5 key features on the DJControl Mix Ultra that will you get started with DJing

With just a few days left until Christmas, you might be tempted to give one of your friends, colleagues, or loved ones the gift of realising their DJ dreams this year. Perhaps you just want to be able to bring out something a bit more tailored than a Spotify playlist to soundtrack your upcoming New Year's parties. While some starter products do their best to emulate the real experience, many on the market can be expensive, and lack accessibility and portablity; meaning that without a lengthy YouTube tutorial or a friend in-the-know, it's difficult to know where to start when it comes to getting your head around the ones-and-twos.

French music manufacturer Hercules has been working to do something about that, designing portable products that incorporate access to industry-standard DJ tools alongside functionality with smartphones and other devices. This year saw the launch of Hercules DJControl Mix Ultra, the "ultimate" portable DJ controller designed with both learner DJs and professional selectors in mind.

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To find out how Hercules DJControl Mix Ultra can help you get to grips with the art of DJing, we have picked out five key features of the controller that will help you get started. Check them out below.

You can buy Hercules' DJControl Mix Ultra for £129.99 (US$173.89) here.

First and foremost, one of the real highlights of the DJControl Mix Ultra is its compatibility with iOS, iPadOS, and Android devices. While many other portable products offer the ability to plug into laptops via USB, the DJControl Mix Ultra is wireless, allowing your phone/tablet to act as the controller's display, easily paired via Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) – so it won't drain your battery during your impromptu DJ set.

Gone are the days of schlepping your laptop, controller, wires, and more to the party, with this feature, you can play a set anywhere – the park, the train, during an awkward conversation at your family's Christmas dinner. For learners, this also means you can practice wherever your are, without having to clang in front of an eager party audience as you hone in your skills. The possibilities are endless.

To ensure it offers the best experience for smartphone users, the DJControl Mix Ultra includes Algoriddim’s djay app, which allows users to pull music from streaming services such as Apple Music, TIDAL, Beatport Streaming, Beatsource Streaming, or SoundCloud Go+.

Before you build up the confidence to pull up at the club with a USB full of bangers, you can utilise your beloved playlists on the DJControl Mix Ultra, without having to spend an age downloading MP3 files as you experiment.

Proving that big sounds can come from small packages, the DJControl Mix Ultra includes djay Pro's patented Neural Mix® technology; using this feature, you can isolate vocals, instruments, and beats to create unique mixes to a standard usually reserved for professional controllers. Who said DJing was just about beatmatching?

Measuring just 31.5 x 17.4 cm, the DJControl Mix Ultra is one of the most compact, portable DJ controllers on the market, but its small stature isn't the only thing that makes the DJControl Mix Ultra the ultimate impromptu DJ equipment. Featuring a long-lasting, built-in battery that provides 10-hours of uninterrupted mixing, this controller is designed to throw in your bag and get started on the go.

Tactile pitch controllers, check. Super-responsive touch-sensitive jog wheels for precision mixing, check. Hot cues, effects (FX), and eight performance pads, check, check, check. While the DJControl Mix Ultra is perfect for starter DJs, it doesn't let up in incorporating professional-grade controls, so once you graduate to the big leagues — you'll already be well-versed in how to maneuvre a DJ controller.

You can buy Hercules' DJControl Mix Ultra for £129.99 (US$173.89) here.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter.