AlphaTheta
The closest thing to playing on real CDJs, without the price or the size of real CDJs.
Best for: Intermediate DJs who already use rekordbox or Serato and want a controller with the feel and layout of a real club booth.
Editor's score 0-10, only comparable within controllers.
| Channels | 4 |
|---|---|
| Playback decks | 4 |
| Connection type | USB controller |
| Performance pads | 8 |
| Jog wheels | Non-motorized |
| Screen | No dedicated screen; track info shown on the jog wheel display |
| Built-in mixer | Yes |
| Compatible software | rekordbox, Serato DJ Pro, djay Pro, djay |
| Connectivity | USB-C x2 |
| Audio outputs | XLR/RCA (Master), RCA (Booth), Headphones 6.35mm and 3.5mm |
| Weight | 4.6 kg |
| Dimensions | 711 x 76 x 376 mm |
|---|---|
| Jog wheels | 206 mm, CDJ-3000 sized |
| Power | USB bus-powered or DC 9V/3A adapter |
| Special features | Groove Circuit, Smart Rotary Selector, Stems FX (with Serato DJ Pro) |
The DDJ-GRV6 copies the layout of a real club booth: its 206 mm jog wheels match the size of a CDJ-3000's, and the mixer section is directly inspired by the DJM-A9. If you've ever played on a professional booth, there's nothing to relearn here.
The standout feature is Groove Circuit, which lets you swap a track's drum section for loops from a different genre live, using rekordbox. Switch to Serato DJ Pro instead and you get Stems FX to separate and manipulate vocals, bass and drums on the fly. Each feature is tied to a different piece of software though, so you can't have both at once.
With 170 reviews and a 4.1/5 average, it's the second-best rated unit in this comparison. The most common complaint isn't about build quality or the feel of the jogs (those get praised), it's about that cross-dependency between feature and specific software.
Best for: Intermediate DJs who already use rekordbox or Serato and want a controller with the feel and layout of a real club booth.
170 ratings averaging 4.1/5, solid. The feel of the jogs and the booth layout get nearly all the praise; the most repeated criticism is that Groove Circuit and Stems FX are each locked to a different piece of software, so you have to pick a side.
Reviewing after one year but enjoying the decks
✓ AmazonAlpha Theta (previously Pioneer) did there thing here, this is perfection. They fixed everything that was labeled bad or wrong about the flx6 and made it better. Coming from the DDJ SR2 this feels like a level up in Tech. Club/industry style design so this will help you jump into more premium gear if you got club or radio work - you can even take this and just get converters for the ports. The buttons are perfectly spaced out so you dont accidentally hit anything. Perfect size jogs and they feel good, you can definitely get some good scratching/juggling in on here The stems/groove effect well placed and perfect and that beat change mode is wicked opening up to some live custom mashups. Only thing anyone can say is a little con is the tempo bar is small but you can just shift key that badboy. 9.8/10 must recommend
✓ AmazonIn order to use what they say is the best in the business u must subscribe to the services and mute your Own creativity while discarding your life of music collection. After paying over $900 I should have the freedom to use My device is paid for. If I charge at a party, that subscription is still in your pocket. Not suitable for beginners. This is only for someone seeking to be a professional dj. Do not buy if you are a novice and want the best without paying monthly.
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