AlphaTheta DDJ-FLX2 Review: A Beginner DJ's Dream Controller? | Beatsource Tech

[@alfkylfalt9184]

Old guy, started with a Hercules controller back in 2003. Atomix or Virtual DJ. Only used Rekordbox for music management when it arrived. I have Traktor, Serato but now in the Engine world. The prospect of not using computer is the best in my opinion. And as a vinyl DJ once I’m grateful of all technical developments, sync made the DJ experience so much easier but you must know why you use it and have a music knowledge.

[@freshtodeath88]

yayyyyy a fellow Atomix user too.

[@fireflamezdjflamez2966]

the reloop buddy and ready still is the best biggnner controller in this size.but always big up mojack for very quick and intuitive video

[@suri-man]

Yes, I don't know why people keep complaining about missing all kind of features, compared to back in the day, it's just magical what's technical possible nowadays.

[@KatazuiOfficial]

Well said! 🙌🏽

[@johnparker8270]

I predict a lot of new DJs this Christmas time.

[@-AC-]

This will be my new track prep machine.

[@edwardmowton9825]

Honestly I'd rather use a Numark DJ2GO2 Touch... but I guess you're a rekordbox guy.. I'm serato..

[@DJCuhhhstin956]

This also works with serato​@@edwardmowton9825

[@MichaelRoehr]

@@edwardmowton9825 I had the Numark and after years I want something juuuust a little bigger. Plus the stupid headphone / master / usb connections on the Numark annoy me every time I use them with my layout using it.

[@P4JJP]

Great review and the added audio output will make it popular and useful for beginners and also as a backup unit for more experienced DJs 😊

[@josephmiller5429]

I started roughly 16 years ago on a controller I got at a goodwill store using Traktor DJ Studio 3 on a PowerBook G4. I use Denon SC5000s, CDJ,s and vinyl now.

[@R.l-p7v]

Im using ddj 200 with cross dj on android with usb cable..no Bluetooth... No lagging...its working really really good ! The reason of using this software is the file management...you create the folders previously with the music... and after exporting them in to the phone everything it's the same!😊

[@DJLuvertsky]

I started with Serato back in 2018. I am now in the process of moving over to Rekordbox. I wish someone had told me that (when I first started out) the gear you buy should work with more than one DJ software. I have yet to walk into a DJ booth that was Serato centric. Which meant I was having to do a lot of extra work if I wanted to prep my tracks with cue points and beat grids. Every club and venue (that I've been in) that has it's on gear, has a CDJ/mixer setup and that means Rekordbox.

[@cbshaw]

@@DJLuvertsky you know you can use serato with CDJs, right?

[@DJLuvertsky]

@@cbshaw Yes I do it at home all the time, but most venues/clubs are not setup that way. It is easier to just have your music setup on sticks. Then you don't have to muck around with bringing your gear, wiring your gear in, or running into Ethernet/USB ports on the club's gear not working. This is why I recommend that people buy gear that works with both Serato & Rekordbox (out the box) at a minimum for home use.

[@_very]

The kensington lock is hilarious.

[@efrn007]

Crackheads are heartless enough to steal mommy's umbrella during rain season to break it and use the tube to smoke their beloved rock. Why not steal this toy, too?

[@duczmal]

good review, thanks! i go for the FLX4 and i like it :)

[@allaboutjones]

It’s almost like a flx4 mini. Lol. Backpack version.

[@AnthonyThomas-o4l]

Some of the comments are hilarious. As a DJ who started in 1986, I welcome all the changes. I learned the old, hard way with turntables. However I lost everything including records, CDs, computers, hard drives and controllers. I have nothing, even the Chromebook I am typing on belongs to the Los Angeles Library. No way am I going to collect records again, only in extreme cases to rip and then put back on the market. All this hoarding of classic 12 inches or video games is just a 21st Century flex on others. While the FLX2 lacks some features, I didn't even use 90% of the features of Virtual DJ with either the DJ Console or Console Remix, never used effects or the pads. Not that I didn't want to, I was never shown how to use them properly. Years later with all the EDM newbie DJ's overusing effects, seemingly moderation isn't in their DNA, but now I have the information from DJ Angelo and DJ Carlo, funny I learned how to DJ from a Korean. Maybe there is something in the way Asians explain things that make sense to me. I am targeting the FLX4 because it has all the important features to DJ's and works for mobiles which I will be returning too. But I find the FLX2 and Hercules Impulse 300 perfectly acceptable. A workflow can be worked out, people unfortunately aren't forced to retrain themselves to be better, so old habits die hard. I want to get more out of the software I use, it doesn't matter which one.

[@NueNueKiro]

I started 12 years ago with Traktor and just keyboard and mouse, a year later buying my first controller, a Numark Mixtrack Quad. The controller had plenty of supported software at the time, VDJ Serato and Traktor and a pretty platform agnostic layout (not the case anymore imo); but between all of them Traktor seemed the most logical to me. I stuck to it ever since because of its flexible and open nature (I always call Traktor "the linux of DJing"), tried Rekordbox on ocassion and I always found it to be an annoyance in terms of looping, the FX being limited by the mixer and overall behavior like setting temp cues, hotcues not setting temp cues, if i try to loop a track while stopped it would autoplay and many others. I still have my SD card and stick prepped for RB tho because you can't really escape playing on Pioneer gear, but it's more of a second-class citizen since I have to take care of 2 music databases and for me Traktor is the primary software.

[@djNineshoxxx]

Id recommend spending the extra and get the flx 4 it is better value for money

[@EverythingisFire]

Seems like you can grow with it for longer too.

[@badfoot]

The connectivity is the head scratcher with this device. Bin the BT connectivity, then simply add another Usb-C compatable with lightening cable & the other for power supply, this way you could charge/power phone, tablet or laptop whilst connected using mains or power bank.

[@xnoback]

Denon needs to release a new versión of his famous MC 4000, and MC 7000. And compete not only in standalone hardware.

[@lewsometwosome5034]

As you alluded to, it seems great if you wanted something reasonably priced , that you can throw in a bag and practice with multiple software programs in your car or at a lunch table or work out ideas at the spur of the moment at a friends house. As with many things in life-simplicity is often better!

[@gabili]

Traktor 2. then upgraded to 3 and was disappointed that there was no retina support. I think even the current version does not do retina? I might be wrong. Still, for me the best and most flexible software when trying to play with different devices and midi and synthesizers. Mapping and audio routing is just the best here

[@markhimself]

Traktor 4 does support high DPI, works great with Apple M1

[@johneccles9051]

With the lightning problem with old devices it would be a good idea getting a lightning to usb c adapter

[@Mojaxx]

Nope, doesn’t work. I tried it.

[@NueNueKiro]

Lightning does not support reverse charging. Tried it with my external ssd, you need a lightning dongle that has a power injector

[@thefishdog]

good for price to get the kids hooked on buying DJ gear

[@Dramatello]

First of all, thank you. Secondly, wait a second. I have iPhone 12 Pro Max with lightning connection. If I bring a lightning to usb type c (which is basically the charger) - I cannot connect wired to the FLX2????

[@millersadventure]

Man its sad to me that ALPHA THETA did not keep the Pioneer Brand.

[@rkitleli]

Ditching such a legendary name for Alpha Theta🥲

[@justino9042]

A better version of flx4 would it better maybe adding colour fx would be nice i think. Or 1 or 2 fx perhaps like reverb and echo on the beat fx.

[@vasiliszaxaropoulos8726]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@dancarthen3634]

Hercules 200 gets my vote over this.

[@kimrei8760]

i've used numark's and pioneer's controllers with ios devices (with lighting port) and got the controllers output working. the trick is to use the lighting usb adapter (with both usb and lighting in connectors), powered by an external power bank (for example). without 100% knowledge, i'm still pretty sure this device can do the same.

[@rdenir]

I realise that it is a budget controller but I would save a bit more money and buy a second hand mid range controller,, It’s just missing too many features for my liking

[@HarryLoveTV]

I just dont understand why they keep remaking the same lacking devices repeatedly… there’s so many features they either removed or never implemented properly while there are other little gadgets that do everything far better - such as the reloop buddy. Even these flx platters/jogs dont even feel better than that lil thing & it only really picks up when you get to the top end cdj level stuff which is just silly money. I find it hard to believe its taking the companies this many years to figure out what djs need/want when I came up in an era where equipment development, features and innovation were THE STANDARD lol.

[@dancarthen3634]

Hercules 200 shits all over this.

[@dazfx]

Im a little confused, is alpha theta part of pioneer?

[@paulsarodh5460]

Suprb 🤗🎹🎼🎶💞👍

[@yules_3000]

Q: What about gain in iPad? Is there an autogain feature?

[@vjdpred]

Wow, those 1 and 2 numbers on the decks! They are awful! Why? Did it not look cheap enough?

[@armgod1]

is this the cause of "secret trip to Munich" you made lately?? OR there's another "game-changer" we should expect off algoriddim?

[@PunchineloPow]

Can anyone explain to me like im 5 whats with the pioneer name change? It just seems soo weird to me.

[@tellylucas396]

Virtual DJ switched to Serato

[@MelloState]

BRUH.. Imma be real... You can find 2nd hand high end controllers for around the same price. Got a Kontrol S4 MK2 for $250 in damn great condition.

[@allaboutjones]

That used gear is not as advanced tho. I’d rather a flx2, flx4, or rev1 over any other controller under $300.

[@MelloState]

@allaboutjones you saying you would take a flx2 over a kontrol s4?! Now I know you trolling

[@allaboutjones]

@@MelloState flx4 over Kontrol S2.

[@MelloState]

@allaboutjones I didn't say an s2

[@dxb_cf]

Can i load and select tracks via controller?

[@grv_shorts]

No

[@OmarNachtraaf]

Do you have to pay for additional FX? This is getting ridiculous.

[@Curt.S_Official]

Better than the DDJ-200 but it’s still not worth $189 imho

[@cbshaw]

Are there no gain knobs? 🤔

[@grv_shorts]

No

[@cbshaw]

@ how would they expect you to match levels then? With the faders somehow? 🤓 would be challenging for beginners and pros alike I think

[@LarryZinc]

1st 🔥

[@dobrescubogdan5740]

Alpha Tetha will destroy a very big Pioneer band, step by step

[@djxcel23]

Pass,

[@bboymac84]

I’m still rocking a lightning port on my iPhone so it’s a no for me.

[@chrisrioux6436]

You can use a lighting to usb c cable. Works fine on the FLX4

[@Mojaxx]

@@chrisrioux6436Doesn’t on the FLX2. Like I said.

[@bboymac84]

@@chrisrioux6436 Mojaxxx said it won’t work with the FLX2

[@nnrmnlg]

No track selection knob..

[@Aves_1]

Do you not have phones??? -alpha theta probably

[@djmattkv6745]

no RCA outputs? for christ sake.....

[@ritchxmusic]

Whats with the name change? Sounds goofy

[@jamiealite]

I will say it again the Pioneer DJ name is dead

[@PAVEL-JAKL]

I really liked the pioneer dj name on the hardware..

[@jamiealite]

@@PAVEL-JAKL me too it was a name i've known for years. Not this dumb alphatheta name

Tha lack of a gain knob makes this stuff basically unusable in any situation other than a bedroom or a house party (not streaming, there you should at least attempt to be professional). Update: Software-wise I started with serato, but switched to RB when I bought my FLX4. I tried Engine DJ and OS, but tha fact that you cannot use a controller to prep tracks on computer makes the ecosystem too fiddly to be viable.I loathe VDJ, Traktor is too alien, Mixxx is too difficult to set up, and I am on Windows so Djay is not an option.

[@chrisrioux6436]

Rekordbox, DJAY and Serato have auto-gain built into the software. It’s not ideal, but would work fine except for some really odd tracks.

@@chrisrioux6436 I have mixed results with that even with lossless tracks from the same source (platform). I have to adjust it from time to time because of audible differences between tracks. Now if you say that the audience will not _care_ about that on this level, I can totally accept that, but I think being aware of levels is DJing 101, which this product deprives. Adjusting gain in RB is too fiddly.

[@chrisrioux6436]

That’s fair, it definitely isn’t perfect. I didn’t think of it as a skill to learn, that’s a good point. I’m betting they left it off not only due to cost but to not cannabalize FLX4 sales.

[@peterlee3687]

Awful unit should of took a lead out of reloops book can pick up a buddy for not much more

[@m-stat9]

toy.

[@makedjingvinylagain2492]

No XLR no thanks

[@justino9042]

No cdjs no thanks

[@SLIC3R2]

It can literally fit in a fucking book bag of course theres no XLRs lmao

[@krazy2094]

It’s designed for beginners 🥴

[@Aves_1]

​@@justino9042??? Beginners (the target market) dont have cdj needs or money

[@Ronniezim]

@@krazy2094these people are so funny. The type of person this is marketed towards literally doesn’t even know what “XLR” is.

[@riod2020]

Why is it the moment Pioneer or AlphaTheta or whatever the hell you want to call them releases a product, it needs to be reviewed instantly? Why are we still giving their products so much attention? Have we not learnt, we are playing right into their hands & helping them to continue with the market share, yes I know this product is cheaper than their other gear, but we should somehow celebrate them for this? Something seriously needs to change in the commercial part of the Dj industry, this is a budget toy, like many other cheap controllers, there really is nothing to see here…..

[@DJSPLICE-rw8cd]

Well said…. I hate the way they make their products especially since they changed to this wack ass name…. Very cheap quality. I recently got the grv 6 and it looks so cheaply made. Granted, I have the FLX 10, but of course that’s when it was Pioneer DJ and the quality is much better. I also have a Hercules T 7 and believe it or not, it’s made much better than the grv 6… People need to stop buying their cheap expensive products and maybe they will start doing a better job, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon

[@Jarg-d6l]

Cmon dude. this is a peice of sht. A used NI S2 MK has way more functionality and room for growth and it's a million years old. My first ever midi controller from argos 20 years ago had more controls than this.

[@talkin-ape]

No gain knobs + no meters = no purchase.