Pioneer DDJ-1000 vs. DDJ-FLX6 – which one is better for you? Both are older 4-channel controllers now, with the original DDJ-FLX6 replaced by the DDJ-FLX6-GT and the DDJ-1000 officially discontinued. If you’re choosing between the two today, most likely on the used market, there are still some pretty major differences worth knowing about.
There are newer alternatives on both sides as well: the DDJ-GRV6 is the more current option in the FLX6’s part of the range, while the DDJ-FLX10 carries on much of the DDJ-1000’s professional 4-channel workflow.
You might also like: Pioneer DDJ-FLX6-GT – Is It Any Different?
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Pioneer DDJ-FLX6 vs. Pioneer DDJ-1000 – full specification comparison
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Main differences
First things first, it’s important to say that the Pioneer DDJ-1000 is a full-fledged feature rich professional DJ controller that in use is comparable to an actual CDJ/DJM “club standard” setup.
The Pioneer DDJ-FLX6 on the other hand is a budget entry-level device, that while quite capable lacks many features that the DDJ-1000 has, and is geared mostly towards beginners.
In terms of size and weight, the DDJ-FLX6 is a little bit smaller than the DDJ-1000 but at the same time it’s much lighter. DDJ-FLX6 weighs around 8.38lb (3.8kg), and the DDJ-1000 weighs around 13.2lb (5.99kg).
While both are perfectly capable of handling a live set, the Pioneer DDJ-1000 is much more versatile and it gives you much more creative possibilities and advanced features than the very basic DDJ-FLX6.
Another thing is that the build quality of the Pioneer DDJ-1000 is on a much higher level, than the build quality of the DDJ-FLX6. The weight difference between the otherwise close in size devices and the price difference reflects that.
The mixer sections
First important thing to mention here, is that while the mixer on the Pioneer DDJ-1000 can function as a standalone audio mixer, which means it features audio inputs for each of its audio channels.
The DDJ-FLX6 mixer controls your DJ software and works through the controller’s built-in audio interface, but it doesn’t have external channel inputs and can’t operate as a standalone mixer.
The DDJ-1000 lets you use its mixer to control the DJ software of your choice, but also to connect additional, external third party audio devices and/or use the mixer section without your laptop plugged in (the decks will be inactive in standalone mode).
You can also use your Pioneer CDJ-2000/3000 players in HID mode together with the DDJ-1000 for extended 4 deck experience in the Rekordbox software.
While the Pioneer DDJ-1000 has two full size pitch faders, the Pioneer DDJ-FLX6 only features the half-sized versions of the regular pitch controls typical for smaller entry-level DJ controllers.
The mixer section of the Pioneer DDJ-1000 is much more feature packed than the one on the DDJ-FLX6. It features Beat FX and Sound Color FX strips, full-size channel and master level meters and channel input/assignment switches.
As the DDJ-1000 doesn’t have its track selection buttons and knob in the top of the mixer section, it features separate track loading/library search controls for each deck.
The DDJ-FLX6 uses much smaller channel level meters and doesn’t have the DDJ-1000’s dedicated hardware Sound Color FX section.
You might also be interested in: AlphaTheta DDJ-GRV6 vs. Pioneer DDJ-FLX6
Audio FX controls
In terms of audio FX controls the most important thing is: The Pioneer DDJ-1000 has an independent FX section that can work when you’re using its mixer in standalone mode. All of the audio effects are processed by the hardware, so locally on the controller. Of course you could also resort to using software FX if you wish to do so.
Because Pioneer DDJ-FLX6 doesn’t have a mixer that is able to take additional audio channel inputs or work in standalone mode at all, it also doesn’t have any on-board effect processor. All the FX control buttons that are present on this device simply control the FX of the DJ software you’re using.
The DDJ-FLX6 gives you three ways to work with software FX. Its main Beat FX controls sit on the right side of the mixer, although in my opinion this stripped-down layout isn’t nearly as comfortable as the hardware section on the DDJ-1000.
The second way is to use the Pad FX mode accessible from the controller’s performance pads. This way you can use a bank of fully customizable press-and-hold audio FX activated momentarily with a press of a button.
Finally, each FLX6 deck has its own Merge FX knob for triggering multi-effect transition combinations. Merge FX is a set of 4 combo FX presets meant for assisting your track transitions, mainly these where large tempo differences are involved.
When using current versions of Serato DJ Pro, the FLX6 can also use Serato’s Channel FX through its software-controlled channel effect workflow. These are still processed in software rather than by an onboard FX processor.
Pioneer DDJ-1000 also lets you use audio FX in three different ways. The DDJ-1000 has a full hardware Beat FX section with 14 effects. Ten are familiar DJM-series effects, while Enigma Jet, Mobius Saw, Mobius Triangle and Low Cut Echo were introduced with the controller.
You also have 4 hardware Sound Color FX: Pitch, Filter, Dub Echo and Noise. These are controlled using the Color knob on each mixer channel and can be combined with the separate Beat FX section. Rekordbox Pad FX gives you another software-based option from the performance pads.
The last way is the said Pad FX mode which works identical on the DDJ-1000 as it did on the DDJ-FLX6. The only difference is, that on the Pioneer DDJ-1000 you are given access to two 8 slot Pad FX banks instead of one.
Overall, the Pioneer DDJ-1000 does a much better job on handling the audio FX and it’s much more versatile in terms of the variety of available effects.
Performance pads
Performance pads on the Pioneer DDJ-1000 are the standard “full-size” performance pads that you can find on many other professional Pioneer DJ devices such as the Pioneer DDJ-SX3. Pads on the DDJ-1000 also feature RGB backlight.
The pads on the Pioneer DDJ-FLX6 are much smaller than the ones on the DDJ-1000, and in terms of backlight they can offer only blue backlit edges.
Both controllers give you 8 pad modes in their native Rekordbox workflow. The DDJ-1000 also has dedicated Page buttons for accessing additional Hot Cue and Sampler pages (depending on the software you’re using).
In terms of exact performance pad modes, these two devices are roughly the same, other than the Pioneer DDJ-1000 features 2 Pad FX banks, and the Pioneer DDJ-FLX6 has the Sample Scratch pad mode which the DDJ-1000 doesn’t have.
The Sample Scratch mode on the Pioneer DDJ-FLX6 allows you to quickly load scratch samples onto a deck, much like the Serato Scratch Bank feature on some of the other Serato DJ compatible controllers.
The FLX6 can also use its pads for Serato Stems by replacing one of the compatible Serato pad modes.
Overall, the performance pads on the DDJ-FLX6 feel pretty much the same as pads on any other entry-level DJ controller, it’s not a surprise in this price range. The DDJ-1000 is the way to go if you’re set on getting a controller with the most comfortable and efficient performance pad controls.
| Pioneer DDJ-FLX6 on Ebay: |
| Pioneer DDJ-1000 on Ebay: |
Jog wheels comparison
The jog-wheel mechanism is another major distinction between these controllers.
The Pioneer DDJ-1000 has 2 full-size mechanical jog wheels with adjustable resistance and built-in color displays on board, very similar to ones you can find on the Pioneer CDJ-2000NXS players. The jog wheels on the DDJ-1000 are roughly 8.11 in / 206 mm in diameter.
DDJ-1000 also features nifty built-in jog wheel displays that can display your track details and album art. It’s a neat little feature that is nowadays more and more present on DJ controllers (sometimes even on cheaper entry-level devices such as the Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX).
Numark Mixtrack Platinum FX vs. Pro FX (Which Is better?)
The DDJ-FLX6 also uses full-size 206 mm-class platters, but they’re capacitive rather than mechanical and don’t have the DDJ-1000’s full information displays or jog tension adjustment.
The FLX6 platters can feel noticeably cheaper, although they’re still perfectly usable for beatmatching and basic scratching.
The simple LED needle indicators on each of the DDJ-FLX6’s jog wheels tell you the current position of the virtual needle on your deck. When it comes to the DDJ-FLX6, there are no built in displays on the jog wheels.
The main difference between mechanical and capacitive jog wheels is that the mechanical jog wheel uses the pressure of your touch to determine whether or not your hand is touching the wheel’s surface, while a capacitive jog wheel has a touch-sensitive capacitive surface that deals with that matter.
Choosing one jog wheel type over the other is purely a matter of preference.
Merge FX & Jog Cutter on the DDJ-FLX6
The FLX6 generation also has two signature beginner-friendly features that the DDJ-1000 doesn’t: Merge FX and Jog Cutter.
The Merge FX knob is essentially a shortcut for 4 combo transition FX presets, and the Jog Cutter mode is a way of automating scratching without the use of a crossfader. You can learn more about both these features in my closer look at the DDJ-FLX6 here.
Inputs and outputs
When it comes to the Pioneer DDJ-FLX6, it features a simple master RCA output and RCA booth output. Sadly there are no XLR outputs here, although again this is to be expected from an entry-level DJ controller.
An important thing to note here, is that the booth output on the DDJ-FLX6 is an RCA output. This is different from the standard 1/4 inch jack booth outputs you can find on most DJ devices.
In terms of headphone outputs on the DDJ-FLX6 there are two of these – 1/4 inch jack and a 1/8 inch jack. There is also a 1/4 inch jack mic input on the back of the device, with a small mic gain knob next to it.
The DDJ-1000 is much better equipped for professional or multi-device setups. Aside from the audio inputs for each mixer channel, it has the XLR and RCA outputs and mic inputs (both jack and XLR). There are also 1/4 inch jack booth outputs here alongside with two jack headphone outputs.
The DDJ-1000 has 2 USB inputs for back-to-back mixes, the DDJ-FLX6 doesn’t give you that option.
While the Pioneer DDJ-FLX6 is USB bus powered, the Pioneer DDJ-1000 requires a power supply to be connected to use it.
In terms of audio inputs and outputs the DDJ-1000 is much more versatile.
Software compatibility
The software situation is one of the most important differences between these controllers.
The DDJ-FLX6 officially works with both Rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro. It is a Hardware Unlock device for Rekordbox Performance mode, and connecting it also unlocks Serato DJ Pro without requiring a separate Pro license.
The original DDJ-1000 is much more tightly tied to Rekordbox. It remains a Rekordbox Hardware Unlock device and also has official VirtualDJ support, but it isn’t an officially supported Serato DJ controller.
The FLX6 also has official VirtualDJ support, and Pioneer released Traktor Pro 3 mapping files for the FLX6/FLX6-GT.
If the software choice is a major part of your decision, I’ve compared Rekordbox and Serato separately here.
Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT – Serato compatible?
If you want the DDJ-1000 hardware with Serato DJ Pro, Pioneer also made the DDJ-1000SRT. It uses almost the same hardware but changes the software integration, pad modes and jog-display behavior for Serato. I’ve compared the DDJ-1000 and DDJ-1000SRT in detail here: Pioneer DDJ-1000 vs. DDJ-1000SRT – Is The Software The Only Difference?
The conclusion – which one should you choose?
Between these two controllers alone, the DDJ-1000 is still the much more capable piece of hardware. You get the better mixer, proper external inputs, hardware FX, professional outputs, dual USB connections, larger RGB pads and much better mechanical jog wheels.
The FLX6 still has a few practical advantages of its own. It’s much lighter, USB powered, works natively with both Rekordbox and Serato DJ Pro, and gives you Merge FX and Jog Cutter if those features appeal to you.
Today, though, price is everything. The original FLX6 has already been replaced, and the DDJ-1000 is discontinued. If you’re shopping new rather than finding a good used deal, I’d compare the DDJ-GRV6 and DDJ-FLX10 before buying either of these older models.
If a used DDJ-1000 is only a little more expensive than a used FLX6, I’d take the DDJ-1000 without much hesitation. If portability, Serato support and a much lower price matter more, the FLX6 can still make sense. Rock on!
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