Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 DJ Controller – Beginner DJ Set, 2-Deck USB DJ Mixer with Built-In Audio Interface, RGB Pads, Touch-Sensitive Jog Wheels

The Hercules DJControl Inpulse 500 is an impressive piece of gear that punches well above its weight class. Whether you're an aspiring DJ looking to level up or a seasoned pro seeking a reliable backup controller, this 2-deck USB unit hits all the right notes. Right out of the box, it feels premium — sturdy metal top plate, full-size jog wheels, and a clean layout that’s both intuitive and performance-ready. The mixer section is particularly well-designed, featuring a 3-band EQ, filters, VU meters, and a hardware mixer for audio inputs. It’s a welcome surprise on a controller at this price point. The compatibility is another huge win. It works seamlessly with both Serato DJ Lite (upgradeable to Pro) and DJUCED, giving you the freedom to experiment with different software ecosystems. The onboard Beatmatch Guide is also incredibly helpful for beginners, making learning the art of manual beatmatching a lot less intimidating. Other standout features include balanced XLR outputs, an auxiliary input with dedicated volume control, and RGB performance pads that let you trigger hot cues, rolls, slicers, and more. The touch-sensitive jog wheels are accurate and smooth, ideal for scratching and tight cue control. Overall, the Inpulse 500 offers a rare combination of high-end features, rock-solid build quality, and beginner-friendly tools — all at a budget-friendly price. Hercules has clearly designed this with growth in mind, making it an excellent long-term investment for DJs at any level. Pros: Solid build quality with a metal faceplate Serato DJ and DJUCED compatibility Balanced XLR outputs Helpful beat-matching aids for learners Professional-grade features at a mid-range price Cons: No standalone mixer functionality without a computer Limited to 2 decks (which may not suit 4-deck users)

Love this controller

It’s the coolest thing I’ve bought in controllers. The sticks are really good, and there’s no noticeable latency.

I've put a lot of time on this controller. It feels great and has never let me down, however the included DJuced software is not that great. It's good to learn on, but it's a bit cobbled together and has a lot of frustrating bugs that never seem to get sorted out. I ended up switching to VirtualDJ which has great mappings for this controller, much more stable and has more features and have been far happier with it. A home license is only $99 so it's not too bad. Serato is also supported but you're going to want the pro license which is $$$. This is still better than the FLX4 if you don't require Recordbox.

So many features! Works best with Virtual DJ Djay pro

100% Recommend this product to any beginning / entry level DJ's out there. I'm a bedroom DJ and I've done a few public gigs. This controller is amazing with high end features and high quality controls. I am not a paid endorser of this product, but I have hundreds of hours use on it. I love this thing! Maybe if I were really trying to make all my money as a DJ, this controller may not fit the bill, but I could still work. DJ Carlo said it best, your DJing doesn't get better because you have a more expensive controller. This thing is a Rock Star in my books and if mine were damaged, or stolen, or stopped working for some odd reason, I'd buy another one immediately.

I avoid posting reviews. But for this item I find that it does what it needs to do every time no questions asked. It’s basically plug and play and minimises the confusion for newer users by having everything working and within fingers reach. I’ve used this item coming up two months at the time of this post and it’s a really good tool to learn basic concepts of mixing and how to get the ball rolling. If you’re on the fence or don’t want to spend more money then without a doubt I can say I too gambled on this deck and it does what I need. And while it isn’t the smallest tool it does fits on a desk. It Plugs into your computer and has software that’s free and has never given me a single issue and lets you just mess with it and learn how to get everything working. It’s the better cheaper option I was able to find.

I have been nearly overwhelmed with the quality of both the Hercules DJ Controller (and have shown experienced DJs my new controller and they have been impressed), DJuiced is powerfully brilliant and wonderfully easy to use software, at least for this beginner it has been, and most of all, I think the best video tutorial experience I've ever had has been from the included video tutorials hosted by DJ Hubba, who offers a lot of hands-on, foundational knowledge to get any budding DJ thinking and moving in the right direction. My first hands-on performance is coming up this month, and I'm not nervous at all. Confident in my gear, software and hopeful I'll be able to read the crowd and keep lifting them with just the right music for their time with the music I'll be jammin. I haven't even tried the other software that comes packaged with it, yet, but I'll get around to it, I'm sure there's a lot to keep learning on this DJ Track.