Pioneer DDJ-200 is a nifty DJ controller aimed mostly towards beginners and DJs who want to try performing on the go for a low cost. This little device can allow you to mix your tracks with ease with the help of your mobile devices or your laptop. There are many frequently asked questions when it comes to the DDJ-200, coming especially for those of you who are about to buy or have already purchased this piece of DJ tech. Let’s go over the most important matters concerning the Pioneer DDJ-200.
- Does DDJ-200 work with Serato?
- Is Pioneer DDJ-200 compatible with Rekordbox?
- Will DDJ-200 come with Rekordbox?
- Does DDJ-200 work with Virtual DJ?
- Can DDJ-200 work with Spotify or Apple Music?
- What software is DDJ-200 compatible with?
- Can you use DDJ-200 on mobile iOS devices?
- Does DDJ-200 work with Android phones?
- Is DDJ-200 a good option for beginners?
- Do you need a DJ splitter cable for your DDJ-200?
- Should you get a case for your new DDJ-200?
- Where can you get a new Pioneer DDJ-200?
- DDJ-200 vs. DDJ-400 (important differences)
- The conclusion
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Does DDJ-200 work with Serato?
Pioneer DDJ-200 is a dedicated Rekordbox DJ controller and unfortunately it will not work with Serato, as it’s currently not compatible with Serato DJ Lite nor Serato DJ Pro.
If you already own a Serato DJ Pro hardware unlock device you could try and map out some controls of the DDJ-200 as a third party MIDI device, although your hardware unlock DJ controller would still have to be connected to your computer.
DDJ-200 vs. DDJ-400 (Which Is Better For You?)
The other way would be to purchase Serato DJ Pro and then try to map out your DDJ-200 as a 3rd party controller. Keep in mind though that Serato DJ Pro MIDI mapping utility isn’t exactly the best in the world and you can face some troubles during the process or not be able to map some hardware controls at all.
Neither of these options are really reliable and in our opinion neither of these should be considered, especially if you are a beginner.
Is Pioneer DDJ-200 compatible with Rekordbox?
Yes, as a dedicated Rekordbox DJ controller, Pioneer DDJ-200 will work with Rekordbox software. DDJ-200 is fully compatible with Rekordbox and it will unlock the full version of Rekordbox software once plugged into your laptop much like the Pioneer DDJ-400.
Pioneer DDJ-400 – DJ Controller FAQ – Most Important Things To Know
Currently there is no need of activating the software using an activation code, as it was hte case with the previous versions of Rekordbox.
Will DDJ-200 come with Rekordbox?
Does Pioneer DDJ-200 come with Rekordbox? Yes, as explained in the previous paragraph the DDJ-200 will unlock the full version of Rekordbox software when plugged into your computer with a USB cable.
If you want to quickly get started with your DDJ-200 on your computer there is no need to purchase additional software. Simply download Rekordbox software for free from the official Rekordbox DJ website, and then plug in your DDJ-200. You will be all set and ready to go.
Does DDJ-200 work with Virtual DJ?
Pioneer DDJ-200 is supported by and compatible with Virtual DJ software.
One thing to keep in mind is that you need a Pro Infinity, Pro Subscription or a DDJ-200 PLUS License to use your controller for more than 10 minutes at a time.
New DJ Splitter Cables Guide + Troubleshooting
Virtual DJ offers a great MIDI customization utility you can use to personalize the controls on your DDJ-200. It also supports the split cue option much like Rekordbox, and so you can easily use DJ splitter cables with it to listen to your separate headphone cue output live.
Can DDJ-200 work with Spotify or Apple Music?
Currently Spotify and Apple Music are not supported as a sound source in any DJ software (even in mobile apps). This means that there is no possibility for legally using music from Spotify or Apple Music for your live mixes while perfroming using your Pioneer DDJ-200.
Can You DJ With Spotify? (Important Updates)
While Spotify and Apple Music are not an option here, there are many other music streaming services such as Tidal or Beatport Link that allow you to use their music for DJing for a small monthly subscription fee. These kind of streaming services are often integrated within DJ software such as Serato DJ or Rekordbox.
What software is DDJ-200 compatible with?
Pioneer DDJ-200 is fully compatible with many popular pieces of DJ software (both PC and mobile), however naturally as with most Rekordbox dedicated DJ controllers you won’t find Serato DJ software on this list. Let’s take a look at all the software supported by the DDJ-200 hardware.
Pioneer DDJ-200 software compatibility list:
- Rekordbox (PC / Mac)
- Virtual DJ (PC / Mac)
- djay Pro (PC / Mac)
- djay (Android / iOS)
- WeDJ (Android / iOS)
- edjing Mix (Android / iOS)
In terms of Traktor and Mixx, there are some unofficial community mappings available out there, however their quality may vary.
Can you use DDJ-200 on mobile iOS devices?
You certainly can, using any of the officially supported iOS mobile DJ apps. This of course means that you can mix on the go using just your iPhone or iPad and your DDJ-200 without any trouble – the device is powered using USB bus power.
DDJ-200 vs. DDJ-400 (Which Is Better For You?)
Keep in mind that different kinds of mobile DJ apps usually by default have both free and paid versions. Check the available features of each app before ultimately choosing one, so that you’ll settle for the best solution for you.
Does DDJ-200 work with Android phones?
Yes, just as with iOS, Android has many apps for mobile DJs like djay, WeDJ or edjing Mix, that are compatible with the Pioneer DDJ-200. Keep in mind that the Android version of these apps can differ quite a bit from their iOS counterparts in terms of their user interfaces and feature sets.
You can use your DDJ-200 with your Android phone or tablet just as well as with your Apple mobile devices.
Is DDJ-200 a good option for beginners?
Is the Pioneer DDJ-200 worth it for beginners? Well, if we are being honest, while the DDJ-200 is a great little device, it lacks many features that are great to have when you’re just starting out. In most cases you will want to grab a Pioneer DDJ-400 instead as it’s not much more expensive and you can do much more using its extended feature set.
You can check out the DDJ-400 in the official Pioneer DJ Amazon store here.
We have an extensive comparison of these two units here: DDJ-200 vs. DDJ-400 (Which Is Better For You?)
With that said, the DDJ-200 is still a great option for DJs who want to just try out the feel of a lower grade entry-level DJ equipment, try out using actual simple physical controls while mixing or seek for a DJ controller that can easily be used on the go. You can either get it now, or decide to pay a little bit more and go straight for the Pioneer DDJ-400.
Do you need a DJ splitter cable for your DDJ-200?
As the Pioneer DDJ-200 does not feature a built-in sound card (unlike the Pioneer DDJ-400), you have to rely solely on the device your DDJ-200 is connected to for audio output.
Simply put, if you’re mixing on your laptop, you have to connect your speakers directly to your laptop soundcard output, same thing goes with mobile devices.
Not having a built-in soundcard also means that you won’t be able to connect your headphones directly to your DDJ-200 as it doesn’t feature any audio outputs.
Because your laptop or your phone usually have only a single audio output, to make use of headphone cue monitoring which is essential for live performances you have to get a separate DJ splitter cable that you would then connect to your laptop or smartphone. This cable will split your audio output in two and allow you to use both your headphones and master audio output (speakers) separately.
New DJ Splitter Cables Guide + Troubleshooting
Warning: Not all audio splitter cables are equal, and certainly not all of them can be used for DJing! If you get a simple dollar store audio splitter, you might not be able to use it with your DJ controller at all. Check out our short comprehensive DJ Splitter Cable Guide to avoid frustrating mistakes when getting a splitter cable for your DDJ-200.
Should you get a case for your new DDJ-200?
Owning a case for your DJ controller is quite frankly a must if you plan to use it anywhere other than your home, and absolutely essential when you’re gonna travel with your portable DJ controller. Regardless of a controller you own, we would really recommend you to get a simple transport case for your newly purchased DJ controller – better safe than sorry.
As the Pioneer DDJ-200 is meant to be a portable DJ device, quite naturally there are lots of affordable sturdy hard cases such as this one available for purchase all over the internet. Get one now and be safe!
Where can you get a new Pioneer DDJ-200?
As we usually do, we recommend you to check the current price and availability of the Pioneer DDJ-200 in the official Pioneer DJ store on Amazon.
While you’re at it you might want to check the additional accessories you need to get started such as headphones, audio cables and a case for your new DJ controller.
Pioneer DDJ-200 on Ebay: |
DDJ-200 vs. DDJ-400 (important differences)
One important difference between the Pioneer DDJ-400 and the Pioneer DDJ-200 is that the DDJ-200 does not feature a built-in sound card. The other differences have to do with size, number and quality of available features and things you can do on each of the devices.
DDJ-200 vs. DDJ-400 (Which Is Better For You?)
We have an extensive comparison of these two controllers that you can find here. You might want to read it, as most of the people aware of the existence of these two devices in the end choose the Pioneer DDJ-400 as their first DJ controller.
The conclusion
Pioneer DDJ-200 is a great device for beginners and while it can be lacking in many places in comparison to its older brother – Pioneer DDJ-400, it is still a viable choice if you want to try geting into DJing using a simple DJ controller on low budget. If you’re looking for just that, you could also consider the Numark Party Mix controllers in a similar price range and with a similar feature set.
If you want to know more, or have any further questions, don’t hesitate to ask us in the comments down below. Rock on!