Hercules DJ DJControl Inpulse 300 MK2 DJ-controller

Hercules DJControl Inpulse 300 MK2 — A Learning-First DJ Controller

The Hercules DJControl Inpulse 300 MK2 is a 2-deck USB DJ controller built for first-time DJs who want to learn mixing rather than rely on auto-sync. Its defining feature is the Beatmatch Guide, LED arrows built into the hardware that light up to show whether a track is ahead of or behind the beat. The controller ships with both Serato DJ Lite and DJUCED, so beginners can pick their platform without a paid upgrade on day one.

What Sets This Controller Apart in the Entry-Level Category

Most beginner controllers in this price tier rely entirely on the laptop screen for visual feedback. The Inpulse 300 MK2 instead bakes learning cues directly into the hardware: tempo guide LEDs run alongside each pitch fader, and beat-align LEDs sit underneath each jog wheel. Inside DJUCED, the Intelligent Music Assistant (IMA) analyses your library and Beatport ADVANCED to suggest the next best track for your mix.

Built-In Audio Interface and Connectivity

No external sound card is required — the audio interface is integrated into the chassis, so a single braided USB cable handles both data and audio.

• Master Output: 2 × RCA — feeds powered speakers or a PA amp directly
• Headphones Output: 3.5 mm stereo mini-jack — standard cueing socket on the front edge
• Audio resolution runs at 44.1 kHz / 24-bit, more than adequate for lossless libraries and streaming tracks

Performance Controls and Pads

Each deck is built around a touch-sensitive jog wheel sized at 14 cm (5.5"), slim enough for finger rolls and backspins. Below the platter, eight rubber performance pads unlock eight modes including Hot Cue, Roll, Slicer, Sampler, and Loop.

• Jog Wheels: 14 cm (5.5") with touch detection — enlarged detection zone for smoother scratching
• Performance Pads: 16 total (8 per deck) × 8 modes — Hot Cue, Roll, Slicer, Sampler, Loop, and more
• FX rack pairs an on/off button with depth and beat knobs for hands-on tweaking without the mouse

Mixer Section and Physical Footprint

The central mixer mirrors a club layout with a crossfader, master and headphone volume knobs, and dedicated VU meters for the master output and each deck.

• Mixer Channels: 2-deck with 3-band EQ, gain, filter, and volume fader per channel
• VU Meters: Master + per-deck — visual level monitoring without checking the screen
• The chassis measures 480 × 286 × 52 mm and weighs 1.8 kg, slim enough to slip into most laptop bags

Who Should Buy This DJ Controller

This controller is the right choice for aspiring DJs who want to learn manual beatmatching from scratch rather than lean on sync buttons. First-time bedroom DJs will appreciate the LED-guided learning system, while intermediate users gain 16 pads, a proper 3-band EQ, and per-deck VU meters. Streamers and content creators will also find it useful as a compact, USB-powered rig that works with both Serato and DJUCED.

The Inpulse Line and Hercules' Learning-First Approach

Hercules built the Inpulse series around a single idea: the hardware itself should teach you how to DJ. The MK2 version of the 300 adds native Serato compatibility and refined jog wheels compared to the original, while keeping the Beatmatch Guide that made the line popular with first-time buyers. Pairing the unit with both Serato DJ Lite and DJUCED gives newcomers a choice of two widely used DJ platforms.