AlphaTheta DDJ-FLX2 Review: Great entry-level DJ controller
That doesn’t mean there aren’t problems. The jogging wheel is not very impressive. They’re useful for finding your place in a song, but I can’t imagine trying or doing any real DJ tricks with them. Limiting its usefulness in live settings is the fact that there is no microphone input, and the only two audio outputs (cue and main) are 3.5mm TRS jacks. It’ll work if you just want to practice at home or DJ a small party at home, but if you go to a club with this speaker, you’re sure to attract a lot of looks.
Excellent integration
Chances are, regardless of your favorite DJ app or whether you’re using an iPad, laptop, or even an Android phone, the DDJ-FLX2 will work with your setup. I tested it with a MacBook Pro, a 6-year-old Dell . extremely easy to peel).
Connecting to the iPad via Bluetooth could be a bit more seamless, and I never managed to get it to work with my phone. That being said, due to the latency that Bluetooth brings, it’s not really ideal for DJing anyway.
AlphaTheta says that the DDJ-FLX2 is compatible with Rekordbox, Djay algorithmAnd Serato DJ Litealthough I only tested it with the first two. Since AlphaTheta also makes Rekordbox, it’s no surprise that the integration there is the tightest. It works exactly as you’d expect out of the box, and the labels on the hardware reflect the terminology you’ll find in the app. If you haven’t committed to a particular DJ platform yet, Rekordbox is worth exploring as it has a surprisingly feature-rich free version. Additionally, it supports streaming from SoundCloud, Beatport, Beatsource, and Tidal, in case you’re still building your library at this stage in your DJ career.
However, I mainly use it with Djay because that’s the software I was trained on when I joined the ranks Maker Park Radio all those years ago. Plus, it has Apple Music integration, making it easy for me to add things to my rotation in no time and with minimal fuss. FLX2 works well without problems with Algoriddim’s Djay Pro software, although labeling and naming conventions are not always consistent, which can lead to some confusion.
Can be used in real life
Photo: Terence O’Brien
In addition to practicing at home, I DJed a few episodes of my radio show using the FLX2 and even experimented with performing short, seamless dance music on air. The Smart Fader function makes it easy for a novice like me to switch between tracks with the help of filters and echo effects, while also smoothing out small differences in tempo. And when I want a little extra time to make sure I’ve got everything lined up or want to do a little mashup for the next track, the loop pads work like a charm. I wouldn’t say I’m ready to DJ a big venue, but now I feel a little more confident enjoying dance mixes in my shows.
