Pioneer DJ DDJ-400 Vs DDJ-SB3 - Which Is Better For New DJs?

I have dj sb3 controller it's awesome

Very good video, since a lot of folks google the differences but get overly complex guides most won't bother to read unless they're music nerds (like many of us are, but at that point you already know most of the things folks may wonder about with the differences), so if I'm recommending starter controllers to someone, I just send them this video to help them decide (though many like the 200 for the bluetooth implementation it has)

Great video! I’m getting the DDJ SB3 this weekend

Can I record my mix with rekordbox straight out of the box?

nice video thanku!

Great overview

Point simple, both are great, in my eyes the ddj400 sets up beginners for the Pioneer road to CDJs, while the SB3 is for home experimentation

I would have loved to hear the sound quality coming out of both decks. Surely that is the true acid test.

My 2 cents on why the DDJ-SB3 is the better buy over the DDJ-400, having owned and used both for extended periods of time.

1) The fx section, this is my biggest gripe with the DDJ-400 , yes it emulates the style used on club decks but it's so stripped back its practically useless, for example the switch between channel 1, channel 2 and master, if you're switching it between 1 and 2 its sooooooooo easy to overshoot and hit the master, next thing you know your main track has steel echo and it sounds like you're in a space ship. if they really wanted to copy properly this should be a solid step by step knob. or at least a channel 1 to channel 2 slider and a master button underneath. selecting an fx is super annoying, you have to press the button loads to move all the way to the bottom of the list and hold shift and the button to move all the way back, all this means you have to have the FX panel open in rekordbox in order to see what you're selecting, taking up a good chunk of screen space, again a knob is used on club DJ equipment. The DDJ-SB3 however has 3 buttons on each side that you can assign an fx too , it means you have to remember which button is which easily done. It's just so much easier, yeah most casual DJ's will only use 1 FX at a time, id be happy with just a single button and a single dial on each side the very very least, like on the DDJ-RB, it honestly makes using fx instantly better and usable quickly without having to really think about it.

2) The DDJ-400 seems to have gone the complete opposite with the looping, its super advanced, its way more than any beginner or even intermediate casual DJ needs, I cant see a DJ who is competent enough to make proper use of the loop functions available being happy with the extremely limiting FX. The DDJ-SB3 offers super simple, super easy to operate, beat snapping loops at the click of a single button.

3) The sliders/Mixer section, on the DDJ-400 everything in the mixer section is extremely cramped, the have loads of spare space around the jog wheels that would allow them to expand, it doesn't make sense to me, it makes knobs extremely close together and the sliders are very very small compared to the SB3, just feels a bit toyish and not well thought out to me.

4) Tiny tiny performance pads on the DDJ-400, the DDJ-SB3 has large much less plasticy feeling buttons which to me makes the SB3 feel much more premium as they are a lot for various reason. I also believe the options on the SB3 are much better, especially for beginners but this is one of those subjective things.

5) Rekordbox. One of the main things that's mentioned when comparing the 2 is the free rekordbox pro level license. I personally prefer serato so I'm a bit biased and I understand it can be subjective. However serato lite offers beginners and most casual DJs everything you could ever need. If you have fully mastered serato lite and your controller then you're ready to upgrade anyway and the next level up (DDJ-SR/SR2) unlocks serato pro for free. if you are dead set on using rekordbox, which is perfectly fine, the DDJ-RB basically matches the DDJ-SB3 and is currently £125 used from CEX (Condition B). the only differences being, 1 fx button and dial on each side, and no auto loop button (Beat snap), just standard loop buttons but beat loops with snap can be assigned to performance pads etc. everything else is a carbon copy, it also has sexy black jog wheels. The next level up is the DDJ-RR which again is a direct copy of the DDJ-SR2 except it uses rekordbox instead of serato, you wont be limited in upgrade options.

Another commonly mentioned pro of the DDJ-400 is it has slightly longer tempo adjust sliders, which it does have, but the key word is "slightly" and it is just that, a tiny amount that wont effect most DJ's, when you move up through the equipment levels, the tempo sliders triple/quadruple in size, that's when it makes an actual difference. Same for the pros toward the SB3 having slightly large jogwheels, again "slightly" is key and shouldn't be a factor. Build quality of both controllers is a spitting image but for some reason, to me, the images of the DDJ-400 make it look more premium (Black jog wheels??), but in person it is infact the exact same.

I was drawn into the DDJ-400 by all the reviews online that slightly nudged the DDJ-400 in front of the SB3, not to mention I much prefer the overall look and black jogwheels of the 400. but my opinion is that if you're a complete beginner definitely go with the SB3, its so much more fun, easy to use and the least frustrating to use and if you're having fun then you're learning and the fundamental skills of a DJ will transfer to literally any controller on the market with a small adjustment period.

Again, personal opinions, 2 cents etc etc.

I dont know, I find the pad scratch feature a bit gimmicky.. like a bit of a cop out to learning how to properly scratch.

Will all the controls work with ddj sb3 using Djay pro 2

Did rekordbox software need 4 gb RAM and more in our computer isn't it?

I still have no idea which to get lol. I used serato dvs years ago but never used much effects/looping with that

Which one is now better 400 or sb3

Hey brother..!!
I'm totally a begginners. Which budget djing deck should I afford..??

This is by far the best comparison video I have seen, after researching these two units for hours.

i have the sb3 with serato pro for free

After watching this video it makes me feel like my DDJ-SB3 was not the right choice at all. :( :( :(

Is DJ DDJ-400 have a "key lock"?

Really helpful vid. Just one question for something you dropped at the end - the difference being posed as preferring to play at a festival vs. a club. I get how the DDJ-400 is better for a club set-up transition, but what were you getting at for what resembles or helps a 'festival set-up'? Be interested to know. Peace!

I don’t know 😭😭😭😭

For me the ddj sb3 is better, have performance layout from the ddj 400.

Thanks for this review! I’m getting into this, and still don’t know which is the best for me, but this reviews are helping me a lot. Greetings from Argentina

Great video, thanks for the comparison 🔥🔥

Pioneer DDJ 400 for sure, the keyboard feature is big advantage for me

quick question, i am trying to play techno and assume that 400 more suitable as scratch effect not much in use correct for techno style music

DDJ-4000 vs sbs3 If you have to choose one of these two. plz reply

I might side-grade to SB3 because of how they placed the fx controls.

Thinking of buying one of these DJ controller still not sure which one to get

DDJ - 400 WINS

it appears that it all comes down to a simple factor, 400 has a full version software while the sb3 is just a lite version of it, other than that it appears that sb3 is a little better (just a little) in every aspect. Imo if you are a beginner go for the 400 without even thinking, the chances of me paying for a serato upgrade at this point are little.

DDJ SB3 all the way, am using it now and it's very fun to play with lots of things to do with

This was very helpful. I have serato and have the option of purchasing either pad for $150. Someone asked the question was the 400 compatible with Serato and the answer was no. Glad I saw this video b4 I bought rhe 400😵

400 easily

Dj cisco 254
which one do u prefer

As a beginner i would buy the DDJ-400 because it comes with full licensed version of the software. As the sb3 i would need to upgrade that means additional cost. As a hobbyist or beginner going serious it would hurt the pocket a bit to ugrade

Will you please demo the Numark mixtrack platinum

why is hard to choose and move on, crazy i dont like to live on earth.........

Head to Head sounds gay... good vid tho

When I was looking to upgrade my controller, I saw both the DDJ 400 and DDJ SB3. Since I am a House DJ and wanted to be able to play outside my apt, I went for the DDJ-400. They are the closest thing to playing CDJs and mixer at a club plus they have the full license Rekordbox. I was sold.

who is the best ??

Is ddj 400 have a fx control nob which is in sb3

Hello everyone, has anyone used any DJ Controllers with Diamondboxxs or Soundboks?

which one is better?

Is the DDJ 400 compatible with Serato?

i want to buy one for mixing and that could work with a launchpad, i dont want to scratch
which one would be the best? cheers

Thank for the breakdown of the units. I want one still not sure. Gonna check out the article.

sb3 is cool

Record box on sb3 working as 400 ????