When digital became the standard for music, it naturally followed that the DJ booth went digital too. If you're an experienced DJ, you might remember when analog turntables and mixers were still the way to go. If you're new, you're starting out at a pretty exciting time. Today's digital DJ controllers and interfaces give you more tools and effects to work with than ever before. At the heart of most DJ setups are the turntables. Most of the controllers you'll find here are digital turntable MIDI controllers, giving you some of the functions of a standard control surface together with the jog wheels to stand in for vinyl records when you want to scratch. There are also some compact models, like the Numark ORBIT, with a single jog wheel to make them more portable. Whether you're looking for power or portability, there are controllers designed to deliver it.

You'll also find pad-style DJ controllers for mixing, looping and managing individual tracks and samples. A pad can be your main controller if you don't scratch or if you use an analog turntable. You can also use it as a supplement alongside a jog wheel controller to add more functions like percussion effects. If some of your equipment is analog and some is digital, an interface will let you connect it all together. For example, you could use a DJ interface to connect a vinyl or CD turntable to your computer to record, mix and sample digitally. Or, you might use one to rip your music on vinyl to digital formats so that you can use it with a digital turntable controller. Some of those controllers even have interfaces built in. Of all the digital equipment you'll use as a professional DJ, controllers and interfaces are probably the most important. Together with your hardware or software sound units, mixers, synths and sequencers, they play a crucial role as part of the modern DJ toolbox.