Designed for newcomers to DJing, AlphaTheta’s FLX2 carries on the user-friendly vibe of Pioneer’s industry-standard DJ controllers. Greg Scarth explains why it’s a great choice for beginners.
Designed as an entry-level option for beginner DJs, the AlphaTheta DDJ-FLX2 is part of Pioneer and AlphaTheta’s industry-standard DJ controller range. A simple and affordable unit which covers all the basics of mixing, blending and performing with DJ software, the FLX2 comes in at a little over £150. Hook up a pair of headphones, speakers and a suitable mobile device or laptop, and you’re ready to get started with a user-friendly
If you’re a newcomer to DJ equipment – which is very likely for an beginner-level controller like the FLX2 – then the branding here might be a little confusing. Let’s quickly explain. The DDJ-FLX2 is the smallest option in the FLX range, which has previously been released under the Pioneer brand name. The Pioneer DDJ-FLX4, FLX6 and FLX10 are bigger and more powerful options, while the FLX2 is targeted primarily at complete newcomers to DJing.
The Pioneer brand is well known as one of the industry standard makers, having helped to define the layout and functionality of most professional and home DJ equipment over the last few decades. AlphaTheta is the Pioneer DJ brand’s parent company, but now also launched as a brand name in its own right. Initial AlphaTheta products were distinct from the Pioneer range, but releases like the FLX2 signal the fact that the entire product range is likely to transition from Pioneer to AlphaTheta over coming years. As such, the FLX2 shares similar technology with the more advanced Pioneer FLX4 and FLX6 models, but also draws on club-standard equipment like the Pioneer CDJ media players and DJM mixer series. The bottom line is that while AlphaTheta might currently be a less recognisable name than Pioneer, it’s immediately trustworthy for DJs. There’s no radical new approach here, just a continuation of the well established Pioneer approach.
The FLX2 is a two-channel software controller, meaning that it doesn’t play back music from internal memory (standalone DJ controllers are much more expensive). Instead, the FLX2 is designed to work with mobile devices or laptops, and compatible with a range of DJ software including free versions of Rekordbox (Pioneer’s own product), Serato Lite (a popular choice with turntablists and scratch DJs) and the less widely known but equally capable Algoriddim Djay. All are good options and have their own strengths, but whichever one you choose it’s easy to get started. The hardware itself is small and lightweight but reassuringly sturdy, with a USB port on the back panel to connect your device and headphone and speaker outputs on the left hand side, each with its own volume control. The FLX2 is class compliant, meaning that you don’t need to install and specialist drivers or utilities to connect it to your device; just plug in and the device will power the FLX2, avoiding the need for a separate power supply.
The FLX2’s simple, straightforward design makes it easy to understand the basic principles of DJing: load and play a track on one deck of your chosen DJ software, then load a track on the other deck and use the combination of tempo control and jog wheel to cue it up in your headphones before mixing it in using the central mixer section. That mixer section itself is just as simple and straightforward, with three-band EQ for high-, mid- and low-frequency adjustments, channel faders to set the levels and a crossfader to blend back and forth between the two channels.
Controls in general are clear and well laid out, following the firmly established Pioneer approach. Once you’ve mastered the basics of mixing from one track to another, you can explore more advanced options like effects, performance pads and hot cues. Where Pioneer and AlphaTheta have particularly pushed the technology forward with the FLX range is in making the controller as versatile as possible across a range of genres and styles of music. The product name itself hints at flexibility, and the functionality follows suit. Two mix support functions in particular showcase the user-friendly approach to DJing. Smart CFX (colour effects) are played via the performance pads, while the Smart Fader option allows you to automate the process of beat matching, balancing levels and cutting bass frequencies. Throughout the whole process, AlphaTheta’s excellent support helps guide you through the process, with informative tutorial videos and clear documentation.
To cut to the chase, the FLX2 is a thoroughly well designed and user-friendly option for beginner DJs, regardless of what style of music you want to mix and perform. At £159, it’s a great value option, requiring headphones and a suitable speaker but capable of playing with most mobile devices or a laptop. For newcomers to Doing, the FLX2 offers a straightforward introduction to basic principles of performance which should translate seamlessly to other AlphaTheta and Pioneer DJ gear as you progress.
Greg Scarth
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