Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT vs. DDJ-1000. Which one should you choose? Do specs of these devices differ by a lot? In this article we will compare the DDJ-1000 with the DDJ-1000SRT DJ controllers, look at the most important differences between these devices and list all their pros and cons. We hope that this will help you choose the right controller. Let’s get straight into the comparison!
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DDJ-1000 vs. DDJ-1000SRT – the main difference
The main difference between the Pioneer DDJ-1000 and the Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT is that the original DDJ-1000 is a DJ controller made for Rekordbox DJ software, while the DDJ-1000SRT is a Serato DJ Pro compatible device.
You can skip to the Software compatibility section down below for more details on that.
What else is different on the DDJ-1000SRT?
As the original Pioneer DDJ-1000 was designed with Rekordbox DJ software in mind, and the Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT still follows pretty much the same control layout, some visual and functional changes had to be made to the Serato version of the DDJ-1000.
While much of the original functionality of the Pioneer DDJ-1000 remains unchanged on the DDJ-1000SRT, there are some important differences between the two.
First difference is pretty much visual only. On the Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT the mixer faders, some of the knobs and the jog wheel edges have a silver colored finish, to make the two devices distinguishable visually when their jog wheel displays are off.
The second important difference has to do with the jog wheel displays. On the Pioneer DDJ-1000 the jog wheels are able to display more info – such as the current track waveforms, which you won’t find on the DDJ-1000SRT. The displayed info on the Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT is much more simplified and it’s presented in a different layout.
The last important difference now in terms of functionality is the lack of the Pad FX mode on the DDJ-1000SRT, and the lack of the Beat Jump pad mode on the DDJ-1000.
Most of these compromises had to be made because of the software differences between Rekordbox and Serato DJ, for instance, Serato DJ Pro natively does not feature a Pad FX functionality, while Rekordbox has no access to a Beat Jump mode through the performance pads.
The FX sections
Both the Pioneer DDJ-1000 and the Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT make use of their in-built Pioneer hardware FX, pretty much the same ones you can find on the Pioneer DJM-900NXS2 mixers.
These effects will work even when the device is on in standalone mode.
With the DDJ-1000SRT you can’t easily use the Serato DJ software FX and you are “limited” to the Beat FX and Sound Color FX available on the device’s mixer.
If you plan on making use of the native Serato DJ audio FX, you might be more interested in the Pioneer DDJ-SX3.
Loop controls on the DDJ-1000SRT
The Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT features the very same loop controls that are present on the DDJ-1000. The only difference here (as usual) is that they work a bit differently and that they are not designed to be highly compatible with the way Serato DJ software handles loops.
Although we haven’t played around with loops on the DDJ-1000SRT in Serato, we’ve come across many online comments suggesting that for some people remapping the original loop controls in the software was needed or preferred because of the way they worked out of the box.
Can the DDJ-1000SRT work with Rekordbox?
Can you use the DDJ-1000SRT with Rekordbox? Sadly, no. Here is the important thing – you cannot use your DDJ-1000SRT with Rekordbox DJ software, just as you cannot use your original DDJ-1000 with Serato DJ Pro.
Software compatibility
Pioneer DDJ-1000 is a dedicated Rekordbox DJ controller and it will unlock the full version of Rekordbox while plugged into your computer.
The Pioneer DDJ-1000 is also officially compatible with Virtual DJ software, and can be used with Traktor Pro 3, provided you are able to get yourself an appropriate custom MIDI mapping to make that possible.
Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT on the other hand, acts as a hardware unlock device for Serato DJ Pro software. Moreover, your DDJ-1000SRT should also come with a free Serato Pitch’N Time expansion pack voucher code. This expansion is normally available as a paid add-on so that’s a great plus.
Because of all that, the DDJ-1000SRT will always be a little bit more expensive than the original DDJ-1000, as its price needs to include the Serato DJ and Serato Pitch’N Time licenses.
Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT is also compatible with the Virtual DJ software. The situation with Traktor Pro 3 is pretty much the same as with the DDJ-1000 – you need a custom mapping to use your DDJ-1000SRT alongside Traktor DJ software.
Inputs and outputs and standalone mixers
Pioneer DDJ-1000 and Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT feature the same audio inputs and outputs. The mixers of both these devices are also able to work in standalone mode.
This means, that you can use the mixer on your DDJ-1000 and your DDJ-1000SRT when your controller isn’t plugged into your computer (the power supply still needs to be connected). This way you can mix audio from external audio devices and utilize the built in audio FX in the standalone mode with ease.
Note that in the standalone mode the decks on your DDJ-1000/SRT will be locked and non-functional.
Inputs and outputs on the DDJ-1000/SRT:
| Inputs | – 2x LINE (RCA) – 2x PHONO/LINE (RCA) – 2x MIC (XLR & 1/4 inch TRS Jack) |
|---|---|
| USB | – 2x USB B ports |
| Outputs | – 2x MASTER (XLR, RCA) – 1x BOOTH (1/4 inch TRS jack) – 2x PHONES (1/4-inch stereo jack, 1/8 inch stereo jack) |
Main differences between the Pioneer DDJ-1000 and the DDJ-1000SRT
To sum it all up, here are the main differences between the DDJ-1000 and the DDJ-1000SRT:
- DDJ-1000 is made for Rekordbox DJ while the DDJ-1000SRT is adapted for Serato DJ Pro use.
- DDJ-1000 isn’t compatible with Serato DJ and DDJ-1000SRT can’t be used with Rekordbox.
- The DDJ-1000 comes with the full version of Rekordbox DJ software and the DDJ-1000SRT comes with the full version of Serato DJ Pro software and the Serato Pitch’N Time expansion pack.
- There is no Beat Jump pad mode on the DDJ-1000 and there is no Pad FX pad mode on the DDJ-1000SRT.
- The DDJ-1000SRT features silver finish on the mixer faders, knobs and jog wheel edges.
- DDJ-1000SRT has key up/key down shortcuts accessible using the shift button and key sync/key reset buttons.
Price and availability
As we’ve mentioned before, in terms of price the Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT will always be a little bit more expensive than the DDJ-1000, because of the Serato DJ Pro & Serato Pitch’N Time licenses that are included with the controller.
If one device is sold out in the official Pioneer DJ Amazon store, there is a high chance that it will still be available on Ebay.
| Controller | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|
   | Pioneer DDJ-1000: – Unlocks Rekordbox DJ software. – Access to Rekordbox Pad FX. – Track waveforms on jog wheel displays. | – Check price on Amazon – Check price on Ebay |
   | Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT: – Unlocks Serato DJ Pro software. – Comes with Serato Pitch’ N Time expansion voucher. – Clean Serato jog display layout. | – Check price on Amazon – Check price on Ebay |
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Unlocks the full version of Rekordbox DJ (all the software features are unlocked out of the box).
- Gives you access to Rekordbox DJ Pad FX.
- Outstanding quality hardware FX.
Cons:
- Doesn’t support Serato DJ software.
- Very small shift buttons.
- A bit over-complex jog wheel display layout.
Pros:
- Unlocks the full version of Serato DJ Pro.
- Comes with a free voucher for Serato Pitch’N Time expansion.
- Sleek jog wheel display layout.
- Outstanding quality hardware FX.
Cons:
- Doesn’t support Rekordbox DJ software.
- A bit more expensive than the original DDJ-1000.
- Cannot display the track waveforms on the jog wheel displays.
- Doesn’t let you use Serato DJ Pro software FX.
- If you want other feature expansions besides Pitch ‘N Time you have to purchase them separately.
The conclusion – which one is better for you?
Long story short, if you prefer Rekordbox DJ software, we’d recommend you to go straight for the Pioneer DDJ-1000.
If however you’d rather use Serato DJ Pro software with your controller and you’re willing to spend a bit more, you should pick up a brand new Pioneer DDJ-1000SRT.
It all really boils down to your software preference, as the differences between these two units are really small and their overall ergonomics are pretty similar.
| Pioneer DDJ-1000 on Ebay: |