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Reviews for the Digital DJ
Full Review: The Pioneer DDJ-REV7 Amazon Bundle
Is this the ultimate scratch controller package?
If you're a scratch DJ or turntablist looking to jump into the digital world without losing that vinyl feel, your options have been limited. Pioneer aims to change that with their REV series, and the flagship DDJ-REV7 Scratch-Style 2 is a beast of a machine. We're not just looking at the controller today, but at a specific Amazon bundle that packages it with everything you need to get started right out of the box. Let's dig in.
The Star of the Show: The DDJ-REV7
The DDJ-REV7 Scratch-Style 2 is built to emulate a professional scratch setup (like two PLX-1000 turntables and a DJM-S series mixer) in a single unit. The layout is the first thing you'll notice: it's a "battle-style" setup, with the pitch faders on top (like a turntable in battle position) and the performance pads placed in the mixer section.
Key features that set it apart:
- Motorized 7-inch Jog Wheels: This is the main event. They are high-torque, direct-drive platters that feel incredibly close to vinyl. The top plate is a vinyl-like acrylic, and you can even adjust the torque.
- On Jog Display: Right in the center of each platter is a 3.5-inch LCD screen. It can show waveforms, track info, artwork, or your custom logo. This is a massive workflow improvement, letting you keep your eyes off the laptop.
- Magvel Fader Pro: The same buttery-smooth, ultra-durable, and lightning-fast fader found in Pioneer's top-tier battle mixers. It's built for millions of cycles and has adjustable tension.
- Serato Stems Control: The controller has dedicated buttons for Serato Stems, allowing you to isolate vocals, melodies, bass, and drums in real-time for live mashups and acapella-out moments.
- 22 Built-in Beat FX: It inherits a host of effects from the DJM-S11, including three new ones. The effect levers are also straight from the S-series mixers, making effect application intuitive and fun.
What's in this Amazon Bundle?
Buying just the controller is one thing, but this specific Austin Bazaar bundle on Amazon aims to be an all-in-one package. For a single price, you get:
- The DDJ-REV7 Scratch-Style 2 Controller: The main unit, of course.
- A Protective Case: Absolutely essential for a controller this expensive (and heavy, at over 23 pounds). A good hardshell case will protect your investment during transport.
- DJ Headphones: A necessary tool for cueing tracks.
- XLR Microphone Cable: Lets you connect a professional microphone directly to the controller's mic inputs.
- TRS to Dual TS Breakout Cable: A versatile cable for connecting to different types of studio monitors or PA systems.
- Austin Bazaar Polishing Cloth: To wipe the fingerprints off that glossy mixer section.
The value here is in the convenience and cost-saving. Sourcing a perfectly-fitting case and all the right cables separately can be a hassle and add up quickly.
Pros and Cons
No controller is perfect. Here's the breakdown as we see it.
- PROS:
- Unmatched vinyl-like feel from the motorized jogs.
- Professional, intuitive battle-style layout.
- Fantastically responsive and durable Magvel Fader Pro.
- On Jog Displays are genuinely useful and reduce laptop-gazing.
- Powerful built-in hardware effects.
- The bundle provides excellent starting value.
- CONS:
- Price: This is a premium, professional-grade product with a price tag to match.
- Weight & Size: At 23.6 lbs and nearly 29 inches wide, this is not a "toss in a backpack" controller. It's a serious piece of hardware.
- Serato DJ Pro Only: It's designed specifically for Serato. If you're a Rekordbox or VirtualDJ user, this isn't for you.
Why the REV7 is a Beast for Bass Music & Dubstep
This is where things get really interesting. Dubstep and bass music DJs, who often incorporate turntablist techniques, will feel right at home on the DDJ-REV7 Scratch-Style 2.
Here’s why it’s a perfect match:
- Rapid-Fire Cuts: The Magvel Fader Pro is built for the kind of fast, aggressive fader work common in bass music. Think rhythmic chirps and stabs on the drop—this fader can keep up.
- Tactile Scratching & Juggling: The high-torque motorized platters give you the tactile feedback you need for complex scratches, spin-backs, and beat juggles. You can "feel" the track in a way a static jog wheel just can't replicate.
- Pad Smashing & Cue Juggling: With the performance pads located centrally in the mixer section, you can perform rapid-fire cue point juggling with one hand while controlling the fader with the other, all without reaching over a platter. This is ideal for remixing drops live or tapping out drum patterns.
- Stems for Live Remixes: Imagine isolating the gnarly bassline from one track and layering it over the drum break of another, or cutting the vocals right before a drop. The dedicated Stems control on the DDJ-REV7 Scratch-Style 2 makes this incredibly easy and opens up a new world of live performance.
Final Verdict
The DDJ-REV7 Scratch-Style 2 is an unapologetically professional tool for scratch-focused Serato DJs. It brilliantly bridges the gap between the analog feel of turntables and the digital power of a controller.
While the controller itself is a significant investment, this Amazon bundle sweetens the deal by including a protective case and all the accessories you need to plug in and play. If you're serious about digital scratching and want the best vinyl emulation on the market, this entire package is one of the most compelling options available today.
