If you’re on the hunt for the best DJ controller for scratching to get your hands on right now, make sure you stop to consider a few important factors first: jog wheels, software, latency, size and weight, and price. I have searched far and deep for the best in the business right now with these factors in mind. If you want to upgrade your DJing game with the best controller, better read along with me now!
My taste in music is somewhat scattered but definitely a top contender is EDM. I had a phase in high school when it’s all my friends and I used to listen to. From celebrity to non-celebrity DJs, I still always pump them up when I need an energy boost to start my day, until now.
One DJ technique or skill I always find myself astonished by is scratching. I find the sound it produces to make the mix’s percussion and rhythm sound better overall. It helps the mix get a better transition when going from one song to another. And for some reason, when I see a DJ perform this technique, I immediately think they’re a pro in the field.
If you’re looking to up your DJing skills with the best DJ controller for scratching, I’ve got you covered right here!
Our Top Picks for the Best DJ Controllers for Scratching
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Editor's Choice  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best Professional Upgrade  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
Best Travel-Friendly Controller  |
| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
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| View On Amazon →Read Our Review |
The Best DJ Controller for Scratching
1. Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3 DJ Controller – Our Pick!
Our number one pick for the best DJ controller for scratching is the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3 DJ Controller! This top favorite of ours has touch-sensitive top plates for professional scratching. The jog wheels are bigger for easier nudging, scratching, and scrolling and for better backspins. The jog wheels are sure to work well even with advanced scratching routines.
The 3-band EQ together with the controller’s Mixer FX, you can mix your music exactly how you want to. This offers 8 club-grade effects and 3 filters. To further let you show you style, you can use up to 4 of them at the same time! This also comes with 8 RGB pads on each of the 2 decks. These will allow you to pump up your music and mix more. The system allows you to line up your track and find your cue point so you can get your mixes out there quickly with ease.
This Native Instruments controller comes with the full version of Traktor Pro 3, the brand’s flagship software. With this, you are sure to take your mixes to a whole new level. The software offers each user pro-level tools to help you design and build exciting transitions to define your musical style. The controller itself allows easy access of the software’s basic features and controls for transitions, chops, and stops.
Many would agree that this offers all basic functionalities and more a beginner or intermediate DJ would need. This promises a quality build and tons of features while still being lightweight and travel-friendly. For the price this comes in, this is a great value controller that offers more than the basic features a DJ needs. The only drawback some have shared about this is that it only has RCA outputs and no XLR or TRS outputs. No worries though as many have found adapters to solve the issue.
Pros:
- Has all the basic functions
- Bigger and touch-sensitive jog wheels
- 8 club-grade effects and 3 filters
- 8 RGB pads on each deck
- Comes with full version of Traktor Pro 3
- Lightweight and easy to carry but packed with functions
Cons:
- Output options are not flexible
2. Pioneer DDJ-1000 DJ Controller – Best Professional Upgrade!
If what you’re looking for is a professional upgrade for your best DJ controller for scratching, make sure you check out the Pioneer DDJ-1000 DJ Controller! Many professionals consider this as a top of the line DJ controller. Equipped with full-sized jog wheels, you can trust this for a perfect scratch response for all your mixes. There is also an available Jog Feeling Adjust feature. This allows you to set your preferred scratching resistance for each performance.
This comes with the Magvel Fader that is durable for more than 10 million movements. Both the jog wheel and crossfader come with refined processing software for decreased latency. This also features high-definition LCD screens on each jog. The screens are customizable to only show information you need. Though equipped with full-sized jog wheels, this is still easy to carry and transport.
This Pioneer controller comes with 16 back-lit rubber performance pads. These pads allow you to trigger cues and other pro-level functionalities to bring the best out of your mix. The flexible deck also allows DJs to add texture to their mixes and set lists with 10 classic Beat FX from the brand’s other mixer series. It also includes 4 new effects you can choose from exclusively from this series. This boasts of a sleek and professional look while still being lightweight and easy to travel with between gigs and events.
For the ultimate flexibility, this comes with 4 inputs. You can rest assured that you can hook up anything from a CJD to a turntable. This comes with the Rekordbox DJ software. Though a pro-level DJing software, many have shared that the Serato software is what they’re used to. This controller isn’t compatible with that so you are likely to lose your set up cues from the previous software. This could also mean that it might take some getting to know the new software this comes with.
Pros:
- Ideal professional upgrade
- Full-sized jog wheels with resistance-adjusting feature
- Decreased latency on wheels and crossfader
- LCD screens on jog wheels
- 16 performance pads and Beat FX
- Comes with Rekordbox DJ software
Cons:
- Non-compatibility with Serato
3. Hercules Starlight Compact DJ Controller – Best Travel-Friendly Controller!
If what you’re looking for is a compact and travel-friendly controller scratcher, you better read on about the Hercules Starlight Compact DJ Controller! With its portable design, this is very easy to carry and travel with so you can mix on the go. Don’t be fooled by its compact and small design though as this won’t let you down when it comes to performance. This is packed with all the basic digital DJ features you would need plus Serato Lite.
Equipped with touch-sensitive jog wheels, many were surprised at how well this scratches, given the size. To make sure you got all the basics, this portable DJ controller also includes bass/filter knobs. This allows you to create transitions and effects to go well with your music and mix. There are also EQ buttons so you can achieve much smoother transitions between tracks and whatnot.
If you’re looking for something portable that has all the basics, this might be it. Keep in mind though that because this offers mostly the basic DJing functions, you might not find this as an expert-level choice. No worries though as many would agree, the easy-to-carry size makes up for the lack of expert-level functions. This also comes with 4 modes per deck: cue, loop, FX, and sampler. Designed with built-in outputs for both speakers and headphones, this promises versatility.
The lights on the base, RGB pads, and strobe effects are also controllable to how you want it to be. You can control these lights with the Serato Lite software and gives you a total of 7 modes to choose from. One downside a few have shared is that having the bass and filter in one knob can get confusing at first. It might give a smoother performance if they were in separate knobs.
Pros:
- Small, compact, and easy to travel with
- Has all the basics for DJing
- Touch-sensitive jog wheel
- Comes with Serato Lite
- Bass/filter knobs and EQ buttons
- 4 performance modes
Cons:
- Has only the basic functions
- Bass/filter knob can be confusing
4. Roland DJ-505 DJ Controller
The next item to make it into our list of the best DJ controller for scratching is the Roland DJ-505 DJ Controller! Designed with large and low-latency jog wheels, this is made for professional DJing scratching. You can expect effective scratching with the wheels on this for the perfect transitions for your mixes. They are responsive and lag-free for the smoothest performance whatever event you’re playing at. The wheels’ outer rings are also illuminated, letting you know the status of each while also keeping a close eye on the deck.
With built-in effects like reverb and echo, you are sure to get your mix to where and how you want it to be. There is also a built-in drum machine after the brand’s prior lines. You can choose from its wide array of effects for the performance of a lifetime. This controller also allows you to remix and edit samples and drum sounds with knobs dedicated to level, attack, decay, and tune functions. You can trust this one to produce a very good and exceptional sound.
This Roland DJ controller comes with Serato DJ Pro software to unlock all professional tools the DJ software has to offer to up your mixes. The controller also comes with its own dedicated Serato Pro controls to allow for easy and quick creation and remixing. You can switch between the 4 Serato decks with the built-in Deck Selection button for even more convenience.
Having been made of plastic all over the unit except for the jog wheels, this is lightweight and easy to carry between places. Though keep in mind that some felt that this is cheaply made and constructed, especially considering the price it comes in. If you don’t mind the construction, then this is another great professional upgrade if you’re serious about pursuing DJ as a profession.
Pros:
- Large, low-latency jog wheels
- Built-in effects and drum machine
- Comes with Serato Pro
- Dedicated Serato Pro controls
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Exceptional sound quality
Cons:
- Feels cheaply-made
5. Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 All-In-One DJ Controller
Our last favorite DJ controller for scratching is the Numark Mixtrack Pro 3 All-In-One DJ Controller! This boasts of an outstanding responsiveness on its touch-sensitive jog wheels. Many would agree that this is a good entry-level controller for the price. This is well-constructed and durable, definitely built to last. This provides 2 headphones outputs and 1 main output to connect to mixers and speaker systems
Equipped with 16 multifunction pads, this offers total control over cue point, looping, and playback over any track. With this controller, you also get a crossfader, filter, and EQ controls. This also comes with a multifunction touch strip for built-in FX control and search operation. This allows you to have easy access to your set list. You can rest assured that this comes with all the basics any DJ would need.
Buying this Numark DJ controller will give you Serato DJ Lite software, perfect for taking your DJing game to a whole new level. Though just in the lite version, it’s ready to be upgraded to the full version any time. This also comes with 6 sample packs of effects, drum kits, instrumental loops, one-shots, and more. The sample packs are provided for by Prime Loops and Toolroom Records. With so many samples and effects, this is definitely a good way to go if you are a beginner and are just getting serious.
Though a favorite among many aspiring and professional DJs, this does come with a few downsides you should be aware of. A couple people have shared that one weak point in this is the crossfader. It feels poorly-built and does not always fade out when you need to. The controller also doesn’t allow adjustments in the fade and pitch curves of the songs in your setlist. You can only do these adjustments in the software.
Pros:
- Responsive and touch-sensitive jog wheels
- 2 headphone outputs and 1 main output
- 16 multifunction pads for total control
- Comes with Serato Lite
- Comes with sample effects packs
- Has the complete DJ basics
Cons:
- Crossfader doesn’t always fade out
- No adjustments on fade and pitch curve
How to Choose the Best DJ Controller for Scratching
Jog wheels
Because you’re looking for the best DJ controller for scratching, you want to consider the jog wheel – its size and feel against your hands. Make sure that the wheel of your new controller is easy to control just how you like it. Also consider that their size is right for the size of your hands. You don’t want anything too small or too big for you.
DJ software
The best DJ controllers often have software included or have specific software they’re compatible with. Consider the software you use and used to as well. If you don’t want to change your DJ software, make sure to find the best DJ controller that’s compatible with what you’re currently using.
Latency
Latency refers to the time between doing an action and the action reflecting on your performance or software in use. When it comes to scratching, you want to get your hands on the best DJ controller that offers lag-free performances no matter how advanced your skills are. Mixing and DJ scratching is all about the timing and perfect transitions. You don’t want to ruin a good performance due to lagging and latency issues.
Size and weight
Another thing to consider is the controller’s size and weight. If you’re planning on bringing it along with you from one event venue to the next, you might want to consider going for something lightweight and easy to carry around.
Price
DJ controllers have varying prices. Consider the price range you’re willing to go for and what your budget allows. From our favorites above, we made sure to list down controllers with prices ranging from about $100 to $2,500 for all available budgets.
Conclusion
With the right DJ controller that allows you exceptional scratching performance and results, you are sure to take your DJing game to a whole new level.
Our number one pick for the best DJ controller for scratching is the Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S2 Mk3 DJ Controller! This comes with bigger and touch-sensitive jog wheels for optimal scratching and performance. It’s constructed lightweight and easy to carry but is packed with all the functions a beginner or pro needs. The Pioneer DDJ-1000 DJ Controller is our choice for the best professional DJ controller upgrade for scratching! This offers full-sized jog wheels plus resistance-adjustments features for every personal preference. It also assures you that there is decreased latency on the jog wheels and crossfader features. And our best travel-friendly DJ controller for DJs on-the-go is the Hercules Starlight Compact DJ Controller! This is ultra-compact and so easy to carry from one place to another but don’t be fooled by its size because it has all the basic functions any DJ would need.
And there you go – our favorite and best DJ controllers for scratching! We can only hope we have been a great help in your journey of looking for your next controller!
