Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT Serato DJ Controller Review & Affordable Payment Option 2023


Pay about $140 today and get this DJ controller in 2 business days! No interest, No Credit Check, Monthly Payments. I personally have bought all of my equipment from zZounds!

Make sure you see HOW I MADE THIS ANIMATION at the end of the video!

Introduction to the Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT

The Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT has to be one of the most versatile DJ controllers on the market today, with Jam-packed features every Serato DJ user will appreciate. The Pioneer DDJ 1000SRT DJ controller is a 4-channel mixer, allowing you to control 4 decks at once. Also, it can act as a stand-alone mixer, which means you can hook up CDJs or turntables to the line inputs and use the mixer to go back and forth to your CDJs or turntables.

When you purchase the DDJ 1000-SRT, it comes with a free license of Serato DJ which you can download the software easily to your computer. It’s worth it to know, Serato DJ has a tremendous number of fans, including myself. The Serato DJ mixing software is the leading mixing software in the industry. It’s highly respected in the DJ community for its user-friendly interface.

Dedication & Hard Work

In this post, I have put together crucial information to know about the DDJ-1000SRT including its best features, all about the history, and I even created a YouTube animation video to help you understand what this DJ controller is made of.

In all honesty, I know why a lot of DJs want to get their hands on this beautiful machine, because the DDJ-1000SRT reminds me of all the best DJ controllers mixed into one whole unit, and I’m sure my fellow DJ fanatics would agree.

DDJ-1000SRT

In comparison, it’s kind of like taking the best qualities out of all your Ex-girlfriends, and combining them into one, really hard-to-resist, big booty, chick (with a huge personality of course).

Continue reading as you will learn all about what I mean as I compare the DDJ-1000SRT to some of the best professional DJ gear currently out there, as of the date of this post.

As you read on, I will be covering all the best details about the DDJ-1000SRT as well as pointing out what some people call “weak spots”. In my opinion, these so-called “weak spots” are nothing to be worried about, as this controller is amazing, and if you have the money, I believe it’s well-worth every penny.


Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT Serato DJ Controller Jump-to-Info section:

Please use the links below to jump to the sections you’re interested in reading. Use the “Back to Top”.

Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT Feature Introduction:

Below, are some of the best features, the DDJ-1000 SRT has to offer. I didn’t get every single function of the controller, but I covered what I believe was the most important. If I missed anything, feel free to leave a comment at the end of this post!

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4 Channels:

This photo demonstrates the 4 channels on the DDJ-1000SRT.

The DDJ-1000SRT is a 4-channel, Serato-Ready, DJ controller. In the image above, the circles show the 4 channels that are divided evenly in the center of the mixer.

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Channels 1 & 3 (Decks 1 & 3):

In the image below, the circles show channels 1 and 3 which are located on the left side of the controller. The On-jog display lights up either 1 or 3 depending on the channel you switch to.

Deck 1 & Deck 3.

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Deck Select Button 3/1:

To add to that, switching channels on the left side of this controller can be activated by pushing the 3/1 button next to the DECK SELECT text. In the image below, it shows this buttons location.

Deck Select button.

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Channels 2 & 4 (Decks 2 & 4):

Oppositely, the DDJ-1000SRT has channels 2 & 4 shown on the display of the jog wheel as well. In the image below, it shows the location of the DECK SELECT button that controls the right side of the Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT.

channels 2 & 4

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Deck Select Button 2/4:

On the right side of the DDJ-1000SRT is deck select 2 & 4. The image below demonstrates this button which is used to switch back and forth.

Deck Select 2 & 4.

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DDJ-1000SRT Mixer Style:

The mixer on the DDJ-1000SRT inherits the style of the famous DJM-900NSX2 mixer, which both styles are what DJs have been rocking in the clubs for decades. In the image below, it shows the DJM-900NSX mixer side by side to the DDJ-1000SRT mixer, which is in the center of the controller.

Hopefully, you can see how similar these mixers are from this photo.

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On-Jog Display:

First of all, the jog wheels on the DDJ-1000SRT inherit the style of the famous CDJs, and they’re spot-on. The on-jog display, shown in the image below, shows important track information in the center of each jog wheel. In fact, it shows what deck you’re currently on, it shows track length info, tempo, it shows if slip-mode is activated, as well as Vinyl mode, and the circular tempo light helps keep your count on time with the beat.

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8 Inch Jog Wheels:

The Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT features 8-inch jog wheels with a club-style layout. In the image below, I demonstrated the length. Similarly, to CDJs, the DDJ-1000SRT jog wheels are the same size and feel. It appears to me that Pioneer has done it again, but this time, they did it better!

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Jog Wheel Adjust Knob:

Furthermore, both jog wheels have a Jog Adjust knob wheel to the side of it you can turn from light to heavy, which allows DJs to feel out what kind of scratching style they prefer. The adjustment of these knobs changes the way scratching sounds on each deck from a deeper kind of scratching sound to a lighter kind of a scratching sound.

In the image below, it shows the jog adjust wheel’s location on the DDJ-1000SRT.

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Scroll Wheel / Load Track:

The scroll wheel allows you to scroll through your Serato DJ library files. Depending on which side of the DDJ-1000SRT you’re on, you’ll either use the right scroll wheel or the left scroll wheel to scroll through and load tracks.

In the image below, it shows the left deck scroll wheel.

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16 Performance Pads:

The DDJ-1000SRT features 8 multi-colored pads on each side of the controller that control your cue points on Serato DJ. In the image below, it shows the left side of the controller’s performance pads.

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8 Pad Modes:

The image below shows the 8 different pad modes you can switch between by pressing one of the four Pad Mode Buttons. In order to enter the 4 other different modes, you must hold the shift button before pressing 1 of the 4 pad modes.

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Magvel Fader:

This is no ordinary fader. The Magvel fader was specifically designed to be light-weight and smooth to the touch. Pioneer claims to have designed it to be built for scratching. In the image below, it shows the location of the fader, which usually like any other fader, is in the center of the mixer.

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14 Beat FX:

14 total Beat FX are featured on the DDJ-1000SRT including Enigma Jet, Trans, Reverb, Spiral, Mt Delay, Echo, Low Cut Echo, Flangler, Phaser, Pitch, Slip Roll, Roll, and 2 MOBUS effects.

In the image below, it shows the location where you can access these effects.

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Sound Color Effects:

Additionally, the DDJ-1000SRT has more effects built into the mixer called Sound Color Effects, which includes D. Echo, Pitch, Noise, & Filter. In the image below, it shows the location of these effects.

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Quantize, Slip Mode, Wake Up, & Vinyl mode:

On both sides of the DDJ-1000SRT, you have Quantize and Slip Mode, which is right near the scroll wheel. Quantize allows you to keep everything on a count that’s determined by the tracks beat grid, which helps with setting cue points and mixing with the Sync button. Slip Mode allows you to do whatever you want to the track that’s playing, such as momentarily pausing the track, then playing it only to hear that it started playing the track as if it never paused in the first place!

Even more, if you hold shift you can use Wake Up or Vinyl Mode. In the image below, it shows these buttons.

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Censor/Reverse, Loop In & Loop Out:

Moreover, on both sides of the DDJ-1000SRT, Pioneer has featured a Censor button that allows you to bleep out bad words. If you hold Shift, it will send the track into Reverse. Also, you can begin the start of a loop with Loop-in, and the end of a loop with Loop-out.

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Activate/Deactivate Loop / .5X & 2X Loop:

Additionally, when you hold the Shift button and press the yellow “In” button, the loop will 1/2 in size. On the opposite side, the “Out” button will 2x in size. Next to those functions, this controller has the activate and deactivate loop buttons.

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Grid/Adjust Slide, Shift, & Beat Jump:

Again, on both sides of this DJ controller, you can adjust your beat grid on the fly with this genius Grid/Adjust Slide button, which you can see where it’s located in the DDJ-1000SRT image below. Usually, the Shift button is held while you push other buttons to access other features. Shift is located directly below the Grid button. Finally, the SRT controller has Beat Jump which allows you to jump forward or backward in the track you’re playing, which is determined by a set amount.

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Line Inputs / Dual USB:

Line inputs allow you to connect CDJS, turntables, or you can even hook an RCA to 1/4-inch jack adapter and plug your phone into one of these channels if you wanted. Next to the line inputs, the DDJ-1000SRT has dual USBs which allows DJs to switch off between sets without needing to pause for nothing! The image below demonstrates these components.

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2 Microphone Inputs:

In the image below, it shows the two microphone inputs built into the back of the DDJ-1000SRT. It shows a 1/4-inch jack plus a 1/4-inch / XLR combo jack. Usually, Pioneer only puts one single microphone channel, but they’ve gone out of their way this time with two!

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When did the Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT come out?

When Pioneer unleashed the Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT, I instantly wanted to get my hands on it. First, Pioneer released the DDJ-1000 in early 2018, which only ran on Rekordbox. Then, after its popularity, and many complaints about how it doesn’t work with Serato, Pioneer released the DDJ 1000SRT in August of 2019. SRT stands for Serato, just in case you didn’t know that already.

This revolutionary mixer combines the best features from some very well-known DJ controllers and mixers on the market today that we all know and love. Today, I decided I’d show you the best features this DJ controller has to offer as well as how you can afford the DDJ 1000SRT through easy monthly payments.

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Does the DDJ-1000SRT come with Serato DJ Pro?

The DDJ-1000SRT does come with Serato DJ Pro when you purchase it. In fact, as of today, after purchasing this beast of a machine, you will get an activation key, which is just a code. All you need to do is go to the Serato website to download their software, Serato DJ. Then, use your activation key to activate Serato DJ.

Also, the “SRT” in DDJ-1000SRT stands for Serato, so know this, if you just call it the DDJ-1000 (without the SRT after), people are going to think you’re referring to the Rekordbox version of the DJ controller, and there may be some confusion. As I stated earlier, the Rekorbox version came out in 2018. The Serato version came out in August of 2019.

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Does the DDJ-1000SRT work with Rekordbox?

Unfortunately, the DDJ-1000SRT will NOT work with Rekordbox. The DDJ-1000SRT is made for SERATO DJ only so if you’re a Rekordbox fan that is thinking about switching to the 1000-SRT, just know, it’s not compatible with both programs. If you were hoping it was, I completely understand, but unfortunately Rekordbox and Serato have not yet joined forces as of the date of this post with piece of hardware.

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What are 3 Disadvantages of the DDJ-1000SRT that some people complain about?

I have researched the entire internet about the DDJ 1000SRT and I’ve managed to find several things that DJs have complained about.

Below, I have listed these disadvantages so that you may determine if it’s a DEAL BREAKER. Meaning, you may determine whether or not you will buy it for yourself.

start djing

# 1 – You can’t use the built-in Serato DJ effects:

One of the most irritating things people complain about this controller is the fact you there are no buttons or knobs to control the built-in Serato effects that come pre-stocked with Serato DJ Pro. Let’s not get confused though, Pioneer has graciously added effects built-into the controller itself.

Alternatively, you can use your laptop to still use the built-in effects, although it may not be as easy to control as the knobs and buttons you see on most high-end DJ controllers.

Personally, I have been using Serato DJ effects my whole career, but when I heard what the Sound Color Effects & the 14 Beat FX sounded like on the DDJ-1000SRT, I was fascinated to know that I thought it sounded way better. Maybe I’m not using Serato DJ effects correctly?

So, it would be nice to have those knobs to control the built-in effects, but it doesn’t make it a deal-breaker for me.

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Everyone has their own taste in effects, but I assure you, the built-in effects on this DJ controller sound awesome and I would recommend you watch a video to hear for yourself! 14 Beat FX on top of the 4 Sound Color Effects gives you all you need.

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#2 – The built-in Looping functions on the DDJ-1000SRT do not work very well:

I have read a lot of complaints about how the looping functions on the DDJ-1000SRT are hard to work with because you have to hold the SHIFT button to get the LOOP-IN and LOOP-OUT buttons to loop. This could be a deal breaker for you, but not for me! In fact, holding shift isn’t that big of a deal to me as I use it already for many other functions.

This photo shows the loop in & out functions which are on both sides of the DDJ-1000SRT.

Remember, you can always push the “O” button on your keyboard (with caps on of course) and it will LOOP-IN on DECK 1 & 3. Furthermore, you can press “P” to LOOP-OUT on DECK 1 & 3. Alternatively, for Decks 2 & 4, you can press “L” to LOOP-IN, and “;” (semicolon) to LOOP-OUT.

Wow! All without needing to push the SHIFT button on the DJ controller. I’ve had to make sacrifices in the past due to not having enough cash flow. In fact, I had such a crappy DJ controller that it barely worked. I had to use the laptop for a lot of functions my DJ controller didn’t have.

wow

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# 3 – Minor differences of waveforms from the DDJ-1000 Rekordbox to the DDJ-1000SRT:

Sound color waveforms displayed visually on the Rekordbox version of the DDJ-1000, but not on the DDJ-1000SRT. If you didn’t even know this, it shouldn’t be a deal breaker. Right? Some of the complaints I’ve read about were resourced from Digital DJ Tips. I’ve also read that none of the cue info is displayed on the DDJ-1000SRT. However, it does show Cue info on the DDJ-1000 Rekordbox model.

I’m sure Pioneer saved a lot of money in production just using the same DDJ-1000 Rekordbox model, but while keeping it simple its apparent, they faced hardware and software issues between Rekordbox and Serato.

Although there are several differences between the DDJ-1000 Rekordbox model and the DDJ-1000SRT Serato model, mostly everything is still the same. If you’re thinking about switching to the Serato version of the DDJ-1000SRT, just remember it’s not going to be exactly the same as the DDJ-1000 Rekordbox model, so make sure you do your research!

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Is the DDJ-1000SRT a good beginner DJ controller?

In my opinion, I believe a good beginner DJ controller just needs to be reliable, durable, long-lasting, and have all the features you could ever want and need. Although, you can purchase a less expensive DJ controller that doesn’t have nearly as many features as the DDJ-1000SRT, and still learn the basics of mixing music, you’ll be limited to the extra features Serato DJ has built into its software.

For example, the 8 pad modes built into the DDJ-1000SRT are programmed specifically for Serato DJ features such as Loop Roll, Loop, Slicer, Slicer Loop, Pitch Play, and Sampler mode. Many beginner DJ controllers that run on Serato DJ do not have any of these features built into the controller.

Similarly, to humans, not all DJ controllers are created equal. The DDJ-1000SRT does everything a beginner DJ controller can do even though it’s not considered a beginner DJ controller. So, I’ll let you answer that.

If you’re a beginner DJ, and you want to learn how to beat match, I have a good post you can check out, after you read the rest of this post of course. I will be using animation on new post in the future to teach you how to beat match and mix music as well so stay tuned!

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DDJ-1000SRT SUMMARY:

I spent a long time putting this presentation together mainly because I believe in this product, and I figured it should be featured on The DJ Pro. Again, if you’re interested in not paying a penny more than what this product is worth, then I highly recommend zZounds. Please show some support by liking the YouTube animation video I made on this controller at the top and bottom of this post. If you want to see more cool DJ stuff, stay tuned and maybe think about subscribing to my channel. Thank you for your support!

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Make sure you see HOW I MADE THIS ANIMATION at the end of the video!

Brian Russell

Hello! Brian here, and I am the creator of The DJ Pro and have been DJing for 10+ years! (you read that right, YEARS!) I created this website to help struggling beginner DJs learn how to be a DJ, how to mix music, and how to create an amazing DJ website from scratch so you can promote your DJ business better!

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