the original Inpulse 300
  • Eight pads per deck with modes for cues, loops, sampler and stems

What to know first

  • Short tempo faders
  • No cue/master blend knob for headphone mixing
  • Pads light in one colour only
Show 2 more
  • Cue and play buttons are small and crowded by the pads
  • Entry-level scope: owners of the original Inpulse 300 are pointed to a bigger controller
See the 3 reviews behind this

3 professional reviews (3 recommend, 0 mixed, 0 avoid); 0 owner reviews read: Guitar Center lists none and Thomann no longer stocks itCompiled 2026-10-11How this is compiled

Prices

Before you buy

Released
Q1 2023 (delayed from September 2022)
Status
Current

Works with

  • Serato DJ LiteFree

    Plugging the controller in unlocks Serato DJ Lite for free Manufacturer spec sheet (Serato), checked 2026-10-11

  • Serato DJ ProPaid licence

    Works with Serato DJ Pro, but the box includes only a Serato DJ Lite licence; Pro runs as a trial until a licence is bought Manufacturer spec sheet (Hercules), checked 2026-10-11

  • DJUCEDFree, included

    Hercules' own DJUCED software is included, with the Beatmatch Guide, the Intelligent Music Assistant for track suggestions and DJ Academy lessons Manufacturer spec sheet (Hercules), checked 2026-10-11

  • Streaming servicesPaid streaming tiers

    Mixes from Beatport ADVANCED, SoundCloud GO+ or TIDAL as well as files on the computer Manufacturer spec sheet (Hercules), checked 2026-10-11

  • Serato StudioFree or paid

    The controller also works with Serato Studio, which can be downloaded free or bought Manufacturer spec sheet (Serato), checked 2026-10-11

  • Windows or Mac onlyNo iPad or iPhone

    Hercules states it is not compatible with iPad or iPhone and works only with a PC or Mac Manufacturer spec sheet (Hercules), checked 2026-10-11

You’ll also need

  • Powered speakersNot in the box

    The master output is two RCA connectors for active speakers; an RCA to 3.5 mm adapter for multimedia speakers is not included Manufacturer spec sheet (Hercules), checked 2026-10-11

  • Headphones3.5 mm jack

    The headphone output is a single 1/8 in (3.5 mm) stereo mini-jack Manufacturer spec sheet (Hercules), checked 2026-10-11

  • A computer with USB-AUSB-A to USB-B cable

    The box holds the controller, a braided USB-A to USB-B cable, stickers and a warranty flyer; the controller is USB-powered from the computer Manufacturer spec sheet (Hercules), checked 2026-10-11

Key specs

Software
Serato DJ Lite and DJUCED included; compatible with Serato DJ Pro
Standalone
No (USB controller for Serato DJ Lite and DJUCED)
Outputs
2 x RCA master; 1/8 in (3.5 mm) stereo mini-jack headphones
Performance pads
16 (8 per deck, 8 modes)
Jog wheel diameter
5.5 in (14 cm)
Weight
1.8 kg (4.0 lb)
All 10 specifications
Power
USB powered (USB-A to USB-B cable)
Audio interface
Built-in, 24-bit / 44.1 kHz
USB
USB-B 2.0
Dimensions
480 x 286 x 52 mm (18.9 x 11.3 x 2.0 in)

10 of 10 figures sourced; hover one for its source

Our take

Rory TassellWritten from the sources on this page, not from a loan unit.

Only three professional reviews exist and no owner reviews could be read, so this is a thin record. All three recommend it for learning: the Beatmatch Guide lights show which way to move the tempo fader and jog wheel, and Serato DJ Lite and DJUCED both come with it. Two find the tempo faders short and miss a cue/master knob. Buy it to learn on; owners of the original Inpulse 300 should look at a bigger controller.

What it is

Status, October 2026: current. Hercules still lists it among its DJ controllers.

What it is

The DJControl Inpulse 300 MK2 is a two-deck DJ controller for beginners from Hercules (Hercules product page). Hercules announced it on 2 June 2022 for the NAMM Show as a new version of the DJControl Inpulse 300, then delayed it to the first quarter of 2023 because of component shortages. The main change from the original is Serato support. Hercules also made the jog wheels slimmer, with smoother rotation and a larger touch-detection area, and reworked the rubber pads for brighter backlighting.

It works with a Windows PC or Mac, not with an iPad or iPhone. Serato DJ Lite and Hercules' own DJUCED are included, and Serato DJ Pro works as a trial until a licence is bought. DJUCED adds the Intelligent Music Assistant for track suggestions and the DJ Academy lessons. Both play files from the computer or from Beatport ADVANCED, SoundCloud GO+ or TIDAL.

The Beatmatch Guide puts LED arrows beside each tempo fader and under each jog wheel to show which way to adjust tempo and alignment, and it can be switched off. Each deck has a 5.5-inch touch-sensitive jog wheel, eight pads with eight modes including Hot Cue, Roll and Slicer, an FX section with two knobs, and Slip, Quantize, AutoLoop and loop buttons. The mixer has gain, three-band EQ, a filter and a volume fader per channel, plus a crossfader and VU meters.

The built-in 24-bit, 44.1 kHz audio interface has a master output on two RCA connectors and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. It runs on USB power, measures 480 x 286 x 52 mm and weighs 1.8 kg. The box holds the controller, a braided USB-A to USB-B cable, stickers and a warranty flyer.

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