The fresh design of the DDJ-FLX6-GT introduces a new look and feel for its full-size jog wheels, which feature a graphite color plus a metallic texture on top and a rubberized coating on the outer ring for improved playability. While I can imagine situations where the Jog Cutter could be useful, I find the patterns to be too harsh and unpredictable for my tastes and would prefer to do similar fills manually. The Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX6 is a dual software platform, four channel DJ controller designed to simplify genre hopping transitions for DJs who are ready to upgrade from the DDJ-200, DDJ-400 or DDJ-SB3. The rest of the unit also boasts a sophisticated look, with a brand-new matte gray color across its body.

As for the professional market, I believe a Mk2 version is needed with balanced outputs before the FLX can be viable for them. Sample Scratch is a brand-new pad mode in rekordbox which enables you to choose sounds you’ve assigned to the sampler and load them onto the decks. If you’re using Rekordbox DJ there are over 9,000 possible effect and sample patterns – giving you multiple drop options. The new unit adds support for VirtualDJ (license available separately), and retains free compatibility with rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro. Instead of a standalone mixer section and a metal-reinforced body (like the SR2), the FLX6 sports four channels and full-sized jog wheels – two very enticing features that are generally only found on higher-end Pioneer DJ gear.The jog cutter allows you to move the jog wheel back and forth between 6 defined sections, and “a professional scratch effect will be applied to the last Hot Cue or playback position you used on that deck”. Beyond the basics like play and cue buttons, the DDJ-FLX6 has a decent assortment of deck controls alongside its performance pads.

Serato users sadly are limited to the preset default four effects with no ability to create custom mappings, a considerable drawback.As the microphone on this controller isn’t routed into the computer, the booth output is perfect for capturing the main output.

So, the fact of the matter is: this is a rekordbox controller, and a decent Serato controller too (considering it does unlock that software and doesn’t require you to configure a single thing). When you get into the non-rekordbox software packages, “Merge FX” don’t really exist, so they try to offer an approximation. The Pioneer DDJ-FLX6-GT is a 4-channel DJ Controller with new features, a unique style, a fresh-looking layout, full-sized jog-wheels, the ability to mix tracks from different genres effortlessly and professional sounding scratch effects.The wheels are impressively sized: they are the same size as the ones you’d find on a CDJ-3000 or Pioneer DDJ-1000. Introducing the Pioneer DJ DDJ-FLX6-GT – an updated, stylish 4-channel DJ controller that replaces the hugely popular DDJ-FLX6 and is now compatible with an expanded range of software. The new style includes a familiar layout of controls similar to how you would find them on the club-standard CDJ and DJM setups allowing for intuitive performances. The controller provides creative freedom when selecting and mixing tracks and eliminates the worry of seamlessly merging two tracks from different backgrounds. The best thing about this new feature is users who are new to scratching and have never scratched before can take full advantage of it.

With a built-in sound card and support for DJ Performance functions in rekordbox (equivalent to the Core plan) and Serato DJ Pro, all you need to do is connect the DDJ-FLX6 via USB cable to a laptop that’s running either software application and you can start DJing. Sample Scratch is a brand-new pad mode in rekordbox which enables you to choose sounds you've assigned to the sampler and load them onto the decks. While this feature seems useful for EDM DJs as well as a way to recover lost time from a mistake, they can sound quite garish and almost too intense for more minimalist genres like house. Sample Scratch relies on Rekordbox’s usual sample bank and sadly offers less options than Serato’s Scratch bank. With Serato DJ or VirtualDJ, you can use the Scratch Bank to trigger samples by hitting Performance Pads.

The new graphite (matt grey) colour, with metallic texture on top and rubberised coating on the outer ring, gives the DDJ-FLX6 a fresh new look, feel and playability. Adding flare to sets and mixing between genres, no matter what the key or BPM of the next track is, can be flawless thanks to the new Merge FX feature. The FLX6 sadly doesn’t shine with Serato DJ Pro and although including the Pitch n Time expansion, we feel Serato users can get better value for their money with other controllers in the market. Although, just as with the Pad Scratch mode, using the effect in performance is challenging and often doesn’t sound great.