We pit two Pioneer DJ controllers, the DDJ-SB2 Serato DJ controller and the DDJ-RB Rekordbox DJ controller, in our first ever Head To Head comparison feature. There’s no shortage of entry-level controllers for the beginner who wants to step up from his or her “toy” controller onto something with a more professional feature set and look. Pioneer DJ has been prolific in the DJ controllers arena, making everything from casual devices (eg the DDJ-WeGO series) to all-out pro kit that rivals what you’d see in club installations. In our first Head To Head feature we stack up two of its most popular “serious beginner” controllers: the and the. Head To Head 1. Compatible DJ software DDJ-SB2:,,, DDJ-RB:,, The biggest difference between the two controllers is the software that they work with.

The DDJ-SB2 was originally meant to work with Serato DJ, but when Pioneer DJ released Rekordbox DJ a few years back, it extended the DDJ-SB2’s compatibility list to include it. The DDJ-SB2 also works with Virtual DJ 8, djay Pro and Traktor Pro 2. The DDJ-RB, on the other hand, does not work with Serato DJ.

Map ddj sb V2. Sign in to download. Upload an edit of this mapping. Description and Instructions. Map Virtual Dj by Dj Di Albert for Pioneer DDJ SB Controller. Show Stars Arina And Oxi Rar Programs.

Pioneer DJ released it to be a Rekordbox DJ-specific controller, and was one of the first controllers that started Pioneer DJ’s shift away from Serato. Apart from Rekordbox DJ, it also works with Virtual DJ 8, djay Pro and Traktor Pro 2. Takeaway: The DDJ-SB2 has the most software versatility. If you want to spin with Serato DJ, go with the DDJ-SB2. Filter Fade DDJ-SB2: Yes DDJ-RB: No Pioneer DJ introduced the Filter Fade crossfader effect with the original DDJ-SB: it engages a high-pass filter automatically when you move the crossfader from left to right and vice versa.

It was somewhat gimmicky and unnecessary (after all, twiddling a filter knob is one of the fun parts of DJing). The DDJ-SB2 has the Filter Fade onboard if you’d like to use it (or perhaps map the button to some other more useful control), while the DDJ-RB doesn’t. Takeaway: Though the DDJ-RB doesn’t have Filter Fade, the lack or presence of this feature is hardly a deal breaker. Performance pads DDJ-SB2: Four per deck DDJ-RB: Eight per deck While the DDJ-SB2 looks like it has eight performance pads per deck, they’re actually just four performance pads and four transport control pads. The DDJ-RB has eight true performance pads – this is one of the big reasons some DJs choose to go with the DDJ-RB.

Takeaway: The DDJ-RB wins when it comes to performance pads. If having eight pads is important for you, pick the DDJ-RB. Loop controls DDJ-SB2: Manual Loop and Auto Loop pad modes DDJ-RB: Manual Loop In and Loop Out buttons The DDJ-RB packs its own manual Loop In and Loop Out buttons, but the DDJ-SB2 takes Loop control a step further by having Manual Loop and Auto Loop pad modes onboard. Auto Loop means that you can potentially set loop points much quicker with the DDJ-SB2, though at the expense of having to select it as a pad mode first. Takeaway: If you’re heavy on setting eight-bar or 16-bar loops, and you want them set quickly, go with the DDJ-SB2. Otherwise, the DDJ-RB provides basic looping buttons (including a four-bar auto loop).

FX section controls DDJ-SB2: Three FX on/off buttons and a knob DDJ-RB: One FX on/off button and a knob The DDJ-SB2 has an FX section that lets you toggle up to three software effects per deck. The DDJ-RB lets you switch a single effect on/off, but then comes with “Beat” buttons that let you further tweak parameters.

It also makes up for the lack of FX section buttons with the Pad FX mode (more on that below). Takeaway: Do you like having hands-on control of different effects? The DDJ-SB2 is for you. If you want deeper control over a single effect, the DDJ-RB might be the better choice. Pad FX and Slicer modes DDJ-SB2: No DDJ-RB: Yes The DDJ-RB takes full advantage of its eight performance pads by having Pad FX and Slicer pad modes onboard, something that the DDJ-SB2 lacks. Slicer isn’t that crucial, but Pad FX mode is a big one: it lets you trigger and toggle a host of more articulate and advanced effects within Rekordbox DJ, such as gated delays, echo freeze, and filtered reverbs. Takeaway: For the effects-hungry, the DDJ-RB goes further than the DDJ-SB2.