Pioneer DJ reports 82 per cent rise in the sale of entry-level DJ controllers during lockdown

Pioneer DJ has reported an 82 per cent rise in the sale of its entry-level DJ controllers.

Year-on-year sales of the DDJ-200 (pictured below) and the DDJ-400 (pictured above) have soared during 2020 as people have turned lockdown into an opportunity to turn their living rooms into nightclubs and to learn how to DJ.

The company has seen an 82 per cent rise on both of its beginner controllers.

The DDJ-200 is Pioneer's gateway controller, with DJs able to play tracks from their phone or laptops. The DDJ-400 steps things up by having a lay-out that's more similar to a typical Pioneer club set-up and, as you'd expect, more advanced FX functionality. Both are easy ways to get into home DJing that weigh in at £250 or below.

"Entry level DJ equipment is a great starting point for so many DJs. Picking the right equipment when you don’t know where to start can be really daunting. To help make it easier we have equipment like the DDJ-200 and DDJ-400 on the market. These products are the perfect pieces of gear to start your hobby/career, especially when you have little to know experience of being in front of decks or a controller," Pioneer DJ told Mixmag.

DJs using either controller also have access to Rekordbox, the Pioneer DJ software that let's DJs transition from bedroom sessions to the club with ease.

With the announcement of a new mid-price controller last month (the DDJ-FLX6 is available from £539), the company has created multiple entry points into digital DJing as well as a succession of controllers that DJs can progress through as they develop their skills.

Asked for advice for beginners researching what controller to buy, Pioneer DJ told us: "Figure out what type of user you are. Are you more of a hobbyist who wants to play around with music and mix occasionally? Do you want to connect it to your phone, or are you seriously considering getting in to DJing as a hobby and would like to use professional DJ software and hardware? If it’s the former the DDJ-200 is perfect for you. As big added bonus it is USB bus powered so you can use it on the go just about anywhere. If it’s the latter we’d recommend the DDJ-400. You can use this controller with your laptop and our professional DJ software, rekordbox DJ. Both products are packed with features that will enable you to get to grips with the basics of DJing - you’ll be beat matching, mixing tracks and adding FX to tracks in no time."

Lockdown has heralded a new generation of beginner and bedroom DJs that have been cutting their teeth and annoying their neighbour while clubs are closed. Time will tell if this translates to a dance music boom when clubs reopen.