Pioneer DDJ-S1 Controller arrives

Pioneer this week released the DDJ-S1, the all-in-one USB controller optimised for Serrato Itch.

Earlier this year we reviewed the DDJ T-1 console for Traktor. Despite its similar appearance, the DDJ-S1 differs greatly to its Native Instruments rival.  Those of us familiar with the Itch software will know that it doesn’t look dissimilar to a black version of the iTunes browser, with a modest player section that can be positioned horizontally or left/right.

Unlike Traktor, which has a very busy, informative and data rich visual presence, interaction with the laptop has been designed to be kept at a minimum. Hardware-wise the main differences between this and the aforementioned DDJ T-1 can be found in the fact that this is a two channel console. Pioneer have done the decent thing and moved the FX controls away from the needle search ribbon, and there is a seven segment level meter mid-mixer, plus track status indicators above each ribbon. Around the back of the unit there are XLR jacks to connect up to a PA, and there are also three different master output attenuations which consist of -12dB, -6dB and 0dB.

Another useful addition is the “Slip mode”, first premiered on the CDJ-900, which allows the user to temporarily manipulate the audio as normal by scratching, looping or reverse playing.  Meanwhile playback continues inaudibly in the background, keeping its place as if the track was playing normally. When you’ve finished jamming, the playback resumes from the current position of the play-head in the track. Aside from the six standard hot cue buttons there’s also a hot cue fader start function.

Check out all the important specifications below. Find out more at Juno Records.